What we need to improve to be unstoppable in 2012.

This list is in no particular order of importance, just a general summary.

1) Pass rush from the front 4

At times, they wreak havoc, but at other moments, they were virtually non-existent. Much of our pressure came from cleverly designed and properly executed blitz packages, which typically resulted in a man coming free to get the QB. Rarely did our DEs or DTs simply "beat their guy" to get sacks or even create pressure. Vs. Bama is a prime example of this... McCarron had all day, and our pass rush was neutralized after they stonewalled our blitz attempts. Freak Johnson could drastically improve this.

2) QB Play

Regardless of your stance on who should have been playing, etc. etc. etc., I think we should all agree QB play needs to improve. Lee was efficient, but not dynamic. JJ was neither.

If Mettenberger can be more than efficient, even dynamic, we could be really dangerous on offense with our stable of RBs.

3) LB Play

If our defense had a major weakness this year, it was this. Now we lose 3 of our major contributors (debatable as to how much of a "loss" they are). Regardless, they were majorly exposed in the MNC for being poor in coverage. This must improve or teams will go after it again.

4) WR Play in the passing game

Our WRs, even Randle at times, were inconsistent throughout the year. Shep needs to emerge and realize his potential. OBJ needs to keep progressing. Landry needs to own the slot. Boone needs to show off his talent. Wright needs to become a big-bodied RZ threat.

5) Second CB needs to emerge/more creative with Mathieu

Mathieu is going to keep his role as a roaming playmaker playing mostly in the nickel, but teams like Alabama are already showing how to limit his effectiveness (motion him into coverage, stone wall him on blitz pickups). Mathieu himself said Mo locking down one side of the field allowed him to roam and play wild. We need Simon to do that with the other guy being competent.

Who will step into that CB2 spot? Jalen Collins? David Jenkins?

6) RT Play

Hurst seemed to take a stepback in 2011, with a particularly awful game against Bama. Open that position up to competition. Give La'El Collins a chance to unseat him. Competition breeds improvement.

7) Who will play TE?

Mitch Joseph was an unsung hero for this squad, but he did a very good job sealing the edge on running plays. Peterson doesn't seem like much of a loss. Clement is back, but can he be a two-way TE? Who steps up to be the main blocking TE? Do you try an OL there in big sets? Can lil Edwards or lil Dickson get the job done? Does Nic Jacobs get in the action? Is Dillon Gordon going to be ready?
8) Find a 2nd safety

Reid will hold down one spot admirably, we know that. But who plays the other? Will Loston finally attain his potential? Has Ronald Martin taken over the reigns already? Brandon Taylor may not have been the most talented player, but he was a very heady safety that gave us a lot of protection in the back end and did a good job coming up in run support (generally). Can someone fill that role of just being stable?

Some will say playcalling, but I think most of it was fine until the Alabama game. I do think Mettenberger will allow us to open the passing game up in ways we couldn't with Lee/JJ's various weaknesses. He's got a better arm than either. Assuming he progresses, he always showed a more natural pocket presence in the spring game last year, as well as nice hands on ball fakes, etc.