I think that we were never really beaten by a completely superior team. There were a couple games where we were a couple talented guys short, and others where we just made some mental mistakes. We have the core to win Superbowls, but filling in a couple gaps here and there could be huge. As I watched these playoffs, I saw guys play who I thought we should have signed, like Jonathan Joseph, Carlos Rogers, and Abrayo Franklin. As for next year, the guys on the list I would like to have, who I think we can afford, are:

Ted Ginn or Roscoe Parrish to return punts (or let Pilares do that, too)
One or two OL on the list to compete for a starting job or add depth
Aubrayo Franklin or Amobi Okoye
Manny Lawson
There are about 4 CBs who I think could start right away…Terrell Thomas, Carlos Rogers, Aaron Ross and Tracy Porter
Dashon Goldson and Tyvon Branch would solidify our safety positions.

This list would include letting RJ Stanford, Senn, Connor and Pugh go.

We either re-sign Nanee or bring in some insurance for Gettis like Eddie Royal. i’d resign hangartner in case Schwartz doesn’t work at RG or has to be moved to tackle due to Otah getting hurt or Bell not improving.

At DL I think we add Garay, i’d love Red Bryant too. At safety, I’d be THRILLED if we could add Jim Leonhard. Someone like Steve Gregory is more likely though. Add Garay, Kirkpatrick, Gregory, Lavonte David or Thomas Davis, and Jon Beason back to this defense and we get a large step closer to the Panthers defense of the past.