Simon-
I agree with half of your aprroach. While I like what you've done with the draft and Nate Clements for the most part, I think getting new coaches here and keeping some true veterans on this team is better than some of the moves you've made. While the board might be split on Moulds, I am for him staying due to the fact that Lee Evans hasn't established himself as a #1 guy yet. With Moulds, at least that will take the pressure off of Evans a little bit in 2006. Second, Mike Williams is going to have to take the maximum paycut just to stay with us. If that happens, then put him in at RT and Chris Villarial can play RG. I agree with your Bentley signing, but if we don't get him then we need to consider Preston coming in there and starting at C. LT needs to be upgraded with the first or second pick in the draft. I guess Gandy would win by default then at LG, but I would rather have him as our primary backup tackle.
The upper management and coaching needed to go and this was the appropriate time. While it was fine to have a year of rebuilding in 2001, 2002 brought more optimism. 2003 started well, but ended badly and we know what happened in 2004 with the 9-7 record. 2005 was almost like 2001, but we had more veterans on our team this past year. Bottom line was, TD and MM had an opportunity to turn it around and didn't get it done. When that happens in this business,as you know, you are going to get fired. Ralph made what I think was the appropriate decision.