The Elko loss is mitigated greatly by the retention and promotion of Lea. the loss of Hiestand may be great, but one has to wonder why such great individual talent underperformed so often as a unit. Hiestand was very good, but he was not Joe Moore.
Getting back the guys on the field who actually make the plays is more important.
Unfortunately on that front, I think that the loss of EQ is going to be felt.