NFL offseason report card: Grades are in
By Dennis Dillon
SportingNews
You know it’s a strange year when Redskins owner Daniel Snyder keeps his checkbook in his suit pocket, the Browns improve significantly without having a pick in the top three rounds of the draft and the league’s sacks leader is traded. Those were just three developments in an NFL offseason filled with hope for the have-nots and tough hits for a couple of the haves.
How did your team do? Well, let’s check the report card.
A
New York Jets. Among the most active shoppers, they fortified their offensive line with the additions of left guard Alan Faneca and right tackle Damien Woody. Nose tackle Kris Jenkins should be a force in the 3-4, and big things are expected from Vernon Gholston, the best pass rusher in the draft.
Minnesota Vikings. They addressed their primary needs by acquiring three veteran starters: premier right defensive end Jared Allen, who led the league in sacks last season with the Chiefs, wide receiver Bernard Berrian and strong safety Madieu Williams.
B-plus
Buffalo Bills. Defensive tackle Marcus Stroud fills their need for a run stuffer-assuming he stays healthy—and linebacker Kawika Mitchell is bigger than their recent starters on the weak side. Two rookies, cornerback Leodis McKelvin and wide receiver James Hardy, could start in Week 1.
Cleveland Browns. They mended their broken defense by adding defensive ends Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers, but they must replace departed cornerback Leigh Bodden. Wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth will complement Braylon Edwards.
B
Philadelphia Eagles. Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel addresses their most pressing need. Chris Clemons (eight sacks for Oakland last year) will be counted on as a situational pass rusher and special teams contributor. They suffered no major losses but failed to add an offensive tackle in free agency.
Oakland Raiders. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall, wide receiver Javon Walker and strong safety Gibril Wilson look like nice pickups—and Darren McFadden, already signed by the team, was the top running back in the draft. Asking former 49er Kwame Harris to play left tackle and protect second-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell’s blind side is risky.
B-minus
Kansas City Chiefs. Players moved in and out of K.C. at warp speed. The Chiefs may not get big results this year, but they set themselves up for the future with a boffo draft. Trading defensive end Jared Allen will hurt in the short term.
Dallas Cowboys. After a 13-3 season, they took minimal hits in free agency. Re-signing left tackle Flozell Adams was a key move. They could get immediate help from running back Felix Jones and cornerback Mike Jenkins, their two first-round picks.
Carolina Panthers. Wide receivers Muhsin Muhammad and D.J. Hackett are upgrades over Drew Carter and Keary Colbert. Weakside linebacker Landon Johnson has the speed to cover a lot of ground. Rookie running back Jonathan Stewart could be a great fit in their power running game.
New Orleans Saints. If linebacker Jonathan Vilma, end Bobby McCray and rookie tackle Sedrick Ellis make plays, the defense will be vastly improved. Their cornerbacks, though, still are mediocre.
C-plus
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Defensive back Eugene Wilson was a nice addition, but most of their other gains were only marginal improvements over their losses. Wide receiver still lacks bite.
Denver Broncos. Denver supplemented its roster with several middle-tier free agents but no difference-makers. First-round pick Ryan Clady is expected to replace the retired Matt Lepsis at left tackle.
Jacksonville Jaguars. Cornerback Drayton Florence was a nice get, and rookies Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves could boost the pass rush. But the additions of underachieving wide receivers Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson did not balance out the losses of defensive tackle Marcus Stroud and defensive end Bobby McCray.
St. Louis Rams. Left guard Jacob Bell, kicker Josh Brown and rookie right defensive end Chris Long filled needs. The Rams will miss wide receiver Isaac Bruce and linebacker Brandon Chillar.
C
Arizona Cardinals. If outside linebacker Travis LaBoy steps up in place of Calvin Pace and outside linebacker Clark Haggans adds depth, their free-agent hits won’t look so substantial. Rookie cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie may need time to develop, and there’s no heir apparent to former No. 3 wide receiver Bryant Johnson.
Indianapolis Colts. They focused on re-signing tight end Dallas Clark and left guard Ryan Lilja, two of their core players, and welcomed back running back Dominic Rhodes. They’re banking on rookie guard Mike Pollak to replace Jake Scott.
Miami Dolphins. Miami added players to help its transition to the 3-4 defense (nose tackle Jason Ferguson, linebacker Reggie Torbor) and improve its special teams play (Keith Davis, Boomer Grigsby). The Dolphins filled a longtime problem spot by selecting Jake Long, the top left tackle prospect in the draft. If they lose defensive end Jason Taylor, their grade will fall below average.
San Francisco 49ers. Bryant Johnson was a productive No. 3 wideout in Arizona, but Isaac Bruce, 35, is too old to be the No. 1 receiver. Right defensive end Justin Smith underachieved in Cincinnati but may be a better fit in a 3-4.
Seattle Seahawks. Fixing the running game was the top priority. Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett replace Shaun Alexander, and Mike Wahle moves in at left guard, a nagging problem since Steve Hutchinson left two years ago. They’ll miss Josh Brown’s clutch kicking.
Houston Texans. They didn’t lose or add any impact players, but they signed Jacques Reeves to provide insurance at cornerback while Dunta Robinson recovers from a torn ACL. Rookie left tackle Duane Brown was a reach with the 26th overall pick.
C-minus
Cincinnati Bengals. Right defensive end Antwan Odom was their only significant pickup in free agency, and they lost two starters in defensive end Justin Smith and safety Madieu Williams. Outside linebacker Keith Rivers, their first-round pick, is a big, fast playmaker.
San Diego Chargers. They fortified their depth on the offensive line and secondary, but they lost more than they gained in free agency. They will miss backup running back Michael Turner and cornerback Drayton Florence.
Atlanta Falcons. In the process of revamping an aging, declining roster, they lost a couple of key players in cornerback DeAngelo Hall and tight end Alge Crumpler.
New York Giants. Losing outside linebacker Kawika Mitchell and strong safety Gibril Wilson in free agency left holes in a championship defense. But they think top rookie safety Kenny Phillips will be better than Wilson.
Detroit Lions. Detroit replenished its secondary with the acquisitions of cornerbacks Leigh Bodden and Brian Kelly and free safety Dwight Smith—all of whom are expected to start. But the Lions still lack a dominant pass rusher.
Washington Redskins. Instead of diving headfirst into free agency, as they’ve done in past years, the Redskins barely got their big toe wet. They didn’t have a first-round draft pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers. As usual, Pittsburgh wasn’t a big player in free agency—and it took a big hit when seven-time Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca left for the Jets. Running back Rashard Mendenhall and wide receiver Limas Sweed are rookie skill players who could help immediately.
Tennessee Titans. Guard Jake Scott was a nice addition as a replacement for Jacob Bell, but the Titans gambled on defensive end Jevon Kearse, tight end Alge Crumpler and wide receiver Justin McCareins.
D
Chicago Bears. Top draft pick Chris Williams could step in at left tackle and revitalize an aging line. But the Bears lost wideout Bernard Berrian, their best offensive player, and they didn’t make any moves to improve their quarterback situation.
Green Bay Packers. They lost a future Hall of Fame quarterback (Brett Favre) and a valuable member of their D-line rotation in Corey Williams. Other than that, it was a great offseason for Cheeseheads.
New England Patriots. Re-signing wide receiver Randy Moss was big, but they said goodbye to premier cornerback Asante Samuel and didn’t add any big-impact free agents.
Baltimore Ravens. They put the franchise tag on outside linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs, which ate up a bunch of cap space, and quarterback Steve McNair’s surprise retirement announcement weakened an offense that was already in flux.
SportingNews
You know it’s a strange year when Redskins owner Daniel Snyder keeps his checkbook in his suit pocket, the Browns improve significantly without having a pick in the top three rounds of the draft and the league’s sacks leader is traded. Those were just three developments in an NFL offseason filled with hope for the have-nots and tough hits for a couple of the haves.
How did your team do? Well, let’s check the report card.
A
New York Jets. Among the most active shoppers, they fortified their offensive line with the additions of left guard Alan Faneca and right tackle Damien Woody. Nose tackle Kris Jenkins should be a force in the 3-4, and big things are expected from Vernon Gholston, the best pass rusher in the draft.
Minnesota Vikings. They addressed their primary needs by acquiring three veteran starters: premier right defensive end Jared Allen, who led the league in sacks last season with the Chiefs, wide receiver Bernard Berrian and strong safety Madieu Williams.
B-plus
Buffalo Bills. Defensive tackle Marcus Stroud fills their need for a run stuffer-assuming he stays healthy—and linebacker Kawika Mitchell is bigger than their recent starters on the weak side. Two rookies, cornerback Leodis McKelvin and wide receiver James Hardy, could start in Week 1.
Cleveland Browns. They mended their broken defense by adding defensive ends Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers, but they must replace departed cornerback Leigh Bodden. Wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth will complement Braylon Edwards.
B
Philadelphia Eagles. Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel addresses their most pressing need. Chris Clemons (eight sacks for Oakland last year) will be counted on as a situational pass rusher and special teams contributor. They suffered no major losses but failed to add an offensive tackle in free agency.
Oakland Raiders. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall, wide receiver Javon Walker and strong safety Gibril Wilson look like nice pickups—and Darren McFadden, already signed by the team, was the top running back in the draft. Asking former 49er Kwame Harris to play left tackle and protect second-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell’s blind side is risky.
B-minus
Kansas City Chiefs. Players moved in and out of K.C. at warp speed. The Chiefs may not get big results this year, but they set themselves up for the future with a boffo draft. Trading defensive end Jared Allen will hurt in the short term.
Dallas Cowboys. After a 13-3 season, they took minimal hits in free agency. Re-signing left tackle Flozell Adams was a key move. They could get immediate help from running back Felix Jones and cornerback Mike Jenkins, their two first-round picks.
Carolina Panthers. Wide receivers Muhsin Muhammad and D.J. Hackett are upgrades over Drew Carter and Keary Colbert. Weakside linebacker Landon Johnson has the speed to cover a lot of ground. Rookie running back Jonathan Stewart could be a great fit in their power running game.
New Orleans Saints. If linebacker Jonathan Vilma, end Bobby McCray and rookie tackle Sedrick Ellis make plays, the defense will be vastly improved. Their cornerbacks, though, still are mediocre.
C-plus
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Defensive back Eugene Wilson was a nice addition, but most of their other gains were only marginal improvements over their losses. Wide receiver still lacks bite.
Denver Broncos. Denver supplemented its roster with several middle-tier free agents but no difference-makers. First-round pick Ryan Clady is expected to replace the retired Matt Lepsis at left tackle.
Jacksonville Jaguars. Cornerback Drayton Florence was a nice get, and rookies Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves could boost the pass rush. But the additions of underachieving wide receivers Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson did not balance out the losses of defensive tackle Marcus Stroud and defensive end Bobby McCray.
St. Louis Rams. Left guard Jacob Bell, kicker Josh Brown and rookie right defensive end Chris Long filled needs. The Rams will miss wide receiver Isaac Bruce and linebacker Brandon Chillar.
C
Arizona Cardinals. If outside linebacker Travis LaBoy steps up in place of Calvin Pace and outside linebacker Clark Haggans adds depth, their free-agent hits won’t look so substantial. Rookie cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie may need time to develop, and there’s no heir apparent to former No. 3 wide receiver Bryant Johnson.
Indianapolis Colts. They focused on re-signing tight end Dallas Clark and left guard Ryan Lilja, two of their core players, and welcomed back running back Dominic Rhodes. They’re banking on rookie guard Mike Pollak to replace Jake Scott.
Miami Dolphins. Miami added players to help its transition to the 3-4 defense (nose tackle Jason Ferguson, linebacker Reggie Torbor) and improve its special teams play (Keith Davis, Boomer Grigsby). The Dolphins filled a longtime problem spot by selecting Jake Long, the top left tackle prospect in the draft. If they lose defensive end Jason Taylor, their grade will fall below average.
San Francisco 49ers. Bryant Johnson was a productive No. 3 wideout in Arizona, but Isaac Bruce, 35, is too old to be the No. 1 receiver. Right defensive end Justin Smith underachieved in Cincinnati but may be a better fit in a 3-4.
Seattle Seahawks. Fixing the running game was the top priority. Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett replace Shaun Alexander, and Mike Wahle moves in at left guard, a nagging problem since Steve Hutchinson left two years ago. They’ll miss Josh Brown’s clutch kicking.
Houston Texans. They didn’t lose or add any impact players, but they signed Jacques Reeves to provide insurance at cornerback while Dunta Robinson recovers from a torn ACL. Rookie left tackle Duane Brown was a reach with the 26th overall pick.
C-minus
Cincinnati Bengals. Right defensive end Antwan Odom was their only significant pickup in free agency, and they lost two starters in defensive end Justin Smith and safety Madieu Williams. Outside linebacker Keith Rivers, their first-round pick, is a big, fast playmaker.
San Diego Chargers. They fortified their depth on the offensive line and secondary, but they lost more than they gained in free agency. They will miss backup running back Michael Turner and cornerback Drayton Florence.
Atlanta Falcons. In the process of revamping an aging, declining roster, they lost a couple of key players in cornerback DeAngelo Hall and tight end Alge Crumpler.
New York Giants. Losing outside linebacker Kawika Mitchell and strong safety Gibril Wilson in free agency left holes in a championship defense. But they think top rookie safety Kenny Phillips will be better than Wilson.
Detroit Lions. Detroit replenished its secondary with the acquisitions of cornerbacks Leigh Bodden and Brian Kelly and free safety Dwight Smith—all of whom are expected to start. But the Lions still lack a dominant pass rusher.
Washington Redskins. Instead of diving headfirst into free agency, as they’ve done in past years, the Redskins barely got their big toe wet. They didn’t have a first-round draft pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers. As usual, Pittsburgh wasn’t a big player in free agency—and it took a big hit when seven-time Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca left for the Jets. Running back Rashard Mendenhall and wide receiver Limas Sweed are rookie skill players who could help immediately.
Tennessee Titans. Guard Jake Scott was a nice addition as a replacement for Jacob Bell, but the Titans gambled on defensive end Jevon Kearse, tight end Alge Crumpler and wide receiver Justin McCareins.
D
Chicago Bears. Top draft pick Chris Williams could step in at left tackle and revitalize an aging line. But the Bears lost wideout Bernard Berrian, their best offensive player, and they didn’t make any moves to improve their quarterback situation.
Green Bay Packers. They lost a future Hall of Fame quarterback (Brett Favre) and a valuable member of their D-line rotation in Corey Williams. Other than that, it was a great offseason for Cheeseheads.
New England Patriots. Re-signing wide receiver Randy Moss was big, but they said goodbye to premier cornerback Asante Samuel and didn’t add any big-impact free agents.
Baltimore Ravens. They put the franchise tag on outside linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs, which ate up a bunch of cap space, and quarterback Steve McNair’s surprise retirement announcement weakened an offense that was already in flux.
posted by The Gryphon at 5:46 PM
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