With NFL free agency finally beginning to wind down, it seems like a good time to rundown all that has transpired over the past few weeks since March 5th. It's been a hectic month for GM's across the league and even they are having a hard time keeping track of all the transactions. Looking at each team, we can see what exactly they have done this off-season and how it should affect them in the 2010 season.
Arizona Cardinals
The signing of Derrick Anderson should open up a QB competition with Matt Leinart at training camp. Not exactly a battle of the titans however both have shown the ability to win games at the NFL level. The re-signing of G Jeremy Bridges and signing of G Rex Hadnot should help protect which ever QB will be at the helm. Trading for Kerry Rhodes will provide some much needed help to the Cards pass defence. The combination of Rhodes and Wilson lurking in the middle will be very intimidating to opposing QB's.
Atlanta Falcons
ATL remain relatively quiet to this point. The only significant signings have been at the cornerback position with the addition of Dunta Robinson and Brett Grimes. This will improve their pass defence significantly and if the Falcons can stay healthy in 2010 they will have all the pieces in place to make a run at the playoffs.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have also been very quiet this offseason. They made one major move with the addition of Anquan Boldin but he has been the sole new face to join this Baltimore squad. I question them not going out and getting a legitimate backup to Flacco as I don't know if he has the ability to get the job down. Only time will tell and we will see if they make any more moves before the draft.
Buffalo Bills
DT Dwan Edwards has been the big acquisition for the Bills. Playing alongside of Marcus Stroud should make a for an excellent pass rush on the left side. They also signed linebacker Andra Davis who will compliment Posluszny very well in the middle.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have done nothing. Adding depth at the CB position with Marcus Hudson has been the sole move made by the organization. The QB position is a major question mark with Matt Moore slated as the starter. Perhaps they are hoping to get a QB through the draft. But without a first round pick, it will be hard to trade up to get a guy that's ready for the NFL.
Chicago Bears
The Bears have been one of the most active teams this off-season. In the first week of free agency, they went out and got RB Chester Taylor, DE Julius Peppers and TE Manumaleuna. Chester Taylor is a great option to help Forte get back on track and I see a 50/50 split between the two. Peppers will provide a much needed boost to the pass rush and he is going to improve this defence significantly. After signing CB Tim Jennings on March 17th, the Bears cut Nate Vasher. Jennings is a more consistent option but I'm not sure the Bears have enough depth at the CB position to be cutting a guy with Vasher's talent. The Bears have to tools to make a run at a championship this season as long as Cutler gets back on track.
Cincinnati Bengals
The only moves made by the Bengals thus far has been to add depth at the wide out position. Adding Antonio Bryant and Chris Davis should open things up for Ocho Cinco however I question Palmers ability to keep up. He's aging and I think his career is all but finished.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns swapped out their two existing QB's for a couple new ones. After trading Brady Quinn to Denver for RB Peyton Hillis, they also cut Derrick Anderson. They later went out and signed Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme. Neither of these guys are realistic options at the QB position but the Browns are in a rebuilding mode and Delhomme should get the starting job here. Trading up for Bradford or Clausson is definitely an option. Hillis is a great utility back and will work well with Jerome Harrisson. The club also went out and signed TE Benjamin Watson to give the QB an excellent security blanket and 3rd down option. Finally, the addition of Scott Fujita will provide some much needed leadership on and off the field. I love this signing because he is exactly the type of guy the Browns need to restore order within the organization.
Dallas Cowboys
No moves have been made.
Denver Broncos
The addition of Brady Quinn will mean the declaration of a QB competition in training camp with Kyle Orton. It's going to be interesting to see how Quinn performs in a new system, but I think he suits the Bronco's offence well and has a legit chance at the starter job. They have also improved their run defence by leaps and bounds with the additions of DT Jamal Williams and DE Jarvis Green.
Detroit Lions
Much like the Bears, Detroit opened up free agency with a bang. They signed DT Cory Williams, WR Nate Burleson and DE Kyle VandenBoche all on the first day. This revamps the D-Line of the lions which was certainly due for a makeover. Burleson will open things up for Calvin Johnson which is going to be critical for the Lions to have success through the air. With Stafford's shoulder a question mark, the trade for QB Shawn Hill provides a proven back up in case of injury. Finally, the trade for Chris Houston provides some depth at the CB position. This guy is one of the most underrated CBs in the league and has huge upside. The 2010 Lions are a new team and should really be taken seriously.
Green Bay Packers
No significant moves have been made.
Houston Texans
No significant moves have been made.
Indianapolis Colts
Indy went out and improved their O-Line by adding a couple of big guys. Tackle Adam Terry will put on the white and blue in 2010 and help to protect Peyton. Guard Andy Alleman will also be giving the honor of protecting the Hall of Fame bound QB and it's going to be important to build chemistry early between the five big men up front
Jacksonville Jaguars
Only one significant move was made by the Jags during March, but it was an important one. Linebacker Aaron Kempmen will provide some much needed leadership and personality to the team and the younger guys will learn a lot from him. You can basically write the Jags off this season and let the rebuild begin.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs were also busy this month improving all aspects of their squad. The signings of Guard Ryan Lilja and Center Casey Wiegmann will beef up their O-Line significantly. WR Jeremy Urban will provide some speed down field and he can be dangerous in the slot. Another wideout in Chris Chambers will be joining Cassel's receiving core. He will be a veteran presence for this young team and I think he will develop some good chemistry with Cassel early in the season. Then in one of the biggest deals of the free agency period, the Chiefs grabbed Thomas Jones to compliment Jamal Charles. These two are perfect compliments for one another and should make for one of the best 1-2 punches this season. A revamped squad this season will need Cassel to step up and be a leader. If he can pull through, KC has a chance at reaching .500.
Miami Dolphins
A couple moves have been made by the Dolphins thus far and you can say it was to add some "personality" to the team. Voted the dirtiest player in the NFL, Richie Incognito will be wearing a Dolphins uniform this season. He does have decent lateral movement so he fits the Dolphins offence well with the wild cat and Power-O Run formations. They also added linebacker Carlos Dansby who is one of the most underrated players in the league. This guy brings it every game and he is going to provide a huge boost for this defensive unit. As good of an addition as he is, the Dolphins still need to make a couple more moves to be a contender this season, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Minnesota Vikings
No significant moves have been made.
New England Patriots
The only move made by the Pats was to add depth at the LB position. They signed Marques Murell, however he is going to be in a back up role more than likely. The Pats rarely go out and make big moves in the off season so it's no surprise they never made any huge acquisitions.
New Orleans Saints
No significant moves have been made.
New York Giants
The Giants remained relatively quiet but they did make a splash early by snatching up safety Antrel Rolle. He is a great young safety with huge upside and will improve a Giants secondary that was questionable at best last season. The G-Men also went out and got a backup for Eli Manning in Jim Sorgi. Sorgi backed up Peyton for years and will now be backing up the other Manning for 2010. The Giants have the talent to make a run and I think last season will act as a wake up call for them.
New York Jets
The Jets made a couple of big moves, the biggest being the addition of RB LaDainian Tomlinson to compliment Shawn Green. We will see what LT still has left in the tank but if he can produce, this duo will be a devastating tandem on the ground for teams to defend against. They also made some big moves to improve their already dominant secondary. Safety Rodney Pool and CB Antonio Cromartie will have the privilege to play with Derrell Reeves in 2010. This team is going to be virtually unbeatable though the air and if DT Jenkins gets healthy they will be tough to run on as well. The Jets are going to be very tough to beat and if Sanchez can build upon last year - look out.
Oakland Raiders
The Raiders made just on significant move that landed them LB Kamerion Wimbley. This is a minor move and I think that the Raiders are waiting for the Draft to make a splash. Lots of teams will be looking to trade for a QB if Bradford or Clausson fall so we will have to wait and see how it all pans out.
Philadelphia Eagles
Philly was relatively busy during March making a few acquisitions via trade and free agency. The signing of RB/FB Mike Bell provides a power back to compliment the speed of LeSean McCoy. Bell will provide a decent change of pace but shouldn't see too many carries. DE Darrly Tapp was acquired through trade and will provide some speed on the edge which the Eagles lacked last season. They also added a couple of depth guys in wide receiver Hank Baskett and CB Marlin Jackson. The Eagles are going to be an interesting team to watch this offseason and they should get something in return for which ever of their QBs they decide to trade.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers quietly made some big moves during free agency and added some depth as well. Tackle Jonathan Scott was signed to protect Big Ben's blindside. He is a great tackle and should help this O-Line in a big way. The signing of WR's Antwaan Randell El and Arnaz Battle make me question if Hines Ward will retire. Regardless, along with Santonio Holmes, it makes for one of the deeper receiving cores in the league. Line Backer Larry Foote was also signed. He will provide some grit to a unit which uncharacteristically lacked it last season. When you think of Foote, he just seems like a Steeler and he should fit in well. In probably the most confusing signings, Will Allen, a great safety was signed despite the fact they re-signed safety Ryan Clark the same day. This makes me highly question the health of Troy Polamalu and it worries me in a big way.
San Diego Chargers
No significant signings have been made.
San Francisco 49ers
San Fran have been relatively quiet thus far. They did however make one notable signing. David Carr is on the move to the 49ers which may open up a QB comp at training camp. I'm not sure if Alex Smith showed enough to get the job outright but I can't see Carr taking it to easily since the 49ers have a lot of faith in Smith.
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle seems to always make questionable signings and this year was no different. The addition of RB Quinton Ganther only crowds the backfield with Dorsett and Jones and doesn't provide the answer to a lackluster back field. There was a high demand for QB Charlie Whitehurst and I can't really figure out why. He has only thrown a couple passes in the NFL and hasn't proven that he can perform at an NFL level. I realize that he is a mobile QB with a strong arm and it will be interesting to see if he gets any snaps in Seattle. They also acquired DE Chris Clemons via trade and I like this guy a lot. He is a decent pass rusher who has been going down hill over the past couple years but a change of scenery is going to be just what the doctor ordered so I'm looking for a rebound season from him. Finally, TE Chris Baker was also signed and could be valuable if they find a way to get him the ball.
St. Louis Rams
The Rams made a couple moves but nothing that's going to dig them out of the hole they currently find themselves in. DT Fred Robbins will be clog up the middle for the Rams and add some much needed run stopping ability. He is a great space eater and a good piece to the puzzle for the Rams rebuild. They also acquired C Hank Fraley who will bring a veteran presence to this squad along with playoff experience. He was banged up last season but it looks as though he will be healthy enough to take on the starting job this season for the Rams.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs, currently in rebuilding mode, made a couple of moves in the early stages of the free agency period. The addition of Sean Jones at safety is a great pick up. This guy quietly put up very respectable numbers in Cleveland and has the ability to make the big picks. LB John Alston will also be heading to the sunny south. He will more than likely play a back up role behind Ruut but time will tell. The big move by the Bucs was the trade for WR Reggie Brown. Freeman will have a decent option to look to now and I have a feeling these two will develop something early in the season.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans made a couple of depth seahawks live stream moves in hopes of having a better start to the season than they did last season. DE Jason Babin has been brought in to backup Will Hayes. He is a decent pass rusher but not worthy of a starting job with most teams in the NFL. The signing of Will Witherspoon was the most notable move for the Titans. The signing will move him to the outside and it seems as though they are still looking for another piece to revamp their linebacker core.
