With the exception of a few moves left to be made (for wide receivers, for example), NFL teams have completed the bulk of their offseason moves.
Which five teams should head into the summer feeling good about what they’ve done so far in the offseason?
It may not seem like much, but promoting Roy Williams (receiver) and releasing Terrell Owens is going to be a big deal. Owens, as good as he was, has probably started to decline, and wasn’t worth the risk to his teammate’s morale, any longer.
The Cowboys haven’t addressed receiver too strongly, but have made the appropriate cuts, such as Roy Williams (safety) and acquisitions, in landing former San Diego Chargers defensive end Igor Olshansky.
But can Wade Phillips (winless in post-season) lead them back to a division title?
The Jets cut loose the possibly distractive Brett Favre, and nabbed their franchise quarterback in the draft in USC’s Mark Sanchez.
Way before that, however, they landed a good defensive minded coach in Rex Ryan, while also adding key players from Ryan’s former team, the Baltimore Ravens.
The Jets already had a solid defense, but with Ryan and new personnel, the Jets should have a stout and consistent defensive approach, while hopefully being able to rely on Thomas Jones and Leon Washington to help the offense.
After years of hearing it from the fans, the Eagles drafted a receiver in the early rounds for the second straight year, taking Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin with the 19th overall pick. This does three things, and possible even immediately. It appeased the fans, it make Donovan McNabb happy, and it makes their offense more dangerous.
The Eagles may have some trouble finding someone to replace the departed Brian Dawkins, but considering they were in the NFC Championship game last year, adding a new receiver and running back, as well as landing two-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jason Peters in a trade with Buffalo, their already great offense should be bolstered for another deep run.
Just from a coaching and philosophy stand-point, Detroit has already made huge strides. Bringing in Jim Schwartz to gave their entire team a fresh make-over was the right call, and after one draft, they have their franchise quarterback, as well as several possible key pieces to their offense and defense.
They’ve also landed Julian Peterson and Larry Foote in free agency, which pairs them with Ernie Sims, giving the lowly Lions a suddenly respectable (and possibly feared) linebacking corps.
They aren’t going to turn around and be world-beaters after winning zero games in 2008, but the pieces are in place to get things going in the right direction.
No one is worried about Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, or Roddy White. All three players showed they belong when discussing the NFL’s elite, and barring an unforeseen circumstance or injury, they’ll be doing what they did last year for all of us in 2009.
The Falcons lost some defensive ammo through free agency, but more than made up for it during the draft, as they added solid depth to the inside of their line, as well as at linebacker and their secondary.
Bringing in Tony Gonzalez gives them an elite option at tight end, as well as gives them a star at each position on offense. If Gonzalez turns out to be the final piece, this team could be a strong candidate for the Super Bowl for the next few years.
