AFTER THE FIRST WEEK:
Ok, I fell into the rabbit hole that is responsiblities on the weekend. I know, I know, horrors, but it is what it is. So, now I am going to tell you what I think of the rest of the first week. Most of the big moves should be done, and it sure has been fun to watch.
On second thought, let's do a summary to this point. Get us all up to speed.
49ERS:
The Niners haven't made a lot of noise this off-season, but there a couple items of note. First, they are re-tooling their linebacking corp a bit with Takeo Spikes heading to SoCal to play for the Chargers with Aldonn Smith coming in. You add in Manny Lawson's undecided status, and they have a gap to fill there. Second, they have released a couple of name veterans, including Nate Clements and Brian Westbrook who have fought injuries the past few years.
They have done some really good things around rookies though, both draft and free agent. First the Draft Picks which stood out:
KENDALL HUNTER: The next shot at the change of pace back they have been looking for the past few years.
COLIN KAEPERNICK: They think this guy will be their QB of the future.
ALDON SMITH: Their new starting OLB. He can really rush the passer.
RONALD JOHNSON: They need a second WR to go with Crabtree, and Johnson was the man at USC.
CHRIS CULLIVER: They need a cornerback, and Culliver is well regarded coming out of South Carolina. he is big, fast, athletic, and is experienced all over the defensive backfield. The only concern here is his durability.
And next, the Rookie Free Agents:
IAN WILLIAMS: Williams was expected to be picked up in the draft, so getting him as a rookie free agent is a steal. He is the immovable object that can be used in the 3-4 to keep your linebackers running free, which is a beautiful thing with linebacking talent like Patrick Willis around.
JEREMIAH MASOLI: I love this gamble. The Niners need QB competition and Masoli is talented and cheap. I don't know if he is accurate enough to lead a passing game at this level, but it'll be cheap to find out and we know he will compete.
BILLS:
The Bills did some nice things this off-season. They picked up a couple of nice draft picks with Aaron Williams and Marcell Dareus likely to start as rookies. They lost Paul Posluzny, but replaced him with Nick Barnett, which may prove to be an upgrade.
What they didn't do? They still do not have a premier left tackle. It is the key weakness for their offense, has been for a few years, and will be this year too...unless they make a late move.
BENGALS:
BRAD GRADKOWSKI: He's not a rock star, but he is insurance while they wait on Andy Dalton to show them whether he has the tools or not.
I like their draft, A.J. GREEN, DONTAY MOCH, JAY FINLEY, and CLINT BOLING are likely to contribute this year. Green is expected, but Moch is going to surprise people. He is a poor man's Von Miller, and that is going to make him a favorite for the cheap Bengal's ownership.
BRONCOS:
The Broncos have a lot of rebuilding to do, and for all the talk about who the cornerstone/QB is going to be in Denver, the point has been missed. They are off to a GREAT start at restocking the shelves.
1. Drafted a pair of NFL potential starters at safety to learn from Brian Dawkins.
2. Drafted the premier edge rusher in this draft.
3. Kept everyone who mattered
4. Picked up 2 quality tight ends, one drafted with the speed that most wide receivers will covet.
There is work to be done, they are making moves that make sense. Damn Donkeys will be back shortly.
BROWNS:
The Browns have been bad for a long time, but for their offseason, here are the moves I love/hate.
LOVE:
GREG LITTLE will start from day one and will give Colt McCoy a big, athletic, target on the outside and in the red zone.
JABAAL SHEARD: will start from day one, instantly upgrading the a D-Line that is still working towards it's shift back to a 4-3.
BRANDON JACKSON/BRODRICK BUNKLEY: These are the kind if signing that fill up a roster which is missing experienced veterans who know how to win. Bunkley has played on a couple of winning squads, and Jackson is coming off of a Super Bowl win. These, combined with a huge number of rookie free agents to foster competition, is a great approach to rebuilding a roster.
HATE:
Losing ERIC WRIGHT: They have a chance for their secondary to be a strength after the past couple drafts, but losing a starter is not going to help that.
I would have liked to have seen at least 1 move for a player with more explosive ability on offense. Their best home run threat is a kick returner at this point, who they haven't successfully built as a major cog in their offense. I would like to see them pick up someone like NOEL DEVINE who can turn a screen into an 80 yard scamper.
OPINION:
They aren't going to be a good team yet, but they are going to be better. Colt McCoy can play, and he can lead, and they are starting to get him a little help.
BUCCANEERS:
They signed almost noone except their own guys and their draft picks, but it was a GREAT draft. I expect that no less than 3 of them will start, with another 3 being serious contributors this season.
Toss in rookie free agents like JOCK SANDERS, DETRON LEWIS, and ARMANDO ALLEN who are going to make this team and you have a solid off-season for the best young team in the league
CARDINALS:
These boys in the desert have been busy this summer, well for the last week anyway. They got their QB, lost their Pro-Bowl corner, signed his replacement, traded their leading rusher, brought a TON of players.
I liked their draft a lot I expect to see 4 guys out of it start at least one game as rookies, with Patrick Peterson and either Quan Sturdivant or Sam Acho starting from day one.
I like their veteran signings with players like Stewart Bradley and Todd Heap bringing credibility and leadership to a team that has been searching for those things since their Super Bowl run.
I am up in the air on the DRC for Kolb trade. They needed a QB, and Kolb fits their style and he can play, but....a Pro Bowl corner and a high pick????? That seems steep to me.
One things for sure though, they are trying, so that's something.................right?
CHARGERS:
The biggest thing that I see in looking at the Chargers move is that they are revamping their Wide Receiver corp. They are keeping Vincent Jackson at the top of it, and testing the waters for all the others, having cut Buster Davis, and with Malcolm Floyd and Lededu Naanee as unsigned free agents. That covers who may be outgoing, so who is incoming? Well, Vincent Brown is coming in from San Diego State via the draft, with a handful of rookie free agents coming in to try their luck as well.
They have also takent a flier on a couple of veterans who have been stars in their careers, which points that San Diego may be seeing this as a year to make a run while the rest of the conference is still improving. But, do Bob Sanders and Takeo Spikes have enough left to help out?
CHIEFS:
Kansas City just continues to put pieces together. They are looking strong, but a little thin, depthwise, on the offensive front. I was surprised to see them cut Brian Waters loose and I think they would be well served to bring him back. If not him, another veteran guard would be a good call.
One great set of moves that they made was what they did to flesh out what looks like a potentially devastating group of Wide Receivers. It looks like Kevin Curtis might be out the door, but replacing him with Steve Breaston and drafting man-child Jonathan Baldwin is a great bet on a unique athlete.
Look for the Chiefs to take another half step forward this year
COLTS:
The Colts had a pretty quiet offseason, but as is this case, their football world revolves around Peyton. He is signed, and he signed for less than he could have, which is a big message to his teammates. He wants to win, but he is going to have to carry them because their defense just doesn't have the Horses.
They are actually looking strong up front...or maybe fast is a better way to say it, but their defensive secondary leaves a lot to be desired.
Look for them to fight for the AFC wild card if Peyton recovers well from his neck surgery.
COWBOYS:
Boy did the Boys make some noise this offseason, course they always do right? The difference is, this year they made noise by trimming fat and dropping veterans who weren't getting it done. No big splash signing, no drama, just bringing back the players they wanted to keep and filling some holes.
They still need secondary help, but if Tyron Smith can stand up at tackle, they are going to awfully tough. I look for them to be fighting with the Eagles for the NFC East.
DOLPHINS:
There were so many questions coming into this off-season.
Who is going to play Quarterback?
Who will be the Running Backs?
Well, they are answered, but I have to say, if I was a Fin fan, I would not be too excited. I am comfortable with trading Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown for Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas...So at Running Back, things aren't too bad. At Quarterback, they let Tyler Thigpen walk, and brought in Matt Moore....Yeah, Matt Moore. You know, the guy who the Panthers have drafted back to back QB's to replace.
That one.
Uhm...huh?
Well, Chad Henne, if you were listening, I would be putting in a hell of a lot of work right now because this is your last chance to win that starting spot long term.
EAGLES:
So yeah, the Eagles have been building to this off-season for years and they have shown it by being the most aggressive team on the market.
They have rebuilt a defense which was supposed to be their weakness, brought in an abundance of talent at running back and have their fan base incredibly excited.
The pieces have to come together, but I like the positions that they have been aggressive at, and on top of everything else, I think they were one of the best at bringing in undrafted talent. That said, as an Eagles fan, I am sorry to see that they already release Noel Devine. I understand it, especially with the Ronnie Brown signing, but him and DeSean returning kicks would have been too much fun.
FALCONS:
The Falcons were one of the best teams in the NFC last year, and they were smart, only picking up a few pieces to upgrade at weak spots. Bringing in Ray Edwards to pair with John Abraham is a great move, and I expect Julio Jones to be a stud from day 1.
They are going to be awfully tough to beat in the NFC South.
GIANTS:
Not much excitement here, which is a welcome change for the G-Men.
They have a very talented roster, and did add a couple pieces with GREG JONES and MARVIN AUSTIN likely to be playmakers for their defense from day 1. I Love the MARK HERZLICH signing. He is a great character guy, and I expect to see him recover even more from his bout with cancer and become the player he was expected to be before he got sick. Toss in JERREL JERNIGAN as an all-purpose playmaker and slot receiver to go with the Giants strong outside receiver, and the Giants are going to make for an intesting 3 team race in the NFC East.
JAGUARS:
The Jags think they are ready to win now, while their future star QB is groomed. They didn't make a lot of moves, but enough to fill a couple spots.
DAWAN LANDRY at safety for one, is a nice move, especially for a team with one of the better young D-Lines in the league. They were a playoff caliber team last year who faded late, they just need to learn to finish.
JETS:
The Jets are very confident, like always, and they have good reason. They are talented, and actually managed to upgrade at Wide Receiver with Plaxico Burress in place of Braylan Edwards for a very reasonable cost.
My concern is their D-Line. They are replacing pretty much all of it, but have talented rookies coming in. I look for them to make some more moves to flesh out those positions. That said, I don't see them being any worse than 2nd in the AFC East.
LIONS:
I really want to root for these guys. I mean hell, they have had what, 2 good seasons since 1990?
If they could just win their division, it would be one of the best sports stories of the year. The problem with that is that there are other teams in their division. Lol, ok, so that was a little mean, but they are still working to build up their franchise, so let's look at whether they made any progress this off-season.
They had another solid draft. They keep bringing in solid ball players, which is allowing them to cover for the ones who don't work out, whether it be injury, or just old-fashioned failure. Nick Fairley, Mikel LeShoure, and Titus Young were great draft picks.
Eric Wright was a very nice pickup, and suddenly they have some depth at Cornerback, if no stars at that position. If they can keep Matt Stafford and Jahvid Best healthy this year, they could potentially make a run at a wild card, but I don't think they are quite good enough to ge there.
But hey, I would be ecstatic to get surprised by these perennial underdogs.
PACKERS:
It's the normal superbowl team affliction. Their players get overpaid by other teams because they now have a title and "known how to win". The Packers have been lucky enough that they haven't lost any players who are going to really affect their ability to field a solid team. (i.e. they still have Aaron Rodger and 47 receivers who your cornerbacks can't cover)
They have been very quiet on the market, but the draft did bring in a copule interesting players. Derek Sherrod is another solid player who can help out on the line, and who started multiple years at tackle in the SEC. Randall Cobb is a weaspon, period, D.J. Williams is a potentially devestating TE for their passing game, and Lawrence Guy should fit their Defensive front's scheme just about perfectly.
They are the favorite for the NFC North.
PANTHERS:
So, other than drafting ANOTHER QB, what did the Panthers do this off-season?
Well, they picked up a couple of really solid Rooke FA's, a nice collection of Veteran FA's and drafted for one of the best receiving TE's in football. Oh, and they talked DeAngelo Williams into staying. Ok, so they bribed into staying, but they needed him to stay, which was the point.
A nice set of steps, it won't fix all that ails them in Carolina, but it is progress.
PATRIOTS:
The Patriots did some major restructuring this off-season. Not only in roster, but also in contract structure. They renegotiated with several of their free agents, let a couple of guys walk who were suprising, and OH YEAH, signed 2 of the biggest malcontents in the NFL in recent years.
I know the Mad Hoodie thinks that he can handle any personality, but they are pushing it. That said, costwise, Haynesworth and OchoCinco were reasonable bets.
I seem some big issues at DE and MLB for the Pats, and I am not terribly impressed with their RB's. That said, they are going score enough points to hide those gaps pretty well, but the teams who can slow them down might be able to run the ball pretty freely. If they can get Haynesworth in shape and motivate, that could fix a lot of what ails the D, but that's a big IF.
As long as Brady is there, they have to be the favorite to win the AFC East, but it's a pretty close race between them and the Jets.
RAIDERS:
The Raiders have been unusally quiet in the fre agent market. They did bring in Trent Edwards, which gives them an upgrade at the backup QB spot, and is a move I really like. However, they lost 4 starters to free agency, 2 of which were Pro Bowl players.
Losing Nnamdi is going to hurt, because he was a difference-maker for their defense, but their cupboard is not bare, and CHIMDI CHEKWA may be their nickel by the end of the year. He is a rather unique athlete at Cornerback and should be able to matchup, phsyically, with some of the more athletic receivers in the league.
Losing Robert Gallery is more of a knowledge loss than an ability loss. He was a very solid player, but with Stefen Wisniewski coming in, that loss will be mitigated somewhat.
All in all, a quiet off-season, but I think the Raiders will continue to improve.
RAMS:
The Rams cost a very wide net to bring in players to improve their overall skill levels.
It remains to be seen how many of the over-twenty Rooke FA's they brought in will stick, but you combine that with over a dozen veteran free agents, and you have to recognize the efforts they are making. Out of those veterans, I expect to see Mike Sims-Walker, Quintin Mikell, Al Harris, John Henderson, and Danny Amendola on the field a lot for the Rams.
Add to those pickups, a very solid draft with potential starters in Robert Quinn DE and Austin Pettis WR and you have feel good if you are unfortunate enough to be a Rams fan.
RAVENS:
The Ravens are trying to get younger while not losing their edge, which is a very trickly balance. They cut lose WILLIS MCGAHEE, DERRICK MASON, TODD HEAP, and KELLY GREGG as well as leaving various other veterans twisting as FA's.
However, I don't know that any of those guys is going to hurt all that bad. They were all declining, some of them drastically, and the Ravens had an awful lot of talent on the roster. Add in a plethora of Rookie FA's, and another quality draft and you have a huge potential talent infusion. I look for Jimmy Smith CB, Torry Smith WR, and Chykie Brown CB to be major contributors from day 1.
The Ravens will again challenge the Steelers for a division title.
REDSKINS:
The Skins cut loose a ton of dead weight, including Fat Albert. I like the moves to sign Tim Hightower and Jammal Brown for their offense, and their draft brought in a handful of nice players. Out of that class, I expet Leoard Hankerson WR, Ryan Kerrigan DE/LB, Jarvis Jenkins DE, either Roy Helu or Evan Royster RB to see a lot of time early. Hankerson was a great value pick, as he was one of the few dominant receiver in college football the last few years. If he had been given a more consistent passer to play with, he would have been a star/terror.
Short version, the Skins should be a little better, regardless of who is playing QB, but they are still going to be at the bottom of the NFC East.
SAINTS:
Well, Reggie is gone, for nearly nothing. Replaceing him with DARREN SPROLES is far from the worst move the Saints could have made though. Sproles is used to being in a rotation, and he is a very unique weapon.
They got 4 potential starters in the draft, though I expect Johnny Patrick to be no better than a potential nickel back as a rookie.
The Saints are going to be awfully tough this year.
P.S. John Chiles as a Rooke FA should be illegal, and him going to a team like the Saints who knows how to use offensive weapons is just bad news.
SEAHAWKS:
A HUGE off-season for the Seahawks. They went young in a big way, but ties with a hanful for veterans like LOFA TATUPU.
They have built their O-line into a strength, drafting JAMES CARPENTER RT and picking up ROBERT GALLERY G to finish it off. It may be a growing season, and TARVARIS JACKSON as your staring QB is not exciting, but this is Pete Carroll's team now, and they are going to run the ball and play Defense.
Sidney Rice does finish off a nice set of receivers for him to throw to, along with Zach Miller at Tight End. TJ will have zero excuses, but will he need them?
It's going to be fun to watch.
TEXANS:
Well, they made moves to bring in talent at CB and Safety which was key because their secondar has been an issue for years in the AFC South.
Their Offense will continue to dominate from all accounts, but the question I have is this.
How do you play a 3-4 without a Nose Tackle?
Another "building year" for the Texans looks to be in order.
VIKINGS:
I like Donovan in place of Tavaris, especially for a franchise that is trying to win now. What I don't like is them letting Sidney Rice walk. He had the look of an up-and-coming star 2 years ago and was rouding back into shape last year. They are not without talent at receiver, but they don't have a red zone threat that is going to scare anyone. They are loaded at TE though, which may help.
They did make moves to shore up the O-Line which was needed, especially with them cutting "Mount" McKinnie. They should be able to run the ball, and in spite of losing RAY EDWARDS DE and PAT WILLIAMS DT, they are going to be able stop people. I will not be surprised to see them take a flier on one of the remaining FA Wide Receivers to flesh out that corp a bit further.
There are a lot of moving pieces, but the Vikings can still challenge for a division title if they can bring it all together. I am thinking Wild Card at best though.
Day 3(7/28)
The draftees and Rookie Free Agents are really starting to fly into camp. Today's signees that caught my eye are:
49ERS:
SIGNED:
Alex Smith QB (Resigned):
Kendall Hunter RB Oklahomas State: An oft-overlooked back while he was in the Big 12, Hunter is better between the tackles than he was given credit for and is dynamic out of the backfield. He should be a good change of pace long term for Frank Gore.
Aldon Smith LB Missouri: Smith is going to start as a rookie. He was drafted high and Takeo Spikes is out in San Fran, opening up the WLB spot for Smith.
Ronald Johnson WR USC: Smith is the latest in a long line of wide receivers out of USC to get a look in recent years. He was the man for the Trojans though, which is a good place to start. He will compete and could be a very nice #2 receiver.
Colin Kaepernick QB Nevada: He needs a bit of work on his mechanics, but all the ability and leadership skills are there. If they let him learn before they throw him to the wolves, and he can quicken his release a tad bit, he might be just what the doctor ordered for a team that has been in need of a QB for years.
BENGALS
SIGNED:
A.J. Green WR Georgia: Green was one of the prizes of this draft, but I really don't understand why the Bengals took him when it was pretty obvious they were going to need a QB with Carson Palmer swearing he will never play for them again.
BILLS
SIGNED:
Josh Nesbitt QB Georgia Tech: I am intrigued by this signing as I really don't understand what role Josh Nesbitt will have in the NFL. He is an athletic QB who ran the triple option in college. I don't think he has the speed to move to receiver or running back, but maybe he is going to the scout team to imitate the running QB's they will play against.
Vai Taua RB Nevada: The leading rusher in the history of Nevada football at running back. Vai is a smaller back with huge top-end speed. A great bet as an undrafted FA, look for him to make an early splash on special teams.
BRONCOS
SIGNED:
Rahim Moore S UCLA: The heir-apparent to Brian Dawkins at the back of the Bronco defense. Expect to see the Broncos try to get him on the field early and often.
Virgil Green TE Nevada: A tight end with the speed that receivers wish they had. He is going to bring some very interesting possibilities to the Denver offense.
Von Miller OLB/DE Texas A&M: The latest LT "clone" to come out of the college ranks, Miller can really bring the pressure off of the edge. He was a bit of a one-trick pony in college though, so it will be interesting to see if they make him a linebacker or put his hand on the grand ala Dwight Freeney.
Jeremy Beal DE Oklahoma: A very solid all-around 4-3 end. He doesn't have the pure physical upside of some of the better DE's in this draft, but he was a leader at OU, and you don't do that without talent.
Quinton Carter S Oklahoma: The "other" safety in the broncos draft was rated in the top 5 at both safety positions coming into the draft. Don't be surprised if he and Moore are starting beside each other as soon as next year.
Nate Irving LB NC State: An athletic MLB who lost some draft rating after having to come back from a nasty injury. He is a leader and a heck of a player.
Orlando Franklin T Miami: There is a lot of talent here, but I am not sure where he is going to fit for the Donkeys.
BUCCANEERS
SIGNED:
Ahmad Black S Florida: There were so many good safeties in this draft that a guy who started on 3 years at florida and won a title as a defensive star wasn't hardly mentioned. This is a great pickup for the back of the Tampa 2.
Luke Stocker TE Tennessee: Arguably the most complete TE in this draft. He will have the chance to learn from Kellen Winslow Jr. and grow into a security blanket for Josh Freeman.
CARDINALS:
SIGNED:
Early Doucet WR (Resigned): This was a key signing with Steve Breaston leaving town.
Sam Acho OLB/DE Texas:
Quan Sturdivant LB North Carolina:
TRADED:
Kevin Kolb QB: Kolb was their target all off-season and they got him. The price was a bit higher than they may have liked, but they couldn't afford another down season.
CHARGERS:
SIGNED:
Vincent Brown WR San Diego State: A polished receiver with good speed, he will get the next chance to be the second to Vincent Jackson's fiddle.
Jordan Todman RB UCONN: An explosive back with good size. He just made Darren Sproles expendable.
Randy McMichael TE:
Vincent Jackson WR (Resigned):
Eric Weddle S (Resigned):
Bob Sanders S:
Takeo Spikes LB:
CUT:
Buster Dave WR: He had his shot and didn't take it this last year. Time to start over.
CHIEFS
SIGNED:
Steve Breaston WR: All of a sudden, the Chiefs have one of the better Wide Receiver corps around.
Casey Weigman C (Resigned): This was a big signing. They are a little thin up frong on offense, and they weren't able to pick up enough new linemen to have to replace 2 starters.
Rodney Hudson G Florida State: Hudson was the best guard in this draft, and the Chiefs badley need some additional young talent along their front line. I was actually shocked to not see them draft even more linemen, but Hudson is a heck of player.
CUT:
Brian Waters G: This is why they needed Hudson. Waters is one of the best guards in the history of the franchise, and he is finally hanging up his cleats.
Chris Chambers: The veteran receiver just ran out of gas towards the end of last year, and with Steve Breaston coming in the door, there just isn't room for his contract.
COWBOYS:
SIGNED:
Tyron Smith T USC: Meet the new starting right tackle for the Dallas Cowboys. They took him high and release last year's starter, so he better get it done or they are in trouble.
CUT:
Roy Williams WR: It's not that often that the Cowboys end up on the wrong side of a trade, but this is one. Williams never really got on board and never produced like they had expected. But hey, maybe he can go back and ruin the Lions now.
Leonard Davis G: Davis has been a great player for the 'Boys, but all good things must come to an end. It's time to rebuild the line in front of Romo.
Marc Columbo T: See Leonard Davis
Marion Barber RB: Barber's physical style just was not sustainable, but a person can't help but wonder what he would have been with Emmitt's Line.
DOLPHINS:
SIGNED:
Nnamdi Asomugha CB: This is the move that has sent the most ripples through the NFL this off-season. This gives them 3 Pro-Bowl Cornerback to choose from. It will be interesting to see what they do from here on.
Vince Young QB: Vick has a new backup. It'll be run to see if he can keep his head when the Philly fans light into him.
Jason Babin DE: He had a great year last year, and the Eagles are betting it wasn't a fluke.
Pat Devlin QB Delaware: It's no secret that the Dolphins are not feeling good about their future at the QB position. Chad Henne might still prove to the be the guy, but he better do it this year. Devlin is a big arm who went to a small school to get some reps after being stuck behind Darryl Clark at Penn State. He is a bit raw, and there are concerns about a rash of injuries this last year, but he can really wing it around the field.
TRADED:
Reggie Bush RB: They needed an answer an running back, and they needed dynamic weapons for a stale offense. Reggie is one of the best RB's out of the backfield in the league, and should be a nice security blanket for whoever ends up playing QB.
EAGLES:
TRADES:
Dominique Rodgers-Cromarties CB: This was a great trade for the Eagles, getting a starting corner with pro bowl potential and a high pick for Kevin Kolb. Kolb has the potential to be a fine starter and should make Larry Fitzgerald's year much better, but the Eagles lack of depth at corner cost them at least 2 games last year.
FALCONS
SIGNED:
Akeem Dent LB Georgia: This pick looks like a bit of a reach as Dent does not have the prototype athletic skills. However, he is hard nosed and puts himself in a good position more often than not, which might be enough for him to stick.
Jacquizz Rodgers RB Oregon State: Quizz dissapointed at the comgine, running a 4.64 40-yard dash. He was durable and productive in spite of his small stature in college, but I don't know how well he will be able to stand up in the league if he can't run away from tacklers.
Julio Jones WR Alabama:
GIANTS:
SIGNED:
Mark Herzlich LB Boston College: Before his bout with cancer, Herzlich was a first day pick without question. Afterwards, he is a solid player who is hoping to regain the athleticism that he lost. This is a great bet to make on a player, but I wish someone else had made it. I was looking forward to rooting for Herzlich.
Jerrard Tarrant DB Georgia Tech: Tarrant is one of the more explosive players in this draft with 6 returning touchdowns in 3 years with the Ramblin' Wreck. However, he is not great in coverage. Look for him to be a special teams ace who is trying to learn his craft for a few years.
CUT:
The middle of the offensive line: they got old.
JAGUARS:
SIGNED:
Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri: Gabbert was hurt as much as anyone by the lockout. He is very talented, but needs all the reps he can get in a Pro-Style offense to convert from the unique version of the spread that he ran at Missouri. On the bright side, he is in camp on time, which is huge for him and his development.
PACKERS
SIGNED:
D.J. Williams TE Arkansas:
Randall Cobb WR Kentucky:
Lawrence Guy DE Arizona State:
CUT:
Nick Barnett LB:
Mark Tauscher T:
PANTHERS:
SIGNED:
Ugo Chinasa DE: Chinasa was a bit of an underachiever at Oklahoma State, but when his motor is going, he can be a very disruptive player off the edge. In most years, he would have been drafted, but this deep draft for Defensive Ends dropped a gift in the Panthers' lap.
Darvin Adams WR Auburn: Adams was the best receiver that Cam had at Auburn, and bringing him in will go a long ways towards the QB's comfort. As a bonus, Adams has legitimate NFL talent, specifically as a deep ball and red zone threat.
TRADED:
Greg Olsen TE: Olsen was a great pickup for the Panthers. He has the potential to be one of the best recieving TE's in the league and will be a nice security blanket for Cam Newton as he develops.
RAIDERS
SIGNED:
Denarius Moore WR Tennessee: A nice talent who was hidden from the football world by the disfunctional mess that has been Volunteer football the past few years. A very nice to piece for the Raiders as they continue to build their receiver corp.
Chimdi Chekwa CB Ohio State: He's not the smoothest cornerback, but man can this guy run.....and this is the Raiders.
Stefen Wisniewski OL Penn State: Smart. Mean. Talented...oh, and he played every position on the O-Line while at Penn State. This was a great pickup for the Raiders, and looks even better with Robert Gallery moving to Seattle.
Joseph Barksdale OT LSU: Can you say "Roadgrader"? I knew you could. hehe, this guy is massive, even for an NFL offensive lineman, and he started multiple years in the SEC. I am thinking right tackle will be a good fit for him.
RAMS:
SIGNED:
Mike Sims-Walker WR:
Quinin Mikell S:
Austin Pettis WR Boise State:
John Henderson DT:
RAVENS:
SIGNED:
Torrey Smith WR Maryland: Smith is one of the most explosive players out of this draft, but the Ravens have bet on straght-line speed guys before. The Rumor is that Smith has actually run a pass pattern or 2 in his life and can catch a ball, which would be a nice change from some of the recent burners out of Maryland. Then again, he wasn't drafted by the Raiders, so that gives him a fair shot at success.
Tyrod Taylor QB Virginia Tech: Taylor is going to be a backup at best at QB, but with his athletic ability, he could be a slash type. I am very interested to see what happens with him.
SAINTS
SIGNED:
Johnny Patrick CB Louisville: The Saints have transformed their defensive secondary over the past few years to the point that this pick is a luxury. Patrick is a nice athlete with decent size and ball skills. I don't know if he will be capable of serving as a lockdown corner, but in the cover 2 that the Saint run, he will be more than enough.
Greg Romeus DE Pittsburgh: The Saints DE's have gotten old. Romeus is a beast when he's healthy.
STEELERS
SIGNED:
Willie Colon T (Resigned): He was their best tackle coming into last year, but lost him for a good chunk to an injury. They are gambling that won't happen again.
CUT:
Max Starks T: Starks has been around a long time and did a pretty good job. That said, all good things must come to an end.
Antwaan Randle El: Randle El was a product of the offense he was in, and proved it by failing when he left it. But hey, at least he got paid once.
TEXANS
SIGNED:
Daniel Manning S:
Johnathan Joseph CB:
Jacoby Jones WR:
TITANS
SIGNED:
Colin McCarthy LB Miami:
Jamie Harper RB Clemson:
CUT:
Vince Young QB:
Day 2 (7/27)
The rumor mill is really flying about the veterans today, with them being available for signing tomorrow. I am going to hold off on commenting till we start to get through all the smoke and mirrors and media detritus that is floating around right now.
The high notes, as I see them for playing signings on day 2 are:
49ERS:
Ian Williams NT Notre Dame: There were moments when Williams was being considered as high as the late first round. Again, that speaks to the madness that was this year's draft, but it also means that Williams is a great value as a Rookie Free Agent. He is an athletic DT with a good low center who has the potential to transition very well to an end in a 3-4 for the Niners.
Jeremiah Masoli QB Ole Miss: A rolling stone will gather no trophies. Masoli had a chance to be the veteran leader of the team that lost the national championship game, but he couldn't keep his nose clean. He is a big character risk, but there is talent and leadership potential there too. It remains to be seen if he has the passing accuracy for the NFL, but he is a heck of an athlete at quarterback, so for a team that is looking for a QB it's worth the risk. Harbaugh is very familiar with him having coached against him in the PAC-10. We'll see if he knows what he's doing.
BUCCANEERS:
Jock Sanders WR West Virginia: Sanders is a very athletic receiver who should contrast nicely with the bigger receivers that they brought in last year. I was pretty surprised to see him not get drafted, so I think this is another smart move by the Bucs
DaQuan Bowers DE Clemson: It's huge to get him in camp. Bowers is mad, and he should be. I, for one, hope he makes the league pay for years for passing him by.
Detron Lewis WR: It looks like Tampa is looking for slot receivers because that is exactly what Lewis is. He is a good RAC guy who thrived in Texas Tech's wide open passing attack. The Bucs won't be running the same offense by any means, but he has a shot.
Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa: They have both of their rookie DE's in camp on time. That's pretty huge.
CARDINALS:
Kris O'Dowd: O'Dowd was the first center to start a game as a freshman at that position in the history of USC football. He was an All-American as a sophomore, then lost his junior season to a knee injury. He was generally considered to be the #3 center in the 2011 draft, but is still here without a job. This is a great get for the Cardinals. Don't be surprised to see him playing this year.
William Powell: Powell was overshadowed by his more famous teammate, Daniel Thomas, at K-State. This forced him to make his mark on special teams and in spot duty and he did that, with his national best 34.6 yards per kick return average and 10.0 per rush. He is a bit small and is going to have to make his living as a third down back and special teams ace, but that is definitely not out of the question.
EAGLES:
Brian Rolle LB Ohio State: He is a smaller backer, but that fits what the Eagles do. I would have liked to see them try to get him as a FA, but all the same he has a very real chance to stick on this team with his speed and nose for the ball.
Dion Lewis RB Pittsburgh: They are really brining in a lot of RB talent, and I am not sure about Lewis. He was productive at Pitt, but he does not have great size, moves, or speed. His vision is very good however, and he can catch the ball. It will be interesting to see him compete with Noel Devine.
Casey Matthews LB Oregon: A great name, but not a great game. If he is going to stick, he had better do it on special teams.
Stanley Havili FB USC: It is a recurring theme for the Eagles that they have trouble in the red zone. McCoy is proving to be much more effective in short yardage, but adding a premire blocking back will not hurt that any at all.
Jaiqwan Jarret S Temple: Jarrett was the #2 rated Safety going into the draft by Scout.com. A lot of people, myself included, thought that a bit high, but he is a quality coverage safety. The Eagles just let Quintin Mikell walk, so bringing safeties to compete makes sense.
SAINTS:
John Chiles WR Texas: Chiles is the kind of player that the Saints love. He is a great overall athlete and he is dangerous. Look for him to make this team and a couple highlights as a rookie.
DeAndre McDaniel S Clemson: I had him as the #1 Strong Safety going into the draft and I am comfortable with that ranking. He does need some refinement, but he is good in coverage and aggressive in the box. Some work on angles and tackling form and he should be around for awhile.
Day 1 (7/26):
Contrary to the news, Veteran Free Agents have not been signed yet, so for the first day, I am going to stick to what the NFL has on paper. A pretty good handful of rookie free agents were signed on the first day it was allowed. As I have discussed before, this NFL draft left a lot of guys swinging in the wind that project as very good NFL players.
Here are some high points from the first day.
BEARS:
Dane Sanzenbacher WR Ohio State: Sanzenbacher is more athletic than he is usually given credit for and it as polished a WR as you will likely see coming out of college. His celing is probably as a starting slot receiving or secondary outside threat, but the Bears need receivers. I like this RFA pickup for Chicago.
BUCCANEERS:
Mason Foster LB Washington: Foster is one of the first draft picks signed. He is a nice athlete at linebacker that can play all over and runs well enough to play in the 'Tampa 2'. Rumor is this spells the end for Barrett Ruud.
CHARGERS:
Vidal Hazelton WR USC: There was a day when Hazelton was talked about as a 'straight to the NFL' kind of talent. USC didn't work out quite like he hoped, but there is still an awful lot of raw talent there. Here's hoping he studies Vincent Jackson on the field and ignores him off it.
Scott Tolzien QB Wisconsin: Tolzien is one of the most productive QB's in the history of Wisconsin football, with an incredible 73% completion his senior year. That said, he is limited athletically, so he likely will do very well to be a career backup. Then again, in the right offense, his decision making could work.
EAGLES:
Noel Devine RB West Virginia: If I had been a team in the NFC east, I would have picked up Devine just to keep him out of Philly. This is one of fastest players you will ever see on the football field and having him will allow the Eagles to protect DeSean Jackson a bit more while still having a deadly returner on the field. Additionally, he will add one more weapon to the most explosive offense in football.
DeAndre Brown WR Southern Mississippi: Brown is a bit of a project, but he is a 6'6" receiver who can really jump and run. He played in a unique spread offense which is less of a problem for the Eagles than some teams, and they need red zone threats. They wouldn't have caught much static if they had spent a draft pick on him, so this is a great bet for them to make on an RFA.
Graig Cooper RB Miami: Cooper was one of those Miami guys who scared you everytime they touched the ball. Unfortunately, he was still recovering from an ACL tear and was not 100% for his senior season. Unfortunate for him, but not for the Eagles. Cooper could easily make this roster if he is near the talent he was before the injury.
Jerrod Johnson QB Texas A&M: Johnson was the Big 12 leader in touchdowns as a junior, but inconsistency cost him the starting job his senior year. He has a vast amount of talent, but has to learn to make better decisions. He is a gamble, but the potential is there, and there is no published history of off-field troubles so I like the risk for him to act as understudy to Vick. And of course, if there is a team that knows how to develop a QB in the NFL right now, it is the Eagles.
SEAHAWKS:
Jerson Johnson S Boise State: A strong safety with solid coverage skills, Johnson could very well be the starting saftey, opposite Earl Thomas for the Seahawks. He was one of the players I was rather shocked to see go undrafted.
Zach Hurd OT: Hurd is a powerful run blocker who will likely transition inside to guard in the NFL. He will be a great locker room guy and has the potential to start after learning a new position. Pete Carroll is looking like he wants to run the ball, and picking up steals like Hurd to fill out a depleted O-Line will go a long ways towards that.
STEELERS:
John Clay RB Wisconsin:
Clay is the latest power back to come out of the Badger program. He was losing carries in a hurry to a pair of young speed backs, but he was productive at the college level. I look for the Steelers to give him a look as a red zone back and possibly as a blocking back with some ball skills. He will not beat out Rashard Mendenhall for the starting spot, but he could be a nice change of pace/short yardage back.
Weslye Saunders TE South Carolina: Saunders was one of the top rated Tight Ends in the country coming into last season but was kicked off the GameCocks football team after being at the center of an NCAA investigation. If this was merely a case of a player talking to an agent too soon and acting like a 20 year old, then this will be a steal for the Pittsburgh Franchise. If not, well, he's just a RFA. All in all, as a guy who tends to root against the Steelers, I am not happy about this.
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