DenBronx
03-15-2008, 12:22 AM
http://www.nfl.com/freeagency/story;jsessionid=BC486386240F3A185F8F66F7B267E7C9? id=09000d5d8072b60a&template=with-video&confirm=true?campaign=email_NL0314
A week and a half into free agency, NFL teams have made a variety of statements with their moves. And all of them have unfinished business.
A team-by-team look follows:
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Arizona Cardinals
What they've done: Restructured contract of Larry Fitzgerald, who was thought to be on his way out the door via a trade this year (with a cap number of $17.4 million due him in 2009 from his original contract, he would have been waived after the season). Signed defensive end Travis LaBoy.
Biggest statement: Finding a way to tie up Fitzgerald to a long-term deal was a defining moment for the Cardinals' organization, demonstrating how serious the team is about being a contender.
Unfinished business: The Cardinals should be able to find a quality running back with the 16th overall pick in the draft.
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Atlanta Falcons
What they've done: Signed running back Michael Turner and defensive backs Von Hutchins and Erik Coleman.
Biggest statement: Although the Falcons are in desperate need of an upgrade at quarterback, new general manager Thomas Dimitroff understands that the foundation of any offensive rebuilding must begin with a strong running game. Turner's inside rushing power is a perfect fit in the scheme that new coach Mike Smith and new offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey will employ.
Unfinished business: Quarterback should get attention in the draft, but it is unlikely that the Falcons see one that is worthy of the third overall pick. Instead, they will probably use it on one of the draft's best defensive players, LSU tackle Glenn Dorsey.
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Baltimore Ravens
What they've done: Signed special-teams ace/linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo.
Biggest statement: If new head coach John Harbaugh, a former special teams coach, was going to grab only one player in free agency (which is what he has done), it made sense that it would be Ayanbadejo.
Unfinished business: The Ravens need a quarterback, and they could very well use the eighth overall pick of the draft to get one.
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Buffalo Bills
What they've done: Traded for defensive tackle Marcus Stroud. Signed linebacker Kawika Mitchell, defensive tackle Spencer Johnson, and tight end Courtney Anderson.
Biggest statement: The new Bills hierarchy, led by Russ Brandon, isn't afraid to shake things up. The additions of a couple of big run-stuffers, former Jaguar Stroud and ex-Giant Mitchell, goes against the team's core defensive philosophy of having smaller and quicker players who swarm to the ball. But something needed to be done to prevent the trampling by opponents' rushing attacks.
Unfinished business: The 11th overall pick of the draft should allow the Bills to address their most crying offensive need -- a big and athletic wide receiver.
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Carolina Panthers
What they've done: Signed linebacker Landon Johnson, defensive lineman Tyler Brayton, wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, and other lower-profile free agents. Traded defensive tackle Kris Jenkins.
Biggest statement: Close but no cigar in pursuing the few big-name players in the open market.
Unfinished business: The Panthers will look to land a play-making defender, likely a linebacker, with the 13th overall pick of the draft.
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Chicago Bears
What they've done: Re-signed linebacker Lance Briggs and quarterback Rex Grossman. Began renegotiation talks with other key players, including return man Devin Hester and defensive tackle Tommie Harris.
Biggest statement: It's all about keeping their own players.
Unfinished business: The 14th overall pick of the draft should allow the Bears to upgrade their offensive line.
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Cincinnati Bengals
What they've done: Signed defensive lineman Antwan Odom and linebacker Darryl Blackstock. Made unsuccessful attempts to trade for defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Dewayne Robertson.
Biggest statement: Make the defense better.
Unfinished business: The Bengals are likely to be thinking defense in the draft as well. Specifically, they will probably try to add some beef to the middle of their line by making USC tackle Sedrick Ellis the ninth overall pick.
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Cleveland Browns
What they've done: Traded away second- and third-round picks, plus starting cornerback Leigh Bodden, to beef up the interior of their defensive line with Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams. Re-signed quarterback Derek Anderson and running back Jamal Lewis. Signed wide receiver Donte' Stallworth and offensive lineman Rex Hadnot.
Biggest statement: After coming within a whisker of reaching the playoffs, the Browns are serious about doing what is necessary to cross the threshold. Their greatest need was to get bigger up front on defense, and they did exactly that with the acquisitions of tackles Williams and Rogers.
Unfinished business: Thanks to their aggressive trading, the Browns don't have a pick in the first three rounds of the draft (last year, they traded away their 2008 first-rounder for the first-rounder that fetched QB Brady Quinn), but don't be shocked if Phil Savage swings yet another deal that gives his team an early pick.
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Dallas Cowboys
What they've done: Re-signed offensive tackle Flozell Adams. Placed franchise tag on safety Ken Hamlin. Signed linebacker Zach Thomas to a modest deal.
Biggest statement: Keeping their own is more important to the Cowboys than overspending for someone else's players. That's also reflected in making tender offers to a pair of restricted free agents, running back Marion Barber and defensive end Chris Canty, that would make it difficult for other teams to acquire them.
Unfinished business: With two first-round picks, the Cowboys figure to pick up a cornerback and a running back to replace Julius Jones.
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Denver Broncos
What they've done: Signed safeties Marquand Manuel and Marlon McCree and linebackers Boss Bailey and Niko Koutouvides. Re-signed safety John Lynch.
Biggest statement: The Broncos made a major investment to improve their defense.
Unfinished business: With key defensive needs addressed, the Broncos can focus on offense in the draft and use the 12th overall pick on a tackle.
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Detroit Lions
What they've done: Raided the Buccaneers in signing cornerback Brian Kelly and defensive tackle Chuck Darby. Also signed former Buccaneers free safety Dwight Smith, who was with Minnesota last year. Traded for cornerback Leigh Bodden.
Biggest statement: Rod Marinelli, a former Bucs assistant coach, believes he can rebuild his new defense -- especially the secondary -- with pieces of his old one.
Unfinished business: The Lions will probably go for more defense, perhaps another cornerback, with the 15th overall pick of the draft.
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Green Bay Packers
What they've done: Said good-bye to quarterback Brett Favre, who announced his retirement. Entertained several free-agent visitors.
Biggest statement: With all key players in place (with one notable exception, of course), the Packers are sitting this one out.
Unfinished business: Finding a veteran quarterback to back up new starter Aaron Rodgers.
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Houston Texans
What they've done: Signed cornerback Jacques Reeves and linebacker Kevin Bentley. Re-signed wide receiver Andre' Davis and free safety Will Demps.
Biggest statement: Taking a careful approach to free agency to address defensive needs.
Unfinished business: The Texans need a running back and will probably get one with the 18th overall pick of the draft.
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Indianapolis Colts
What they've done: Signed tight end Dallas Clark, who received a franchise tag, to a long-term contract. Re-signed offensive guard Ryan Lilja.
Biggest statement: Keeping your own is always the best policy.
Unfinished business: The Colts don't have a first-round pick in the draft; they'll likely try to land a defensive tackle in the second round.
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Jacksonville Jaguars
What they've done: Signed wide receiver Jerry Porter, cornerback Drayton Florence, and defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy. Traded for wide receiver Troy Williamson. Traded away defensive tackle Marcus Stroud.
Biggest statement: The Jaguars have reason to believe David Garrard can take them a long way, and added Porter and Williamson in hopes of getting greater production from their quarterback.
Unfinished business: Their defensive additions should help, but they will likely look to the draft for much-needed improvement to their pass rush.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kansas City Chiefs
What they've done: Signed linebacker Demorrio Williams and wide receiver Devard Darling. Re-signed punter Dustin Colquitt.
Biggest statement: Proceeding with caution.
Unfinished business: The Chiefs need a cornerback and an offensive lineman, and should be able to get a good one with the fifth overall pick of the draft.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miami Dolphins
What they've done: Signed nine free agents, none of them high-enders but all young enough to at least compete for jobs on a fairly wide-open roster. Traded for defensive tackle Jason Ferguson.
Biggest statement: Bill Parcells has hit the re-set button -- hard.
Unfinished business: The Dolphins could go in a wide variety of directions with the top overall pick of the draft, including quarterback. Right now, a defensive lineman, such as Virginia's Chris Long, seems to make the most sense.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minnesota Vikings
What they've done: Signed wide receiver Bernard Berrian, safety Madieu Williams, and fullback Thomas Tapeh.
Biggest statement: The Vikings got a big-play target to get the most out of quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.
Unfinished business: The draft should allow the Vikings to land the big-time pass rusher they need.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A week and a half into free agency, NFL teams have made a variety of statements with their moves. And all of them have unfinished business.
A team-by-team look follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona Cardinals
What they've done: Restructured contract of Larry Fitzgerald, who was thought to be on his way out the door via a trade this year (with a cap number of $17.4 million due him in 2009 from his original contract, he would have been waived after the season). Signed defensive end Travis LaBoy.
Biggest statement: Finding a way to tie up Fitzgerald to a long-term deal was a defining moment for the Cardinals' organization, demonstrating how serious the team is about being a contender.
Unfinished business: The Cardinals should be able to find a quality running back with the 16th overall pick in the draft.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlanta Falcons
What they've done: Signed running back Michael Turner and defensive backs Von Hutchins and Erik Coleman.
Biggest statement: Although the Falcons are in desperate need of an upgrade at quarterback, new general manager Thomas Dimitroff understands that the foundation of any offensive rebuilding must begin with a strong running game. Turner's inside rushing power is a perfect fit in the scheme that new coach Mike Smith and new offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey will employ.
Unfinished business: Quarterback should get attention in the draft, but it is unlikely that the Falcons see one that is worthy of the third overall pick. Instead, they will probably use it on one of the draft's best defensive players, LSU tackle Glenn Dorsey.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baltimore Ravens
What they've done: Signed special-teams ace/linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo.
Biggest statement: If new head coach John Harbaugh, a former special teams coach, was going to grab only one player in free agency (which is what he has done), it made sense that it would be Ayanbadejo.
Unfinished business: The Ravens need a quarterback, and they could very well use the eighth overall pick of the draft to get one.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buffalo Bills
What they've done: Traded for defensive tackle Marcus Stroud. Signed linebacker Kawika Mitchell, defensive tackle Spencer Johnson, and tight end Courtney Anderson.
Biggest statement: The new Bills hierarchy, led by Russ Brandon, isn't afraid to shake things up. The additions of a couple of big run-stuffers, former Jaguar Stroud and ex-Giant Mitchell, goes against the team's core defensive philosophy of having smaller and quicker players who swarm to the ball. But something needed to be done to prevent the trampling by opponents' rushing attacks.
Unfinished business: The 11th overall pick of the draft should allow the Bills to address their most crying offensive need -- a big and athletic wide receiver.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carolina Panthers
What they've done: Signed linebacker Landon Johnson, defensive lineman Tyler Brayton, wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, and other lower-profile free agents. Traded defensive tackle Kris Jenkins.
Biggest statement: Close but no cigar in pursuing the few big-name players in the open market.
Unfinished business: The Panthers will look to land a play-making defender, likely a linebacker, with the 13th overall pick of the draft.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chicago Bears
What they've done: Re-signed linebacker Lance Briggs and quarterback Rex Grossman. Began renegotiation talks with other key players, including return man Devin Hester and defensive tackle Tommie Harris.
Biggest statement: It's all about keeping their own players.
Unfinished business: The 14th overall pick of the draft should allow the Bears to upgrade their offensive line.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cincinnati Bengals
What they've done: Signed defensive lineman Antwan Odom and linebacker Darryl Blackstock. Made unsuccessful attempts to trade for defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Dewayne Robertson.
Biggest statement: Make the defense better.
Unfinished business: The Bengals are likely to be thinking defense in the draft as well. Specifically, they will probably try to add some beef to the middle of their line by making USC tackle Sedrick Ellis the ninth overall pick.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cleveland Browns
What they've done: Traded away second- and third-round picks, plus starting cornerback Leigh Bodden, to beef up the interior of their defensive line with Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams. Re-signed quarterback Derek Anderson and running back Jamal Lewis. Signed wide receiver Donte' Stallworth and offensive lineman Rex Hadnot.
Biggest statement: After coming within a whisker of reaching the playoffs, the Browns are serious about doing what is necessary to cross the threshold. Their greatest need was to get bigger up front on defense, and they did exactly that with the acquisitions of tackles Williams and Rogers.
Unfinished business: Thanks to their aggressive trading, the Browns don't have a pick in the first three rounds of the draft (last year, they traded away their 2008 first-rounder for the first-rounder that fetched QB Brady Quinn), but don't be shocked if Phil Savage swings yet another deal that gives his team an early pick.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dallas Cowboys
What they've done: Re-signed offensive tackle Flozell Adams. Placed franchise tag on safety Ken Hamlin. Signed linebacker Zach Thomas to a modest deal.
Biggest statement: Keeping their own is more important to the Cowboys than overspending for someone else's players. That's also reflected in making tender offers to a pair of restricted free agents, running back Marion Barber and defensive end Chris Canty, that would make it difficult for other teams to acquire them.
Unfinished business: With two first-round picks, the Cowboys figure to pick up a cornerback and a running back to replace Julius Jones.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Denver Broncos
What they've done: Signed safeties Marquand Manuel and Marlon McCree and linebackers Boss Bailey and Niko Koutouvides. Re-signed safety John Lynch.
Biggest statement: The Broncos made a major investment to improve their defense.
Unfinished business: With key defensive needs addressed, the Broncos can focus on offense in the draft and use the 12th overall pick on a tackle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detroit Lions
What they've done: Raided the Buccaneers in signing cornerback Brian Kelly and defensive tackle Chuck Darby. Also signed former Buccaneers free safety Dwight Smith, who was with Minnesota last year. Traded for cornerback Leigh Bodden.
Biggest statement: Rod Marinelli, a former Bucs assistant coach, believes he can rebuild his new defense -- especially the secondary -- with pieces of his old one.
Unfinished business: The Lions will probably go for more defense, perhaps another cornerback, with the 15th overall pick of the draft.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Green Bay Packers
What they've done: Said good-bye to quarterback Brett Favre, who announced his retirement. Entertained several free-agent visitors.
Biggest statement: With all key players in place (with one notable exception, of course), the Packers are sitting this one out.
Unfinished business: Finding a veteran quarterback to back up new starter Aaron Rodgers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Houston Texans
What they've done: Signed cornerback Jacques Reeves and linebacker Kevin Bentley. Re-signed wide receiver Andre' Davis and free safety Will Demps.
Biggest statement: Taking a careful approach to free agency to address defensive needs.
Unfinished business: The Texans need a running back and will probably get one with the 18th overall pick of the draft.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indianapolis Colts
What they've done: Signed tight end Dallas Clark, who received a franchise tag, to a long-term contract. Re-signed offensive guard Ryan Lilja.
Biggest statement: Keeping your own is always the best policy.
Unfinished business: The Colts don't have a first-round pick in the draft; they'll likely try to land a defensive tackle in the second round.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jacksonville Jaguars
What they've done: Signed wide receiver Jerry Porter, cornerback Drayton Florence, and defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy. Traded for wide receiver Troy Williamson. Traded away defensive tackle Marcus Stroud.
Biggest statement: The Jaguars have reason to believe David Garrard can take them a long way, and added Porter and Williamson in hopes of getting greater production from their quarterback.
Unfinished business: Their defensive additions should help, but they will likely look to the draft for much-needed improvement to their pass rush.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kansas City Chiefs
What they've done: Signed linebacker Demorrio Williams and wide receiver Devard Darling. Re-signed punter Dustin Colquitt.
Biggest statement: Proceeding with caution.
Unfinished business: The Chiefs need a cornerback and an offensive lineman, and should be able to get a good one with the fifth overall pick of the draft.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miami Dolphins
What they've done: Signed nine free agents, none of them high-enders but all young enough to at least compete for jobs on a fairly wide-open roster. Traded for defensive tackle Jason Ferguson.
Biggest statement: Bill Parcells has hit the re-set button -- hard.
Unfinished business: The Dolphins could go in a wide variety of directions with the top overall pick of the draft, including quarterback. Right now, a defensive lineman, such as Virginia's Chris Long, seems to make the most sense.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minnesota Vikings
What they've done: Signed wide receiver Bernard Berrian, safety Madieu Williams, and fullback Thomas Tapeh.
Biggest statement: The Vikings got a big-play target to get the most out of quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.
Unfinished business: The draft should allow the Vikings to land the big-time pass rusher they need.
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