The NFL Offseason So Far (June 2006)
| 15
|
by user JuTMSY4
June marks the halfway point between the highest point of the off-season, the NFL draft, and the start of the new season. With about two more months till the first pre-season game, its time to take a look at each team and decide who's made the right moves, wrong moves and who's in position to make a run to the Super Bowl. Take note of the Super Bowl rating system (0-5 rings, 5 being the most ready to contend). This system isn't intended to rank one team better than another, just display how likely they are to get to and win the big game. and with that said...
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Defense is back. With the additions of Trevor Pryce and Haloti Ngata, the defensive line looks like it might be able to contend with the largely upgraded offensive lines around the league. While their line may be feared just as much, the ability to free up a very good secondary and linebacking corps makes this unit one to fear. Now, it’s just a waiting game for Steven McNair
2 Rings
Cincinnati Bengals
This team is only about two ligaments and an offensive lineman away from a Super Bowl berth, but those sorts of things separate the contenders from pretenders. Their draft was solid, but they did not address the offensive line. Hopefully Andrew Whitworth is the answer, but he doesn't look like it. Nonetheless, if Carson Palmer comes back to this '05 form, this team could be a top four in the AFC, if not the NFL. The catch is, can Chris Henry stay out of jail and Chad Johnson stay out of the coach's office?
3.5 Rings
Cleveland Browns
For the sake of Cleveland this team finally looks like it might come out of the hole. The hitch is, their division consists of a high-powered defense, a high-powered offense and a defending Super Bowl Champ. Cleveland's addition of LeCharles Bentley (long term) and Willie McGinest (Short term) should make them significantly better than last year, but I've got to question the Ken Dorsey for Trent Dilfer move, I still have know clue why they pulled the trigger.
1 Ring
Pittsburgh Steelers
The defending champs will have a tough time staying on top. Sure they have one of the better young QBs in the league (Probably the best of that draft class), a selfless receiver and one punishing defense that can run or pound with the best of them. The problem is, I don't think they added or kept enough to make another run. This team barely made the playoffs last year and won on a few freak plays and some great officiating, what makes you think they can do more with less? Nonetheless, they are the defending champs.
3.5 Rings
AFC South
Houston Texans
This team was just plain awful last year. They came into being with a suspect line and refuse to fix it. To be honest, I think David Carr was once a Franchise Quarterback, now he's just another thrower running for this life. You can question the Mario Williams thing all you want, and no matter how good he is, people will always say that was a dumb pick (unless Reggie Bush doesn't pan out, more later). This team is starting to figure out how to win (defense!), but they still got a very long way to go
.5 Rings
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts were only a bad play and a long field goal away from what probably would have been a Super Bowl trip, but sometimes luck is all that is needed to win it all (see Steelers). Now Adam Vinatieri comes in to replace the liquored up kicker and if need be, make those game winning kicks. Wouldn't it be funny to see Vinatieri finally miss one, against the Pats with a trip to the big game on the line? Don't forget, this team lost its edge (Edgerrin James) and now has to depend on a very under-rated Dominic Rhodes and rookie Joseph Addai. I like those guys, but not as much as James.
4 Rings
Jacksonville Jaguars
I really like the addition of Mercedes Lewis. He's a big Tight End with the ability to catch a lot of passes and without the ageless Jimmy Smith; they are going to need a pass catcher like that. This team looks a little slow to me now; with Matt Jones as a slot receiver and Lewis as the TE, you have to question where the speed is coming from. I also don't like that rushing game
Fred Taylor has got talent, if he makes it on the field and Greg Jones is serviceable, but you can't count on either of those guys for a serious run.
2 Rings
Tennessee Titans
I don't think this team will be better this year without Steve McNair. With that said, this is a long-term move that has to be done. I don't like the idea of holding onto him just to mess with the Ravens, but I understand it, it’s just not fair to McNair. Volek is a serviceable QB and Vince Young looks like the Next Daunte Culpepper sans knee injury. But, the best part of this team is young LenDale White, who will be the best back in the draft. If ever Eddie George were to be replaced in the Titans' fans' hearts, White can do it.
.5 Rings
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
You know, I would never question Marv Levy, but Donte Whitner, you can't be serious. The move was there, no one was interested in Whitner that high and they could have easily snagged him with the 15th pick from Denver. Now they have their guy and hopefully he will work, but even if he's the second coming of Ronnie Lott, this move doesn't make sense. Regardless, I actually did like most of their draft. John McCargo looks like the kind of soft kid who turns into a mean guy come Sundays and Ashton Youbouty reminds me of a younger Troy Vincent. Nonetheless, there is no way this team makes the Super Bowl, let alone the playoffs.
.25 Rings (Never say never)
Miami Dolphins
Everyone's dark horse to win the AFC East. This team seems to have all the makings, Looks good on D, nice QB, nice WR corps, a handy Tight End. I'm just not sure yet. Culpepper has always looks like a good QB but never good enough, kind of the Alex Rodriguez of the NFL. The Marcus Vick Project looks pretty cool, no major risk and at worst the team is out a few hundred thousand and got some great publicity. Ok, I don't care how good the Toronto Argonauts are, it's Canada.
2 Rings
New England Patriots
The pats could start Tom Brady behind five fat Irish guys they found in Southie and I would still be willing to pick them to win it all so long as Bill Belichick is there. I loved their draft, they got the running back of the future and a receiver that should more than capably fill in. I also don't really see any team that can unseat them in the AFC East and for that I could foresee an unprecedented 4th ring in the era of free-agency.
4 Rings
New York Jets
The Jets really made all the right moves this off-season. If there's one sure way to make your team competitive, it’s bulking up the offensive line. D'brickashaw Ferguson is a beast ready to be let loose and Nick Mangold represents a cheaper, younger and maybe better replacement for Kevin Mawae. Chad Pennington may have a few years left or he may not, either way, avoiding QBs in the draft like the plague was an excellent choice, as I'd rather have a sure bet Offensive lineman and a 50% shot at a good QB than just a shot at a possible Franchise QB. Not to mention the insurance policy they got with Kellen Clemens.
1.5 Rings
AFC West
Denver Broncos
I'm going to say this and be wrong and then taunted about it for years to come, but Jay Cutler will never be a good Quarterback in this league. Any QB who suddenly comes out of Vanderbilt his senior season and is revered for playing .500 football can't honestly be the savior of the franchise. But then again, I don't exactly see Jake Plummer hoisting the Lombardi and time soon. I like the Jevon Walke trade but they paid too much.
2.5 Rings
Kansas City Chiefs
Let me soundly proclaim my man-crush for Brodie Croyle. He's a gutsy southern QB with talent, vision and a feel for the game. Too bad the guy's a little too soft and a little too injury prone. Tamba Hali is another excellent addition for a defense that doesn't scare anyone. At least they finally got it right this time, you need lineman to build defense. The Herm Edwards fiasco was a joke and KC having him doesn't make them better. No, I said it, it doesn't make them better.
2 Rings
Oakland Raiders
When did Marv Levy become the draft expert to follow? Oakland's moves are puzzling, but I think they acquired some good players. Michael Huff is a gritty heavy hitter and so is Darnell Bing, but I don't think either of these safeties is what Oakland needed. This team needs a mulligan and unfortunately, I don't think other owners are willing to give them out. Al Davis should be ashamed that he's going to put that product on the field. For god's sake they signed Aaron Brooks to start at QB (At least he's Michael Vick's cousin). Maybe Andrew Walter is the real deal, they better hope so.
.5 Rings
San Diego Chargers
Before the 2003 draft, I said I thought Phillip Rivers would be better than Eli Manning and so far I have been wrong. There is no way losing Drew Brees (who, by the way, I also thought would be good when he was drafted) makes this team better. Makes you really question that shoulder injury though. I wasn't exactly in love with their draft either. Cromartie looks good, but not first round good and Charlie Whitehurst was the worst of the mediocre QBs in the draft, still a waste of a 3 pick when he could have been gotten with a 4. This team still has a lot of talent, but was fairly stagnant. I'm not really sure if they added enough to make a run
3 Rings
NFC North
Chicago Bears
Anyone remember the 2000 Baltimore Ravens. This team has the best defense in the league, head and shoulders, but their offense might be better lead by Ryan Leaf (I take it back). Really, this team would be 8-8 in any other division, but because the NFC North is so bad, they look like a contender. I like their offensive line and running game, it keeps the other team's defense on the field and theirs off, but their ability to score is greatly limited. How long can the D keep other teams below 10 (They didn't with the Panthers). I like Devon Hester as a return man, but I still can't figure out the rest of the draft, why so much defense for a team so dominant on that side of the ball
2.5 Rings
Detroit Lions
I liked their off-season, but not enough to think that even they have a shot in the NFC North. Lions fans, you're headed in the right direction (I know you've heard this before), but your team is not going to be good this year. The good news is Brady Quinn is graduating next year and I heard you guys are in line for the 1st pick overall, that bad news is you've got a very excruciating season coming up. Not big on Ernie Sims, but he's very athletic, just small. Quietly, Fred Matua could be your best OL in a few years, very quietly this draft looks like a lot of diamonds in the rough. .5 Rings
Green Bay Packers
The good news: Brett Favre is still on the team. The Bad News: Brett Favre is still on the team. I liked the turnover in the draft, use all the picks to add young players and trade the injured and useless Jevon Walker for a 2nd rounder. This team needs to rebuild, so the Walker trade makes sense, but the question now becomes, why is Brett back again? Better yet, what makes the defense so much better than last year. A.J. Hawk looks like a great linebacker, but even so, he can only do so much.
.25 Rings
Minnesota Vikings
You've got to love the move to get Steve Hutchinson. Any contract that results in the other team overpaying your receiver by virtue of the "he can only play 5 games in the State of Minnesota" rule is ok in my book. But really, the Vikings made some good moves. I'm not sure about Brad Johnson though, he'll be 36, look good at times last year, but is no Daunte Culpepper. Chad Greenway might have been the best linebacker in the draft, but their defense is still small. Good thing they play in the NFC North, makes it easier, but I'm not sure this offense can handle the Bears D.
1.5 Rings
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
Michael Vick may be the best athlete in the NFL; it’s too bad he's not even a top 10 QB in the NFL. This guy makes Kordell Stewart look like Russell Crowe in "A Beautiful Mind." Their backup plan now is D.J. Shockley, who I think is a little underrated at a 7th rounder, but he's got the ability to be a Randel El esque player, probably a little bit more power than speed. Imagine, will you, a three back set with Vick Matt Schaub and Shockley, you could do almost anything. In fact, add Dunn back their and forget about Wide Receivers in general. All right, enough wishful thinking. I think the Falcons are a good enough team to make the playoffs but their division is way to tough.
2.5 rings
Carolina Panthers
Steve Smith is the best receiver in the NFL, so hopefully Keyshawn Johnson can coexist with him. Beyond one of the best WR combos in the NFL the Panthers looks a little weak. Can John Fox honestly put out Deshaun Foster and feel OK? The addition of DeAngelo Williams makes their running game better, but I would have preferred Laurence Maroney. Jake Delhomme has been playing above himself for some time and its time for him to come back to earth; he started in New Orleans for god's sake! Regardless the pedigree is there, if the Panthers can survive the division, their playoff hopes look good.
3.5 Rings
New Orleans Saints
Bush Mania has hit the French Quarter even after these major incidents (Uni numbers, who cares?!). But how good do you think glorified Brian Westbrook is. I almost hope he looks so bad in camp that they start Michael Bennett. Really they could have an excellent three headed monster with Reggie Bush, Deuce McAllister and Bennett, but I don't see any way they can keep all of them happy, which makes Bennett the odd man out. The Bethel Johnson trade does not make them better and I'm not sure about the rest of their draft. Drew w Brees]] is a good quarterback, but I'm not sure how much help he's going to be for a team like this. Point being, this team could be primed for a big run, just not this year.
1 Ring
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
David Boston is one of the better kept secrets in the NFL. He's very athletically talented and can work on the NFL level and if there is a coach out there to get is head on straight its John Gruden. Their defense is still one of the top units in the NFC and they drafted well to add depth. I like their look at Wide Receiver with Maurice Stovall and the addition of Davin Joseph certainly is a step in the right direction of suring up the line. Chris Simms still scares me as a starter, but you have to take risk somewhere, why not QB?
3 Rings
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
T.O. and the Tuna could be biggest story in football this year, much like T.O. and the Eagles last year and the year before that. At this point, regardless of the talent, I'm almost sick of the guy, however he's the best receiver in the game and he can back it up. My real question is whether Terrell Owens and Drew Bledsoe can coexist. If Bledsoe couldn't make it with Eric Moulds how’s he going to do with a more volatile threat? Another great draft by Bill Parcells, but I, like everyone else, don’t get Anthony Fasano. Sure he makes the whole offense a lot more difficult to defend, but you need a blocker at the 2TE spot and Fasano is not that.
3.5 Rings
New York Giants
If you have a Manning at the helm, do you think your team honestly has a chance? If Parcells were here, I'd say yes, but instead they have Tom Coughlin and he's gotta make little Eli Manning tremble in his diapers. I don't get drafting Mathias Kiwanuka when you have 2 good DEs already, other than the idea that he will replace Michael Strahan. Here's my theory though, the Giant, like me, honestly don't think Osi Umenyiora is as good as he played last year and they are going to need another guy like Strahan to take up 2 lineman. This is the reason Osi gets free. This team has pretender written all over it.
2 Rings
Philadelphia Eagles
Many people will question this, but this team is better off without T.O. They made the correct moves in adding Jabar Gaffney as their 2/3 receiver and Matt Schoebel as a second receiving threat. The key fact here is, the Eagles actually scored (on average) about a half point more without Owens (Circa 2001-2003). More importantly, they addressed their issues on defense by adding the much sought after Darren Howard and drafting Broderick Bunkley. Finally, they added some real gems for the future of the Offensive line, namely Winston Justice and Max Jean-Gilles. Sadly, this team seems built for a run, next year
3.5 Rings
Washington Redskins
Everyone, every year, questions the spending of Daniel Snyder. Everyone wonders how he can blow so much money and still manage this team. Surprisingly, he's done it and it's not that hard. Since there's very little guaranteed money in the NFL, Snyder signs these guys to big deals, but they are back-end loaded (for the most part) so if the player doesn't pan out, he can still cut his losses. This won't work forever, but if he feels his best shot at a title is with Joe Gibbs, then so be it. I like the addition of Antwaan Randel El, but I don't see why this helps them, they need a big receiver not another little guy. Didn't like the draft moves, they picked a lot of overrated guys, but its to early to really tell if they really did well, seeing as they only had a few sexy picks.
2.5 Rings
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
If you were the Cardinals, how could you not draft Matt Leinart. This guy will be better than Jay Cutler and he's going to come into the league with one of his own offensive lineman, Taitusi Lutui, and not to mention a best Wide Receiver tandem in the league. Leinart has it all, a young team to shape, some great selfless wideouts and a weird crazy and loaded girlfriend. Maybe, I'm a little too in love with pass catching Tight Ends but I like Leonard Pope as an option of Lienart. Every QB should have one of these guys, they're big, they block and they can serve as a nice safety valve when needed. The Cardinals are a few pieces away, but the NFC west has a soft underbelly and if they can steal a few wins, they might just see game time in January.
2 Rings
St. Louis Rams
The Rams might be this year’s biggest enigma. They've certainly got a lot of skill position players with talent and their line, while aging, is still a good unit. This team could move in one of two directions over the next year or two. They could reload well and become much like the 49ers of the early and then late 90s or they could end up like the current Detroit Lions or the 90s Bengals, crash, burn and roast for the next 10 years. I like their draft, they addressed the positions they needed, such as their secondary, especially with the loss of a very overrated Adam Archuleta, and they got in a coach who can do a little more than call offensive plays.
1.5 Rings
San Francisco 49ers
If someone wouldn't mine forwarding me the reason why the 49ers won a game last year I would really appreciate it. All kidding aside, this team looks bad. I like how they are building toward the future even though I think Alex Smith is nothing special. This team at least looks like it could be good in a few years, which is a lot more than I can say for some other teams *cough* Lions *cough*. This is another team with a good draft. You can absolutely pick on them for taking Vernon Davis, but he's a solid Rookie of the Year Candidate and more importantly should help Smith grow. If there is anything more helpful to a young QB than a pass catching tight end, I don't know it. Sorry niners fans, this team is going to be bad, but there is light at the end of the tunnel
0 Rings
Seattle Seahawks
Does anyone think Mike Holmgren is over the Super Bowl yet? Me neither. A combination of that and the infamous "Super Bowl Hangover" will make this team crash this year. I didn't believe in that garbage for the longest time, but five years in a row is hard to argue with. Very strange indeed. The Steve Hutchinson, Nate Burleson saga might have been one of the most comical things all season and I can only think that Seattle put salt in their own wound by picking up this guy, who on top of being a stiff is now way overpaid. I don't get their draft, but then again, I never get Holmgren and he always proves me wrong. I was wrong about Favre and Hasselbeck and I'm probably going to be wrong about this team being bad, but I'll say it anyway. Their run, much like the Steelers, was a fluke and neither will be back in the big game this year. With that said:
3.5 Rings
Date
Tue 06/06/06, 5:10 am EST
Give me a break...why does everyone feel the need to take a shot at Eli because of what his brother has done in the past? Was Ozzie Canseco as good as Jose, Chris Gwynn as good as Tony?