Since the NFL lockout has been lifted, the NFL has seen a flurry of free agent activity, and, as always some teams have taken the initiative to improve their rosters, while others have not. Here are some of the teams I believe have really improved this week through their acquisitions or trades.
New England Patriots- Bill Belichick has struck again. His trades for DT Albert Haynesworth and WR Chad Ochocinco are both low risk and high reward opportunities. The Patriots gave up two fifth round and a sixth round draft pick to get the two players, which is a low price to pay for the talent they may get. Both of these players will need work and discipline to be productive, but if Belichick can handle them, they will make the Patriots much better.
New Orleans Saints- The Saints traded for RB Darren Sproles, a dynamic return man in San Diego, re-signed a favorite target of Drew Brees in Lance Moore, and moved the unproductive RB Reggie Bush to Miami for undisclosed draft picks. This is a team that needs only a few tweaks to potentially win the Super Bowl, and that’s what they hope they’ve done here.
Carolina Panthers- The Panthers have spent this week with an open wallet, spending freely to re sign veterans and bring in new players. They re signed standout DE Charles Johnson, resigned three solid LB’s in Thomas Davis, Jon Beason and James Anderson. They were able to keep RB DeAngelo Williams in town, avoiding his inevitable loss if he made it to free agency. They completed a trade with Chicago to get a solid pass catching tight end in Greg Olsen, signed former Minnesota DE Ray Edwards, and brought in K Olindo Mare. In my opinion, the Panther’s have made themselves a lot better this week and look poised to improve on last season’s 2-14 season.
Philadelphia Eagles- The Eagles completed a great trade with the Cardinals this week, sending backup QB Kevin Kolb to the hapless Arizona Cardinals and receiving essentially their best player, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, in return, along with a good draft pick. The trade gives the Eagles a ball hawking cornerback who has good size and strength for his position, and desperately fills a pressing need for Philadelphia in what was a weak secondary last season.
Free Agency Losers-
Cincinnati Bengals- The hapless Bengals have had a rough week, losing top CB Jonathan Joseph and star WR Chad Ochocinco to free agency, along with the arrest and likely punishment of possible free agent RB Cedric Benson. QB Carson Palmer, a key player for Cincinnati during the past few seasons, refuses to play this season for the Bengals. He has demanded a trade or plans to retire rather than play for the Bengals again. Bengals owner Mike Brown has taken the low road on the issue, stubbornly refusing to trade Palmer and forcing him to retire. Fans and analysts alike can’t understand why Brown doesn’t trade away Palmer to try and better his team, rather than waste every benefit of the situation. Combine all these issues with their stagnancy in the free agent market and you’re looking at a practically guaranteed last place finish in the AFC North.
Chicago Bears- As a Bears fan, I’m a little surprised and disappointed with the Bears activity this week. After trading away talented TE Greg Olsen to Carolina, they signed former Pittsburgh TE Matt Spaeth, a blocking TE to fit into Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz’s system, a decision I think further limits Chicago’s already lacking offense. Sources close to WR Roy Williams say he wishes to sign with the Bears, something that the Bear’s front office may be looking to complete soon. Williams has completed several less than stellar seasons in Detroit and Dallas, so I’m really not too excited about this addition, unless he traded someone to get a different set of hands. The Bears have not accomplished much of value this offseason so far.
Well there you have it, my opinions on who has benefited from the free agent period and who hasn’t. Now on to the regular season, where the players will do what they do best, wherever they end up playing.
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