Before I go any further, I wanted to start by saying I’m excited to be contributing to NFL Spin Zone. The site is rapidly growing in terms of exposure and popularity, and my goal is to help advance that growth.
A little about me: I come from a football background, as I worked with the Kansas City Chiefs for two seasons — one in the scouting department and one in the coaching department — after spending four summers interning on the coaching and scouting staffs of the New England Patriots. My love for the game turned into a passion for opining on it, which prompted me to found my own NFL blog, which you can see here.
Also, for those actively involved with social media, please check me out on Twitter: @FieldYates.
But enough about me, let’s talk football…
If we’ve learned one thing during the 2012 NFL offseason — that there really is no such thing as a down period in football. Just days after an incredible season capped off with a thrilling Super Bowl rematch between the Giants and Patriots, speculation turned towards the uncertain future of then Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. We all know how that saga played out and suffice it to say the football world hasn’t halted yet.
Coaches have been fired and hired, players cut, signed and traded, and the largest punishment in NFL history was doled out by Commissioner Goodell.
And while work remains to be done, we’ve finally reached a week where news has slowed — at least slightly. The first and second waves of free agent signings are in the books, the combine and Pro dDays are largely behind us and NFL owners, executives, and coaches are camping out at the posh Breakers resort in Palm Beach, Florida for the annual Owners Meetings.
With all that in mind, it’s become a natural junction to pause for reflection and assess who’s been able to accomplish what thus far, and tag our (still) early offseason winners and losers.
Here’s a look:
Winners
St. Louis Rams
Keep in mind the offseason extends further back than free agency and the Rams have been busy on nearly every front since stumbling to a 2-14 regular season finish. The team started by restructuring its organizational hierarchy, naming Jeff Fisher head coach and Les Snead general manager. I’m particularly enthused by the Snead hiring, as he’s a well-respected evaluator in NFL circles and a guy who has truly earned his stripes.
Additionally, I loved the hire of Frank Cignetti as quarterbacks coach, as third-year-QB-to-be Sam Bradford will benefit from his wisdom and tutelage.
The Rams made a major splash on the trade market as well, leveraging the second overall pick in the draft for three first-round picks and the Redskins’ second-round choice this year. That equates to four roster cornerstones, and provides Snead sufficient ammo to surround Bradford with quality talent.
But the Rams weren’t done maneuvering and opened up the free agency period by signing former Titans cornerback — and a guy Fisher knows exceptionally well — Cortland Finnegan to a rich new deal. Did the team overpay for Finnegan? Yes. Did they have the cash to overpay? Indeed. Past Finnegan, the Rams also lured center Scott Wells from the Packers to anchor the middle of their line. He’s tough, smart and one competitive dude. That’s the kind of guy I want in front of my franchise quarterback.
Lastly, I like the flier the Rams took on wide receiver Steve Smith — formerly of the Eagles and Giants. He’s a low-risk, high-reward player who can operate efficiently in the slot.
Had the Rams not lost defensive coordinator Greg Williams as a result of the Bounty Gate scandal, this offseason would be a grand slam.
Denver Broncos
Even if we narrowed in on just one transaction, this offseason was a success for the Broncos. Rare is the opportunity to snatch up a free agent, Hall of Fame quarterback with a chip on his shoulder to prove his former franchise wrong, but that’s exactly what Denver did in luring Peyton Manning to town.
Manning is transcendent — a football genius with premium skills — and immediately establishes Denver as a threat to win 10-12 games next season. Surrounding him with complimentary pieces was a wise next step by the Broncos, and adding tight ends Joel Dreesen and Jacob Tamme brings Denver versatility and skill. Those two, along with receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas, give Manning a stocked-enough cabinet of weapons to move the chains.
While I was disappointed to see the Broncos let DT Broderick Bunkley walk without making much of an effort to retain him (or so it seemed), the team did well to land CB Tracy Porter to beef up a thin secondary.
While major question marks remains on the defensive side of the football, Broncos fans are justifiably exuberant about the prospects of 2012 because of the revamped offensive system catalyzed by Manning. He alone makes any team’s offseason a successful one.
Kansas City Chiefs
Keep this in mind – the Chiefs lost three of their best players — RB Jamaal Charles, S Eric Berry and TE Tony Moeaki — for virtually the entirety of 2011, plus starting QB Matt Cassel for basically half of it. They underwent a coaching change and started Tyler Palko at quarterback for four games. And still missed the playoffs by just one game.
This offseason, the Chiefs appeared determined to fill in roster holes and reshape the coaching staff, which started by naming Romeo Crennel the full time head coach. He earned it during his interim audition, and it’s no mystery that the players are thrilled he’s sticking around.
Where the Chiefs have really separated themselves is on the free agency front. Losing cornerback Brandon Carr hurt, but the money saved by not taking the bait on overpaying a cornerback — that seemed to be a trend this offseason — facilitated the Chiefs acquisition of right tackle Eric Winston — a home run move at a position of major need.
Add in Kevin Boss and Peyton Hillis at below market value contracts, and the Chiefs added major sizzle to an offense in need of it, and did so at a buyer’s price.
The Chiefs have set themselves up to draft for value at pick number 11 and sensible positions to address are nose tackle, inside linebacker, and interior offensive line. With a deep pool of prospects, GM Scott Pioli should have no problem finding an immediate starter.
Losers
New Orleans Saints
I urged myself to look at each team’s offseason in a comprehensive manner, but it’s tough for me to see past the effect the punitive actions from Goodell will have on the Saints in 2012. Losing Sean Payton for the year is the harshest blow, as he’s the offensive mastermind behind New Orleans’ potent attack. Couple that with a thrashing of their draft capital for the next two seasons and New Orleans is in difficult shape.
That being said, I admire what the franchise has done via free agency: keeping Marques Colston counts, swapping Ben Grubbs in for Carl Nicks at a discounted rate — roughly $2 million less per year — was a coup and adding three starters on defense in linebackers Curtis Lofton and Chris Chamberlain plus defensive tackle Broderick Bunkley improves a group in major need of it.
We’ll find out all we want to know about the makeup of the Saints when the team takes the field this fall, but much of the damage has already been done. The last hurdle to climb before the Saints can focus in on putting a tumultuous two months behind them is inking Drew Brees to an extension. Leaving that looming throughout the season would be one more thorn in New Orleans’ side that they just don’t want to handle right now.
Oakland Raiders
Stick with me for a moment on this one, because as bad as the Raiders offseason has been from a player movement standpoint (hint: it hasn’t been good), it’s one of necessity. New GM Reggie McKenzie has trimmed the fat of a roster laced with ridiculous contracts and guarantees to guys nowhere near worthy of them.
Getting under the salary cap was tricky enough, but now McKenzie has to build the roster back up with limited financial flexibility and one pick in the first four rounds of the draft — they received a third round compensatory selection on Monday. Yikes.
I’d be doing a disservice to Oakland if I didn’t consider the fact that landing McKenzie was a catch for the franchise, as he seems determined to restore order to an organization long lacking it. It will just take time. He and new head Dennis Allen should receive the benefit of the doubt in the patience department and I expect they’ll work well in concert together and achieve fruitful results.
It just wont be this year, because the roster they’ll work with is scary thin.
Miami Dolphins
By virtually every metric conceivable, it’s been a rough offseason for the Dolphins. Between undergoing a coaching change, striking out in free agency, and mismanaging public relations efforts, the Dolphins quickly became the offseason laughingstock of the NFL.
GM Jeff Ireland must be on thin ice, what with all the public bashing he’s taking, including that from current NFL players and former Dolphins — Joey Porter included, for whatever that’s worth.
And step back for a moment and think back on the Dolphins’ most pressing issues at the end of 2011: quarterback play, wide receiver depth, and offensive line talent.
The Dolphins added David Garrard in free agency (huh?), traded Brandon Marshall (huh?), and look no closer to a balanced line than the day they fell to the Patriots to end the 2011 campaign.
Unlike the Saints and Raiders, who have organizational direction and have encountered difficult circumstances, I’m at a loss for what the Dolphins are attempting to accomplish and how they plan on doing so.
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