The season barely got over a month ago and already we are looking forward to the start of next season. The free agency period is always crucial for teams who need to manuever and swindle to improve their teams while setting up their strategy for the draft. Some teams look to rebuild through the free agency exclusive which can be VERY expensive leading to max caps and squandered draft picks. Other teams look directly at the draft for building a team and allow their expensive free agents to leave to leave the cap room open with the direct drafting of future superstars and the hefty pricetags that come with them. Below is a short summery of what each team has done thus far and I have to give credit to Fox Sports NFL writer Alex Marvez for compiling the info.
AFC EAST:
New England Patriots: While it took longer than expected, the re-signing of wide receiver Randy Moss insures New England’s 2008 offense should remain elite. But the defense now needs some love, especially in the secondary following the loss of standout cornerback Asante Samuel (Philadelphia). Expect the Patriots to seek a replacement and add youth to an aged linebacker corps in April’s draft.
Buffalo Bills: Concerns about the franchise’s long-term economic viability in Buffalo didn’t keep Bills management from upgrading the roster. The Bills added two defensive tackles — trading with Jacksonville for Marcus Stroud and signing Minnesota’s Spencer Johnson — and lured linebacker Kawika Mitchell away from the New York Giants with a five-year, $17.5 million contract that included $5 million in guaranteed money. As a free agent last year, Mitchell only landed a one-year, $1 million contract from the New York Giants. Has he gotten that much better in just one season or is Mitchell simply a product of a defensive scheme that helped New York win Super Bowl XLII? Stroud also has much to prove after two down seasons in Jacksonville. Buffalo is still trying to add a starting wide receiver and pass-catching tight end.
New York Jets: New York’s moves reek of desperation by coach Eric Mangini and general manager Mike Tannenbaum after a 4-12 season. Pace enjoyed only one good season in Arizona, while two other pricey acquisitions (defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and right tackle Damien Woody) have battled weight problems. The best decision was signing Faneca. That corrects the error New York’s front office made last preseason when trading left guard Pete Kendall to Washington after a contract dispute.
Miami: Bill Parcells isn’t wasting time trying to revamp the NFL’s worst franchise. The Dolphins have added nine unrestricted free-agents and traded with Dallas for nose guard Jason Ferguson. While none were high-end signings, all of the players Miami inked are young enough to figure into the team’s plans when the franchise should be good again (think 2009 — at the earliest).
AFC NORTH:
Pittsburgh: The Steelers don’t spend excessively in free agency, instead focusing on extending the contracts of drafted players. The latest example came Monday when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger received an eight-year, $102 million deal that includes $36 million in guaranteed money. The Steelers still had enough cap space to sign backup running back Mewelde Moore (Minnesota) and are pursuing New England safety Eugene Wilson.
Cleveland: Even if the Browns don’t make another move, the 2008 off-season was a major success. The franchise has re-signed quarterback Derek Anderson and running back Jamal Lewis while adding a big-play threat in wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth. An aged defensive line also was upgraded with trades for Green Bay’s Corey Williams and Detroit’s Shaun Rogers. The Steelers should be looking over their shoulder.
Cincinnati: Seemingly still smarting from a bad free-agent experience with safety Louis Oliver in 1994, the Bengals continue to have sticker shock in free agency. The franchise did cough up a nice contract for former Tennessee defensive end Antwan Odom (five years, $29.5 million with $11.5 million guaranteed). But that deal came only after losing Smith and having attempts to acquire Rogers and fellow defensive tackle Dewayne Roberson (Jets) get derailed.
Baltimore: With so much money tied into veteran players, the Ravens have yet to sign a free agent. Baltimore needs 30-something players like quarterback Steve McNair, cornerback Chris McAlister and defensive end Trevor Pryce to rebound for any shot at bettering last year’s 5-11 record.
AFC SOUTH:
Indianapolis: General manager Bill Polian already trumpeted a successful off-season when able to re-sign tight end Dallas Clark and right guard Ryan Lilja. Having coach Tony Dungy return doesn’t hurt either. As long as injured stars like wide receiver Marvin Harrison and defensive end Dwight Freeney can rebound, the Colts will be poised for another Super Bowl run.
Jacksonville: Trying to catch the Colts, the Jaguars struck quickly in free agency by signing wide receiver Jerry Porter (Oakland) and cornerback Drayton Florence (San Diego) to deals with a combined $22 million guaranteed. Jacksonville must now turn its attention to quarterback David Garrard, who is set for free agency in 2009.
Tennessee: The Titans entered with $30 million-plus in cap room but haven’t done much besides re-sign wide receiver Justin Gage and sign tight end Alge Crumpler. The Titans also lost two young defensive ends — Odom and Travis LaBoy (Arizona) — despite having ample space to re-sign both. “We are really just making ourselves worse the way I look at it,” Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth told the Tennessean. “It doesn’t look like we’re trying to get better.”
Houston: The Texans addressed their most pressing need when signing Dallas cornerback Jacques Reeves to a five-year, $20 million contract. The re-signing of wide receiver Andre’ Davis and safety Will Demps also helps. The key now is whether Houston’s two biggest acquisitions in 2007 — quarterback Matt Schaub and running back Ahman Green — will prove worth the money this season.
AFC WEST:
San Diego: With one of the NFL’s youngest and deepest rosters, the Chargers didn’t sign a single veteran free agent in 2007 and have added just one (ex-49ers linebacker Derek Smith) this year. But keep an eye on San Diego general manager A.J. Smith in October, as he loves to swing deals before the trading deadline. Last year’s acquisition of wide receiver Chris Chambers from Miami helped propel San Diego to the AFC Championship game.
Denver: After too many high-priced signings failed to pay dividends, the Broncos have taken a much more conservative approach to free agency. The problem: The Broncos will find it harder to make amends for a decade of poor drafting.
Kansas City: As part of their youth movement following a 4-12 season, the Chiefs have shown more interest in releasing veteran players than acquiring them. Linebacker Demorrio Williams (Atlanta) could very well be the only free agent that Kansas City has signed before April’s draft.
Oakland: To improve what has become the NFL’s most dysfunctional franchise, the Raiders have shown the willingness to grossly overpay. The trend started just before the start of free agency. Tommy Kelly became the NFL’s highest-paid defensive tackle by re-signing a seven-year, $50 million contract with $18 million guaranteed. Bloated deals for Wilson, wide receiver Javon Walker (reportedly six years for $55 million with $16 million guaranteed) and tackle Kwame Harris ($16 million over three years) have followed. Either Raiders owner Al Davis knows something other teams don’t or Oakland just wasted a lot of money.
NFC EAST:
Dallas: So much for media speculation that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones would make a major splash in free agency. That wasn’t necessary thanks to a deep roster and having two first-round picks in April’s draft. Jones did his work in late February when re-signing left tackle Flozell Adams and adding ex-Miami linebacker Zach Thomas
New York Giants: The defending Super Bowl champions lost three starters in Mitchell, Wilson and linebacker Reggie Torbor (Miami). But give general manager Jerry Reese credit: He realizes those players may have been overvalued by others because of New York’s postseason success. New York did add a likely replacement for Wilson in Sammy Knight. He isn’t as athletic, but Knight did lead Jacksonville in tackles in 2007. Like Dallas, the Giants also were busy before the start of free agency by re-signing end Justin Tuck, kicker Lawrence Tynes and punter Jeff Feagles.
Washington: The Redskins accomplished their main goal in free agency by re-signing quarterback Todd Collins. That gives Washington a capable starter if incumbent Jason Campbell struggles in new head coach Jim Zorn’s offensive system.
Philadelphia: The Eagles made one of the NFL’s biggest moves when signing Samuel to a contract with $20 million guaranteed. But Eagles fans are still howling about the team’s failure to land a marquee wide receiver. Philadelphia did make an unsuccessful run at signing Moss. But one NFL executive whose team had interest told FOXSports.com that Moss “was never leaving New England,” insinuating he used other franchises as leverage for a better Patriots contract.
NFC NORTH:
Green Bay: Even if Green Bay starts signing free-agent players — which they haven’t so far — Packers fans will be bummed throughout the off-season following Tuesday’s retirement of quarterback Brett Favre. Defensive line depth gave Green Bay the luxury of trading Corey Williams to Cleveland for a second-round draft choice.
Minnesota: The Vikings have heavily gambled that Berrian and Madieu Williams will prove worthy of exorbitant contracts. Such expenditures prevented Minnesota from seeking a big-money end to replace the ailing Kenechi Udeze (leukemia). The Vikings dropped out of the bidding for Odom on Monday when the asking price became too high.
Chicago: Lance Briggs had said 2007 was his final season with Chicago, so his re-signing following tepid free-agent interest was a bonus. But Bears fans are furious at some of the team’s offensive moves. Berrian left for a division rival, while quarterbacks Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton were re-signed to compete for a starting spot despite showing little last season. The Bears also didn’t make a major push for Turner despite running back Cedric Benson’s failings since being the draft’s No. 5 overall pick in 2005. On paper, the Bears look further away from winning a championship than in 2007 when coming off a Super Bowl appearance.
Detroit: Usually active in free agency, the Lions have remained surprisingly low key with only two modest signings (safety Dwight Smith and tight end Michael Gaines). Detroit also acquired cornerback Leigh Bodden and a third-round draft pick from Cleveland for the underachieving Rogers. Maybe a low-key approach is for the best. Some of general manager Matt Millen’s most ballyhooed signings like Woody, cornerback Fernando Bryant and wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim never fulfilled expectations.
NFC SOUTH:
Tampa Bay: The Buccaneers entered the signing period with an NFL-high $44 million in cap room. But outside of Faine, Tampa Bay has shown remarkable prudence. The Bucs have focused more on modestly priced talent like linebacker Teddy Lehman (Detroit) and defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson (Kansas City). Coach Jon Gruden also continued his stockpiling of quarterbacks by trading with Chicago for Brian Griese.
New Orleans: A franchise that could seemingly do no wrong in 2006 did little right in 2007 when it came to personnel decisions. The Saints have taken more gambles this off-season by trading with the Jets for linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who is coming off knee surgery, and giving starter’s money ($7 million guaranteed) to Patriots nickel cornerback Randall Gay. Defensive end Bobby McCray could be a steal if he rebounds from a disappointing 2007 season in Jacksonville.
Carolina: The Panthers remain active following a busy February highlighted by the re-signing of offensive lineman Travelle Wharton, use of the franchise tag on tackle Jordan Gross, and the release of linebacker Dan Morgan and running back DeShaun Foster. But even after a series of modest signings highlighted by Oakland defensive end Tyler Brayton, Carolina must draft better than in recent years for a resurgence. Third- and fifth-round picks from New York for Jenkins will help the process.
Atlanta: The Falcons have addressed some holes through the signing of Turner, cornerback Von Hutchins (Houston) and free safety Eric Coleman (New York Jets). But Atlanta still needs plenty of help, especially along the offensive line. The potential trade of cornerback DeAngelo Hall could bring some much-needed draft choices.
NFC WEST:
Seattle: Mike Wahle, who was quickly signed following his Carolina release, should provide the stability at left guard Seattle has lacked since losing Steve Hutchinson to Minnesota in 2006. The Seahawks have taken on two reclamation projects in running back T.J. Duckett and tight end Jeb Putzier. Those aren’t the kind of roster moves that will put Seattle back in the Super Bowl. The Seahawks now must find a kicking replacement for Brown and could be losing wide receiver D.J. Hackett in free agency. Head coach Mike Holmgren might be picking the right time to get out.
Arizona: With wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald counting almost $16 million against the salary cap, the Cardinals were unable to bid for Faneca or make a strong effort to keep Pace. Instead, Arizona settled for a lower-priced replacement when signing LaBoy away from Tennessee. Wide receiver Bryant Johnson will probably be the next Cardinals free agent to leave.
San Francisco: A wild spending spree in 2007 was supposed to push San Francisco back into the playoffs. Instead, the 49ers slumped and coach Mike Nolan was stripped of his personnel responsibilities. The latest gamble is being taken on Smith, whose run-stuffing skills probably make him better suited as a 3-4 end than in Cincinnati’s 4-3 scheme. San Francisco is hoping 35-year-old wide receiver Isaac Bruce still has something left following his release by St. Louis. Running back DeShaun Foster (Carolina) is another castoff joining the roster.
St. Louis: The Rams have made only two major free-agent signings. But both players — Brown and left guard Jacob Bell (Tennessee) — addressed pressing needs. St. Louis could quickly rebound from last year’s 3-13 mark if key veterans are able to rebound from injuries.
After reading all these aqucisitions and signings one thing is very apparent, THE DRAFT WILL BE A HUGE FACTOR THIS YEAR. Stay tuned for draft betting props coming in April probably 2 or 3 days before the NFL draft weekend.
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Its now down to the Elite 8 teams and 7 games left until we have a champion. Below are the 4 games for this weekend along with their spreads and totals.
Just let the hurting stop!!! I am in dead last in my bracket pool and even though I have UNC and Memphis in the Final 4, so does everyone else. The only reason I have a breathe of hope is that I am the only person in my pool that had the wisdom to pick Memphis to win it ALL!!! Now if you have stopped cursing me for a fool and laughing in your ignorance lets take a look at the 8 games this weekend with their current spreads and my picks which you should follow at ALL costs.
(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
Well, long story endless it was a rough weekend for me as I am now in dead last place in my bracket with my only chance for redemption being the fact that I am the only guy in my pool that picked Memphis to win the whole thing. So….GO TIGERS!!! Keep checking in as I will update this post on all the big games coming up this week.
The seeds have been released and as I write this people are filling out their brackets. But stop yourself for a moment and lets review the 64 teams vying for the 2008 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship. As well as take a look at the future odds on this years winner. 
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