NFL Offseason Thoughts: Draft and Free Agency

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

First of all, let's cover some free agent signing and trades:

1. Denver Broncos first-year coach runs Jay Cutler out of town for Kyle Orton, two first-round picks and a fifth rounder. Cutler brings "Da Bears" the legitimate quarterback they've lacked for years. The Bears have holes on both sides of the ball, but bringing in Cutler and teaming him up with last year's rookie sensation Matt Forte, Devin Hester, and Greg Olsen should bring them seven to 10 more points a game while allowing the defense to get some more time on the sideline.
2. T.J. Houshmandzadeh was picked up by the Seattle Seahawks. Matt Hasselbeck says he feels great and the team report said wide receiver Nate Burleson is running pass patterns again. They drafted Aaron Curry and signed Ken Lucas as a free agent, so the defense will help complement the high-powered offense.
3. Terrell Owens to the Buffalo Bills. Well, it is what it is, a one-year deal and T.O. is teamed up with Lee Evans, so he's not going to get 100 catches this year. T.O. has talked his way out of every system in the league, but the Bills only have him for a year and he seems to be a good fit for a year. He should be able to help take some of the offensive load off Evans and Marshawn Lynch.
4. Tony Gonzalez to team up with Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, and Roddy White. Sounds like a headache for NFC teams this year. Ryan had a solid rookie year given the track record for rookie quarterbacks. Now having Gonzalez to throw to will only help his progression as Gonzalez is still an excellent tight end.
5. The New England Patriots, this team is just loaded with veteran talent. I know, they always do. But this year they brought in a ton of very talented players. Joey Galloway, Shawn Springs, Leigh Bodden, Fred Taylor, and Chris Baker. They also drafted strong safety Pat Chung, defensive tackle Ron Brace, and cornerback Darius Butler, so they have some much needed pieces on the defensive side of the ball.

Now, let's cover some draft day surprises and pick ups:

1. The Oakland Raiders do it again, Darius Heyward-Bey over Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin? Because he ran a faster 40-yard time? He can run by people, but what if he can't get open and catch the pigskin? As of now, terrible move and terrible draft. Al Davis has seen his better days and he now needs to retire his duties and just be the owner.
2. New York Jets traded up to get Mark Sanchez. Sanchez is a bit raw, but in New York you need a strong-willed guy to run the offense and to take the media scrutiny. Sanchez played for the biggest program in college football nowadays in USC, so he's faced some pressure. The Jets gave up several players/picks combined, but they got the face of their franchise and to them it's worth it. Now, get Thomas Jones and Leon Washington in camp!
3. The Cleveland Browns drafting an offensive lineman? I know they had the need, but they have lots of needs with much better players out there. They could use a wideout because Donte Stallworth won't be there and Braylon Edwards is disgruntled. Clay Matthews, Vontae Davis, Rey Maualuga and James Lauranitis were all still on the board and they need to upgrade their defense. I think it's a bad move, but maybe Mangenius knows something I don't.
4. The Pittsburgh Steelers drafting a defensive tackle when their offensive line was horrible last year. They picked up offensive tackle Kraig Urbik in the third round and center A.Q. Shipley in the seventh round. It doesn't look like they did much to improve it from last year, but they are the defending Super Bowl Champs, so we'll see.

Finally, here are a few teams I think we should watch out for this year to make big improvements.

1. The Philadelphia Eagles addressed the offensive side of the ball finally with a solid draft and brought in two starters on the offensive line, with one of them being left tackle Jason Peters.
2. The Seattle Seahawks signed a legit No. 1 wide receiver, have healthy quarterback, and had a good draft.
3. The New York Giants signed several solid defensive players plus they get back Osi Umenyiora and drafted two big wide receivers.
4. The Chicago Bears got Jay Cutler and signed offensive tackle Orlando Pace to help protect their new quarterback. Cutler, Matt Forte, Greg Olsen, and Devin Hester should provide them with a much needed spark.

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