Top Five Free Agent Signings of the 2009 NFL Offseason

This one might raise a few eyebrows, but I have my reasons for making this choice.

Larry Foote was huge during the Steelers’ Super Bowl XL run, registering 102 tackles and three sacks in 2005. Though he is used to the 3-4 system that the Steelers run, he could become a defensive general for the Lions next season.

Line him up next to Julian Peterson and Ernie Sims, and you have one heck of a trio of linebackers.

Foote is a good answer at middle linebacker, and the mentoring Sims will receive from Foote and Peterson will be invaluable to his growth. With two veterans whom have both been on Super Bowl squads leading the way for the Lions linebacking corps, Detroit features quite the talented troop of tacklers next season, and should at least be much more efficient in stopping the run than they were last year.

Plus, in terms of improving the team, any new addition to the Detroit Lions is an improvement. Still, Foote should pay off in spades for the Lions.

Springs has had an up-and-down career, marked by highlights and lowlights.

He will have another opportunity to shine in New England’s defense, which uses a mixture of pressure packages from its front seven to create turnover opportunities for its defensive backs.

In an injury-depleted New England secondary last season, marked by the departure of star cornerback Asante Samuel, so many starters struggled that the starting cornerback spot seemed like a revolving door of falling stars and rookies.

New England’s diminutive cornerbacks of old always lacked the physical traits required to cover the prototype wide receivers, who are mostly built like NBA guards. No longer do we get to see 5’9” Ellis Hobbs desperately trying to cover 6’5” Vincent Jackson.

Springs clocks in at a full three inches taller than Hobbs, who was sent to Philadelphia for two fifth-round draft picks later in the offseason.

On a side note, T.O. just can’t seem to avoid this guy.

For five years, Owens has had to face Shawn Springs twice a season. If nothing else, Springs will provide coverage on Owens that could stifle his production in their matchups this season.

Rex Ryan jumped ship from Baltimore to New York, and took a talented linebacker with him for the journey.

The 3-4 alignment utilized by New York lacked the presence of two strong middle linebackers last season, and Bart Scott immediately improves the group with his leadership. He still has plenty of mileage left in the tank, at the young age of 28.

There are multiple reasons that make this a big move by the Jets; down the stretch last season, the Jets’ run defense really collapsed, allowing over 100 yards in six of their last seven contests.

Furthermore, the rookie head coach Rex Ryan now knows that he has a defensive leader who gives him 100 percent support both on and off the field in every decision he makes; having a voice like that in the locker room can be invaluable.

Dan Snyder has done it again. It’s never enough to just make a “splash”; Snyder created a pool of $100 million and threw Albert Haynesworth into said pool in his version of a cannonball.

The Redskins got off to a hot start in 2008, but dropped off drastically after going 6-2, to finish at a very unimpressive 8-8. They were losing to the Detroit Lions at halftime, and only scored one offensive touchdown against the 0-16 team.

What’s more discouraging is that they gave up more than 20 points in five of their last eight games, after allowing 20+ points only twice in their first eight.

Their passing defense was horrendous down the stretch. They gave up more than 160 passing yards in six of their final eight contests. On the season, Washington ranked 29th overall in team sacks with 24.

Haynesworth is going to be expected to deliver right from the onset (otherwise, I’m pretty sure they would have spent less than $100 million, but with Dan Snyder, you just never know.)

When the Dallas Cowboys released Terrell Owens, it marked the third time in the star-struck receivers career that the ties had been severed due to his egocentric attitude and divisive locker room mentality.

When the Buffalo Bills signed Owens to a one-year contract, they added a dynamic receiver who, although he’s no longer the youthful speedster he once was, creates deep coverage problems for opposing defenses.

Who do you double cover—Owens or Lee Evans? The obvious answer is Owens due to his ability to make the spectacular grab, but Evans is no slouch, and can easily torch defenses and make them pay for leaving a corner on an island.

The offensive potency Owens brings to the table isn’t the only reason that makes this a key acquisition for Buffalo.

In signing the starlet to a one-year deal, they assure that Owens will be on his best behavior (since he’ll obviously want a new contract after this season). Thus, they remove the “drama queen” factor from the equation.

They also keep the financial burden of signing a big-name receiver like Owens to a long-term contract, and prevent themselves from doing damage to themselves for the upcoming uncapped season.

Furthermore, they give Trent Edwards yet another reliable target in the passing game to help mold him into the franchise quarterback they hope he can become.

Even on numerous different teams in his career, Owens has consistently produced 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns, and could make Edwards look really good.