2012 NFL Free Agents: 10 NFL Teams in a Make-or-Break Offseason

There are 10 NFL teams whose circumstances dictate that 2012 is going to be a make-or-break year. 

Free agency is almost upon us, and these teams need to make the most out of their opportunity to bring in the right players who will move them in the right direction. 

Winning is the answer.

These teams need to find a way to get over the hump or fall prey to the perpetual rebuilding process, never a pretty sight.

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are desperately trying to rekindle the magic they had when Kurt Warner led their offense. Last year, they were needy enough to trade for the services of Kevin Kolb, expecting him to lead them to the promised land.

Ken Whisenhunt has already said he's not sure which quarterback will be starting for the Cardinals in 2012, saying it could be Kolb or John Skelton. Additionally, the Cards are reportedly one of the 12 NFL teams interested in landing Peyton Manning's newly-available talents.

In a recent interview with KTAR in Phoenix with Doug and Wolf, a local Phoenix-area radio station, Whisenhunt was asked about the quarterback situation for the Cardinals: 

"

We’ve got two guys that we feel like can play. They’ve shown at times that they can do things, they’ve shown at times that they are knuckleheads...

...When you talk about the quarterback position that’s something that both guys are going to get opportunities because John certainly deserves it from the way that he played over the back half of the season and Kevin certainly deserves it from the reason that we went out, got him, and brought him in.

"

Whisenhunt's current contract runs him through 2013, but he's been on the hot seat since before 2011. If the Cardinals don't make significant strides to improve their record in the NFC West, he might not make it to that point. 

Cleveland Browns

Mike Holmgren may be running out of time in Cleveland.

The Browns are one of the top teams thought to be in the running to land the St. Louis Rams' No. 2 draft pick and Robert Griffin III. 

If they don't land RG3, the Browns will be one of the closest-watched teams in the league in 2012, and you can bet the cries for a new leader will be heard loud and clear if this goes the wrong way next year.

The Browns need to either go all-in to land RG3 or they need to go all-in to land a top-notch receiver, running back and offensive guard.

The decisions Holmgren and the Browns make during the next two months will surely resonate with fans one way or another for years to come.

Dallas Cowboys

Every year is make or break for Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys. This year is no different.

After missing the playoffs entirely in 2012, the Cowboys need some major upgrades at some key positions. 

According to Jones, Jason Garrett isn't in any danger of losing his job, though. Jones also recently said he'd rather have Tony Romo than Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III.

Loyalty is one thing, but stubborn blind allegiance is another. 

Jones and the Cowboys are in danger lately of going the way of the late, great Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders pre-Reggie McKenzie. Things could start getting really ugly in Dallas if Jones continues to make foolish roster moves from offseason to offseason.

The latest reports have the Cowboys looking at landing a top cornerback via free agency. That is all well and good, but the reports suggest that Jones will go all-out to land Brandon Carr or Cortland Finnegan, which could end up costing more than what is reasonable. 

Prudence and discipline are needed to make the proper decisions for any team in the NFL, and the Cowboys are no different. 

The 2012 season should be interesting, that's for sure. 

Detroit Lions

Jim Schwartz and the Detroit Lions have made some major strides in the last few years, making the playoffs in 2011 for the first time since 1999.

2012 is an important year, because the Lions can either continue their upward trend or come crashing back down to earth in a heap of disappointment if they don't make the right decisions in free agency and in the draft.

Stephen Tulloch, the Lions' middle linebacker in 2011, is scheduled to become a free agent. Justin Durant has recently pleaded for him to stay, saying the Lions defense can make even greater strides in 2012 with Tulloch.

Unfortunately, the latest news out of Detroit is that Tulloch and the team are far apart on getting a new deal done.

One of the greatest offseason needs for Schwartz and the Lions is at the cornerback position. Cortland Finnegan is expected to leave the Tennessee Titans via free agency, and with his press coverage game he'd fit in perfectly with the Lions defensive scheme.

The Lions need to continue making the right moves to improve next year, or they could slink back into the dark alleys of the NFL's subconscious once again.

Minnesota Vikings

Leslie Frazier's job is safe...for now.

New general manager Rick Spielman has recently given Frazier new responsibilities within a "clear organizational structure" with "accountability and structure."

Right...we'll see how long it lasts.

The Minnesota Vikings, after going 3-13 in 2011, are in a position where they still have a chance to make a run at the NFC North with the current talent they have on defense. 

Unfortunately, their window is stuck halfway between open and closed on this opportunity. Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, Adrian Peterson and Antoine Winfield are all in the second half of their careers while second-year man Christian Ponder runs the show on offense.

It's tough when your divisional siblings are the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions.

The Vikings need to find the right balance in 2012 or risk another season stuck in the same bog that consumed them last year.

New Orleans Saints

Man, when it rains it pours.

First, Bounty-gate and now this: The New Orleans Saints have managed to piss off their superstar quarterback so badly he refuses to sign the franchise offer they currently have on the table. 

Additionally, the latest reports indicate Marques Colston might be headed out of town, with Carl Nicks also expecting to test the open market, though he says he'd be happy if he ended up back in New Orleans.

One thing is for sure, nobody saw this coming.

The Saints could be heading for a massive letdown in 2012 after three glorious seasons. 

New York Jets

The New York Jets need to somehow recover from the latest reports that indict them of having one of the worst locker rooms in the league. 

They also need to revamp both their offense and their defense, and there are many different needs tugging at them from all directions.

Sione Pouha should be their first priority. The free-agent nose tackle is going to be highly sought-after in free agency, and the team would be wise to lock him up instead of trying to lure Peyton Manning.

The Jets also need to address the offensive line, running back, outside linebacker and safety positions. 

They aren't in a good spot financially, just $8 million under the projected cap in 2012. 

They need to be prudent with their decisions. Another wasted season could reek havoc on this franchise for a decade.

Philadelphia Eagles

After an exceptional haul in last year's free-agency free-for-all, the Philadelphia Eagles blew it all away in one of their most disappointing seasons in recent memory. 

The worst part is that last season revealed some major holes they need to address or risk failing again in 2012.

The Eagles need to get better in the middle of their defense. They are set on the outside, possessing some of the best talent in the league at the defensive end and cornerback positions, but they are sorely lacking talent at defensive tackle, middle linebacker and strong safety. 

Last year, they made a bad decision bringing in Cullen Jenkins to play defensive tackle. Jenkins is more of a 3-4 defensive end, and he isn't beefy enough to plug up the middle.

The Eagles need to make better decisions in 2012.

According to eaglescap.com, Philadelphia has approximately $19 million with which to make their moves this offseason. 

I am keenly interested to watch how Howie Roseman handles things for the Eagles this year.

San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers surprised me when they decided to keep Norv Turner on for at least one more year. I've never seen a coach do so little with so much.

Granted, the Chargers did get hit hard by injuries last year, but there is just something about the way they do things in San Diego that has never sat well with me.

The most obvious problem they face is with Vincent Jackson. A.J. Smith wouldn't use the franchise tag on him earlier this month, saying, "I can tell you right out front, it’s highly unlikely, and every time I look at that situation, I don’t like it, I still don’t like it, but we’ll see. We’ll see where that goes."

Recent reports have indicated that the Chargers may be one of the teams interested in pursuing Houston Texans defensive end/outside linebacker Mario Williams. Apparently they have already set a number in their heads as to how far they're willing to go in order to land him. 

This is the kind of move that could finally get them over the hump. It could also spell disaster if things don't go the right way. 

A.J. Smith has some massive decisions weighing on his mind, and it'll be interesting to see how it all turns out.

Washington Redskins

Mike Shanahan and the Washington Redskins have many of the required pieces in place to put a dominant team on display for fans on Sundays. They are just missing one key ingredient: They don't have an NFL starting quarterback on their roster.

They are linked to the St. Louis Rams as one of a handful of teams inquiring about their second-overall draft pick. It's obvious that Robert Griffin III is the target, and he seems to be a strong match to the kind of offense Shanahan likes to run. 

Daniel Snyder isn't afraid to toss around real money like it's Monopoly money, and the odds of this actually happening are better than you might expect.

There are also reports that link the Redskins to Peyton Manning. Mike Wise of the Washington Post says that they need Manning more than Manning needs them. Couldn't agree more.

The Redskins are also reportedly interested in pursuing a big-name wide receiver in free agency. According to the Washington Post, they are considering Vincent Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Marques Colston. 

With so many needs and the impulse to buy big, Snyder could either buy himself a championship or waste another five seasons in one fell swoop. 

It is a high-stakes game, and sometimes it takes more than money to win in the NFL. 

Thanks for sticking around until the end, and have a great day.

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