Buying or Selling Every NFL Team's Improvement Efforts in 2012

Every team in the National Football League goes into a season with the hopes of reaching the playoffs. And once you’re in these days, it’s been proven that anything can happen. The past two seasons, both the Packers and Giants were 8-6 and 7-7, respectively, with two weeks to play. Both got hot at the right time and went on to win the Super Bowl.

With training camps in full swing and the preseason set to kick off its first full week on Thursday night, here’s a quick look at some of the moves each of the 32 teams made this offseason and whether they truly improved their chances of going to New Orleans in February.

In some instances, less was more. And while even some of the better teams in the league may have not upgraded significantly, that’s not to say they’re still not capable of walking away with the Lombardi Trophy in six months. Let the debate(s) begin.

Arizona Cardinals

Some would say that since the quarterback situation has yet to play itself out to date means it’s been a disappointing offseason for Ken Whisenhunt’s team. While we’re all waiting, the Cardinals did add wideout Michael Floyd (Notre Dame) in the first round to help whoever is throwing the ball.

But perhaps it’s the offensive line that is the biggest concern as Arizona has allowed a whopping 104 sacks the last two seasons, including 54 in 2011, hence the addition of guard Adam Snyder (49ers) in free agency and the selection of three blockers in April.

VERDICT: Sell

Atlanta Falcons

Due to last year’s trade that enabled the team to move up and grab wide receiver Julio Jones, the Falcons weren’t overly active during the draft and even less busy in free agency, although the trade to acquire former Pro Bowl corner Asante Samuel from the Eagles could pay dividends, as may the signing of safety Chris Hope. Both are hoping to come up big for new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, late of the Dolphins.

The offense will also have a new approach as Dirk Koetter (formerly with Jacksonville) replaces Mike Mularkey, the Jaguars’ new head coach.

VERDICT: Buy

Baltimore Ravens

Because Ozzie Newsome does such a great job running the organization, he’s always prepared for life’s little bumps.

But losing NFL Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs indefinitely and fellow outside back Jarret Johnson to free agency (Chargers) may be too big of a blow despite the presence of Paul Kruger, rookie Courtney Upshaw (2-Alabama) and ’10 second-rounder Sergio Kindle.

The departure of steady left guard Ben Grubbs hurt and veteran Bobbie Williams (Bengals) will try to fill the void. It will be interesting to see the role wideout Jacoby Jones (Texans) fills.

VERDICT: Sell

Buffalo Bills

If you’re going to unseat the Patriots as AFC East champions, you’re going to have to find a way to harass Tom Brady.

And 29 sacks in 16 games (10 of those in a win over the Redskins) won’t get it done just about anywhere, hence the decision to give Mario Williams (Texans) big money and add Mark Anderson (Patriots) to a front four that includes Marcell Dareus and former Pro Bowler Kyle Williams.

The signing of quarterback Vince Young was intriguing. Bottom line is that Ryan Fitzpatrick needs to cut down on his NFL-high 23 interceptions in 2011.

VERDICT: Buy

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers made dramatic improvement last season offensively but also managed to give up a team-record 429 points. With former Pro Bowl linebacker Jon Beason healthy and first-rounder Luke Kuechly (Boston College) expected to step in sooner than later, Carolina’s shaky run defense should be much better.

There are some new faces on the offensive line, especially at right tackle with Jeff Otah gone. But Mike Tolbert gives the team a nice 1-2-3-4 punch in the backfield with Cam Newton, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.

VERDICT: Buy

Chicago Bears

The decision to go out and get Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall and reunite him with former Broncos’ teammate Jay Cutler was one of the bigger moves of the offseason.

Getting running back Matt Forte re-signed and adding Michael Bush (Raiders) for depth was great news for the ground attack. Veteran corners Kelvin Hayden (Falcons) and Jonathan Wilhite (Broncos) add a little depth to a secondary that needs it when facing the Packers and Lions.

And Mike Tice takes over at offensive coordinator for Mike Martz.

VERDICT: Buy

Cincinnati Bengals

Another offseason and another solid draft for the Bengals, who added CB Dre Kirkpatrick (Alabama), currently on the mend, and guard Kevin Zeitler (Wisconsin), who along with Travelle Wharton makes the Cincinnati offensive front very formidable.

The running game got a boost via BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who doesn’t make a habit of fumbling, while the secondary added former Cowboys’ Pro Bowler Terence Newman for insurance. And despite a few hits via free agency, the defensive line remains very deep.

VERDICT: Buy

Cleveland Browns

The Browns drafted a quarterback (Brandon Weeden) in the first round for the third time since 1999 and a running back (Trent Richardson, now slated for minor knee surgery) with the third overall pick, trying to make something happen for a team that scored 17 points or less in all but two games in 2011.

Dick Jauron’s defense was more than respectable and added defensive ends Frostee Rucker and Juqua Parker but just lost linebacker Chris Gocong to injury.

But what effect does the sale of the team (pending league approval) have on the entire organization?

VERDICT: Sell (or just SOLD)

Dallas Cowboys

Jason Garrett’s team appeared playoff bound before losing four of its last five games and the main culprit was a defensive unit that still had its share of shortcomings in the secondary.

Enter big ticket free agent corner Brandon Carr (Chiefs) and rookie Morris Claiborne, who the Cowboys moved up in the first round to grab.

There will be a new guard tandem in Nate Livings (Bengals) and Mackenzy Bernadeau (Panthers), while the free agent departure of Laurent Robinson (Jaguars) hurts the Pokes’ depth at wide receiver.

VERDICT: Buy

Denver Broncos

It’s obvious that the addition of veteran Peyton Manning brings much more production and stability to the quarterback situation, but he was far from the lone addition.

New tight ends Joel Dreessen (Texans) and Jacob Tamme, the latter Manning’s former teammate in Indianapolis, could make receiver Demaryius Thomas more dangerous.

Cornerback Tracy Porter (Saints) and safety Mike Adams (Browns) were solid signings, but perhaps the biggest news on defense was the hiring of coordinator Jack Del Rio.

VERDICT: Buy

Detroit Lions

After a long playoff drought, the Lions finally got back to the postseason (albeit a short stay). But including the Wild Card loss to the Saints, Jim Schwartz’s team lost seven of its last 12 games following a 5-0 start.

And the off-the-field issues this offseason have made more news than any on-the-field improvement.

The team added a lot of help in the secondary with corners Jacob Lacey (Colts) and Drew Coleman (Jaguars), as well as productive safety Sean Jones (Buccaneers). Good news if you have thoughts of dethroning the Packers in the NFC North.

VERDICT: Sell

Green Bay Packers

Finishing 15-1 and then going one-and-out wouldn’t sit well with any organization, especially when you were defending Super Bowl champions and featured the league MVP in quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

With a pass rush that dipped from 47 to 29 sacks, Ted Thompson used his first six picks in April to address the defensive issues, adding Nick Perry (Southern Cal) in the first round hoping he can get to the opposing quarterback. 

And the Packers scored a major coup with the addition of center Jeff Saturday (Colts).

VERDICT: Buy

Houston Texans

The defending division champs played most of the year without Mario Williams last season but it will be interesting to see how they adjust to the loss of the right side of the line with guard Mike Brisiel and tackle Eric Winston gone, as well as inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans.

Enter veteran Bradie James (Cowboys) for Ryans, who knows Wade Phillips' system, while rookie Whitney Mercilus looks to add to a pass rush that set a team record with 44 sacks last season.

After waiting for success for so long, it will be interesting to see how the Texans deal with it minus some of their familiar faces.

VERDICT: Sell

Indianapolis Colts

Despite adding the number-one overall pick in promising quarterback Andrew Luck in April, any time you lose a player a caliber of Peyton Manning it’s hard to say you made progress (at least right now).

But more importantly, the franchise underwent an enormous overhaul from top to bottom (including new head coach Chuck Pagano) and a lot of the Colts’ Pro Bowl faces (Jeff Saturday, Dallas Clark, etc.) are all elsewhere.

Patience will have to be exercised in a city where the fans got used to winning on a regular basis.

VERDICT: Sell

Jacksonville Jaguars

Last season, Jacksonville’s passing game ranked dead last in the NFL with running back Maurice Jones-Drew tying for the team lead in touchdown receptions (3).

They hopefully addressed the situation with wideouts Lee Evans and Laurent Robinson, as well as first-rounder Justin Blackmon.

The Jaguars also brought quarterback Chad Henne over from Miami to challenge Blaine Gabbert, who had his issues as a rookie, and both should benefit from the presence of new head coach Mike Mularkey.

And the club added depth to the secondary with corner Aaron Ross.

VERDICT: Buy

Kansas City Chiefs

Romeo Crennel takes over full time as both head coach and defensive coordinator, as the team responded to him down the stretch last season.

Injuries were a major factor last season (Eric Berry, Jamaal Charles) but running back Peyton Hillis looks like a solid pickup and the addition of right tackle Eric Winston solidifies the offensive line.

The defense lost corner Brandon Carr (Cowboys) but replaces him with Stanford Routt (Raiders). And the addition of tight end Kevin Boss gives Matt Cassel a nice 1-2 punch with starter Tony Moeaki.

VERDICT: Buy

Miami Dolphins

New head coach Joe Philbin is still sorting out the quarterback situation between incumbent Matt Moore, come-back story David Garrard, and rookie first-rounder Ryan Tannehill. 

The Dolphins are hoping that veteran Chad Johnson can take up some of the slack left by the trade of Brandon Marshall to Chicago.

New offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, who obviously knows Tannehill well, is certainly hoping for another big year from running back Reggie Bush. And Richard Marshall (Cardinals) makes Miami a little deeper at corner.

VERDICT: Buy

Minnesota Vikings

The makeover in Minneapolis continues as guard Steve Hutchinson and kicker Ryan Longwell are no longer with the club.

General manager Rick Spielman did a little wheeling and dealing and not only grabbed tackle Matt Kalil (Southern Cal) as expected, but selected safety Harrison Smith (Notre Dame) later in the first round, hoping he can eventually help a defensive unit that allowed an NFL-high 34 touchdown passes in 2011, a tall task for new coordinator Alan Williams.

At least it appears Adrian Peterson will be ready for Week 1.

VERDICT: Sell

New England Patriots

After years of stockpiling future draft choices, Bill Belichick went all-in and added a pair of young defensive studs in defensive end Chandler Jones (Syracuse) and linebacker Dont’a Hightower (Alabama) in the first round, using their first six picks (out of seven) to fix the defense.

The Pats are also counting on Trevor Scott (Raiders) and Jonathan Fanene to bolster the pass rush.

Wideout Brandon Lloyd, late of the Rams, should help Tom Brady stretch the field even more, while left tackle Matt Light’s retirement puts second-year blocker Nate Solder in the spotlight.

VERDICT: Buy

New Orleans Saints

The Saints didn’t make this much news when they won the Super Bowl in 2009, although the news they've made this offseason has been for all the wrong reasons.

But the front office was far from quiet and added three new defensive starters via free agency in linebackers Curtis Lofton (Falcons) and David Hawthorne (Seahawks), as well as defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley (Broncos).

The team hopes the addition of guard Ben Grubbs (Ravens) offsets the loss of Pro Bowler Carl Nicks. Plenty of talent but it’s hard to know what to expect without the head coach around.

VERDICT: Sell

New York Giants

While the focus this offseason has been on the other team with the Big Apple moniker, the defending NFL champions have somewhat quietly gone about their business, although wide receiver Hakeem Nicks continues to heal after breaking his foot.

Some familiar faces are now elsewhere as both running back Brandon Jacobs and wideout Mario Manningham wound up in San Francisco and recovering tight end Jake Ballard (injured in the Super Bowl) is now with New England.

It would be a big surprise if the Giants don’t improve on that 9-7 record.

VERDICT: Buy

New York Jets

It’s really difficult to get a grasp on what the Jets are doing on offense, but regardless of who the quarterback is at any time this season, the team must get back to running the ball with commitment.

Rex Ryan’s team was closer to the bottom of the league rankings in rushing in 2011 (22nd) and new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano should change that.

On defense, new starting safeties Yeremiah Bell (Dolphins) and LaRon Landry (Redskins) figure to be busy, while there appears to be a debate over who the second-best wideout on the team is these days.

VERDICT: Sell

Oakland Raiders

Another year and another head coach for the Silver and Black as former Broncos’ defensive coordinator Dennis Allen takes over a defense that allowed the most touchdown passes in the AFC last season (31), hence new corners in Ronald Bartell (Rams) and Shawntae Spencer (49ers).

Outside linebacker Philip Wheeler (Colts) and pass-rush specialist Dave Tollefson (Giants) help as well, while guard Mike Brisiel (Texans) is a boost for the line.

But a more consistent Carson Palmer and healthy Darren McFadden are needed if the team is to end its playoff drought.

VERDICT: Sell

Philadelphia Eagles

Rookie defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (1-Mississippi State) and former Texans’ Pro Bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans are expected to clog the middle, with second-rounder Mychal Kendricks manning the strong-side backer spot.

Safety O.J. Atogwe (Redskins) gives the Birds some veteran insurance at safety, while the addition of free-agent tackle Demetress Bell (Bills) became a necessity when Jason Peters was injured this offseason.

Cut down on last season’s 38 turnovers and this becomes a dangerous team if the defense indeed gels.

VERDICT: Buy

Pittsburgh Steelers

The team’s offensive front has taken a lot of heat in recent seasons, but it’s been revamped with the additions of right guard David DeCastro (Stanford) and left tackle Mike Adams (Ohio State).

But when you lose veterans such as Hines Ward, James Farrior and Aaron Smith, it becomes a different locker room.

And for the first time under Mike Tomlin, the team has made a coordinator change (Todd Haley on offense).

And when will Pro Bowl wideout Mike Wallace reappear? There’s a sense of some growing pains in the Steel City.

VERDICT: Sell

St. Louis Rams

The biggest news in the Gateway City is the return to the coaching ranks for Jeff Fisher, who appears determined to get that yard back from the Rams from Super Bowl XXXIV.

All kidding aside, keeping quarterback Sam Bradford upright is key as the team allowed the most sacks in the league last season (55) and Bradford was banged up, hence changes to the interior of the line with center Scott Wells (Packers) and guard Quinn Ojinnaka (Colts).

And former Titans Cortland Finnegan and William Hayes should help the defense (minus a coordinator).

VERDICT: Buy

San Diego Chargers

Always regarded as arguably the most talented team in the league, the Bolts have now missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons.

Very un-Charger-like, the franchise was extremely active in free agency, adding wide receivers Robert Meachem (Saints) and Eddie Royal (Broncos), while Jackie Battle and Le’Ron McClain (both from Chiefs) join the backfield and linebacker Jarret Johnson (Ravens) hopes to fix the team’s slumping pass rush.

Still, how much will Philip Rivers miss wideout Vincent Jackson and running back Mike Tolbert?

VERDICT: Sell

San Francisco 49ers

It was a meteoric rise for Jim Harbaugh in his first season in San Francisco as his Niners finished 13-3 and within a game of the Super Bowl off a 6-10 showing in 2010.

But the team’s deficiencies on offense showed in the NFC title tilt, hence the addition of all-time great Randy Moss and Super Bowl XLVI hero Mario Manningham—along with first-round pick A.J. Jenkins—at receiver.

Former Giants’ running back Brandon Jacobs is a nice insurance policy, as is rookie LeMichael James (2-Oregon), while a confident defensive unit returns intact.

VERDICT: Buy

Seattle Seahawks

Hard to make of what’s going on in the Pacific Northwest, at least on the offensive side of the ball where free agent quarterback Matt Flynn, late of the Packers, finds himself in a fight with incumbent Tarvaris Jackson.

Wideout Antonio Bryant was in and then out but the newcomers include Braylon Edwards and Terrell Owens, as well as well-traveled tight end Kellen Winslow.

The defense appears solid, bolstered by the additions of former Titans defensive tackle Jason Jones and linebacker Barrett Ruud. But what of running back Marshawn Lynch?

VERDICT: Sell

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Few, if any teams were busier this offseason than the Bucs, who are trying to get the bad taste of a season-ending 10-game losing streak out of their mouths.

The offensive unit added wideout Vincent Jackson (Chargers), guard Carl Nicks (Saints), tight end Dallas Clark (Colts) and rookie running back Doug Martin (1-Boise State). And first-round safety Mark Barron (Alabama) was the key pickup on defense.

Of course, the team is now in the hands of head coach Greg Schiano, who hopes to find the club that started 4-2 in 2011 before self-destructing the final two-and-a-half months.

VERDICT: Buy

Tennessee Titans

Mike Munchak’s first season at the helm saw the club get off to a 3-1 start and eventually finish 9-7. But there were a few bumps along the way and a loss to the then-winless Colts proved costly come playoff time.

Still, these Titans are intriguing and it appears to be a matter of time before 2011 first-rounder Jake Locker takes over at quarterback.

The defense managed an AFC-low 28 sacks last season, hence the addition of Kamerion Wimbley (Raiders). And we’ll see what former Pro Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson has left in the tank.

VERDICT: Buy

Washington Redskins

Quietly, the Redskins have done things differently the last few years than in offseason’s past.

There’s been a concentration on the draft (21 picks the last two Aprils), the biggest news on that front, the move up to select quarterback Robert Griffin III, the Heisman Trophy winner who hopes to help a lackluster offense.

On the other side of the ball, young linebackers Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan are perfect complements to veteran London Fletcher.

Now if only this team can beat someone other than the Giants in the division.

VERDICT: Buy