Into the Group Thing: The NFL Units That Improved the Most This Offseason

Football at all levels, but especially the NFL, requires more than just one star player.

Ray Lewis may be the best linebacker of this generation, but even he's not going to slice up NFL offenses without the help of the 10 other men on the field wearing the same uniform as him.

Even that probably doesn't go far enough. Everyone from the backups to the coaches to the front office guys must work together to build a successful team.

But some aspects of play can be broken down to a unit of players within an offense or defense. Groups of starters, backups, special teams guys who will bring a new intensity to practice—a unit can almost be a team unto itself.

Some units are just a player or two away from being championship-caliber, but some need to be rebuilt from the ground up.

The Bears' passing game? That might take a few more moves, a great year from LT Orlando Pace, or just a player making a leap few think he's capable of.

The Saints' pass defense? Mostly more of the same there, I'm afraid.

The Bills' offensive line? Who exactly is going to play tackle, anyway?

While those groups seem to have holes left to fill and training camp battles left to wage, other units in the league—some as questionable as the three above just last year—may have addressed what were significant problems for their teams in the past season.

Some will make the jump to elite, others are just looking for a little respect. Some of these upgrades have their teams' fans thinking Super Bowl, others just have them seeing a "W" or two.

With that, let's look at some of the most dramatic unit upgrades across the NFL.

1. Philadelphia Eagles' Offensive Line

The Eagles had a lot of things to be happy about in 2008. A return to the NFC title game, the rejuvenation of Donovan McNabb, and an all-around competitive season in what was probably the toughest division in the NFC (if not the league).

But the Eagles also have had a lot to work on. They gave up 5 sacks in the postseason and were only able to generate a paltry 3.2 yards per attempt in the playoffs. During the season they weren't much better, getting just 4.0 yards per carry, although the sack numbers were better (they allowed just 23 all season).

Much of that is due to Brian Westbrook's difficulty with injury last year. While he soldiered on and started 14 games, by the time the title game rolled around he was hardly the force he's capable of being.

With tackles Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan (a combined 26 years of NFL experience between them) hitting unrestricted free agency, it was time for a change.

The Eagles responded with some pretty bold moves. While the right tackle spot may not yet be settled (it'll be one of the Andrews brothers, although it looks like Shawn has sealed it up going into camp), they went after free agent LT Jason Peters, who has spend his five-year career (with two Pro Bowls) in Buffalo until now.

Peters didn't have a phenomenal 2008 in Buffalo, but he's very talented and will anchor a line that, if it plays to its talent level, could be the key unit on an eventual NFC champion.

Other notable moves:

RT Stacy Andrews UFA, signed from Bengals (should move to RG)

C Nick Cole RFA, retained

OT Jon Runyan UFA, remains unsigned

OT Tra Thomas UFA, signed with Jacksonville

2. New England Patriots' Defensive Backfield

Injuries to key players, the loss of Asante Samuel to free agency, and a hectic schedule all played a key role in the failure of the New England Patriots to maintain their hold on the AFC East.

While the Patriots finished with an 11-5 record despite the Week 1 injury to Tom Brady, they often struggled to contain the elite quarterbacks and receivers they faced.

While the Patriots ended up with decent numbers overall for yardage, they still gave up way too many big plays (12 pass plays over 40 yards, among the worst in the league) downfield despite having a decent enough pass rush.

CB Ellis Hobbs performed admirably, earning a trade to Philadelphia to join Samuel for his troubles, but it was clear New England had to make significant improvements in the short and long term to its pass defense if it was going to make it back to the playoffs.

With safety Rodney Harrison retiring and Hobbs gone, it was already going to be an uphill battle for New England to field an elite cover unit, but the Patriots have done well so far.

The signing of free agents Leigh Bodden (of Detroit) and Shawn Springs (of Washington) seems to have cemented two week-one starting positions, at least going into training camp.

They're typical New England moves: bring in a veteran CB who may still have some elite left in his boots and a talented but underperforming journeyman on a one-year "prove it" or "show me" deal for short money.

It seems GM Scott Pioli may be gone but his philosophy of getting value over all else certainly isn't.

The Patriots also used two of their first three picks in the draft to add backfield quality and depth for the future by bringing in Oregon safety Patrick Chung, a hard-hitter who should remind Patriots fans of the recently departed Harrison, and Connecticut CB Darius Butler, who will work his way into the system right away.

Making them roommates at rookie minicamp? Well maybe that's just coincidence—but I doubt it.

Either way, much like Philadelphia and their line moves, fielding a new-look, talented defensive backfield will certainly have New England fans excited for the season to begin.

Other notable moves:

S Tank Williams UFA, resigned by team

S Brandon McGowan UFA, signed from Chicago

S James Sanders, UFA resigned by team

3. Detroit Lions' Passing Game

There just weren't a lot of things to get excited about in Detroit last year. Mitch Albom tried, bless his heart, but there's just not a lot of pride to be found in Motown these days.

Especially when it comes to football.

But that could be changing, at least when it comes to Detroit's feeble passing game.

Jon Kitna was better than most people thought, to be honest. (Back-to-back 4,000-plus yard seasons in 2006 and 2007 are certainly nothing to sniff at. Although with just four starts in 2008 and a lovely stay on the IR, Kitna has since found a new home in Dallas backing up Tony Romo.)

But Megatron himself, Calvin Johnson, was fantastic despite not having a terrible amount of quality around him.

Clearly, the Lions figured it was best to play to their strengths this offseason.

Detroit made their biggest splash by drafting Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford first overall, of course. But savvy moves to pick up veteran receivers Bryant Jackson (UFA from the 49ers) and Ronald Curry (released by Oakland) will give them a good, deep pool of receivers.

Who will be doing the throwing is the question, however.

Stafford is, very clearly, the obvious future option. But with Daunte Culpepper on the roster, even with questions remaining about his health, it'll certainly be a question worth examining throughout training camp.

If Stafford is a quick learner, makes all his throws accurately and with good zip, it'll be a fast transition. I would imagine Culpepper will start early this year and then record could easily determine when (or if) Stafford gets the call.

In front of Culpepper and Stafford, Detroit has added good offensive line depth by picking up Ephraim Salaam from the Texans and Daniel Loper from the Titans, although the loss of OT George Foster could hurt them. The Lions also managed to re-sign guard Stephen Peterman, so they'll at least have consistency at one position.

The Detroit passing game may not be elite, but it should at least be able to pull itself out of the bottom third of the league if Matt Stafford can do at least as well as Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco managed in their rookie seasons.

Other notable moves:

WR Mike Furrey, released, signed with Cleveland

G Damion Cook, UFA re-signed

G Edwin Mulitalo, UFA still unsigned

4. St. Louis Rams' Offensive Line

Dear Marc Bulger,

It really just hasn't been that much fun being you the last couple years. Sure, you're a starter in the NFL and you got to throw to Torry Holt and hand off to Stephen Jackson the last couple years.

You even got a half-second cameo in that awesome "Leave Nothing" commercial.

Okay, so the cameo had a guy who looked an awful lot like you (different number!) getting crushed beneath a leaping Shawn Merriman after he hurdled half your offensive line.

Hey, at least when he collapsed on top of you the ball found its way to Jackson to run through all those guys.

So yeah, it just hasn't been that much fun being you.

But at least next time Nike wants to shoot a commercial, they should have a harder time getting people to believe Merriman could make it through the line untouched so easily.

Love,

NFL Fans

The Rams have spent much of this offseason rebuilding an offensive line that, while loaded with talent, has battled injuries and age and, quite simply, come up short the last two years.

Gone is franchise LT Orlando Pace, now with Chicago. Replacing him will be Jason Smith, the Rams' stellar first-round pick out of Baylor who could be the future of the club.

The underrated Alex Barron should guard Bulger's blindside for the near future, giving Smith the chance to tee off at right tackle for the time being.

The Rams also worked to retain the quality they already had in-house. Linemen Richie Incognito and Adam Goldberg, both restricted free agents, were retained. Guard Mark Setterstrom, an unrestricted free agent, was re-signed by the team and will battle Incognito for a starting role and could back up across the interior of the line.

At center, Jason Brown, formerly of the Ravens, was brought in by the team to the tune of five years and $37.5 million. He should continue to perform at the high level he did in Baltimore, barring more of the injury bug that St. Louis just hasn't been able to shake the past few years.

But that's the rub, really.

It's not as though the Rams have lacked talent on the offensive side of the ball the last few seasons. I think half the fantasy football experts are still sore from the fall from how high they were on St. Louis' offense just a few years ago.

Much has happened, but not a ton has changed. With the skill this team does still possess, even with Holt gone, a solid season from a revamped offensive line may finally get the Rams back into the "respectable" column in the minds of NFL fans.

5. Honorable Mentions...

These are the units that I'm still not entirely positive about, but have certainly improved this past offseason and could be forces this coming season. Some of these are maybe another move away or will need to really develop as a group in training camp, but I'd say they certainly deserve a solid mention.

Washington Redskins Defensive Line/Pass Rush

The notable move here is bringing in DT Albert Haynesworth, obviously. It's a big contract for a very dominant player, but his worth will ultimately come down to two questions: can he stay healthy and disciplined and will he be a 3-down force or have to come out more often?

There's no question about his impact in Tennessee, and he'll sorely be missed there, but it's his impact in Washington that'll decide what his ultimate NFL legacy will be.

This was already a really solid defense that hits hard and often and, having lived in Washington myself the last three years, was one of the most fun teams to watch play.

With greatly improved quarterback play, a great defensive year from Washington might be enough to at least turn some heads in a division that remains among the toughest in the NFL.

Other additions:

DE Brian Orakpo, draft

DT Kedric Golston RFA retained

DE Phillip Daniels UFA retained

DE Renaldo Wynn UFA from Giants

CB DeAngelo Hall UFA retained

DE Jeremy Jarmon, supplemental draft 3rd round

Tampa Bay Backfield

Tampa Bay is firmly in rebuilding mode right now with a new GM, a new Head Coach, new franchise QB waiting in the wings, and a new star running back in town.

Even Derrick Brooks, who is probably the best player to ever pull on a Tampa Bay uniform, finds himself no longer in the employ of the Buccaneers organization.

The GM and head coach moves were bold hires by the club, who seem like they're hoping to recapture the magic of 2002 when Jon Gruden, then considered a too-young hire out of Oakland, led them on a great Super Bowl run.

But Gruden inherited a playoff team that was built on the foundations laid during Tony Dungy's tenure.

Head Coach Raheem Morris and GM Mark Domenik are not getting the likes of Simeon Rice, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch, and Warren Sapp to play havoc with.

Instead they'll work with RB Derrick Ward, who is looking to prove he was more than just a capable understudy in New York, and Kansas State QB Josh Freeman, who wants to prove his doubters wrong and become a franchise quarterback.

It's a new era in Tampa Bay, but in the division that is seemingly playing host to a Cinderella story year after year, they're at least all in it together.