Don't Get Your Hopes Up: The NFL's Five Most Overrated Offseasons

There have been plenty of teams this year that have made headlines due to their offseason activity.

Some teams had wild free agency signings. Others made unusual moves in their drafts.

The offseason is hardly ever dull, which means that you can expect plenty of hyping up the moves. There will be negativity and there will be immense amounts of positivity.

So who had overhyped offseasons? What teams will fail to live up to the intense fan expectations?

Let's take a look at the top five choices.

Denver Broncos

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DENVER - AUGUST 21: Quarterbacks Kyle Orton #8 and Brady Quinn #9 of the Denver Broncos talk on the bench as the defense takes the field against the Detroit Lions during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 21, 2010 in Denver, Col

They added Brady Quinn via trade. Then came Tim Tebow in the first round of the draft.

Oh yeah, don't forget about the selection of Demaryius Thomas a few picks before Tebow. As if anyone even remembers him.

That's been the Broncos' ordeal. It already seems like every game must be planned around Tebow.

The focus is not on the core of defensive veterans or unheralded receiving options such as Jabar Gaffney and Eddie Royal. It is on the quarterback drama.

And that drama shouldn't matter at all at this point. Kyle Orton wins. He's going to be the starter. Plain and simple.

If the Broncos can't find a way to take attention off their biggest offseason media attraction, they will fall under the weight of it.

Unless the Broncos put focus back where it belongs, they are doomed to another second or third place finish in their division.

Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 21: Josh Beekman #67 of the Chicago Bears prepares to snap the ball during a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders at Soldier Field on August 21, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Raiders defeated the Bears 32-17. (Photo by Jonathan Dan

Bringing in Julius Peppers with a huge contract was noteworthy. But in reality, it was the move to have Mike Martz brought on board to run the offense that really makes a difference.

Yes, Martz is an offensive genius. But has anyone really taken a look at the Bears receivers? They are all heralded as sleepers. Which is fine and dandy, but it hardly means anything in terms of stability.

Even the great Martz will have an uphill climb with interception-prone Jay Cutler and rookies that have plenty of raw talent without much refinement.

That will be the issue. Martz may as well have inherited a group of receivers out of the fifth round of the draft. Plenty of speed, a couple with decent size, still a lot left to learn.

And let's not forget that the signing of Peppers can't fix the injuries and lackluster play of the defense.

Oakland Raiders

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 21: Jason Campbell #8 of the Oakland Raiders throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 21, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Raiders defeated the Bears 32-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty I

The player moves may have some wisdom to them. However, the Raiders are going to be kept busy recovering from draft busts JaMarcus Russell and, now, Darren McFadden.

The receiving corps is a raw group of speedsters with questionable hands and lack of experience. A couple of years from now, they could be a true force, but there is a missing piece.

The right coaches.

The Raiders ultimately need more changes in the coaching staff. Namely, at head coach. Tom Cable is not the best that such a storied organization can do. They should be able to attract a better coach, someone with experience. If they could draw Bill Cowher out of retirement, it would be the ultimate AFC West coup.

In the mean time, the players will look good from time to time, but it will be a waiting game for the wins.

Detroit Lions

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DENVER - AUGUST 21: Center Dan Gerberry #64 of the Detroit Lions preapres to snap the ball against the Denver Broncos during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 21, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Lions defeated the Broncos 25-20.

The buzz is abound in Detroit. But buzz is hardly a new thing for the Lions.

They've had plenty of seasons in which they've had buzz surrounding them. And yet they still find a way to lose. Until they prove the critics wrong, the Lions will be stuck in first gear.

Yes, they drafted well with two excellent first round picks. Yes, quarterback Matthew Stafford is developing well.

But it's Detroit. Don't get your hopes up yet.

The hype is dangerous. Yes, they may not only have two wins. But Lord knows that they've got one of the toughest turnarounds to deal with.

New York Jets

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 27: LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets in action against the Washington Redskins during their preseason game on August 27, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Ge

The Jets made plenty of offseason splashes.

They signed LaDainian Tomlinson. They dealt for Santonio Holmes. They released Alan Faneca. They drafted a cornerback in the first round. They are busy dealing with a Darrelle Revis contract.

And the expectations could not be higher.

Unfortunately, the organization may have doomed itself by building so much hype for themselves.

Head coach Rex Ryan is on a Super Bowl-or-bust train that can't turn out well.

The acquisition of Holmes won't even begin to show signs of paying off until he finishes serving his suspension. Also, why did the Jets bother grabbing a vertically inclined receiver when their quarterback is suffering from accuracy issues?

The picking up of LT may be the one move that pays off. Of course, that assumes that Shonn Greene can be an effective starter to take the pressure of the veteran.

The Jets will likely have a winning record. But they will lose their first playoff game, and New York fans will start breathing the fire.