411's NFL Week in Review 3.07.08

Posted by Chris Widner on 03.07.2008

Free Agency, retirements, and the draft on its way. I love this time of year.

What a time it's been the past two weeks in the NFL. We have retirements, players changing teams, and the combine in full swing. There have been some winners and some big losers. So without delay, let's take a look at the news.

Favre Packs it in
The past two weeks have been exciting if you're a football fan. Of course the main story has been, and will continue to be, the retirement of Brett Favre. I could take up the entire column talking about Favre and his Hall of Fame career but I won't since I've already dedicated one column to him. I am surprised to see him end his career on an interception, but wish him and his family the best. One has to wonder if he would have retired if Randy Moss came to Green Bay, though.

Sapp retires
Another retirement that won't get as much attention is that of Warren Sapp. He has definitely fallen off the past few years even with his 10 sacks last year, but then again he was playing in Oakland, so it was time. Although he will be remembered as a controversial figure, for a number of reasons, he should also be remembered as a Hall of Famer that was a great leader for the Tampa Bay defenses. Say what you will, but Sapp was entertaining at the very least.

Big Ben gets Big Cash
After having the best year of his very young career, Ben Roethlisberger was rewarded with a huge eight-year, $102 million deal. While I'm sure that Big Ben is excited about the extension, he'll still be missing Alan Faneca this coming year. We all remember the difference in Seattle when Steve Hutchison left and I expect similar results in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are still going to be a very good team, but Big Ben and the rest of the offense will miss him severely.

Lance Briggs is a man of his word
Around this time last year Lance Briggs had this to say: "I am now prepared to sit out the year if the Bears don't trade me or release me, I've played my last snap for them. I'll never play another down for Chicago again."
Turns out he meant that he'd play one more year and if they offered him the right amount of money he'd gladly stay. The Bears signed Briggs to a 6 year, $36 million deal. Money changes everything, doesn't it?

Free Agency
What a week it has been in free agency. We've seen lots of movement including some major moves by some players. Let's take a look at the big signings.

Asante Samuel
On the very first day of the signing period the Philadelphia Eagles scooped up Samuel for six years and $57 million, including $32 million over the first 3 years. Samuel is definitely one of the better corners in the league and will be a huge loss for New England. His arrival in Philly opens the doors for Lito Sheppard to be traded, and the Eagles will improve their already strong secondary. This is a huge move for Philly.

Alan Faneca
As was expected, Faneca is now the highest paid offensive lineman in NFL history after signing a five-year, $40 million contract, including $21 million in guarantees, with the New York Jets. This was a huge move for the Jets as Faneca is going to provide excellent leadership for this young but talented line. I'm sure there are quite a few Jets fans that are hoping the team can get McFadden in the draft. As we've seen in the past, you can be successful without a great quarterback. So in other words, I really hope they don't draft McFadden.

Calvin Pace
The Jets are on a spending spree, which has pissed off at least one player, but they are making smart moves. Faneca was a no-brainer and the same could be said about Calvin Pace. His price tag is a little high at six-years and $42 million, including $22 million in guarantees, but he's approaching his prime. At 6'4 and 270lbs he will also be a great fit in the Jets' 3-4 scheme. The defense needs a lot more help than just Pace, but he is a great start for their rebuilding process.

Randy Moss
This was a move the Patriots had to make. After losing Asante Samuel to the Eagles and knowing the Randall Gay was headed to New Orleans, this team was hurting. Moss was a very important signing for them as they still feel like they can be Super Bowl contenders. Three years and $27 million is not a bad deal for the most dominant receiver in the game.

Corey Williams
Corey Williams was a player that did not get a lot of attention, even from myself, but him going to the Browns is big. Corey who? Williams is a fairly young player at 27 who has 14 sacks over the past two seasons playing at defensive tackle. The Browns were hurting for defensive help and Williams is a great move for them even if it cost them a 2nd round pick.

Donte Stallworth
Stallworth has gotten mixed reviews for his one year in New England, with some people calling it disappointing. For the life of me I can't understand that one. When you have Wes Welker and Randy Moss, there aren't a lot of extra catches to go around. His five-year, $35 million deal with the Browns is a great move. This offense was hot enough and adding a speedy receiver is only going to help. Feel free to double-team Braylon Edwards at your own risk because Stallworth will make you pay. Smart move for the Browns.

Antwan Odom
Much like the Browns, the Bengals have a great offense but desperately need to beef up their defense. Although they have failed to land the defensive tackle they were hoping for in Shaun Rogers, they have an excellent pickup in Antwaan Odom. Odom is an upcoming defensive end that should immediately help the Bengals' line. It will be interesting to see how he plays without Albert Haynesworth, however. They should end up with a good return on their five-year $29.5 million investment as he will be a good replacement for Justin Smith.

Michael Turner
The Atlanta Falcons are a team desperate for an identity after the Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino disasters. They cut a number of their veterans recently and have decided to start from scratch. With Warrick Dunn on the decline they were in serious need of a running back. Although they had a good shot at McFadden in the draft they decided to go out and sign Michael Turner to a six-year, $34.5 million deal. While McFadden is going to be a beast, this allows them the opportunity to try for QB Matt Ryan or one of the big-time offensive linemen in the draft. It looks like they're taking the right steps in rebuilding the franchise.

Erik Coleman
This is another great move by the Falcons. Signing Coleman for four years and $10 million was a steal. Coleman is a very talented player who somehow stays under the radar. He's only 25 years old, so he has many years left in the tank. The Falcons will still struggle mightily this season, but he is a great piece for their future. Very good move.

Bernard Berrian
The Minnesota Vikings are dedicated to Tavaris Jackson and decided to give him a solid weapon to throw to in Berrian. While Berrian's numbers aren't huge, you have to keep in mind he was playing with a different quarterback each week in Chicago. The Vikings clearly consider him to be a very talented player judging by the six-year, $42 million deal, including $16 million guaranteed, that they threw at him. I expect him to have a very solid year and will add a lot to the Vikings offense.

Justin Smith
Statistically speaking, DE Justin Smith was a solid but not spectacular player. He played on one of the worst defenses in the league over the past few years and the team decided to let him go. That sets off red flags for me. Perhaps a change of scenery will be good for Smith, but he has a lot of work to justify his six-year $45 million deal that includes $20 million in guarantees. Regardless, though, the 49ers are doing what they can and should have a much improved defense this year.

Isaac Bruce
Speaking of the 49ers, they made a very smart move in picking up Isaac Bruce. Sure, he's past his prime and has a couple years left in the tank, but he provides veteran leadership for an offense that desperately needs it. Two years and $6 million is an easy price to pay for Bruce. He should help Mike Martz install his offense and give Alex Smith a go-to guy that he can depend on. Smart smart move.

Bobby McCray
The Saints know their offense is pretty well set, so they have to beef up the defense. Although Bobby McCray had an off year this past season, he did pull of 10 sacks the year before, so you know he has potential. So for $20 million over five years, this was a safe investment for the Saints. He should help put more pressure on the quarterback which will help their very weak secondary. Good move, but the Saints need a few more on that side of the ball.

Randall Gay
Speaking of the Saints' secondary, they have a great pick-up in Randall Gay. I was very disappointed to see him leave New England and expect him to do quite well in New Orleans. Pro Bowl player? No, not likely, but he's a big improvement over Jason David. The big question is whether or not Gay can stay healthy. If so he'll be well worth his four-year, $17.6 million deal.

Kawika Mitchell
While I was surprised to see Mitchell leave the Giants, he should be very effective in Buffalo. The Bills have a good, young linebacking corp and adding a veteran with Super Bowl experience can only be good. As I've said before, Mitchell's motor never stops, so expect him to be every bit the ball hawk he was in New York. Five-years and $17.5 million is a great move for the Bills.

Alge Crumpler
I'm a little surprised to see the Falcons part with Crumpler, but Vince Young must be happy. The Titans still need a go-to receiver, but we all know what Crumpler can do, so it's a good move. It's a two-year deal, so it's safe, and the reported $5 million isn't bad either. He's on the downside of his career but should add a spark to the Titans' offense.

Drayton Florence
The Jaguars know they are a Super Bowl contender and are making the right moves to push themselves over the hump. Signing Florence for a six-year $36 million deal was huge. That's right, huge. You might not hear much about Florence but he was a very effective member of the Chargers' secondary and they are going to miss him. He's rarely gets burned and would rather deflect the pass than go for the risky interception, which is what you want at the cornerback position. He will pay immediate dividends for the Jaguars.

Jerry Porter
Just a few years ago, Porter was considered an up and coming player. But unfortunately the headaches he caused clearly impacted the chemistry on offense, so it's good for him to be leaving Oakland. Now all he needs to do is be a good boy in Jacksonville and he's set. He's going to be the go-to receiver in an offense that has great running backs and a very good quarterback. Six years and $30 million is a lot of money, but if Porter can play even near his potential it's going to pay off big time. I don't care for Porter, but this is a great move by the Jaguars.

Gibril Wilson
One question: why? Wilson is a good young player, but not worth his six-year, $39 million deal that he signed with the Raiders. This makes him one of the highest paid safeties in the league, so they clearly overpaid. Will he contribute? Sure, it's the Raiders and they need all the help they can get. But I just cannot see any way of justifying this deal. Great move by Wilson and his agent.

Javon Walker
So the Raiders let one headache go with Jerry Porter signing with Jacksonville, so what to do next? If you're Al Davis you sign a bigger headache to a six-year deal worth up to $55 million and you make sure to give him $16 million guaranteed. Thank goodness for Al Davis because he's the one owner that can make me stomach Jerry Jones. Bad move.

There were a lot of moves, so it can be hard to sort this all out. So let's take a look at the winners and losers so far in this young off-season.

Winners

Cleveland
Beefing up their defensive line with Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams is going to pay off immediately. They already have a talented linebacking corp, so you can expect major improvements this year on defense. By signing Donte Stallworth they have solidified their offense, as if they really needed to. They almost made the playoffs this year, so expect them to be there next time.

New York Jets
The Jets are the free-wheeling, big money-spending team of the offseason. Unfortunately this has caused some tension in the locker room, but if they can sort that out you can expect them to be much improved. Their offensive line is going to be one of the best in the league, and they have solid quarterbacks if they can just choose one. While many Jets fans are hoping for McFadden to come to town, I expect that they're going to go for someone on the other side of the ball. They just might make the playoffs this year.

Jacksonville
Sure they've only made a few moves, but that's all they really needed. Their offense is going to be much more potent with Jerry Porter catching balls, so they just need to work on their defense. Of course their defense was already stout, but they desperately need a pass rusher on the end. If they can pull that off I wouldn't be surprised if they went deep into the playoffs. Watch out for this team!

Minnesota
Minnesota has made it clear that they are sticking with Tavaris Jackson at quarterback, so adding Bernard Berrian was a great move. If Jackson can be the player the Vikings think he can be, this team is going to be the favorite to win their division. Usually I wouldn't put a team here based on just one signing, but they deserve it. I'm looking forward to watching them in the draft.

Atlanta
This is a team that has basically decided to blow up the roster and start from scratch. They decided to go young with Michael Turner and Erik Coleman, which was a smart move. They're a few years away from the playoffs, but you have to like the way they are handling things. Very smart moves.

Losers

New York Giants
Their defense is what allowed them to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, so losing Kawika Mitchell and Gibril Wilson is going to hurt. If Michael Strahan retires they might not even make the playoffs. They have some huge holes to fill.

Oakland
Just because you pay big money doesn't mean you're making the right moves. They over-paid on Gibril Wilson and Javon Walker and still aren't a playoff-level team. Just bad moves and I don't get it.

Chicago
Say what you will about Chicago, but they are loyal to their players. Cedric Benson looks like a bust and Rex Grossman is game to game. Yet they decided to stick with those players and couldn't get Michael Turner to sign. Plus they lost Bernard Berrian and Brendon Ayanbadejo and have done nothing to replace them. It's hard to believe they were in the Super Bowl just a year ago.

New England
Had they failed to resign Randy Moss the Patriots would have been the biggest losers of the off-season. The defense was weak already, and they gave up Asante Samuel and Randall Gay. Samuel was expected, but they could have kept Gay for a decent amount. I've learned that it's not wise to question the Patriots, but unless they have something up their sleeve for the draft they could have a disappointing year.

Kansas City
The Chiefs were bad enough last year, but they haven't bothered to address their team needs. They have the room to be a player in free agency but chose not to. This is going to be an even longer year for Chiefs fans.