Even before teams hit the field there are winners and there are losers, especially when it comes to free agency.
Winners:
Philadelphia Eagles: If you don't know the moves the Eagles have made in this past week, then you must live under a rock. Philly brought in Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins to boost their defensive line and then received help with the secondary when they got Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie in the Kevin Kolb trade. Probably the best move was the one no one saw coming when the Eagles signed the prize of the offseason Nnamdi Asomugha. The team also brought in Vince Young and Ronnie Brown to back-up Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy, respectively.
New England Patriots: Usually the Patriots are the ones to surprise us in the draft, but this year Bill Belichick and company also made a splash in free agency. First off, New England improved an already lethal receiving core when they traded for Chad Ochocinco of the Bengals. Another surprising move was when they traded for underachiever Albert Hayensworth to help a struggling pass rush. The Patriots also signed Shaun Ellis to go along with Hayensworth and they re-signed Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins.
Arizona Cardinals: Even though they payed a high price for him, the Cardinals made the right decision when they traded a second round pick and DRC to the Eagles for Kevin Kolb. Now that Arizona has a franchise quarterback, they have a real legitimate chance to compete in 2011. That is, if Kolb can live up to the expectations that have been presented to him. Even though the Cardinals did let Steve Breaston go, they still signed Pro Bowl tight end Todd Heap to help the teams receiving core.
Seattle Seahawks: For the first time in years, the Seahawks will not line up with Matt Hasselbeck taking the snaps. It seems like their will be a new era in Seattle and the team did a great job to make sure that Hasselbeck's departure wouldn't set them back. They signed former Vikings Tavaris Jackson and Sidney Rice. Even though I think that Jackson is not the long term solution for the Seahawks at quarterback, the Seahawks did the best they could in order to compete in 2011. In the NFC West, that shouldn't be to difficult.
Losers:
Washington Redskins: For a franchise that usually spends a lot of money to cover up its problems, the Redskins inability to sign players this offseason could hurt them or actually turn out good for them in the season to come. We will have to find out if the Redskins not spending money was a good thing or not, but there is one thing we know: John Beck and Rex Grossman are not the answer at quarterback. Beck still has to prove himself and Grossman is a washed up journeyman. Why Shanahan didn't make a play for Matt Hasselbeck, Vince Young, or even Kyle Orton is a mystery to me. The only "big name" free agent the team signed was receiver Donte Stallworth, who is still not a nice substitute for who they really wanted, Santonio Holmes.
Cincinnati Bengals: Same ol' Bungles right? Well this free agent period these tigers have really showed their stripes. Not only did Cincy let its long time franchise quarterback walk away because of the stubbornness of owner Mike Brown, the team didn't even find a good replacement for him. Bruce Gradkowski will probably be the starter in 2011 and you can rack up another miserable season for the Bengals. Also, the team traded away the flamboyant but talented Chad Ochocinco. I feel like they will regret doing that, even with rookie A.J. Green on the roster.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: For a young talented team that is on the cusp of the playoffs, bringing in a veteran to help guide this team would of been smart. Instead, the team signed a punter, which was the only free agent the team brought in. The Bucs will probably be winners on the field this season, but their front office skills need to improve if the Bucs want to become a force to be reckoned with.
San Francisco 49ers: After a long "patient" period from Jim Harbaugh when it came to free agency, the 49ers have actually filled some holes the past couple of days. San Francisco originally released CB Nate Clements to sign Nnamdi Asomugha, but that fell apart and the team ended up signing Carlos Rogers. The secondary, which was one of the worst last season, was a big question this offseason and the 49ers failed to get some play making ability to help that defense out. While the 49ers have, "put their foot in the water," when it comes to making a splash in free agency, I don't think they did enough compared to the rest of their division and they might find it hard to post a winning record in 2011.
What other teams are winners and losers from free agency? Tell me in the comment section below
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