No respect, no respect at all

[Evil Ash]

One of Pro Football Weekly's editors wrote an article naming the teams that have improved themselves the most in FA thus far. We aren't even mentioned.

You'd figure that signing the best FA QB on the market, a starting DE that had 8 sacks last year, a starting Free Safety, the starting RT tackle from the best OLine last season, and not to mention the addition of depth at a few positions would at least get us mentioned. We weren't even in the honorable mentions

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Commentary/Columns/2005/holbrook032905.htm

Moving up Ravens, Vikings seem to have improved themselves the most this offseason
By Mike Holbrook
([email protected])

March 29, 2005

Updated at 1 p.m. EST, March 29, 2005

As we hit the final month before the 2005 draft weekend, I thought it would be interesting to look back at which teams have done the most to improve their squads since Super Bowl XXXIX.

In this era of worst-to-first, one-year turnarounds and dramatic improvements, the months immediately following the season have become extremely important. The teams that make the best personnel choices as far as letting players go or signing free agents get a substantial boost heading into draft weekend.

A great free-agent signing period by no means ensures a successful season, with the Redskins living proof of that in recent years, but teams have become more intelligent about which players they target to keep or acquire. Four of my top six teams happen to be NFC teams, which shouldn’t be a surprise since it clearly was the lesser of the two conferences last season and features more teams that needed to make dramatic improvement in order to turn from pretenders to contenders.

Here then is a look at the six teams that I believe have helped themselves the most this offseason:

Ravens — They have done a great job filling needs. They added the No. 1 wide receiver they had lacked in recent years in ex-Titan Derrick Mason and recovered nicely from the surprise departure of starting CB Gary Baxter by signing another ex-Titan, Samari Rolle. The re-signing of up-and-coming backup RB Chester Taylor could be an underrated move in the grand scheme of things this season, giving the Ravens a dependable backup behind Jamal Lewis and keeping Taylor out of the hands of division-rival Cleveland. I also like the Ravens’ decision to upgrade at offensive guard, adding Keydrick Vincent and letting Bennie Anderson go. The Vincent addition earns bonus points since it stole a solid player from defending division champ Pittsburgh. The departure of LB Edgerton Hartwell is substantial, but the Ravens are planning to play more 4-3 defense this year, which should minimize his loss.

Vikings — It took the dramatic decision to trade All-Pro WR Randy Moss to kick-start the team into upgrading the defense — something that clearly had to happen after last season’s letdown. I don’t believe the Vikings got enough from the Raiders for Moss, but I also believe the Vikings improved as a TEAM by moving the talented but troubled star. The additions of run-stuffing DT Pat Williams, steady MLB Sam Cowart, playmaking S Darren Sharper and talented cover CB Fred Smoot all should boost a stop unit that added some solid pieces last offseason in CB Antoine Winfield, DE Kenechi Udeze and LB Dontarrious Thomas. They still have enough offense, when paired with a stronger defense, to win the NFC North, but the No. 7 spot in this year’s draft should put the Vikes in position to add a top wide receiver or running back to make up for the hit to the offense that Moss’ departure created.

Cowboys — Owner Jerry Jones stole the offseason thunder from his NFC East counterpart Daniel Snyder, whose Redskins had dominated past Marches with high-profile additions, by signing QB Drew Bledsoe to be the team’s short-term starter, then aggressively inking solid free agents such as DT Jason Ferguson, CB Anthony Henry and Pro Bowl OG Marco Rivera in the first week of the free-agent market. Add in the fact that the Cowboys hold two first-round picks in this year’s draft (thanks to a past Draft Day trade with the Bills) and are still in the running for Saints franchise DE Darren Howard, and it’s easy to forecast a much-improved season from Bill Parcells’ ’Boys in ’05.

Giants — It may have taken an agent change for WR Plaxico Burress and the Giants to come to an agreement on a free-agent deal, but however it happened, New York should be much improved as a result. Burress can be the big, fast target that young QB Eli Manning was lacking last year. Add in TE Jeremy Shockey and WR Amani Toomer, and the Giants’ receiving corps appears to be much improved. ORT Kareem McKenzie provides a needed upgrade for what was an underachieving offensive line last season, even if New York is paying a lot of money for a right tackle. And MLB Antonio Pierce is a bulldog of a player, highly productive and a sure tackler. He should fill a huge void on the defensive side of the ball. His addition also hurts his former team, the Redskins, adding to the value of the signing from a strategic standpoint.

Lions — QB Joey Harrington no longer has any excuses now that the Lions have filled out the complement of offensive talent around him. With the signings of TE Marcus Pollard and OG Rick DeMulling from the Colts’ high-powered offense, Harrington and the Lions have the makings for a powerful offense of their own. Pollard is the ideal stretch-the-field, downfield pass-catching threat the Lions needed to complement promising WRs Roy Williams and Charles Rogers. DeMulling is a versatile interior lineman who also can play center and solidifies an emerging offensive line. The team picked up the veteran backup that it had needed in case something happens to Harrington, in the form of Jeff Garcia. He’s nearing the end of his career but knows how to win in this league and is well-versed in coach Steve Mariucci’s offense from their time together in San Francisco. He’s a clear upgrade over Mike McMahon.

Raiders — Anytime you can acquire a player of Randy Moss’ talent and ability, you have to take that chance. The Raiders got him relatively cheaply and, on paper, boast a scary passing game with Moss as the No. 1 target of QB Kerry Collins, followed by No. 2 Jerry Porter and No. 3 Ronald Curry. I just don’t know whom opponents are going to cover if the Raiders can figure out a way to keep all of those receivers involved. Remember that Collins throws as pretty a deep ball as any quarterback in the league. I want to see RB LaMont Jordan prove he can carry the load over an entire season, but he certainly has the build and the determination to do so. All I know is, whenever he got into games with the Jets, he seemed to make things happen. The defense still is a mess, with more work to be done regarding the status of CBs Phillip Buchanon and Charles Woodson. Right now, it sure looks like Oakland is going to have to outscore opponents to win games this year. That could make them one of the most entertaining teams in recent NFL history.

Four other teams deserve to be mentioned for taking positive steps this offseason — the Falcons (signing LB Ed Hartwell, re-signing RS Allen Rossum), Panthers (signing OL Mike Wahle, CB Ken Lucas), Seahawks (signing CB Kelly Herndon, WR Joe Jurevicius, DE Bryce Fisher) and the Dolphins (signing DLs Kevin Carter and Vonnie Holliday, S Tebucky Jones and OT Stockar McDougle).

 

[Cheesebeef]

I think it's because most people see Warner(and rightly so) as a HUGE risk and really as aplayer who hasn't done a thing since 2002 - besides that, all we really did that was impressive was sign Chike and a decent RT - we're psyched because they are great pickups, but bottom line, if Warner sucks - and there is a pretty risk that he will - so will we.

It's a boom or bust offseason IMO and it all hinges on Warner's shoulders. The O-line wasn't great last year but they weren't awful either -with the upgrade, they'll be decent and with a new RB and pretty good WRs, it will all hinge on QB play and since that is the biggest question mark, I can understand not getting props right now - especially, when you also look at NO ONE at the #2 corner position.

That's all fine with me - keep us under the radar.

 

[arizona_cards_11]

People are into big expensive names. We, with the exception of Warner, have only brought in "Bertrand Berrys."
While we realize the risk of those expensive stars, ex. Starks, others do not and will not until personally affected by their poor decision.

 

[slanidrac16]

How can the SEahawks be mentioned in that article. They lost their starting CB, starting DE and they have a starting RB that says he will not play for them this year.
I'd like to add that Hasselbeck is officially on the clock. He better pick it up big time or the word "bust" is going to start to become predominant when his name comes up.

I will go on record as saying that I think the Vikings have become 1 of the top 3 teams in the NFC. The Falcons and the Eagles are the other 2.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

the author mentions that the vikings, with their top pick, are in a good position to pick up a wr or rb. rb? no more credibility.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I remember a few years ago that nobody gave NE any credit for all the "second tier" free agents that they signed.People are just going by name recognition these days. The Cards did a nice job in free agency for the second year in a row and once they win the division next year then they'll get their deserved credit.

 

[BigDavis75]

I love how they mention the Panthers who signed only Whale (great signing) and Lucas who could be the most overpaid player in league history.

 

[ajcardfan]

How can the SEahawks be mentioned in that article. They lost their starting CB, starting DE and they have a starting RB that says he will not play for them this year.
I'd like to add that Hasselbeck is officially on the clock. He better pick it up big time or the word "bust" is going to start to become predominant when his name comes up.

I will go on record as saying that I think the Vikings have become 1 of the top 3 teams in the NFC. The Falcons and the Eagles are the other 2.

You should also point out they cut their starting RT and their starting C and RG are unsigned. Tobeck and Gray are up there in age, so they either resign two guys long in the tooth or replace them. I personally feel they have some offensive line problems next year.

 

[Brevity]

I personally feel they have some offensive line problems next year.

Hope you're right. With our d-line, those two games will be interesting next year.

 

[BACH]

I will go on record as saying that I think the Vikings have become 1 of the top 3 teams in the NFC. The Falcons and the Eagles are the other 2.

Totally agree. The interesting question, however, is who in the next group (Play-off caliber, but not SB contender)? Last year the Vikings, Packers, Cowboys, Rams and Seahawks were in this group.
This year? Well, the Vikings moved up to the Elite group and the Panthers moved down to this group, but who else is left? The Seahawks?

 

[chickenhead]

I rarely count out the Rams. Wildly inconsistent at times, but they are talented enough to get at least nine wins, especially with our division. Fortunately, we won't be giving them two of those wins any longer.

 

[JeffGollin]

We went 6 & 10 last year. When we go 7 & 9 (& hopefully a lot better), we will have improved ourselves.

Until then, don't expect anyone - especially PFW - to jump on our bandwagon.

The Arkushes haven't been fans of the Cardinals since the old days in Chicago (and the north side vs. south side rivalry between the Bears and the Cards).