7/30/08
Each year, many free agents sign large deals that line their wallets.
Some of those players have an immediate impact on the teams that
sign them. Others have no impact at all. We take a look at each
team’s free agent comings and goings in this series. When
combined with the rookies added via the draft and analyzed in the
Rookie Impact series by
Matt Waldman, you can see a complete picture of how offseason
personnel changes will affect each team.
This week, we look at the AFC North and NFC North teams and analyze
their free agent movements.
Baltimore Ravens
Key Additions: LB Brendon Ayanbadejo,
CB Fabian Washington, DB Frank Walker. Re-signed LB Nick Greisen
Key Losses: Jonathan Ogden (retired),
Steve McNair (retired), Musa Smith (cut), Mike Flynn (cut), Mike
Anderson (cut), and BJ Sams (UFA)
Analysis: The Ravens come into
the season with a rookie coach (John Harbaugh) and it may be hard
to tell many of the players without a scorecard. The team finished
at 5-11, lost several veterans to retirement and the salary cap,
and did not really make any key acquisitions in free agency. They
will head into 2008 with a battle at QB between Troy Smith, rookie
Joe Flacco and Kyle Boller.
Fantasy Outlook: With a heart
of the O-line (Ogden) sitting in an easy chair and the loss of starting
center Mike Flynn, Willis
McGahee is the veteran expected to shoulder the rushing load,
while giving rookie Ray
Rice an opportunity to make an immediate impact as a change
of pace. Derrick
Mason had a solid season (particularly in PPR leagues), but
don’t expect the cagy veteran to have a follow up season that is
similar. Todd
Heap could have a big upside, as he could be a nice big target
for a young quarterback looking for an outlet as he is being chased
out of the pocket, but he needs to stay on the field, as his injuries
have to be a concern. The defense is getting older, but they still
have some playmakers that can help teams looking for a solid DST,
especially with a guy like Figurs on returns. Fabian
Washington was a promising corner out of Nebraska originally
drafted by the Raiders who is still on the ascent.
Cincinnati Bengals
Key Additions: OL Stacy Andrews (franchise), LB Brandon Johnson
and DE Antwan Odom. Re-signed LB Dhani Jones and P Kyle Larson.
Agreed to terms with LB Darryl Blackstock and TE Ben Utecht.
Key Losses: DE Justin Smith, LB Landon Johnson, S Madieu Williams,
WR Chris Henry
Analysis: The team needed to keep
some stability on their O-line, so they designated Stacy Andrews
via the franchise tag, but there are many who question whether a
guy with just 17 career starts in 4 seasons is worthy of that designation.
It is no surprise to anyone that the Bengals really needed to help
their defense this offseason. They signed Antwan Odom to help compensate
for the loss of Justin Smith, but Odom never put it completely together
in Tennessee and he won’t have a good pass rusher on the other
end to help him. Editor's Note: Odom suffered a foot injury
during practice Monday and left the field on a cart. .An already
depleted LB corps (due to injuries) was further affected by the
loss of Landon Johnson, who was a versatile player. Cincinnati has
tried to go with several LBs to help build depth in Brandon Johnson,
Dhani Jones, and Darryl Blackstock (while incorporating first rounder,
Keith Rivers).
Fantasy Outlook: Despite the drama that Chad Johnson has put forth
during this off-season (second only to #4 in Green Bay), this team
still has a darn good passing offense. Expect to have CJ and TJ
putting up big numbers again. It should be interesting to see how
Carson Palmer incorporates newcomer Ben Utecht into the mix at the
TE spot. Rudi Johnson is coming off of two straight seasons of less
than 4 yards per carry with Kenny Watson stealing carries and showing
that he might be able to handle more than just 3rd downs. Many want
to see the Bengals grab a veteran (Lewis has already said that Alexander
is not on the radar), but there is a reason that those folks are
still unemployed.
Cleveland Browns
Key Additions: Traded for DL Shaun Rogers and DL Corey Williams;
Signed WR Donte' Stallworth, LB Shantee Orr, OL Rex Hadnot and DB
Terry Cousin. Re-signed QB Derek Anderson, DB Gary Baxter, OLs Lennie
Friedman and Seth McKinney, and S Nick Sorensen.
Key Losses: Leigh Bodden (traded), LeCharles Bentley (cut), Aaron
Shea (retired)
Analysis: The Browns were one of the surprise teams of 2007, but
they fell just short of the playoffs. With the re-signing of Derek
Anderson and the addition of Donte’ Stallworth, the offense
looks to take a step up from last season. The team made some moves
early in the off-season by trading for Shaun Rogers (from Detroit
after a deal with the Bengals fell through) and trading for Corey
Williams (from the Packers), which should allow them to be more
stout against the run and also free up Kamerion Wimbley on the outside
rushes. If the defensive front seven comes together, this could
be a surprisingly unit.
Fantasy Outlook: Having Stallworth next to Braylon Edwards is especially
important with Joe Jurevicius having knee surgery for the 2nd time
during this off-season and really gives the Browns one of the better
receiving corps in the league. If Kellen Winslow can stay healthy
and Jamal Lewis can run close to what he did last season, the Browns
are going to have a powerful offense again. Derek Anderson has his
new contract in hand, but he will still have the pressure of Brady
Quinn looking over his shoulder.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Key Additions: Signed LB Keyaron Fox, G Justin Hartwig, and RB Mewelde
Moore. Re-signed DE Nick Eason, LB Andre Frazier, WR Nate Washington
and LS Greg Warren. Agreed to terms with OL Chris Kemoeatu and OL
Trai Essex
Key Losses: LB Cliff Hagans, OL Alan Faneca, Najeh Davenport (cut)
and CB Allen Rossum
Analysis: The Steelers are familiar with losing players via free
agency, and this off-season is no different. Veteran LB Hagans (Cardinals)
and G Faneca (Jets) took some big money elsewhere and will be hard
to replace, but Justin Hartwig (Panthers) is a nice addition to
the line. The team kept some components from a team that finished
at 10-6 (just ahead of the Browns) and locked up Ben Roethlisberger
long-term. One of those is Chris Kemoeatu, who looks to fill that
spot left vacant by Faneca, but has a grand total of two starts
in his three-year career. The addition of Mewelde Moore should be
interesting since he seems to be a similar type of player to Willie
Parker (coming off a broken leg) and not the traditional, bruising
back that the Steelers like to have (like the recently departed
Davenport).
Fantasy Outlook: The signing of Roethlisberger to a long-term deal
is a nice thing, particularly for dynasty owners. While it is likely
that Parker comes back completely healthy from his broken tibia,
he did not find the end zone as many times as people drafting him
last season had hoped and the loss of Faneca has to further be a
concern. The addition of Rashard Mendenhall is not going to make
FWP owners any more comfortable. Expect to see a healthier Hines
Ward to bounce back with Holmes (hitting that third year as a WR)
and TE Heath Miller looking to continue their progress as leaders
at their positions. The defense should still be tough and a nice
DST play given last year’s finish (second in points allowed,
first in fewest yards allowed).
Chicago Bears
Key Additions: Re-signed LB Lance Briggs and QB Rex Grossman. Signed
WRs Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd, and RB Kevin Jones.
Key Losses: WR Mushin Muhammad (cut), WR Bernard Berrian (FA), RB
Cedric Benson (cut), DB Adam Archuleta, OG Ruben Brown, T Fred Miller,
DT Darwin Walker.
Analysis: There have been plenty of changes at Soldier Field during
the off-season. The Bears, who had a disappointing 7-9 season after
going to the Super Bowl the year before, have an essentially new
set of skill positions with the exception of QB (and that could
change). The WR corps is somewhat revamped with Marty Booker making
a return appearance and Brandon Lloyd hoping to bounce back after
a poor showing in Washington (although Mark Bradley and Devin Hester
probably have a better shot at starting than Lloyd). Recently signed
Kevin Jones will battle for backup RB duties with “the other”
Adrian Peterson, with rookie Matt Forte likely to be the RB that
they hoped Cedric Benson could be.
Fantasy Outlook: The uncertainty at QB and a rookie starting at
RB makes anyone on the Bears offense a risky play. However, Rex
Grossman had a huge start two seasons ago, which could entice people
to take a chance on him or someone like Marty Booker. With the losses
along the line, a rookie like Forte is going to be challenged right
out of the blocks. A late season flier on Kevin Jones might not
be a bad play if Forte tires during the season, especially as Jones
gets healthier. The defense re-signed Lance Briggs and any team
that has Devin Hester returning kicks and punts has to be a consideration
for a solid DST.
Detroit Lions
Key Additions: DB Brian Kelly, S LB Gilbert Gardner. Re-signed RBs
Tatum Bell and Aveion Cason, OT George Foster, TE John Owens, and
CB Keith Smith. Signed DT Chuck Darby, CB Travis Fisher, TE Michael
Gaines, G Corey Hulsey and DE Corey Smith
Key Losses: RB Kevin Jones, DL Shaun Rogers, RB T.J. Duckett, LB
Boss Bailey, DE Kalimba Edwards, S Kenoy Kennedy, OL Damien Woody,
CB Fernando Bryant
Analysis: The Lions faltered at the tail end of last season to finish
7-9. Many fans calling for Matt Millen’s head can point to
further FA defections as a sign of mismanagement. While the defensive
secondary appears to be improved, the defensive line is probably
weaker without Shaun Rogers. With the loss of Kevin Jones and TJ
Duckett, the running game is being left to Kevin Smith and (mostly
disappointing) Tatum Bell. Veteran Damien Woody is gone after being
a disappointing FA signing over the last several years.
Fantasy Outlook: The passing offense
is strong and led by supremely (overly?) confident, Jon
Kitna. Roy
Williams is going to put up some strong numbers again this season.
The question is whether Calvin Johnson can stay healthy and become
the star that the Lions were expecting on the other side. The running
game is suspect with changes along the line, but Kevin
Smith has a chance to be one of those rookies that can contribute
right away. The biggest impact in free agency for this team might
be the departure of Mike Martz, whose offensive “master-mind” never
really translated into wins, but was an offensive coordinator that
fantasy fans pointed to as an upside for the Lions.
Green Bay Packers
Key Additions: Signed LB Brandon Chillar, LS Thomas Gafford and
OT Joe Toledo. Re-signed S Atari Bigby
Key Losses: QB Brett Favre, DT Corey Williams, TE Bubba Franks
Analysis: The Packers have a ton of cap room (reportedly $30M+)
and having a relatively young team, they have made few moves to
adjust a team that was 13-3 last season and seemed to be on the
verge of a strong finish. What a difference a few months makes.
Despite that lack of movement, there has been more talk around Green
Bay than any other team due to the Brett Favre situation. Is he
retired or isn’t he? If Favre is not the starter this season
(and it is a long-shot that he will be), the Pack will be looking
to have untested Aaron Rodgers run the show and it could be that
the offense will be in rebuild mode. The loss of Corey Williams
will impact a defense that was on the rise.
Fantasy Outlook: How will Donald Driver do without Brett Favre throwing
him the ball? Will Rodgers be able to sling it in a way to get Jennings
the deep ball? Will Ryan Grant be able to continue what he started
last season when he went on that late season tear? Grant is probably
going to be fine given the continuity, experience, and strength
of the offensive line. The passing game is going to have to make
a transformation from the gun-slinging Favre to the untested Rodgers,
who has a whopping 59 pass attempts, 9 sacks, 3 fumbles and an interception
in 3 years. I would expect Driver and Jennings to struggle to put
together numbers that closely resemble what they put up last season.
The defense continues to mature and should be a strong play even
with the loss of Corey Williams.
Minnesota Vikings
Key Additions: Traded for DE Jared
Allen; Signed WRs Bernard Berrian and Robert Ferguson; LBs Derrick
Pope and Dallas Sartz; FB Thomas Tapeh; S Michael Boulware and S
Madieu Williams; DT Ellis Wyms and Kenderick Allen; RB-KR Maurice
Hicks; and CB Benny Sapp
Key Losses: S Dwight Smith, S Tank Williams, RB Mewelde Moore, FB
Tony Richardson, QB Kelly Holcomb, DE Kenechi Udeze (illness) and
DE Erasmus James
Analysis: The Vikings become somewhat
of a surprising .500 team last season by putting together a pretty
solid 2nd half. The emergence of Adrian Peterson gave the Vikings
the impression that their time is coming sooner than later. Their
moves in the off-season certainly show that the Vikings are looking
to make their move now. The number of comings and goings with the
Vikings during the off-season was huge. The trade for Jared Allen
bolsters a defense that was known for the big play, but also was
horrible against the pass.
The trade for Allen is somewhat tempered by the loss of Kenechi
Udeze (leukemia). The defensive backfield has changed with Tank
Williams and Dwight Smith gone and Michael Boulware or Madieu Williams
taking over next to veteran Darren Sharper. Both will make the defense
more athletic than their predecessors.
The team also added depth and versatility by signing Maurice Hicks.
The loss of veteran FB Tony Richardson (Pro Bowler in 2007) could
be important to the running game, and it will be interesting to
see if Thomas Tapeh (Eagles) can fill that void. The team also added
Gus Frerotte to backup Tavaris Jackson, who looks to improve on
his rookie campaign. The question is whether Brett Favre might also
be brought in to help the team that has spent a lot of money during
the off-season, take that final step. With a tampering charge filed
against the Vikings, it’s a long shot to happen.
Fantasy Outlook: One of the biggest
signings during the free agency period was the Vikings addition
of Bernard
Berrian from the Bears. Berrian gives an immediate deep threat
to the offense, which could help Tarvaris
Jackson think about staying in the pocket longer and also may
prevent defenses from putting eight in the box against Adrian
Peterson. The question is whether he will be more of a decoy
or whether he will be able to put up some numbers in this offense.
The former is definitely the more likely scenario. With little movement
on the offensive line and another year under Tarvaris Jackson’s
belt, look for ADP to continue with his strong start to his career.
The big question is whether he will be impacted by the loss of Tony
Richardson. The defense, which was somewhat feast or famine last
season, will see some benefits of having a stronger pass rush with
the addition of Jared
Allen. They will be a top 5 defense this season in most scoring
systems.
Material from personal interviews, wire services, team beat
writers, and league and team sources were used in this report.
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