Offseason Winners and Losers

IT BEGINS IN THE OFFSEASON

"HOPE CAN ONLY TAKE YOU SO FAR" -

Many believe that the new season starts September 5, 2012, but im here to show you that the next season starts right after the superbowl. The NFL is a unstoppable machine that keeps on pushing, the infamous "offseason" is a season on its own. The offseason can either make or break your team before it even starts, many teams have strived through free agency and the draft to help build their dynasties. We've seen Drew Brees arguably the greatest free agency pick up in history and Darren Sproles to Donovan McNabb, and Albert Haynesworth. Drew Brees and Sproles went on to break records while McNabb and Haynesworth went on to many not so great things thus leading to both getting released.
The offseason is a key step to a teams future, the decisions you make can either put your team steps closer or futher to a Superbowl. We will take a look at the top five best and worst offseason moves so far.

THE BEST MOVES

1. Denver Broncos - (Peyton Manning) The Broncos just signed arguably the greatest quaterback in the history of the NFL. The Broncos were a exciting team last year because of Tim "The Chosen One" Tebow but the fact is their passing game was inconsistent and down right embarrasing at times, in two games against the Chiefs Tim Tebow completed eight passes i repeat 8. Denver knows if they want to be true contenters they need a field general, which Peyton Manning is. This team should be in the playoff mix if Peyton Manning can remain healthy and the defense stays focus.
2. St. Louis Rams- (Trading the Second Overall Pick) The Rams traded the second overall pick to the Redskins for a kings ransom. They recieved three number one overall picks and one second round pick from the Redskins.With three number one picks and one second round pick they can perhaps bring back the "Greatest Show on Tuff". they need to draft Justin Blackmon.
3. Dallas Cowboys-(Brandon Carr, etc) "Americans Team" has quietly been making key pick ups to fix that suspect defense. I know they lost Laurent Robinson but they can draft another wide reciever to fill his void. The cowboys have picked up Brandon Carr a dynamic corner with above average man to man skill and just signed a interior guard Nate Livings. A sleeper pick up was Dan O Connor MLB from the Panthers often over shadowed by Jon Beason now has a chance for playing time in Dallas watch out. The D is back in Dallas well on paper atleast.                                           
4. New York Jets- (Laron Landry, Tim Tebow) The Jets will be a media circus but they have just improved their team dramatically. Laron Landry is the dynamic safety Rex ryan has been missing i have some doubts about his coverage skills but i see him being used as a Troy Polamalu type safety/ linebacker in this scheme. Tim "The Chosen One" Tebow will bring third down conversions and a red zone threat. "AS LONG AS TEBOW DOESNT START" the Jets will improve.
5. Chicago Bears- (Brandon Marshall, Michael Bush)  The Bears got a steal for Brandon Marshall from Miami now they have a big time reciever and a solid back in Michael Bush who could start on any team. They just need to sign Matt Forte to a long term deal and draft a saftey and the Monsters of The Midway will be a force. 

THE WORST MOVES

1. Miami Dolphins- They lost Brandon Marshall, didnt sign Peyton Manning and couldnt sign Matt Flynn. they have a rookie head coach, a suspect offense without Marshall and a good defense but we know that wont be enough to stop Tom Brady, also the Bills and Jets just got way better. I see the first overall pick in this teams future.
2. Cincinnati Bengals-  The Bengals offseason stragety is a confusing one, "the guys that played well for us we wont sign back" and then we wont sign anybody at all for weeks. The Bengals just signed Benjarvus Green-Ellis a good running back but flashy and game changer wouldnt be the definition of his game. This team needs to add pieces on defense and offense to have a chance against the Steelers and Ravens.
3. Oakland Raiders-  They showed promise last season then they decided to trade their whole offseason for Carson Palmer, which failed dramatically.  Carson Palmer only had thirteen touchdowns to sixteen Interceptions. Carson Palmer often looked rattled and confused in the pocket, a shell of his former self. The Raiders fired their, head coach, cut their second best linebacker, and cut their best cornerback. The new general manager is trying to start over in Oakland but it seems Raider nation was finally starting to take steps forward to only be moving backwards now. It will be a few years till the Raiders "just win baby". 
4. Jacksonville Jaguars- This team is a mess a quaterback with no heart, many believe it to be a boring franchise, which  failed to bring their most popular player home. Signing Laurent Robinson was good but they failed to make the Tim Tebow trade which cost the team millions in revenue. Jacksonville hands down has the most boring team in the NFL and they did no favors for themselves missing out on Tim Tebow. 
5. New Orleans Saints/ Indianapolis Colts- These teams make the list by defaullt the bounty scandle losing Carl Nicks and not signing Drew Brees to a long term deal shows this team needs to get it together. They found a good replacement for Carl Nicks with Ben Grubbs, but the lost of their head coach and draft picks will hurt this franchise. The Colts releases their greatest quarterback ever and also could have traded the first overall pick for a fortune. Andrew Luck maybe be the quarterback of the future but what if he isnt? 

        We didn't forget about those who over spent such a Tampa Bay Bucs(good moves), Buffalo Bills (good moves). Also Washington trading to get RG3, that can hopefully turn that franchise around. Also Patriots finished just outside the top five for good moves, because Brandon Lloyd signing was huge that offense will be deadly. 

     

 By. Phillip "STATS" Rodney 

Thanks for reading

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