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Winners/Whiners of 2004 NFL Offseason

The NFL offseason may be the most political and nerve racking few months in sports.  But it’s fun to watch.  Teams and agents casually make deals that change people’s lives with the click of a pen. Millions are thrown around, All-Stars put on the chopping block.  So with all the drama and cash being thrown around, here’s a breakdown on the winners and losers of the 2004 offseason so far.Everyone involved wants as much success as possible to come their way. Agents, GM’s, owners, players, and many others will do nearly anything in their power to gain a few extra bucks, or reel in the player that their team needs so much.  It’s no secret that money runs pretty much everything in sports, and why shouldn’t it?  If you had a chance to become an instant millionaire, wouldn’t you take it?  I know I would.

Teams have different priorities, though.  Some are in a “win-now” state, and anything short of a Super Bowl appearance would be a disappointment. Others are in a rebuilding state, or just want to dump as much salary as possible.  This offseason has been very enjoyable, and a wealth of talent has passed through the free-agent pool.  Ahead, for YOUR enjoyment only, are the NFL’s best and worst offseasons for 2004.

BEST:

1. Oakland Raiders

Despite the huge drop-off from a Super Bowl season to last place in their division, Oakland looks to have added some exceptional old guys and youngsters to fill some major holes in their lines.  On the defensive side of the ball, Oakland added arguably the two best defensive tackles in the league, with Warren Sapp and the monster that is Ted Washington. Combined, they’re nearly 13 feet and 700 pounds, and I’m convinced that if you’re a QB, you don’t want to hear one of their footsteps coming from your blind-side.  On the offensive line, Oakland took maybe the best player in the draft with the second overall pick in Robert Gallery.  He should immediately improve the Raiders’ O-line problems.  Guard Ron Stone and linebacker Danny Clark are also additions that are expected to start.

Key Additions:

Warren Sapp (DT)
Ted Washington (DT)
Danny Clark (LB)
Ron Stone (G)
Ray Buchanan (CB)
Ike Charlton (CB)
Dwayne Rudd (LB)
Denard Walker (CB)

Draft:

1  Robert Gallery (T, Iowa)
2  Jake Grove (C, Va. Tech)
3  Stuart Schweigert (S, Purdue)
4  Carlos Francis (WR, Texas Tech)
5  Johnnie Morant (WR, Syracuse)
6  Shawn Johnson (DE, Delaware)
6  Cody Spencer (LB, North Texas)
7  Courtney Anderson (TE, San Jose State)
7  Andre Sommersell (LB, Colorado State)

2. Washington Redskins

Washington D.C. will finally get their football team back.  The ‘Skins were graced with the return of Joe Gibbs, a coaching genius, and provided the players to go along with him as well.  Washington brought in 15 free agents, 10 of which are probable starters next year, and took the best safety in the draft.  The big names include QB Mark Brunell from Jacksonville and an awesome half-back in Clinton Portis, along with many defensive starters.

Key Additions:

Clinton Portis (RB)
Mark Brunell (QB)
James Thrash (WR)
Walter Rasby (TE)
Brian Kozlowski (TE)
Marcus Washington (LB)
Micheal Barrow (LB)
Shawn Springs (CB)
Walt Harris (CB)
Ralph Brown (CB)
Cornelius Griffin (DT)
Philip Daniels (DE)
Cory Raymer (C)
Daryl Terrell (T)
Tom Tupa (P)

Draft:

1  Sean Taylor (S, Miami)
3  Chris Cooley (TE, Utah State)
5  Mark Wilson (OT, California)
6  Jim Molinaro (OT, Notre Dame)

3. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts re-signed Peyton Manning for the rest of his career.  That’s all that needs to be said.  They didn’t gain a single free agent, but didn’t lose anyone of too much importance.  With the offense they already have, and a healthy Edgerrin James, there’s no reason to not expect a playoff appearance from the Colts for years to come.

Key Additions: (NONE)

Draft:

2  Bob Sanders (S, Iowa)
3  Ben Hartsock (TE, Ohio State)
3  Gilbert Gardner (OLB, Purdue)
4  Kendyll Pope (OLB, Florida State)
4  Jason David (CB, Washington State)
5  Jake Scott (T, Idaho)
6  Von Hutchins (CB, Mississippi)
6  Jim Sorgi (QB, Wisconsin)
7  David Kimball (K, Penn State)

WORST:

1. San Francisco 49ers

The Niners have just got done suffering the largest pay-cut in recent memory.  They made up for some of their losses in the draft, but how many past their first couple of picks can play now?  Rashaun Woods and Justin Smiley will fit in nicely, but past that is questionable.  

Key Losses:

Terrell Owens (WR)
Jeff Garcia (QB)
Garrison Hearst (RB)
Derrick Deese (T)
Tai Streets (WR)
Jason Webster (CB)
Jed Weaver (TE)
Ron Stone (G)
Sean Moran (DE)
Travis Kirschke (DT)

2. Baltimore Ravens

Poor Baltimore.  They didn’t improve at all, and probably took a step backward.  They nailed accidentally nailed down the best free agent in Terrell Owens, just to have him beg out of Baltimore, even with Ray Lewis’ politics at the Pro Bowl.  They only acquired one guy in the offseason, wide receiver Kevin Johnson, in desperation for losing T.O.  To add insult to injury, they had a TERRIBLE draft, with only three picks in the first five rounds, and none of their draftees are expected to start next season.  Despite all this, they’re expected to make a playoff run, but they sure didn’t help their cause.

Key Losses:

Marcus Robinson (WR)
Tom Knight (CB)
John Jones (TE)

3. New York Giants

For the city of New York’s sake, I hope the Yankees win the World Series.  If they don’t, it’s gonna be trouble.  The New York Jets didn’t improve, the Knicks are, but aren’t going to win anytime soon, and the baseball’s Mets will be pitiful once again this year.  The New York Rangers have gone downhill over the past few years as well.  So that leaves the Giants, who aren’t going to be very good.  That’s putting it mildly.  They’re coming off a 4-12 year, last place in the NFL East, and they lost more than they gained.  Philip Rivers is a good QB, but he’s no Manning.  

The Giants’ management watched every team in their division get much better, and they watched their own team get worse.  The Redskins, Cowboys, and Eagles will all be playoff contenders, loaded with talent and Hall-of-Fame coaches, and the Giants will be struggling to breath.  Four wins next year may be an accomplishment.

Key Losses:

Kerry Collins (QB)
Michael Barrow (LB)
Dhani Jones (LB)
Ralph Brown (CB)
Cornelius Griffin (DT)
Keith Hamilton (DT)
Brian Mitchell (RB)
Brandon Short (LB)

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