Each off-season brings new talent to new teams; here are the major free agent signings and trades from the off-season and how it affects each team.
Fred Smoot moves to Minnesota,
The Vikings sign Smoot to a six-year deal
This was a good pick up for the Vikings. Smoot is a talented and smart cornerback with a physical toughness that helps him cover man-to-man better than other cornerbacks. The Vikings are making an effort to improve their defense with the signings of Pat Williams and Napolean Harris also.
Pat Williams also takes a trip Minnesota,
the Vikings sign Williams to a three-year deal
The Vikings now have a pair of premiere defensive tackles. Kevin Williams and Pat Williams are both big obstacles for both run and pass offenses. This will be the set of DT’s that will dominate this upcoming season. Last year Chris Hovan and Kevin Williams were thought to dominate, but only Kevin Williams did his part, and Chris Hovan did not.
Napolean Harris will also head to Minnesota,
traded for Randy Moss
Napolean Harris will help out a bit with the run defense, but will not make much of an effect. Napolean Harris adds some speed to the line-backing unit of the Vikings also (which include E.J. Henderson and Dontarrious Thomas). Harris will better improve a broken Defense.
Gary Baxter heads to Cleveland,
Romeo Crennel Signs Baxter to a four-deal
The Browns needed to make up for the lost of Anthony Henry (their previous #1 corner). Gary Baxter adds playmaking ability to the browns secondary. Gary Baxter is also a great cover cornerback.
Trent Dilfer is sent to Cleveland,
the Dawg Pound traded a 4th round draft pick for Dilfer
The Browns Severely needed a veteran Quarterback, which is exactly what Trent Dilfer is. Even with barely any mobility, Trent knows how to diagnose defenses and is effective in the run offense also. He also has the experience of the West Coast Offence, which he acquired from being with the Seattle Seahawks. He’s one of the smartest quarterbacks in the league.
Kendrell heads to Kansas,
Kendrell Bell is signed by the Kansas to a seven-year deal
The Kansas City Chiefs needed another defensive playmaker. Kendrell has the explosiveness and pass-rushing ability that the Chiefs need. Kendrell is also a great run stopper and will be able to improve the chiefs missed tackles this upcoming season, which they had problems last year.
Dexter Coakly will also head to St. Louis,
Rams Signed Coakly to a five-year deal
Coakly will upgrade the linebacker group along with the overall defense of the Rams. Coakly is Linebacker that has been proven with his previous teams, Coakly can make big plays. He is also one of the better players at the linebacker position.
Kurt goes to Arizona,
The Cardinals sign Kurt Warner for a one-year deal
The Cardinals are a good match for Kurt Warner. They have a good set of receivers, along with a quality offensive line. Kurt Warner, being one of the most sacked Quarterbacks in the NFL will get more help from the Cardinals O-line. He also brings some experience to the offensive side of the ball.
Anthony Henry Heads for Dallas,
Cowboys sign Henry to a five-year deal.
Anthony Henry, coming from the Cleveland Browns was their number one cornerback. Henry is a big, physical cornerback who has recorded 17 interceptions in the last three years. This will upgrade the cornerback position from last year with two proven corners with Terence Newman, and Anthony Henry.
Drew Bledsoe also heads to Dallas,
Parcells signs Bledsoe to a three-year deal
Parcells will reunite with Bledsoe again to see if they can upgrade from last year’s disaster with Vinny Testaverde. The Cowboys now will be able to maybe get their offense rolling with Julius Jones helping out in the backfield. Bledsoe also has experience to pass on to Drew Henson.
Jason Ferguson also goes to the Cowboys,
Cowboys sign Ferguson to a five-year deal
The Cowboys may change their defense to a 3-4 defense now that they have a big DT that plays physical and usually demands to be double-teamed. Ferguson has the ability to clog the line and stop the run, which may bring back the Dallas D they had two years ago.This was another great signing for the Cowboys.
Laveranues Coles heads back to New York,
Laveranues Coles (from the Redskins) was traded for Santana Moss.
The Jets will bring more toughness to their receiving core with the addition of the physicalness of Laveranues Coles. Plus Coles is reliable, the last three years he’s averaged about 85 receptions a year. He will probably also fall back in to rhythm with Chad Pennington (which both used to be former teammates).
Santana Moss heads the other way to Washignton,
traded for Laveranues Coles (Redskins)
Santana Moss will add an explosiveness to the Redskins that they haven’t had in the previous years. Santana Moss will be able to make big plays and will add speed to the Redskins offense. Santana also has the ability to make big plays on special teams with his speed. (Which we saw in last year’s playoffs against the Steelers.
Randy Moss is headed for Oakland,
Randy Moss was traded to the Raiders for Napolean Harris also 1st and 7th round draft picks
Randy Moss was a huge signing for the raiders. Moss, Arguably one of the best receivers off all time is ready to make more than an impact on the field (instead of off it). Now the Raiders have one of the most explosive receiving cores in the game. Moss also adds a big responsibility for defenses, which will help out with the Raiders below par running game.
Mushim is going to Da Bears,
Bears sign Mushim Muhammed to a six-year deal
Mushim will add another quality option for the Chicago offense. Mushim is also one of the best blocking wide receivers, which will help out the running game for Thomas Jones.Muhammed was also a Pro Bowler last year (after coming off his best season yet). The Bears needed a big playmaker, and they got one in Mushim.
Derrick Mason Heads to Baltimore,
Derrick is signed to a five-year deal
The Ravens are in desperate need of an offensive option besides Jamal Lewis. Mason is a proven WR who will make a good target for Kyle Boller. Derrick Mason also brings some more experience to the offensive side of the ball.