GRIDIRON ASSASSIN
Footballguy
From today's Chicago Tribune:
Most Improved:
1. Patriots. In Baltimore linebacker-pass rusher Adalius Thomas, they landed the consensus best player available, a nice fit for a defense that thrives with active linebackers. They traded for Wes Welker, who led the Dolphins in receptions, punt returns and kickoff returns. They added blocking tight end Kyle Brady from Jacksonville to help offset losing Daniel Graham to Denver. They acquired backup running back Sammy Morris (92-400) from the Dolphins to offset the loss of Dillon.
2. Broncos. They traded for Lions cornerback Dre' Bly to play opposite Champ Bailey. They believe Henry is an upgrade at running back over Bell. They outbid Seattle for Graham and signed Patrick Ramsey to replace Jake Plummer as Jay Cutler's backup.
3. 49ers. With the most money to spend, about $38 million under the enormous $109 million cap, they made Buffalo cornerback Nate Clements rich with a promise of $80 million over eight years. They got rid of problem receiver Antonio Bryant and replaced him with lesser problem Ashley Lelie from Atlanta. After losing out on Adalius Thomas, they took New England's versatile linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, and they added Philadelphia safety Michael Lewis and Baltimore nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin, both potential starters.
4. Rams. Tennessee's leading receiver Drew Bennett replaces the expected loss of Kevin Curtis. A trade for Lions defensive end James Hall and the signing of Bears safety Todd Johnson helps a defense in need. Dolphins tight end Randy McMichael is still productive.
Least Improved:
1. Titans. They have lost their leading rusher (Henry) and their top two receivers (Bennett and Bobby Wade), and they still have Pacman Jones.
2. Vikings. They cut ties with veteran quarterback Brad Johnson, linebacker Napoleon Harris, cornerback Fred Smoot and tight end Jermaine Wiggins, so this looks like a youth movement. All they need is some youth. They signed Wade and gave him a five-year, $15 million contract, baffling many, including the Bears, who once cut him.
3. Bills. Rebuilding the offensive line with Derrick Dockery, Jason Whittle and Langston Walker was the priority, but they lost top cornerback Clements, leading tackler and interceptor London Fletcher-Baker and traded away top running back McGahee. Like others, they obviously aren't done.
4. Giants. Another apparent youth movement as they watched Barber retire and let linebackers LaVar Arrington and Carlos Emmons, tackle Luke Petitgout and kicker Jay Feely go before acquiring 758-yard rusher Droughns.
Most Improved:
1. Patriots. In Baltimore linebacker-pass rusher Adalius Thomas, they landed the consensus best player available, a nice fit for a defense that thrives with active linebackers. They traded for Wes Welker, who led the Dolphins in receptions, punt returns and kickoff returns. They added blocking tight end Kyle Brady from Jacksonville to help offset losing Daniel Graham to Denver. They acquired backup running back Sammy Morris (92-400) from the Dolphins to offset the loss of Dillon.
2. Broncos. They traded for Lions cornerback Dre' Bly to play opposite Champ Bailey. They believe Henry is an upgrade at running back over Bell. They outbid Seattle for Graham and signed Patrick Ramsey to replace Jake Plummer as Jay Cutler's backup.
3. 49ers. With the most money to spend, about $38 million under the enormous $109 million cap, they made Buffalo cornerback Nate Clements rich with a promise of $80 million over eight years. They got rid of problem receiver Antonio Bryant and replaced him with lesser problem Ashley Lelie from Atlanta. After losing out on Adalius Thomas, they took New England's versatile linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, and they added Philadelphia safety Michael Lewis and Baltimore nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin, both potential starters.
4. Rams. Tennessee's leading receiver Drew Bennett replaces the expected loss of Kevin Curtis. A trade for Lions defensive end James Hall and the signing of Bears safety Todd Johnson helps a defense in need. Dolphins tight end Randy McMichael is still productive.
Least Improved:
1. Titans. They have lost their leading rusher (Henry) and their top two receivers (Bennett and Bobby Wade), and they still have Pacman Jones.
2. Vikings. They cut ties with veteran quarterback Brad Johnson, linebacker Napoleon Harris, cornerback Fred Smoot and tight end Jermaine Wiggins, so this looks like a youth movement. All they need is some youth. They signed Wade and gave him a five-year, $15 million contract, baffling many, including the Bears, who once cut him.
3. Bills. Rebuilding the offensive line with Derrick Dockery, Jason Whittle and Langston Walker was the priority, but they lost top cornerback Clements, leading tackler and interceptor London Fletcher-Baker and traded away top running back McGahee. Like others, they obviously aren't done.
4. Giants. Another apparent youth movement as they watched Barber retire and let linebackers LaVar Arrington and Carlos Emmons, tackle Luke Petitgout and kicker Jay Feely go before acquiring 758-yard rusher Droughns.
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they've really stunk up the joint this off-season. I hope the have some tricks up their sleeves for this draft, but a first time GM, someone who's come up through the ranks working in the Giants from office for the past 12 years, scares me.This is a guy who's worked with the same front office that gave us such first round juggernauts as Shaun Williams, Ron Dayne, overrated Eli Manning and his bloated price tag, William Joseph, Petitgout, Will Allen, and such fantastic second round picks as Joe Montgomery, Jurevicius, Cornelius Griffin, Tim Carter ( now traded for a stellar RB named Droughns). third rounders such as Brian Alford, Dan Campbell, Will Peterson, ron dixon, Jeff Hatch, Shiancoe, and such amazing talents like 4th rounder, Jesse `the bachelor` Palmer
