The 2010 NFL season got off to a fiesty start as free agency signings and trades have been rolling in non stop since early Friday morning. Here is a quick look at some winners and losers so far.
WINNERS
Chicago Bears – For Bears fans this free agency is their Draft and they have got to be excited with the results so far. They got things started off with Mike Martz’ boy Brandon Malumaluena, who is a fine blocking tight end but won’t catch many balls in the Bears new offense. They then added RB Chester Taylor from division rival Minnesota. Taylor is a very talented back who is a great receiver out of the backfield and is also very good in pass protection. He will push Matt Forte as the starter and should see plenty of touches. The Bears then made the big signing with Julius Peppers. Peppers is one of the best pass rushers in the league and his presence on the edge will help give this Bears defense some of its swagger back. These signings will help make them serious contenders for the division crown in 2010.
Detroit Lions – The Lions made the first big signing of the year when they inked Seattle WR Nate Burleson to a 5 year $25 million dollar deal. They paid a lot for him, but Burleson brings veteran leadership to their offense, and is a very good receiver when healthly. With him, Pettigrew, and Megatron in the fold, QB Matthew Stafford could make big strides in his sophomore campaign. The Lions then addressed their defensive line, first by signing DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, who gives them the upper echelon pass rusher they have lacked for years. The Lions then traded for Browns DT Corey Williams. If they use that 2nd overall pick on Suh or McCoy as expected, the Lions suddenly have the ingredients for a dominating defensive line.
Falcons/Dolphins/Giants/Jets/Ravens – The Falcons, Dolphins, Jets, Ravens, and Giants are listed here together because they all signed someone who fills a major need and gives them more flexibility in the Draft. The Falcons landed Dunta Robinson who takes care of their need at corner, and they can now take the best pass rusher on the board with the 19th pick. The Dolphins inked Karlos Dansby and can now focus on taking a WR like Dez Bryant at 12 or addressing another need like OLB, or NT. The Giants signed safety Antrel Rolle to a long term deal, and with Kenny Phillips playing opposite him, they now have one of the best safety tandems in the league. This allows them to look either at DT with the 15th pick, or they can either move up for or hope that Rolando McClain falls to them. The Jets were looking at a corner with the 29th pick but now that they traded for Cromartie they can go after a WR, or look at adding a new young body to their defensive front seven. Finally the Ravens traded for Anquan Boldin and now have that no. 1 receiver they’ve lacked for decades. This will allow them to either target a corner with their first pick or possibly take the best tight end available in Oklahoma’s Jermaine Gresham.
LOSERS
Arizona Cardinals – The Cardinals have took some major hits so far in this young offseason. First they lose their starting QB Kurt Warner to retirement. Then they lose two cornerstones of their defense in S Antrel Rolle, and LB Karlos Dansby. They also traded stud WR Anquan Boldin to Baltimore for a mere third and fourth round pick. They did sign Kerry Rhodes which will help offset the loss of Rolle, but this team looks it is going from the Penthouse of the NFC West to the very stinky bottom depths of the outhouse.
Comments