Most improved/least improved team in the offseason?

[djwhokid]

Based on the offseason so far:

1. Oakland Raiders - Gibril Wilson has a good chance of making the Pro Bowl while Javon Walker (given that he is healthy) is an upgrade over the moody Jerry Porter. Now they need to beef up the o and d line in the draft.

2. Philadelphia Eagles - Asante Samuel is an upgrade over Lito Sheppard while Chris Clemons is an upgrade over Jevon Kearse.

3. New Orleans Saints - No really playmaking linebackers the past 4 years so they steal, ur trade for Jonathan Vilma from the Jets and sign the guy Vilma backed up in college in Dan Morgan. Randall Gay and Bobby McCray were underrated signings as well. Signing McCray allows the Saints to move Charles Grant to DT.

4. Minnesota Vikings - Bernard Berrian was a solid signing (even though he ends up on a team with a QB worse than Rex Grossman). Major upgrade over Troy Williamson. Replacing troublemaker Dwight Smith with Madieu Williams was a solid move as well. If they can draft a solid DE, and sign a QB to push Taliban Jackson, they may make the playoffs next year.

5. Miami Dolphins - They have really no where to go but up. I think it is safe to say they will at least quadruple their win total next season.

Least improved:

1. New York Giants - The Giants defense was raided in the offseason. Yes, the Patriots got raided as well, but they have a track record of drafting well and developing no-name players into studs.

2. Cleveland Browns - Silly. They now have no draft picks in the first round. Trading a solid CB in Leigh Bodden for an overweight slob in Shaun Rogers? Are you kidding me?

The reality is the Browns are still weak at QB. The reason why Brady Quinn fell in the draft is because he sucks. Derek Anderson is an interception machine. Yes, he threw the same amount (19) as Tony Romo and Drew Brees, but he wasn't as efficient in terms of pct, and QB rating. Hmmmm, the overhyped Brady Quinn or using a second round pick in this years draft on Andre' Woodson or Brian Brohm?

The Donte' Stallworth signing was nice, although he is a bit overrated.

3. New York Jets - Another team that makes you scratch your head. Keeping Chad Pennington accomplishes what? Who the hell is Calvin Pace? Kris Jenkins in a 3-4 defense? Faneca is an upgrade, not sure about Woody.

4. Kansas City Chiefs - They are the worst team in the AFC (yes, at this point the Dolphins have passed them). Trade Larry Johnson, Tony Gonzalez, fire Herm Edwards and Carl Peterson.

If the Chiefs were smart, they would draft McFadden, draft a couple of offensive linemen, and position themselves next year to select Tim Tebow. Tebow-McFadden-Bowe could be real special.

5. Washington Redskins - Jim Zorn? LOL!

[bedir than average]

a few questions for you

I'm surprised you don't find the addition of four men into regular rotation in the running game as significant. Shouldn't the Seahawks be greatly improved?

Also, what specific objections do you have to Jim Zorn? Why didn't you have them for Andy Reid?

[djwhokid]

I'm surprised you don't find the addition of four men into regular rotation in the running game as significant. Shouldn't the Seahawks be greatly improved?

Hmmm let's see:

The Seahawks replaced Shaun Alexander with TJ Ducket and Julius Jones? That's not really getting worse, but I wouldn't call it a major upgrade either.

Duckett is a former first round bust who is only good in short-yardage situations. Actually, the Seahawks may have signed the only RB in the NFL that's softer than Shaun Alexander.

Jones couldn't prove himself as a feature back either. He's soft as well.

Mike Wahle was a decent signing, although he's not a pro-bowl player and a clear plan B compared to someone like Alan Faneca.

Who is the fourth memeber? Jeb Putzier at TE? LOL! That's not really an upgrade. Alge Crumpler would have been an upgrade but he signed with the Titans.

The Seahawks WR situation is also troubling. Deion Branch can't stay healthy while DJ Hackett may leave in free agency. Bobby Engram is a great possession WR, but he shouldn't be your #1 WR in a league filled with talented playmakers.

Also, what specific objections do you have to Jim Zorn? Why didn't you have them for Andy Reid?

Zorn was like choice number 3 for Dan Snyder as he wanted (1) Jim Mora or (2) Steve Spagnuolo.

Although Zorn is a better choice than a retred like Jim Fassel, the Redskins should have hired Gregg Williams, who many of the players wanted as the head coach.

Zorn is simply, not prepared to be a head coach. We don't even know if Zorn is a good OC.

There's a difference in being an idea guy with some input and being The Guy who runs everything. We won't know how well Zorn makes the transition until he's had a little time. If it doesn't work out, he can always go back to being a coordinator. The Redskins never lost a game when he held that title.

ESPN - Enough Zorn to go around? - Hashmarks By Matt Mosley

It might work out but the Redskins look like the worst team so far in the NFC East.

[unreal654]

You are a Browns hater.

To say they are the second LEAST improved team this offseason isn't just wrong, it's absurd.

2007 DL- Shaun Smith, Ted Washington, Robaire Smith
2008 DL- Corey Williams, Shaun Rogers, Robaire Smith

2007 WR- Braylon Edwards, Joe Jurevicius, Tim Carter
2008 WR- Braylon Edwards, Donte Stallworth, Joe Jurevicius

So you're trying to say the additions of Donte Stallworth, Shaun Rogers, Corey Williams, and Rex Hadnot as well as the re-signings of 24 year old Derek Anderson and 1300 yard rusher Jamal Lewis are negated by the loss of Leigh Bodden (a guy that the Browns knew they couldn't afford after this season anyway)? I like Bodden, but he is looking for big money. The Browns biggest weakness last year was their defensive line. Addressing that weakness with two proven players like Rogers and Williams is what pushes teams to the next level. I think a lot of people forget the Browns finished with the same amount of wins as the Steelers last season, and a long field goal away from winning the AFC North. With these additions, and the Steelers standing pat (speaking of least improved...), the Browns are now legitimate contenders not only for the AFC North, but also the Super Bowl.

[adeel]

Right. The Browns might not be the most improved team, but how can you tell me that they're the least improved team? These additions might not work out, but it's not like they went out and signed George Blanda and Lawrence Taylor.

I think the Browns are definitely the most-improved team. Their biggest problem was defense. They allowed more yards than all but two teams in the league. They pretty much had to improve. I didn't know they had Ted Washington, or that he was still playing. Stallworth can also only help a team that won 10 games last year. Whatever you think about Anderson, he got them 10 wins and 29 TDs. There aren't many guys that good (any?) in their first full year.

You think the Raiders are the most improved team? Unbelievable. Here's what Peter King wrote today:

The Raiders guaranteed $50 million in $144 million of total contract dollars to defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, wide receiver Javon Walker and safety Gibril Wilson.

Kelly, coming off ACL surgery, had 4.5 sacks in the last two seasons. Walker has missed 23 games in the last three years with chronic knee problems. Wilson is a nice player who hit the lottery, in part, because the Giants won the Super Bowl.

Hope the Raiders know what they're doing.

Yeah, no holes in these moves at all.

[djwhokid]

The Seahawks also lost the best kicker in the NFL Josh Brown.

The Browns biggest weakness last year was their defensive line. Addressing that weakness with two proven players like Rogers and Williams is what pushes teams to the next level.

Wrong. Shaun Rogers is a malcontent drug user that likes to attack strippers. He also is a lazy fat slob. If Rod Marinelli gave up on him, I doubt the Browns can do any better.

By trading for Rogers, they also weakened their secondary. How will they adress that?

No first, second, or third round picks.

The Browns just gave the Steelers the division. Big Ben is going to lick his chops passing against the rapist Eric Wright.

[LongtimeBravesFan]

Originally Posted by unreal654

You are a Browns hater.

He had a thread last season saying the Browns were the worst team in the NFL and they nearly made the playoffs. He also predicted the Raiders would be good and that the Giants would collapse. I wouldn't put much stock in his predictions.

Why sould the players' opinion matter ion a coach? I've never been asked who I wanted as my next boss.

[djwhokid]

The Raiders just added a Pro Bowl CB in DeAngelo Hall for a second round pick. Now the Raiders are expected to trade former first round pick Fabian Washington to a team in need of a CB -- The Browns.

the Browns are now legitimate contenders not only for the AFC North, but also the Super Bowl.

I maybe a Browns-hater but you are a Browns-homer. Super Bowl really?

How can a team with such weak cornerbacks make the Super Bowl? Hello, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, etc...

I think a lot of people forget the Browns finished with the same amount of wins as the Steelers last season, and a long field goal away from winning the AFC North.

The Steelers beat the Browns twice, with half their starters injured.

My prediction: Browns go 7-9. Derek Anderson struggles early and is replaced by Brady Quinn mid-season.