NFL free agency: winners and losers

[YardRat]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-03-05-fawinners-losers_N.htm

Winners

Buffalo Bills: DT Marcus Stroud (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=1429) has had injury problems the last two seasons and missed four games in 2007 on suspension for violating the NFL's policies on performance-enhancing drugs. He may be the centerpiece of this defensive renovation that also includes Mitchell and DT Spencer Johnson (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2989). The Bills continually rank in the lower echelons of the NFL in total defense and need to firm up.

Losers

New York Jets: Remade their offensive line with LG Alan Faneca (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=641) and RT Damien Woody (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=1897), but Woody, a career center and guard, played tackle last year with the Lions for the first time. Traded for DT Kris Jenkins (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2375) and signed edge rusher Calvin Pace (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2054). All but Faneca could be expensive gambles. These four got $74 million in guaranteed money on contracts worth about $142M. Pace was a one-year wonder and Jenkins has had weight issues.

Patriots: Still a little lean at linebacker despite re-signing Tedy Bruschi (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=1156). Already cut Rosevelt Colvin (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=1129), unlikely to bring back Junior Seau (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=1240), and Mike Vrabel (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=1115) will be 33 heading into 12th season. Will have new starting corners and perhaps a new safety if Wilson leaves. SS Rodney Harrison (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=1141) is 35. Keeping WRs Moss and Jabar Gaffney (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=1716) is a plus.

[VeggieMan14]

WOOT WOOT GO BUFFALO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mski]

i think everyone is forgetting this but straud wasnt a FA we traded for him

[feelthepain]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-03-05-fawinners-losers_N.htm

Winners

Buffalo Bills: DT Marcus Stroud (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=1429) has had injury problems the last two seasons and missed four games in 2007 on suspension for violating the NFL's policies on performance-enhancing drugs.

Shouldn't there be some positive in that sentence to back up the winner tag? After all he is your biggest acquisition so far. Stroud also wasn't a FA, I think that writer was just having a bad day.

[TigerJ]

i think everyone is forgetting this but straud wasnt a FA we traded for himWe all know it, and so do national writers, but for the purpose of evaluating how teams are doing in the free agency period, trades and free agent signings all get lumped in togeather.

[jamze132]

The article should have been labled "Off Season Winners and Losers". Stroud wasn't a FA.

[don137]

I agree with Tiger, the writers consider this the 'free agency period' of the year and lump trades and FA signings together. People know what they mean but just trying to get too technical.

[kernowboy]

I think the assessment on the Jets is unfair.

Woody is a gamble but Faneca is the best guard in the league and will massively help the development of Ferguson and Mangold. Jenkins is no more a risk than Stroud and a much better NT than Robertson. Pace is a good upgrade as well. A DE sized OLB who doesn't like playing with his hand on the ground.

As for the Pats, Hobbs will RETURN to the lineup and Sanders had already replaced Wilson. Only Samuel needs replacing and they've had Meriweather in the system for two years. ILB is very much a weak spot but there are several players who they can pick up in R2-4.

The article lacks accurate balance.

[DraftBoy]

I agree I think the Jets analysis is badly bias, calling Pace a one year wonder is unfair because its not like he had one great year and then regressed, he has steadily improved year to year and then this past season he blew up.

[finfan34]

I agree I think the Jets analysis is badly bias, calling Pace a one year wonder is unfair because its not like he had one great year and then regressed, he has steadily improved year to year and then this past season he blew up.

say what you want, but overall the jets overpayed these guys......the only one that you can say is a "cant miss" might be faneca, but even he has showed signs of slowing down. thats alot of money for players that you're not sure of