Tuesday, March 18, 2014

My 4 Winners and 4 Losers in the 2014 NFL Free Agency So Far

The 2014 NFL Free Agency has been fun to follow this season, here is my list of the winners and losers of free agency so far:

Winners

Denver Broncos- they were able to go out and get two top players on defense in DeMarcus Ware and Aqib Tablib.  If the Broncos want to get better it had to be on defense and they did that, they also went out and got Emmanuel Sanders in free agency as well.  This team will be poised to make another Super Bowl run in 2014.

New York Giants- They went out and got two cornerbacks in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Walter Thurmond and also picked up receiver Mario Manningham on a 1 year deal, this is a good sign for a team that struggled last season.  The defense will have some help in the secondary and Manning will have a familiar target back on offense.

New England Patriots- They landed Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner to help out with their cornerback play, this is great considering they did not retain Aqib Talib who went to dinner.  They also signed former Carolina wide receiver Brandon LaFell to help shore up their offense at the receiver position and of course the big resigning of Julian Edelman.

Cleveland Browns- They got a top safety when they signed Donte Whitner who will now be playing in the same secondary as cornerback Joe Haden.  The Browns also addressed the running back issue by signing former Texan Ben Tate, the Browns just need a steady quarterback and they should be better in 2014.

Losers

Dallas Cowboys- One name: DeMarcus Ware, I can see why they released him but that was a mistake, they had a horrid defense last season and this makes it worse.  What has Jerry Jones done to help since that?  Nothing…  The Cowboys need to fill needs on the defense, last signing I saw they made was Brandon Weeden to back up Romo, not sure that fills a big need but that is something if Romo is not back to start the season. 

Carolina Panthers- This team is gutted at their receiver position and they have not landed someone that is a household name.  Kenny Britt is still out there and Jerricho cotchery reportedly left Carolina without a contract.  Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn Jr. and Domenik Hixon are not coming back in 2014 so the Panthers are in need of signing one.  Cam Newtown might not be happy in 2014 if he does not get help on offense.

New York Jets- What does Rex Ryan love?  Defense!  The Jets did not get Revis back, they missed out on Talib, Rogers-Cromartie, Walter Thurmond, Brandon Browner and Donte Whitner, all of whom are great players in the secondary.  They did sign Eric Decker who I do not believe is a number one receiver, HOWEVER I think he will help Geno Smith grow and also help out that Jet offense.  However as stated the Jets missed out on a those great defensive backs.


Oakland Raiders- Sure they signed James Jones to help out the receiver position, but I do not feel they have done much outside of that, they did land Justin Tuck but he is injury-prone so that stings.  They should be looking at the quarterback spot to see who they can add because I do not see a starter on their depth chart at this point in time.  If they can land Vick or Schaub and possibly another receiver they will make themselves better, but at this point they are losing badly in free agency. 

While I liked the Lamarr Woodley and Antonio Smith signings as well I feel they still need more help.

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