Diehard MVP
Group: Diehards Staff
Posts: 24912
Joined: 11-April 05
Member No.: 923
|
Here's an overview of each team's needs for their skill positions as I see them and as the rosters sit at this time. This will adjust with free agency, retirements, trades and the 2010 NFL Draft.
Enjoy!
Arizona – With Kurt Warner having announced his retirement, the offense falls into the hands of Matt Leinart who has disappointed of late. Odds are the Cardinals will bring in some talent at quarterback to push Leinart while they also transition into more of a run-oriented offense. Chris Wells became more dangerous at running back as the season progressed and he could be a huge weapon in the offense in 2010. Tim Hightower provides some skills as a backup, but look for the team to add some speed at this position to look for more big plays. Larry Fitzgerald remains an elite receiver but with a de-emphasis on the passing game, I look for the Cards to be much more serious about moving Anquan Boldin this offseason. That would leave Steve Breaston and Early Doucet to battle for the other starting position. Ben Patrick led the tight ends in receiving last year, but look for an upgrade with this position becoming more important in the offense.
Atlanta – Matt Ryan returned after an impressive rookie season but looked to slightly regress as a sophomore. He’ll need to step things up in 2010. Chris Redman did a reasonable job as his backup but is now a free agent. Look for the Falcons to try and resign him. Michael Turner did not see the same success he saw in 2009, but he remains the primary back on the team. Jerious Norwood had the worst numbers of his career as well as some injuries and is a restricted free agent. The Falcons need to insure that they have a speed back on the roster next year. Roddy White remains the team’s leading receiver with Michael Jenkins holding down the other starting spot. Look for Harry Douglas to return from injury and play a big part in the passing game. Tony Gonzalez will return for another season at tight end which gives the team a little more time to upgrade from Keith Zinger as the backup.
Baltimore – Joe Flacco got off to a great start last year before injuries held him back from maintaining that level of performance. If he can return to the production he showed early in 2009, the Ravens will feel very comfortable at quarterback. Troy Smith holds down the backup roll at this time. Ray Rice stepped up his game and produced great yardage numbers as the primary ball-carrier. Willis McGahee excelled in his part-time roll but likely carries too high of a salary in 2010 to return. That could mean a return to prominence for LeRon McClain. At this point it looks like Derrick Mason will return, but expecting him to remain at the same level of production could be asking too much. Mark Clayton and Kelley Washington did not do much so once again, upgrading at receiver is a primary objective this offseason. The team could decide to let Todd Heap and L.J. Smith walk as restricted free agents and go another path at tight end.
Buffalo – Playing behind a very young offensive line in 2009, the Bills had a very rough year. Trent Edwards regressed and even though that offensive line did not help him, it looks as though the team will go in another direction at quarterback with arm strength being a premium requirement. Lack of performance on the field and questionable actions off of it pushed Marshawn Lynch into the background at running back and allowed Fred Jackson to have the inside as the primary back going forward. It looks like both will be back in 2010 though that is not set in stone. Terrell Owens guest starred at receiver last season but likely won’t be back. That restores Lee Evans to the lead receiver role though his production may never match his talent while a Bill. Steve Johnson could step over James Hardy for the other starting position. Shawn Nelson is clearly the future at tight end and he needs more time on the field.
Carolina – Fresh off a contract extension entering 2009, Jake Delhomme had a disastrous season that included poor play and injuries. Matt Moore stepped in at quarterback and played far better football. Moore should start in 2010 but the team will also add some youth at this spot. In DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, the Panthers have the best 1-2 combination at running back in the NFL. Williams will enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2010. Stewart may be the better back, but he just can’t stay healthy enough to depend on him to this point. Steve Smith continues to be a weapon at receiver, but it looks like the player who will start on the opposite side of the field is not currently on the roster. The Panthers also need better depth at this position. Carolina tends to rotate their tight ends, but it’s Gary Barnidge who shows the most potential in the group.
Chicago – Arriving in town to heralds and parades, Jay Cutler and the Bears discovered that they need more on offense than a quarterback with a huge arm. The drop in talent behind Cutler is treacherous and needs to be addressed. Matt Forte could not duplicate his rookie numbers though much of that can be placed on the play and health of the offensive line. Kahlil Bell took the role of change-of-pace back and showed some explosion. Cutler’s arrival actually made Bears’ receivers productive last year, but that very young group now has to try and pick up the complexity of a Mike Martz offense. The Devin Hester experiment at receiver may be coming to an end which puts the onus on Devin Aromashodu, Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett to figure things out. Look for a veteran to be added to the mix…likely one with previous experience in Martz’s system. Greg Olsen shows a lot of talent at tight end, but Martz coming to town is not a good thing for him.
Cincinnati – Carson Palmer maintained that injuries did not affect him in 2009, but he did not look like the same Palmer who once was a Pro Bowl player. Hopefully another offseason will get him closer to that level. His brother Jordan currently backs him up, so adding experience there would make sense. Cedric Benson has turned around his career since arriving here. While he’s been very productive, he’s also seen a lot of touches which could be wearing him thin. Bernard Scott should be the primary backup and speed back with Larry Johnson likely moving on in free agency. Chad Ochocinco had a nice comeback season at receiver. Across the field, new addition Laveranues Coles did not have a good debut while third receiver Andre Caldwell is solid but limited. The team could address the receiver position once again this offseason. Rookie Chase Coffman was a huge disappointment at tight end which could lead to new talent arriving there as well.
Cleveland – No team is more devoid of talent at the skill positions than the Browns. With Mike Holmgren coming to town, it’s hard to say just where this team will head. Brady Quinn looks to be the favorite over Derek Anderson at quarterback, but neither player is guaranteed a roster position in 2010 nor does either player generate confidence as a franchise quarterback. The Browns will consider other options as well. At running back, Jamal Lewis announced his retirement but seems to be reconsidering that stance. Jerome Harrison put together an incredible three-game run, but the team seems leery about making him a full-time contributor there. James Davis had an extremely good camp last year but seems to be a forgotten man in spite of his injury opening the door for Harrison. Mohamed Massaquoi flashed potential as a rookie receiver while Brian Robiskie, who most assumed was more pro-ready, barely saw the field. Donte Stallworth is eligible to play again but odds are he won’t be a Brown, so the team will look elsewhere for a quality veteran presence. Robert Royal started at tight end, but look for the team to try and find someone else.
Dallas – Tony Romo experienced a stress-free year at quarterback and enjoyed an excellent season. Any question that his previous success was solely based on the presence of a certain talkative receiver were proved false. The Cowboys will be hoping that Stephen McGee takes the next step in his development and can be the backup to Romo next season. Marion Barber is still the primary ball carrier, but he was also the least effective of the three backs. Look for his workload to lessen next year. Felix Jones continues to be electric with the ball and he’ll see more touches next year. Tashard Choice also out-produced Barber and may also see more touches. After it looked like all the preseason talk was just that, Miles Austin found himself on the field and producing at an exceptional level. Roy Williams started on the other side, but it seems that unless he finds the production he had in Detroit, he may be passed on the depth chart by Kevin Ogletree. Outside of touchdowns, Jason Witten was a stud again though Martellus Bennett regressed behind him.
Denver – Kyle Orton took over for the departed Jay Cutler and did a nice job for the Broncos. He’s a free agent but it looks like the team will make every effort to bring him back. In the meantime, look for the search for the next franchise quarterback to continue. Knowshon Moreno did not explode out of the gates as a rookie but a change in the running philosophy to more of a power game could help him greatly in 2010. Correll Buckhalter turns 32 this year and Peyton Hillis does not seem to be in the plans going forward, so look for the team to add talent at running back. Brandon Marshall had another turbulent season, but there’s no doubt he is awesome between the lines. His future with the team is up in the air and if he leaves, the team will need to find a new feature receiver. Eddie Royal was a huge disappointment after a great rookie year but he should be the other starter again next year. With the team not heading to a wide open attack any time soon, there is no urgency to upgrade at receiver. Tony Scheffler never did see eye to eye with Josh McDaniels and is likely headed elsewhere. That leaves Daniel Graham handling the tight end role next year.
Detroit – Matthew Stafford assumed the starting duties at quarterback as a rookie and had the predictable up and down season that should be expected in those circumstances. Still, he showed enough promise that the team should feel good about his future. Daunte Culpepper will likely move on which means the team will be looking for a veteran influence behind Stafford. Kevin Smith is a maximum effort player at running back, but his injuries and lack of game-breaking ability will have Detroit looking for a player with explosion in the backfield this offseason. It's possible that Smith won't be ready when the 2010 season opens. That explosive player could be second-year back Aaron Brown, so keep his name in mind. Calvin Johnson is waiting on the rest of the offense to develop before his name becomes synonymous with the greats in the game, but he has that kind of talent. Bryant Johnson was not the answer on the opposite side of the field, so that search must continue. Derrick Williams faces a long journey to be the third receiver on the team. Brandon Pettigrew was just coming on at tight end when his season was ended by injury. There is a chance that injury could still be a problem as the 2010 season kicks off.
Green Bay – Aaron Rodgers has been a more than adequate replacement for Brett Favre and has grown into being a leader on the team as well. Matt Flynn is the only other quarterback on the roster at this time. Ryan Grant has maintained his role as the primary running back and has enjoyed success, but I expect to see someone with speed brought in to get some touches as well. That would push Brandon Jackson to third string. The Packers remain loaded at receiver. Greg Jennings suffered from injuries and the maturation of Rodgers at quarterback last season which combined to see his numbers decline, but he is excellent. Donald Driver is now 35 but remains a major contributor and has no plans to leave the game soon. Jordy Nelson and James Jones have both shown the ability to step up when required. Jermichael Finley showed that he has the talent to be a dominant tight end and he should see more touches next season.
Houston – Matt Schaub played a complete season and showed that he can produce at an elite level. His goal is to repeat that. With Rex Grossman in reserve, an upgrade is always possible. Steve Slaton looks to be incapable of being a work-horse back which means the team will need to find that primary ball carrier this offseason. Arian Foster flashed that potential but may have to battle to earn that role for 2010. Andre Johnson posted great numbers and is one of the league’s best receivers. Kevin Walter seemed to regress last season and is now a free agent. Jacoby Lane out-produced him last season and is a player to watch going forward. Andre Davis offers speed, so look for the team to add a well-rounded receiver. Owen Daniels was among the league’s best tight ends when his season ended with the third ACL injury of his career. Look for him to return to Houston for at least one more year.
Indianapolis – Peyton Manning remains the smartest player in the league and his production continues to show that. His ability to execute the offense while parts around him are constantly changing has been incredible. Jim Sorgi knows the offense and the team likes the potential of Curtis Painter. Joseph Addai is nothing special at running back as every statistic except his touchdown production showed. Whether the problem is Addai or the offensive line, that situation needs to be addressed. Donald Brown was off to a nice start at running back until a chest injury slowed him down. Reggie Wayne is one of the most consistent receivers in the game. Second-year man Pierre Garcon and rookie Austin Collie both took huge steps forward in 2009. Anthony Gonzalez lost the year to injuries and the depth at this position does not guarantee him his starting job in 2010. Dallas Clark is a matchup problem at tight end and is an important part of the offense.
Jacksonville – Now three years removed from his magical, initial season as the starter for the Jaguars, David Garrard is clearly not a difference maker at quarterback. With Luke McCown providing support, the Jags need to look for a franchise quarterback soon. Maurice Jones-Drew took the role of primary back and provided the numbers one would look for from him. Rashad Jennings is the backup which could be improved upon. Torry Holt extended his career by a year with the Jags but he didn’t do enough to merit another year on his contract. Mike Sims-Walker had a very nice year going until injuries derailed him over the final third of the year. He’ll be supported next year by Mike Thomas and Jarett Dillard though adding a veteran would not be a bad idea. Marcedes Lewis is an excellent blocker at tight end while rookie Zach Miller flashed speed and hands as a rookie.
Kansas City – Matt Cassel had a rough introduction in Kansas City as his new team transitioned to a new system under Todd Haley. He’ll once again take on a new system with Charlie Weiss now the offensive coordinator though the changes should be minimal. Brodie Croyle is the official clipboard holder behind Cassel. The Chiefs were unable to generate a running game until they dismissed Larry Johnson and finally entrusted Jamal Charles as their primary back. Charles posted phenomenal numbers in that role and will look to reprise it in 2010. The team will look for a power back to help share the load. Dwayne Bowe is loaded with talent at receiver, but dedication to the game seems to have escaped him. He needs to step up his effort. Chris Chambers had some nice games after being picked up during the season. As a whole this group dropped a lot of passes, so look for changes in this area with solid hands being a priority. Leonard Pope has the most potential as a receiver at tight end, but his blocking is poor.
Miami – When Chad Pennington went down to injury, Chad Henne stepped in and did a very nice job. Henne has a strong arm and looks to be set as a starter for a long time if he continues to grow at the rate he did last year. The Dolphins don’t seem to be excited about having Pennington as a backup next year, so they could be shopping for that player this offseason. Ronnie Brown had another season cut short by injury, but Ricky Williams stepped in and performed extremely well. Brown will be a free agent if a new CBA is reached, otherwise he’ll remain a Dolphin. Williams indicated he will retire after the 2010 season, so the Fins could go after a running back this year. Ted Ginn has finally proven that he is not capable of being a No. 1 receiver in the NFL, so Miami will be looking for someone who can fill that roll. Rookie Brian Hartline had a nice rookie campaign and needs to distinguish himself from Davone Bess and Greg Camarillo to be a force. It looks like the team will let tight end Anthony Fasano leave via free agency which leaves a hole at that position.
Minnesota – Once he had missed enough of camp and the preseason to insure he would not have to work hard, Brett Favre finally signed with the Vikings and played brilliantly at quarterback until the end of the NFC Championship game. We’ll be teased all offseason as to whether or not he’ll be back. Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson will feel the under-appreciation while that media circus goes on. Adrian Peterson was awesome once again but a chink in the armor was exposed when turnovers became an issue for him. Chester Taylor is now a free agent and if the team does not retain him, they will be looking for another back. Sidney Rice finally stayed healthy and with a real NFL quarterback throwing to him, he showed that he can be an excellent receiver. Percy Harvin was a threat to score from anywhere when his migraines let him on the field. Bernard Berrian battled hamstring issues most of the season and did not contribute much. Visanthe Shiancoe was a great red-zone target, but the team may want to find someone who offers speed at that position as well.
New England – Tom Brady overcame some early struggles while not quite fully recovered from his knee injury to have the second-best statistical season of his career. With an offseason that should not include any kind of surgery, he should be good to go from the outset of the new season. Brian Hoyer is the current backup, but that could change. After Fred Taylor was injured, it was Laurence Maroney who became the primary running back for the Patriots. That lasted until he started putting the ball on the ground. It’s possible neither will return which would have the team looking for a new primary ball carrier. Randy Moss battled injuries but still had a solid year in spite of his game becoming more limited as he ages. Wes Welker was a PPR machine until he damaged his ACL and MCL in the final game of the season. He is unlikely to be ready for the first game of next season which means Julian Edelman and/or Brandon Tate will need to be ready to contribute. Adding a veteran receiver to this group is a possibility. Benjamin Watson was the primary receiving tight end last year, but it looks like he will not be a Patriot this year.
New Orelans – Drew Brees knows how to get the job done as he proved in the Super Bowl and is locked in as the starter for the foreseeable future. Mark Brunell likely won’t be back and Chase Daniel may not be ready to assume the No. 2 role, so look for new talent there. How the Saints choose to address their running back situation will be interesting. Pierre Thomas does a very nice job but can’t seem to stay healthy enough to be a bell-cow back. He’s a restricted free agent after the Super Bowl. Reggie Bush can be effective as well, but his role is very limited. He is due to count for over $13 million against the cap in 2010. Mike Bell is also a free agent. Look for changes here. Marques Colston continues to use his size to outmuscle cornerbacks for catches. Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem were both effective down-field weapons. Jeremy Shockey led the tight ends in catches but David Thomas was not much of a drop off.
New York Giants – Eli Manning is coming off a career year in spite of working with a very young group of receivers. That says a lot for his maturation as a player and a leader. David Carr backs him up, but Carr did not look as good last year as he had in 2008. Brandon Jacobs injured his knee in Week 1 and never got going which totally changed the Giants offensive philosophy last year. Ahmad Bradshaw proved to be a solid producer in his stead. Steve Smith stepped up to be the primary receiver on the team, but one has to wonder at what point Hakeem Nicks will take over that roll after a fabulous rookie year. Mario Manningham is a dangerous third receiver and the development of Ramses Barden will be interesting to watch. Kevin Boss exceeded expectations at tight end, but Travis Beckum is a better receiver though a far worse blocker.
New York Jets – After trading up in the draft to grab Mark Sanchez, the Jets de-emphasized the passing game in the offense in order to make things easier for him. Sanchez will need to step up next year and be able to run the entire play book. Kellen Clemens is a restricted free agent though it looks like the team may try to keep him. Thomas Jones proved a lot of people wrong with a great season in 2009. Still, he did wear down at the end of the year which opened the door for Shonn Greene who looked very good with the ball in his hands. Look for Jones to land elsewhere and Greene to be the primary back. Leon Washington is a restricted free agent who will likely be offered a short-term contract as he recovers from a double open fracture of his leg. His health could lead to the team searching for a speed option in the backfield. Braylon Edwards arrived from Cleveland with a big splash, but conservative play calling limited him the rest of the year. Jerricho Cotchery started opposite him. Look for the Jets to try and add a playmaker in the Percy Harvin mold at this position. Dustin Keller is a nice weapon at tight end.
Oakland – Management finally got tough with JaMarcus Russell last year and benched him late in the season for non-production on the field and non-application of himself off of it. The Raiders can only hope it made an impact on their young signal caller. While Bruce Gradkowski came in and looked far better than Russell, his play was not at a NFL starting quarterback level. If the Raiders are serious about winning, they will bring in a quality veteran quarterback. With three quality running backs on the roster, the Raiders managed to rotate them in a way that no player ever really got a hot hand. Darren McFadden may or may not be an effective back in the NFL. We still don’t know due to injuries and the way he’s been used. Michael Bush has flashed potential and would make a nice contrast to McFadden. Justin Fargas enters the last year of his contract and though his salary is very manageable, the team needs to let him go and move forward with their younger backs. Chaz Schilens was expected to be the primary receiver last year, but an injury cost him the greater part of the season. Darrius Heyward-Bey was drafted at No. 7 overall last year even though he was known to be a project type of player. Louis Murphy proved to be a much better value later in the draft and he had a nice rookie year. A veteran presence would be a good thing among the receivers. Zach Miller is an excellent tight end trapped in the nightmare that is the Al Davis organization.
Philadelphia – Donovan McNabb enjoyed a productive season in spite of missing a couple of games due to injury. Then again, his production was not there at the end of the season when it was needed the most. Kevin Kolb looked very good in a two-game cameo for the injured McNabb. Michael Vick also signed here with the Eagles’ goal being to sucker some other team into dealing for him this offseason. Look for Vick and possibly one of the other two quarterbacks to be moved this offseason. Brian Westbrook suffered another injury-plagued season and may be looking at retirement. LeSean McCoy would be next up in line at running back. Adding depth here will be a goal this offseason. DeSean Jackson returned for his sophomore season and continued to torch defenses from long distance at receiver. The Eagles added rookie Jeremy Maclin to the arsenal and his production was coming along very nicely as the season waned on. Jason Avant was a nice third receiver. Look for Kevin Curtis to move on. Brent Celek was the primary receiver from his tight end position while rookie Cornelius Ingram never saw the field after suffering his second ACL injury in two years.
Pittsburgh – Ben Roethlisberger is not only a highly effective quarterback in the NFL, he is also a popular gathering spot for many of the league’s defensive linemen. The Steelers need to get serious about protecting him. Dennis Dixon showed a lot of progress last year and the Steelers are hopeful that he will continue down that avenue. Rashard Mendenhall got another shot to be the primary running back and this time he was ready for that opportunity. That situation likely means that free agent Willie Parker will not be resigned and the team will look for depth elsewhere. Hines Ward continues to be a force on the field at age 33 and will return for another year. Santonio Holmes is entering the final year of his rookie contract though the odds of him moving elsewhere are not good. Mike Wallace was very explosive as the team’s third receiver while Limas Sweed continued to struggle. Heath Miller is an excellent tight end and the depth behind him is very good.
San Diego – There’s no longer any doubt in San Diego that Philip Rivers is the lynch-pin of the offense. Among the top handful of quarterbacks in the league, Rivers’ bold and decisive play should have him remain in the upper echelon for some time. Billy Volek enters the last year of his contract as the backup. LaDainian Tomlinson is no longer the player we are used to seeing on the field and the odds of him returning to the Chargers look to be minuscule at this time. Darren Sproles is a restricted free agent this offseason which means it would cost the Chargers over $8 million dollars to keep him around for another year. We could see an entirely new set of running backs at the top of the rotation next year. Vincent Jackson is still climbing the ladder as a player and is already among the game’s best receivers. Malcom Floyd is a nice complement across the field. Both players are restricted free agents this offseason. Legedu Naanee has developed fairly well though the team could look for more depth at this spot. Antonio Gates remains an elite tight end after a healthy season.
San Francisco – Shaun Hill started in the beginning of the season at quarterback, but it was Alex Smith who finished the year. Smith likely has the nod entering next season while Hill will be the backup unless Nate Davis takes that roll from him. Frank Gore is far and away the premium running back talent on the team and the offense needs to run through him. Glen Coffee looked great in the preseason last year but did not produce in the regular season. That may force the Niners to look for running back help this offseason. Michael Crabtree arrived late in the year, but he was a force on the field at receiver if not a game-breaker. Jason Hill and Josh Morgan are young and promising talents at receiver that round out the top of that rotation. Look for the team to add explosiveness on special teams and perhaps receiver as well. Vernon Davis filled some of that vast potential with a great season at tight end.
Seattle – Matt Hasselbeck continues to lead the pass-happy offense of the Seahawks as he enters the final year of his current contract. His career is winding down, but he is still the best option on the roster and capable of producing solid numbers. Seneca Wallace remains the backup and enters the final year of his contract as well. Julius Jones was the primary back last season and he was a disappointment. Justin Forsett showed some promise, but he is not going to be a primary back at this level. The Seahawks must address this position this offseason. T.J. Houshmandzadeh was as much talk as production in his first season as a receiver in Seattle. Nate Burleson had a very nice season going until a late-season injury brought it to an early close. He is now an unrestricted free agent. The team may also cut ties with Deion Branch which would likely mean that Deon Butler would see an increased role next year along with perhaps another receiver not yet on the roster. John Carlson is an effective if under-utilized player at tight end.
St. Louis – After struggling once again behind a poor offensive line, it looks like Marc Bulger has likely played his last down as a Ram. Kyle Boller is next in line on the present roster, but look for the Rams to bring in a starter from the outside. Steven Jackson remains the focal point of the offense and is a rose hidden among the thorns that fill the current roster. The Rams need to secure his backup this season rather than the journeymen that fill that roll at this time. The receiver group is filled with youth and promise. Donnie Avery leads the group and he should return to be the No. 1 wide out for the team. Opposite him, the competition to start will be fierce among a group including Keenan Burton, Laurent Robinson and Brandon Gibson. 2009 starting tight end Randy McMichael will be a free agent, so expect the Rams to address this spot during the offseason.
Tampa Bay – Among the bigger surprises in the 2009 season was the play of rookie quarterback Josh Freeman. While he didn’t light the world on fire, he certainly exceeded the expectations that many had for him. Josh Johnson is an intriguing second-year talent behind Freeman who might be best used as trade bait. The Bucs added Derrick Ward as a premium free agent last year, but he did not come close to playing up to his contract. Instead, it was the re-emergence of Carnell Williams that provided the spark to the running attack. Neither player is more than average and while Williams did set some career highs in 2009, even the fact that he is a restricted free agent won’t generate a lot of interest elsewhere. Antonio Bryant is the team’s best receiver but after a season spent recovering from a knee injury, he’ll likely find himself elsewhere in 2010. That leaves Michael Clayton as the team’s best receiver and that is not a good thing. The team needs to look for talent in this area. Kellen Winslow was very productive in his first season at tight end in Tampa Bay.
Tennessee – Vince Young is a fine quarterback to have if you have a dominant running game and a very good defense to support him. He’ll be adequate for the Titans unless one of those two factors becomes a problem. Kerry Collins is making far too much money to be the backup here, but he seems willing to restructure his contract to remain a Titan. The team may go after another quarterback to come behind Collins next year. Chris Johnson was unbelievable in 2009 and should remain an elite back for the next few years if he remains healthy. LenDale White chose the final year of his contract to take his conditioning seriously, but it was too late to get significant carries. White is now a restricted free agent who could find himself elsewhere if the Titans were impressed enough with Javon Ringer or if they want to look elsewhere. Kenny Britt was drafted in Round 1 of the NFL Draft last year and he looks to be the real deal at receiver. Nate Washington isn’t a bad receiver, but the team overpaid for him last year. Justin Gage is the other primary receiver and while the team could do with an upgrade here, the offensive philosophy probably means this does not happen. At tight end, the Titans may opt to let Alge Crumpler, an unrestricted free agent, and Bo Scaife, a restricted free agent, leave the team and involve the physically gifted Jared Cook more.
Washington – As the 2009 season began, it looked like Jason Campbell was a lame-duck quarterback after the Redskins attempted to deal for Jay Cutler and then attempted to trade up in the draft for Mark Sanchez. It now appears the Campbell, a restricted free agent, will be asked to stay by Mike Shanahan. The bad news is that the invitation only extends until the team’s quarterback of the future, whoever that may be, is ready to take the field. Colt Brennan is the backup and is likely not that quarterback of the future. Clinton Portis had a rough year at running back and could be looking at injuries that are career threatening. Still, his mouth seems healthy as he continues to throw teammates under the bus. Ladell Betts played fairly well when called upon, but he too had a season-ending injury. The team should consider getting younger at this position. Santana Moss was his standard up and down self while Devin Thomas had a few games where he began to show some of the promise that he showed in college. Antwaan Randle El is best in the slot while Marko Mitchell is an intriguing player to watch. With Chris Cooley being an excellent tight end and the light finally coming on for Fred Davis behind him, moving Cooley to fill other needs is a possibility.
|
Team Needs for 2010
Feb 8 2010, 06:56 AM
