RF365 - Five teams that had great offseasons (and two popular delusions)

[HapHaszard]

http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2006/07/top-five-offseasons240706.html

With training camp approaching, the National Football League's offseason is officially winding to its end. After about six months of trades, signings, draft picks and cuts, the league is ready to start playing football again. This is great news for all fans who have sat through an uneventful spring and summer watching other sports that just don't seem to matter as much.

Of the league's 32 franchises, five had offseasons that truly stood out as elite - better than the rest. Outside of the five standout teams, there was a pair of all-too-common misconceptions among fans during the last half-year, and those need to be cleared up.

Here are the five organizations that vastly improved since March, when free agency opened:

click on the link above for the rest of the article

[bubba9497]

The Dallas Cowboys ' offensive additions will lead the unit to an elite level in '06."

On the contrary, the unit just isn't good enough to even lead the Cowboys to the playoffs. Quarterback Drew Bledsoe is still a major question mark, and receiver Terrell Owens' production won't end up being as great as many expect. In fact, he'll rival Keyshawn Johnson's numbers from last year - 71 receptions, 839 yards, six touchdowns. Head coach Bill Parcells wants a dictatorial ground attack, but oft-injured Julius Jones is still an unknown, as is second-year man Marion Barber III.

Dallas' offensive line isn't exactly top-notch, either. It lost future Hall of Fame guard Larry Allen and replaced him with big-money free agent Kyle Kosier, a somewhat unproven lineman formerly of the Detroit Lions . Meanwhile, neither left tackle Flozell Adams nor right tackle Jason Fabini have been overly impressive in the last few months. Adams is struggling to recover from a knee injury, while the 31-year-old Fabini was signed in free agency, but his best days are clearly behind him.



:D again I didn't write this

poke fans in t-minus 10, 9, 8, 7.......

[ArmchairRedskin]

:D again I didn't write this

poke fans in t-minus 10, 9, 8, 7.......



Somehow that whole part sound eerily familiar, though, doesn't it? The author must be an Extremeskins poster. No way somebody that's not a Redskins homer feels that way about the Cowboys, right? :)

[bubba9497]

Somehow that whole part sound eerily familiar, though, doesn't it? The author must be an Extremeskins poster. No way somebody that's not a Redskins homer feels that way about the Cowboys, right? :)


that's why I went on the record that it wasn't my writing, though it sure looks like most of it was plagiarized from the board :laugh:

not to mention the glowing review of the Skins off season at #3


3.) Washington Redskins - After a surprising 10-6 campaign in '05, the Redskins entered the offseason not necessarily in need of tons of help. However, owner Dan Snyder elected to spend some big-time cash on some big-name players. Some have worried about team chemistry with so many new names, but that's never been a problem under Hall of Fame head coach Joe Gibbs.

Offensively, the Redskins' key additions include two receivers - Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd. They also added veteran quarterback Todd Collins, who will serve as another capable teacher to second-year man Jason Campbell, a former first-round pick scheduled to sit behind 35-year-old Mark Brunell for another year or two. Don't underestimate the pickup of tight end Christian Fauria to replace the departed Robert Royal, either. The 250-pound tight end has never been a prolific receiver in his 11 seasons, but he's won two Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots serving as a key blocker.

Washington made three key moves on defense that should strongly aid an already elite unit in '06. Defensive end Andre Carter has been an elite pass-rusher in the past, but he was never surrounded by top-flight talent with the San Francisco 49ers . In D.C., he'll be a small fish in a big pond, which should take plenty of pressure off him.

The team's other big free agent signing was Adam Archuleta, a veteran strong safety from the St. Louis Rams . The blitzing specialist will replace Ryan Clark, an adequate player who bolted for Pittsburgh. Expect Archuleta and strong safety Sean Taylor to form a fierce tandem in the defensive backfield.

The 'Skins made some progress in the draft, selecting former Miami Hurricane star linebacker Rocky McIntosh with their top pick (second round). If he brings the same kind of leadership and performance to Washington, he'll be another in the long line of outstanding linebackers to come from Miami - Ray Lewis, Dan Morgan and Jon Vilma are the others in the current game.

Many believe the loss of outside linebacker LaVar Arrington will hurt the Redskins, but keep in mind he barely played last year, as he fell into defensive chief Gregg Williams' doghouse.

[THEHEREAFTER]

As I was reading this, I did actually think to myself this has gotta be either Art, Armchair, Bubba or Dirk Diggler. :laugh: ... but really what can we conclude other than the writer is a Cowboy hater? Some have us in the Super Bowl while some (like this writer) don't think we'll make the playoffs and T.O. won't out-perform Keyshawn in a Boys uniform? Who to believe? Thank God for real games! :cool:

[Live4Skins]

As I was reading this, I did actually think to myself this has gotta be either Art, Armchair, Bubba or Dirk Diggler. :laugh: ... but really what can we conclude other than the writer is a Cowboy hater? Some have us in the Super Bowl while some (like this writer) don't think we'll make the playoffs and T.O. won't out-perform Keyshawn in a Boys uniform? Who to believe? Thank God for real games! :cool:

Ok I admit it, I wrote it. :D The same goes for the skins in what will be accomplished this year. Glad to see someone who also realizes that the games have to be played sometime this season.

Peace, HTTR & TITTY!!!

[dallasfanforlife]

also found on realfootball365 was a nice article on the skins over paying Randel El.....i ll paste the last paragrah here cause i enjoyed it so much.

Undoubtedly, the Redskins and most of their fans believe in the new receiving corps, but don't be shocked if this project doesn't work out for the NFC contender. It seems like a classic case of Dan Snyder vastly overpaying for the wrong players. Only time will tell how this will turn out. However, if it doesn't work out, don't say I didn't tell you so.

[ArmchairRedskin]

also found on realfootball365 was a nice article on the skins over paying Randel El.....i ll paste the last paragrah here cause i enjoyed it so much.

Undoubtedly, the Redskins and most of their fans believe in the new receiving corps, but don't be shocked if this project doesn't work out for the NFC contender. It seems like a classic case of Dan Snyder vastly overpaying for the wrong players. Only time will tell how this will turn out. However, if it doesn't work out, don't say I didn't tell you so.


link?

[dallasfanforlife]

link?

lazy.....

http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2006/03/washington-redskins-receivers230306.html

and this was b4 Lloydd huge contract extension....

[ArmchairRedskin]

Wasn't the media consensus on Moss about the same last year? Too much money paid for a #3 or a #2 at best?

Guess we'll just have to take the field and play.




Also, why I gotta be lazy when it's the responsiblilty of the guy referencing an article to post a link? :mad: :laugh:



:dallasuck

[bubba9497]

Wasn't the media consensus on Moss about the same last year? Too much money paid for a #3 or a #2 at best?

Guess we'll just have to take the field and play.

and too much for system back Portis, washed up Brunell, overrated Chris Samuels (new contract), Bust Cornelius Griffin, nice but not overly talented Marcus Washington, and oft injured Shawn Springs


and we will be in Cap hell in 2001, 02,03,04,05,06,07.....


:laugh:

[bubba9497]

Also, why I gotta be lazy when it's the responsiblilty of the guy referencing an article to post a link? :mad: :laugh:
:dallasuck


and a board rule

[dallasfanforlife]

Wasn't the media consensus on Moss about the same last year? Too much money paid for a #3 or a #2 at best?

Guess we'll just have to take the field and play.




Also, why I gotta be lazy when it's the responsiblilty of the guy referencing an article to post a link? :mad: :laugh:



:dallasuck


my apologies. I was bein a bit of a smart *****...

So you arent buying it either way?

[dallasfanforlife]

and too much for system back Portis, washed up Brunell, overrated Chris Samuels (new contract), Bust Cornelius Griffin, nice but not overly talented Marcus Washington, and oft injured Shawn Springs


and we will be in Cap hell in 2001, 02,03,04,05,06,07.....


:laugh:

Cant be right about everything...even Gibbs messes up. No one is perfect. And given the past history of the skins and their FA's....chances are It wont work. I know i know...all pre God...i mean Gibbs...but like i said even Gibbs aint perfect.

[portis&taylor]

cool nice artical

[dallasfanforlife]

cool nice artical

WOW! now thats nice! Thats something we can all agree on.

[ArmchairRedskin]

my apologies. I was bein a bit of a smart *****...

So you arent buying it either way?



Overpaying is a term which is subjective at best. I mean, if Randle El makes a few key plays next year that turn out to be the difference between let's say the playoffs and sitting at home does it really matter what his total stats were for the season and what we pay him?

ARE plays big in big games. I think his overall stats are less important than what he brings to the table in crunch time. If we run a three receiver set, ARE has to be accounted for. He's slippery in space and he brings an extra element of surprise because he can pass the ball fairly well. Plus he's not too shabby at returning punts. Gibbs loves to win his field postion battles. He harps on that a lot.

As long as ARE's contract doesn't prohibit our spending elsewhere, I don't think we overpaid. He could very well earn his contract soley in the playoffs next season. When it matters most.

[Birdlives]

I know Bubba didn't write this stuff, not enough spelling errors! ;)

I love how we overpaid for ARE. A 5 mil bonus for a punt returner and jack of all trades WR? Most of the money he's supposedly making isn't until the end of the contract when the Skins will undoubtedly restructure. That's old news.

[jrockster21]

I know Bubba didn't write this stuff, not enough spelling errors! ;)

I love how we overpaid for ARE. A 5 mil bonus for a punt returner and jack of all trades WR? Most of the money he's supposedly making isn't until the end of the contract when the Skins will undoubtedly restructure. That's old news.


Shhhh....the rest of the league (or their fans, anyway) haven't figured out Snyder's "miracle contract trick" yet...:)

[bubba9497]

I know Bubba didn't write this stuff, not enough spelling errors! ;)
.



:doh: don't you start






:)