CBS: Five who thrived: Picking the offseason winners

[bubba9497]

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10172491




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Five who thrived: Picking the offseason winners


Free-agency is down to a trickle. The draft is long gone. Mini-camps are underway. And the police blotter is void of Cincinnati Bengals.

Meaning? Meaning it's a new year, and the perfect time to assess who took the biggest steps while football was away. So let's get going. Here are five of my favorites:

New England Patriots
I'll make this one simple: No one had a better offseason than the Patriots.


Wes Welker will take over return duties for the Pats. (Getty Images)
There. That was easy.

The club that last year was one minute from another Super Bowl added linebacker Adalius Thomas, wide receivers Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Kelley Washington and Donte' Stallworth, tight end Kyle Brady and safety Brandon Meriweather. Put them together and, yeah, I'd say the Patriots are better now than they were four months ago.

Sure, there are guys with issues on that list, but there's a lot of talent, too, and coach Bill Belichick is confident the talent will outweigh the baggage that accompanies it. And maybe it will. All I know is that the Patriots are loaded, addressing so many needs in the offseason they are at or near the top of everyone's Super Bowl XLII guest list.

Here's why: Thomas was one of the league's top two unrestricted free agents ... but only if he went to the right defense. Well, he did.

Then there was that hole at wide receiver. The Pats plugged it with Moss, Stallworth, Welker and Washington, and that's a huge fix -- if, that is, Moss and Stallworth stay healthy and Moss can stay interested. He didn't in Oakland, but that happens when you play for the '62 Mets.

Welker might be the best pickup of all. He's a sure-handed receiver who led Miami with 67 catches. Plus, he's a terrific return specialist who can step in on kickoffs for Laurence Maroney now that he's the No. 1 back.

Kyle Brady makes sense because he's one of the best blocking tight ends in the business. Plus, I just like the idea of another Brady in the huddle.

Lastly, there's Meriweather, and I don't want to debate the guy's ability. He's a first-round talent, which is why the Patriots took him with the 24th choice. But he's such a character risk several clubs removed his name from their boards.

"There are only a handful of coaches who could get away with a pick like that," one scout said, "and Bill Belichick is one of them."

Meriweather is Rodney Harrison waiting to happen ... if he can stay out of trouble.

Bottom line: This club has more talent than it did a year ago, and it still has Tom Brady. That's how you return to the Super Bowl.

[Riggo#44]

Sure, there are guys with issues on that list, but there's a lot of talent, too, and coach Bill Belichick is confident the talent will outweigh the baggage that accompanies it. And maybe it will. All I know is that the Patriots are loaded, addressing so many needs in the offseason they are at or near the top of everyone's Super Bowl XLII guest list.

Bottom line: This club has more talent than it did a year ago, and it still has Tom Brady. That's how you return to the Super Bowl.

Yeah we've seen this before - lots of talent, but lots of egos. Before I get bashed the Pats deserve the benefit of the doubt - they are the most successful franchise this decade.

However, ESPN is reporting grumbling in the locker room:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=chadiha_jeffri&id=2864062&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab4pos2

We shall see if this works - but in the past - it has not.

[Boozie3000]

Great finds on tha article Riggo

LOOKS LIKE THE SKINS FRONT OFFICE ISN'T THE POLAR OPPOSITE OF THE PATS DUMBASSES!

[HEavyJumbo85]

Great finds on tha article Riggo

LOOKS LIKE THE SKINS FRONT OFFICE ISN'T THE POLAR OPPOSITE OF THE PATS DUMBASSES!

firm but fair :laugh:

[No_Pressure]

The Five who thrived: Picking the offseason winner

by The-Rock

May 10th 2000
Yes, it was a great year for the 2000 Washington Redskins.

Coming off a great 1999 season in which the Redskins went 10-6, won the NFC East, and were one fumbled snap away from the conference championship, the skins didn't have very many holes to plug in the first place.

The offense (which ranked 2nd in the NFL) was spectacular, and we can expect another great season out of Brad Johnson who threw for 4,005 yards and 24 touchdowns, both career bests. Stephen Davis came into his own in 1999 with over 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns. High draft pick Michael Westbrook finally seems to be living up to his potential as he compiled 1,191 yards and 9 touchdowns on just 65 receptions.

Combine that with a young, tough offensive line and offensive guru Norv Turner calling the plays and it seems this team is primed to be at the top of the NFL in 2000 as well.

Going into the offseason they had a few areas to improve in on defense however, with a unit that finished 24th in the NFL. Things started off with a bang in free agency however as the Redskins signed 33 year old veteran Deion Sanders, one of the top cornerbacks in the game, to play alongside another top corner, Darrell Green as well as budding young star Champ Bailey.

The improvements to the secondary didn't stop there however, the team also upgraded at the safety position by signing 3 time pro-bowler Mark Carrier, who was a key player on many good Chicago defenses in the early 90's.

The improvements didn't stop there either, as the team signed 11 time pro bowl defensive end Bruce Smith to improve the pass rush. Smith, a potential future hall of famer, is sure to compliment defensive tackle Dan Wilkenson (8 sacks in 1999), defensive end Marco Coleman (6.5 sacks in 1999) and 3 time pro bowl defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield.

While Derek Smith (97 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception) and Shawn Barber (101 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions) had very good years at the linebacker position, the team lacked a true 3rd linebacker- that was, until the draft when they added Penn State star and physical freak LaVar Arrington, who is sure to bolster the defense and become a star in Washington for years to come.

Yes, the Redskins, a 10-6 team that was almost in the championship game last year has kept it's great players and added even more legendary talent to the roster. I think with these pieces in place, nothing will stop them from getting to superbowl 35 this season.

In other news, the Baltimore Ravens are this year's offseason losers. They haven't done anything to improve on a team that was 8-8. Whatever they are doing in Baltimore isn't working thus far- I don't see this team making any sort of a playoff run, in fact, they will be lucky to finish 8-8 again this year.

------------------------

See? I can make intelligent predictions too. CROWN NEW ENGLAND, THEY IS WINNINGS THE OFFSEASONS.

[OWUeagleMD]

In other news, the Baltimore Ravens are this year's offseason losers. They haven't done anything to improve on a team that was 8-8. Whatever they are doing in Baltimore isn't working thus far- I don't see this team making any sort of a playoff run, in fact, they will be lucky to finish 8-8 again this year.

.

Your main point is well-taken. But, if anyone said this about the Ravens before the 2000 season they would have been foolish. They would have been equally foolish to predict a Super Bowl, but this would have been a silly prediction all the same.

They were one of the top defenses in 1999 and finished the year winning something like 3 of their final four. Priest Holmes had his first year as a full-time back and gained 1,000 yards. Then, they drafted Jamal Lewis, signed Shannon Sharpe, Ben Coates and Trent Dilfer as insurance for Tony Banks.

They may not have been a trendy pick for anything, but I can't imagine them being called "offseason losers."

Your point is unchanged. Just thought I'd add a bit of perspective.

[No_Pressure]

I'm just giving perspective however, the 2000 Redskins looked like they made all the right moves, and while the Ravens weren't the off season losers, they weren't exactly the talk of the NFL either. The point is unchanged, yes. A team can make all the right moves, look perfectly primed for greatness, then fall flat on their face, while a team many didn't expect to succeed goes on to greatness.

An example could be the Redskins, Steelers, Bengals, Panthers, Jaguars, Bucs, Seahawks, Dolphins (crowned offseason champions last year) last season. The list could even go on.

[Tom [Giants fan]]

The Patriots won't stand for egos. No matter what they gave up or signed them for, if someone is a distraction and thinks he is better than the rest of the team, he won't be a Pat for long.

[ntotoro]

These articles come out every year and typically only one of the teams mentioned has a good season. This year will probably be no different.

[Riggo#44]

']The Patriots won't stand for egos. No matter what they gave up or signed them for, if someone is a distraction and thinks he is better than the rest of the team, he won't be a Pat for long.

Isn't that what the Redskins do? (Arrington, Archuleta, Coles, Bailey - just to name a few)

[Califan007]

Isn't that what the Redskins do? (Arrington, Archuleta, Coles, Bailey - just to name a few)
Archuletta had an ego problem while here?

[No_Pressure]

Isn't that what the Redskins do? (Arrington, Archuleta, Coles, Bailey - just to name a few)

No, there is a clear difference. When the Patriots realize they made a mistake and release a player, they are smart and making a real tough in your face move to stand up against troublesome egos.

When Dan Snyder does it, he is sheepishly trying to negate his losses so he has more money to spend, or as the media says, waste.

So just for clarification:

Redskins release/trade a pricey free agent who didn't work out. Media reaction: REDSKINS BAD!!! DAN SNYDER STUPID JERK!!!

Patriots release/trade a pricey free agent who didn't work out. Media reaction: The Patriots are heros and make all the right moves all the time! It was a right move to sign the troublesome player, and it was the right move to release him also! They can do no wrong! Hooray, New England is the greatest team in the history of the universe! Bill Belichick could drive on the wrong side of the road and not get in legal trouble, because just being Bill Belichick made it the correct side of the road to be driving on!

[TonyRomoProBowl]

No, there is a clear difference. When the Patriots realize they made a mistake and release a player, they are smart and making a real tough in your face move to stand up against troublesome egos.

When Dan Snyder does it, he is sheepishly trying to negate his losses so he has more money to spend, or as the media says, waste.

So just for clarification:

Redskins release/trade a pricey free agent who didn't work out. Media reaction: REDSKINS BAD!!! DAN SNYDER STUPID JERK!!!

Patriots release/trade a pricey free agent who didn't work out. Media reaction: The Patriots are heros and make all the right moves all the time! It was a right move to sign the troublesome player, and it was the right move to release him also! They can do no wrong! Hooray, New England is the greatest team in the history of the universe! Bill Belichick could drive on the wrong side of the road and not get in legal trouble, because just being Bill Belichick made it the correct side of the road to be driving on!


i hear ya....but the difference is WINNING. The Pats can do no wrong, while they are a dominant franchise with a "legit" shot at the SB every year. thats just the way it is.

[No_Pressure]

The skins get Clinton Portis, right away he's just a system back and we didn't get enough value out of Champ Bailey...in fact, ignoring that Champ didn't want to be here, why did we trade him in the first place!? Stupid Redskins.

The skins get Santana Moss and get rid of an unhappy Coles. Stupid Redskins.

The Patriots get rid of unhappy Deion Branch, replace him with Daunte Stallworth or something. Great move pats!

The skins draft Sean Taylor instead of Kellen Winslow Jr. Stupid Redskins.

The skins grab Chris Cooley in the same draft. Chris who? Stupid Redskins.

The skins trade up for Jason Campbell...a sure top 5 pick next season to the Broncos for the QB out of Auburn?!? Stupid Redskins.

The skins pay for Antwaan Randle-El to catch a few passes and return punts- Stupid Redskins

The Patriots pay more for Wes Welker...let me say that again. The Patriots pay MORE MONEY THAN THE REDSKINS PAID FOR RANDLE-EL for Wes Welker to return their kicks and catch a few passes. Great move pats!!!!!

The Redskins step on a cockroach...jerkoff Redskin bastards are killing innocent creatures of god!

The Patriots step on a cockroach...good work New England, that roach was probably carrying a deadly virus or something that could have killed off humanity!



What should winning have to do with it? The Cardinals never win and they drafted Larry Fitzgerald, who has had a very good young career. Does that mean he was not as good of an aquisition as Brandon Stokley was to the Colts, because Stokley plays for a good team??? What a load of crap these media people are.

[TonyRomoProBowl]

The skins get Clinton Portis, right away he's just a system back and we didn't get enough value out of Champ Bailey...in fact, ignoring that Champ didn't want to be here, why did we trade him in the first place!? Stupid Redskins.

The skins get Santana Moss and get rid of an unhappy Coles. Stupid Redskins.

The Patriots get rid of unhappy Deion Branch, replace him with Daunte Stallworth or something. Great move pats!

The skins draft Sean Taylor instead of Kellen Winslow Jr. Stupid Redskins.

The skins grab Chris Cooley in the same draft. Chris who? Stupid Redskins.

The skins trade up for Jason Campbell...a sure top 5 pick next season to the Broncos for the QB out of Auburn?!? Stupid Redskins.

The skins pay for Antwaan Randle-El to catch a few passes and return punts- Stupid Redskins

The Patriots pay more for Wes Welker...let me say that again. The Patriots pay MORE MONEY THAN THE REDSKINS PAID FOR RANDLE-EL for Wes Welker to return their kicks and catch a few passes. Great move pats!!!!!

The Redskins step on a cockroach...jerkoff Redskin bastards are killing innocent creatures of god!

The Patriots step on a cockroach...good work New England, that roach was probably carrying a deadly virus or something that could have killed off humanity!



What should winning have to do with it? The Cardinals never win and they drafted Larry Fitzgerald, who has had a very good young career. Does that mean he was not as good of an aquisition as Brandon Stokley was to the Colts, because Stokley plays for a good team??? What a load of crap these media people are.


Winning has evrything to do with it. PERIOD!

What is it you want to hear?

[Riggo#44]

Winning has evrything to do with it. PERIOD!

What is it you want to hear?

ESPN is based in Brisol, CT - essentially in NE. Peter King is a notorious Bellicheck/Patriots leg-humper. Bias my friend.

In all honesty - this much turnover is hard to overcome - no matter how great your locker room is.

And if that ESPN article is true - it sounds like it is starting to crumble.

[Koolblue13]

The Browns have a legit shot at being the most improved team every year, just like the Cards, Lions and the Texans. I know at least 3 of those teams will be the most improved teams with a top 10 draft choice next year.


Only difference between the Pats this year and the Skins last year is winning. If we win and they lose, we will be the model. Ya know what stinks, if we do win this year. We go to the Superbowl, the media will say it was because we had a normal offseason. Won't matter that we did it with a load of previously aquired FA's.

[Birdlives]

']The Patriots won't stand for egos. No matter what they gave up or signed them for, if someone is a distraction and thinks he is better than the rest of the team, he won't be a Pat for long.

Granted, but when you fill a lockeroom with egos, you can only cut so many before you end up cutting off your own nose.

[TonyRomoProBowl]

ESPN is based in Brisol, CT - essentially in NE. Peter King is a notorious Bellicheck/Patriots leg-humper. Bias my friend.

In all honesty - this much turnover is hard to overcome - no matter how great your locker room is.

And if that ESPN article is true - it sounds like it is starting to crumble.

Maybe they are slightly biased, but come on you dont think it would be much worse for the pats if they made these types of moves, yet went 5-11 or 6-10?

Your right, turnover at this proportion is never good, and hopefully...if the Football Gods are with me, the Pats will go 3-13....but in reality they will be in the playoffs and will be a "legit" SB contender!

[Riggo#44]

Maybe they are slightly biased, but come on you dont think it would be much worse for the pats if they made these types of moves, yet went 5-11 or 6-10?

Your right, turnover at this proportion is never good, and hopefully...if the Football Gods are with me, the Pats will go 3-13....but in reality they will be in the playoffs and will be a "legit" SB contender!

They'll take a shot at the Redskins. If it fails - Len Fatassarelli will compare them to the Redskins.

[Califan007]

Bill Belichick could drive on the wrong side of the road and not get in legal trouble, because just being Bill Belichick made it the correct side of the road to be driving on!
:laugh: :laugh:

[No_Pressure]

Maybe they are slightly biased, but come on you dont think it would be much worse for the pats if they made these types of moves, yet went 5-11 or 6-10?

Your right, turnover at this proportion is never good, and hopefully...if the Football Gods are with me, the Pats will go 3-13....but in reality they will be in the playoffs and will be a "legit" SB contender!

A team's winning status shouldn't mean anything when it comes to analyzing moves. Period. Objective journalism is dead if 2 teams could make the same or similar moves and its a good move for one team because they won last year, and its a bad move for the other team because they lost last year.

The Redskins did well in 2005 and they still got **** in the 2006 off season. Explain what that means, when we win and still take a lot of crap for our moves.

[skinfan2k]

The Redskins did well in 2005 and they still got **** in the 2006 off season. Explain what that means, when we win and still take a lot of crap for our moves.


look at the manner we won, we were a 1 yr wonder.

[OWUeagleMD]

This thread is unbelievable to me.

[bubba9497]

This thread is unbelievable to me.


well then I guess it doesn't exist then :laugh:

[bubba9497]

BTW the part that has me laughing is the notion, Stallworth, Washington, and Welker are suddenly great WR's and a huge upgrade.. the best WR Brady ever had ... yadda, yadda

Stallworth & Washington both former Vols... but neither have had anything close to a great career so far, and Washington has never been more than a #4 since coming into the league

[OWUeagleMD]

BTW the part that has me laughing is the notion, Stallworth, Washington, and Welker are suddenly great WR's and a huge upgrade.. the best WR Brady ever had ... yadda, yadda

Stallworth & Washington both former Vols... but neither have had anything close to a great career so far, and Washington has never been more than a #4 since coming into the league

That's the part that confuses me about it too. Moss and Thomas are top tier players, but the other guys they've brought in are more sound and fury than significance.

But I still wish Stallworth was an Eagle.

[No_Pressure]

Stallworth could be a good #1 if he could stay healthy, but he can't so he is a good #2.

Everyone made a huge deal about Welker which is was pisses me off. He is dubbed an amazing special teamer, yet he has 1 kick return for a TD in his career, his kick return average last season was 22.2 (Rock Cartwright averaged 24.1) he has never taken a punt for a touchdown.

His recieving stats are comparable to Randle-El's production, he simply had the ball thrown his way more often. He doesn't bring the versatility of being a QB however.

I don't know why this Welker guy is an amazing addition to any football team while Randle-El is an over-payed, over-valued asset.

I don't hate the Patriot's moves, but I don't see why their moves automatically make them the greatest without a doubt, and I don't like how the Patriot's **** doesn't stink as every other NFL team that goes on a risky spending spree is retarded, but the Patriots are somehow not.

[OWUeagleMD]

Stallworth could be a good #1 if he could stay healthy, but he can't so he is a good #2.

Everyone made a huge deal about Welker which is was pisses me off. He is dubbed an amazing special teamer, yet he has 1 kick return for a TD in his career, his kick return average last season was 22.2 (Rock Cartwright averaged 24.1) he has never taken a punt for a touchdown.

His recieving stats are comparable to Randle-El's production, he simply had the ball thrown his way more often. He doesn't bring the versatility of being a QB however.

I don't know why this Welker guy is an amazing addition to any football team while Randle-El is an over-payed, over-valued asset.

I don't hate the Patriot's moves, but I don't see why their moves automatically make them the greatest without a doubt, and I don't like how the Patriot's **** doesn't stink as every other NFL team that goes on a risky spending spree is retarded, but the Patriots are somehow not.

I think you're being a bit sensitive.

There have been plenty of people questioning the Welker addition, both the fact that he got too much money and that they gave up too many picks. I'd say mroe people have questioned the move than lauded it.

Plenty more people have questioned the logic in brining Randy Moss to the fold, both because of the locker room adjustment and because they had already rebuilt the receiving corps. I'd say the reaction to this move has been essentially split down the middle.

And the Redskins weren't resoundingly dismissed after last offseason. There were plenty of critics, but there were also plenty of people picking them to win the division last season. Also, the source of criticism was largely the deja-vue nature of the Redskins' offseason strategy. Plenty of reasonable people looked at the moves and though "the Redskins have done this before. This has not worked for the Redskins before." Recent history did not afford them the benefit of doubt. The Patriots, despite the perceived philosophy change, have at least earned a slight benefit of doubt.

Weighing all of those factors before reacting is the definition of objective journalism, even if it leads an observer away from neutrality.

[No_Pressure]

I think you're being a bit sensitive.

There have been plenty of people questioning the Welker addition, both the fact that he got too much money and that they gave up too many picks. I'd say mroe people have questioned the move than lauded it.

Plenty more people have questioned the logic in brining Randy Moss to the fold, both because of the locker room adjustment and because they had already rebuilt the receiving corps. I'd say the reaction to this move has been essentially split down the middle.

And the Redskins weren't resoundingly dismissed after last offseason. There were plenty of critics, but there were also plenty of people picking them to win the division last season. Also, the source of criticism was largely the deja-vue nature of the Redskins' offseason strategy. Plenty of reasonable people looked at the moves and though "the Redskins have done this before. This has not worked for the Redskins before." Recent history did not afford them the benefit of doubt. The Patriots, despite the perceived philosophy change, have at least earned a slight benefit of doubt.

Weighing all of those factors before reacting is the definition of objective journalism, even if it leads an observer away from neutrality.

I want to read the news sources you read, because all of mine are collectivly ejaculating on the Patriots and have been for about 3 months now :laugh:

[pjfootballer]

Welker used to kill the Patriots. So they figured if you can't beat him, make him join you.

I was watching something about the 10 best draft steals and Deion Branch was mentioned along with David Givens. NE could have 2 starting WR's if only they'd have ponied up a few bucks.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. NE is desperate. The luster of 3 out of 4 SB's has worn off and they are suddenly beatable. They haven't been in the SB for 2 years and the pressure is on to get back before the team starts to age more than it already has.

[jimster]

on the 49er's


Once the Ebenezer Scrooges of the NFL, the Niners suddenly and inexplicably became the George Steinbrenners of pro football, spending big bucks on free-agent veterans and high draft picks in a frantic effort to make themselves better.



Well, this just in: The plan worked. They are better.

They added free-agent cornerback Nate Clements, one of the best at his position. They traded for wide receiver Darrell Jackson, the Seahawks' top receiver, and drafted Washington State burner Jason Hill. They picked up underrated linebacker and special-teams ace Tully Banta-Cain from New England and strong safety Michael Lewis from Philadelphia. They drafted linebacker Patrick Willis and tackle Joe Staley and ... voila, just like that the 49ers look like a team that -- dare I say it? -- has a chance in the NFC West.


so the 9ers sunk all this money into players, and he declares "the plan worked" .....say what? I didn't know we started playing games yet this year.

[Califan007]

look at the manner we won, we were a 1 yr wonder.
At the time of the criticism we weren't, though...nobody knew how we'd do. We were simply criticized for the moves REGARDLESS of whether we had just made the playoffs. Winning was irrelevant.

[Matt [Redskins Fan]]

Jesus Christ, I had no idea they got Randy Moss.

I hate to say it but Tom Brady + Randy Moss + The Pats should dominate everyone this year. I will be a Skins fan til I die but I will be watching every Pats game this year.