Saturday March 12th, 2005 Page updated at 12:00pm
NFL Free Agency Reviewed - Deep Thoughts
By: Q. Smyth
Senior Editor For WagerOnFootball.com

Our Thoughts On NFL Free Agency -- NFL Free Agency Tracker

Warner to Cardinals - In search of a starting opportunity, Kurt Warner found as good a chance as he'll get in Arizona. He's ostensibly being brought in to compete with Josh McCown, but since McCown couldn't keep the job from the likes of Shaun King and John Navarre last year, Warner will get a chance to build on last year's start with the Giants. He's not an MVP anymore, but he's shown that he's not necessarily ready to be put out to pasture, either.

Griffith to Cardinals - Dennis Green adds a name from his Minnesota Vikings days as Robert Griffith brings a veteran presence to the Arizona secondary. Griffith's arrival should allow Adrian Wilson to play at free safety and continue to make plays. Cleveland should give Sean Jones, last year's second-round pick, first look at strong safety.

Kennedy to Lions - Heavy-hitting strong safety Kenoy Kennedy adds some jam to Detroit's squad. Even though incumbent Bracy Walker was re-signed, the younger and more physical Kennedy figures to start. Denver will give Nick Ferguson the first look at safety beside John Lynch, though the team may look for help in the draft, too.

Holcomb to Bills - Now that Buffalo has handed over the reigns to second-year pro J.P. Losman, it makes sense to add a veteran backup and Kelly Holcomb is one of the better second-stringers in the league. He can handle starting a couple games at a time, and he's usually quite productive when he does.

Jordan to Raiders - Suddenly, following the acquisition of Randy Moss, the Raiders have re-made their offense by adding LaMont Jordan as their starting running back. Jordan had been biding his time as Curtis Martin's backup, but his productivity made it evident that he was ready to take a starting job somewhere. A powerful runner with good speed, Jordan figures to have a breakout campaign in 2005.

Bell to Chiefs - Desperate to improve their defense, Kansas City took a shot with LB Kendrell Bell, who managed eight tackles in an injury-riddled 2004 season. The former defensive rookie of the year is very good, when healthy, with pass-rushing instincts along with good size and speed. Bell can start in the middle or, if need be, on the strong side in Kansas City. He'll be replaced in Pittsburgh by Larry Foote, who filled in well during Bell's absences last season.

Claiborne to Rams - An impressive physical specimen, Chris Claiborne has yet to reach expectations in the pros. However, he is still an upgrade for St. Louis' linebacking unit and he should add some size, either to the middle or strongside, depending on which way the Rams want to go. Minnesota could afford to let Claiborne leave because they acquired Napoleon Harris from the Raiders in the Randy Moss trade.

Coakley to Rams - The day after being cut by the Cowboys for cap reasons, Dexter Coakley found a new home in St. Louis. A veteran who still has good speed in coverage, Coakley is an above average weakside linebacker, better than what the Rams have been going with in recent seasons. In Dallas, there was talk that the Cowboys wanted to get bigger -- especially if they do to the 3-4 system -- so it looks like Bradie James will get an opportunity to start.

Blaylock to Jets - New York acted quickly to get Jordan's replacement, adding former Chiefs RB Derrick Blaylock. A speedy third-down back, Blaylock showed surprising durability as a feature back when Priest Holmes was hurt, and he should be a fine complement to Curtis Martin in the Jets' backfield. Blaylock's departure from Kansas City keeps Larry Johnson firmly entrenched as Holmes' primary backup.

Mason to Ravens - Baltimore has been looking for adequate ball catchers for some time and, finally, they have a solid go-to guy for young QB Kyle Boller. Mason isn't flashy, but he found his way to an NFL-leading 96 catches in 2004, numbers that dwarf his predecessors in Baltimore. From Tennessee's point of view, they may need to address the loss of Mason because Drew Bennett is the Titans' only reliable receiver, with Tyrone Calico seemingly first in line for the other starting job at this point.

Patten to Redskins - As Washington re-configures its offense, deep threat David Patten seems a bit of an odd choice. He averaged 18.2 yards per catch with the Patriots last year, and he's been a contributor to the Pats' Super Bowl success, but the veteran is also not particularly big, so it remains to be seen who will become Patrick Ramsey's possession receiver. In New England, they will look to Bethel Johnson or perhaps P.K. Sam to move into the depth receiver role vacated by Patten.

Henry to Cowboys - After Dallas trotted out a number of rookies and unproven types across from Terence Newman last year, it was obvious that the secondary needed a major upgrade. Anthony Henry has good size and, while he's unlikely to live up to his 10 rookie picks, he is much better than the riff-raff the Cowboys used at the position last season. Cleveland addressed the loss by signing...

 

Baxter to Browns - Gary Baxter is a big, physical corner who can also play safety. He brings much-needed size to the Cleveland secondary and should be a good fit in Romeo Crennel's defensive system. Baltimore was willing to let Baxter walk so that they could bring in Rolle.

 

Lucas to Panthers - A talented yet inconsistent young corner, Ken Lucas really solidifies the Carolina secondary. Now that Lucas has one starting job, Ricky Manning Jr. and Chris Gamble will battle for the other one, with the loser set as one of the league's best nickelbacks. Unless they sign someone, Seattle will have to hope that veteran Bobby Taylor can stay healthy or that youngster Kris Richard can handle a greater workload.

Wilson to Steelers - Expecting the departure of Plaxico Burress, the Steelers added WR Cedrick Wilson. Wilson doesn't bring the kind of down-the-field threat that Burress did, but he's a surehanded veteran whose presence in the slot will allow Antwan Randle-El to move into the starting lineup. San Francisco's receiving corps appears to be in a state of flux with unproven youngsters Brandon Lloyd and Rashaun Woods the top two on the depth chart right now. 

Rivera to Cowboys - One of the tougest and most durable offensive linemen in the league, Marco Rivera will definitely bolster Dallas' line. An interior consisting of Rivera, Larry Allen and Al Johnson should also give Drew Bledsoe the kind of time he needs in the pocket. The Packers have a couple of holes at guard, and there has been talk that one of them will be filled by RT Mark Tauscher, with Kevin Barry moving into the starting lineup at right tackle. Otherwise, it could mean either Scott Wells or Mike Flanagan shift from centre.

Wahle to Panthers - The other half of the Packers' guard tandem, Mike Wahle is a fine addition to the Carolina offensive line. The initial indication is that Wahle is going to remain at left guard, where he'll play alongside tackle Jordan Gross, but there is some feeling that Wahle might be able to handle tackle. It will likely depend on what other pieces the Panthers can add.

Mayberry to Saints - A physical run blocker, Jermane Mayberry should bolster New Orleans' rushing attack, likely pushing Kendyl Jacox to a reserve interior line role behind centre LeCharles Bentley and guard Montrae Holland. Mayberry was injured quite a bit over the past two seasons (playing 17 of 32 games), so the Eagles should be set with Artis Hicks and Shawn Andrews at the guard positions.

Andruzzi to Browns - Three Super Bowl rings bring notice to this lunchpail worker's game. Joe Andruzzi isn't the most skilled technician, but he's a steady veteran who isn't afraid to get down and dirty in the trenches. He will help solidify Cleveland's offensive line -- one of the league's worst units the past few seasons. For the time being, it appears that New England will fill the gap, created by Andruzzi's departure, with Russ Hochstein, a journeyman guard who has started in the past for the Patriots.

Okeafor to Cardinals - With Bertrand Berry wreaking havoc from one end, and now Chike Okeafor coming from the other, it appears that the Arizona Cardinals will finally have a pass rush. Okeafor's departure leaves the Seahawks looking for help, as Antonio Cochran would be slated to take over the position.

Carter to Dolphins - Released by Tennessee, Kevin Carter quickly found a new home in Miami where he'll join Vonnie Holliday and Jason Taylor, with the possibility that Carter or Holliday shuffles inside to tackle. Carter played some tackle with the Titans and he's a valuable player who can both rush the passer as well as hold up against the run, particularly when he plays the strong end position. Tennessee drafted a lot of young linemen last year, including Travis LaBoy and Antwan Odom, so they will have to hope that the young guys are capable of filling the void left by Carter's move.

Williams to Vikings - In an effort to shake the team's soft defense image, the Minnesota went out and got one of the best pure run-stuffers in the game. Pat Williams had a productive career in Buffalo and he'll team with Kevin Williams to give the Vikings one of the better defensive tackle tandems in the league. On the other hand, the Bills are looking at the likes of Ron Edwards and Tim Anderson hopefully stepping up to handle the job next to Sam Adams on the interior of the Buffalo line.

 

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