New pieces to the puzzle

The top 15 offseason moves

By KEITH SCHLEIDEN, Managing editor
As published in print July 26

Rams' Marshall Faulk

As teams gather at training camps around the country, curious fans wonder whether their favorite team will be improved. Every offseason, NFL teams attempt to improve the talent on their roster. One way to do that is to dip into the free-agent market. Another way is to work out a trade with another team.

In the past few months we have seen more than 100 players switch teams via free agency. And we have seen a multitude of players traded.

It’s now time to sort through all those moves and determine which will have the greatest impact on their new teams this season. Here are Pro Football Weekly’s top 15 offseason moves, including length, total amount and signing bonus (SB) of the contracts signed by free agents who changed teams.

The defending champions shored up what was one of its few trouble spots — pass defense — by adding Carter. Although he is coming off a subpar season in which he was plagued by injuries, Carter can be as good as any cornerback in the league when he is healthy. A transaction like this shows how serious the Broncos are about a Super Bowl three-peat.

With Dom Capers now running the defense, expect to see the Jaguars play much more aggressively on that side of the ball. Lake fits into those plans perfectly. In order for Capers’ plans to succeed, he needs an improved secondary. Lake automatically does that. Also, he will return to his more natural safety position. While Lake is a good cornerback, he is an exceptional safety. Don’t be surprised to see Lake blitz on occasion, as Capers likes to send ’em from all over the field.

Faulk is major factor in the Rams’ new offense — that is, if Faulk and the front office are able to agree on a new contract. He is currently holding out because his existing deal, which has two years remaining, wasn’t upgraded. If both sides get something worked out, the Rams will have a multifaceted running back who is coming off a stellar ’98 season. Faulk is an extraordinary pass catcher. He’s not just a safety valve either — Faulk is a primary target.

After getting by with so-so C’s Clay Shiver and Mike Kiselak the past couple of years, the entire Cowboys line has been upgraded by the signing of Stepnoski. After starting his career in Dallas, the 11th year pro will likely end his career with the Cowboys.

Yes, he’s earned the reputation of being somewhat injury-prone, but the Redskins believe that Johnson can stay healthy and be the type of quarterback that head coach Norv Turner has been searching for since coming to Washington in 1994. After making the trade with the Vikings, Charley Casserly stated that this move was about winning — and doing so now.

Miller gambled and lost. At the outset of the signing period, he expected a deal worth $6 million a season. But there were no takers at that price. After attracting little interest on the open market, the Cardinals attempted to bring him back for more money than the Browns eventually offered, but he rebuffed them. The end result is that the Browns got Miller, a run-stuffing linebacker who also excels at rushing the passer, at a bargain-basement price. If he gets off to a quick start this season, look for the Browns to try to sign him to a more lucrative long-term deal.

One of the areas of strength for the Browns is the offensive line. They shelled out $63 million worth of contracts to get OLT Lomas Brown, ORT Orlando Brown and C Dave Wohlabaugh. These signings will certainly impact the play of the quarterback. Ty Detmer will appreciate the protection if he winds up the starter. But the Browns were more interested in protecting their star rookie, Tim Couch, should he wind up behind center. The last thing the Browns want is for Couch to get shell-shocked and lose his confidence. Lomas Brown’s veteran presence at left tackle will go a long way toward preventing that.

Brown rounds out an awesome OT tandem. Not long ago another expansion team, the Jaguars, figured out the benefits of such an OT pairing, when they signed Leon Searcy to pair with Tony Boselli. Brown is huge and aggressive, a pair of traits his quarterbacks and running backs will grow to love.

Because of the scarcity of quality defensive ends, the Colts had to overpay to land Bratzke. But it’s hard to criticize the Colts for spending so much because Bratzke fills a major area of need. With his reputation of being an extremely hard worker, even if Bratzke doesn’t get the 11 sacks he had in 1998, his presence at right end will go a long way toward improving the front four. It’s doubtful that teams will be able to double-team him too often because of the presence of DT’s Ellis Johnson and Tony McCoy. (Note: The Colts went all out to upgrade their defense, which finished 29th overall in ’98. The additions of free agents Bratzke, LB Cornelius Bennett, DE Shawn King, S Chad Cota and LB Jeff Brady could really help turn this team around quickly.)

With head coach Mike Ditka investing the Saints’ future in RB Ricky Williams and a power running game, the addition of Wally Williams makes a lot of sense. The former Raven will line up at left guard, next to Pro Bowl-caliber OLT William Roaf. Expect to see New Orleans’ prize rookie running back rushing behind the duo very often.

With Michael Irvin coming off a disappointing season, coupled with head coach Chan Gailey’s affection for spreading the ball among many receivers, Ismail’s signing could be huge for the Cowboys’ offense. With outstanding speed, he is a legitimate deep threat who could really open things up for Irvin and QB Troy Aikman. Ismail’s signing, along with the presence of ex-Seahawk James McKnight and the re-signing of Ernie Mills, could lead Gailey to become quite creative in the passing game.

A season ago, the Eagles were dead last in offense and passing offense in the NFL. Obviously, major changes needed to be made. Johnson will become the No. 1 receiver in Philadelphia’s overhauled offense, which will be orchestrated by new head coach Andy Reid. Johnson is well-known to one member of the Eagles’ front office. While Eagle director of football operations Tom Modrak was with the Steelers, Pittsburgh made Johnson a first-round draft pick in 1994. Although the presence of Johnson won’t turn the Eagles’ offense into the Packers’ offense overnight, Philadelphia now has the red-chip receiver it had been lacking.

The Jets, as well as many NFL insiders, believe that Green is an upgrade at tight over Kyle Brady, who moved on to Jacksonville. When Green is healthy, he is more athletic than Brady. In clutch situations, Green is better at coming up with the big play than Brady. Considering that Bill Parcells is a TE-friendly coach, Green could play a big role in the Jets’ hopes for an AFC title run.

Many scouts described the Rams’ offensive line as soft last season. Timmerman is a very heady, durable player who never missed a game while playing for Green Bay. He ought to bring a new degree of toughness to the Rams’ OL unit while starting at right guard.

The punter is very important in Cleveland, considering that field position becomes so vital late in the season when the weather turns sour. Although he is coming from a dome team, Gardocki does have extensive foul-weather experience, as he spent his first four NFL seasons in Chicago. He brings excellent punting skills and has a great leg for kickoffs. In a pinch, he can also fill in as a placekicker. He was signed just days after the free-agent signing period began, which shows how much emphasis the Browns put on this position.

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