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Patriots RB
Antowain Smith
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Don’t fix it if it ain’t broken. That seems to be the philosophy of the
Patriots, who are following the same blueprint this offseason as the one that worked so
brilliantly last year. Rather than make a big, splashy free-agent signing, the Patriots
are making solid, relatively inexpensive moves. I really like what they have done this
offseason. Donald Hayes has been a productive player in the past, and he will provide some
size to a WR corps that really needs it. DE Rick Lyle provides the type of great character
you like to have. Besides these additions, I like a couple of the Patriots’ moves to
retain existing players on their roster. Antowain Smith isn’t going to be a
superstar, but he provided the ground game necessary for success last season. Ted Johnson
isn’t the player he once was, but by getting him to agree to a large pay cut, the
Patriots get to keep his veteran presence. Lastly, the Terry Glenn distraction has finally
been eliminated.
It seems like the formula for Super Bowl teams in recent years is to find a club that
made some solid progress the year before and has good, young talent ready to make a
quantum leap. The Browns fit that description. They improved greatly last season under
Butch Davis. They have terrific young cornerstone pieces in Tim Couch, Courtney Brown and
Gerard Warren. Lastly, they have made some quality free-agent additions in S Robert
Griffith, DL Kenard Lang and OT Ryan Tucker. If they draft a running back in the first
round of the draft, which I think they will, they could be poised to be a major player
next season.
Another team that fits this description is the Cardinals. They made nice progress last
season and have intriguing young talent in Jake Plummer, David Boston and Leonard Davis.
If the light ever goes on for RB Thomas Jones, this team really becomes interesting.
I’m not as quick to jump on the Cardinals’ bandwagon because, in addition to
concerns about their defensive talent, I’m not entirely sure if I should be excited
about their free-agent moves. CB Duane Starks and TE Freddie Jones are big-time
acquisitions if they produce at their maximum capacity. That said, both are coming off
subpar seasons. If they bounce back, the Cardinals become a very interesting team. If they
don’t, nothing hurts a team’s progress more than spending on free agents who
don’t live up to the money in their contracts.
Speaking of guys coming off subpar seasons, La’Roi Glover certainly fits the bill.
Two seasons ago, Glover was sensational. Last season his play slipped. For all the money
the Cowboys are paying him, they can’t afford for him to turn out to be a declining
player who has taken too much of a pounding. This is either going to turn out to be a
superb signing or a disaster. I don’t see a middle-of-the-road outcome.
I really like the Raiders’ signing of DT John Parrella. He’s the sort of
run-stuffing player who doesn’t make headlines but does make a difference.
Another defensive lineman who doesn’t get a lot of hype but I think will help his
new team is Steve White, who signed with the Jets. He’s got a good motor, makes
things happen and could give the Jets some flexibility across the defensive line.
I think the 49ers have had a good offseason in that they’ve been able to get some
quality pieces of the puzzle who were free agents to return. By inking OG Jeremy Newberry,
RB Garrison Hearst and FB Fred Beasley to new deals, the offense should continue to be
very strong. And while there is concern that Hearst could hit the wall at any time, you
have to be happy that Captain Comeback has been rewarded by his team.
Although I am reluctant to criticize the defensively challenged Vikings for signing
someone to that side of the ball, I think they paid an awful lot to sign DE Kenny Mixon
given his lack of a pass rush.
I don’t understand why everyone is all up in arms that Redskins head coach Steve
Spurrier is bringing back all of his ex-Gators on offense. He hasn’t overpaid for
guys like Jacquez Green, Reidel Anthony and Danny Wuerffel. At best, it turns out these
guys take a big step up in production by reuniting with Spurrier. At worst, Spurrier gets
to implement his offense with guys who will have a quick learning curve before ultimately
having to replace them.
I like the Redskins’ addition of LB Jessie Armstead. Yes, his play has slipped
dramatically. But they didn’t break the bank for him, and he can be a veteran
presence for rising star LaVar Arrington.
I don’t understand the big money the Chargers decided to pay Tim Dwight at all.
I’m not saying he can’t make the transition from kick returner/backup wideout to
starting wide receiver. Derrick Mason did it for the Titans. What I’m saying is that
it is very risky to give Dwight $15 million over five years when he has never been more
than a No. 3 wide receiver and a standout kick returner in the past. If he can’t
produce like a $15 million wide receiver, this contract will really hurt the Chargers.
Another WR signing I am even more skeptical of is the Lions’ decision to break the
bank on Az-Zahir Hakim. He has moments when he is an electrifying player, but he has to
show he can do it consistently. He is being paid to be an every-down receiver, and I have
my doubts that he can live up to that. Plus, turnovers have been a big problem with him.
This seems like a player who will tease you with his talent. One signing by the Lions I
did like was their acquisition of S Brian Walker, who was an underrated player for the
Dolphins.
Although some people’s reaction to the Colts’ signing of Qadry Ismail may
have been, "Why would a defensively challenged team spend money to upgrade a great
offense?" I think the move made sense. Ismail can plug the hole at the No. 2 WR spot
for Indianapolis if Reggie Wayne isn’t ready yet for the role, and what is important
to realize is that Ismail was not signed for huge dollars.
If you are looking for a free-agent sleeper, I give you WR Patrick Johnson. He signed
with a Jaguars team that has proved it can turn castoffs into stars at the WR position.
Remember, Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell were on the train to nowhere before turning
their careers around with the Jaguars.
OG Steve McKinney was a great addition for the Texans. He is a standout at his position
who is tough, hardworking and is still young. I think RB James Allen is a perfect
addition. He’s good enough to produce until they can eventually bring in someone
better in a year or two.
The Rams’ ability to re-sign DE Leonard Little was huge.
Bill Romanowski to the Raiders is perfect. |
