Cowboys Winners in FA - so far - Dallas Cowboys Forum

FLCowboyFan · 03-21-2005

NFL Off-Season Winners… So Far
From James Alder,
Your Guide to Football.
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Mar 21 2005

Although wholesale change through free agency is rarely a formula for success in the NFL, the free agent signing period still represents a hope for quick, significant upgrades in a roster’s overall talent. And with most of the premium free agents already off the market, along with a few key trades in the books, these are the teams that benefited the most… on paper anyway.
Minnesota Vikings - The Vikings traded away one of the most explosive players in the league in Randy Moss, but appear to have finally made significant progress on the defensive side of the ball, starting with linebacker Napolean Harris, who was included in the deal with the Raiders. The addition of Pat Williams at defensive tackle will allow Kevin Williams to slide over to the undertackle position, where he should become even more disruptive. Former Redskin Fred Smoot, paired with Antoine Winfield, gives the Vikings two solid cornerbacks, and the addition of the Packers Darren Sharper is an upgrade at safety despite the fact that he is on the downside of his career. Minnesota also added Ravens wide receiver Travis Taylor to help soften the blow of losing Moss, along with Jets linebacker Sam Cowart, and backup quarterback Brad Johnson.

Dallas Cowboys - The Cowboys also filled big needs with some key acquisitions, none more important than that of former Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Much of the team’s success next season will hinge on the success of the slow-footed signal caller, which is why Dallas also brought in offensive line help in ex-Packer guard Marco Rivera. On defense, the Cowboys plugged a couple holes, landing Bills free agent Anthony Henry and nose tackle Jason Ferguson of the Jets. Henry should be a solid starter at the No. 2 corner spot, a source of consistent concern in ‘04, and Ferguson gives Dallas the true nose tackle they needed to free up La’Roi Glover.

Carolina Panthers - The Panthers lost wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, but they couldn’t justify paying him the $11 million he was due in 2005. They did, however, fill holes on the offensive line and cornerback with a couple nice pick-ups. Ex-Packer Mike Wahle, who will be 28 later this month, could be used at guard or right tackle, and should go a long way toward re-solidifying this line. Former Seahawks defensive back Ken Lucas will be thrown into the mix at cornerback with second-year player Chris Gamble likely pushing Ricky Manning Jr. out of a starting role. Former Texan Marlon McCree was signed to add depth at safety.

Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens lost a talented player in cornerback Gary Baxter, but they replaced him with Samari Rolle, who was a salary-cap casualty of the Titans. They also finally succeeded in landing a legitimate threat at wide receiver in another former Tennessee player, Derrick Mason.

New York Giants - The Giants filled a huge hole on the offensive line with the addition of Jets offensive tackle Kareem McKenzie, who will likely play left tackle, which will allow Luke Petitgout to shift to right tackle where he is a better fit. They also added a big target for second-year QB Eli Manning with the recent signing of wide receiver Paxico Burress. The defense should also be given a boost by middle linebacker Antonio Pierce, who had a great season with the division-rival Redskins last year.
Honorable Mention: Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals

Eddie · 03-21-2005

I'm not too thrilled with the Henry and Rivera picks. I'm not really sure Henry is better than what we already have.

Rivera's back injury worries me. That's alot of money to be laying on the surgeon's table. Everyone here is confident he'll be fine ... but I'm not sure. 33 isn't a spring chicken either. I'm not sure I'd have spent that kind of money if I knew this surgery was gonna happen.

Qwickdraw · 03-21-2005

oooops

nm

boysfanindc · 03-21-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie

I'm not too thrilled with the Henry and Rivera picks. I'm not really sure Henry is better than what we already have.

Rivera's back injury worries me. That's alot of money to be laying on the surgeon's table. Everyone here is confident he'll be fine ... but I'm not sure. 33 isn't a spring chicken either. I'm not sure I'd have spent that kind of money if I knew this surgery was gonna happen.

Henry not better then what we already have?

You mean better then the six guys we ran out there last year?

If he turns his head and even looks for the ball he is better then anyone of the guys we ran out there last year.

PlayMaker88 · 03-21-2005

Henry is not better than what we already have???!!! What team were you watching last year??

**MichaelWinicki** · 03-21-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie

I'm not too thrilled with the Henry and Rivera picks. I'm not really sure Henry is better than what we already have.

Rivera's back injury worries me. That's alot of money to be laying on the surgeon's table. Everyone here is confident he'll be fine ... but I'm not sure. 33 isn't a spring chicken either. I'm not sure I'd have spent that kind of money if I knew this surgery was gonna happen.

I'm in agreement on Rivera's back.

I'm OK with Henry. He was the #1 corner with Cleveland and by all indications did OK. I think he's certainly and upgrade over what we had and actually I'm pretty pleased with our depth at corner at this point. Between Frazier and the other young guys I think we'll have our best crop of corners since Deion and Pup were still here.

Tio · 03-21-2005

Henry is so underrated

. Not a lot of people have heard about him up there in cleveland, so they would not know that he is their best db of a pass defense that (until last year) consistantly was in the top 10 in yardage...

PlayMaker88 · 03-21-2005

Nobody has heard of him in Cleveland?? What are you, drunk this early in the morning??

ravidubey · 03-21-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie

I'm not too thrilled with the Henry and Rivera picks. I'm not really sure Henry is better than what we already have.

Rivera's back injury worries me. That's alot of money to be laying on the surgeon's table. Everyone here is confident he'll be fine ... but I'm not sure. 33 isn't a spring chicken either. I'm not sure I'd have spent that kind of money if I knew this surgery was gonna happen.

Rivera's back injury sucks, but Henry??

OMG... Henry is a lot better than what we already have which is NOTHING. We have a bunch of nickel and dim guys and no solid #2 corner. Talk about a weakness! Henry out of the gate was a ten pick guy-- what's Ralph "Pete" Hunter done in three seasons combined?

I know it's fashionable to be pessimistic as a Cowboy fan these days, but yeesh!

Jarv · 03-21-2005

Didn't know we got Henry from the Bills...Opps...

Hoov · 03-21-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by boysfanindc

Henry not better then what we already have?

You mean better then the six guys we ran out there last year?

If he turns his head and even looks for the ball he is better then anyone of the guys we ran out there last year.

Funny

Arcanius64 · 03-21-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayMaker88

Nobody has heard of him in Cleveland?? What are you, drunk this early in the morning??

I think he meant not too many peeps outside of Cleveland have heard of him, hence would be why he might be underrated

Seven · 03-21-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie

I'm not too thrilled with the Henry and Rivera picks. I'm not really sure Henry is better than what we already have.

Rivera's back injury worries me. That's alot of money to be laying on the surgeon's table. Everyone here is confident he'll be fine ... but I'm not sure. 33 isn't a spring chicken either. I'm not sure I'd have spent that kind of money if I knew this surgery was gonna happen.

Man Eddie, was I ready to flame on and then I realized, poor thing, he's in a coma!

I agree with your Rivera prognosis dead on......Can ya hear me? Eddie? Blink once for yes.

AJM1613 · 03-21-2005

Cardnials get no love.