Post by EagleGene on Mar 13, 2006 2:31:34 GMT -5
A LOOK AROUND THE NFC EAST
March 12, 2006
By DAVE SPADARO
The NFC East has traditionally been one of the most active divisions when it comes to free agency. This year has been no different, with the Giants adding cornerback Sam Madison and Washington bringing aboard two receivers, Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd.
Let's take a look at the changes and impact of those changes to the landscape of the NFC East as it stands now.
DALLAS COWBOYS
What They've Done: Dallas has invested in the offensive line, signing guard Kyle Kosier to a five-year contract worth a reported $15 million, including a $5 million signing bonus. Kosier started 11 games for Detroit last season and has played both guard and tackle in his NFL career (he started his career as a seventh-round draft pick in San Francisco).
The Cowboys also re-signed offensive lineman Andre Gurode, who is expected to compete for the starting job at center.
Dallas has also hosted linebaker Akin Ayodele from Jacksonville, although no contract announcement was in place as of Sunday night.
What's Ahead: The Cowboys could release standout offensive guard Larry Allen, who is due a roster bonus on April 1. The speculation is rampant that Allen and head coach Bill Parcells are having troubles, which could lead to the end of Allen's outstanding career here.
Also, there is speculation that the Cowboys could be interested in wide receiver Terrell Owens, should the Eagles release him on Wednesday. The Eagles have until then to trade him, release him or pay him a $5 million roster bonus.
What It Means: Dallas wants to protect quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who was a sitting duck last year when left tackle Flozell Adams went down with an injury. Dallas will make more moves. Jerry Jones always loves headlines.
NEW YORK GIANTS
What They've Done: The Giants officially released oft-injured linebacker Barrett Green and offensive guard Jason Whittle. New York also lost defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy, who had an excellent season in 2005 and signed as an unrestricted free agent with Arizona.
That's all they've done officially.
However, the Giants have reportedly agreed to terms with Madison on a four-year contract and the former Miami Dolphin is expected to replace the disappointing Will Allen as a starting cornerback.
New York clearly wants to upgrade at cornerback. Both Allen, who struggled, and Will Peterson, battling back injuries, played poorly last year.
The Giants are also reportedly in the mix to land linebacker LaVar Arrington, who was waived last week by the Redskins.
What's Ahead: The Arrington situation bears watching, as does the defensive line position. Will New York have the means to land defensive tackle Rocky Bernard, who was outstanding last year for Seattle?
What It Means: New York, despite a much-improved defense last season, wants to have a shutdown unit. Madison has been one of the game's top cover corners for years. Arrington would bring an explosiveness to the linebacker corps.
The Giants have one of the best pass-rushing tandems in the league with Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, and are looking to build around those two players.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
What They've Done: As usual, Washington has been among the most active teams in the league. They traded two draft picks -- a third-rounder this year and a fourth-rounder next year -- to San Francisco for wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, a young, promising receiver.
Then on Sunday, just hours after officially announcing the Lloyd move, Washington secured the rights to unrestricted free agent Antwaan Randle El, agreeing to terms with him on a seven-year contract worth a reported $31 million, including an $11.5 million signing bonus.
Those two, along with Santana Moss, form a devastating trio at wide receiver for Washington.
Also, the Redskins have changes at tight end. They lost Robert Royal, and then replaced him on Sunday with Christian Fauria from New England.
Prior to those moves, the Redskins re-signed running back Rock Cartwright and also released five players: Arrington, safety Matt Bowen, cornerback Walt Harris, defensive tackle Brandon Noble, punter Tom Tupa and center Cory Raymer.
Prior to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Redskins were said to be almost impossibly over the $94.5 million salary cap limit. Once the cap was raised to $102 million, Washington had all kinds of salary cap space to use, it seems, and struck big in the first weekend.
What's Ahead: With Washington, you never know. There are questions about the team's depth, but the front-line talent is certainly there across the board.
What It Means: Washington has only five draft picks in April, and its second-round pick (53rd overall) is its highest. The Redskins also have a fifth-round pick, two sixth-round picks and a seventh-round selection. So it's all about winning here and now for Washington, but the biggest question is the quarterback position. Will Washington go with veteran Mark Brunell, who struggled in last year's playoffs?
Or is it time for Jason Campbell, the former Auburn talent whom the Redskins traded this year's No. 1 pick to Denver to acquire?
March 12, 2006
By DAVE SPADARO
The NFC East has traditionally been one of the most active divisions when it comes to free agency. This year has been no different, with the Giants adding cornerback Sam Madison and Washington bringing aboard two receivers, Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd.
Let's take a look at the changes and impact of those changes to the landscape of the NFC East as it stands now.
DALLAS COWBOYS
What They've Done: Dallas has invested in the offensive line, signing guard Kyle Kosier to a five-year contract worth a reported $15 million, including a $5 million signing bonus. Kosier started 11 games for Detroit last season and has played both guard and tackle in his NFL career (he started his career as a seventh-round draft pick in San Francisco).
The Cowboys also re-signed offensive lineman Andre Gurode, who is expected to compete for the starting job at center.
Dallas has also hosted linebaker Akin Ayodele from Jacksonville, although no contract announcement was in place as of Sunday night.
What's Ahead: The Cowboys could release standout offensive guard Larry Allen, who is due a roster bonus on April 1. The speculation is rampant that Allen and head coach Bill Parcells are having troubles, which could lead to the end of Allen's outstanding career here.
Also, there is speculation that the Cowboys could be interested in wide receiver Terrell Owens, should the Eagles release him on Wednesday. The Eagles have until then to trade him, release him or pay him a $5 million roster bonus.
What It Means: Dallas wants to protect quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who was a sitting duck last year when left tackle Flozell Adams went down with an injury. Dallas will make more moves. Jerry Jones always loves headlines.
NEW YORK GIANTS
What They've Done: The Giants officially released oft-injured linebacker Barrett Green and offensive guard Jason Whittle. New York also lost defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy, who had an excellent season in 2005 and signed as an unrestricted free agent with Arizona.
That's all they've done officially.
However, the Giants have reportedly agreed to terms with Madison on a four-year contract and the former Miami Dolphin is expected to replace the disappointing Will Allen as a starting cornerback.
New York clearly wants to upgrade at cornerback. Both Allen, who struggled, and Will Peterson, battling back injuries, played poorly last year.
The Giants are also reportedly in the mix to land linebacker LaVar Arrington, who was waived last week by the Redskins.
What's Ahead: The Arrington situation bears watching, as does the defensive line position. Will New York have the means to land defensive tackle Rocky Bernard, who was outstanding last year for Seattle?
What It Means: New York, despite a much-improved defense last season, wants to have a shutdown unit. Madison has been one of the game's top cover corners for years. Arrington would bring an explosiveness to the linebacker corps.
The Giants have one of the best pass-rushing tandems in the league with Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, and are looking to build around those two players.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
What They've Done: As usual, Washington has been among the most active teams in the league. They traded two draft picks -- a third-rounder this year and a fourth-rounder next year -- to San Francisco for wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, a young, promising receiver.
Then on Sunday, just hours after officially announcing the Lloyd move, Washington secured the rights to unrestricted free agent Antwaan Randle El, agreeing to terms with him on a seven-year contract worth a reported $31 million, including an $11.5 million signing bonus.
Those two, along with Santana Moss, form a devastating trio at wide receiver for Washington.
Also, the Redskins have changes at tight end. They lost Robert Royal, and then replaced him on Sunday with Christian Fauria from New England.
Prior to those moves, the Redskins re-signed running back Rock Cartwright and also released five players: Arrington, safety Matt Bowen, cornerback Walt Harris, defensive tackle Brandon Noble, punter Tom Tupa and center Cory Raymer.
Prior to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Redskins were said to be almost impossibly over the $94.5 million salary cap limit. Once the cap was raised to $102 million, Washington had all kinds of salary cap space to use, it seems, and struck big in the first weekend.
What's Ahead: With Washington, you never know. There are questions about the team's depth, but the front-line talent is certainly there across the board.
What It Means: Washington has only five draft picks in April, and its second-round pick (53rd overall) is its highest. The Redskins also have a fifth-round pick, two sixth-round picks and a seventh-round selection. So it's all about winning here and now for Washington, but the biggest question is the quarterback position. Will Washington go with veteran Mark Brunell, who struggled in last year's playoffs?
Or is it time for Jason Campbell, the former Auburn talent whom the Redskins traded this year's No. 1 pick to Denver to acquire?