- Tuesday's biggest move saw the Seattle Seahawks getting a new QB, Mr. Tavaris Jackson. I have always been a T-Jack fan, though he has let me down some. That being said, when he has played recently he hasn't been awful. Furthermore, he gets to continue to play under his same coordinator, Derell Bevell, as he did last year with the Vikings. It is good continuity, though it might not lead to the playoffs again. It also means that Coach Pete Carroll will have his eyes on a QB in Round 1 of the 2012 draft... perhaps his former recruit and QB Matt Barkley of USC? Oh, and can't forget that the Hawks also signed Sidney Rice, so T-Jack has a familiar teammate to throw to.
- On Wednesday, Paul Posluszny signed a 6-year $45 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, Poz was 3rd in the NFL in tackles last year, so he is a solid young LB. But at the same time, he has an injury history, and a 6-year deal in the NFL for a non-QB seems a bit insane. Is he worth that much money? I for one don't think so.
- Teams with rookie QBs like bringing in vets to help ease the transition. The first example of this was the Titans signing Matt Hasslebeck to start while Jake Locker develops. Solid signing. Hasslebeck still has a few years, and Locker is at least a full season away from being ready.
- The same might not be true for Bruce Gradkowski in Cincy. While he was signed to give the Bengals a vet option, I have a feeling they will just go with Andy Dalton right off the bat. He is a smart QB, so it could work. The only problem? He plays for the Bengals. At least he has AJ Green and Jordan Shipley to throw to.
- Steve Breaston signing with the Chiefs might be my sleeper pick for biggest move of the offseason. He is a speedster, doesn't drop many passes, and is reunited with Todd Haley. He can work on the opposite side of Pro Bowler Dwayne Bowe, and they can help rookie Jonathan Baldwin develop into another good young threat for the AFC West's fasting-rising team. Look for the Chiefs to put up big offensive numbers this year.
- Skip Bayliss actually made a great point on First Take Thursday, when discussing Reggie Bush- He is the type of luxury back that can make a good team great, and a mediocre team worse. His trade to the Dolphins fits into the second part. He just isn't that good. He has his moments, maybe 4 or 5 a year, but he can't be an every down back. He can't even be a two-down back. The Dolphins are in a little trouble if he is their feature back, not to mention that they have no QB, or defense, and their best WR was diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder. Troubled times in South Beach.
- Two big moves involving my awful Redskins. First, they traded Fat Albert to New England. He needed to go, won't have to play NT since Wilfork plays there, and will probably have a career year like people do when they go to the Patriots. Still, he was an awful presence here, so good riddance. The second, and more important to me, is Donovan McNabb getting traded to the best spot for him, the Minnesota Vikings. I have wanted him there for years, and am very happy he got out of the downward spiral that is Washington. I believe that McNabb will be back in the playoffs this season, since he has a solid team around him. I think he can help Christian Ponder develop for a year or two, or even three if needed, and will be rooting or the Vikings to win it all this season so my man Donovan gets a ring.
- The Eagles traded Kevin Kolb to the Cardinals. Great move, even if I don't think Kolb is that great. They didn't give up a #1 pick, though Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is a solid corner, and they get the QB that Larry Fitzgerald specifically requested. Appeasing your best player is never a bad idea.
- Chad Ochocinco was traded from the worst NFL franchise to the best. As he said on Twitter "God is so good" and "It's good to be in heaven". I think he is happy, and I think he will have a great year.
- Friday saw two big cornerbacks getting signed. Johnathan Joseph jumped off the Bungle Express to join the Houston Texans. Nnami Asomugha then surprised everyone and signed with the Eagles. Both got paid, though neither got a crazy amount. Now, here is an interesting stat, brought to you by ESPN's KC Joyner discussing the two CBs numbers the last two years:
"Joseph was targeted with 144 passes in that time frame and allowed 993 yards. That equates to a 6.9 yards per attempt (YPA) mark.
Now contrast that to Asomugha. He was targeted with 54 passes in the past two years and gave up 419 yards, or 7.8 YPA.
So Joseph was thrown at three times as often and had a YPA nearly a yard lower than Asomugha. Add in the fact that Joseph is three years younger and presumably will have a per-year contract figure that is much smaller than what Asomugha will eventually get, and it means the Texans may have made the best big-name value acquisition of the 2011 free-agent period."
- Mike Sims-Walker signing with the Rams gives them a solid possession receiver for the first time in a while. Bradford will like that. The same thing goes for Plax signing with the Jets. He is worth the risk because he was so good. He can go up and get some of those high passes Sanchize throws.- Peyton Manning re-signed with the Colts. Not a surprise, but it is good to see him staying with his team.
That's all I got right now. Waiting for some more moves, like more RBs signing. Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams and Ahmad Bradshaw are still out there.
