Reviewing the first round

1. St. Louis- QB Sam Bradford. They needed a QB.  He's the best on the board.

2. Detroit- DT Ndamakong Suh.  No surprise.  The best player in the entire draft.

3. Tampa Bay- DT Gerald McCoy.  Another lack of suspense.  The 1b to Suh's 1a.

4. Washington- OT Trent Williams.  They got a tackle to protect McNabb.  Just not the one everyone projected.

5. Kansas City- S Eric Berry.  Fits their greatest need.  And the third best player overall.

6. Seattle- OT Russell Okung.  The best player at the position of greatest need falls to them.

7. Cleveland- CB Joe Haden.  Starts immediately opposite of Sheldon Brown.

8. Oakland- ILB Rolando McClain.  They need offensive and defensive line help, so they grab a middle linebacker.  That makes sense.

9. Buffalo- RB CJ Spiller. I know they are shopping Marshawn Lynch, but Fred Jackson proved he could carry the load.  Plus, this lne is absolutely terrible, so they drafted a running back.  A head scratcher.

10. Jacksonville- DT Tyson Alualu.  Alualu is a good player.  But at 10?  With Dan Williams still on the board?  This pick makes sense, if they were able to trade down.

11. San Francisco- OT Anthony Davis.  This was a good trade.  They need to improve the right tackle spot.  Davis was the best lineman on the board.

12. San Diego- RB Ryan Matthews.  The Bills selection of Spiller precipitated this move.  Can't blame them for securing the second best back on the board, even if he's a late first/early second candidate.

13. Philadelphia- DE Brandon Graham.  Very good player, but if you're trading up with Earl Thomas, Derrick Morgan, and Jason Pierre-Paul on the board, Graham better make good on the investment.  Also, I understand moving up to grab him.  His stock was rising, and he had a great senior season, follow by a great post-season.  He was a beast at the Senior Bowl.  Yes, I'm talking myself into this move.

14. Seattle- S Earl Thomas.  The best player on the board.  Great move by Seattle.  Great start with Okung and Thomas.

15. New York Giants- DE Jason Pierre-Paul.  Jerry Reese rolled the dice with a one-year wonder from Southern Florida.  He's very athletic, and Mathius Kiwanuka's deal is done after this season.  Reese has had a great track record, so I won't dare dig into the pick.

16. Tennessee- DE Derrick Morgan.  The best defensive end on the board drops them. Great pick!

17. San Francisco- G Mike Iupati.  The best interior lineman in the draft.  Fantastic start grabbing Davis and Iupati.

18. Pittsburgh- C Markese Pouncey.  Good move.  They need to sure up the middle of their line.  Pouncey was the correct move.

19. Atlanta- OLB Sean Weatherspoon.  They need to improve their defense, and Weatherspoon is a leader.  I would have tried to improve the pass rush, but I understand the move.

20. Houston- CB Kareem Jackson.  This is a position they need to address.  Though I would have gone with either Kyle Wilson or Devin McCourty at this spot.

21. Cincinnati- TE Jermaine Gresham.  The best tight end in the draft.  He fits their greatest need.  Nice pick.

22. Denver- WR Demaryious Thomas. They desperately need wide receiver help.  This kid is a burner, and a playmaker.  Good move.  although I would have taken Bryant.

23. Green Bay- OT Bryan Bulaga.  The Packers must have been doing cartwheels to see this kid fall all the way to him.  He was a projected top ten pick.

24. Dallas- WR Dez Bryant. Great move.  I know they need offensive line help.  But Jerry Jones had to be salivating with Bryant available.  This offense should be explosive in 2010.

25. Denver- QB Tim Tebow.  What?!?!  Dumb pick.  Tebow is an excellent athlete, a winner, and a leader.  However, he's a project, and the Broncos are going to pay him first round money for a player who isn't going to be starting for at least a season or two.  I hope Tebow succeeds, but Denver didn't do him any favors taking him number at number 25 overall.

26. Arizona- DT Dan Williams. Very good player.  Gives them depth on the defensive front.  Smart move- get tough and physical up front.

27. New England- CB Devin McCourty.  This move makes sense.  They needed another press defender.  McCourty is a nice player.

28. Miami- DT Jared Odrick.  They need to get younger on their defensive front.  Odrick is a good start.

29. New York Jets- CB Kyle Wilson.  I love this pick for them.  Another toy for Rex Ryan.  But also provides insurance in case Antonio Cromartie doesn't work out.  Wilson is a terrific player in his own right.  Great move!

30. Detroit- RB Jahvid Best.  Great athlete.  I thought he would drop due to his injury history.  He should do a nice job fills in for Kevin Smith, until he returns from his injury.  That should be a nasty platoon when Smith is healthy.

31. Indianapolis- OLB Jerry Hughes.  I thought they'd try to improve their lines, but Hughes is a versatile player and should help Freeney and Mathis.

32. New Orleans- CB Patrick Robinson.  Good pick.  They needed depth in their defensive backfield.  Smart move by Sean Payton and company.

Round 2 Mock Draft 2.0

33. St. Louis- DE Carlos Dunlap. They have a quarterback in Bradford.  Now, they have a player to pressure the passer.

34. Detroit- RB Ryan Matthews.  After spending the offseason rebuilding the defensive front, they add a playmaker to pick up Kevin Smith's production.  Suh and Matthews represent the type of players they need- impact players.

35. Tampa Bay- OT Charles Brown.  Need to protect Jason Freeman.  Building from the inside out with McCoy and Brown.

36. Kansas City- DT Tyson Alualu.  Fits the NT need up front.  Reverse of the Bucs, but still building the lines (Bulaga and Alualu).

37. Phildelphia-- CB Patrick Robinson.  Starts immediately in the hole vacated by Sheldon Brown.

38. Cleveland- QB Colt McCoy.  Mike Holmgren gets his quarterback of the future.  Not bad grabbing Berry and McCoy.

39. Oakland- OT Rodger Stafford.  Got a pressure player in Pierre-Paul in round 1, now an o-lineman to protect the passer.

40. Seattle- WR Golden Tate.  After grabbing Morgan and Davis to fill two vital needs, they get someone to fill the void vacated by the defection of Nate Burleson.

41. Buffalo- OT/OG Vladamir Ducasse.  They need somebody to protect Clausen.

42. Tampa Bay- WR Demaryious Thomas.  With McCoy and Brown aboard, they can switch their focus to grabbing Josh Freeman some targets.

43. Miami- OLB Jerry Hughes.  This defense needs to get younger.  Williams and Hughes accomplish that goal.

44. New England- QB Tim Tebow.  The Pats throw a curve, as they grab Tom Brady's potential successor, having filled their OLB need with Kindle.

45. Denver- WR Golden Tate.  Denver will probably rid themselves of Brandon Marshall, and need to replace his production.  And Haden dropped to them in round 1.

46. New York Giants- S Nate Allen.  Jerry Reese isn't done with the defense.  McClain and Allen are two solid picks.

47. Carolina- DE Rickey Sapp.  Need another pass rusher due to the defection of Julius Peppers.

48. New England- TE Rob Gronkowski.  Fills their biggest need on offense.  Kindle, Tebow, Gronkowski, thus far.

49. San Francisco- WR Arrelious Benn.  Another player for defenses to watch, along with Frank Gore and Michael Crabtree.  Not a bad haul with Williams, Wilson, and Benn.

50. Houston- CB Perrish Cox.  They need a replacement for Dunta Robinson, stat.  Spiller and Cox, not a bad mix.

51. Kansas City- ILB Sean Lee.  Bulaga and Alualu build the lines.  Lee is a playmaker for one of the inside backer spots.

52. Pittsburgh- WR Damian Williams.  The Santonio Holmes trade facilitates this move.  Williams and Iupati, not a bad way to rebuild the offense's identity.

53. New England- RB/WR Dexter McCluster.  Gives Tom Brady a dynamic play maker.  Great haul- Kindle, Tebow, Gronkowski, and McCluster.

54. Cincinnati- RB Jahvid Best.  Adds another dimension to the Bengal offense.  Gresham and Best represent a nice improvement to a vanilla offense.

55. Philadelphia- OLB Koa Misi.  Fits the Eagles profile for the type of player they want at the linebacker position.  Thomas, Robinson, Misi are a good start at rebuilding a stagnant defense.

56. Green Bay- CB Amari Spievery.  Al Harris is coming off major knee surgery, and Charles Woodson isn't getting any younger.  Campbell and Spievery are good values that fit their two biggest needs.

57. Baltimore- TE Dennis Pitta.  They have nobody of significance backing up the oft-injured Todd Heap.  Weatherspoon and Pitta are solid picks at this position.

58. Arizona- CB Chris Cook.  Improves a secondary weakened in the off-season.  Graham and Cook should add some flair to this defense.

59. Dallas- OLB Daryl Washington.  Gives them depth behind DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer.  Not a bad start with Pouncey and Washington.

60. San Diego- OG Jon Asamoah.  Their line was decimated by injuries.  They need to create depth.  Cody and Asamoah improve the critical interior of their lines.

61. New York Jets-  OLB Navarro Bowman.  Another toy for Rex Ryan- getting Mays in round one.

62. Minnesota- DT Lamarr Houston.  Pat Williams future replacement.  Fits well with the pick McCourty pick in round 1.

63. Indianapolis-  OT Selvish Capers.  Need to keep Peyton Manning protected.  Odrick and Capers are a good start for the AFC Champs.

64. New Orleans- DT Cam Thomas.  Continuing the defensive trend the Champs add to a line that was exposed during Sedrick Ellis's injury.  Thomas and Jackson are a nice top of the draft.

Mock Draft 2.0

1. St. Louis- QB Sam Bradford.  Just a matter of him signing the dotted at this point.

2. Detroit- DT Ndamakong Suh.  Detroit wants to trade back, but adding Suh to their rebuilt line makes the most sense if they don't move out.

3. Tampa Bay- DT Gerald McCoy.  The Bucs have the dream scenario of grabbing either DT at the 3 spot.

4. Washington- OT Russell Okung.  Donovan McNabb trade makes protecting him a necessity.

5. Kansas City- OT Brian Bulaga.  This pick improves the whole left side of the line- bumping Albert to guard and Waters to center.

6. Seattle- DE Derrick Morgan.  Gives them the rusher off the edge they need.  Plus, he's the most complete DE in the draft.

7. Cleveland- S Eric Berry.  Best player left on the board immediately improves a weak secondary (along with the Sheldon Brown acquisition.)

8. Oakland- DE Jason Pierre-Paul.  Al Davis loves freakish athletes.  Pierre-Paul fits the bill.

9. Buffalo- QB Jimmy Clausen.  They desperately need a QB, and he's the best left on the board.

10. Jacksonville- WR Dez Bryant.  Gives David Garrard a target on the outside.

11. Denver- CB Joe Haden.  Injects some youth into an aging secondary.

12. Miami- DT Dan Williams.  Need to find an eventual replacement for the suspended Jason Ferguson.

13. San Francisco- OT Trent Williams.  Can play either side of the line, and they need a right tackle.

14. Seattle- OT Anthony Davis.  Has the potential to be the best o-lineman in the draft.  Good haul with Morgan and Davis, thus far.

15. New York Giants- ILB Rolando McClain.  Fits their biggest need following the Antonio Pierce release.

16. Tennessee- DT Brian Price.  Never really able to replace the production of Albert Haynesworth.  Here's a young, talented player to aid in that production.

17. San Francisco- CB Kyle Wilson.  Playmaker to add to a decent secondary.  Not bad grabbing Williams and Wilson.

18. Pittsburgh- G Mike Iupati.  Fits the Steeler mold on the o-line.

19. Atlanta- DE Everson Griffen.  They need a pass rusher in the worst way.

20. Houston- RB CJ Spiller.  Not sure of the long-term effects of the Steve Slaton injury.  Gives Matt Schaub another weapon.

21. Cincinnati- TE Jermaine Gresham.  Fills their biggest need, and gives Carson Palmer a target in the middle of the field.

22. New England- DE/OLB Sergio Kindle.  Hybrid player that fits the Pats greatest need.

23. Green Bay- OT Bruce Campbell.  They need to protect Aaron Rodgers for the long-term.

24. Philadelphia- S Earl Thomas.  Best player left on the board.  Also, fits their secondary needs.

25. Baltimore- OLB/ILB Sean Weatherspoon.  Ozzie Newsome tends to hit on his first round picks  This kid is a winner.

26. Arizona- DE/OLB Brandon Graham.  They need a playmaker on defense following the losses of Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle.

27. Dallas- C/G Markice Pouncey.  The last legit lineman they were able to groom on the interior line was Andre Gurode in 2002.  They need an infusion of youth here.

28. San Diego- DT Terence Cody.  They need to replace Jamaal Williams production in the worst way.

29. New York Jets- S Taylor Mays.  Gives Rex Ryan a toy to play with in the secondary.

30. Minnesota- CB Devin McCourty.  Their secondary was beaten too much in 2009.

31. Indianapolis- DT Jared Odrick.  A player who can take pressure off of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.

32. New Orleans- CB Kareem Jackson.  After mixing and matching players in the secondary, it would be nice for the Champs to have a young player to groom for the future, while making plays in the present.

Eagles trades

I question these recent moves.  Sheldon Brown and Chris Gocong for Hall and a fourth and fifth round picks.  Certainly, Brown himself is worth a third rounder.  Maybe they gave the Browns a break with the relationship with Tom Heckert.  But still, you want to drive the market to its highest possible point.  And the big move today.  Donovan McNabb for a second rounder and either a third or fourth next year.  First, Washington is a divisional rival- so he'll get his vengeance twice a year- and for only one pick this season.  I understand getting a second rounder, but only one pick this year.  They couldn't haggle the Redskins for at least another late rounder, like a sixth for this year's draft, to add to their collection of picks.  From the sideline prospective, the Birds have been on the short end of the shaft on these trades.  These trades feel rushed, and don't have the typical Eagles dominant slant to them.  It seems that Howie Rosemann is in over his head.  The one saving grace is they are getting younger, which extends their competitive opportunity for the Kevin Kolb era.

Very early fantasy preview- TE

1. Dallas Clark

2. Antonio Gates

3. Jason Witten

4. Jermichael Finley

5. Brent Celek

6. Tony Gonzalez

7. Chris Cooley

8. Antonio Daniels

9. Visanthe Shiancoe

10. Vernon Davis

11. Kevin Boss

12. Heath Miller

13. Zach Miller, Oak

14. Jon Carlson

15. Kellen Winslow, Jr.

16. Brandon Pettigrew

17. Dustin Keller

18. Zach Miller, Jax

19. Todd Heap

20. Fred Davis

Very early fantasy preview- WR

1. Andre Johnson

2. Reggie Wayne

3. Randy Moss

4. Larry Fitzgerald

5. DeSean Jackson

6. Roddy White

7. Marques Colston

8. Greg Jennings

9. Miles Austin

10. Calvin Johnson

11. Steve Smith, NYG

12. Brandon Marshall

13. Percy Harvin

14. Steve Smith, Car

15. Santonio Holmes

16. Hakeem Nicks

17. Anquan Boldin

18. Michael Crabtree

19. Pierre Garcon

20. Sidney Rice

21. Robert Meacham

22. Dwayne Bowe

23. Jeremy Maclin

24. Donald Driver

25. Braylon Edwards

26. Hines Ward

27. Kenny Britt

28. TJ Houshmandzadeh

29. Antonio Bryant

30. Devin Hester

31. Julian Edelman

32. Chad Ochocinco

33. Jerecho Cotchery

34. Austin Collie

35. Joshua Cribbs

36. Devery Henderson

38. Steve Breaston

39. Mike Wallace

40.Mohamed Massaquoi

Very early fantasy preview- RB

1. Chris Johnson

2. Adrian Peterson

3. Maurice Jones-Drew

4. Ray Rice

5. Steven Jackson

6. Michael Turner

7. Frank Gore

8. DeAngelo Williams

9. Rashard Mendenhall

10. Ryan Grant

11. Cedric Benson

12. Knowshon Moreno

13. Fred Jackson

14. Felix Jones

15. Jamaal Charles

16. Jerome Harrison

17. Joseph Addai

18. Thomas Jones

19. Rickey Williams

20. Jonathan Stewart

21. Shonn Greene

22. Pierre Thomas

23. LeSean McCoy

24. Beanie Wells

25. Justin Forsett

26. Ronnie Brown

27. Donald Brown

28. Ahmad Bradshaw

29. Laurence Maroney

30. Matt Forte

31. Cadillac Williams

32. LaDanian Tomlinson

33. Tim Hightower

34. Leon Washington

35. Marian Barber

36. Michael Bush

37. Willis McGahee

38. Chester Taylor

39. Reggie Bush

40. Brandon Jacobs

Very early fantasy preview- QB

This is a pre-draft preview.  I'm sure this list will change several times prior to the end of preseason, aka drafting season, especially with the draft, potential trades, mini-camps, training camp, and the inevitable injuries on the horizon.

1. Aaron Rodgers

2. Peyton Manning

3. Drew Brees

4. Tom Brady

5. Matt Schaub

6. Tony Romo

7. Philip Rivers

8. Brett Favre

9. Ben Roethlisberger

10. Donovan McNabb

11. Eli Manning

12. Joe Flacco

13. Vince Young

14. Chad Henne

15. Aaron Smith

16. Matt Ryan

17. Matthew Stafford

18. Matt Cassel

19. Mark Sanchez

20. Matt Moore

2nd Round Mock Draft

33. St. Louis- CB Devin McCourty.  In the first round, they take Bradford.  Now, they go for the best player available.

34. Detroit- RB Ryan Matthews.  Dynamic player.  Fits the void created by the severe injury to Kevin Smith.  Grabbing Suh and Matthews is a nice start for the Lions.

35. Tampa Bay- WR DeMaryious Thomas.  Big play threat for Jason Freeman to throw to.  McCoy and Thomas improve the Bucs drastically.

36. Kansas City- DT Terrence Cody.  Fits the nose perfectly for their 3-4.  Okung and Cody aren't sexy picks, but the building blocks for years to come.

37. Washington- OT/OG Vladamir Duccasse.  Best lineman available, fitting Washington's greatest need, as well as protecting Clausen for years to come.

38. Cleveland- QB Colt McCoy.  Cleveland needs its quarterback of the future.  They have only stopgap measures in place.  And grabbing Berry in round one makes this pick easier.

39. Oakland- OLB Jerry Hughes.  They have so many needs.  Hughes is a tough, physical player- the type that fits the Raiders profile.

40. Seattle- RB Jahvid Best.  Seattle fits its line's needs in the first round with Bulaga and Morgan.  Best pairs very well with Justin Forsett.  Another explosive player to get the ball.

41. Buffalo- WR Golden Tate.  There are a ton of needs here.  Williams fits the line need in round one.  There's no depth after Lee Evans at the wideout spot.  Grabbing Tate here makes sense.

42. Tampa Bay- OT Rodger Safford.  They get a target for Freeman seven picks earlier, now they get a protector.

43. Miami- WR Arrelious Benn.  After getting Williams to fit the nose spot, Benn fills the vast void at the receiver spot.

44. New England- TE Rob Gronkowski.  They have nobody at the position.  With three second rounders, they take the best one left on the board, and can fix other spots further down.  Plus, getting Kindle in round one improves their pass rush.

45. Denver- DT Tyson Alualu.  Graham in the first gives them an edge rusher, and Alualu here can improve the end spot in the 3-4 defense.

46. New York Giants- CB Patrick Robinson.  Another steal for the Giants.  McClain fills their biggest need in the previous round.  Robinson immediately improves the secondary.

47. Carolina- DE Ricky Sapp.  The Panthers first pick, and they address their d-line, following the loss of Julius Peppers.

48. New England- S Nate Allen.  Another athlete to add to the secondary. Plus, he would pair well with Brandon Meriweather.

49. San Francisco- ILB Brandon Spikes.  No offensive linemen are worthy of this spot.  Spikes gives All-Pro Patrick Willis a young backer mate to go to combat with for years to come.

50. Houston- RB Dexter McCluster.  They addressed their secondary issue in round one, and it wouldn't be surprising if they went secondary with their top two picks, but McCluster is such a dynamic player as a rusher, receiver, and returner.  He's too good to pass up.

51. Kansas City- OLB Navorro Bowman.  They addressed their greatest needs on the line.  Now they get a playmaker on the outside to pair with Tamba Hali- another Penn St. alum.

52. Pittsburgh- CB Perrish Cox.  The injuries to Troy Polamalu in 2009 proved they need more playmakers in the secondary.  They addressed the o-line- their most pressing issue in round one.  Now, they add a player in the secondary.

53. New England- WR Damian Williams.  This position should be addressed one final time before this draft is completed.  What a haul in the first 53 picks with Kindle, Gronkowski, Allen, and Williams.

54. Cincinnati- DT Lamarr Houston.  Getting Mays in round one fulfills their greatest need in the secondary.  Adds depth behind Tank Johnson and Domata Peka, because they were gashed when one or the other was injured.

55. Philadelphia- ILB Sean Lee.  Best player on the board.  Helps close the revolving door at LB.  Nice start with Thomas and Lee.

56. Green Bay- CB Amari Spievery.  Adds youth to an aging secondary.  And they addressed the o-line with Campbell already.

57. Baltimore- WR Mardy Gilyard.  Gives them a burner to stretch the field.  Strengths a good corps of possession receivers. Joe  Flacco should be pleased: retaining Derrick Mason, trading for Anquan Boldin, and drafting Gresham and Gilyard.

58. Arizona- TE Dennis Pitta.  Fits their biggest offensive need.  Weatherspoon and Pitta are a nice haul thus far.

59. Dallas- DT Cam Thomas.  Another big banger on the defensive front.  Should be able to grant Jay Ratliff a breather once in a while.  Getting Pouncey and Thomas shows Dallas is serious at keeping their fronts strong.

60. San Diego- CB Chris Cook.  After stealing Spiller in the first round, grabbing Cook fills the vacancy left by the Cromartie trade.

61. New York Jets- OLB Daryl Washington.  After grabbing Odrick to clog the middle, Washington adds versatility to the linebacking corps.

62. Minnesota- OG Jon Asamoah.  They addressed their secondary need with Jackson.  Asamoah gives depth to an aging line.

63. Indianapolis- OLB Nawa'akoa Misi.  Brown added youth to the line.  Misi is another athletic player they can plug in at outside linebacker.

64. New Orleans- TE Aaron Hernandez.  The Saints would be elated if the board falls this way.  Dunlap dropping to 32 and picking up a player to eventually replace the oft-injured Jeremy Shockey.

Mock Draft

1. St. Louis- QB Sam Bradford.  This pick isn't just need, but also the money that goes along with the number one overall selection.

2. Detroit- DT Ndamakong Suh.  The Lions have the choice of the top two players in the draft, and rebuilt the line with him in mind.

3. Tampa Bay- DT Gerald McCoy.  Best player available, who also happens to fit a glaring need.

4. Washington- QB Jimmy Clausen.  Their offensive line has the greatest need, but grabbing Clausen will be too tempting for Shanahan to pass up.

5. Kansas City- OT Russell Okung.  Bolsters a young offensive line at three positions by kicking Branden Albert to guard and Brian Waters to center.

6. Seattle- OT Brian Bulaga.  Greatest position of need is protecting the blindside.  With the first of two picks, getting Bulaga from a long line of talented Iowa linemen and is tough and technically sound to fill Walter Jones shoes is a coup.

7. Cleveland- S Eric Berry.  If Berry slips this far, Holmgren and the gang are doing backflips.  Clearly, the best player on the board.

8. Oakland- OT Anthony Davis.  The Raiders have made questionable selections over the past couple of seasons, making this pick tough to predict.  Davis fits the athletic, high upside profile Al Davis looks for in prospects.

9. Buffalo- OT Trent Williams.  Fits the greatest need for the Bills, and the fourth o-line prospect off the board in the past five picks.

10. Jacksonville- DE Jason Pierre-Paul.  I know they signed Aaron Kampmann, but the athletic Pierre-Paul gives them another pass-rusher to improve the league's worst pressure unit in 2009.

11. Denver- OLB/DE Brandon Graham.  Might be a tad high for Graham, but he gives them an edge rusher to pair with Elvis Dumervil to create havoc on opposing quarterbacks.

12. Miami- DT Dan Williams.  Jason Ferguson isn't getting any younger and will miss the first eight games of the season due to suspension.  Getting his future replacement game reps early isn't such a bad idea.

13. San Francisco- CB Joe Haden.  There are questions about his 40 time, but he's a big-time player.  Adding a player of this caliber at 13 would be enticing to the 49ers, especially considering they have another selection at 17.

14. Seattle- DE Derrick Morgan.  Solid player here.  Morgan is the type of player to build around.  Getting Bulaga and Morgan in round one is a nice haul for the Seahawks.

15. New York Giants- ILB Roland McClain.  Best player available on the defensive side of the ball.  Plus, he fills Antonio Pierce's void immediately.

16. Tennessee- DE Everson Griffen.  A playmaker to replace Kyle Vanden Bosch, and infuse youth into depleted defensive line.

17. San Francisco- WR Dez Bryant.  I know their greatest need is at offensive tackle, but with so much depth at the position, they can afford to grab one in round two.  Also, pairing him with Michael Crabtree could be a devastating to opposing defenses.

18. Pittsburgh- OG Mike Iupati.  Perfect fit for the return to smash mouth football that the Steelers desire.

19. Atlanta- DT Brian Price.  Gives them push up the middle, as their defense was gashed in 2009.

20. Houston- CB Kyle Wilson.  Needed help in the secondary even before Dunta Robinson's defection.

21. Cincinnati- S Taylor Mays.  Gives them a player with a ton of tools, and grants depth to a position that doesn't have much.

22. New England- OLB/DE Sergio Kindle. A playmaker that seems to be always disrupting the offensive backfield, and fits what the Patriots look for in a player- versatility.

23. Green Bay- OT Bruce Campbell.  Fits their greatest need, and if he hits his potential, they found a heck of a player.

24. Philadelphia- S Earl Thomas.  He's a playmaker, and a ball hawk with some range.  Tools that were missing in the Eagles secondary last season.

25. Baltimore- TE Jermaine Gresham.  Very talented player coming off an injury.  Gives Flacco another weapon.

26. Arizona- OLB/ILB Sean Weatherspoon.  Best defensive player available.  Can play inside or outside, and wants to be in the middle of the action.

27. Dallas- OG/C Markice Pouncey.  The Cowboys have the luxury of going anywhere they want with this pick.  Their line isn't exactly young, and Pouncey is a player to add to the mix.

28. San Diego- RB CJ Spiller.  The best player on the board.  I wouldn't be surprised once teams saw him slipping, they would trade to the mid-to-late teens to grab him.  The Chargers would be elated if he's available.

29. New York Jets- DT Jared Odrick.  Infuses youth and another toy for Coach Rex Ryan to play with.

30. Minnesota- CB Kareem Jackson.  The Vikings had too many injuries at the cornerback spot, and were exposed by teams with good passing games.

31. Indianapolis- OT Charles Brown.  This unit is aging, and protecting Peyton Manning is paramount.

32. New Orleans- DE Carlos Dunlap.  I'd be surprised if he dropped this far, but the Saints won't mind.  He immediately adds another playmaker on the defensive side of the ball.

If I were the GM- New Orleans

What a super season it was in New Orleans.  This team has been good for the past several seasons- in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the hire of Coach Sean Payton and the signing of quarterback Drew Brees.  Their trouble getting over the hump was their defense, because under Brees the offense was one of the best in the league for years.  The hire of defensive coordinator did wonders for that side of the ball, and consequently, they were a turnover creation machine, which led them all the way to their Super Bowl victory.

As with most Super Bowl winners, there are a ton of strengths to work with here.  Brees is one of the most dependable players in the game, and is firmly established in the upper-echelon of quarterbacks.  They have a very good ground game with Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush leading the way.  I know they will probably lose Mike Bell in free agency- unless they match the Eagles offer prior to midnight Eastern tonight, but Lynelle Hamilton showed flashes when he had his opportunities.  They have a great mix in their receiving corps.  Led by Marques Colston, this group, which includes Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson, and Lance Moore, has the speed, the hands, and the toughness to allow Payton to open up the playbook.  Their line proved to be tough and dependable in the middle with Jahri Evans leading the way.  On defense, Jonathan Vilma is a stud in the middle linebacker spot.  And safety Darren Sharper had a resurgent season, especially if they resign him.  And cornerback Tracy Porter opened eyes as the season progressed.

There aren't too many weaknesses on the champs.  Still, I'm sure they'd like to improve their play at the outside linebacker positions- and they lost one, Scott Fulja to free agency.  Also, they were ravaged by injuries in the secondary, and had to sign veterans off the street to plug holes during the season.  Adding some young talent to bolster the position would be a good idea.  As good as Jeremy Shockey can be, he is very injury-pone, so adding a tight end wouldn't be out of the question.  And I mentioned on other posts that this draft is deep in linemen, so it couldn't hurt to improve those spots.

If I'm the Saints, and Sean Weatherspoon is on the board at number 32, I'm doing backflips.  He perfectly fits their defense, and immediately improves the hole at outside linebacker.  Other players to consider are cornerbacks Patrick Robinson and Kareem Jackson.

If I were the GM- Indianapolis

As great as 2009 was for the Colts, the overall effect given was empty.  They didn't go for the undefeated season when they had the opportunity.  After recovering from the adversity of not going for perfection in the AFC playoffs, they gave up a ten point lead to New Orleans in the Super Bowl.  This team still has the talent for future playoff runs, considering quarterback and four-time MVP Peyton Manning's health.

This team has a lot of strengths, especially in the starter spots, led by Manning.  He's one of the All-Time Greats, at the most scrutinized position in all of sports.  They have good running backs in Joseph Addai and Donald Brown.  Both can run the ball, and catch out of the backfield.  Their receiving corps is young and has a ton of potential- led by Pro Bowlers wideout Reggie Wayne and tight end Dallas Clark, who plays like a slot receiver.  Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, and Anthony Gonzalez are all good players.  I really like Garcon.  He reminds me of a young Reggie Wayne, when Marvin Harrison was putting up big numbers with Manning.  And center Jeff Saturday is one of the most intelligent linemen in the league, because he makes all the line calls when Manning does his audible routine.  On defense, their ends are some of the best in the NFL in Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, who create havoc on opposing quarterbacks.  I liked the resigning of Gary Brackett.  He's the perfect fit for their defense.  Clint Session is very good at the outside linebacker spot.  Their secondary has a lot of good young players, especially cornerback Kelvin Hayden and safety Antoine Bethea.  Injury-prone safety Bob Sanders is a tough player who makes big-time plays- when he's on the field.

The greatest weakness is their depth, and they just released underrated guard Ryan Lilja.  Their offensive line and defensive tackle spots need the infusion of youth the greatest.  There are rumors out there that the o-line will be reconstructed to become more powerful, hence the release of Lilja.

Players they should consider are offensive linemen Markice Pouncey, Bruce Campbell, or Vladamir Ducasse, or defensive tackles Tyson Alualu, Brian Price, or Jared Odrick.

If I were the GM- Minnesota

The Vikings made headlines throughout 2009- starting with their acquisition of future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre.  This team was flat-out dominant at points during the season- the final game against the Giants and the playoff game against the Cowboys come to mind.  However, there were moments of dissent, as well.  The Carolina game, and the aftermath of the "feud" between Coach Brad Childress and Favre- suggesting taking his quarterback out of a physical game.  And watching the NFC Championship Game, they should have won.  All the numbers were in their favor, but turnovers, in which Favre threw a killer pick on their final drive.  (I contend he should have taken off, and ran for five or six yards to get into better field goal range for a shot to win the game, instead of forcing the ball into the middle of the field.)

This team has a ton of strengths, especially if Favre returns.  He had a phenomenal 2009.  Running back Adrian Peterson is one of the best players in the league, despite his penchant for fumbling the ball.  They have a nice corps of receivers with wideouts Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, and Bernard Berrian, and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe.  Their offensive line has talent, but aging.  Harvin made the headlines as a rookie, but second round pick Phil Loadholt was terrific at the right tackle spot.  On defense, their line was probably the best in the league.  They created lots of pressure, and were tough against the run.  Kevin and Pat Williams are terrific run defenders, with Kevin being the better pass rusher.  They had an excellent end rotation with Pro Bowler Jared Allen, the underrated Ray Edwards, and starter for any other team Brian Robison.  Outside linebackers Chad Greenway and Ben Leber are playmakers, and always around the football.  Cornerback Antoine Winfield is an outstanding player, but suffered through injuries in 2009.

As with the other top teams, there are not many weaknesses with Minnesota.  Their greatest is in the secondary, which Drew Brees was able to exploit in the Championship game.  There's a question mark at middle linebacker.  Will EJ Henderson return?  Backup Jasper Brinkley filled in valiantly following Henderson's gruesome injury.  As good as the Williamses are on the line, they are long in the tooth, especially Pat, who's been mulling over retirement.  Since Chester Taylor defected to Chicago, there's a need for a third down/backup running back for Peterson.  Also, the Carolina game showed that there are chinks in the armor of the offensive line.

I would address either the secondary or defensive line first.  Players to consider are Kareem Jackson, Patrick Robinson, and Nate Allen for the secondary, Jared Odrick or Brian Price for the defensive line, Markice Pouncey for the offensive line, or Ryan Matthews or Jahvid Best for the running back spot.

If I were the GM- New York Jets

They had such a surprising 2009.  After firing Eric Mangini, they hired former Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan to coach the team.  He gave the Jets a new fiery attitude, which showed on the field.  They made bold moves both on and off the field.  On the field, they threw numerous creative blitz packages, which confused most teams- leading to the number one overall defense in the NFL.  Off the field, they traded up and drafted both quarterback Mark Sanchez and running back Shonn Greene- both key performers in their stretch run to the AFC championship game.

The Jets have a ton of strengths to maintain excellence for the long term.  They have one of the best offensive lines in the league, which featured three Pro Bowlers- D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Alan Faneca, and Nick Mangold.  Sanchez appears to have a great future ahead of him.  I understand why the Jets moved up to draft him.  He has the intangibles to succeed at the most demanding position, in the most demanding city in the league.  Even though they released running back Thomas Jones, they still have talent at the position with Greene and do-it-all back Leon Washington.  (I wouldn't be surprised if they picked a veteran back in case Washington isn't fully healed from his injury- like a LaDanian Tomlinson or Willie Parker.)  Tight end Dustin Keller is one of the more underrated players at his position.  As I previously mentioned, this was the best defense in the league last season.  And they've already made one move to improve themselves- trading for Antonio Cromartie to start opposite super-stud cornerback Darrelle Revis.  Their linebacking corps is solid, especially in the middle with David Harris and Bart Scott.  Calvin Pace was a nice addition prior to 2009, and solidified the position.  They have a good defensive line, but aging and injury prone, especially at nose guard where Kris Jenkins missed time.

Their weaknesses are at the wide receiver position.  Braylon Edwards was a good midseason addition, but he's primarily a deep threat and has suspect hands.  However, he's been known to convert big plays.  Jerecho Cotchery is a good, sure-handed possession receiver.  There's not much after them.  David Clowney had a nice training camp, but faded as the season progressed.  Safety needs more depth following the trade of Kerry Rhodes to the Cardinals.  And I mentioned before about the nose tackle spot.  It could use an infusion of youth.  Also, I wouldn't be surprised if they looked at acquiring a right tackle in the draft in the middle rounds, due to Damien Woody's age.  They have to look for his eventual successor at the position.

With the depth and talent at defensive tackle in this draft, the Jets should be able to get an eventual replacement for Jenkins, and who could spell him throughout the season.  Players they should consider are Jared Odrick, Terrence Cody, or Tyson Alualu.  If they want to add depth to the receiver position, they could take Arrelious Benn, Golden Tate, or Demaryious Thomas.  Or they could go the defensive back route to add depth, and take look at Nate Allen, Kareem Jackson, or Patrick Robinson.

Additional Free Agency Moves

Eagles- Marlin Jackson DB.  I like the move.  The Birds allowed way too many touchdown passes last season, and there wasn't much depth after Asante Samuel, Sheldon Brown, and Quinton Demps.  He's a versatile player, and should be a good fit.  But he comes with some risk- ACL injuries in the past two seasons.  Still, the reward is worth the risk.

Bengals- Antonio Bryant WR.  I know Chad Ochocinco and Carson Palmer lobbied for Terrell Owens.  Both players have reputations of petulance in the locker room.  However, Bryant is nearly a decade younger, and fits the offense better due to his ability to go deep.  Plus, his hands are more reliable than TO's at this point of their respective careers.

Rams- Fred Robbins DT.  He's a veteran, familiar with Steve Spagnuolo's scheme, and should fit well with Chris long and Adam Carrikker on the defensive line.  This move is more indicative of the direction they're going with the number one overall pick.

Chiefs- Thomas Jones RB.  Nice signing.  He's the perfect compliment to Jamaal Charles.  A tough, grind-it-out between the tackles back compared to Charles's slashing, home run hitting ability.

Patriots- Leigh Bodden CB. Good move retaining his services.  After Dunta Robinson, he was the best cornerback on the market.  He has a flair for the big play, and has good cover skills.

Colts- Gary Brackett LB. Best for both sides.  He's a great 4-3 player, but that form of defense is only run by half the league, so there really wasn't a market for him.  Also, he's such a strong leader for the Colts, it didn't make sense to retain him.

Steelers- Ryan Clark S.  He's a good hard hitting player, who matches up well with Troy Polamalu in the Pittsburgh secondary.

Titans- Will Witherspoon LB. Good move.  He's a versatile player, and can play any of the three linebacker spots, though I think he's best suited for the weak side.

If I were the GM- San Diego

The Chargers had yet another strong regular season that ended in playoff defeat.  There is a ton of talent on this roster, despite the recent departures of LaDanian Tomlinson (released), Jamal Williams (released), and Antonio Cromartie (traded).  Also, they have many restricted free agents that they need to get deals done- like Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill.  And defensively, they have to figure out the Shawne Merriman situation- trade him for value, or let him walk as a free agent following 2010.  This upcoming season is key to the current crop of players, because the roster could be blown up for a new wave of players.

As I previously mentioned, there's a lot of talent on this roster.  It has one the deeper quarterback trios in the league- Philip Rivers, Billy Volek, and Charlie Whitehurst.  Rivers had an amazing 2009, which was MVP caliber.  They field a basketball team at wide receiver, led by Vincent Jackson- with Malcom Floyd and Legadu Naanee.  They have a solid offensive line led by McNeill.  They have solid players on the defensive front.  I like Luis Castillo and Jacques Cesaire at the end spots in the 3-4.  They have a ton of talent at linebacker- led by Shawn Phillips and Merriman.  Also, I like backup Larry English.  He's a good fall back plan if they cut ties with Merriman.  They traded Cromartie, so they could give his spot to Antoine Cason to pair with Quinton Jammer.

This team has specific weaknesses.  Once they released Tomlinson, they weakened their backfield.  Darren Sproles is a fantastic multi-faceted player, but he's not an every down back.  Without Williams, plus a slew of other players who were injured at the nose guard spot, they were gashed in the running game.  Also, they weakened their depth in the secondary with the Cromartie trade, so it's another spot they have to look to fill.

Players they should look to draft are defensive tackles Terrence Cody, Dan Williams, Jared Odrick, or running backs CJ Spiller, Ryan Matthews, Javid Best, or defensive backs Kareem Jackson or Patrick Robinson.

Eagles moves

The Birds continued their in-house moves trend, and not jump into a weak free agent class.  Probably a smart idea.  They locked up WR Jason Avant to a five year deal.  Good move.  He's so good out of the slot, and converting tough third down receptions.  This facilitated the trade of Reggie Brown to the Bucs for 2011 sixth rounder.  Brown had been a non-factor in the offense in the past couple of seasons, so it was probably best for both parties to go in different directions.  I liked the restructuring of Stacey Andrews deal, because he's a.) a talented lineman- can't have enough of them on the roster, and b.) his rough 2009 was most likely due to his recovery from his 2008 ACL tear.  It typically takes two full seasons to come back from that injury.  It's a good start to 2010, but the Birds still have to address their issues on the defensive side of the ball I mentioned in my "If I were the GM" series.

Other Free Agency moves

Jacksonville- DE Aaron Kampmann.  Good move.  They had a terrible pass-rush in 2009.  Plus, they run a 4-3.  A match for his skill-set, and he fits their greatest need. WR Kassim Osgood- this will be their under-the-radar signing.  He's an excellent special teams player, and gives them size at the wide receiver position.

Atlanta- CB Dunta Robinson.  It is a big signing.  They needed to improve that position.  It was hindering their defense in pass coverage.  Now, they need to improve their pass rush.

New York Giants- S Antrel Rolle.  He's a good player, who should improve the range on defense at a position that was detrimental to their success last season.

Houston- re-signing WR Kevin Walter.  Not flashy, but maintains their depth at one of the better passing offenses in the league.

New England- DT Vince Wilfork.  I liked that they franchised him, and then were able to work out a deal that was fair to him, because the Patriots are good at getting the hometown discount. Re-signed G Stephen Neal.  Good player with a ton experience to protect Tom Brady.  LB Tully Banta-Cain.  One of their best pass-rushers.  Good resigning.

Miami- QB Chad Pennington.  He should be instrumental in Chad Henne's development.  Solid player with injury risk.  Should Henne get injured, Pennington should step in and the offense shouldn't miss a beat.

Cleveland- OT Tony Pashos.  They need to improve the right side of their line.  This signing is a good first step.  LB Scott Fujita gives them a veteran on defense, and is in the mold of a tough run stopper on early downs.

If I were the GM- Dallas

The Cowboys had a breakthrough of sorts in 2009.  They won the NFC East and their first playoff game in 13 seasons.  From all accounts, the stadium owner Jerry Jones built is the jewel of Texas.  That should be a revenue generating machine for years to come.  As a team, I like the players they have in place, which I'll review in a little bit.  However, I'm still not sold on the coaching staff.  After dominating the Eagles, they were crushed by Minnesota.  That game was all but over by halftime.  They didn't seem prepared for the game, and their weaknesses were exposed early and often by the Vikings.  Also, they had some questionable play-calling when the game was still in the balance.

This is a team with many strengths, and few weaknesses.  Their stable of running backs- Marian Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice- should be the envy of the league.  All three are solid rushers, and Jones has the makings of a star.  Small tangent.  Why did it take the coaching staff, say until late December to unleash him- and don't say the Carolina game, because Barber was hurt- forcing Jones to start?  Other than Jerry Jones's command, would have he been relegated to just a handful of carries per game?  Scary thought for Cowboys fans.  Back to the post.)  Jason Witten is one of the best tight ends in the league, and backup Martellus Bennett could start for half the teams.  That says a lot, because it's one of the deeper positions in the NFL.  Miles Austin had a monster season at the wide receiver position.  Although, Roy Williams has been a disappointment, thus far, the group has talent.  Patrick Crayton can return kicks, Sam Hurd made plays down the stretch, and Kevin Ogletree has developed into a nice complimentary receiver.  Andre Gurode is a stud at center, and even though the line is aging, it still has talent.  Leonard Davis showed he still has a year or two left in the tank, and Doug Free is an up-and-comer at one of the tackle spots.  From a skill-set standpoint, I really like Tony Romo.  He can make all the throws, and make difficult plays look easy.  But what scares me when I watch him play is two things: when he gets hit early in games and his throws into coverage.  The Minnesota game is a prime example.  He was the hottest quarterback in the league coming into that one, but once he was hit by that fierce line a few times, his face showed combat fatigue.  And he was a different player there after.  (Another tangent.  Granted, he wasn't helped by some of the play-calling.  Who calls a toss play to Marian Barber, a very good, tough, inside runner when you have Felix Jones, a terrific, fast, outside runner on the bench, on 3rd and 7 around midfield early in the game anyway?  Sorry, had to get that off my chest.  Oh, and to be clear, I'm an Eagles fan.)  This season, he do this as much as in years past, but Romo's had a tendency to lock into one receiver and force him the ball into tight coverage.  Some may call this Brett Favre syndrome.  I call it over-competitiveness.  Sometimes throwing the ball away is a good thing.  Still, Romo is a good NFL quarterback.  He gets extra scrutiny, because he's the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.  On defense, this team is strong.  The one coaching move that was wise for them, was giving the defense over to coach Wade Phillips.  This team turned it on when he took the defense's reigns.  Their front seven is awfully good.  Nose tackle Jay Ratliff is one of the best in the game.  Their linebacking corps is ridiculous- DeMarcus Ware- one of the league's premier players, Keith Brooking- aging, solid leader, Bradie James- nice player, and Anthony Spencer- budding star.  Their corners are good led by Pro Bowlers Terrence Newman and Michael Jenkins.  Backup Orlando Scandrick isn't too shabby either, as he competed with Jenkins for the starting job in the preseason.

The real weaknesses on this roster are on the offensive line and the safety position.  I mentioned earlier that the line was aging.  Gurode was drafted in 2002.  He was the last player they drafted that's developed into a starter on the line.  Other than backup swing tackle Free, there's not many young talented players on the line.  And the safety position is dangerously thin.  Gerald Sensebaugh is a restricted free agent, and could possibly be moved.  And Ken Hamlin took a step back in 2009.  After those two, there isn't much depth.

If I were the Cowboys, and have their limited needs, I would go into the draft looking to grab the best player available.  A tactic, I believe they've stated publicly.  Some players to consider are defensive backs Nate Allen, Kareem Jackson, Patrick Robinson, or Charles Brown, or linebackers Brandon Spikes or Sean Weatherspoon.

If I were the GM- Arizona

This team had a nice run over the past couple of seasons.  Entering 2010 is a question mark.  There have been a lot of personnel losses, and its only been two days into free agency.  Losing Kurt Warner to retirement is a big loss.  He's a Hall of Famer, and still at the top of his game.  Couple that loss with the Anquan Boldin trade, the losses of linebacker Karlos Dansby (Dolphins), and Antrel Rolle (Giants), it's been a rough couple of days for Arizona fans.  At least they were able to make a deal with the Jets for safety Kerry Rhodes.  That's a solid move.  He's a playmaker, and the move will at least soften the blow of negative publicity.

Personnel departures aside, there is talent on this roster.  They are deep and young at running back.  Beanie Wells is the bruising inside runner, Tim Hightower is a good pass receiver, pass-blocker, and goal-line rusher, and LaRod Stephens-Howling is an impressive number three back and special teams player.  Even in the light of the Boldin trade, they still have a deep stable of wide receivers.  Larry Fitzgerald is one of the best in the game- number two to Andre Johnson in my book.  In my humble opinion, he has the best hands in the league, and rises his level of play as the spotlight increases.  Steve Breaston and Early Doucett are young, up-and-coming players.  They should be able to make up for Boldin's production.  I like their defensive front.  They create fits for opposing lines, especially Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell.  The Rhodes trade filled the need for another safety.  He makes a ton of plays, and should fit well with Pro Bowler Adrian Wilson- who's long been overlooked as one of the best defensive backs in the league.  Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had another solid season in 2009.

Their biggest need is the offensive line.  It appears that they're willing to allow left tackle Wayne Gandy to walk away as a free agent, and swing right tackle Levi Brown into his spot.  That's a risky proposition.  Not all right tackles can translate to the left side.  That stated, Matt Leinart is left handed, so he'll still be blocking the front side.  Still, changing positions is always a risk.  Leinart looked effective in the New Orleans game, but his past regular season work hasn't been too spectacular, so they may be looking for another quarterback.  There's a whole at linebacker with the Dansby loss.

Players they should consider are Bruce Campbell, Brian Bulaga, Markice Pouncey on the line, or linebackers Sean Weatherspoon, Brandon Spikes, or Brandon Graham.

Baltimore-Arizona Trade

Huge move for the Ravens- picking up Anquan Boldin and fifth rounder for third and fourth rounders.  This was a great move for Baltimore.  They really needed to bolster their receiving corps, since it's been a major weakness for them.  It was a move of necessity for Arizona, because Boldin would have left as a free agent after 2010.  Not only did they received value for him, but they'll move to more of a run first team with Matt Leinart at quarterback, so with the depth of their receiving corps, he was expendable.

Chicago's moves

Big day for the Bears.  First, they inked Brandon Manumaleuna to a deal.  He was an under the radar player for the Rams, when Mike Martz ran the offense there.  And he'll fit well with Martz running Chicago's offense, now.  Then, they picked up Chester Taylor.  Taylor is the perfect complimentary back for Matt Forte.  Plus, if Forte isn't running well, they have a proven replacement.  It was a move that strengthens their backfield, while weakening a division rival in Minnesota.  Finally, they signed the big fish in the market in Julius Peppers.  40 million in guaranteed dollars is a lot of money, but with no picks in the first two rounds, the management team had to make a splash in free agency to improve their team.  Now, they should focus on building their offensive line, which led to their woes in the running game.  And they should try to move tight end Greg Olsen to another team, since he's reportedly unhappy with the lack of production from a receiving standpoint in Martz's offense.  If they can land a two or possibly a three for him, they should consider the offer.

San Diego-New York Jets trade

Great move by the Jets to acquire Antonio Cromartie.  They improved a weakness of their defense- the corner opposite Darrelle Revis.  They just improved the best defense in the league immensely.  Very impressive.  I understand the move by the Chargers, because they wanted to give Antoine Cason the job.  However, it had to be tough to pull the trigger on a deal that improves a team that just eliminated you from the playoffs.  I know its a 2011 pick, but it could be worth a second rounder, so it'll be a way infuse more youth into the system.

Detroit's moves

I like their first day aggression.  They made two moves to improve their defensive line- the signing of Kyle Vanden Bosch and the trade for Corey Williams.  By my estimation, their quarterback pressure was 29th in the league.  Plus, they were gashed in the running game.  Also, the signing of Nate Burleson was a coup.  They needed to increase the number of targets Matthew Stafford to throw to.  He's a talented deep threat, and will be able to take coverage away from Calvin Johnson.  This is a good start, and they need to follow up with a good draft.

Weaver signing

Like the move.  Really like it.  Leonard Weaver made such a difference in the Philadelphia backfield last season.  His unique skill-set allows him to play on the field in just about any situation, without tipping to the defense the intention of the offense.  He deserves the richest contract given to a fullback in league history.  Good for him and the Eagles to quickly get this deal done.

If I were the GM- Baltimore

The Ravens had a terrific start to 2009.  They surprised opponents by opening up their offense, and airing out the ball.  They hit a skid in the middle of the season, when teams had film on their offense, and were game planning against the weaknesses in their offense.  Then, they returned to Baltimore football- pounding it inside and playing good defense.  It led to their upset victory over the Patriots in the first round of the playoffs.  It is also important to note the Ravens are first of the final eight teams.  And with the new rules regarding free agency, they will be very limited in terms of signing free agents.  These teams are restricted to signing players that were either cut, or after they lose a player to another team.

On offense, there is a lot to like.  Joe Flacco took some steps forward in his development in only his second season.  He has the makings of a special player.  Their running game is deep and talented with Ray Rice, Willis McGahee, and fullback Le'Ron McClain.  Matt Birk anchors a good, tough offensive line, which includes Michael Oher and Chis Chester, and Ben Grubbs.  As usual, they fielded a talented defensive unit.  Led by future Hall of Famer linebacker Ray Lewis, this is a scary front seven for most offenses.  Lewis and Terrell Suggs get the pub for the front seven, but I'm more impressed with their line of Haloti Ngata, Trevor Pryce, and Kelly Gregg.  All three players are capable of commanding double teams, allowing Lewis and Suggs to make plays at on behind the line of scrimmage.  There's a question if star free safety Ed Reed will retire.  I don't think he will, but it is a concern, considering his injury history.  And I hope he returns to play, because he's so exciting to watch.  In fact, they are deep at the safety position.  Strong safety Dawan Landry is a nice player, and back up Tom Zbikowski has a nose for the football.

There are two clear weaknesses to the Ravens, and it's on the outside on both sides of the ball- wide receiver and cornerback.  Their number one target, Derrick Mason, is a free agent, in his mid-30's, and could possibly retire.  (In fact, he did briefly retire prior to the 2009 season, so it's not out of the realm of possibility.)  At this point of his career, he should be a number two receiver, albeit a very good one who takes pressure off a stud wideout.  They signed Dante Stallworth to improve the position, but he hasn't played in over a year, and has a history of injuries, so he's no guarantee either.  (However, I like the move.  Low-risk, high-reward, based upon his attempt at redemption from that horrific tragedy in the last offseason.)  If they want Flacco to improve further, they need improve his targets.  At cornerback, they need to improve it.  I like Chris Carr more as a return man than an every down corner.  As well as Domonique Foxworth played in the playoffs, I see him as a number two corner- not a number that can take away the opposing team's top receiving threat.  The tight end position could be improved.  Todd Heap is a nice player, but he's aging, and has had a long injury history.  Their linebacking corps is talented, but aging.  It's a position they should be able to infuse some youth into- Lewis and Suggs can't play forever.  And this draft is full of talented linebackers, and hybrid defensive end/linebacker types that should fit their 3-4 scheme well.  And there isn't a lot of depth on the line, as much as I like the starters, teams can never have enough depth.

Since their hands are basically tied, they'll need to fill their needs via the draft.  Players they should consider are wide receivers Arrelious Benn, Golden Tate, and Demetryious Thomas, cornerbacks Devin McCourty or Kareem Johnson, or tight end Jermaine Gresham.

If I were the GM- Philadelphia

After 15 games, the Eagles were in prime position to make a deep playoff run.  Then, they ran into Dallas.  The Cowboys exploited the deficiencies of this team.  I'll get into those later, but the offense did fall too much in love with the home run plays.  Now, there are a lot of questions about the quarterback situation.  I wrote a post earlier, essentially saying that going with backup Kevin Kolb makes the most the sense, due to his age and ceiling.  I like Donovan McNabb, but his trade value is as high as it's going to get, he's reached his ceiling, has had injury issues throughout his career, and is entering his twelfth season.  How many prime seasons does he have left?  Add backup Michael Vick itching to start somewhere, there's a lot of questions at the most important position on the field.  I think they trade him to a team with a quarterback need for a fourth rounder, but that's pure conjecture.

People forget how productive this team was prior to their Dallas meetings.  There's a lot youth at key positions.  For years, the wide receiver position has been ridiculed, but now it's a source of strength.  DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin will terrorize defenses for years to come.  Tight end Brent Celek really grew into the postion, and deserved Pro Bowl consideration.  He's tough, solid target in the middle of the field.  I mentioned they have a lot questions at the quarterback position, but there is no denying the talent that's there.  The running game intriguing talent in LeSean McCoy and restricted free agent Pro Bowler Leonard Weaver.  When the offense moved the ball effectively, Weaver was the key, because of his unique receiving, rushing, and pass/run- blocking skills.  On defense, Trent Cole is one of the most underrated defensive ends in the game.  He has tireless motor.  Defensive tackles Broderick Bunkley and Mike Patterson are borerline Pro Bowl players that don't get much notoriety.  I'll review the linebackers in a bit, but the return of budding star Stew Bradley should solidify the group.  They are thin at corner, but the position has talent.  The Birds should restructure Sheldon Brown's contract to give him the money he wants, because a.) he deserves it, and b.) it's an uncapped year, so it won't count against the cap.  Asante Samuel is a stud, even though he tends rove within the defense and bites on the double-move.  That stated, he's a ball-hawk, and one of the best in the NFL.  Safety Quinton Mikell is a good strong safety, but didn't have much help from his myriad of free safety partners in 2009.

Most of their weaknesses are on the defensive side of the ball.  They need another defensive end to take pressure off of Cole, who tends to wear down as the season progresses, due to multiple double and triple teams.  This is their most understated pressing need.  They need help in the defensive backfield, specifically at the safety position, but they need to add a veteran like Darren Sharper or Antrel Rolle, as opposed to drafting a rookie.  They did that with Macho Harris last season, and had mixed results at best.  After Bradley's injury, their linebacking corps was in flux, and never really settled in 2009, even following the trade for Will Witherspoon.  The offensive line is has needs, but not they aren't pressing.  Also, I really like the left side with Jason Peters and Todd Herremans.  Right tackle Winston Justice had an encouraging season.  They need to settle the center/right guard situation, especially considering the late-season injury to center Jamaal Jackson.  I like Nick Cole, but more as a guard than at center.

Their first move should be to grab either Sharper or Rolle.  I'd prefer Rolle, due to the age differential and potential growth as a player.  Then, they should focus on defensive end, either in the draft, or the Julius Peppers sweepstakes.  I'm not sure, if that's a rode to go down, due to his age and financial demands, but he his a good fit for the defense.  The  Eagles have a lot of options at number 24.  Though, if they don't sign Peppers or Aaron Kampann, most of the top defensive ends will probably be gone.  Perhaps, Carlos Dunlap may drop (I doubt it), or reach for a Ricky Sapp.  They could look to bolster the secondary with either safeties Earl Thomas or Taylor Mays or cornerbacks Devin McCourty or Kareem Jackson.  Or they could go linebacker, a position they haven't drafted in round one, since Reid came to town.  Players to consider are Sean Weatherspoon, Brandon Graham, or Navorro Bowman.

If I were the GM- Green Bay

The Packers have the makings of a dominant team.  They are young and exciting to follow.  Their season ended on a down note, however, with their structure, they should control their own fate for years to come, especially quarterback Aaron Rodgers continues to develop on his current trajectory.  I liked how smoothly they transitioned to the 3-4 under defensive coordinator Dom Capers.  The defense was exploited a bit following the losses of Al Harris and Aaron Kampmann.  But what defense wouldn't losing two starters, so quickly during the season?

Their offense is one of the most explosive in the game.  Manned by Rodgers, I don't see it slowing down anytime soon, unless the line implodes on him.  (It almost did in 2009, and I'll get into it more later.)  Wide receivers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings are one of the best one-two punches in the game at the position.  Running back Ryan Grant doesn't get his due, but the later the season progresses, the better he runs the ball.  Tight end Jermichael Finley was the breakout stud at the end of 2009.  There's a lot to like about the skill positions.  Their defensive front is full of talent.  Ryan Pickett and BJ Raji are young space eaters, while Johnny Jolly and Cullen Jenkins should get more respect for their work as 3-4 ends.  They have three solid young linebackers in AJ Hawk, Nick Barnett, and Clay Matthews, Jr.  They will probably lose Kampann in free agency, but he's a better fit as an end in a 4-3 scheme, any way.  They have a good set of veteran physical corners in Charles Woodson and Al Harris.  Tramon Williams did pick up his play, once he became more comfortable in Harris's roll.  Their safeties are playmakers in Nick Collins and Atari Bigby.  Again a lot to like about the defense.

As I mentioned earlier, their offensive line is a mess.  Both starting tackles are free agents, and may or may not return.  This is probably a good thing, because they are aging, and they need to overhaul the line, so it's probably best they part ways with Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher.  Also, they'll need a replacement at the outside linebacker spot, if Kampmann leaves.  And they could use depth in the secondary.  Woodson and Harris can't play forever.

They should use multiple draft picks to rebuild their line.  Luckily, this draft is deep with offensive line prospects.  Players they should consider are Bruce Campbell, Brian Bulaga, and Charles Brown for a tackle spot, Markice Pouncey for the interior line, or Sean Weatherspoon or Brandon Graham for the outside linebacker spot.

If I were the GM- Cincinnati

The Bengals were one of the surprising teams in 2009.  First, I think the Brown's made an intelligent decision about showing their preseason on HBO's "Hard Knocks."  That program showed that the Bengals, and coach Marvin Lewis's program is no joke, and made for some riveting television.  This team suffered some losses, some more tragic than others- namely Chris Henry.  That had to be tough on the locker room.  No draft picks or free agent signings can replace a person.  A person by all accounts had just turned his life around.

For a "nondescript" team, there are a lot of strengths they can built upon.  Their offensive line, led by center Kyle Cook and guard Bobbie Williams did a magnificent job of creating running lanes and protecting quarterback Carson Palmer.  Cedric Benson was resurgent this season, and ran like a man possessed.  Chad Ochocinco returned from a subpar 2008 back to form.  Palmer is one of the best leaders in the game, even if his passing numbers didn't show for it.  They did a very good job of pressuring the passer, though the numbers sagged following defensive end Robert Geathers injury.  Domata Peko and Tank Johnson were very good at anchoring the defensive front.  Cornerbacks Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall are perhaps the best tandem of corners in the league.  At least one should have been garnered a Pro Bowl election.  Ray Maualuga looks to be the real deal at middle linebacker.  And Keith Rivers is underrated on the outside.

This team has two real weaknesses, and both are in the passing game, thus the unimpressive passing numbers.  They need a burner at the number two wide receiver spot, so they can stretch defenses on the outside, and a tight end who can stretch the seem.  At the tight end spot, maybe rookie Chase Coffman can develop into that player.  For the wide receiver position, they'll probably have to look at the draft.  The best player for their needs on the free agent market is Nate Burleson, and he has a history of knee problems.  Also, I think they can improve their backup quarterback situation, perhaps grab someone later on in the draft to develop into Palmer's future replacement.  And after their starters, their safety position is thin.

Some players to consider are wide receivers Demaryious Thomas, Golden Tate, Arrelious Benn, and tight end Jermaine Gresham.

If I were the GM- New England

Last season was uneven for the Patriots, as Tom Brady returned from a serious knee injury, Bill Belichick's sanity was questioned (fourth and two at Indy comes to mind), Randy Moss's heart was questioned, Wes Welker bookended the season with knee injuries, and the trade of Richard Seymour had long-reaching consequences- specifically their inability to pressure the quarterback and being gashed in the running game, i.e. the Ravens in the playoffs.  I liked their move to franchise Vince Wilfork, although he may not like it.  3-4 nose tackles are hard to find, and he's one of the best in the league.  Two points about 2009.  First, regarding Brady's injury, it typically takes a full season for a player to recover to their prior form.  Secondly, Belichick took a calculated risk that he probably wouldn't have against any quarterback other than Peyton Manning.  Also, regarding Moss's recent comments, I see where he's coming from, and wouldn't be surprised that they don't resign him following 2010.

This team is still very talented, even though there are a lot of questions following the season.  Brady is one of the top quarterbacks to ever play the game.  He is still in his prime, and is entering his second season following his injury, so he should return to form.  Moss is entering a contract year, and I wouldn't be surprised if his numbers are similar to those of 2007.  Although Welker is injured, and could miss time in 2010, they are lucky enough to have a clone in Julian Edelman.  He stepped up in the Baltimore playoff game to score two touchdowns.  Their offensive line is aging, but still has talent, especially with guard Logan Mankins and center Dan Koppen inside.  On defense, Wilfork, in my opinion is the best nose tackle in the league.  I like Ty Warren on the line.  Jerod Mayo is a budding star at one of the inside linebacker spots, as is safety Brandon Meriweather.

Areas of improvement are at the outside linebacker position, defensive backfield, and wide receiver.  I don't know what the deal has been with Adaylius Thomas, but he was deactivated for a couple of games, and I think he still has fuel in the tank.  I wouldn't be surprised if they parted ways with him.  After Meriweather, cornerback Darius Butler is the only young player with promise.  I'd like to see more talented youth back there.  Following Moss and Edelman, the receiving corps is pretty thin.  And they have a nice group of running backs, but they could improve the position.  Laurence Maroney had his share of fumbles last season, though he did run harder than in past seasons.  Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris, and Fred Taylor are all aging, especially for a position that takes such a pounding they should add some more youth.  And I mentioned earlier they have an aging, but talented line.  They should start to look at supplementing the position.

The Patriots have had success in the past adding veteran backs to the mix.  There is nice crop on the market to consider- LaDanian Tomlinson, Brian Westbook, and Thomas Jones.  If Westbrook is over the concussion issue, he would be an upgrade over Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk.  Jones is the best pure runner on the street.  He's 32, but he ran for 1400 yards last season, and would be a nice fit in the mix.  Some players to consider for the linebacker positions are Sean Weatherspoon, Brandon Graham, and Brandon Spikes; for wide receiver, Golden Tate, Demaryius Thomas, and Arrelious Benn; running back, CJ Spiller, Jahvid Best, and Ryan Mathews.

If I were the GM- Houston

The Texans should consider 2009 a successful season, however, they shouldn't rest on the laurels of their first winning season.  They have the talent to make noise in the playoffs.  I believe Coach Gary Kubiak is on the hot seat in 2010, if this team doesn't make the playoffs.  They need to improve in big games.  The late season Jacksonville loss comes to mind.  I don't know if they need to add a veteran leader, like the Saints did with Darren Sharper last season, but it wouldn't be such a terrible idea to add that sort of experience to their locker room.

There are many talented players on their roster.  Their passing game is one of the best in the league.  Quarterback Matt Schaub is one of the least talked about players at the position, but he threw for over 4700 yards on the season.  His top target- Andre Johnson- is the best wide receiver in the NFL.  The tight end position has a lot of talent.  Owen Daniels was on his way to another Pro Bowl season prior to his injury, and his backup Joel Dreessen started to produce towards the end of the season.  Their defense improved over the course of the season.  Defensive end Mario Williams is an absolute star, and proves that the Texans made the correct move selecting him number one overall- ahead of Reggie Bush and Vince Young.  Their linebackers are young and lethal, especially DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing.  Their secondary vastly improved when they added safety Bernard Pollard.  His hitting took pressure off the rest of the defensive backfield, and allowed cornerback Dunta Robinson to make more plays.

Houston has specific areas of improvement.  Their offensive line allowed too many hits on Schaub over the past couple of seasons.  They need to overhaul the group.  The running back situation needs to be cleared up.  While I like Steve Slaton, there are rumblings that his recovery from surgery is taking longer than expected, so he may not be ready until the start of the season.  The backups are good players, but don't scare anybody.  Though, I like Arian Foster, and he could be the player that fills the void.  They could use another corner opposite of Robinson.  Two corners, if they don't resign him.

Some players to consider taking in the first round are offensive linemen Bruce Campbell and Mike Iupati.  Running back CJ Spiller could be a fit at their running back need.  Or they could consider selecting Dexter McCourty to improve their cornerback position.  A player that potentially could be a free agent to consider is Kevin Mawae.  If they are able to lure him over, it kills three birds with one stone: improves their offensive line, gives them a veteran leader, and weakens a divisional rival.

If I were the GM- Atlanta

The Falcons had a nice season in 2009.  I think they were a better team than in 2008, but played a tougher schedule.  Also, they deserve a congratulations for posting their first back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history.  I liked their acquisition of Tony Gonzalez was a smart move, because he gave Matt Ryan a target other than Roddy White.  Their front office and coaching staff seem to be in synch, and have the building blocks of a consistent winner in place.

There is a lot of young talent on this roster, especially on the offensive side of the ball.  Ryan suffered some injuries this season, and some pundits say he's regressed.  I don't believe that's the case.  I think he tried to force the ball a little too much to Gonzalez, which led him to trouble at times.  2010 should be a bounce back season for him.  They have a nice group of running backs- led by Michael Turner.  I like both Jerrious Norwood and Jason Snelling as change of pace backs to take some of the load off of Turner.  Their group of receivers is both good and young.  The aforementioned White is one of the most under appreciated players in the league at the position.  Michael Jenkins is a burner, and made some strides this season.  A player who's showed promise, but was injured in the preseason is Harry Douglas.  He should come back to be a nice number three receiver.  Gonzalez is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, tight ends ever.  Their line is very underrated.  Led by left tackle Sam Baker, this unit allowed the sixth fewest hits on the quarterback this season.  The star of their defense was middle linebacker Curtis Lofton.  He's a tackling machine.  They lost youngster Peria Jerry for the season early on, which hurt their ability to create pressure.

As good as their offense is, their defense still needs to make strides to catch up.  Their secondary is in need of an infusion of talent.  They could use another defensive end opposite of Jamaal Anderson to assist in creating pressure.  They could also use some depth at the outside linebacker position to assist Lofton and Mike Peterson.  As much as I like their wide receivers, they could use another player to create depth at the position.

Some players they should consider are defensive backs Kyle Wilson, Trevor Mays, Earl Thomas, and Devin McCourty.  For the defensive line, they should consider Everson Griffen, Dan Williams, and Jared Odrick.

If I were the GM- Pittsburgh

2009 was a disappointment for the Steelers, as the reigning Super Bowl Champs missed the playoffs.  In their defense, they were ravaged with injuries at key positions.  They missed safety Troy Polamalu for a number of games, which adversely affected their defense.  Their defensive backs were exposed with their best playmaker out of the lineup.  An underrated injury was Aaron Smith's season-ending shoulder injury.  He's one of the best 3-4 ends in the league, and his presence was missed as the season progressed.  Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger missed some time, which contributed to two of their losses.  I did like their moves to resign Casey Hampton and franchise kicker Jeff Reed.

This team does have many strengths to build upon.  It is not far removed from the Super Bowl winning team of a couple seasons ago.  Roethlisberger already has two Super Bowl wins as a starter, and is one of the best in the game.  Former first round pick, Rashard Mendenhall put together a solid season, and appears to be the real deal at running back.  The forever steady Hines Ward and Heath Miller return to their wide receiver and tight end positions, respectfully.  They have two talented younger wideouts in Super Bowl 43 MVP Santonio Holmes and 2009 rookie Mike Wallace.  And backup quarterback Dennis Dixon showed some promise in the Baltimore game he started.  At safety, Polamalu is one of the best in the NFL.  Their linebacking corps is terrific.  Outside backers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley are beasts.  On the inside, Lawrence Timmons and the forever-steady James Farrior are not too shady, either.

Their weaknesses were highlighted by their key injuries over the season.  They need more playmakers in the secondary.  They could also stand to get younger on the defensive line.  Pittsburgh's offensive line has needed an overhaul for the past couple of seasons, or Roethlisberger's effectiveness will be cut short.  They give up way too many hits.  Considering Ward's advanced age, I would think about taking another receiver later in the draft to grow the position.

They could go in several different directions in their draft.  Mike Iupati or Bruce Campbell would be good fits on the offensive line.  Kyle Wilson or Taylor Mays could help in the secondary.  Brian Price, Dan Williams, or Terence Cody could be good fits on the defensive line.  Sergio Kindle could fit on the linebacking corps as a potential replacement of Harrison.

If I were the GM- Tennessee

This was a tale of two seasons.  They started 0-6, and made a run towards the playoffs to finish 8-8.  The big reason for the turnaround was the insertion of Vince Young into the lineup.  I mentioned numerous times of his inspired play, and he should have been the comeback player of the year.  There was scuttlebutt during the season about a rift developing between Coach Jeff Fisher and Owner Bob McNair.  I think it would be a mistake if he lets Fisher go.  This was a transition season for them, since they lost their defensive coordinator and best defensive player.  There's a lot of promise here, and I'd keep Fisher to watch it through.

There are many building blocks on the Titans on offense.  Young has showed signs that he's matured into the quarterback he was drafted to be.  All-world running back Chris Johnson had one of the all-time great seasons.  They have an underrated group of receivers.  Kenny Britt developed a connection with Young, and had a nice rookie season.  Nate Washington and Justin Gage were both nicked up this season, but are solid players.  They have a terrific offensive line led by left tackle Mike Roos.  On defense, they have a talented set of linebackers, and cornerback Courtland Finnegan is a nice player.

Where they need improvement is on the defensive line.  Defensive ends Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse are rumored to leave town.  They could use some more depth in the defensive backfield to compliment Finnegan.  Alge Crumpler and Bo Scaife are nice players, but they could use more production from the position.

They should consider getting younger on their defensive line.  That's their biggest need.  Players like Everson Griffen, Sergio Kindle, and Brian Price should be available when they pick.  Kindle is probably a better fit for a team that runs a 3-4, as opposed to the 4-3 that the Titans run.  Griffen is probably the best player for them to grab out of that group.

If I were the GM- Carolina

2009 was a tale of two different teams for the Panthers.  They didn't find themselves until they switched quarterbacks from Jake Delhomme to Matt Moore.  The Panthers offense was more effective, and less turnover prone with Moore at the helm.  Still, their strong finish didn't merit a contract extension for Coach John Fox.  I think this is a mistake.  He's a good coach, but, perhaps a tad too loyal to Delhomme.  Also, it was foolish of Carolina management to grant such a lucrative extension to Delhomme, when he was showing clear signs of regression, not to mention his recent Tommy John surgery.  

This team is very close to contention with their many strengths.  Their running game was one of the best last season.  They had not one, but two rushers (DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart) run for 1100 yards.  That's the first time in NFL history in which that feat has occurred.  Not only do they have talented backs, but their line is terrific.  They lost both stud tackles Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah for extended time, and didn't miss a beat.  It is a nice luxury that guard Travelle Wharton can swing over to play effectively at the tackle position.  Center Ryan Kahlil is the best in the league, which I've mentioned numerous times in this blog- especially in the Pro Bowl section.  (I'm glad he made it as a replacement, but he was robbed by not getting it initially.)  Wide receiver Steve Smith is one of the best in the business.  Middle linebacker Jon Beason leads a talented linebacking corps.  And free agent defensive end Julius Peppers had another solid season.  The defensive backfield is a tad underrated, especially cornerback Chris Gamble.

There are places where this team needs to improve.  As I hinted above, they should move on from Delhomme.  He's done a lot for the franchise, but is too much of a liability to start anymore.  They should give Moore a shot at starting 2010.  But is he the answer?  The only way we'll know is giving him an opportunity to play.  With that in mind, they should think about drafting acquiring a quarterback.  Their biggest needs are in the passing game.  They need another receiver opposite of Smith, and have for years.  Mushin Muhammed doesn't strike fear in defenses anymore, and may retire.  The Panthers also need a consistent tight end.   If Moore is the guy- which he might be- they need to give him a safety net.  Jeff King, Dante Rosario, and Gary Barnidge are nice role players, but they need a bigger threat at the position.  As I mentioned earlier, Peppers is a free agent, and they traded up in the second round last year to select Everett Brown, as a possible replacement.  But losing a player of his caliber, will most likely need multiple players to replace their production.  Also, the defensive line as a group needs to get younger.  I mentioned that their defensive backfield is tad underrated, but they could use some more depth as well.

The first move they should make is a decision on Peppers, which appears they have.  By not extending the franchise tag to him, they are essentially announcing they are cutting ties to him.  With the likely change in the collective bargaining rules, I wonder if they could and would be willing to use the transition tag on him- at least get some compensation for his departure.  Their move to acquire Brown made sense for a potential replacement standpoint, however, I don't agree with trading this year's first round pick to get him in the second round.  That's a move I don't like- trading a future number one for a current number two.  It's too desperate, and can have consequences.  This year's draft is brimming with talented linemen, but the Panthers won't get their first crack until half way through the second round, due to last season's trade.  A move they could make is trading DeAngelo Williams for picks.  Stewart proved he can be an every down back this season, and has less ware on him.  Mike Goodson showed signs of promise in the preseason, and could prove to be a capable backup.

Running Back cuts

Some big cuts over the past couple of days- Jamal Lewis, LaDanian Tomlinson, and Brian Westbrook.  Lewis has been rumored to retire since the beginning of 2009.  With the rise of Jerome Henderson, he became expendable.  Tomlinson and Westbrook will hit a tough market.  Teams are wary of older running backs, and runners in their 30's don't have many opportunities.  I can see Tomlinson going to a team like New England or Houston.  Both have playoff potential and could use a talented part-time back.  The Westbrook situation is sad, especially as an Eagles fan.  But it probably was the right move.  He's too much of an injury risk, particularly with the concussions to keep with his salary.  I don't know what team would sign him, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him retire.  It's an end of an era in Philly, as well as San Diego, and it's tough to see this happen to great players.

If I were the GM- New York Giants

The Giants turned in one very disappointing season.  They were predicted by many to compete for a deep playoff run, and for the division title, and just finished .500.  (In fact, I predicted the Giants to win the NFL East.)  Their biggest lost was Steve Spagnulo getting lured away from his defensive coordinator post to become the Head Coach of the St. Louis Rams.  His replacement, Bill Sheridan, was overmatched as injuries- especially in the secondary- and personality conflicts mounted.  I liked their move to replace him with Perry Fewell, the former Bills interim head coach.  The Bills played passionately under him in his short tenure there.  I'm sure the Giants will do the same.

New York still has many strengths.  One being Coach Tom Coughlin.  I know he'll be on the hot seat if his roster doesn't perform, but he's been in this position before and succeeded.  I don't see any reason why not again.  Quarterback Eli Manning developed to become significant threat in the passing game- something that hasn't been a necessity in the past with their philosophy of pounding the ball and pressure defense.  His wideouts were widely questioned coming into the season.  The "other" Steve Smith had the better, more consistent season, leading the NFC with 107 catches and a Pro Bowl berth.  Hakeem Nicks appears to be a star in the making.  Mario Manningham showed he can be a threat.  Tight end Kevin Boss is as tough as they come, and gets overlooked, because of all the talented tight ends in the NFC East.  Their line is aging, yet still effective.  I'll dive into that more later.  Their defensive line was solid yet again, led by pass rushers Osi Umenyora, Justin Tuck, and Mathias Kiwinuka.  And biggest personnel blow occurred when safety Kenny Phillips went down for the season in the first Dallas game.

For improvements, the Giants need to fix the middle of their defense.  They started by jettisoning middle linebacker Antonio Pierce.  Age and a neck injury necessitated the move- though I wouldn't be surprised if he has a good season in another system in 2010.  Their defensive backs were torched all season long, especially at the safety position, once Phillips went down.  As good as their pass rushers were, their defensive tackles either failed to stay healthy or lacked efficiency.  As I mentioned previously, their line is aging.  Backup William Beatty looks like he can step in and man on of the tackle spots, but they should get depth.  Also, David Diehl would probably be more effective playing inside at this point of his career.  He wore down as the season progressed, and Manning took more hits as a result.  Also, the injuries to the top three running backs is concerning.  Brandon Jackson looked like he was running hurt all season.  Ahmad Bradshaw played with stress fractures in his feet.  DJ Ware was nicked up and had to miss some time.  They should think about adding another running back to the mix.

With free agency uncertain this season, they'll have to look to the draft to add the depth they need.  At 15, they stand at a good spot.  I'm sure they would love to see Rolando McClain fall to them, but I don't see it happening.  If that's the case, they should consider safeties Earl Thomas or Taylor Mays to fix that spot.  Dan Williams could possibly be available for a defensive tackle spot.  Or, they could go with a Kyle Wilson to bolster their cornerback depth.

If I were the GM- Denver

Talk about one of the 2009's most intriguing teams.  First, they hired Josh McDaniels in the preceding offseason.  He immediately gotten into a war of words with franchise quarterback Jay Cutler- leading to the trade with Chicago.  A move I still don't agree with.  As immature Cutler is, he's still young, and would have been able to stretch defenses that Kyle Orton cannot.  Now, McDaniels is in a war of words with star wide receiver Brandon Marshall, and there's a strong possibility he might be traded.  That's another move I wouldn't make.  I would try to find a form of reconciliation to both parties.  A trade will only weaken the Broncos at yet another position.  Through all the hoopla, Denver began the season 6-0.  However, it was mostly smoke and mirrors.  They could only play a ball control offense- giving them a small window of winning each game.  Also, their veteran defense seemed to age as the season progressed.

The strengths of this team are its running game- led by Correll Buckhalter and Knowshon Moreno, a future star- and its tough offensive line- anchored by Pro Bowler Ryan Clady.  Elvis Dumervil had a breakout Pro Bowl season- leading the league in sacks.  Cornerback Champ Bailey and Safety Brian Dawkins are future Hall of Famers, and were still productive last season.

They need improvement in many spots.  As I mentioned earlier, their defense seemed to wear down as the season bore on.  They could improve their front seven, especially their defensive line, and give Dumervil help on the opposite find of the field.  Denver still needs a quarterback of the future.  Orton is a stop-gap at the position, or a really talented backup.  And if they do decide to rid themselves of Marshall, they'll need another wide receiver- which is a position they could infuse more talent.

First, the Broncos should figure out the Marshall situation.  I've been adamant about them keeping their best offensive weapon.  Secondly, they need to develop another quarterback.  Orton is not the answer at the position, so they need to think about grabbing a quarterback early on in the draft.  They should consider trading up to grab either Bradford or Clausen.  Another option is to trade back and acquire additional draft choices to plug into their numerous holes- something that wouldn't have been a problem if they didn't trade their pick for Alphonso Smith- a small cornerback of whom they didn't have to give up so much to get in the second round.  If they stay at the pick, the players to consider should be Dez Bryant at wide receiver, defensive linemen Jason Pierre-Paul or Dan Williams.

If I were the GM- San Francisco

The 49ers made some strides this past season.  They had a surprising 3-0 start, which could have been 4-0 without a great play from Brett Favre and Greg Lewis.  I like Mike Singletary coaching the team, but worry if his fiery nature could eventually fall on deaf ears.  I don't think it will, however, especially with leaders like Patrick Willis on the ball club.

This team does have its strengths, and could be up-and-coming in 2010.  The aforementioned Willis is the best linebacker in the game, and is only going to get better.  Arubyo Franklin is a force on the defensive line.  Outside linebacker Manny Lawson is one of the more underrated players in the game.  Defensive end Justin Smith made another Pro Bowl this year.  On offense, I like the move from Shaun Hill to Alex Smith.  Smith needs to improve from under center, but could become the quarterback they drafted number one overall a number of years ago.  Frank Gore is a the least talked about superstar in the league.  Vernon Davis turned a corner at the tight end position.  Michael Crabtree was a steal at the number 10 selection in last season's draft.  Josh Morgan is a solid number two receiver.  Their offensive line is good, but not great.  However, Joe Staley is a terrific left tackle.

San Francisco has needs but they're not glaring.  I mentioned their offensive line was good, but not great.  They could use help at right tackle, or their interior line.  If they continue to utilize the spread offense, they'll need another wide receiver to compliment Crabtree and Morgan- I'd like a speedster to spread the field for Davis, Crabtree, and Morgan.  Also, they could use a young playmaker in the secondary.  They have good hitters, but another cover guy would be useful.  On the front seven, they could use more depth, but no position is a glaring need.

This team is in a good spot, because they don't have many absolute needs and have two top 16 picks.  So they don't have to reach for anybody in the draft, and have the ammunition to trade up into the top ten if there's a player they like that begins to drop, perhaps a Russell Okung.  If they decide to stay put, they should use at least one pick to improve their offensive line.  Maybe a Trent Williams will drop or Mike Iupati- a fast rising guard from Idaho, or take both.  Another player to consider would be Bryan Bulaga if Williams is unavailable.  If they want to use one of the picks at another position, perhaps take cornerback Kyle Wilson.

If I were the GM-Miami

I like this organization.  The way Bill Parcells has come into his role as Team President and turned this thing around from the Nick Saban disaster has been quite impressive.  Coach Tony Sparano is the perfect man to manage the team, and should have answered any questions about his hire by now with the team's play on the field.  Now, why would I praise a team that went from first to third- and missing the playoffs- in a single season?  First, they played over their heads in 2008.  The Wildcat scheme is creative, and no one really had an answer for it until this season.  Secondly, they played a first-place schedule, not a last-place one like they had the year before, so they played against tougher competition.  Still, I saw improvement.

This team has numerous strengths.  Their running game is one of the best in the NFL.  I realize Ronnie Brown and backup Patrick Cobbs are coming off injuries, but look at the depth of the position.  Ricky Williams was a top ten back this season, and they found a nice diamond in the rough with Lex Hilliard.  The Dolphins have a talented offensive line led by Pro Bowler Jake Long.  He was a former number one overall pick in the draft, and has lived up to the billing.  The best thing that occurred to this team was the injury to Chad Pennington, as terrible as it is to say- you never wish injuries on anyone, especially, if by all accounts, they're good people.  Chad Henne looks like the real deal, and may have been a steal where they drafted him (second round).  On the defensive side of the ball, they have two promising corners in Sean Smith and Vontae Davis.  Both improved over the course of the season, giving Miami potentially top corners for years to come.  Safety Yeremiah Bell was a Pro Bowler, and is a good hitter.

Where this team needs improvement is in their front seven and the wide receiver spots.  The front seven, while talented, is growing long in the tooth, and could use more playmakers.  The wide receiving corps doesn't have a true number one guy for Henne to throw to.  I like Davone Bess, but he's more of a complimentary receiver, who can do damage with single coverage.  Ted Ginn, Jr. hasn't lived up to his billing of a first round pick.  He's a better return guy at this point of his career.  They have some depth at tight end, but nobody that scares opposing defenses.  Also, as good as their offensive line is, they could use additional depth.

Luckily, for the Dolphins, there's a good chance that they can fill their major needs through the draft.  They should stay with their pick and take either wide receiver Dez Bryant or linebacker Rolondo McClain.  Both fill major needs of theirs.  If both are gone, then they should consider trading back, and get more value for their pick.  Perhaps they could select a Carlos Dunlap.