Free agency started off at a frenetic pace. With the extra salary cap created by the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, several teams snatched up valuable players while others are waiting for the market to come down. Jeremy Green of Scouts Inc. breaks down a few of the early winners and losers [Insider subscription required].
Winners – Cleveland, Minnesota, Arizona, Miami, Tennessee
The Tennessee Titans got things started by restructuring the contract of quarterback Steve McNair. From that point on, the Titans have been on a roll. In acquiring wide receiver David Givens, free safety Chris Hope and outside linebacker David Thornton, Tennessee has added three players in the top 36 on the Scouts Inc. free agency board.
All three players will add a lot of veteran leadership and athleticism to a team that showed a lot of youth in too many key areas last season.
Losers – Colts, Patriots (for sitting on their hands while the Dolphins have been active)
For a team that was on the verge of greatness last season, the Indianapolis Colts have left me scratching my head in bewilderment this offseason.
Sure they have re-signed wide receiver Reggie Wayne, defensive end Raheem Brock and often-injured running back Dominic Rhodes, but they have received nothing from outside the organization. The Wayne deal appears to have hamstrung this organization. Don’t get me wrong, Wayne is an excellent No. 2 receiver, but was he worth losing James, Thornton (now with the Titans) and defensive tackle Larry Tripplett? I would say no. Now Colts fans are left to wonder what will come of this season.
Green also thinks that Edgerrin James will have a positive economic and on the field impact for the Cardinals. Arizona has been looking for a good running back for years now and James gives them that. Green warns about Drew Brees’ potential in New Orleans, questioning why the quarterback chose “money” over “winning.” The Dolphins seemed like the perfect fit for Brees, but we’ll never know.
