Signings, Trades and Releases

Releases:

Laveranues Coles (Bengals): After signing a 4 year 28 million dollar deal with the Bengals Coles was released after one year. Coles at 32 has lost a step and injuries have caught up with him. He is still a serviceable receiver and could help a team. When asked about being cut he said that him and Carson Palmer were not on the same page and that Palmer does not like throwing to small receivers. Coles said he will give the Jets a call to see if they would like him back. Coles can still play if healthy and could contribute to a team. He has to realize he is not a number one receiver anymore and be happy with the role he has on a team. I can see Coles being a free agent until after the draft and when teams need a receiver. A reunion with the Jets is possible.

Washington Redskins (10 players): In a not shocking move the Skins released 10 players. Players of note are Ladell Betts (who will give someone a nice 3rd running back), Fred Smoot (who can be a good nickle back), and Cornelius Griffin (who can add nice depth along a defensive line), and Antwan Randle El (who can help in the return game and in the right situation be a nice situational receiver). This helps the Skins free up money to make a push for a big free agent.

Maake Kemoeatu (Panthers): When healthy Kemoeatu is a good defensive lineman. If a team can sign him and include him in their rotation he will be a nice fit. Kemoeatu can play in either a 3-4 or a 4-3. For the right price he can be a nice addition for a team.

Chris Baker (Patriots): After an uneventful year in New England Baker was released. Baker has been a productive player and is a good blocker. At this point in his career he will be a nice number two tight end. Like Laveranues Coles Baker may look to go back to the Jets. Either way he will be a nice number 2 for a number of teams.

Lito Sheppard (Jets): With a 10 million dollar roster bonus and then the addition of Antonio Cromartie no one was shocked by this. Sheppard fell out of favor with Rex Ryan towards the end of the year but he played well. Sheppard would help a team at the nickle position and to add depth. His starting days are behind him but he still has something in the tank.

Trades:

Jets get Antonio Cromartie- Chargers get conditional 2011 pick 3rd that can go up to a 2nd: If the Jets get the Cromartie of 07 this could be a steal. Cromartie matched up with Revis and it will be very tough to throw against the Jets defense. As much as I like this deal for the Jets I am concerned about a few things. The Chargers grew tired of Cromatie's immaturity, his soft play (not a great tackler), and off the field issues (bar fight in November and having 7 children with 6 different women). Cromartie also said he wanted out of San Diego and it was at a time where both teams needed to go their separate ways. The Chargers got the best deal for him and the Jets got a potentially great corner. I think Cromartie will come to the Jets with something to prove. With his impending free agency and his bad rap he will look to turn that around and have a big year. Some have been concerned with Cromartie's presence in the Big Apple and all the distractions. The Jets are concerned as well but I think they feel with Rex Ryan and the veterans on the team Cromartie will mature and fit in. Only time will tell but this trade will be a win win for both.

Cardinals get Kerry Rhodes-Jets get 2010 4th round pick and a 2011 7th round pick: Rhodes fell out of favor with coach Rex Ryan this year and was benched for two games. He bounced back nicely and had a nice year. Ryan and the Jets were expecting Rhodes to flourish in his system and it just did not happen. Because of this he was expandable. With the release of Antrell Rolle the Cards needed a safety. With Rhodes available the Jets were a perfect match. Rhodes will bring good coverage skills to the Cards. The one knock on Rhodes is that at times he does shy away from making the big hit. Either way I think this is a good trade for both. The Jets get the best value for Rhodes that they could get and the Cardinals get a playmaking safety that they needed.

Ravens get Anquan Boldin and 2010 5th round pick-Cardinals get 2010 3rd and 4th round picks: In a trade that could have happened a year or two ago the Cardinals traded disgruntled wide receiver Anquan Boldin to the Ravens. The Cardinals get rid of a player that could have caused problems and get 3rd and 4th round picks in the upcoming draft that has alot of depth. Boldin goes to the Ravens and is their number one. He will give Joe Flacco a true number 1 receiver for the first time in his career. With the running game the Ravens have and now Boldin the Ravens offense has made themselves better. If Donte Stallworth can play like he did before his DUI and legal troubles this will be a nice one two punch. The Ravens need Boldin to stay healthy which has been difficult for him the last few years. The Ravens have always been known as a defensive team but maybe with the addition of Boldin that can change.

Broncos get Brady Quinn-Browns get Peyton Hillis 2011 6th rd pick and a 2012 conditional pick: After the signing of Jake Delhomme Quinn became expandable in Cleveland. When Eric Mangini took over last year he wanted to make it work with Quinn but he did not fit into Mangini's plans. By going to Denver, Quinn will be in an offense he is familiar with and could push for the starting job. I like the trade for Quinn because it is a fresh start and he will be more relaxed than in Denver than in his hometown. The Browns add a versatile player in Hillis who will become a Mangini favorite with his versatility. In the long run I think this trade can be a win-win for both teams.

Seahawks get Charlie Whitehurst and 2010 2nd round pick-Chargers 2010 second round pick and 2011 3rd round pick: The Seahawks looking for a qb of the future traded a 2011 3rd round pick and dropped 20 spots in this year's second round for Charlie Whitehurst. Whitehurst was a good prospect coming out of Clemson. He never got a chance in San Diego because of the presence of Phillip Rivers. Whitehurst will back up Matt Hasselback and probably will get a chance to play with the injury history of Hasselback. With the trade it leads me to believe that the Seahawks will look to sure up their offensive line and other areas of need in the draft. They may take a qb later in the draft but not in the first few rounds. As for the Chargers they move up in a draft that has good depth and they pick up a third 3rd pick in 2011.

Signings:

Brandon Manumaleuna (Bears): Manumaleuna will be reunited with Mike Martz from when he played with the Rams. Manumaleuna is a great blocker who can add to the passing game. The Bears runs offense should be better with his addition. The Chargers will miss him but should be able to find a replacement for him. With the signing of Manumaleuna this does raise questions about if the rumors are true about them trading Gregg Olson. I think this will be a huge mistake for the Bears. I know in the Martz offense the tight ends are not used to catch but with the talent that Olson has and the rapport he built with Jay Cutler last year it would be a huge mistake for the Bears to trade him. The signing though probably means Desmond Clark will go elsewhere. He is a decent number 2 tight end and he would help someones offense.

Gary Brackett (Colts): Brackett resigned with the Colts which is a good move for them because Brackett is an unsung hero on that defense.

Nate Burleson (Lions): Burleson is a nice addition for the Lions. Him and Calvin Johnson will be a nice 1, 2 receiver tandem. This will give Matt Stafford another option in the passing game. The Lions will improve this year but really need to address their offensive line so Stafford has time to throw the ball and he can stay healthy.

Leonard Weaver (Eagles): Weaver was Mr. Everything for Philly last year. Fullback, running back, you name it he did it. He had a very good year for them and is an undervalued player. The Eagles were smart to resign him and he will help their running game again this year.

Kyle Vanden Bosch (Lions): The Lions have jumped into free agency with a splash. After signing Nate Burleson they have signed a defensive end. Vanden Bosch will be a nice addition to the Lions. Vanden Bosch had his best year under Jim Scwhartz and he will become a pass rush presence for the Lions. As I said earlier the Lions still need help along the offensive line and need to start addressing that. The Lions need as much help as they can get but they need to address the offensive line or it will be a long season for Stafford and the offense.

Julius Peppers (Bears): With no first or second round pick the Bears have been extremely active in the free agent market. The trip Lovie Smith made on Friday to Julius Peppers house paid off for him and the Bears. With the sudden death of Gaines Adams and the need for a pass rusher the Bears acted quickly to get Peppers. With the Patriots and a few other teams knocking the Bears made sure Pepppers did not leave them and sign the deal they offered. This is a good signing but a few things to be weary of. One knock on Peppers is that he takes plays off. For the money he is getting he should not be taking a play off. The other concern is Peppers age. Peppers will perform at a high level for a few more years but at 30 the wear and tear of the NFL breaks people down and we will see what happens with Peppers.

Chester Taylor (Bears): Taylor will add to the Bears offense. Matt Forte had a great rookie year but took a step back last year. His sophomore slump can be contributed to a bad offensive line or even adjusting to a new qb. Either way Taylor will give the Bears more depth and he is a big weapon receiving the ball out of the backfield, which will be a great thing in a Mike Martz run offense. With the three additions by the Bears this weekend they have been very aggressive in free agency and they are trying to make a statement that they will be back next year.

Aaron Kampman (Jaguars): The Jags picked up the second best pass rusher in free agency. Kampman had an off year last year adapting to the 3-4 run by Dom Capers. In the 4-3 the last few years Kampman was a sack machine. He looks to return to that form going to Jacksonville and their 4-3 defense. The Jags have been looking for pass rushers for awhile and the signing of Kampman will fill that void.

Tony Pashos (Browns): As the Mike Holgrem era begins in Cleveland he looks to secure his offensive line. By adding Pashos they are adding a player who has started in the NFL before and will add much needed depth to a line that needs as much help as possible.

Scott Fujita (Browns): Fujita was an integral part in the Saints winning the Super Bowl. He is a solid player who will bring leadership to the Browns. This is a building block signing for the Browns and it will help them.

David Carr (49ers): Carr is going to the 9ers with a thought of competing for the number 1 qb job with another number 1 overall pick Alex Smith. I expect Carr to compete but believe Smith will win the job. Either way the addition of Carr gives the 9ers some depth and if he starts he will help the 9ers.

Kasim Osgood (Jaguars): Osgood will help the Jaguars special teams but he signed with them to help them with their receiving. Osgood has shown he can catch the ball when given the opportunity. Either way it is a nice signing for the Jaguars because Osgood will help in two aspects of the game.

Artis Hicks (Redskins): The Skins added depth with the signing of Hicks. He is a veteran that plays a number of positions and could compete for a starting job with the poor o-line the Redskins have.

Antrel Rolle (Giants): Rolle will be a nice addition to a weak Giants secondary. With all the injuries the Giants had their secondary killed them. Rolle will help them become more athletic and teams will have to plan around him. With the return of a healthy Kenny Phillips this could be the best safety combo in the game.

Karlos Dansby (Dolphins): The Dolphins need as much help in their linebacking core that the signing of Dansby does that instantly. Dansby will be a team leader and help solidify the Dolphins defense. To me this maybe the best signing this free agency. The only other that may compete is Dansby's former teammate Antrel Rolle to the Cardinals.

Jake Delhomme (Browns): The Browns are in huge need of a franchise future qb after releasing Derek Anderson and the impending trade of Brady Quinn. Delhomme is a perfect holdover veteran qb and will be a nice addition to the Browns and the perfect guy to mentor a young qb. I am concerned about the way Delhomme closed out the 2008 season and played in the 2009 season. If Delhomme reverts back to those days this maybe a real bad signing and the Browns will have a tough year or two before the young quarterback takes over.

Thomas Jones (Chiefs): The Chiefs get an older running back who is in great shape and plays younger than his age. Jones has a year or two left in him and he will push Jamal Charles which will make both players better. The one concern I have for Jones is that he is leaving a great offensive line and run game behind him and his age may show. Either way it is a good addition for a team that is young and having a veteran leader like Jones it will make them better.

Ladainian Tomlinson (Jets): LT wanted to play for a winner. He wanted a team he was familiar with and a team he can be happy with and get playing time. The Jets could offer that to LT and I think this will be a very nice pairing. The Jets have a good young runner in Shonne Greene and LT can be that veteran leader that pushes Greene. I think the two will push each other and with what the Jets offer in the best offensive line in the game and a young qb and a great defense they can offer LT what he wants. Plus you add in Brian Schottenheimer who runs the same offense that is run in San Diego the Jets were a perfect match for LT. LT really considered the Vikings but with the uncertainty of the Favre situation as well as the holes the offensive line showed last year he decided to go with the Jets.

Derek Anderson (Cardinals): The Cards were hoping to get Charlie Whitehurst from the Chargers but he chose to go to the Seahawks because he felt he had a better chance to play. With the signing of Anderson the Cards are saying they do not trust Matt Leinhart and would like to have someone competing with him. Anderson burst onto the scene a few years back with the Browns but has be average the last few years. Anderson should compete for the number one with the Cardinals. I think this is a good signing by the Cards but would not be surprised to see them bring in another veteran to compete for the job.