Jacksonville News-Leader, 2009

Heading into free agency 2009 the Jaguars only have 19 players signed to contracts. The key players in the backfield Mcallister and Beasley are both signed through 09, and the only starting linemen without a contract is Benji Olson(RG). Although the running game could look something like that of 2008 the passing game could undergo some major changes. Niether Kurt Warner or David Carr has resigned and currently the Jags have no QB?s on the roster. The wideout positions are vacant as well, after Chad Johnson(FL) and Rashaun Woods(SE) opted not to extend their contracts for 09. These unfilled positions are serious question marks for the success of the Jaguars in 09. On the opposite side of the ball the return of starters Chris Hovan(DT), Jay Foreman(ILB), Dexter Coakley(OLB) and Colin Branch(FS) remain in question. Add that to Strong Safety Robert Griffiths retirement and the Jags only retain five defensive starters from 08. While the number of returning players isn?t high the front office has high expectations for the production of what remains. Darren Howard(LDE), Dan Morgan(MLB), Will Allen(LCB) and Tony Hopper?s(RCB) resumes speaks for themselves. Add Demarcus Ware(WLB) with a full year of experience and the Jags front office likes the start they have on building a winning defense.

I have to say i'm in the same boat, after taking a team after an owner left i'm left with 28 contracted players, No RB's, 1 QB, 1 S and absolutly hundreds of gaps!

Hopefully this will mark a new begining for the browns, and that they hope to improve on this year, and in another years time be in playoff contention!

[Arizing540]

wish you guys the best of luck! well.. except for you, cleveland :bum:

[Melkiper]

good luck to all the new guys!

Hate to say it Browns...you were in the playoffs this year. Were my pick to win the AFC for a while...of course, that's my job this year coming up.

[Arizing540]

:lmao: that's a good one!! you'd actually have to find a way to beat me first

Bring it on Steelers!

Simon yeah your team didn't get left in the best shape. But you do have a nice selection of C's to choose from. :lol:

Week 1 Free Agency
Jacksonville
The Jags failed to land anyone the first week other than Stan Sawyer(DE). The team is obviously preparing for the worst and planning on moving forward without Adewele Ogunleye. This is certainly consistent with the new GM Nate May?s philosophy of signing blue collar type players to round out his teams roster. Sawyer is an not a proven player with only 271 snaps in 3 years of work. Scheduled to make 2.1 million next year and 4.1 in 2012 this signing has the potential to be a nice signing or a huge bust.

Conference Signings

? Houston signed Chris Naeole(RG, 3yrs13.49mil.) who should replace last years starter Kent Klicker. If the Texans do not bring in another Guard it would hard to imagine Klicker, who was solid last year, not competing for the job opposite Naeole. A nice upgrade to soup up the offensive line.

? Indianapolis signed Cory Tynes(LG) to a one year contract worth 820k. He should serve as a nice backup option if(or should we say when) Glen Martinez can?t go a full sixteen.

Other Notables

? Ray Lewis re signed with the Cleveland Browns. After being on the field for only 69 snaps during 06 and 07, last year he had 67 tackles and 22 assists in 15 starts. He presumably remains as the starter in 09

? The New York Jets have started replacing their entire group of CB?s. Their first signing was Will Hampton. He should be a solid foundation for whatever they are planning to do with their corners. The last three years with Oakland he has registered 13 int?s in 42 starts. They also announced the signing of Madieu Williams, last year in Tampa he tallied 92 tackles and 25 assists playing for his new contract. The signing of these two together makes sense to us. Hampton?s ability to play man should allow Williams to scan for and play the run. They should complement each other well and should make the D Line look better than what they really are.

? Ben Hartsock re signs with New Orleans at the tune of 9 million spread over 4 years. If Ashley Lelie decides not to return to the Saints or Tapscott is not with the team in 09 his value to the team could be more than what it is now. Their were to many options on this team last year for him to get the 72 catches that he posted in 07. If Trapscott is not with the Saints next year he would provide a good option for an inexperienced QB to dump the ball to when no other options are available.

? Ross Tucker(C) who after struggling in Washington 2 years ago, resurrected his career last year in San Francisco. After sixteen weeks of being a true starter for the first time in his career he finished with 46 key run blocks and a 36% Bpct. Apparently the Football Giants of New York took notice. Yesterday they awarded him a contract worth 20.2 million over 5 years. It looks like Casey Weigman has been completely deleted from the teams plan. The Giants also signed Teddy Bruschi who should provide a nice step up over 08?s starter Sam Moss.

Like it!
Love the round up at the end!
Keep em coming!

[Arizing540]

great write-up! looking forward to more! :hail:

[Crabman]

Yes, very nice! I look forward to the next one.

News from Chicago

Heading into the 2009 season new Bears general manager Beats has found out what his fellow GM?s like to call ?cap hell?. In his own press conference on Aug. 21 Beats alerted the world about the situation, ?Wow, the former Bears GM really was generous when offering contracts. So much so that we face some major cuts & re-negotiations during the off season.? He went on and alerted his fellow GM?s, ?We might be forced to let some guys go, so keep an eye out for a bargain!?. And Beats has wasted no time delivering on that statement. Yesterday he dealt what many GM?s would consider an untouchable player in Jermaine Summers to the Arizona Cardinals for a #1 and #4 amateur draft pick. Doing so leaves the Bears without a starting left guard but they still have the services of two promising young right guards in Geoff Hangartner and David Baas. Either should be able to make the conversion to left side and with some experience be productive players. And either should have plenty of time becoming acclimated to life as starters while da Bears break in whoever will be their new starting QB. Yesterday at around noon it was announced that Tom Brady was getting shipped to Tennessee for Jason Campbell. But that?s not all with him comes old head Mark Brunell, and the Titans 2nd round pick in the draft for 09(37th overall) as well as their 1st and 2nd round picks in 2011. These two trades equate to about 7 million in freed cap space in 09, but the Bears are still about 9 million away from complying with FFL cap rules and that?s without a full roster. At this point it looks like no players job in Chicago is safe. It will be an interesting off-season in the windy city.

Week 2 Free Agency

The Jaguars possibly know who will run the offense in 2009 after signing 12 year veteran Jay Fiedler. Ranking 14th in all time FFL wins with 35 Fiedler is the leading candidate to take over for the vacancies left by Warner and Carr. The Jags also signed long time bench warmer Aaron Brooks and young James Killian for Depth. Place Kicker Leo Hett was re signed after showing great consistency over the last 23 games he suited up for the Jaguars. And finally Kevin Hardy was re signed, last year he was reduced to a backup role in the Jags defense but with GM Nate May hinting he will implement a 3-4 scheme when called for Hardy could see a significant upgrade in playing time this year.

AFC South

? The Texans solidified the offensive line yesterday with the signing of Adewale Ogunleye. It will cost them on average 11 million for 3 years, but with the lack of blitzing skills their LB?s bring to the table it should certainly be a worthwhile investment. It also gives rise the question of what will happen to Erasmus James a #10 pick in 2008.

? After being snubbed by the Vikings who didn?t even offer him a contract Fred Taylor will be suiting up for the Indianapolis Colts in 2009. Apparently Taylor sees something in the Colts no one else familiar with the team does as he turned down two other offers from the Steelers and Texans to run for the Colts. Given that both other offers were worth more per year than the Colts offer, Taylor seems to be playing a card that we here at the News Leader are unfamiliar with. The Colts also signed Seth Mckinney(C) its unclear weather he will get the nod over young Kirk Cobb. We guess the Colts go with the veteran as they try to prove to the world that they really are a professional football team.

? In a blockbuster deal the Tennesse Titans aquired Tom Brady from the Bears. Brady provided the Bears with 5 solid, if unspectacular seasons. Look for stats to improve in 09 with the likes of Jeremy Arora and Jerry Porter in his sights.

Other Notables
? The Dallas Cowboys continue to add depth to their roster with 9 total signing so far this offseason. The most news worthy is RB Skip Jamison who was attracting plenty of market attention.

? Defensive End Alex Brown jumped ship on the Buccaneers to swim with the Dolphins in 09. Scheduled to make a 1.5 million next year Brown should provide consistent pressure on opposing QB?s. With Andre Carter on the opposite side of the line and any of four serviceable DT?s inbetween them, add Takeo Spikes and this defense should give fits to every offense in the league.

? The Jets add Brandon Stokley to a receiver group that already includes Quincy Morgan and Antwann Randle El. Stokley has averaged over 1100 yards the past five years for 3 different teams. The Jets also shelled out about 7 million a year on average over 5 years to add Keyaron Fox(WLB). It looks like Derek Brooks abilities are in question with those in the Jets front office.

? In biggest news of yesterday the Saints rewarded up and coming QB Joel Tapscott with a 72.6 million doller contract that is spread over 6 years. Tapscott who was a ball control machine last year re signs on the same day as his favorite wideout Ashley Lelie(26.55 mill., 4 years). With these two signings the Saints return all of their starting offense from 08.

? The New York Giants signed prized CB Chris Springer to a 4 year 39.5 million deal, Springer even after a relatively poor showing by his standards last year will take the starting job away from Fernando Bryant. WLB Jamie Winborn was also signed, if last years WLB starter Jashon Sykes returns he will have his hands full remaining in that role. Both signings are a small step in the Giants realizing their dreams of knocking off the Redskins and claiming the rights to wear the NFC East crown.

? In more NFC East news Ralph Brown(RCB) might have walked into a starting job replacing Andre Woolfolk if he decides not to return to the Eagles in 09. Browns only competition right now will be third year player Justin Miller.

? The San Diego Chargers might have found their starting LT for 09 with the signing of Victor Riley. Although a formidable option Riley will have his hands full trying to top the production of Charger alum Barry Stokes who over the past three years has provided the team with a 39% BPct.

? Washington has added their sixth tackle to their roster with the signing of Seth Wand. With a BPct of 42.2% in 135 chances over 32 career starts we can?t imagine he won?t automatically be considered the starter, although a quick glance at their roster reveals that he will certainly have plenty of competition.

[Melkiper]

Week 2 Free Agency

The Jaguars possibly know who will run the offense in 2009 after signing 12 year veteran Jay Fiedler. Ranking 14th in all time FFL wins with 35 Fiedler is the leading candidate to take over for the vacancies left by Warner and Carr. The Jags also signed long time bench warmer Aaron Brooks and young James Killian for Depth. Place Kicker Leo Hett was re signed after showing great consistency over the last 23 games he suited up for the Jaguars. And finally Kevin Hardy was re signed, last year he was reduced to a backup role in the Jags defense but with GM Nate May hinting he will implement a 3-4 scheme when called for Hardy could see a significant upgrade in playing time this year.

AFC South

? The Texans solidified the offensive line yesterday with the signing of Adewale Ogunleye. It will cost them on average 11 million for 3 years, but with the lack of blitzing skills their LB?s bring to the table it should certainly be a worthwhile investment. It also gives rise the question of what will happen to Erasmus James a #10 pick in 2008.

? After being snubbed by the Vikings who didn?t even offer him a contract Fred Taylor will be suiting up for the Indianapolis Colts in 2009. Apparently Taylor sees something in the Colts no one else familiar with the team does as he turned down two other offers from the Steelers and Texans to run for the Colts. Given that both other offers were worth more per year than the Colts offer, Taylor seems to be playing a card that we here at the News Leader are unfamiliar with. The Colts also signed Seth Mckinney(C) its unclear weather he will get the nod over young Kirk Cobb. We guess the Colts go with the veteran as they try to prove to the world that they really are a professional football team.

? In a blockbuster deal the Tennesse Titans aquired Tom Brady from the Bears. Brady provided the Bears with 5 solid, if unspectacular seasons. Look for stats to improve in 09 with the likes of Jeremy Arora and Jerry Porter in his sights.

Other Notables
? The Dallas Cowboys continue to add depth to their roster with 9 total signing so far this offseason. The most news worthy is RB Skip Jamison who was attracting plenty of market attention.

? Defensive End Alex Brown jumped ship on the Buccaneers to swim with the Dolphins in 09. Scheduled to make a 1.5 million next year Brown should provide consistent pressure on opposing QB?s. With Andre Carter on the opposite side of the line and any of four serviceable DT?s inbetween them, add Takeo Spikes and this defense should give fits to every offense in the league.

? The Jets add Brandon Stokley to a receiver group that already includes Quincy Morgan and Antwann Randle El. Stokley has averaged over 1100 yards the past five years for 3 different teams. The Jets also shelled out about 7 million a year on average over 5 years to add Keyaron Fox(WLB). It looks like Derek Brooks abilities are in question with those in the Jets front office.

? In biggest news of yesterday the Saints rewarded up and coming QB Joel Tapscott with a 72.6 million doller contract that is spread over 6 years. Tapscott who was a ball control machine last year re signs on the same day as his favorite wideout Ashley Lelie(26.55 mill., 4 years). With these two signings the Saints return all of their starting offense from 08.

? The New York Giants signed prized CB Chris Springer to a 4 year 39.5 million deal, Springer even after a relatively poor showing by his standards last year will take the starting job away from Fernando Bryant. WLB Jamie Winborn was also signed, if last years WLB starter Jashon Sykes returns he will have his hands full remaining in that role. Both signings are a small step in the Giants realizing their dreams of knocking off the Redskins and claiming the rights to wear the NFC East crown.

? In more NFC East news Ralph Brown(RCB) might have walked into a starting job replacing Andre Woolfolk if he decides not to return to the Eagles in 09. Browns only competition right now will be third year player Justin Miller.

? The San Diego Chargers might have found their starting LT for 09 with the signing of Victor Riley. Although a formidable option Riley will have his hands full trying to top the production of Charger alum Barry Stokes who over the past three years has provided the team with a 39% BPct.

? Washington has added their sixth tackle to their roster with the signing of Seth Wand. With a BPct of 42.2% in 135 chances over 32 career starts we can?t imagine he won?t automatically be considered the starter, although a quick glance at their roster reveals that he will certainly have plenty of competition.

great stuff bro...keep it comin..where's KC? :chin: