Indianapolis Colts (Last Year: 12-4).
Season Summary:
I wrote here last year that "Manning will never be a great quarterback until he wins the Super Bowl." Well, I guess we can all label him as a great quarterback now.
Unrestricted Free Agents:
RB Dominic Rhodes, FB James Mungro, WR Aaron Moorehead, WR Ricky Proehl, WR Terrence Wilkins, DE Dwight Freeney, DT Dan Klecko, OLB Cato June, OLB Rob Morris, MLB Rocky Boiman, CB Nick Harper, S Mike Doss.
Restricted Free Agents:
QB Jim Sorgi, G Ryan Lilja, G Jake Scott, DE Josh Thomas, DE Bo Schobel, OLB Gilbert Gardner, CB Jason David.
Potential Cap Casualties:
WR Brandon Stokley, DT Corey Simon.
Cap Status (as of 2/22): $8.2 million under.
Offseason Needs:
- Re-Sign Dwight Freeney: The first thing the Colts need to do to assure themselves a repeat is to re-sign their major free agents, starting with Dwight Freeney. Freeney franchised.
- Re-Sign Cato June: Indianapolis won't have much at linebacker if it lets Cato June go. Drafted Clint Session and Keyunta Dawson.
- Re-Sign Nick Harper and Jason Davis: Same goes for the cornerback position if Nick Harper and Jason David leave. Drafted Daymeion Hughes and Michael Coe.
- Defensive Tackle: The Colts' run defense clamped down in the playoffs. Was it a fluke? Was it attributed to inept game plans by Herman Edwards and Brian Billick? Who knows. Regardless, they need help at defensive tackle. Drafted Quinn Pitcock.
- Outside Linebacker: Rob Morris, the team's other outside linebacker, is also a free agent. He'll need to be replaced. Re-signed Rob Morris.
- Wide Receiver: The Colts have nothing behind Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. Drafted Anthony Gonzalez and Roy Hall.
- Guard: I'd like to see the Colts add more depth at the guard position. This can be addressed with a second-day pick.
- Running Back: If Indianapolis doesn't re-sign Dominic Rhodes, it'll need a capable backup for Joseph Addai.
Analysis: Unless the Titans or Jaguars make major improvements, there will be no one to challenge the Colts in the AFC South. Barring injuries to Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and/or Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis will once again be in the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy.
Jacksonville Jaguars (Last Year: 8-8).
Season Summary:
The Jaguars were able to go 12-4 in 2005 because they had the easiest schedule in the NFL. The 8-8 record was a result of injuries to Donovin Darius, Reggie Hayward and Byron Leftwich. They're probably somewhere in between.
Unrestricted Free Agents:
RB LaBrandon Toefield, TE Kyle Brady, DE Marcellus Wiley, DT Tony Williams, MLB Tony Gilbert, S Deon Grant.
Restricted Free Agents:
QB Quinn Gray, WR Ernest Wilford, TE Brian Jones, K Josh Scobee.
Potential Cap Casualties:
None.
Cap Status (as of 2/22): $21.6 million under.
Offseason Needs:
- Wide Receiver: The Jaguars' top four wide outs are all possession receivers. Seriously, was this done on purpose? Ted Ginn could be the answer in the first round. Signed Dennis Northcutt; drafted Mike Walker and John Broussard.
- Outside Linebacker: Jacksonville's only hole in the front seven is at one of the outside linebacker positions, currently occupied by Nick Greisen. Cato June would be a nice fit. Drafted Justin Durant and Brian Smith.
- Safety: Deon Grant's a free agent and Donovin Darius gets hurt every year. Obtaining a safety via free agency or the draft wouldn't be a bad idea. Drafted Reggie Nelson and Josh Gattis.
- Cornerback: Rashean Mathis is great and Brian Williams is solid, but there's nothing behind them.
- Guard: The Jaguars could use some depth, if not an improvement, at offensive guard. Draft Uche Nwaneri.
- Quarterback: Jacksonville should use one of its second-day picks on a young quarterback to bring into the mix.
Analysis: The Jaguars have the cap space to make some noise this offseason. Of course, they were in the same position last year and failed to improve.
Tennessee Titans (Last Year: 8-8).
Season Summary:
It's a shame the Titans didn't get into the playoffs; I would have liked to have seen Vince Young do some major damage. It's unbelievable that he still has critics out there. I was one of the people who doubted him; I learned my lesson. Others apparently haven't.
Unrestricted Free Agents:
QB Kerry Collins, RB Chris Brown, WR Drew Bennett, WR Bobby Wade, OT Seth Wand, DT Robaire Smith, DT Rien Long, S Donnie Nickey.
Restricted Free Agents:
TE Ben Hartsock, OT Jacob Bell, C Eugene Amano, DT Randy Starks, OLB Colby Bockwoldt, OLB Robert Reynolds.
Potential Cap Casualties:
S Lamont Thompson.
Cap Status (as of 2/22): $37 million under.
Offseason Needs:
- Defensive End: It's amazing that the Titans were 8-8 despite generating only 26 sacks. Besides Kyle Vanden Bosch, no one had more than 3½. That needs to change immediately. Free agent Patrick Kerney is an option. Drafted Jacob Ford.
- Defensive Tackle: Even worse than the inept pass rush was Tennessee's woeful run defense. If Carolina cuts Kris Jenkins, the team should pounce on him. Drafted Antonio Johnson.
- Running Back: Travis Henry had a great year, but he's gone. The Titans need a replacement. Drafted Chris Henry.
- Middle Linebacker: More help for the Titans' run efforts. Peter Sirmon is a quality backup, but should not be starting in this league.
- Safety: Why does it seem like Tennessee needs help at every defensive position? Ken Hamlin could be a solution to its free-safety woes. Drafted Michael Griffin.
- Cornerback: A quality No. 2 across from Pacman Jones is a must. Signed Nick Harper; drafted Ryan Smith.
- Two Wide Receivers: If the Titans retain Drew Bennett, make this "one wide receiver." Bennett and David Givens are solid wide outs, but Vince Young needs a speed receiver to throw to. Using a first-round selection on Dwayne Jarrett makes sense. Drafted Paul Williams, Chris Davis and Joel Filani.
- Quarterback: Tennessee needs a veteran backup behind Young. Re-signed Kerry Collins.
- Center: Kevin Mawae is still getting it done, but the Titans need to find his heir apparent. Drafted Leroy Harris.
Analysis: After spending years in cap purgatory, the Titans are finally able to spend on upgrades. Let's hope they use their newfound money wisely.
Houston Texans (Last Year: 6-10).
Season Summary:
Now that Charley Casserly is no longer the Texans' general manager, maybe the team actually has a shot at the playoffs... Nah. But seriously, there's a lot of work to be done.
Unrestricted Free Agents:
RB Ron Dayne, TE Mark Bruener, OT Ephraim Salaam, OT Brad Bedell, DE ND Kalu, DE Antwan Peek, DT Cedric Killings, OLB Troy Evans, MLB DaShon Polk, MLB Wali Rainer, CB Dexter McCleon, CB Lewis Sanders, S Michael Stone, P Chad Stanley.
Restricted Free Agents:
FB Vonta Leach, WR Charlie Adams, OLB Shantee Orr, OLB Charlie Anderson, CB Roc Alexander, CB Von Hutchins, S Glenn Earl.
Potential Cap Casualties:
QB David Carr, RB Domanick Davis, WR Eric Moulds, TE Jeb Putzier, G Steve McKinney, DE Jason Babin, DT Seth Payne, OLB Morlon Greenwood, OLB Kailee Wong.
Cap Status (as of 2/22): $16.7 million under.
Offseason Needs:
- Quarterback: OK, here we go. Just from looking at the depth chart, it appears as though the Texans need upgrades everywhere. The David Carr era is likely over in Houston. Is Jake Plummer the answer? No. Will Houston sign him? Of course. They have a knack for screwing up in the offseason. Traded for Matt Schaub.
- Offensive Tackle: Charles Spencer looked promising until he went down with a major injury. He may never play again. The Texans need a new left tackle. Again. Levi Brown is an option in the first round. Signed Jordan Black; drafted Brandon Frye.
- Running Back: Will Domanick Davis-Williams bounce back from his injury? The fact that Houston is considering Adrian Peterson at No. 8 should tell you where he's at. Signed Ahman Green and Darius Walker; re-signed Ron Dayne.
- Defensive End: Hey Charley Casserly, I thought Mario Williams was going to bolster your pass rush! What happened?
- Two Safeties: I currently have the Texans taking LaRon Landy with the No. 8 selection. While they need him, I may change the pick to Brown; head coach Gary Kubiak mentioned his need for a left tackle about 230,359 times during his press conference at the Combine. Drafted Brandon Harrison.
- Two Outside Linebackers: DeMeco Ryans looks like he's going to be a great middle linebacker for years to come. Houston needs to surround him with players that actually belong in the NFL. Signed Shawn Barber; drafted Zach Diles.
- Wide Receiver: Andre Johnson's an incredible talent. No other Texan receiver is, unfortunately. Drew Bennett would make a nice No. 2. Drafed Jacoby Jones; signed Andre' Davis.
- Defensive Tackle: How does a team have this many holes on its roster? Drafted Amobi Okoye; signed Jeff Zgonina.
- Cornerback: I mean, seriously... This is pathetic. Drafted Fred Bennett; re-signed Dexter McCleon.
- Kicker: It shouldn't be surprising that Houston employs one of the league's worst kickers. Signed Jamar Fletcher.
- Guard: Another improvement on the offensive front is imperative. Drafted Kasey Studdard.
- Punter: This is really sad. I feel sorry for the good people of Houston for putting up with this garbage.
Analysis: Look at all of the Texans' needs. Now look at their cap figure. Barring some sort of miracle, this will be the NFL's worst team in 2007.
AFC East / AFC North / AFC South / AFC West /
NFC East / NFC North / NFC South / NFC West
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