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Moss isn't the same player
who dominated early in his career but Brady could help his numbers look that way
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SPRING
CLEANING!
Draft resulted in major roster changes...
Now
that this year's Draft is in the books, what's next for NFL teams? Like with
anyone this time of year, it's time to clean house. The arrival of new
talent means some of the old talent is no longer needed, and that has
already resulted in some significant roster changes. With summer workouts
on the horizon for the boys of fall, who has been swept aside in the
annual spring cleaning? A closer look...
Oakland
Raiders
Out: Randy
Moss, WR (traded to the Patriots)
In: Mike Williams, WR (acquired from the Lions)
What it means: Now 30 years old, Moss isn't quite the same player
who dominated early in his career. That said, he didn't really have any
chemistry with any of the quarterbacks in Oakland during his two years
there, and joining up with Tom
Brady could boost the producting of both players. Williams was
brought in as part of another trade by the Raiders on draft day, and may
be looked at to start for a young and rebuilding Oakland team. Williams
has talent, and could become a very good possession-type receiver
alongside Jerry
Porter.
Seattle
Seahawks
Out: Darrell
Jackson, WR (traded to the 49ers)
In: Courtney
Taylor and Jordan
Kent, WRs (drafted)
What it means: It's not very likely Taylor or Kent will directly
replace Jackson anytime soon, but their added depth allows the Seahawks to
lean more on solid holdovers Nate
Burleson, Deion
Branch, Bobby
Engram, and D.J.
Hackett. Losing Jackson's contract will also help financially, and
in return for sending him to San Fran, Seattle picked up a 4th-round draft
pick they used on offensive guard Mansfield
Wrotto, a solid depth addition for them considering last year's
O-line struggles.
Detroit
Lions
Out: Josh
McCown, QB (traded to the Raiders)
In: Drew
Stanton, QB (drafted)
What it means: It means McCown may now finally have a starting job,
and that Stanton (picture) may be groomed as QB-of-the-future for the Lions. McCown
was expected to challenge Jon
Kitna for snaps when he arrived in Motown last year, but he didn't
throw a single pass all year and asked to be traded. It will be
interesting to see if he, Andrew
Walter, or No. 1 overall draft selection JaMarcus
Russell gets the nod running Oakland's offense this season.
Meanwhile Stanton is an intriguing prospect who isn't likely to cause a QB
controversy just yet, but has star potential down the road if he keeps
working and stays healthy.
Carolina
Panthers
Out: Keyshawn
Johnson, WR (released)
In: Dwayne
Jarrett, WR (drafted)
What it means: That the Panthers are going younger at possession
receiver. It's ironic that Johnson, soon to be 35, has essentially been
replaced by a big wideout from his alma mater, USC. Jarrett's salary
hasn't been decided yet but it will very likely be less than it would have
been to keep Johnson around for the extended future. Johnson has
reportedly already been offered work by other NFL teams, so his solid pro
career will continue into the 2007 season. Look for Jarrett to compete for
a starting job with the Panthers along with Keary
Colbert, and the right to play alongside star Steve Smith.
Kansas
City Chiefs
Out: Ryan
Sims, DT (traded to the Buccaneers)
In: Turk
McBride and Tank Tyler, DTs (drafted)
What it means: The Bucs now have another talented young defender
(albeit an underachieving one), while the Chiefs have two more promising
defensive tackles for their improving young defense. When McBride and
Tyler were still around in the draft, KC pounced (and for good reason).
Not only are both players potential stars, but Sims was a bust for them
since being selected No. 6 overall in the 2002 draft. The Chiefs could
afford to let Sims go, and the Bucs can use him in an attempt to replace Anthony
McFarland, whom they traded midway through last season to the
Colts.
Tampa
Bay Buccaneers
Out: Juran
Bolden, CB (released)
In: Tanard
Jackson, CB, and Sabby
Piscitelli, SS (drafted)
What it means: Yet again, the Bucs will focus on defense in 2007.
Jackson doesn't project as a star, but he is probably one of the most
NFL-ready corners to come out of the draft. Meanwhile Piscitelli adds
depth and talent to the Tampa secondary, and the two rookies probably
together made Bolden expendable. Along with those two, the Bucs drafted a
whopping seven defenders out of 10 picks. Add that to the Ryan
Sims pickup, and it's clear that some things change in the NFL,
but Jon Gruden leaning toward defense isn't one of them.
Miami
Dolphins
Out: Marcus
Vick, WR/Return man (released)
In: Tedd Ginn Jr., WR/Return
man (drafted)
What it means: That we are reminded Miami's offense will look much
different in 2007. Vick, the younger brother of Falcon QB Michael
Vick, was a quarterback in college but the Dolphins signed him for
his speed. He never really panned out, spending most of his time with the
team's practice squad. In the meantime, he was sued by a 17-year-old girl
who claimed Vick had a long-term sexual relationship with her and abused
her in several ways. The drafting of Ginn (picture) made Vick expendable, although
he wasn't really in the team's plans as a wideout or returner. Ginn is
mostly replacing the role previously held by Wes
Welker, who was traded recently to the Patriots.
Cleveland
Browns
Out: Joe
Andruzzi, OG (about to be released)
In: Joe
Thomas, OT (drafted) and LeCharles
Bentley (returning from injury)
What it means: The Browns will have a very different look on their
front five come September. The addition of Thomas (who is expected to
start) along with newcomers Eric
Steinbach and Seth
McKinney and the hopeful return of Bentley from a knee injury,
made Andruzzi expendable. The move also frees up the $4 Million Andruzzi
had left on the final two years of his contract. The beefed-up O-line is
especially good news for new QB Brady
Quinn and new RB Jamal
Lewis.
Jacksonville
Jaguars
Out: Chris
Hanson, P (released)
In: Adam
Podlesh, P (drafted)
What it means: The Jags may get a boost in the field-position game.
Punters aren't usually drafted much less coveted by teams, but Podlesh is
an exception. A simply incredible athlete, he was considered the most
sought-after punter in this year's draft and the fact he went in the 4th
round goes to show how much the Jags are impressed by him. He is small for
a punter but incredibly strong and fast, able to boom pinpoint punts with
a quick release. Podlesh may have the potential to be another Brian
Moorman, Buffalo's undersized but athletic Pro Bowler.
Philadelphia
Eagles
Out with the old: Dhani
Jones, LB (released)
In with the new: Stewart
Bradley, LB (drafted)
What it means: That the Eagles are focusing on shoring up their
hole-filled run defense. Not that their troubles were all the fault of
Jones, 29, who was a regular starter for the Eagles in 2006 at strong side
linebacker. But Bradley, despite being a little injury-prone, is very
talented and is expected to compete with second-year talent Chris
Gocong to fill Jones' place. The Eagles also added Takeo
Spikes to their linebacking corps this offseason, and the two new
additions will hopefully help them shore up a defense that had an awful
time making tackles last year. They finished the regular season ranked
26th in the 32-team NFL in rushing yards per game.