Stretching the Field: The Replacements
by Luke Paul Chandler
The madness that is free agency started four days ago, and while holes were filled with additions, on the flip is the hole left by a free departure. Luke Paul Chandler examines which departures created the biggest needs, and how to fill them.
As free agency hit its full frenzy in the early hours of Feb. 29, teams began filling holes and quickly shoring up problem areas. The biggest movers usually spend the most money, and are the most active in the first 48 hours though. The entire shape of a team’s dynamic can shift quickly. While most focus is put on the additions made that fix a team’s problem, it cannot be forgotten that in free agency, a positional hole filled leaves an equal and opposite hole for the team who lost their player in free agency.
In most cases, a team will begin to try to fill that hole with another free agent, promote from within, or postpone that need till the draft. The five biggest needs are listed below, in order of importance.
1. Chicago Bears Wide Receivers
Losses - Muhsin Muhammad (cut, Carolina Panthers), Bernard Berrian (unrestricted free agent, Minnesota Vikings)
Analysis - The Bears already had anemic passing attack before the departure of Muhammad and Berrian. The salary dump of Muhammad was expected given his lackluster performance, but when that money wasn’t used to retain Berrian, it put general manager Jerry Angelo in a bind. And with Rashied Davis a restricted free agent, the Bears need to take action. With the teams top three wide-outs being the injury riddled Mark Bradley, return specialist Devin Hester, and backup Mike Haas, the team cannot go into 2008 without several upgrades.
Prognosis - The Bears likely have to add a few free agents, and pursue a receiver in the draft, and early. With the 14th pick in the first round, a physical threat such as Oklahoma’s Malcolm Kelly, or Texas’ Limas Sweed are great fits for Ron Turner’s offense. If they wait till later on, Vanderbilt’s Earl Bennett or Indiana’s James Hardy are likely mid second round picks.
2. New England Patriots Cornerbacks
Losses - Randall Gay (unrestricted free agent, New Orleans Saints), Asante Samuel (unrestricted free agent, Philadelphia Eagles)
Analysis - Letting two of your top three cornerbacks leave is something that would phase most teams, but not the Patriots. The Patriots hard line in negotiations, and make it clear that the way to win a Super Bowl ring with them is to take less money. Gay and Samuel chose otherwise, and are playing elsewhere now, with little friction from Patriots management. The Patriots defense relies on smart, zone savvy corners who are physical. The leftovers on roster, outside of starter Ellis Hobbs and nickel back Brandon Meriweather, are stopgaps like Chad Scott. Time for a youth movement in Boston.
Prognosis - The Patriots will draft up this position. With the seventh pick in the first round, due to a draft day trade last year with the 49ers, the Patriots could have their pick of South Florida’s Mike Jenkins, Tennessee State product Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, or Leodis McKelvin from Troy. All three fit the Patriots mold and could contribute right away. Also look for at least another second day pick like Dwight Lowery to be made.
3. New York Giants Outside Linebackers
Losses - Kawika Mitchell (unrestricted free agent, Buffalo Bills), Reggie Torbor (unrestricted free agent, Miami Dolphins)
Analysis - The Super Bowl champs were bound to have hits, and the linebackers took the toughest shot on defense. Both Mitchell and Torbor left for big money deals, and were key contributors down the stretch. Torbor had taken over for the injured Mathias Kiwanuka midseason, and was able to give solid pressure. Mitchell is the more versatile of the two, and played easily his best season for the Giants.
Prognosis - Promotions from within will likely shore up the starting spots. Gerris Wilkinson will inherit the weak side job of Mitchell, and it should be a seamless transition. Wilkinson is an aggressive, physical blitzer like Mitchell, but he lacks the coverage awareness. As for the strong side, Kiwanuka will take over his starting job again. The Giants don’t appear to be worried about this though, and will look to mid-round picks like Philip Wheeler of Georgia Tech as backups.
4. Denver Broncos Wide Receivers
Losses - Rod Smith (retirement), Javon Walker (cut)
Analysis - Mike Shannahan and company were stuck between a rock and a hard place. Rod Smith was obviously going to retire, but the bigger problem became Javon Walker. Walker played only for two seasons in Denver, and has had a career marred with injuries and attitude concerns. Walker was present in the limo the night of Darrent Williams murder, and Broncos officials had grown tired of his problems. Walker is immensely talented, but he was no longer worth the issue. With the emergence of Brandon Marshall as the team’s number one receiver, the team felt they could take a risk in this area. The Broncos look for receivers who are physical blockers and able to run across the middle of the field.
Prognosis - The team moved quickly to acquire the services of former Panther Keary Colbert on Friday. Colbert disappointed in Carolina after a promising rookie year, but he has experience in a similar offense from his time as Southern California. The team may not address this pick until Round 2, with the 42nd pick, where a Devin Thomas of Michigan State may be available. Thomas is a great player after the catch and has a great speed to size ratio. As a bonus, Thomas can double as a kick returner, an area of need for the Broncos.
5. Seattle Seahawks Linebackers
Losses - Niko Koutivides (unrestricted free agent, Denver Broncos), Kevin Bentley (unrestricted free agent, Houston Texans)
Prognosis - While most of the signings mentioned above were bigger name players, it doesn’t mean the loss of backups is left off. The average fan might not know who Koutvides or Bentley are, but they should. Koutivides was being groomed to be the starting middle linebacker until Lofa Tatupu took over as a rookie in 2005, but after that he became a top backup and elite special teams player. He is a steady, error free linebacker who has solid instincts and short area quickness. He will take over the starting middle linebacker job for the Broncos, as they bump D.J. Williams back outside. Bentley’s loss will be fit on the nickel and dime coverage teams where he excelled. Bentley has always had good ability to run with backs and tight ends in pass coverage, but always wore down physically as a full time player. He will help shore up the same units for the Texans, who lack overall depth in their linebacking corps.
Prognosis - While the Seahawks are known for building from within, this is an area they will need to draft up. The loss of Koutvides leaves no other linebacker on roster capable of playing the middle. The bigger loss will be felt on special teams coverage, but luckily they could find his replacement this year in the draft. Jordan Dizon of Colorado plays a similar game to Koutivides, and he fits the Seahawks need for speed at linebacker. Bentley will likely be replaced by second year veteran Will Herring, although he was used mostly on special teams in 2007.
Email Luke at Luke@newerascouting.com.