Dynasty Shopping Mall - A Look At the Offseason - NFC
Posted 12/24 by Jeff Tefertiller, Exclusive to Footballguys.com
Since we only have two more weeks left in the season, I thought it would be good to take a look at every team and consider what may change in the offseason. Change creates opportunity. We will only look at the four skill positions just for the sake of space. This article will examine the NFC. Just like the last one, this will be long. But, I thought I would try to get a head start on the offseason situations.
Arizona Cardinals
QB: This is a situation to monitor. Kurt Warner is a free agent after the season. Most agree that Matt Leinart would not have led the Cardinals to the division title. How big of a priority will it be to re-sign their aging passer?
RB: Tim Hightower is potentially the future runner of the team. Yes, he owns a low yards per carry average. But, the first year runner did well with 22 carries against the Rams in week nine. This was his only game with extensive carries. Edgerrin James will probably not be in the desert in 2009. That leaves only change of pace back J.J. Arrington to complement Hightower. Arrington had been getting more and more carries the last few weeks, before injury. One thing to remember is that Hightower made a HUGE jump from the Richmond Spiders to the NFL so he should improve over the next year.
WR: The Cardinals have probably the best receiver threesome in the league. All are under contract for a while, plus they have 2nd round pick Early Doucet and Jerheme Urban in the mix giving Arizona good depth. Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston make a good group of starting receivers. Boldin requested a new deal last offseason. He might push the issue this offseason after such an outstanding year. It would not be shocking if Boldin is dealt during the offseason as the Cards could exploit their depth to strengthen other areas (defensive line, linebackers or even depth in the running game).
TE: Leonard Pope is an afterthought in the Cardinal offense and is not worth rostering in the majority of dynasty leagues. If he can stay healthy, Ben Patrick has potential but he and Pope represent low upside for dynasty owners.
Biggest Need: The issues to address for the Cardinals will be the quarterback position and whether Tim Hightower can establish himself as a legitimate starting back in the NFL.
Seattle Seahawks
QB: There are rumors that Matt Hasselbeck may not be back with the team in 2009. If this is the case, the Seahawks will certainly bring in another passer. It is doubtful they could depend on Seneca Wallace or Charlie Frye to start the season. Frye is a free agent this coming spring. Hasselbeck signed a whopping 6-year, $47 million contract just in 2005. He is owed over $5 million each season until the contract runs out. This is a lot to pay the injured 33 year old. Hasselbeck battled knee and back injury for much of the 2008 season. The Seahawks signed Jeff Rowe off of the Bengals practice squad. He is a player that could compete for playing time if Hasselbeck is not back with the team. Also, the departure of Coach Holmgren will have an effect on the Seahawk West Coast Offense if Hasselbeck is not in Seattle in 2009. If Hasselbeck is dealt or cut, Wallace would likely compete for the job next year with another quarterback the Seahawks bring in.
RB: Julius Jones and Maurice Morris anchor an average running game. The team also has T.J. Duckett and Leonard Weaver rostered. This is a full-blown running back committee. Morris played the best this season, but is not getting consistent carries. Neither Morris nor Jones is the answer.
WR: The Seahawks have few reliable wide receivers. Bobby Engram will be a free agent this offseason. It looks like Seattle made the right move by not extending the 35 year old last summer. Deion Branch, and his big contract, will probably be released. He has been injured as much as any other player in the league the last few years. The contract was signed in 2006 for $39 million over six years. Branch has played well the last few weeks since coming back from injury. This would leave only Nate Burleson and Koren Robinson. Burleson is a sleeper for 2009, especially if Engram and Branch depart and he recovers from his torn ACL in time for training camp. The young guys in Seattle have not proved to be good prospects. Jordan Kent has the most upside of the group.
TE: John Carlson looks like he can be a top player for many seasons to come. He started the preseason slowly but has played well since seeing game action. Carlson has been effective even with the ineffectiveness of the Seahawks quarterbacks and the lack of talent at receiver helps his target potential, too.
Biggest Need: The Seattle Seahawks will have a new coach, and possibly a new offensive system, in 2009. He will have to decide on the quarterback, running back situations. These will be key decisions to get the team back on track next season. In addition, the wide receiver position will need to be addressed.
San Francisco 49ers
QB: Mike Martz runs through quarterbacks like a knife through butter. Of the current players on the roster, Shaun Hill has the best chance to start in 2009. He has played well since taking over as the starter. J.T. O'Sullivan played himself out of the job. Alex Smith is hurt and may not be with the team even he restructures his contract. The key will be whether Martz is back with the club. Hill has shown he can lead the team to wins. The club could bring in a veteran to compete with Shaun Hill.
RB: Frank Gore is an elite talent. The ankle injury in week fourteen was his first major injury of the season. This ability to stay healthy was the one concern many had for the former Miami Hurricane. He is under contract through 2011. Michael Robinson and DeShaun Foster are the backups. Thomas Clayton may be in the hunt for a roster spot next year.
WR: The 49ers have some talent at the receiver position, but the receiving corps will look much different in 2009. Bryant Johnson only signed a one-year deal last offseason. Isaac Bruce is getting older. He will turn 37 years old during next season. His presence on the team will probably coincide with Martz'. They were together in Saint Louis. There is a good possibility that both of these veteran receivers are gone in 2009. This would leave rookie Josh Morgan and second-year pro Jason Hill. Morgan tore it up in preseason, but has had a string of bad luck this season. He has the look of a superstar. Hill has really come on since midseason. Shaun Hill looks to him for the clutch reception. These two youngsters could very well be the 49er starters next season, leaving Arnaz Battle in the slot. Also, Dominique Zeigler is a young receiver to watch.
TE: Vernon Davis is an enigma. He is talented but is not used much in the passing game. Davis is an overrated player, especially in fantasy football circles. Delanie Walker is a physical specimen as well. Both could benefit if there is a change in offensive system.
Biggest Need: Much will depend on whether Mike Singletary and Mike Martz are back in San Francisco. If so, the team could look much the same as it does now. If both (especially Martz) are gone, there could be a big need at the quarterback position. A new coach may want to draft his own franchise quarterback. The strong running game should be the centerpiece of the offense as long as Frank Gore is in San Francisco and healthy.
Saint Louis Rams
QB: Marc Bulger has struggled behind a subpar offensive line. He has shown he is not the long term answer. Lucky for him, the team has few options. Trent Green is OLD, brittle and not the player he once was. This is a team that could shock people by drafting a passer in April's NFL Draft. Bulger's large contract is the only barrier. In July of 2007, he signed a humongous six-year, $65 extension.
RB: Steven Jackson is a stud when healthy. He has battled injuries this season and, like Bulger, desperately needs improved line play. But, Jackson is still very young and has many elite seasons ahead of him if he can stay healthy. The backups are solid, yet unspectacular. Antonio Pittman has good vision and is a decent receiver, but offers no power or elusiveness. Darby and Minor are also-rans that offer nothing for the future.
WR: Torry Holt may not be back with the team in 2009. He has not shown much heart or desire this season. In 2009, Holt will enter the final year of his large contract, but it could be expensive to cut him in the offseason. When asked this past week if he wanted to be back in Saint Louis, the veteran replied "Ummm, no comment". Holt is due $6.65 million next season. Donnie Avery has played pretty well, but is not a WR1 in the NFL. He would be a top tier slot receiver, but it is asking a lot for him to be the best receiver on the roster if Holt is not a Ram next season. Rookie Keenan Burton is a good player, but has been injured a ton throughout college and his first season in the league. One guy to watch is Derek Stanley. Stanley is a gritty speedster that can get deep. He made the leap from very small college ball and is just now getting up to speed. Stanley hurt his knee in week fifteen which may stunt further development.
TE: The team has several tight ends, none worthy of rostering in dynasty leagues.
Biggest Need: Outside of the offensive line, the quarterback and wide receiver positions are huge needs for future of the team. The Rams will have a new coach next season so it is yet unknown what direction will be taken at either position.
Minnesota Vikings
QB: The Vikings could have a big problem at the quarterback position. Gus Frerotte has played average this season, but no one was complaining after the way his predecessor played early in the season. Tarvaris Jackson needs some refinement to have a chance at becoming a legitimate starting quarterback. Yes, he played well the last three weeks. But, it remains to be seen whether he can lead a team for an extended amount of time. Draft pick John David Booty is not the answer. The team will need to address this situation before expecting to go deep into the playoffs. Frerotte is not far from 40 years old and cannot have much left in the tank. He is under contract through the 2009 season. Frerotte's back fracture, suffered in week fourteen, allowed Jackson to see action the last three weeks.
RB: Adrian Peterson is the best running back in the NFL. He alone makes the position a strength. Chester Taylor is signed through next season so he should be in the Twin Cities, providing depth behind Peterson.
WR: Bernard Berrian was given a whole lot of money to become the WR1 for the Vikings. They also have Sidney Rice. Rice is talented, but still very young. After just turning 22 years old, he is younger than many of the players in the 2009 rookie class even though this is his second year in the league. Bobby Wade and Aundrae Allison provide depth. Allison is a player to watch if he can continue to develop. Overall, the group is talented and underrated. A better passer under center would help a ton.
TE: Visanthe Shiancoe is the starting tight end. He has been very inconsistent since signing from New York. For an unknown, Shiancoe signed a big contract in 2007. It was for $18.2 million over five years. Shiancoe gets better looks with Tarvaris Jackson under center. Garrett Mills was very productive in college, but struggles badly with the injury bug.
Biggest Need: If not addressed, the quarterback position could hinder any hope of a deep playoff run in the coming years. The team is anchored by a strong running game and has decent options at the receiver position.
Chicago Bears
QB: After starting hot, Orton has cooled off. He has not been the same since coming back from the injury a few weeks ago. Kyle Orton is under contract for the 2009 season. Rex Grossman is a free agent this spring. The quarterback position for the Bears is a weakness that hinders the team's chance of going deep into the playoffs. Chicago could very well draft a rookie or sign a veteran free agent like Jeff Garcia or Kurt Warner or draft a quarterback in April. One other option would be to trade for Chicago-native Donovan McNabb.
RB: The Bears struck gold drafting Forte in the second round in the 2008 NFL Draft. The best part about hitting on a pick outside of the first round is the price tag. Forte only costs $3.8 million over four seasons. Kevin Jones is a free agent. This would leave only Adrian Peterson and Garrett Wolfe as Forte's backups. Peterson is under contract for one more year. The Bears are a running team that has found their stud back. Forte will be the primary runner for several more years in Chicago.
WR: The Chicago Bears lost their two top wide receivers from the 2007 squad. The top receivers in Chicago are Rashied Davis, Devin Hester, and Marty Booker; all are under contract for at least one more season. The enigmatic Brandon Lloyd is a free agent in 2009 and will not be a part of the team's future plans. Rookie Earl Bennett has not been able to beat out any of the less than stellar receivers listed above. He was drafted with much fanfare, but has been a bust so far.
TE: Greg Olsen looks like a future stud in the NFL. The inconsistent play at the quarterback position has held him back. Desmond Clark is transitioning to the backup tight end position, behind Olsen. He is still a good player, just on the downside of his career, which could give rise to Kellen Davis in 2009 as a viable 2nd option at the position.
Biggest Need: The quarterback position will continue to plague the Bears. The wide receivers could use an upgrade as well, but it will not matter until there is better play from the quarterback position.
Green Bay Packers
QB: Aaron Rodgers is under contract through the 2014 season. He is backed up by a pair of rookies, Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm. Flynn is the second team passer, with Brohm inactive on game days. Much was expected from Brohm, but he failed to impress in camp and preseason. It would not be a surprise to see the Packers bring in a veteran to back up Rodgers.
RB: Ryan Grant is the primary ball carrier and under contract for three more seasons. After the strong 2007 season, he was rewarded with a big contract. The 2008 campaign has not been strong for the ex-Giant. Grant still is getting rushing yards, but has not been able to find the endzone with any regularity and offers little in the passing game. He is backed up by Brandon Jackson. Jackson has been much improved this season. This could turn into a committee in 2009 and beyond. Also, the team could look to add another rusher to the mix in the offseason. After caving to pressure to give Grant a new contract in the preseason, the team now seems unsure whether he can be their lead back in 2009 and beyond.
WR: The Packers have a great cache of weapons at the wide receiver position. In the last three NFL Drafts, they have drafted strong players in the second round. Donald Driver is the lone veteran that plays much. He will cost the team over $4 million next season, so there is an outside chance he is released. Greg Jennings, James Jones, and Jordy Nelson are all good players. Jennings has emerged as an elite player this season.
TE: Donald Lee got an extension during his strong 2007 season. He is backed up by the oft-injured Tory Humphrey and rookie Jermichael Finley. Both reserves are athletic and good receivers. Finley has disappointed all season, and did not endear himself to Aaron Rodgers or the coaching staff with his criticism in early November. Finley is a guy who could have used another season with the Texas Longhorns.
Biggest Need: The Packers have been waiting for Grant and the running game to pick up the pace to the 2007 level. But, that has yet to happen. The team needs a strong run game to keep the pressure off of Aaron Rodgers.
Detroit Lions
QB: The Lions have no decent quarterback options. Drew Stanton may be the only Lion passer under contract at the time of the NFL Draft in April. Dan Orlovsky is a free agent. He has played the best of the Lion passers this season and may look to re-sign in Detroit. The Lions were competitive in most of his starts. Daunte Culpepper is due a $2.5 million bonus in March, then a salary of $2.5 million in addition to the bonus. Only Detroit would give Culpepper $5 million to play one season. Jon Kitna was placed on Injured Reserve with a back injury. The 36 year old is under contract for one more season. The Lions are supposedly holding him and will attempt to trade him early in the offseason.
RB: Kevin Smith looks surprisingly decent considering how bad the offense has played. The offensive line is not good. In addition, the team gets down quickly and has to throw to catch up ... abandoning the run. There is little behind Smith on the depth chart. The team will probably sign or draft another rusher to compete for touches in 2009 and beyond. The new coaching staff will most likely want to draft a runner that fits their system.
WR: Calvin Johnson is the real deal. The phenom is a future stud in the NFL. The only thing holding him back is the offense. After trading away Roy Williams, there is little left at the position outside of Johnson. Shaun McDonald is a free agent in 2009. Mike Furrey is signed through 2009 for a cheap salary of $1.85 million. But, he is not a threat opposite of Calvin Johnson.
TE: The Lions rarely use the tight end. Fitzsimmons, Gaines, Owens and Campbell are not exactly great options in the passing game.
Biggest Need: When talking about the Lions, it is easier to list their few strengths than the many weaknesses. The team needs large a upgrade at quarterback. In addition, the wide receiver position is void of talent and depth outside of Calvin Johnson. The running back position needs depth. The kicker is that the offensive line is in shambles and needs an overhaul in order to help the skill positions be productive.
Carolina Panthers
QB: Delhomme restructured his contract in 2007. He is under contract for one more season at a price in excess of $5 million. Josh McCown was signed to be the backup after Matt Moore was lost for the season. Moore is the wildcard. He played well to end the 2007 season and had a lot of buzz in the offseason, but broke his leg in early September. Both of the backups will be free agents the same time Delhomme's contract expires. All will be free agents after the 2009 season. The team should look to address the situation this offseason, even if it is extending players currently on the roster.
RB: The Panthers have two young, talented running backs. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are the future of the team. They make a great tandem for Carolina. Both are under contract for two more seasons. The offense is centered around the strong running game.
WR: Steve Smith is a stud. He is under contract for four more seasons. Thirty-five year old Muhsin Muhammad will be back in 2009. Free agent signee D.J. Hackett has disappointed since signing a two-year deal for only $3.5 million. It should have been a sign that he could not garner more than $3.5 million over two years. That is chump change for the NFL. Dwayne Jarrett has flopped since being drafted out of USC. The receiving corps could be in need after the 2009 with Muhammad and Hackett free agents. Jarrett has played more than Hackett late in the season.
TE: The Carolina Panthers do not use the tight ends much at all. Veterans Daunte Rosario and Jeff King are not used much at all in the passing game. King is a restricted free agent this coming spring. The team drafted Gary Barnidge as a pass-catching tight end. He has yet do do anything, but set receiving records at Louisville. None are good dynasty options at this time.
Biggest Need: The Panthers need to figure out what they want to do at the quarterback position. The team has a lot of talent and should be competitive for many seasons if the position is stabilized. They also must develop a starting receiver opposite Smith with Muhammad aging and Jarrett looking like a complete bust.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
QB: Jeff Garcia is a free agent this offseason. He will be 39 years old in February and the Buccaneers could let him walk. Brian Griese is signed cheaply through 2010, but has suffered with tendonitis in his elbow. He is nothing more than a stopgap. Griese does not lead his teams to wins. Yes, he is a veteran and can do well in limited action, but there is a reason the quarterback-starved Bears bounced him. Plus, he throws a ton of picks. Tampa Bay drafted Josh Johnson in the fifth round this past April. Johnson is very accurate as a passer and athletic in the pocket. He is a player that may take a year or three to get up to speed after playing collegiately at San Diego. The other quarterback in the mix is Luke McCown. He has been the primary backup to Garcia for most of this season. But, even McCown is a free agent at season's end. This would leave only Griese and Johnson under contract for 2009 if no other quarterback is signed or drafted. Coach Gruden loves veterans so it would be no surprise if he brought in another veteran to compete.
RB: The running back position is just as muddled as the quarterback spot. Earnest Graham was placed on Injured Reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain. He signed a contract to keep him in Tampa for the rest of his career. Warrick Dunn will be 34 years old in January and is signed for one more season. The oft-injured Cadillac Williams will also be entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2009. The running backs have played well, but the position needs to be addressed soon. Rookie Clifton Smith adds depth and possibly a change of pace back to the mix.
WR: The Buccaneers have hodge-podged the receiver position for years. But, the future does not look good for the Buccaneers at the wide receiver position. Antonio Bryant, after playing very well this season, is a free agent after signing only a one-year deal in March. He was out of football during the 2007 season and the Buccaneers did not want to risk a multi-year deal on a player who had not played in a year. He will command a big contract with his strong play this season. Michael Clayton is also a free agent. Ike Hilliard has one more year left on his very inexpensive contract. Thirty-seven year old Joey Galloway has one more season left on his deal. For a receiving corps that is not strong to begin with, the losses of Clayton and Bryant to free agency would hurt. Hilliard and Galloway are way past their collective primes.
TE: Alex Smith has played pretty well when not injured. He has one more season left on his rookie deal. Jerramy Stevens is a free agent. It is not known if the oft-troubled tight end will be back on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Biggest Need: The Buccaneers are an aging team, just the type Jon Gruden likes. But, the issue is that the team could have huge holes at quarterback and receiver. The wide receiver position will need a major upgrade in talent, youth, and depth.
Atlanta Falcons
QB: Rookie Matt Ryan is playing well and is the future of the franchise.
RB: Michael Turner signed a huge deal to come to Atlanta. The 26 year old signed a six-year, $34.5 million dollar deal to join the Falcons. Jerious Norwood has shown good explosion and is a better back than many realize. He is under contract for one more season. These two make a great one-two punch. Thomas Brown is a player to watch. He is on Injured Reserve and could get a long look in training camp next year. The team wants depth at the position, especially with Norwood's contract expiring after the 2009 season.
WR: The Falcons have a young and strong receiving corps. Roddy White has proven he is an elite talent. Michael Jenkins has also proven to be a good weapon for Matt Ryan. Jenkins just signed an extension to keep him in Atlanta for four more years. Laurent Robinson has had trouble staying healthy, but has shown flashes when playing. If he stays healthy next season, he and Harry Douglas give the team solid talent and depth among their top four receivers. As a rookie, Douglas has been productive as a shifty receiver that is ideal in the slot. Overall, it is a good group of receivers for the rookie passer.
TE: The Falcons do not use the tight end position much at all. Ben Hartsock and Justin Peelle are not exactly threats in the passing game. There were hopes for Hartsock after signing a four-year, $9 million deal last March. He disappointed even before landing on Injured Reserve.
Biggest Need: The Falcon offense has few holes. What a transformation for the talent-deprived offense. Yes, the team could use a viable tight end, but it has not hindered them so far.
New Orleans Saints
QB: Drew Brees is an absolute stud, especially with Sean Payton as his coach.
RB: The Saints have options in the running game. When healthy, Reggie Bush is an exciting playmaker. His ability as a receiver is top notch. Bush is great in space but proving not to be a player the team can build the offense around. He is a nice luxury item in the backfield, as a receiver or return man more than a primary back. Pierre Thomas has been given an extended look the last few weeks. He was a good runner in college at Illinois but went undrafted. Since he was not drafted, the Saints have him under contract for peanuts. He becomes a restricted free agent in 2010. Thomas is just 24 years old and could have a long career in the NFL. Pierre Thomas has established himself the last few weeks. He looked like a legitimate NFL back against the stout Bear run defense in week fifteen. Deuce McAllister was under fire for the Star Caps nutritional supplement issue. He soon will be 30 years old and costs the Saints a ton at this stage in his career. Deuce has been battling a knee injury for most of the season. He will likely have to restructure his contract to be back in New Orleans in 2009.
WR: The receiver position for the Saints is one of strength, but much could change this offseason. Marques Colston is young and under contract for a long while. Lance Moore has come out of nowhere to be a viable option in the passing game. He has earned the trust of Drew Brees. But, Moore is a free agent this spring. Devery Henderson is also a free agent this coming offseason. Robert Meachem will have a golden opportunity to remove the "bust" tag from next to his name. David Patten has one more year left on his contract. One guy to watch is rookie Adrian Arrington. He was playing well in preseason before going to Injured Reserve. He could be an important cog on the 2009 Saint offense. Arrington and Meachem could make big strides in 2009, while the Saints attempt to re-sign Moore or add another lower-tiered veteran or rookie for depth and competition.
TE: New Orleans gave up a lot for Jeremy Shockey. In 2005, the former Giant extended his contract through the 2011 season. Billy Miller adds depth and is a good receiving option. The Saints expected a lot more than from Shockey than they have received so far this season.
Biggest Need: The Saint offense is not the issue. The team will need to address the depth at running back and receiver. This is an explosive offense that revolves around Brees, Bush, Thomas and Colston.
New York Giants
QB: Eli Manning is entering the final year of his rookie contract. It would be difficult to imagine the team not trying to extend his contract this offseason. If the Giants make the Super Bowl again, Peyton's little brother could cost New York a fortune.
RB: Calling themselves "Earth, Wind and Fire", the Giant running game is one of the best in the league. One concern going forward is that both of their top runners, Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward, are free agents in 2009. The team will probably attempt to only re-sign one of the two. If the asking price of Jacobs is too high, they could slap the tag on him. This would mean that Ward would walk. After getting no interest as a free agent last March, Ward re-signed on the cheap with the Giants for one season. He has shown much more in 2008 and could get some decent offers from running back-starved teams. Also in the mix is Ahmad Bradshaw. He slipped in the NFL Draft due to off the field issues. It is a shame that he allows this same concern to still haunt him. Bradshaw is explosive and able to break off long plays. He is expected to be the primary backup running back next season in New York. Danny Ware is a guy that could contribute in 2009, depending on what happens with Jacobs and Ward.
WR: The status of the 2009 receiving corps will depend on the outcome of the Plaxico Burress legal process. It is way too early to guess what will happen. In September, he signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract. There are personal conduct clauses in the deal that may allow the team to release the 31 years old without cap implications if they wish. The Giants miss his presence in the lineup. Amani Toomer is a free agent at the end of the season and will be 35 years old when the season begins. These are the only two veterans at wide receiver. The other players at the position are Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith, Sinorice Moss, and Mario Manningham. All are young, and somewhat unproven. There is little chance that the team would go into the 2009 season without a couple of veterans under contract. Also, Hixon is under contract only through next year. Hixon and Manningham have long-term potential, but the Burress situation must be resolved first.
TE: After trading Jeremy Shockey, Kevin Boss was left to hold down the position. Boss is young, and will only turn 25 after the new year. He is a good redzone threat. His backups are Michael Matthews and Darcy Johnson.
Biggest Need: The Giants have good talent. Their biggest need will be locking up Manning, Jacobs, and a couple of receivers for the long term. This is a team that can set itself up for many years of success if it re-signs its key players.
Dallas Cowboys
QB: Tony Romo is the guy. He is the franchise icon, and will be so for many years to come. The team could use an upgrade at QB2 from Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger. The Cowboys will not want the success of their season to revolve around the play of Brad Johnson once again.
RB: You have to hand it to the Cowboys at how they have handled the running back position. They have their stud in Marion Barber III. Barber is a punishing runner that is adept as a receiver and in pass protection. Felix Jones was drafted to give the team big play potential Jones was lost for the year with a nasty turf toe injury. The injury is not expected to impact the 2009 season. In stepped fellow rookie Tashard Choice. Choice is a strong runner that is able to make plays. He played very well against the Steelers in week fourteen and Giants in week fifteen. These three rushers give the Cowboys great depth for many years to come.
WR: Terrell Owens and Roy Williams anchor a strong group of receivers. The duo is locked up for a couple more seasons, albeit at a very expensive rate. Owens is 35 years old, but the Cowboys will likely weather the storm and deal with his off the field behavior again in 2009. The recent rift in the Dallas locker room may speed up Owens' departure from Big D. Miles Austin was seeing a lot of action as the third receiver before injuring his knee in mid-November. Austin gives the Cowboys another big play threat. He is a free agent this offseason. Patrick Crayton is a slot receiver with limited upside. He is a possession receiver with inconsistent hands. Also on the team are Isaiah Stanback and Sam Hurd, neither should have an impact unless there is a severe rash of injuries to those listed above on the depth chart.
TE: A case can be made for Jason Witten as the best tight end in football. He is a premier player at the position. Martellus Bennett was drafted out of Texas A&M to provide depth. He is a good receiver and blocker, and has already made an impact in the red zone with four touchdowns as a rookie. The former Aggie looked shaky in training camp but has steadily improved the last half of the season. Tony Curtis is a good blocker and is used in two tight end sets from time to time.
Biggest Need: The Dallas Cowboys have an explosive offense with many weapons. The team has depth at all positions. Hard to find a weakness with any of the skill position starters or backups. The biggest issue is the team chemistry.
Washington Redskins
QB: Jason Campbell should be the unquestioned starter for 2009. At some time, expect the team to move Colt Brennan into the QB2 role over Todd Collins. The team and the rabid fan base are high on Brennan after the way he played in preseason.
RB: Clinton Portis is signed through the 2011 season, although the contract will get expensive soon. Ladell Betts is his backup. Betts signed a contract in December of 2006 for five years at a very reasonable price. He will be 30 years old before the start of next season and should not take many touches away from Portis.
WR: Santana Moss is the only playmaker at the wide receiver position. Antwaan Randle El is an average possession receiver. The team drafted Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly early in the 2008 NFL Draft to address the lack of big plays. Kelly has struggled with knee injuries and has yet to make an impact. Many expect Thomas to emerge with another offseason to further develop after only one good season at Michigan State. He has shown flashes this season which give the Redskin faithful hope for 2009.
TE: Chris Cooley is an elite tight end who should enjoy many more seasons as a Redskin.
Biggest Need: The Redskins will need to shore up the depth at the running back and receiver positions. The team will soon need a younger option at the RB2 and a more explosive WR2 to emerge. If Campbell does not improve early in 2009, there will be some clamoring for a change.
Philadelphia Eagles
QB: Donovan McNabb is signed through the 2013 season, but the contract is very expensive. There are rumors that the team might look to move him in the offseason. His situation has been tenuous for the last couple of seasons. The Eagles will take a big cap if they release him. McNabb is 32 years old. The Eagles have a tough decision on the future of the quarterback position. The heir apparent is Kevin Kolb.
RB: Brian Westbrook is among the top running backs in the league, but he turns 30 in September. This is a concern after Westbrook has missed games every season due to a potpourri of injuries. The Eagles do not have a backup for 2009 with Correll Buckhalter becoming a free agent. Lorenzo Booker has shown he is not a viable option. Expect the team to upgrade the running back position. They will may surprise many and use a high draft pick on a ball carrier.
WR: Rookie DeSean Jackson has been very good. He gives the team a much needed big play threat. The receiving corps will not look much different in 2009. Hank Baskett will be the only free agent. Jason Avant has one more year on his rookie contract. Kevin Curtis will still be an Eagle, although he has disappointed as an Eagle. He has had one big game the last two seasons, and it was against the Detroit Lions. Curtis signed a long contract to join the Eagles from the Rams. Reggie Brown is also locked up for several more seasons. Brown has been in Andy Reid's doghouse, even deactivated in weeks fourteen and fifteen.
TE: L.J. Smith signed a one-year deal last offseason after receiving the team's franchise tag. He expected to have a big season, but it has not transpired. Brent Celek will most likely be the opening day starter at tight end for Philadelphia in 2009 unless Smith signs for a reasonable price. Otherwise, the team could sign another veteran or invest a draft pick in a TE that can block, which is not a strong suit of Celek or Smith.
Biggest Need: The Eagles have very good talent at the skill positions, but their top two players are getting up there in age. The team has to get some youth at the running back position. History has not been kind to stud rushers over the age of 30.
