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AFC offseason grades: Broncos get high marks, Chiefs don't


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AFC offseason grades: Broncos get high marks, Chiefs don't

 

 

NFL training camps open en masse this week. As the AFC's 16 teams steam toward preseason, a final graded assessment of each club's offseason (NFC grades will be posted Tuesday):

 

A

Denver Broncos: Excellent chance they score far fewer points and lose more games in wake of record-breaking 13-3 AFC championship season. Yet GM John Elway balanced talent on the defensive side of the ball — Pro Bowl-caliber DE DeMarcus Ware, S T.J. Ward and CB Aqib Talib signed — while deftly replacing WR Eric Decker with Emmanuel Sanders. Factor in healthy returns from LB Von Miller, LT Ryan Clady, S Rahim Moore and CB Chris Harris, and this team may be much better designed for a successful Super Bowl run. Biggest question: can RB Montee Ball replace Knowshon Moreno?

A-

Cleveland Browns: Even if QB Johnny Manziel is a total bust, the other five members of the draft class might be enough to reboot a stagnant franchise that also landed an extra first rounder for 2015. If Manziel is an ace, that elusive Super Bowl might not be far off. Pro Bowl CB Joe Haden and C Alex Mack locked in long term while S Donte Whitner and LB Karlos Dansby offset losses of T.J. Ward and D'Qwell Jackson, respectively. The expected suspension of all-pro WR Josh Gordon is a blow, but how much of that is the franchise's fault? Maybe Miles Austin and/or Nate Burleson can stay healthy and productive for the year. Maybe.

B+

Baltimore Ravens: It may seem as if they were quiet in free agency. But GM Ozzie Newsome was methodically plowing his funds into keeping OLB Terrell Suggs, LT Eugene Monroe, TE Dennis Pitta, ILB Daryl Smith and WR/KR Jacoby Jones. Then WR Steve Smith dropped in with his signature swagger, which should be a shot in the arm a year removed from the departures of LB Ray Lewis, S Ed Reed and WR Anquan Boldin. C Jeremy Zuttah and G Will Rackley should improve a line that still has an apparent hole at right tackle. Rookies C.J. Mosley and Timmy Jernigan are exciting additions to an already solid defense. The club's five arrests were a blight, most notably RB Ray Rice and CB Jimmy Smith.

Houston Texans: No matter how good No. 1 draft pick Jadeveon Clowney turns out to be, the Texans' pivotal addition promises to be new head coach Bill O'Brien, whose reputation as a quarterback whisperer will be vitally important in reigning in veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick and/or prepping rookie Tom Savage for the show. If O'Brien's credentials hold up, Clowney and his fellow rookies come close to fulfilling their potential, and the new safety tandem settles in, this talented team could be right back in the playoff hunt. But somebody better convince WR Andre Johnson.

B

Jacksonville Jaguars: They've averaged 15.5 points per game since 2011, so it was no surprise GM Dave Caldwell bid adieu to RB Maurice Jones-Drew, QB Blaine Gabbert and most of the starting O-line and dedicated his top four draft picks to improving the offense. With vet QB Chad Henne back, the Jags can take their time training rookie Blake Bortles, something the previous regime didn't do for Gabbert. Caldwell also upgraded in free agency and paid for the winning DNA of G Zane Beadles and DEs Red Bryant and Chris Clemons, who all played in Super Bowl XLVIII.

New York Jets: An offense that lacked playmakers now has some after GM John Idzik upgraded at every skill position. RB Chris Johnson now leads a rushing attack that ranked sixth in 2013 without him. Veteran WR Eric Decker and second-round TE Jace Amaro greatly expand the pass game options. And QB Michael Vick is better equipped to push, mentor or replace Geno Smith than now-departed Mark Sanchez was. First-round S Calvin Pryor brings an intimidation factor coach Rex Ryan greatly values to an already stout D. It is worth wondering if Idzik, who dumped some bad contracts, should have pushed harder to get CB Darrelle Revis back.

B-

Miami Dolphins: New GM Dennis Hickey's primary task was overhauling an O-line that shamed this franchise on and off the field last year. C Mike Pouncey — who must first recover from June hip surgery — will be flanked by four new starters, with free agent LT Branden Albert (a Pro Bowler) and first-round RT Ja'Wuan James (a reach?) the headliners. But Hickey hopes their only headlines are for protecting QB Ryan Tannehill and opening bigger holes for the backs, including newcomer Knowshon Moreno, who recently needed arthroscopic knee surgery. Signing DT Earl Mitchell was cheaper than keeping Paul Soliai. Second-round WR Jarvis Landry may be a jewel.

New England Patriots: Glass half full — they've reached the AFC Championship Game in five of the past eight seasons and are always on the cusp of a title. Glass half empty — they're 10 years removed from their last Lombardi run and may not have improved enough to end the drought. Landing Darrelle Revis is a major win, and fellow CB Brandon Browner is gravy once eligible. But the offense still seems to lack quick-strike capability, and TE Rob Gronkowski's durability will remain a concern. A redshirt-heavy draft doesn't seem equipped to contribute much in 2014.

San Diego Chargers: Despite limited cap space, they went heavy on Donalds in free agency, re-signing ILB Butler and adding underrated RB Brown. The draft wasn't sexy but seemed solid enough with CB Jason Verrett, OLB Jeremiah Attaochu and G Chris Watt all likely to earn significant snaps. Having Pro Bowl CB Brandon Flowers fall into their laps in June should also heal a hurting secondary. All things considered, a fairly quiet offseason ... just like 2013 when new GM Tom Telesco successfully removed this franchise from life support.

C+

Pittsburgh Stealers: They continue kicking salary cap issues down the road, and that promises to eventually become an issue with QB Ben Roethlisberger only signed through 2015. But at least they moved on from former defensive linchpins Brett Keisel, LaMarr Woodley, Ryan Clark and Larry Foote. Keeping promising Jason Worilds over Woodley could prove especially wise. Free agent S Mike Mitchell and rookies Ryan Shazier and Stephon Tuitt must take up the slack. Blazing scatback Dri Archer and 6-4 WR Martavis Bryant give Big Ben new options on an offense that seems ready to blossom.

C

Indianapolis Colts: The best news? WR Reggie Wayne's knee is nearly healed. GM Ryan Grigson re-upped No. 1 CB Vontae Davis and kept a quality special teams core (K Adam Vinatieri, P Pat McAfee) intact. New DE Arthur Jones seems worth the $33 million investment, and WR Hakeem Nicks came cheap, but Grigson may have overpaid for ILB D'Qwell Jackson. With Antoine Bethea gone, there's no safety net at safety after brittle LaRon Landry. Grigson is counting on rookie Jack Mewhort, unproven Khaled Holmes and question mark Donald Thomas to jell in front of QB Andrew Luck. Seems risky.

Tennessee Titans: After hovering at .500 since 2009, some culture shock probably isn't a bad thing under new coach Ken Whisenhunt and a staff that's shaking things up on both sides of the ball. RB Chris Johnson was no longer a fit, and QB Jake Locker is down to his final chance to prove he's not a square peg in a round hole. Holdovers Jurrell Casey and Derrick Morgan are among those who seem out of place on the new hybrid 3-4 defense, though enthusiasm reigns under new (but proven) coordinator Ray Horton. Whisenhunt and Co. have a plan, inherited some good players and drafted talented ones. Seems like a classic transition season.

C-

Buffalo Bills: The death of owner Ralph Wilson leaves the franchise in flux. But GM Doug Whaley is hoping to find stability after a series of gambles. He dealt his 2015 first rounder in hopes that rookie WR Sammy Watkins fixes an offense that sputtered (despite the No. 2 run game) during QB EJ Manuel's rookie season. Second-round T Cyrus Kouandjio comes with an injury history. And Whaley rolled the dice by trading for troubled WR Mike Williams while dealing Stevie Johnson and choosing to pay S Aaron Williams over Jairus Byrd as the defense re-schemes yet again. DT Marcell Dareus' off-field issues and LB Kiko Alonso's ACL injury cast a pall over the Bills' summer.

Cincinnati Bengals: Despite more than adequate salary cap space, they did not retain DE Michael Johnson, LT Anthony Collins or WR Andrew Hawkins. The Bengals have drafted very well in recent years — and appeared to do so again by tabbing CB Darqueze Dennard and RB Jeremy Hill, among others — to backfill their depth chart. But would it have hurt to add a top-shelf blocker, a better safety or even an extra receiver? There still would have been plenty left to do long-term deals for WR A.J. Green and QB Andy Dalton, who are both still waiting by the way.

D+

Oakland Raiders: AARP met AFC West as they handed out fat contracts to fading players like LaMarr Woodley, Justin Tuck, Charles Woodson, Carlos Rogers and Maurice Jones-Drew while trading for QB Matt Schaub. Why GM Reggie McKenzie didn't allot some of his massive cap funds to rising players like LT Jared Veldheer and DE Lamarr Houston (rather than being part of the Rodger Saffold fiasco) remains a mystery, but maybe the Super Bowl experience of the newcomers will override this franchise's losing DNA. A draft class led by LB Khalil Mack and QB Derek Carr does bring good vibes.

F

Kansas City Chiefs: A virtually maxed-out salary cap precluded them from re-signing Pro Bowlers Branden Albert and Dexter McCluster (100-plus catches since 2012) and three other starting linemen, though it wasn't worth bringing DE Tyson Jackson back. Still, the roster wasn't airtight prior to free agency and didn't seem sufficiently restocked by a draft that brought luxury pass rusher Dee Ford and several players who hardly seem ready to contribute soon. Throw in stalled contract talks with QB Alex Smith and OLB Justin Houston (who skipped offseason workouts) — though the June release of CB Brandon Flowers could assist with those negotiations — and this seems like a team thrown into reverse after a charmed 2013 season.

 

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/2014/07/21/afc-offseason-grades/12943103/

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Cleveland Browns: Even if QB Johnny Manziel is a total bust, the other five members of the draft class might be enough to reboot a stagnant franchise that also landed an extra first rounder for 2015. If Manziel is an ace, that elusive Super Bowl might not be far off. Pro Bowl CB Joe Haden and C Alex Mack locked in long term while S Donte Whitner and LB Karlos Dansby offset losses of T.J. Ward and D'Qwell Jackson, respectively. The expected suspension of all-pro WR Josh Gordon is a blow, but how much of that is the franchise's fault? Maybe Miles Austin and/or Nate Burleson can stay healthy and productive for the year. Maybe.

 

 

Holy fuck. YES, that's their fault. They kept, him they assumed this risk, on top of that, they knew this was coming down before the draft (the suspension) and still passed on Watkins. They suck to the extreme, and this take on their off-season is so bullshit no reason to read the rest of that piece. That guy is a failure pile of fail. 

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As for the Bengals:  Kinda agree.

 

 

I liked the draft.   That is the saving grace of the offseason.   However, I'm guessing most fans/front office's like their drafts before they take snaps.

 

 

The window is open for the Bengals.   A serious chance to win a championship.    The Bengals have what in cap space?   20 mil?   As of right now there aren't any extensions done to key players so you can't give them credit for saving cap room for that.  

 

Hard for me to believe they couldn't have found a player or two to rent for a season or two to eat up some of that cap room that could help them fight off competition in the North and keep pace in the AFC race.

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Its your typical, "if you didn't do a lot of shit in FA, you suck" piece.   Wow, Cleveland deserves an A- because they got better.  NO SHIT, they were 4-12 last year, how could they NOT get better replacing shit players for average ones?

 

Oh, and New England gets a B- because they haven't won a Superbowl in 10 years.  Brilliant logic.  New England hasn't done enough to finally win another Super Bowl but the Browns will probably win more than 4 games because of their super awesome off season so they get an A-.   

 

Hey Jimmy gets the MVP trophy this year guys because he increased his scoring and rebounds 100%.  He now averages 4 points a game and 2 rebounds.  Sorry, Lebron, your average of 27.1 points per game was only .3 higher than last year and your field goal percentage only increased 0.3%.    Slacker.

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LOL at the Cleveland review.      First Josh Gordon is their fault.  They knew and even tried to dump him last year.  

 

Mack did sign a contract but I think that has a poison pill that puts him on the market in 2 years I think.   The FA moves replace guys they dumped and created holes.

 

 

Yeah, if any QB you pick pans out it greatly increases the chances of organization turning around.   How do you ignore Johnny's behavior and then overlook Vikings are skipping and dancing they got Bridgewater at 32.

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LOL at the Cleveland review.      First Josh Gordon is their fault.  They knew and even tried to dump him last year.  

 

Mack did sign a contract but I think that has a poison pill that puts him on the market in 2 years I think.   The FA moves replace guys they dumped and created holes.

 

 

Yeah, if any QB you pick pans out it greatly increases the chances of organization turning around.   How do you ignore Johnny's behavior and then overlook Vikings are skipping and dancing they got Bridgewater at 32.

And they TRADED the #4 pick, Sammy Watkins WIDE RECEIVER knowing Gordon was toast.  That should automatically be 10 points off and start you at a B+.

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In glad we still hate sports writers for having their opinion and not sucking the Bengals nation's collective cocks.

Some people see shit differently, value certain players or attributed more or less than others, etc. take it with a grain of salt and move on.
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