I just thought it was time, especially as a lot of deals have gone through, to check out which of the teams in the coming season will likely improve and which may just have taken a step back.
The teams I have picked is solely on the moves made so far and I will have a proper run through the Divisions closer to the season start on September 8th while also putting up my ante-post picks then.
Teams that have Improved
Philadelphia Eagles: Where else can you start but the Philadelphia Eagles, especially considering they made the biggest move in Free Agency when picking up Nnamdi Asomugha. The CB positions had been a bit of a problem last season but the move for Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has seriously upgraded the pass defense. Asante Samuel is also still on the roster and the Eagles have improved significantly in a pass-dominated League.
Justin Babin is another exceptional move to place additional pressure on the opposition QB and there is a definite feel the Eagles are set to win now and surpass their Play Off loss from last season.
A slight downgrade in my opinion is the loss of Kevin Kolb and signing Vince Young as backup to Michael Vick- Kolb was clearly going to move on as soon as it was confirmed that Vick was the starter so that was no surprise, but Vick's style of play makes it almost inevitable that Young will have to come in at some point.
The NFC East is notoriously a tough Division so a serious injury to Michael Vick could lead to a lot of problems for the Eagles in even making the Play Offs unless Young can perform to a much higher level than he had in his last season at Tennessee.
The offense was less of a concern last season, and it is expected that DeSean Jackson will not holdout so I still expect the Eagles to be able to put up their points... Now they may not need to get involved in shoot outs if the defense can click.
Arizona Cardinals: I liked the Arizona move for Kevin Kolb, although there is a feeling they gave up a little too much for him. Ken Whisenhunt has basically bet his job that Kolb is a success in the desert and the team is in the weak NFC West.
Kolb will get a chance to throw to Larry Fitzgerald, one of the best receivers in the game, but the loss of Steve Breaston will mean the options that were available to Kurt Warner have been reduced significantly.
Todd Heap could be a big addition to the offense as long as he can stay healthy and there is talk that they are looking to add Braylon Edwards to the team to play opposite Fitzgerald which would make the Cardinals a real threat in this weak Division.
Patrick Peterson was the stand out CB in the Draft and a lot of big things have been expected of him- he will be in the line up to replace Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie who was dealt to the Eagles in the Kolb trade.
Teams that have gone Backwards
Washington Redskins: Don't get me wrong, there isn't far to fall from a 6-10 record but I think Washington may just do that after seeing some of the early moves they have made since the lockout was lifted.
Mike Shanahan was brought into Washington to turn this franchise around but I have a feeling it is going to be a season of frustration for them and they may be in line to win the 'Andrew Luck Sweepstakes' next April. The trading away of Donovan McNabb was to be expected, but going into the season with John Beck and Rex Grossman competing for the starting job at QB is unlikely to inspire the fans.
Albert Haynesworth was another who fell foul of Shanahan and was moved on, to the New England Patriots in this case, but the expected moves in the Free Agency market have not developed.
Tim Hightower was traded in from the Arizona Cardinals to provide yet another body in the backfield, but it has been a tough time to be a Redskins fan and it looks like being a long season at this juncture.
Seattle Seahawks: I am sure when the Seattle Seahawks finally move Matt Hasselbeck on from the QB position that the fans were expecting either Matt Leinart to once again join Pete Carroll, or a trade for Carson Palmer would be organised.
However, Leinart has signed with Houston and Palmer remains retired after Cincinnati refused to trade him and that means Tavaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst will be challenging one another for the starting spot.
The NFC West is not a great Division, but Arizona look a lot more threatening and I expect the San Francisco 49ers will improve and this spells trouble for the reigning Division winners. The team is clearly looking to get younger and that could mean a tough season- I dont think a 7-9 record will win the West this season and I think the Seahawks are going to have a downturn.
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