Lang on NFL: Free agency report card

Wes Welker joined up with Peyton Manning in Denver.

NFL free agency officially got underway on Mar. 12 and it didn’t take long for teams to make some major signings.

What really stood out is the number of contending teams (Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos) that made significant moves that will make them even more dangerous in 2013.

With that in mind, it’s time for me to break out the report card.

Seattle Seahawks

Grade: A

Who they added: DE Cliff Avril, DE Michael Bennett

The skinny: With the recent acquisition of receiver Percy Harvin, the Seahawks decided to concentrate their free-agent dollars on defence. The signings of Avril and Bennett will only make a Seahawks team that allowed the fewest points of any team that much tougher to deal with. While the Seahawks allowed a mere 235 points in 2012, they were tied for 18th in the league with 36 sacks. Seahawks general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll are determined to build on last season’s success.

Miami Dolphins

Grade: A

Who they added: WR Mike Wallace, LB Dannell Ellerbe, LB Phillip Wheeler, TE Dustin Keller, WR Brandon Gibson
The skinny: I don’t understand some of the criticism towards the Dolphins’ free-agent signings. The Dolphins were ranked seventh in the NFL in points allowed (317) but a dismal 27th (288) in points scored. So the Dolphins decided to do something about their issues on offence and went out and provided quarterback Ryan Tannehill with a ton of weapons to work with.

Wallace is one of the best deep threats the AFC and a can score every time he touches the ball. Gibson and Keller will provide some veteran depth but not enough is being made about the signing of Ellerbe. Down the stretch and throughout the post-season, Ellerbe was one of the Ravens’ most important defensive players and will be a perfect addition to their front seven.

Chicago Bears

Grade: A-

Who they added: LT Jermon Bushrod, TE Martellus Bennett

The skinny: Right away Bushrod is a major upgrade at left tackle over J’Marcus Webb. Bushrod allowed four and half sacks and took only one holding penalty in 2012. In the past two seasons, Webb allowed a staggering 23 sacks and was called for holding seven times. Jay Cutler was sacked 38 times in 2012 and the signing of Bushrod should help bring that ugly stat down to a more reasonable number.
Bennett will also provide Cutler a nice big target to work with in the red zone. He joins Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey in one of the tallest receiving corps in the NFC.

Cleveland Browns

Grade: B+

Who they added: LB Paul Kruger, DE Desmond Bryant, LB Quentin Groves

The skinny: Rob Chudzinski was handed some new toys to work after some smart additions by the Browns. Signing Kruger will immediately help out their pass rush while at the same time deal a blow to a divisional rival. With a new CEO, general Manager and coach, the Browns finally look serious about turning things around. Their big spending spree sent a message to their long-suffering fans that they are trying to do whatever it takes to end the cycle of losing seasons.

Atlanta Falcons

Grade: B+

Who they added: RB Steven Jackson

The skinny: Not only did the Falcons sign Jackson, there were also able to re-sign many of their own free agents. They were able to retain tight end Tony Gonzalez, offensive tackle Sam Baker and safety William Moore. While Jackson may not be the youngest running back, but he is the consummate professional and still have some gas left in the tank. Added to the already prolific Falcons offence, Jackson could be the player the Falcons need to get to the Super Bowl.

Philadelphia Eagles

Grade: B+

Who they added: LB Connor Barwin, S Patrick Chung, CB Cary Williams, S Kenny Phillips, DT Issac Sopoaga, TE James Casey

The skinny: The Eagles re-stocked their defence with the signing of multiple free agents. The addition of players like Barwin and Chung should pay immediate dividends for an Eagles team that was tied for 29th in points allowed (444) in 2012. Chip Kelly might have made his mark at Oregon with his high-octane offende but he’s smart enough to realize that you can’t win in the NFL without a good defence.

Detroit Lions

Grade: B

Who they added: RB Reggie Bush, DT Jason Jones, S Glover Quin

The skinny: The Lions were in a desperate need of an upgrade at running back and they took care of that with the signing of Bush. Bush has run for a combined 2,000 yards the past two seasons and is also a threat as a receiver and a returner. With the singing of Bush, the Lions finally found a replacement for Jahvid Best and instantly become a much more dangerous unit in the red zone.

Minnesota Vikings

Grade: B

Who they added: WR Greg Jennings

The skinny: Vikings fans felt severe pain with the trade of Percy Harvin to Seattle but that was quickly replaced by the joy felt with they landed Jennings. In his seven seasons with the Packers , Jennings caught 425 passes for 6,537 yards and 53 touchdowns. So not only did the Vikings fill a major hole in, they hurt a division rival to do it. As a result of the Harvin trade, the Vikings will have two picks in the first round of April’s draft.

Kansas City Chiefs:

Grade: B

Who they added: CB Sean Smith, CB Dunta Robinson, TE Anthony Fasano, DT Mike DeVito, WR Donnie Avery

The skinny: Along with the acquisition of Alex Smith, the Chiefs have down a nice job of stocking the team with some solid players via free agency. The season is over five months away and already Andy Reid has put his stamp on the Chiefs with some of his personnel moves.

Denver Broncos

Grade: B

Who they added: WR Wes Welker, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

The skinny: The Broncos get high marks for the additions of Wes Welker but they also lose marks for their role in the botched attempt at signing pass rusher Elvis Dumervil. The signing of Welker was a real coup for the Broncos and will provide Peyton Manning another reliable weapon.

St. Louis Rams

Grade: B-

Who they added: OT Jake Long, TE Jared Cook

The skinny: While Sam Bradford will appreciate the extra protection provided by Long, he still doesn’t have first-class receivers to throw to. The Rams lost Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson to free agency so Bradford’s starting receivers are Brian Quick and Chris Givens. But with two first-round picks, Jeff Fisher has a chance to rebuild his receiving corps through the draft. If Long can stay healthy, the Rams added one of the top left tackles in the NFL.

Buffalo Bills

Grade: D

Who they added: LB Manny Lawson

The skinny: The one player the Bills signed, Manny Lawson, doesn’t make up for all of the talent that ended up leaving. Andy Levitre signing in Tennessee Titans could turn out to big blow for the Bills as he was their most consistent offensive lineman. It will make life even harder for whoever their starting quarterback will be.

Cincinnati Bengals

Grade: D-

Who they added: N/A

The skinny: With a ton of cap space to work with (over $40 million dollars) the Bengals have been strangely silent during free agency. Other than re-signing cornerback Adam Jones and linebacker Rey Maualuga, the Bengals have watched other team’s sign all of the other prime free agents. What makes the Bengals inactivity even stranger is the fact this team has made the playoffs the past two seasons. For some reason, the Bengals have chosen not to spend any of their available money to try and put their team over the top. Then again, they are the Bengals.

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