Free Agency 2011

We’ve had a few looks at changes teams are making through free agency. Coming at it from a number of angles, we’ve seen some that have improved a position by swapping an inferior talent for a better one. We’ve also looked at some who’ve become worse for it and others that are promoting from within to fill a vacated spot with a home-grown option.
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Our last piece in this bunch will highlight 10 spots where teams have not filled holes, but instead, added to what they already had in place. This is simply about bringing in a stronger guy to help address an acknowledged area of weakness or securing a new skill set to add breadth to their attack.
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It’s been such a crazy free agency period that’s it’s easy to forget about the guys left behind. Those players already on the roster that aim to fill the shoes of players gone for greener pastures.
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No celebrated arrival and no fanfare, but no less important. Players who were last year seen as depth and security, are going to get a chance to be “the guy” that their teams are now relying on.
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Here are ten of these men that we’ve seen enough from to think they can do it.
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Yesterday we brought you our 10 moves that showed teams getting better after moving on from one player and bringing in a replacement.
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Today we look at teams that opened a hole by losing a free agent, or by cutting or trading a player and are filling the gap with someone new who should be seen as a downgrade. It’s the ultimate admittance that losing a guy hurts more than you’d like to say as you actively scour the market desperately searching for a suitable filler.
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Here are 10 moves that made teams weaker.
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The further removed we get from those first few frenetic days of free agency, the more we can really break down what happened.
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That’s what we’re telling ourselves as we take our latest evaluative look at what teams did when the lockout was lifted. This time we’re focusing on specific positions where teams swapped out one player (via free agency, release, or trade) and brought in another that should represent an upgrade (restricted to free agency additions, so no presumptions over drafted players).
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We’ll look at the downgrades tomorrow, but right now, which teams got better and where? Here are ten upgrades that stand out.
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The 49ers signed Braylon Edwards to a 1-year contract on Thursday.  Contract terms are now being reported at as little as $1 million with incentives.  Were his other suitors even offering the veteran minimum?  Of course, those other offers may have vanished in a flurry of knives and forks.  Based on the money invested, the Jets obviously considered Plaxico Burress an upgrade.  Such a line of thought is either delusional or an ill harbinger for the prospects of the passing game in San Francisco.  Or both.

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Yesterday we looked at the offensive players that were left, and within hours of it going live, a number of players were picked up. Coincidence? Completely. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be telling myself I scared teams into making moves on players.
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Well my delusional state needs some more material. So right now I’m going to look at what defensive players are left before they’re all gone. With that said, I, Khaled Elsayed will look at the best players left, tell you something interesting about them, and suggest a possible team fit.
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Let’s roll.
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When Zach Miller took the money and ran to Seattle, a panic swept through Raider Nation. The Pro Bowler was a sure bet to return, but a last-minute push by Pete Carroll, Tom Cable, and the Seahawks – not to mention a good chunk of change – sent the talented tight end north. Fear not, Oakland fans, the cavalry has arrived in Kevin Boss.

Miller’s departure briefly left a gaping hole at the tight end position for the Raiders. Not only would they have missed his 60 receptions, good for 8^th in the league last season, but Miller was a good blocker for them both in pass protection (+4.8 rating) and the running game (+2.1). Boss is not as good of a blocker as Miller, but he reprises Miller’s role as a good pass-catching threat in that offense.

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I think it’s safe to say that things got a bit hectic once the lockout was lifted. Free agency was a much anticipated feeding frenzy as teams were desperate to sign players and rush them to camp.
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As things have slowed since the initial push and most of the top free agents have been signed, we’re left looking at the second tier players … but that’s not to say there aren’t guys available who can contribute.
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Let’s look at the best of what teams still have to choose from.

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NFL Free Agency is here, so how better to react to breaking news with the Pro Football Focus Free Agency blog. Every deal and some of the rumors that come through, our team will be responding to. Letting you know what they think and what it means and we’ll have this station manned at all times!
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.● Keep yourself up to date with the latest player movement using our Free Agent Tracker.
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● Be sure to follow our twitter feed @Profootbalfocus for constant reaction tweets.
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Yesterday we put out or grades on the AFC teams for their work in free agency. Naturally, the NFC deserves equal time to have their moves examined. In a fit of originality, I’m going to use the exact same intro to break it down:
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It’s true, paper teams don’t win championships, but the right free agency moves can turn a team into a serious contender. A few bad decisions, on the other hand, can leave them behind the pack.
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Like so many, I’m now turning my attention to handing out grades for each team. I’ll look at the big signing, an under-the-radar one, and point out a guy they’ve struggled to replace before summarizing.

So there. NFC, here we go …
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