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Earlier this month, the stats experts at Pro Football Focus posted a very interesting article involving recently-retired Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins, stating that he was the most effective pass-rusher in the league from the cornerback and safety positions in 2011.
As a 37-year-old in 2011, Dawkins posted 51 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble in 14 starts. Dawkins missed time in most games with minor injuries, but was still an effective safety for Denver in 2011.
Fill-ins for Dawkins included David Bruton, Rahim Moore and Quinton Carter during these periods. Carter was the only effective safety, although he was only shifted over to cover for Dawkins’ absence and had been starting opposite Dawkins for most of the season.
Denver was reportedly interested in re-signing Dawkins if his health checked out, but Dawkins instead chose to retire after a fantastic 16-year career.
Dawkins registered 13 quarterback pressures along with three sacks in 2011, second only to New Orleans Saints safety Roman Harper with 17 pressures. However, Dawkins was rated with the highest PRP rating, or Pass Rushing Productivity, edging out former Washington Redskins and current New York Jets safety LaRon Landry. In comparison, Harper was ranked as the 15th-most effective in PRP.
What could this mean for Denver in 2012?
Dawkins was the only Denver player to consistently pass-rush in 2011, let alone consistently pressure the quarterback. Denver may need to get projected starters Carter and the recently-acquired Mike Adams to chip in on the pass-rush to make up for Dawkins’ absence.
Rookie safety Quinton Carter made plays on the field, but had little impact in the pass-rush.
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If this can’t be done, as Adams is more of a coverage safety to begin with and Carter is still developing, Denver could be in trouble getting to the quarterback.
A pass-rush from the position could be less needed with a bolstered cornerback corps, as Denver added via free agency Tracy Porter and Drayton Florence while drafting rookie Omar Bolden and signing undrafted free agent Coryell Judie.
If there is still a void to be filled, it is possible the front seven could put enough pressure on the quarterback, with returning starters Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller spearheading the attack. Second-rounder Derek Wolfe could surprise and offer a pass-rush from the defensive tackle role as well.
One thing that is for certain is Brian Dawkins will be sorely missed by Denver in 2012.
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“Explosive” is the word that aptly describes former Virginia Tech running back and New York Giants first-round draft selection David Wilson, a 5’10″, 206-pound blur that can change the game with one play because of his rare blend of speed, balance and power.
Wilson comes to the Giants as a replacement for running back Brandon Jacobs, who left for the San Francisco 49ers. Jacobs was a bulldozing running back that had the size of a linebacker and deceptive speed, an ideal complement to teammate Ahmad Bradshaw.
Bradshaw is a smaller back that has some home-run ability (even though injuries have robbed him of some speed) and quick feet that enable him to bounce from hole to hole in hopes of springing free into the open field. But with Jacobs gone, there are concerns about the team’s running back stable, even with recently drafted Wilson at the helm.
When the team selected Wilson in the first round, many questioned the pick. Who is David Wilson? How would he replace Jacobs? Can he be the team’s goal-line back? Why are they selecting a running back so high after having success finding them late?
The Virginia Tech product doesn’t seem to be the ideal replacement for Jacobs considering his stature, but as the old saying goes, you can’t judge a book by its cover.
Wilson was one of the most productive running backs in the country last year, rushing for over 1,700 yards—much of which came after contact. In fact, according to STATS X-info, 990 of his yards came after contact, by far the most of all collegiate running backs in the draft and over 260 more than top-five pick Trent Richardson.
This shows that his smaller stature is a natural advantage as he’s built lower to the ground, thus he is the lower man at the point of attack which gives him the leverage advantage. Consequently, his lower body strength enables him to run with power and there were numerous plays this past season that displayed it.
An instance of this lower body strength came against the Miami Hurricanes this past season. After taking a hand-off to the right, Wilson encountered a Hurricanes defensive back who attempted to bring him down by the shoulders, a poorly formed tackle.
However, even though it was bad form by the defensive back, the defender appeared to possess good strength and nearly brought down Wilson. It appeared that Wilson was going to be brought down, except he shrugged off the defender with his strong upper body and displayed extraordinary balance to stay on his feet and continue running down the sideline.
Wilson was one of the top-rated running backs in the 2012 NFL draft and the No. 2 back on the Giants’ draft board because of his physical gifts. He has rare balance, a characteristic trait that’s arguably the most important at the position. He constantly stays on his feet despite contact, as noted earlier, because of this.
Furthermore, he has very good stop and start ability, showcasing the quickness to make defenders miss by making knifing cuts to get downhill. At times, he makes too many cuts which leads to him losing crucial yardage, but other times it pays off as seen against Clemson.
In what might be the most impressive run of the 2011-12 NCAA season, Wilson covered a significant amount of yards after making multiple defenders miss on a hand-off to the left. After getting the hand-off, Wilson looked to turn up-field, but Clemson defenders swarmed and cut him off, which forced him to cut back at the last second and run right.
As he ran right, he looked to turn up the field before being cut off once again by five Clemson defenders, leading him to make the defenders miss once again and running right.
When he got to the far right, a Clemson defender nearly tackled him. He wrapped him up and appeared to have brought him down, but Wilson’s lower body strength prevailed as he was able to spin out of the tackle.
After spinning out of the tackle, Wilson displayed his great balance and stayed on his feet before turning back to the left and outrunning the Clemson defense for a first down.
This was merely one play in Wilson’s career, but it wasn’t the only one. He’s had numerous big plays in his career that could lead to one saying he’s a human highlight reel. He has the ability to do it all, running the ball as well as catching it and returning it on special teams, as he’s simply a “pure football player,” to quote Giants GM Jerry Reese.
Wilson’s explosiveness is a big addition to the team because they lacked it. According to Zach Berman of The New York Times, the Giants’ longest running play last season was 37 yards while Wilson’s was 57 yards. Not to mention, Wilson had runs of 20 or more yards in 11 of the 14 games he played for the Virginia Tech Hokies last season.
Because of his dangerous open-field ability, Reese stated that Wilson will play special teams, which he did at Virginia Tech. He played as a gunner on special teams, as well as effectively returned kicks.
Wilson had over 1,300 yards in returns in his three years in college, including two special teams touchdowns. Both returns for touchdowns were 90 yards or longer, including a 90-yard game-winner against rival Georgia Tech.
The return showcased his good, long speed, which he proved he had at the combine by running a 4.49 40-yard dash, and his outstanding acceleration, which is visible not only on this return, but when he’s given the ball in the backfield. Wilson is fast through the hole, not to the hole as many other rookie tailbacks are, which is the way coaches teach it.
Picking at the bottom of the first round for the second time in only a few years, the Giants selected Wilson, a surprise to many. Draft pundits billed it as a reactionary pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ trade-up for Boise State’s Doug Martin, but Reese squashed those rumors by saying Wilson was the second-best back on their board and for good reason.
Wilson is exceptional in some of the most crucial traits for running backs, such as balance and yards after contact. His blend of balance, speed and power gives the Giants a unique skill set that enables them to use him in different areas of the game, which will lead to him becoming the most explosive rookie of 2012. He can change the game with a single play, whether it be running the ball, catching it or returning it.
Get your popcorn ready, Giants fans.
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There is so much written about the jail time that Rolando McClain is to receive, but very little talk about what triggered his behavior. One article I read said that the man in the situation was his friend. How in the world do you define “friend” if the facts are accurate in McClain’s legal problem.
McClain’s attorney is requesting a jury trial. This suggests that the process may be more reliable and valid in determining McClain’s guilt or innocence.
What would make a brother react a certain way in his hometown? Here are a few questions based on what has been observed through the years when NFL players go back to their hometown, flashing their fancy cars, women, money and stuff.
1. Was the argument over a woman?
2. Was the argument over a business proposition?
3. Was the argument over a debt that was not paid?
4. Was the argument over a situation where a homeboy expected too much from the rich NFL player?
A lot of questions are unanswered in the media.
It would be tragic to only look at one side of the situation. Sometimes, athletes are triggered to certain behaviors when they feel used or abused. It’s been happening over the years.
We in the Raider Nation expect the Oakland Raiders to act within the framework of the law if they indeed know the law. Hence, a part of their training could be to get briefing in the laws that could get them tangled up in the legal process and cause them to lose their positions in the NFL.
Think about it!
2011 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Drew Brees
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The 2011 season was a record breaking year for the New Orleans Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees. 2012 sees him without a contract. It doesn’t seem like those two should go together, does it?
On his way to winning the 2011 Offensive Player of the Year award, Brees threw for 5476 passing yards, breaking a 27-year-old record. He then broke three other records that he had previously held. His 71.6% completion percentage broke the previous best of 70.6% and he set new records by passing for at least 300 yards in seven straight games and 13 games total during the season.
What follows is in the category of not wanting to see how the sausage is made. We enjoy the end product, we just don’t want to see how it’s put together.
This is reality fans. The NFL players are members of a union. That means they have a CBA (collective bargaining agreement) that has rules about things like contract negotiations. The CBA (agreed on by BOTH the players union and ownership) says that once a player’s contract expires, the team has the right to place one of two kinds of “franchise” tags on that player which is a contract for the next season.
The tag is used when the two sides can’t agree on a longer term contract. The tag can be replaced by a long-term deal, so it can be used as an extension sometimes.
The Saints have placed the exclusive rights tag on Brees and have until July 16 to replace it with a long-term contract. That means they have to pay him either 120% of his previous year’s salary or the average of the top five players at his position. Whichever is greater.
The two sides are negotiating around the clock to sign the player considered as valuable to his team as any in the league to a long term deal, right?
Saints’ owner Tom Benson
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“What’s been a little frustrating on my end, or disappointing, is the lack of communication,” Brees said. “We’ve reached out on quite a few occasions and at times I know I’ve been frustrated with the lack of response.”
Saints’ owner Tom Benson says the two sides are close but sources have told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that’s not so.
Perhaps the reason the Saints have been slow to respond to Brees is because there’s no one left in the front office but Gladys who answers the phones. I’m sure Gladys does a great job but with everyone else suspended or otherwise tied up, it’s a bit much to expect of her.
My reaction is that players need to stop whining about the franchise tag system. I know they want the security of a long-term contract but their union agreed to this system and the teams are simply taking advantage of a leverage they have. That’s negotiating.
Brees has no plans on participating in team activities without a long-term deal. His view is a bit different than mine:
“I feel like our position is very reasonable and certainly appropriate for the situation that I’m in. Which is having played the full extent of my (previous) six-year contract,” Brees said. “I knew exactly what I signed up for and over the last few years I have not said a peep about wanting a new contract or not being happy with my current contract… Certainly, I took on a lot of risk last year by playing the last year of my contract without anything guaranteed for the future.”
Sounds reasonable doesn’t it?
The problem is that this is a collectively bargained issue. One that Brees’ union has agreed to. While I certainly agree that the Saints should do whatever is needed to sign Brees long term, they don’t have to. We all have things in our control at work and things out of our control.
Surprised that face of Saints franchise still unsigned
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The tag can only be used two years in a row, so the worst case scenario would allow Brees to be an unrestricted free agent after the 2013 season. While that’s not what Brees wants, it’s within the teams’ rights to do so.
It’s part of working in the NFL, just like non-compete contracts are part of many peoples’ employment. Just like being on call for days at a time are part of being a doctor. You know these things going in and they should be part of your decision to pursue that career.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m confused by the Saints not signing Brees also. There’s no player more valuable to his team than Drew Brees. On and off the field. But it is what it is and the only leverage Brees has is to retire or play under the franchise tag until it’s gone and he can go wherever he likes.
Follow me on Twitter@sprtsramblngman
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Heading into 2012 there is perhaps no unit within the Cincinnati Bengals with more to prove than the offensive line.
Back on January 7th the Bengals O-line was outmatched and outclassed by a top Houston Texans defense, in a sobering sack-heavy display that served to expose their mediocrity.
Andre Smith enters the 2012 season with the very real possibility that he will be looking for a new team at its conclusion.
2009′s sixth overall pick is in a contract year and needs to put together another solid effort if he wants to get a new contract that looks anything like the $6 million, two-year option he is missing out on in Cincy.
The Bengals have all of the leverage right now with capable Anthony Collins signed up to a new deal behind Smith, through 2013.
Smith started in 14 games in 2011 and proved to be a solid pass-protector for the Bengals. It’s also worth noting that he played alongside Mike McGlynn towards the end of the year, who was responsible for a large portion of lapses on the right side.
Smith needs to improve in his run-blocking, and with a renewed emphasis on the run via BenJarvus Green-Ellis, he will get that opportunity in 2012.
The O-line has both figuratively and literally experienced a changing of the guard with the addition of Kevin Zeitler and Travelle Wharton replacing Bobbie Williams and Nate Livings, respectively.
Zeitler’s presence will be integral going forward, as Clint Boling and the disastrous Mike McGlynn did little to inspire confidence last year. Zeitler is used to a run-heavy Wisconsin offense, but could struggle in pass-protection early.
His and Andre Smith’s strengths and weaknesses both somewhat balance each other out, and could make for an effective partnership.
Kyle Cook remains unchallenged at starting center, and while being a veteran in the lineup it would raise eyebrows to call him anything more than fairly average.
He needs a solid year if he wants to remain unchallenged. Center may not be a position of need right now, but as those positions become fewer, it certainly becomes worthy of an upgrade.
Andrew Whitworth is frequently referred to as being one of the best and most underrated tackles in the NFL. He is undoubtedly the leader of the Bengals O-line and is a defining presence in the locker room.
However, 2011 was a bad year for Whit, who did little to justify the praise he was receiving post-lockout.
While was the team’s best pass-protector, giving up only three sacks on the season, three quarterback hits and 16 pressures, Whitworth was really disappointing in the run-blocking, which diminished praise significantly.
Continuity will be the key for the offensive line in 2012.
With so much change and injury in previous years, the Bengals line has made do rather than thrived. If new additions Travelle Wharton and Kevin Zeitler can contribute early, and Andre Smith continues to mature, the Bengals O-line could start to develop into a solid and enduring unit.
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Sports and religion are now entwined in public discourse about gay marriage, but while one influential religious pugilist, Manny Pacquiao, has taken a beating for his conservative (and initially misrepresented) views on the issue, the most well-known purveyor of athletic holiness, Tim Tebow, has remained conspicuously mum.
What does Tebow think about LGBT people? What about gay marriage?
There is enough public testimony to at least give an introductory answer to the first question.
Tebow would affirm that God loves everyone, regardless of race, gender, or sexual…actually, it’s not clear whether he would say sexual “orientation” or sexual “preference.” The nature/nurture question is still unresolved for many conservative Christians—some of whom insist that being gay is a choice.
Tebow clearly believes that God’s love knows no bounds, but it is not clear what he thinks about Barack Obama’s recent commendation of gay marriage.
Tebow has apparently chosen not to comment on this issue, and that certainly seems fair; until, that is, we consider what he said about role models during an Easter service in Texas.
Asked about what he thinks about athletes who say they are not role models, Tebow replied boldly, “Yes you are. You just aren’t a good one.”
Are athletes role models by default? Is that part of the job description—one of the few social costs to bear along with all the millions of dollars accumulated through endorsements and contracts?
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
If so, how can Tebow remain silent on an issue as pressing as gay marriage, which the NAACP recently declared a civil right?
He has insisted that God gave him a platform with football, so if Tebow is a role model by default, he is also most certainly a role model by choice.
Does Tebow think Manny Pacquiao is a good role model?
After all, Pacquiao is a devoted Catholic from the same country where Tebow was born—the Philippines. Tebow’s family has spent years doing missionary work there. They preached about the Bible as the infallible Word of God, scripture which includes a New Testament that not only assumes heterosexual sex as the norm, but has been interpreted as denouncing same-sex acts as sinful.
It is on that sacred textual basis that Pacquiao claims he cannot support gay marriage. He is adamant that he never really wanted to delve into the subject, but he was asked the question and answered it honestly.
He has also clarified that the Bible inspires him to love everyone, including his gay friends and cousin.
With gay marriage escalating as one of the leading social issues in a looming election, will conservative religious athletes be able to publicly invoke their religion after games (as Tebow has done so often) and not field questions about a topic that is perceived to be inextricably linked to that faith?
Should they? Tim Tebow, what would a “good role model” say about all this?
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Osi Umenyiora is actively trying to get Lawrence Taylor’s Super Bowl ring back and is using Twitter to do it.
The ring is being auctioned off by LT’s son T.J. after he was given the ring as a gift many years ago. Taylor was completely unaware of this happening before news broke earlier this week.
Umenyiora sent out the following tweet this morning, stating the the details of his plan to get the ring back to the Giants’ legend.
The only problem— Umenyiora began the day with roughly 37,600 followers.
He quickly changed his request realizing it was nearly inconceivable to reach that high of a number before the auction closes this evening at 10 p.m.
On the surface, this is an admirable and classy move by Umenyiora. He’d be clearly paying his respects to the Giants icon if he could return the Super Bowl ring.
But think about the premise here—does the defensive end really need to gain more followers in order to buy back the ring, going for more than $108,000 right now?
Realistically, this is just an extremely far-fetched plan to garner more notoriety on sports’ most popular social media site.
If Umenyiora really wanted to get Taylor’s ring back to him, couldn’t he lower the required total or simply just buy the ring regardless of his follower count?
I’m not totally bashing here.
The initial idea isn’t horrible, but in the end, it’s too selfish for me to totally agree with it.
Follow @ChrisTrapasso
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The New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees aren’t on the best of terms right now, and fans are beginning to panic.
Don’t be one of them.
The Saints are currently enduring the most tumultuous offseason the league has ever seen. Right now, they are much more worried about bounties and spies than throwing gobs of cash at a player already under contract for the 2012 season. WWL Channel 4 in New Orleans is reporting that GM Mickey Loomis reiterated that the team plans on giving Brees a new contract.
Brees doesn’t care about that. He cares about financial security for the rest of his life, something every man can relate to.
Yet, it’s hard to feel bad for a guy set to make $15.76 million, and if you listen to Loomis’ latest comments, it’s pretty clear they have no plans to let him walk (via WWL):
I feel with him. He wants to be here right now. I want him to be here right now. We’ll work hard to get that accomplished. Drew loves the Saints and we love Drew.
This is important. It’s not just important to Drew, but it’s important to our team. The magnitude of this contract is going to impact our team for a long, long period of time. So, we’ve got to get it right.
Matthew Sharpe/Getty Images
At the age of 33, it’s tough to gauge how long of a deal the Saints should give Brees. After a record-breaking season in 2011, he clearly is still in his prime—but what about four years from now?
Do you agree with the Saints’ approach toward Brees?
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Do you agree with the Saints’ approach toward Brees?
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Total votes: 71
Since his shoulder surgery, Brees has been very lucky to avoid injuries in his Saints tenure. Is that because he’s incredible at avoiding the big hit, or is he just really lucky? How long will that luck last?
It’s a very large risk, and the front office needs plenty of time to hash out the correct offer. They don’t want to low-ball their superstar, but they can’t toss too much guaranteed money at a player with only so many prime years still in front of him.
It’s a tricky situation, and with an entire year to figure it out, credit the Saints for thoroughly thinking through the entire process before simply throwing a blank check in Brees’ direction.
Follow Eric Ball on Twitter.
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The New York Giants boasted one of the NFL’s most prolific offenses over the course of their run to their victory in Super Bowl XLVI over the New England Patriots.
Should the Giants hope to accomplish much of the same fortune in 2012, especially on offense, their success hinges on the play of their underrated fullback—of all positions—Henry Hynoski.
An army of Giants fans just chuckled reading that. Eli Manning devotees are demanding a retraction of that statement.
However, Manning is a given. The Giants gunslinger is going to lead his teammates as he has since 2004, and the victories will certainly pile up.
But Hynoski is a game-changer, as odd as that may seem, and his presence in a much larger role for the Giants this season will make a dramatic difference on offense.
Last season, the Giants finished dead-last in the NFL in rushing, with an embarrassingly low 89.2 yards per game. The performance was the franchise’s worst during Coach Tom Coughlin’s tenure in New York.
Though his contributions as a lead blocker appeared minimal last season, marred by growing pains and time spent on the injury report, Hynoski’s prowess as a lead blocker is something they sorely missed.
Sideline Scouting had plenty of nice things to say about the former Pittsburgh Panther entering the draft (h/t Ed Valentine of Big Blue View):
Henry Hynoski bowled over Patriots defenders without hesitation in Super Bowl XLVI.
Strong blocker, a traditional lead blocker who really packs a punch… Has a great frame for an NFL fullback… Versatility will appeal to teams, is athletic for his size and can contribute as a receiver, runner, and blocker… Improved route runner who has a lot of potential to contribute in the passing game… Has a strong base and has shown the ability to push back defenders at the point of attack… Will be able to contribute on special teams units.
Hynoski showed flashes of brilliance late in the season for the Giants. In the Giants’ final eight games (including the postseason), Hynoski caught 13 passes for 95 yards.
His leaping evasion of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman might be his most memorable play, but his performance in Super Bowl XLVI against the Patriots was unquestionably his greatest and most promising effort to date.
It did not light up the box score by any means, though he showed exciting strength and athleticism on each of his two catches out of the backfield. But the job he did opening holes for the Giants rushers, as well as making a game-saving fumble recovery on a ball knocked loose from the grips of Hakeem Nicks, gave Giants fans pleasant memories of Big Blue’s fullback the last time confetti fell in their favor—Madison Hedgecock.
All of this occurred on the field that nearly cost him his NFL career—Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Hynoski’s hamstring injury he suffered at the 2011 NFL Combine did serious damage to the stock of one of the class’ top fullback prospects and sent him free-falling out of the NFL draft—and right into the hands of general manager Jerry Reese and the Giants as an undrafted free agent.
For Hynoski, it was a season that had come full circle, starting with a threatening injury and ending with a Super Bowl victory inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
Chris Trotman/Getty Images
That free fall has delivered the defending Super Bowl champions with a player boasting the talent and potential to be one of the NFL’s premier fullbacks. His abilities are comparable to those of the game’s most versatile fullbacks of all time, such as Tom Rathman and Larry Centers.
The Giants love players with versatile talents, and Hynoski fits the mold. His ability to catch out of the backfield, occasionally carry the football and, most importantly, perform as a lead blocker will provide a much-needed boost to the Giants offensive attack in 2012.
The New York Giants are stocked full of incredible talent on offense that can make an impact at any point in a football game. But none of those players may be able to do so much in so many different ways with as few expectations to do so as the fullback Hynoski can this season for the Giants.
The Giants’ pass protection, run blocking and, consequentially, rushing attack will all see an improvement in 2012, and much of that will have to do with blossoming young talent Henry Hynoski.
Louis Musto is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.
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With the majority of the offseason moves in the books, the time has come to start looking ahead to the 2012 season. While an upcoming NFL season is almost impossible to predict in the middle of May, there does appear to be a number of teams that have made big improvements this offseason and could surprise next year.
In this offseason edition of NFL power rankings, we break down a handful of teams that fit that profile:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Championships are rarely won in March, but the Buccaneers had the money to spend this offseason. The front office then used the open cap room on quality football players in free agency.
Teaming All-Pro Carl Nicks with Davin Joseph gives Tampa Bay a dominant pair of guards to maul holes for first-round pick Doug Martin, who figures to be Greg Schiano’s new lead back next season. If given the right opportunities, Martin could push 1,500 total yards as a rookie in 2012.
The secondary got a significant facelift with free-agent signing Eric Wright and No. 7 overall pick Mark Barron. Wright has shown flashes of being a No. 1 cornerback in the past, and Barron might end up being one of the draft’s most impactful defenders, especially early on.
Throw in receiver Vincent Jackson, arguably the Bucs’ biggest addition this offseason, and you get a club that should vastly improve on a 4-12 2011 campaign.
If things fall right, Tampa Bay could push double-digit wins.
Buffalo Bills
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So often in free agency teams overspend on players who don’t fit their scheme or needs. In the case of Mario Williams and the Bills, that dreary fate appears to have been avoided. While Buffalo spent $100 million on securing one of the game’s best pass-rushers, Williams should immediately improve one of the Bills’ biggest weaknesses from last season.
The Buffalo defense registered just 29 sacks last year, with 10 coming in one game against the Washington Redskins. Despite a fast start to the season, including a win over the New England Patriots, the Bills were unable to make a playoff push, in part due to their lack of a pressure package defensively.
The draft was also kind to the Bills, who got versatile cornerback Stephon Gilmore and tackle Cordy Glenn in the draft’s first two rounds. Both players could help push the Bills from an upstart team in 2011 to a bona-fide contender in 2012.
Kansas City Chiefs
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The Denver Broncos adding Peyton Manning has been all the talk in the AFC West this spring and summer, but the Chiefs have quietly put together one of the NFL’s better offseasons
Adding right tackle Eric Winston may turn out to be one of the steals of free agency, and plugging in Peyton Hillis as a complement to a recovering Jamaal Charles at running back was a smart and low-risk move.
If the offense can take a step forward—especially after retaining Dwayne Bowe and with Charles returning—and the defense is as solid with a healthy Eric Berry as it has been in the past, the Chiefs could be looking at a return trip to the playoffs in 2012 as the AFC West champions.
NFL Offseason Power Rankings
1. New York Giants (2011: 9-7)
2. New England Patriots (13-3)
3. Green Bay Packers (15-1)
4. Houston Texans (10-6)
5. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)
6. San Francisco 49ers (13-3)
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
8. Detroit Lions (10-6)
9. Chicago Bears (8-8)
10. Buffalo Bills (6-10)
11. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)
12. Denver Broncos (8-8)
13. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)
14. Atlanta Falcons (10-6)
15. Dallas Cowboys (8-8)
16. New Orleans Saints (13-3)
17. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)
18. San Diego Chargers (8-8)
19. Carolina Panthers (6-10)
20. Tennessee Titans (9-7)
21. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)
22. New York Jets (8-8)
23. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)
24. Washington Redskins (5-11)
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12)
26. Miami Dolphins (6-10)
27. Oakland Raiders (8-8)
28. St. Louis Rams (2-14)
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)
30. Indianapolis Colts (2-14)
31. Cleveland Browns (4-12)
32. Minnesota Vikings (3-13)
