In a competitive sport devoid of guarantees, free agency in the NFL seems like the riskiest wager of them all.
The in-between period between the end of meaningful free agency and the NFL Draft allows for a degree of analysis. With hundreds of millions of dollars floating between teams and players, the NFL economy looks rather sound. With that said, while some teams spend wisely, filling areas of need, others completely failed to acquire missing pieces to get them over the proverbial hump. Under those circumstances, both groups of teams will assess what went right and what veered way off course.
Winner: Cincinnati Bengals
If you look at what prevented the Bengals from the chance to raise their first Lombardi, this felt like a no-brainer. Under duress for the entirety of that game, Joe Burrow tried to win a ring with little to no blocking. As a result of the loss, Cincinnati hit the ground running by fortifying their shaky offensive line. In landing La’el Collins, Ted Karras, and Alex Cappa, the offense can actually breathe a sigh of relief. Imagine those numbers with competent blocking.
Loser: Dallas Cowboys
In the NFC East, where the Cowboys appeared as the front-runner, catastrophic losses brought them back to the pack. Randy Gregory initially looked as though he’d re-sign. Then, the Denver Broncos swooped in and brought him to Colorado. Gregory, after years of off-field issues, looked to have finally turned the corner. Now, he turns the corner, terrorizing quarterbacks in the AFC West. Moreover, his departure leaves a cavernous gap in the pass rush. Additionally, the loss of Amari Cooper hurts the passing game. Whether he disappeared or not, Cooper gave the Cowboys an elite route runner at all three levels.
Winner: Buffalo Bills
Von Miller jumpstarts a pass rush that needed an edge rusher to enhance the technically sound Bills’ defense. The Bills play a very tightly constructed defense that relies upon serious gap integrity and sound tackling angles. Yet, they’ve lacked the ability to get home from the edge, until now. Another intriguing note is the signing of tight end O.J. Howard. Pairing him with Dawson Knox should concern defenses. Each is an athletic tight end that can block and find soft spots as safety valves.
-
Ep 102: Chiefs, Eagles Advance To The Super Bowl
by Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:26 pm
Loser: Minnesota Vikings
In extending Kirk Cousins’ contract, Minnesota adhered itself to a quarterback with good numbers but a mediocre record. 59-59-2 screams middle of the road. Yet, with a new regime, the team felt the need to stick with him. Cousins excels in the middle of the -season, before the temperature dips. In September, his record sits at 9-16, while in December/January, he resides at 17-20. Not to mention, afternoon and late games see the wheels fall completely off, winning just sixteen of the forty-seven contests. Traveling to Green Bay and Chicago in December will continue to break the Vikings’ spirit.
Around FPC
NFL RUMORS: NFL Rumors: Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys, Stephon Gilmore
NFL NEWS: Bengals Offseason: 5 Available Free Agents that Could Make an Impact
NFL DRAFT: 2022 Chiefs Draft Prospect: Tyreke Smith
NFL MOCK DRAFT: FPC 2022 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Getting Defensive Rather Early
NHL: NHL Power Rankings: Panthers Rise To The Top, Toronto Gaining Momentum
PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 36: Deshaun Watson Traded To The Cleveland Browns
Winner: Carson Wentz
In the quick turnaround world of the NFL, what quarterback actually earns three chances to turn the fortunes around for a different team. In trading Wentz to Washington, the Colts walked away with a bevy of picks. However, the real winner is Wentz. Naysayers will trumpet his arrival as the moves of a perennially desperate franchise, praying for relevance and a return to their winning ways. If you look back at his history, teammates and management feel no love lost watching Wentz suit up elsewhere. To paraphrase the old saying, ” It’s not them, it’s you”. Now, in Washington, the team will attempt to craft more offensive talent around him, hoping to capitalize on a winnable division. The Cowboys regressed in the offseason, opening the door for the Commanders to stroll through. Wentz’s alleged aloof demeanor won’t matter if he can bring victory to Washington. A true winner in free agency.
Serious Movement
While we don’t know who won the blockbuster deals in Seattle and Green Bay, we do know that the 2021 season provides teams with the ability to lay down a foundational base to build a winner upon. Now, some of these moves will catapult someone into contention, while others will break a franchise. At least no one gave a coach ten years removed from coaching a ten-year, nine-figure contract. On balance, anything less than that could be regarded as a victory and should be heralded as such.
-
Ep 142: Former Washington Quarterback And Super Bowl Champion Doug Williams Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:19 pm
Former Washington quarterback and Super Bowl champion Doug Williams joins […]
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Episode 3.2) Offseason Talk with the "Command This!" Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 3:04 am
George Carmi hosts Steve, Dev, and Phil as they discuss the Commanders […]
-
Ep 167: Super Bowl LVII Previewby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 12:33 am
This season premiere featured a preview of the NFL's season finale. In […]
-
2/3 - Tom Brady Retires... For Goodby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's second, and likely final, retirement. […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Ian and John recap the Eagles and Chiefs victories on Conference […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Full Press MMA - Friday, February 3rdby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 12:00 am
-
Ep. 220 - Kyrie Wants to Leave Yet Another Teamby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:26 pm
-
Hawks at Jazzby Broken Controller Media on February 3, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
76ers at Spursby Broken Controller Media on February 3, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Magic at Timberwolvesby Broken Controller Media on February 3, 2023 at 8:00 pm
-
Raptors at Rocketsby Broken Controller Media on February 3, 2023 at 7:00 pm
-
Ep.91: Southern Utah University Head Basketball Coach Todd Simonby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 6:12 pm
-
Hornets at Pistonsby Broken Controller Media on February 3, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
Ep. 90: Lipscomb University Head Baseball Coach Jeff Forehandby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 5:56 pm
-
Suns at Celticsby Broken Controller Media on February 3, 2023 at 5:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm