Buffalo
Jan. 16, 2008 By PFW staff Bills' front-office 'promotions' don't change power structure In the aftermath of Marv Levy agreeing to step down as general manager of the Bills shortly after the completion of the team's season, owner Ralph Wilson opted against appointing a successor. Instead, Wilson gave nominal promotions to three of his top aides — director of pro scouting John Guy, director of college scouting Tom Modrak and executive vice president of business operations Russ Brandon. Their new titles are vice president of pro personnel (Guy), vice president of college scouting (Modrak) and chief operating officer (Brandon).
The PFW spin
Don’t read too much into these “promotions.” For all intents and purposes, their responsibilities and authority with the club remain fairly static, especially Guy and Modrak. Brandon’s realm will be more far-reaching, as he’ll now oversee the entire business side of the organization, but his role in personnel matters remains minimal.
Wilson was pleased with Levy’s egalitarian managerial style, and ensured the status quo by declining to appoint a successor. Under the prior and current setup, Modrak will be primarily responsible for drafting players and Guy will make the free-agent decisions. Also, head coach Dick Jauron is expected to have more of a say in terms of the makeup of the roster.
The Bills have been leery about looking outside the organization to fill key areas since outsider Tom Donahoe’s authoritative persona and failure to produce a playoff team as general manager earned him contempt both within the organization and in the Buffalo community.
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April 22, 2008 By PFW staff Dolphins officially make Jake Long the No. 1 pick Updated 5:32 p.m. EDT Tuesday, April 22
After a week of negotiations, the Dolphins officially signed OT Jake Long as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft. According to Adam Schefter of NFL Network, the deal is for five years and $57.5 million, with $30 million guaranteed. Long was a two-time All-America selection at Michigan, and was twice named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. The consensus top-ranked offensive lineman in the draft pool, Long becomes just the third offensive tackle to be taken No. 1 overall, and the first since Orlando Pace in 1997.
"I'm very excited and honored to be able to be part of the Miami Dolphins and this organization," Long said at his introductory press conference on Tuesday. "Now I can just concentrate on football and don't have to worry about any of that other stuff. I just have to worry about getting here, playing, making myself better, learning and getting prepared for the NFL."
The PFW spin
This selection comes as no surprise. Long was the top-ranked player on the Dolphins' board from the outset, and helps fill the void at what was easily their biggest need. Vernon Carey and Julius Wilson are the only two offensive tackles on the roster, and Wilson has not played a down in the NFL.
There’s a school of thought that Long doesn’t have the necessary athleticism to be a dominant left tackle, but GM Jeff Ireland said that the left side is where the team intends for Long to play. The OLT spot does make sense, though, considering Carey — who was a solid left tackle in ’07 — is even better on the right side.
"There is no secret that left tackle is a very pivotal part of your building process," Ireland said. "It's the most important part of the offensive line, in my opinion. It was just a position that we felt comfortable with, it met the needs of our team and it met the board value as well."
Although Miami wanted to trade out of the No. 1 slot, there is simply too much money allocated to the top pick for teams to want to jump up there, especially considering this class is devoid of a bona fide star prospect. But by signing their top guy before the draft, the Dolphins assure themselves of averting the problem of a lengthy holdout, such as what the Raiders dealt with in 2007 with the JaMarcus Russell negotiations.
"We felt like it was an advantage to (get him signed in advance of the draft)," Ireland said. "We got this guy and he's ours. We can start worrying about draft strategy."
The Dolphins now can turn their attention to the second round, where they hold two selections — their own at No. 32 and the Chargers' pick at No. 57, courtesy of a midseason deal in ’07 that sent WR Chris Chambers to San Diego. Although they need to upgrade the talent at a bevy of positions, look for a quarterback to be taken with their first pick of Round Two. The name that's being batted around heavily right now is Delaware QB Joe Flacco, a player whom they might need to trade up to get. They’re also high on Michigan QB Chad Henne, a teammate of Long’s in Ann Arbor, although Henne would be the default option if Flacco is gone.
"I think (trading back into the first round) is something that will be explored," Ireland said. "It will depend if the right player is there."
But for at least the next few days, the Dolphins can rest easy knowing they have the cornerstone of their offense signed, sealed and delivered.
"We feel like he has all the qualities that we're looking for in our linemen," coach Tony Sparano said. "He's very tough, he's smart and he's disciplined. Those are the people that we want to surround ourselves with here with the Dolphins. I think those are the qualities that you need to have to develop what will be, at some point, a very good offensive line down the road."
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March 3, 2008 By PFW staff Moss declines overtures from other clubs, re-signs with Patriots
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Randy Moss
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It took longer than most expected, but the Patriots have finally come to terms with the most important piece of their free-agent puzzle. On Monday, WR Randy Moss agreed to a three-year, $27 million deal — with a $12 million signing bonus, according to the Boston Globe — that will keep him in Foxborough through the 2010 season. Reports circulated last week that Moss was listening to pitches from other teams, that he was displeased with the stagnant talks with the Pats. There was even chatter that he conferred with former Vikings teammate and fellow UFA Daunte Culpepper about going as a package deal to a new team.
In his first year in New England, Moss strung together one of the finest seasons for a receiver in league history. He caught 98 passes for 1,493 yards and a league-record 23 touchdowns, garnering All Pro honors in the process. In his 10-year career, the 31-year-old Moss has caught 774 balls for 12,193 yards and 124 touchdowns.
The PFW spin
Despite rumors that he was looking elsewhere, most close to the club always believed that Moss would saddle up in New England. It was more a question of when than if. The Pats needed this. After declining the option on Donté Stallworth, who is now with the Browns, and having 2007 No. 3 wideout Jabar Gaffney also in the unrestricted pool, the Pats were looking at the possibility of having only Wes Welker as a proven player at the position.
By bringing back Moss, the Pats have ensured that the nucleus of their record-setting offense remains intact. They won’t have as deep a WR corps as last year, but the headlining acts — Moss and Welker — are back snaring Tom Brady’s passes.
The Pats entered free agency with precious little salary-cap room, which delayed the execution of Moss’ re-signing. But by cutting OLB Rosevelt Colvin last week, the Pats saved approximately $7.6 million, a figure that helped negotiations with their star receiver.
The Pats would like to keep Gaffney on board to ensure the continued legitimacy of their spread offense, but they won’t get into a bidding war if another club covets him.
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March 3, 2008 By PFW staff Jets reel in OLB Pace, continuing restoration job
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Former Cardinals OLB Calvin Pace
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The Jets’ roster overhaul continues. According to ESPN, the Jets inked OLB Calvin Pace to a six-year, $42 million deal on Monday. Of that sum, $22 million is guaranteed. Pace, an unrestricted free agent, had previously spent his entire five-year career with Cardinals. A first-round draft pick out of Wake Forest in 2003, Pace had a career year in 2007, registering 98 tackles, 6½ sacks and an interception, playing outside linebacker in the Cardinals’ 3-4 scheme. From 2003-06 he was largely considered a disappointment as 4-3 defensive end.
The PFW spin
When the Jets tumbled from ’06 playoff participant to ’07 dud, they knew they needed major upgrades if they were to again be regarded among the heavy hitters of the AFC. First to join the fold at the start of the free-agent signing period was Panthers DT Kris Jenkins, who will hold down the fort at nose tackle. Then the Jets landed OG Alan Faneca, widely considered the best guard in the free-agent pool.
Now they bring in Pace, who was among the best defensive free agents remaining. Pace should immediately step into the OLB spot expected to be vacated by UFA Victor Hobson. Pace seems to be a natural 3-4 rush linebacker. At 6-4, 270 pounds, he has the size to hold up at the point and also boasts the necessary agility to cover the flat.
However, Pace isn’t without concerns. He’s been a one-year wonder, and one standout season as an outside linebacker doesn’t completely quell everyone's misgivings after he flopped through his first four years as a down lineman.
The Jets have now made four significant transactions affecting their defensive front seven since free agency began. In addition to adding Pace and Jenkins, the Jets have traded former first-rounders NT Dewayne Robertson (to the Bengals) and ILB Jonathan Vilma (Saints).
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