Two teams that immediately stand out as having strong offseasons would be the Oakland Raiders with their emphasis on Offense and Minnesota with their off season pick ups aimed at strengthening their Defense.
Oakland drastically altered the make up of their offense with the free agent signing of Lamont Jordan and the big trade with minnesota for Randy Moss. Lamont Jordan was brought in to add stability and power to their running game and with Norv Turner running that show, I don't doubt Jordan having a big year. He is still unproven as an every down back, but has all the tools to be a dominant power back. Helping clear some room for Jordan to run was the acquisition of Randy Moss. Moss will now be causing trouble in the Oakland area, and definitely in opposing teams secondaries, but should excel in what could be an extremely explosive offense. Jerry Porter will no longer be the main man in the Oakland WR corp, but is no slouch especially as a No. 2 Wideout. Kerry Collins can make all the throws and is not shy about airing it out. He will get his protection from Robert Gallery who now has a year under his belt and should give Collins and Jordan plenty of time and room behind the line of scrimmage. They used the draft to focus on their problems on the defensive side of the ball, but they should still struggle there. Expect a lot of shootouts when Oakland is involved.
Minnesota started it's rebuilding by cloggin up the middle of their defensive line by signing Pat Williams away from Buffalo. Williams should anchor that line and improve the interior defense. Also joining the defense are LB's Sam Cowart(trade with Jets) and Napolean Harris(trade with Oak), as well as secondar help in CB Fred Smoot and FS Darren Sharper. With this overhaul on defense and the trade of Randy Moss, Minnesota is ready to move on in a new direction that will actually put some attention on defense. Minnesota still boasts a powerful offense, but the loss of Moss will hurt the production of Culpepper and teh stable of RB's. To ease the loss of Moss spead and height on teh flank, they used their first pick in the draft to select WR Troy Williamson from South Carolina. Even with Mike Williams available, the Vikings felt that Williamson's size/speed combo was a better fit for their offense. With their second pick in the first round they again added to the defensive line by selecting DE Erasmus James. The Vikings should be improved on defense, but to what cost on offense? I think the moves here will work out in minny's favor and they will have a strong season.
Oakland drastically altered the make up of their offense with the free agent signing of Lamont Jordan and the big trade with minnesota for Randy Moss. Lamont Jordan was brought in to add stability and power to their running game and with Norv Turner running that show, I don't doubt Jordan having a big year. He is still unproven as an every down back, but has all the tools to be a dominant power back. Helping clear some room for Jordan to run was the acquisition of Randy Moss. Moss will now be causing trouble in the Oakland area, and definitely in opposing teams secondaries, but should excel in what could be an extremely explosive offense. Jerry Porter will no longer be the main man in the Oakland WR corp, but is no slouch especially as a No. 2 Wideout. Kerry Collins can make all the throws and is not shy about airing it out. He will get his protection from Robert Gallery who now has a year under his belt and should give Collins and Jordan plenty of time and room behind the line of scrimmage. They used the draft to focus on their problems on the defensive side of the ball, but they should still struggle there. Expect a lot of shootouts when Oakland is involved.
Minnesota started it's rebuilding by cloggin up the middle of their defensive line by signing Pat Williams away from Buffalo. Williams should anchor that line and improve the interior defense. Also joining the defense are LB's Sam Cowart(trade with Jets) and Napolean Harris(trade with Oak), as well as secondar help in CB Fred Smoot and FS Darren Sharper. With this overhaul on defense and the trade of Randy Moss, Minnesota is ready to move on in a new direction that will actually put some attention on defense. Minnesota still boasts a powerful offense, but the loss of Moss will hurt the production of Culpepper and teh stable of RB's. To ease the loss of Moss spead and height on teh flank, they used their first pick in the draft to select WR Troy Williamson from South Carolina. Even with Mike Williams available, the Vikings felt that Williamson's size/speed combo was a better fit for their offense. With their second pick in the first round they again added to the defensive line by selecting DE Erasmus James. The Vikings should be improved on defense, but to what cost on offense? I think the moves here will work out in minny's favor and they will have a strong season.
