Let the Games Begin

The beauty of having the NFL DRAFT in late-April is that all the major free-agent signings have been dealt with. As with every off-season it’s not clear to determine who really won and lost the off-season but with Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow changing teamsthere was no short of big stories this off-season. Here are my top five storylines:

Manning Heads to the Rockies: Let’s not beat around the bush. The biggest free-agent on the market was without a doubt the biggest storyline. With many twists and turns, the “Peyton Manning Saga”, the search for Manning’s new home finally came to a halt when Manning agreed to a 5 year 96 million dollar contract with the Denver Broncos. He joins a team with an above average offensive-line and a running game that's as good as he had since his 1st year in the league when Marshall Faulk was a member of the Colts. Time will tell how the Manning Era in Denver will go, but with the “John’s” leading the Broncos brain trust in (Elway and Fox) and a defense that’s young and fast, this could finally be the environment Manning needs to do what he does best. Manage 4 Quarters of Football.

Tebow Mania hits the Big Apple: The 48- hour roller coaster continued for the Denver Bronco’s organization when the shipped former 1st round pick Tim Tebow to the New York Jets for a 4th and a 6th. After taking the team to an 8-8 record, winning the AFC West Division and upsetting the Steelers in the Wild-Card Round, Tebow was shipped to the Jets mere weeks after Mark Sanchez signed a contract extension. While Rex remains confident that Sanchez will start, with the way the season ended last year and if the Jets struggle out of the gates expect Tebowmania to hit the Big Apple led by Wildcat guru Tony Sparano.

Million Dollar man in Buffalo….Huh? If you read the title of this storyline and still haven’t heard the news about the Buffalo Bills then you must be living under a rock. The Bills are a team that was on the cusp of moving and several weeks into the season were 1st in the AFC East. After a second half collapse the Bills added the second biggest name on the market. Former 1st overall pick outside linebacker Mario Williams signed with the Bills and boy did he get paid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_fbUD35lHc
Williams went to Buffalo the first day free agency opened and never left. Signing a 6 year 100 million dollar contract with the Bills. His presence alone adds to arguably the best defensive line in the AFC with Kyle Williams and sophomore Marcell Dareus. However,Williams is just apiece to the puzzle and there are still pieces missing. This was a big move by the Bills who want to return to the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

Miami Meltdown: It all started the second Free Agency opened when the Dolphins shipped Brandon Marshall to the Bears for nothing in return. It looked like it was clearing cap for Manning but he took his talents to Denver. So there was trading up for Robert Griffin the Third…BUT the Washington Redskins beat them to the punch. The Dolphins are the high school kids who ended up taking their cousin to prom, only to have her leave with someone else. The embarrassments continued when they signed David Garrard who missed all of last season because no one wanted to hire him. Coming off his first 1,000 yard rushing season Reggie Bush will have to take a major load off Matt Moore and or Ryan Tannehill. Unfortunately for Dolphins fan, this was your chance at a franchise QB and you screwed you, so YES all hope is lost. So to conclude Ryan Tannehill will be another Chad Henne. A failure.

Last but CERTAINLY not Least:
I would be remiss if I did not mention the New Orleans Saints. One of my favourite teams led by two of my favourite NFL personalities in Drew Brees and Sean Peyton. This was a forgetful off-season for the Saints, who were hit hard with a major punishment for Greg Williams and the Defense’s “Bounty-Scandal.” We all know that the reason for the scandal was that Williams and certain members of the defense would give added incentive to anyone who knocked players out of the game, but it was not the crime as much as it was the cover-up that pushed the NFL's hand. When you think at how concussions have been such a hot topic as of late and you take in to consideration the Saints have 17 unsportsmanlike penalties on defense (2nd most only to the Raiders) since 2009, the punishment fits the crime. The biggest loss will be Sean Peyton, whose play-calling will solely be missed on a team that relies on its scoring.

The NFL Off-season was again fast and quick. Players switching teams happens in all pro sports, but it seemed more often this year with some of the contracts sign, players were more concerned on getting paid then getting their name etched on the Lombardi trophy.