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Biggest Risers and Fallers in Free Agency Thus Far

In one of its craziest offseasons, the NFL has seen a flurry of free agent moves and trades. Which teams are likely to rise and improve? Which teams are likely to fall and decline?

Risers

Cleveland Browns – This was a gimme. The Browns looked like they belong playing in college football, with winning only one game in two years. What does new GM and resident savior in Cleveland do? John Dorsey reshaped this whole team by trading for Jarvis Landry, Tyrod Taylor, and Damarious Randall, and signing seven free agents, most notably being Carlos Hyde, T.J Carrie, Chris Hubbard, and Darren Fells. They did take a hit with the retirement of Joe Thomas, though. With a transformed offense and still having two of the top five picks, the only way this team can go is up.

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Chicago Bears – One of the most complete offseason so far, the Bears have acquired good players in all three aspects of the game. They signed two receivers and a tight end in Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, and Trey “Philly Special” Burton, which gives now second-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky some much-needed weapons on offense. They also signed OLBs Aaron Lynch and Sam Acho, along with resigning Prince Amukamara to bolster the defensive side of the ball. The Bears also contain a high draft pick to address the defense too. Along with the signing of kicker Cody Parkey, these Bad News Bears have the chance to change their name.

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Tennessee Titans – Am I upset that two of my favorite players are on different teams? Absolutely. Do I wish the best for them? Absolutely, they deserve it. The Titans now boast a two-headed monster with the shifty Dion Lewis and powerful Derrick Henry. Malcolm Butler is going to a secondary that already boasts the interceptions leader and a very promising rookie. There isn’t a lot of weakness on the team. Linebacker is the biggest need and will most likely be addressed in the first round of the draft. Face it, Titans are going to be a scary team this year.

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Other risers: Rams, Texans, 49ers

Fallers

Seattle Seahawks – Russell Wilson might as well scramble every play with that offensive line that’s “protecting” him. Seattle also lacks a real run game although potential standout Chris Carson is returning from injury, and they lost pass catchers Paul Richardson and Jimmy Graham. The breakup of the Legion of Boom and losses of Michael Bennett and Sheldon Richardson leaves this team with too many needs on both sides of the ball.

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Detroit Lions –  The Vikings got Cousins and Richardson, the Packers got Graham and Wilkerson, and the Bears got A-Rob and Taylor Gabriel (and more). All other teams in their division got better which leaves the Lions grasping for whatever leftovers they can get. They did sign LeGarrette Blount who will improve their otherwise nonexistent run game. However, the losses of Haloti Ngata, Tahir Whitehead, and Eric Ebron are drastic. Deshawn Shead and Devon Kennard can improve the team a little bit, but they are going to need a great draft, a couple more FA signings, and a bigger beard from a certain someone in their management.

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Arizona Cardinals – The solution to losing an injury prone quarterback? Get another one. And better yet, pay him $20 million a year. Especially when your offensive line needs serious improvement. Why not cut one of your best defensive players while you are at it? This was a pretty easy one. Sam Bradford is a high-risk player and the loss of Tyrann Mathieu is devastating.

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Other fallers – It was hard to really say if a team was a faller because many teams lost notable free agents, but made signings that could make up for it. Those teams would be neutral or undecided until further notice.

Is This the End of the Legion of Boom?

If you have been an NFL fan for a number of years, you likely have witnessed some great team defenses. Going back a few years, there was the Steel Curtain of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 70’s and more recently the Ravens with Ray Lewis and Co. In more recent times, one of the most feared defensive units has been the Seattle Seahawks’ Legion of Boom.

This once feared unit has taken quite a hit this season and could be nearing it’s end. With season-ending injuries to Richard Sherman (achilles) and more recently Kam Chancellor (neck, back, spine), they have been greatly depleted. These two perennial All-Pro players might just be a portion of this unit, but they are a vital part. Personally, I feel like these injuries will be the beginning of the end.

 

Once a Blueprint for Any Defense

For the better part of the last five or six seasons, the Seattle Seahawks’ defense has been very formidable. Over this time they have developed the nickname of the Legion of Boom, and for good reason. This unit has been near the top in fewest yards allowed, points allowed, and punishing hits given out for quite some time. With great players like Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Cliff Avril, and Michael Bennett, this unit was deep and dangerous. This same unit added Sheldon Richardson from the Jets this season and looked like they might be invincible. As it turns out, this is definitely not the case. As a matter of fact, not even this great unit is immune to the injury bug.

Injuries That Really Hurt

The Seattle Seahawks’ defense had been pretty good this season but not really up to their standards of the past. Things changed drastically recently with the season ending achilles injury to CB Richard Sherman. Taking away any team’s shut down corner can hurt a defense, but an All-Pro is an even bigger hit. This injury suffered by Sherman will keep him out till at least training camp of next season. That is a big blow for the Seahawks’ defense but a bigger blow was to come soon after.

Within the last week it turns out that SS Kam Chancellor will likely miss the rest of the season as well with a severe neck injury. Chancellor, the heart and soul of the Legion of Boom, had been reporting “neck stingers” initially. Stingers are just that a stinging, burning, throbbing sensation felt when there has been pressure applied to the nerves in the injured area. Normally this sensation goes away after anywhere from a few minutes to a few days at the most. This injury turns out that it is much more then just a “stinger” as formerly reported. The closest injury to this in recent times is the injury that was suffered by Peyton Manning. Peyton required neck surgery which kept him out for an entire season with the Colts.

The way that Chancellor plays is probably the biggest reason that he sustained this kind of injury. This Legion member played the position like a linebacker because he was bigger then most safeties. When Chancellor hit you, you were the bug and Chancellor was the windshield. He hit you with the intention of making sure you remember. An opposing player might think twice before coming his way again. This thunderous wear and tear is the thing that likely caused his injury he is suffering with now. In my opinion, he is going to require surgery to repair this issue he is having.  If things go well he should fully recover. An injury like the one that Chancellor has suffered could easily be career threatening, and in this case I think it may just be.

 

Can They Come Back the Same as They Were?

Both of these players are phenomenal athletes, but they have sustained some serious injuries. Can they possibly come back the same as they always were as players? I would never say never, but I don’t think I would bet on it happening in this case. Both of these players are going to be 30 years old next season, and that is not young in the NFL. Playing the positions that they do, and facing the long stretches of rehab ahead of them it will be very tough to come back the same.

Do not be surprised if one or both of these players seriously considers retirement from the NFL. Sherman is a very smart, Stanford educated man and could easily end up in another safer career. Chancellor would have to give retirement a serious thought as well. His injury is quite scary for him to try and resume playing the position that he does. I really do think this is the beginning of the end of the Legion of Boom. I guess only time will tell for certain if this is true.