FSH: WATERCOOLER CHAT

February 4th, 2009 10:15pm PST

"THE WATERCOOLER"

The GM Game.

Now the off-season begins...

Now that the excitement of perhaps one of the greatest games, let alone Super Bowls has subsided a bit, it's back to work for many of the NFLs General Managers. With the off season pretty much in full swing many of the NFL's 32 franchises will now be addressing many of their TDLs (To-do-lists) in preparation for the 2009 season.

For many of the GMs their focus will be re-signing some of their big names, as well as targeting some of the big free agents that could hit the market this offseason. Some of those notable big fish to watch in the off season would include; DL Albert Haynesworth, WR Roy Williams, DL Julius Peppers, RB Brandon Jacobs, WR TJ Houshmandzadeh, QB Kurt Warner, and QB Matt Cassel.

With so many names potentially on the market, this offseason will be interesting to watch and see where some faces may land and where others may stay.

Let's Play GM..

Sure without the related stress and pressure that comes with a high-priced executive position with any NFL franchise, it's easy to sit here, second guess, and offer my two cents.

Not that any NFL team is going to come knocking on my door and ask me for any advice, but if I were sitting in on one of their team meetings and the question was posed to me "where should we start?" depending on who's asking, here's what I would have to offer to some of the teams with the most cash to spend:

In Denver (est $34m under the cap)...
Now that you've thrown caution to the wind and decided to take a big gamble with a young and unproven head coach, it's time to make some big moves concerning personnel. The defense was an embarrassment in 2008 and improvement is greatly needed. At the top of my list for free agents targets is DT Albert Haynesworth (can dominate the inside line). Denver has the cap space to sign this big free agent and make him one of the highest paid defensive players in the NFL. His acquisition and arrival could have an immediate and tremendous impact. Making a run after and signing Haynesworth should be priority number one. Priority two will be to get him some help on the edges and names that could present the most interest to a franchise in need of a huge over-haul include; DL Julius Peppers (tremendous athletic ability) and DL Rocky Bernard (another tank in the middle).

In Arizona (est $41m under the cap)...
Now that you have completed your magical season and watched the clock strike twelve at midnight ending your happily-ever-after, it's time to get back to reality. The team had a fine 2008, but one of it's biggest reasons was the play of quarterback Kurt Warner. He's considering retirement of all things, and that just doesn't fit into our 2009 plans. Priority number one will be bringing Warner back for two more season, so you can make another run in 09. The two year deal will also enable the franchise to go in another direction for the future, if Leinart is no on board with holding a clip board just a little longer. For the Cards, almost as important as bringing back Warner, will be finding some quality depth at running back. There will be several veteran options available in the offseason, perhaps some names that should top your list; Derrick Ward (runs strong between the tackles, good speed), Darren Sproles (great scat back, big play ability, tremendous speed), and Fred Jackson (versatile back with good hands, good speed).

In Tampa Bay (est $42m under the cap)...
Thank you for hosting the Super Bowl, but now it's time to clear town and get to brass tactics. The Bucs fell apart at the end of last season with four straight losses. It's time for some major repairs. Griese and Garcia don't figure in the fix, so this franchise will go shopping for a strong arm in the offseason. With so many players nearing social security (for the NFL), the Bucs can't afford to leverage their future for one player and it looks like the Matt Cassel lottery could get costly, if the Pats don't tag him. Another name sleeping under some rocks could be the incumbent back-up in Arizona. With the Cards likely to resign Warner, Leinart may not be a happy camper in the desert and may look to be traded. There's really not much on Leinart as an NFL starter, because he's had limited opportunities, but he's a young quarterback that still has some promise left. But before the Bucs can go shopping for their next arm, they should make every effort to lock up the pair of good hands belonging to wide receiver Antonio Bryant. With Galloway pretty much done in Tampa, another receiver to compliment Bryant would be high on the list, as well as adding depth to the running back position via the draft or free agency.

In Kansas City (est $33m under the cap)...
The league's youngest club a year ago will have money to spend and players to move in the offseason, starting with running back Larry Johnson. That will be priority number one for this franchise. Unfortunately LJ has worn out his welcome in KC and it's time to part ways. The Chiefs won't likely release him LJ, but could tender a few offers if there are any takers. Johnson is carrying a huge contract, but he is clearly a misfit in an offsense that is designed to spread the field. If the team signs Arizona's offensive coordinator Todd Haley, it's not likely the new offense coming in would be in the same mold and not a great fit for Johnson. With a young team, a rebuild mode may be in full swing, so players like Gonzo and LJ could be expendable. Quarterback Tyler Thigpen showed some flashes and a lot of promise last season, so priority number one could be dealing LJ and Gonzales (for draft picks) and focus on finding younger talent in the draft to replace both. Free agent players the Chiefs should eye to help with Thigpen's growth and development would include; WR Malcolm Floyd (great deep threat), Devery Henderson (more outside speed to compliment Bowe), and Correll Buckhalter (versatile back, could offer stability at the position). LJ will be the hard sell, but releasing him would be a costly last option. There could be a market for Tony G with teams like the Cardinals, Ravens, Panthers, or the Eagles.

While I might not be tendering any big offers anytime soon from any of the 32 NFL franchises to fill their GM openings, playing GM can be fun and will be something that I'll continue to do as the NFL offseason gets into full swing.

As I have done here, in the coming days and weeks I'll continue to evaluate more team's current situations and developments as we move closer to the 2009 NFL draft.

So stay tuned.



Keep checking back for more football....

By David G. Ortega