Tennessee proved last year it was a major contender out in the AFC South and will find the 2009 version of its squad pretty much the same as it was in 2008. Center could use some help, given that Kevin Mawae is nearing the end of his career, while on defense, cornerback could look to become all-the-more-dangerous a position could the Titans land another lockdown player to match up with Courtland Finnegan. The defensive line is extremely aggressive, but now has to replace Albert Haynesworth at the defensive tackle position. Quarterback is far from a pressing need heading into April, but might prove a position where acquiring a moldable talent now could end up paying off huge dividends down the road. A potential 1000-yard wide receiver (not since 2004 has Tennessee had such a threat) as well would do wonders in balancing the offensive attack of a team which last year exposed far too great a reliance upon a running game featuring first-year running back from East Carolina, Chris Johnson, as a main weapon by which to move the ball.
The defensive secondary for the Cardinals often found itself carrying the burden of shutting down opposing offenses last season, and desperately needs assistance from the Arizona defensive line come 2009; this is particularly the case now, especially taking into consideration that Bertrand Berry is coming off a season-ending surgery and doesn’t have an outstanding playmaker matched up with him to provide additional pressure down in the trenches. At the same time, Karlos Dansby is maturing slower than expected at linebacker, making finding someone capable of holding down passing lanes on the outside a priority heading into April as well. Free agency expanded depth at the corner position for the Cardinals, but leaves the team still longing for more at safety. Watch too for the Arizona front office to look toward strengthening the offensive line on the opposite side of the ball, this even though the addition of Mike Gandy did wonders in pointing this particular unit in the right direction.
Dallas contended with a lot of change throughout the month of February and heading into March. By the time it was all over, Terrell Owens, it was announced, would no longer serve as a target for quarterback Tony Romo, while the Cowboys pondered the addition of Ray Lewis at linebacker, only to find the Ravens retaining the 33-year old aging defensive star at the last moment. Nevertheless, work continues on the long-term resigning of DeMarcus Ware at outside linebacker, a critical requirement particularly with defensive end Chris Canty now gone to the New York Giants. With Owens released into free agency, Dallas will look to couple new talent at wide receiver with what they hope will be the (re)emergence of former Detroit Lions wide out, Roy Williams, in the 2009 season. Meanwhile, considering the valuable lesson learned at quarterback last season when Romo went down hurt and ended up missing three straight games while Dallas aimlessly searched for a suitable back-up to control the offense, expect that the Cowboys make finding a secondary option under center a priority, whether through signing a free agent or using an early round selection to acquire a youthful talent with a proven record of moving the ball through the air. With Canty gone, Dallas will have to address a hole at defensive end as well, while at cornerback, a quality cover man opposite Terrence Newman needs to be obtained.
The Falcons’ main offensive need is that of a pass-catching tight end that can provide quarterback Matt Ryan an additional target in the middle of the field, yet still provide solid blocking along the line for breakout tailback for 2008, Michael Turner; Brandon Pettigrew of Oklahoma State is currently a name being mentioned with a great deal of enthusiasm, so it would not be surprising to find his name called on by those placed in charge of drafting for Atlanta come later this spring. Meanwhile, the linebacker unit for the Falcons is a position currently lacking experience, particularly considering the loss of starters Keith Brooking and Michael Boley to free agency. Atlanta did well to go signing veteran free agent Mike Peterson, , yet very well could use the draft in an attempt to find more depth. Other needs present on defense center on the Falcons’ secondary, where a desire to bolster the safety and cornerback positions remains at the forefront of the minds of those held accountable for the overall success — or lack thereof — of the Atlanta defensive backfield against opposing conference quarterbacks.
The Bears hope to alleviate struggles in the passing game by picking up a quality, durable wide receiver that can do what former draft picks such as Mark Bradley, Justin Gage, and David Terrell could not — work well within an offensive system that likes to run the ball with regular frequency. Along the offensive line, gaps present in 2008 have been shored up partially by the signing of Frank Omiyale; still, in order to protect the valuable asset the team discovered in Matt Forte last season, Chicago will need to commit to picking up an additional tackle or guard. In terms of the defensive side of the ball, expect some new additions to be acquired in order to bolster the Bears’ front seven. If last year proved anything for Chicago, it is that when its defensive line and linebackers cannot get pressure on an opposing quarterback, the shortcomings of the entire defense — particularly in the secondary — begin to make themselves abundantly clear. In addition to addressing needs along the first two levels, watch for the front office to focus on acquiring a safety like USC’s Taylor Mays, who almost immediately could add depth and youth to an aging group of pass defenders, and, subsequently, make the Chicago defense a more cohesive unit as a whole.
The Falcons’ main offensive need is that of a pass-catching tight end that can provide quarterback Matt Ryan an additional target in the middle of the field, yet still provide solid blocking along the line for breakout tailback for 2008, Michael Turner; Brandon Pettigrew of Oklahoma State is currently a name being mentioned with a great deal of enthusiasm, so it would not be surprising to find his name called on by those placed in charge of drafting for Atlanta come later this spring. Meanwhile, the linebacker unit for the Falcons is a position currently lacking experience, particularly considering the loss of starters Keith Brooking and Michael Boley to free agency. Atlanta did well to go signing veteran free agent Mike Peterson, , yet very well could use the draft in an attempt to find more depth. Other needs present on defense center on the Falcons’ secondary, where a desire to bolster the safety and cornerback positions remains at the forefront of the minds of those held accountable for the overall success — or lack thereof — of the Atlanta defensive backfield against opposing conference quarterbacks.
em that likes to run the ball with regular frequency. Along the offensive line, gaps present in 2008 have been shored up partially by the signing of Frank Omiyale; still, in order to protect the valuable asset the team discovered in Matt Forte last season, Chicago will need to commit to picking up an additional tackle or guard. In terms of the defensive side of the ball, expect some new additions to be acquired in order to bolster the Bears’ front seven. If last year proved anything for Chicago, it is that when its defensive line and linebackers cannot get pressure on an opposing quarterback, the shortcomings of the entire defense — particularly in the secondary — begin to make themselves abundantly clear. In addition to addressing needs along the first two levels, watch for the front office to focus on acquiring a safety like USC’s Taylor Mays, who almost immediately could add depth and youth to an aging group of pass defenders, and, subsequently, make the Chicago defense a more cohesive unit as a whole.
