Winners and Losers (NFL Free Agency Period)

As training camps begin to open up, the free agency period is basically over. Lets take a look at who is going into the season looking good and who could have done better.

Winners

1. Philadelphia Eagles

The signing of Nnamdi Asomugha alone could net the Eagles the top winner of free agency. Asomugha is the top cornerback in the league and fits in perfectly with their scheme. Him, Astante Samuel, and another new face Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie gives the Eagles the best secondary in the NFL and maybe the top cornerback group in NFL history. Add in that they added two stellar defensive lineman in Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins. And the Eagles defense which was already good, entered the elite category.

2. Houston Texans

Now the Texans additions weren't as flashy as the Eagles but their additions will greatly improve their biggest weakness. Last year the Texans finished 32nd in the league in pass defense. The Texans went out and got Jonathan Joseph who doesn't get the recognition of Nnamdi Asomugha but is one of the most underrated cornerbacks in the NFL. This move allows the Texans to move Glover Quinn to free safety where his skills are better suited. Then the Texans signed Daniel Manning who has been the Chicago Bears starting strong safety the past couple of years. It may only be two players but the Texans secondary will improve at three positions and won't be the liability they were last year.

3. Arizona Cardinals

I was very adamant leading up to the draft that the Cardinals wouldn't draft a quarterback and would go after a veteran. Sure enough the Cardinals passed on Blaine Gabbert and instead went ahead and traded for their new franchise quarterback in Kevin Kolb. Sure they gave up a 2nd round pick and a Pro Bowl cornerback in DRC, but if Kevin Kolb turns out to be a franchise quarterback its all worth it. You can always get a high caliber cornerback in the 2nd or 3rd round. But its not that easy to get a high caliber quarterback. Now the Cardinals didn't stop there. They also added Todd Heap who is still one of the best tight ends in the NFL. Now instead of having John Skelton, Max Hall, or Derek Anderson as their QB they'll have Kevin Kolb and he'll be throwing the ball to Larry Fitzgerrald and Todd Heap. Throw in Stewart Bradley as new inside linebacker and you have a much improve Cardinals team.

4. New England Patriots

I don't know why everybody gets so surprised when the Patriots are able to get these high profile players. They do it every year. Whether its Randy Moss, Corey Dillion, Adalius Thomas, or anybody else. They always are able to "rob" teams for these players. They got both Chad Johnson and Albert Haynesworth for late round picks. Haynesworth will be rejuvenated playing for the Patriots and Johnson will give the Patriots the deep threat that they lacked last year.

5. Carolina Panthers

Carolina didn't really go out and sign anybody new but the best thing they did was not let their young players get away. DE Charles Johnson, LB James Anderson, LB Thomas Davis, and RB DeAngelo Williams. Add in that they signed Jeremy Shockey before the lockout began and only gave up a 3rd round pick for TE Greg Olsen and its a pretty good couple of days for the Panthers. Although the Panthers had the worse record in the NFL last year they aren't too far off from being competitive. Olsen and Shockey give the Panthers another couple of weapons to take the pressure off of Steve Smith and give whoever is their quarterback a safety blanket.

Losers

1. Chicago Bears

The Bears were able to sign some players but not the ones that would address any of their biggest needs. Roy Williams gives them a big bodied receiver who had his best year under Mike Martz. Vernon Gholston and Amobi Okoye have the talent but haven't shown it yet. But the Bears are on the losers list because they failed to improve the offensive line which was their biggest weakness last year. How they didn't get a guard baffles me. They invested so much in Jay Cutler but to allow him to take the beating he does and not doing anything about it is ridiculous. I guess they are hoping Chris Williams improves from last year or Frank Omiyale can slide into guard and play better than he did two years ago there.

2. Dallas Cowboys

When the lockout ended the Cowboys were the most active. But it was cutting talent and not bringing it in. They cut Marion Barber, Roy Williams, and Leonard Davis in an effort to free up money to go after premier free agents like Nnamdi Asomugha. However all that they did was give Doug Free a bigger contract that he deserves. Now Free is a quality left tackle, but isn't worth the money that he got. Kinda a disappoint for a team that was so active at the beginning.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Many people expect big things from the Bucs. They have a really talented young team that really surprised people with their strong play last year. And they have a ton of money that they had to spend to get over the salary floor that was agreed upon during the lockout. So with the need for cornerback you would think they would make a big run for Asomugha or Joseph and throw a ton of money their way. But they didn't. They could have also used a running back like Reggie Bush to complement LeGarrett Blount but they missed on him too. Their biggest expenditure was on a punter. Way to go Tampa, give the punter all the money.

4. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins looked to be the team that was going to go after one of the top free agent quarterbacks in an effort to give Chad Henne some competition and hopefully win the job. They looked to have a deal worked out for Kyle Orton, but that fell through. But instead they got Matt Moore. Yes from Orton to Moore. That's going to be one heck of a QB battle. They did trade for Reggie Bush so at least they improved their offense a little bit. But other than that, it wasn't good for the Dolphins.

5. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings were probably the biggest loser of the whole free agency period. They lost their top receiver and a starting defensive end but their top player they brought in was an aging Donovan McNabb. Now McNabb would have been a great pickup a couple of years ago, but he just suffered through a season where he just looked lost. The Vikings have a ton of talent and if they could have kept their guys and brought in some secondary help they could have been right back in the playoff hunt, but now they are looking to be picking in the top 10 next year.

Free Agent Fits

Here is a look at where certain free agents would be a perfect fit.

1. Matt Hasselbeck QB to San Francisco 49ers

Hasselbeck would give John Harbaugh a veteran quarterback that has experience in the West Coast Offense and could help mentor rookie QB Colin Kaepernick. The 49ers aren't too far off from being a playoff team and he could give them one or two good years before Kaepernick is ready.

2. Marion Barber RB to Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are a team that loves to run the football, but it looks like both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams will both be gone. Barber would work great with rookie Daniel Thomas and give the Dolphins a 1, 2 punch.

3. Roy Williams WR to Chicago Bears

It doesn't look like the Bears are going to be able to get Santana Moss, Santonio Holmes, or Mike Sims-Walker. So the player that might be the next best fit is Roy Williams. Now if the Bears can get Williams for the right price they'll get their big receiver they have lacked for years. Also add in that Williams played very well for Martz while in Detroit and you have a good combination.

4. Nnamdi Asomugha CB to Houston Texans

Now I don't think that Asomugha will go to Houston, but he'd be perfect for them. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips loves to play his corners in man to man coverage and Asomugha thrives in that coverage. Add in that Houston needs a cornerback badly and have money to spend and its a match made in heaven.

5. Jonathan Joseph CB to Detroit Lions

I was surprised when the Lions passed on Prince Amukamara on draft day because they were so thin at cornerback and Chris Houston their top corner was going to test free agency. But the Lions are in a good spot to go after Joseph and could get the underrated corner.

6. Leonard Davis OG to Chicago Bears

Its no secret that the Bears need to improve their offense line. Davis was ok at RT in Arizona but played much better when he moved inside to guard. The Bears love massive lineman and Davis would give them a veteran guard to put along the right side next to young tackles Gabe Carimi or J'Marcus Webb.

7. DeAngelo Williams RB to Denver Broncos

When Josh McDaniels was in charge in Denver he brought in about every available running back he could, but none of them were considered to be full time backs that you could rely on. Jim Fox will look to former Panther Williams to come and bring some stability to the Broncos.

8. Tully Banta-Cain LB to Kansas City Chiefs

Banta-Cain isn't very well known, but lead the Patriots in sacks last year. He could find a familiar place in Kansas City where Scott Pioli and Romeo Crennel run a very similar system to the Patriots. Kansas City needs pass rushers and is going to be willing to spend money to get to the salary floor.

9. Ray Edwards DE to Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons really wanted to get Charles Johnson but when he resigned with Carolina the Falcons have to go to plan B. Edwards fits the Falcons scheme where they like smaller quick guys at end to get into opponents backfields.

10. Nick Barnett LB to San Diego Chargers

It was pretty clear that Barnett wasn't going to be back in Green Bay. They played very well without him and he is owed a big salary. But this should be good news to teams needing inside linebackers. The Chargers have been looking for inside linebackers for a while and could find there guy this year.