Offseason brings high turnover in NFL

Every offseason of the NFL means free agency, the draft, coaching changes, and trades. Players change teams more than ever and fans and teams alike do not blink when their best player tests the free-agent market like Albert Haynesworth did this year.

What is interesting, however, is how there seems to be lots of players being moved who were once considered mainstays of teams. Players who spent ten or more years with one team were traded or tested free agency.

Today's news of the Rams releasing Orlando Pace, the #1 overall pick in 1997, is just one example of a player who many figured would spend his whole career with one team. Now, he could go anywhere. I know it will be weird for me, personally, when Brian Dawkins (pictured, left) suits up for the Broncos and Lito Sheppard plays for the Jets. Both were players I figured would never leave Philadelphia and I can't imagine their defense without them.

Marvin Harrison may be catching passes from a quarterback not named Peyton Manning and Torry Holt will not be in St. Louis next year. Strange.

Players are not the only people changing colors. This past offseason saw Tony Dungy and Mike Holmgrem retire and Jon Gruden, Mike Shanahan, and Herman Edwards fired, five coaches who have been around for as long as I've been an NFL fan. It will be odd seeing Jim More Jr. stoll the sidelines in Seattle and someone other than Dungy coaching the Colts.

I'm sure a large part of the reason for the high turnover is the fact that the Falcons, Dolphins, and Ravens had great success with young coaches. The salary cap is obviously another reason but teams like the Ravens and Chargers found ways to keep their long-time faces on the team despite potential salary cap hits.

Still, the 2009-2010 NFL season will be one of new faces all over the league. Players and coaches alike have changed teams and I wonder how guys like Harrison and Holt will do on new teams (Jerry Rice had a tough time as a Raider and Seahawk, and how weird was it seeing him there?) and what kind of impact Pace, Dawkins, Shepperd, etc. will have on their respective teams.

Philadelphia Eagles: What I Thought I Knew

Now that my heart rate has recovered from a crazy divisional playoff weekend, it's time to do a little posting. This is going to be a 12-part posting about every team in the playoffs. For each team, I am going to do a little post about what I thought I knew, what I know now, and what I expect. 

What I Thought I Knew Heading into the Playoffs: Eagles

1. Brian Westbrook right now is not healthy enough to be an every-down back. Post-divisional round analysis: TRUE

Over two games so far this postseason, Westbrook (pictured, right) has 38 carries for 74 yards. Now, I will grant you that he played the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants, two teams who stop the run brilliantly. Nonetheless, though, Westbrook's explosiveness really hasn't been on display this postseason besides that one fateful screen pass. I'm surprised they haven't worked in Correll Buckhalter more. 

2. Donovan McNabb is on a mission, and when he is, he is one of the three best quarterbacks in football. Post-divisional round analysis: TRUE

Now, the numbers won't blow you away, but as we've learned throughout these playoffs (see Chad Pennington's passer rating vs. Joe Flacco's in that game), numbers don't mean everything. McNabb (pictured, left) has been positively stellar leading his team down the field when they needed to be led down the field so far. His third down passing is superb. He is also showing the mobility - especially in the pocket - that has made him so great this past decade. One example that comes to mind is the 3rd and 20 he converted against the Giants. He dropped back, broke one tackle, scooted forward in the pocket to find a clear throwing lane, and then zipped it to a wide open man downfield. 

3. Brian Dawkins is still considered a good safety based on name recognition only. Post-divisional round analysis: FALSE

No real numbers here, just a sense after watching them play. Dawkins is still everywhere, and he can still hit with the best of them. Dawkins has really stepped up his play this postseason, and is the unquestioned leader in an Eagles secondary that is playing superb right now. 

(Photo Credits: AP)