Trades and acquisitions, NFL-style

By Kevin Holtsberry Sports Central Columnist

A great many football fans slip into a mild depression during the offseason and seek consolation in distractions like the NCAA basketball tournament or the new NFL cable network.

But diehard football fans know that how their favorite team looks in the upcoming season can be seriously impacted by what happens in the dreaded offseason. As a result, they have learned to follow the offseason personnel moves very closely. We are now in that season of negotiation and acquisition.

I have always been of the opinion that the first rule in these situations is "do no harm," but there is little thrill to be found in that strategy. What really gets rabid fans excited is the trade that brings a star to town or re-signs a valuable starter feared to be leaving.

It is the possibility of these types of transactions that give this period of the offseason a little sizzle -- perhaps just enough to get us to draft day where we can get another buzz of football action before the season. Below, I take a look at some of the trades and offseason moves that are likely to impact the NFL next season.

Being the self-centered person I am, let me start with my team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. This past season was a big disappointment for the Steelers. They seemed poised to take it to the next level having secured their veterans and starters from the previous season that had them a few special teams' mistakes from the Super Bowl. Instead of pushing deep into the playoffs, however, the they found themselves struggling in a poor division. If the Cleveland Browns hadn't collapsed, the Steelers would have ended up in dead last.

Almost immediately after the season ended, the changes began. When all the dust had settled, the Steelers will go into the 2004 season with new coaches at the helm on offense and defense. I, for one, am psyched about the changes.

I am particularly encouraged about Dick LeBeau being defensive coordinator and Joe Greene special assistant-player personnel. I think the defense needs to get back to the tough and threatening unit they used to be. Lately, they have simply not been functioning as a unit to the level expected.

Sure, there are talent deficiencies, but there also seemed to be scheme issues and a lack of cohesiveness. LeBeau knows the Steelers and he knows the division having been a head coach at Cincinnati. I think he can return that unit to its former glory.

But the real big news for Steelers' fans is the signing of Duce Staley. I love Jerome Bettis and think he is a future Hall of Famer. I am also aware that the offensive line was in flux for much of the season. But the fact is, the Steelers' running game needs a boost and I am convinced that Duce will provide just that.

Duce had some contract problems and was limited within the Eagles' running by committee system, but he is a quality back with power and speed. He is exactly the type of back the Steelers need -- one who can punish the defense and open up the passing game.

If the linebacker and safeties don't fear the run, they can concentrate on coverage first. This makes it hard for the receivers to break free and get open. A strong running game forces those players to move up to the line and respect the run and therefore opens up the vertical game downfield.

It also takes the pressure off the QB. Tommy Maddox tends to throw interceptions when he feels a lot of pressure; especially when he feels he must provide all of the offense. Duce takes the pressure off. Plus, this allows The Bus to remain healthy and pound the defense when Duce needs a breather. That is quite a one-two punch.

What about the Steelers' AFC North rival, the Cleveland Browns? It looks like the Tim Couch era in Cleveland has come to an end with the signing of Jeff Garcia. Couch has shown moments of brilliance amongst years of struggle. My gut feeling is that Couch never really settled in with the Browns. This seems silly to say, but I am not sure he was tough enough. I thought he was doomed when he lashed out at fans who booed him.

Is booing a player when he is hurt classy? No, but this is Cleveland we're talking about. The real issue is that you can never let the fans see they have got the better of you; fans smell fear and weakness like dogs.

Couch's reaction should have been more along the lines of: "I know the fans expect more from their team and I am disappointed that I have not been able to give them the wins they expect." Or better yet, "I am a grown man I can take a little criticism." This would have told the fans that he was tough and he was going to keep fighting and that winning was his only goal.

As it was, he lost the respect and the trust of the fans and that seeped into his play and his relationship with the team. The Bruce Ariens/Kelly Holcombe connection put the finishing touches on Couch's Browns career.

But what of Jeff Garcia? I am not really sure that Garcia brings a lot more to the table than Couch or Kelly Holcombe. The wildcard, I suppose, is mobility. Can Garcia move around enough to give himself more time? Can he keep opposing defenses off-guard enough to help the offense click? I am not sure. Garcia is 34, the Browns line has seemed rather porous of late, and Garcia was hurt at the end of last season.

It seems to me that Garcia is a gamble unless the O-line can protect him. Is the fact that both Couch and Holcombe were injured attributable to their fragile physique or to the inability of the line to protect them? If it is the latter, Garcia will simply running for his life and trying to avoid injury. Maybe if they can find a running game, they can take some pressure off of the QB.

Will that be the pot-smoking William Green or perhaps Lee Suggs who came on hot in the final game of the season? Or maybe James Jackson? Who knows, maybe Garcia and the Browns offense will surprise me, but I don't see him making a big impact in Cleveland.

If Cleveland took a gamble to get Garcia, was it wise for the 49ers to let him go? I think it was a wash. This team is in free-fall, anyway. Last year, they dumped Mariucci for some unknown reason and went with legendary NFL success Dennis Erickson (that was sarcasm, in case you missed it).

After a 7-9 record, they lose Terrell Owens, Tai Streets, Garrison Hearst, two offensive linemen, and the aforementioned Garcia. Granted, Terrell Owens had a huge ego and a disruptive temperament, but the guy can catch the football!

But, on the other hand, if you are going to rebuild, you might as well do it with Tim Rattay, Cedrick Wilson, and Brandon Lloyd. The real question is can Dennis Erickson put together a plan and then get his players to produce. Call me deeply cynical. Erickson is questionable with talent. Without it, he will struggle. On the bright side, they will likely have good salary cap room in the next few years. In the short term, however, I expect solid mediocrity out of San Fran.

Speaking of Owens, nothing can be easy with him, can it? If he ends up in Baltimore, you have to think there will be some hard feelings; although some have suggested that team leader Ray Lewis will keep him in line.

If he ends up in Philly, I am not so sure the other receivers welcome him with open arms, either, after some of his comments about how badly the Eagles need him. The Eagles really do desperately need receivers, however, so maybe everybody gets along for the good of the team; these are supposed to be professionals, right? A big, strong guy like Owens has to make Donovan McNabb drool.

In Baltimore, I wonder if Kyle Boller is good enough to really exploit Owens. On the other hand, he won't have much choice with Marcus Robinson heading to Minnesota and T.O. could be a key possession receiver if he keeps his ego in check. The questions remain: will Brian Billick open up the offense or continue to rely on Jamal Lewis and Todd Heap? Heck, will Jamal Lewis avoid jail time on drug conspiracy charges? Things certainly are interesting in Baltimore, aren't they?

Let me end on the most recent big-name signing. ESPN is reporting that Drew Henson will be traded to the Dallas Cowboys in a contract that will guarantee $3.5 million a year for at least four years. Cowboys fans have to be at least mildly excited about this move.

Sure, Henson is a bit of an unknown having been out of football since his junior year with the University of Michigan in 2000. But this guy is an athlete and a competitor with a strong arm and good instincts. Are you telling me you don't think the Tuna can mold this kid into a better QB than Quincy Carter? Come on!

Unlike Carter, Henson has the skills and intelligence to be a solid drop back quarterback. Remember, Bill Parcels doesn't need a superstar just a solid player who will work the system. An added twist, will Henson make recently acquired "Me-shawn" (Johnson) a star again?

On a more personal note, this move makes it difficult for me. You see, I am a Michigan Wolverine fan and want Henson to succeed. But I am also a Steelers fan and hate Dallas! I will be conflicted every time Henson takes the field. I was really hoping the Steelers would pick him up and save me the aggravation, but it was not to be. The Steelers have their comeback kid for better or for worse.

Well, as I hope I have captured above, the offseason has been interesting so far. I didn't even mention the apparent deconstruction of the Tampa Bay Buccaneer defense. Or the Washington Redskins' newly-minted head coach Joe Gibbs, or their acquisition of Clinton Portis, Mark Brunell, Tom Tupa, etc. Nor did I discuss the Miami Dolphins attempt to lure David Boston away from the Chargers. As you can see, there has been a lot going on this offseason and I am sure there are more moves to come.

No matter how exciting and intriguing these moves are, however, we won't really know their impact until they actually play some games. That day is still off in the distance, so continued distractions are necessary. Next stop, the April draft...

Article courtesy of Sports Central.