Defensive Notes
While everyone wonders what will happen with Donovan McNabb and who will draft Tim Tebow, most of the actual developments in the NFL lately have been on the defensive side of the ball. Signings, departures, and the odd arrest here and there. Including:
No charges for Joey Porter. A week ago things looked bad for Joey Porter, apparently facing charges for suspected DUI, resisting arrest, and assault. Not a great start to his Arizona career. It looks like those charges have gone away, either because Porter was innocent or simply because the arresting officers botched the case. No suspension is coming for Porter; good news for the Cardinals defense (which needed some after losing Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle).
Shaun Rogers arrested. Browns defensive tackle Shaun Rogers had a loaded gun in his carry-on luggage yesterday; he was arrested and jailed. Charges are possible, as is a suspension, which won't help the team get off to a good start in 2010; he's key to their defense.
Bears release Alex Brown. Brown has been a starter for six of the past seven years in Chicago, but the Bears will now go with Julius Pepper and Mark Anderson at the end positions. The pass rush should be good, but run defense could be a problem. Brown should draw interest from some team with a need at the position.
Giants sign safety Deon Grant. Grant is nothing special, but he's started every game for the last nine years, including the last three in Seattle. He can't help but upgrade New York's woeful pass defense. Seattle will likely use a high pick on the position in the draft later this month.
Texans lock up DeMeco Ryans. Slowly but surely, the Texans are adding good young players to their defense. By signing Ryans to a big-money, long-term deal, they're showing a commitment to keeping them. Houston's defense still has problems -- the team lost Dunta Robinson in free agency, leaving them a little thin in the secondary -- but it's got some solid pieces in place, too.
Chargers add Nathan Vasher. Vasher won't start for San Diego; he probably won't help very much. He's a name, but his game hasn't been there the last few years in Chicago. San Diego's secondary might still need to add a player via the draft to help replace Antonio Cromartie (traded to the Jets).
Jets sign Brodney Pool. The Jets-Browns pipeline has been busy the last two years, with Eric Mangini's move to Cleveland being followed by a whole bunch of former Jets via trade and free agency. The Jets have done OK, getting Mark Sanchez and Braylon Edwards in the deal. Pool looked like one of the better young safeties in the AFC a couple of years ago, but concussions have cost him some time. Still, if he's healthy there's a chance he'll start for one of the league's best defenses this season.
--Andy Richardson
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