Players Added
Courtney Anderson/TE - He'll give them a badly needed red zone threat because
of his size.
Marcus Stroud/DT - The hope is that he can stay healthy for a change and be the
dominant run stopper that he was earlier in his career.
Spencer Johnson/DT - He'll be part of a four-man rotation at the position.
Kawika Mitchell/LB - He'll take over for Keith Ellison who played most of last
season with a high ankle sprain.
Will James/CB - He hasn't been the same player since he changed his last name.
The hope his that he'll handle the nickel role.
Players Lost
Anthony Thomas/RB - The veteran back remains unsigned.
Sam Aiken/WR - The special teams ace signed with the New England Patriots.
Peerless Price/WR - He may be forced to retire because of a neck injury.
Michael Gaines/TE - He handle a blocking role with the Detroit Lions.
Larry Tripplett/DT - He turned out to be a free agent disappointment and was
released.
Al Wallace/DE - There's a good chance that he'll retire.
Mario Haggan/LB - He's suspended for the first four games of the 2008 season.
Leon Joe/LB - The special teams player found a new home with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Coy Wire/S - The team declined to re-sign him. Wire is capable of playing at WLB
so that added value could help him find a job.
Jerametrius Butler/CB - He remains unsigned.
Kiwaukee Thomas/CB - He could find a job by the open of training camps.
Jason Webster/CB - He'll compete for playing time with the New England Patriots.
Pre-Draft Team Needs
Cornerback - The team only has one decent cover man in Terrence McGee so
this position really needs to be addressed early in the draft. Third-year CB
Ashton Youboty has yet to establish himself and the team could use a
developmental prospect who could start soon.
Wide Receiver - It's not a secret that the team badly needs a physical presence
at the receiver position opposite Lee Evans and the Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly already had pre-draft visits. Their red zone offense would improve
immensely if a big receiver was added.
Defensive End - The defense only posted 26 sacks last season (tied for 29th
overall) and the only consistent pass rusher on the roster is Aaron Schobel.
Other Issues to Address
Defensive Tackle Depth
Linebacker Depth