// BEGIN editorial data
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spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams.sPubDate = "5/28/2009 7:20:57 AM GMT";
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spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams.appHeader = "NFL | 20 key players who changed teams for the 2009 season";
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams.appFooter = "Gregg Rosenthal, Rotoworld.com";
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spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i++] = new Array("","","Trading for Tony Gonzalez should pay off for Atlanta","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/g-spt-090423-gonvalez-1p.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Harry How", "Getty Images file", "250", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "Memorial Day is in the rearview mirror, which means you can see football season approaching if you squint hard.
To get ready, here’s a quick primer on 20 key players who changed teams this offseason. ";
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i++] = new Array("","Jay Cutler to the Bears","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Components/Photo-Sports/2009/April/090401_JayCutler_v.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Kevin C. Cox", "Getty Images", "223", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "1. Jay Cutler traded to the Bears
Pro Bowl quarterbacks just entering their prime aren't traded often, but Cutler's offseason drama was anything but ordinary. Forget the offseason whining; no quarterback completes more difficult throws.
The offensive pieces around Cutler in Chicago are questionable (Devin Hester as a number one wideout?), but his presence gives the Bears legitimate title hopes. Cutler may throw for fewer yards, but win more. Now the Bears just need a pass rush. ";
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i++] = new Array("","Kyle Orton to the Broncos","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Season%20Slide%20show/week%20seven/081019_otron.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Charles Rex Arbogast", "AP", "251", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "2. Kyle Orton traded to the Broncos
It’s easy to criticize the Broncos for unloading Jay Cutler (and we have), but at least they got a capable quarterback in return. Really.
Orton doesn’t have a big arm, but his smarts and touch passing will be a nice fit for new coach Josh McDaniels’ complex offense. Denver’s defense may still be a disaster, but Orton can keep the chains moving. His numbers may not be much worse than Cutler’s.";
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i++] = new Array("","Cassel & Vrabel to K.C.","Matt Cassel","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/g-081129-spt-cassel-9a.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Elise Amendola", "AP file", "273", "347", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "3&4. Matt Cassel & Mike Vrabel traded to the Chiefs
Before 2008, Vrabel would have been the centerpiece of this deal; now he’s just a throw-in. Former Patriots VP Scott Pioli believes that Cassel is the perfect fit to run coach Todd Haley’s aggressive pass-first spread attack and the Chiefs only had to give up a second-round pick to acquire him.
Only time will tell if Pioli is right, but at least Kansas City has a long-term plan after rudderless seasons under Herm Edwards and GM Carl Peterson. The franchise now rests on Cassel’s arm.";
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i++] = new Array("","Haynesworth with the Redskins","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Interactives%20and%20Slideshows/NFL/ss_090415_10towatchin2009_Rosenthal/090415_RosenthalsMust_See_Games/090415_AlbertHaynesworth_h.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Mitchell Layton", "Getty Images", "273", "363", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "5. Albert Haynesworth signs with the Redskins
After one year of bargain shopping, Redskins owner Dan Snyder is back to collecting expensive toys. Hayneworth’s deal was reported as $100 million, but it’s essentially $48 million over four years. That’s actually money well spent.
No defensive lineman has made a bigger impact than Haynesworth over the last two seasons. The depth behind Haynesworth, however, leaves a lot to be desired. One man isn’t going to make this team a big winner.";
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i++] = new Array("","Falcons get Gonzalez","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Components/Photo-Sports/October/NFL_Week5/081005_TonyGonzalez_h.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Kevin C. Cox", "Getty Images", "273", "392", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "6. Tony Gonzalez traded to the Falcons
The Falcons may have a young quarterback, but they are ready to win now. Acquiring Gonzalez, a future Hall of Famer at tight end, gives Matt Ryan an excellent second receiving option to go with emerging superstar Roddy White. Gonzo is already 33 years old, but has shown no signs of aging coming off two of the best seasons of his career.";
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spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "7. Bart Scott signs with the Jets
When longtime defensive coordinator Rex Ryan moved from Baltimore to become the Jets’ coach, he wanted to bring some of the Ravens attitude and talent with him. So he chose linebacker Bart Scott over Ray Lewis because Scott is five years younger and more versatile.
The Jets appear likely to start a rookie quarterback, but their defense has the potential to carry the team. ";
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i++] = new Array("","T.O. in Buffalo","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/g-spt-090307-owens-8p.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Gary Wiepert", "Reuters", "273", "407", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "8. Terrell Owens signs with the Bills
There was a relative lack of interest for T.O. after the Cowboys dumped him, a sign that most teams don’t believe his declining skills compensate for his active mouth. The Bills aren’t most teams.
Dick Jauron is on the hot seat, Ralph Wilson wants a winner soon, and quarterback Trent Edwards badly needs another weapon. On a one-year deal where Owens is motivated, this could work. Or it could blow up by Week 4. ";
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i++] = new Array("","Philly beefs up its line","Jason Peters","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Vandermark%2C%20Brett/NFL/Pre_All_Pro/peters_jason_78515516.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Rick Stewart", "Getty Images", "298", "193", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "9 & 10. Eagles acquire Jason Peters from Bills & sign Stacy Andrews
Donovan McNabb went into the offseason wanting weapons. He got something better: protection. Peters is a two-time Pro Bowler who will protect McNabb’s blind side. Andrews will help form a massive right side of the offensive line with his brother Shawn.
Philly’s aging offensive tackles were a big weakness last season, and they aggressively upgraded. This looks like Andy Reid and McNabb’s last best chance together.";
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i++] = new Array("","Broncos sign Dawkins","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Interactives%20and%20Slideshows/NFL/ss_090111_Divisional_EaglesGiants/ss_090111_Divisional_EaglesGiants/090111_BrianDawkins_h.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Al Bello", "Getty Images", "273", "393", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "11. Broncos sign Brian Dawkins
The Eagles’ heart and soul over the last decade, Dawkins is going to look strange playing on Denver’s rag-tag defense. Dawkins turns 36 this season, so it was curious to see the Broncos make him the league’s highest paid safety for 2009. He can’t cover up the rest of the defensive problems in Denver.";
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spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "12. Kellen Winslow traded to Buccaneers
The Bucs are starting from scratch after dumping coach Jon Gruden, but the acquisition of Winslow should help whomever wins their starting quarterback job. Winslow signed a big contract upon his arrival in Tampa, which was a risky move considering his chronic knee problems. ";
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i++] = new Array("","Seahawks sign Housh","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/g-spt-090302-Houshmandzadeh-330p.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Stephen Dunn", "Getty Images", "273", "384", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "13. T.J. Houshmandzadeh signs with the Seahawks
Housh chose Seattle over Minnesota and a possible return to Cincinnati. While he’s getting paid like a number one receiver, Houshmandzadeh remains more of a possession threat that will work the middle of the field.
He’ll provide stability to a group that was devastated by injuries last year. But Houshmandzadeh’s numbers could decline with new coach Jim Mora stressing a run-first approach.";
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spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "14. Torry Holt signs with the Jaguars
Holt’s production fell off a cliff last season with the Rams, and it wasn’t all because of Marc Bulger. Holt has lost a step because of knee troubles.
The Jaguars gave him modest money to lend an experienced hand to an untested wideout group that includes Mike Walker, Dennis Northcutt, and two rookies. Holt may get a lot of targets in Jacksonville, but he’s only a role player at this stage of his career.";
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spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "15. Rams sign Jason Brown
The big men in the trenches may not get the glory, but they get the cash. Brown may be the most unknown player on this list, but only Albert Haynesworth and Jason Peters received more guaranteed money this off-season. And Brown, a nasty run-blocking center, will make Steven Jackson’s life much easier.";
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i++] = new Array("","Coles gets his stripes","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/050830/050830_coles_vmed_4p.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Jim Mcisaac", "Getty Images file", "290", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "16. Laveranues Coles signs with the Bengals
The Bengals downgraded when they signed Laveranues Coles to replace T.J. Houshmandzadeh; the only question is how much. Coles is smart, tough player, but his body appears to be wearing down after taking a lot of big hits over the years.
Unlike Chad Ochocinco, however, Carson Palmer knows what effort he’ll get from Coles. He’s a reliable veteran on a team short a few.";
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spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "17. Patriots sign Fred Taylor
The league’s 16th all-time leading rusher fits the Patriots profile of a hungry veteran looking for a ring. He won’t be asked to do too much in New England’s crowded backfield, where he’ll share carries with Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk, and Sammy Morris.";
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spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "18-20. Giants sign Michael Boley, Chris Canty, and Rocky Bernard
These aren’t household names, but they will upgrade New York’s already deep pass rushing force. Boley is a versatile linebacker from Atlanta that can cover and rush the passer. Canty, stolen from the rival Cowboys, is more of a run stuffer, but has the ability to play inside and out. Bernard will primarily be used on passing downs to rush from the inside. The Giants now have the deepest front seven in the league.";
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spt_NFL_20_on_new_teams[i-1].body = "Other notable names
The Sage Rosenfels Experience was brought to Minnesota to give Tarvaris Jackson some competition at quarterback, at least until Brett Favre un-retires.
Derrick Ward will go from being a backup to Brandon Jacobs to the leading back in Tampa.
Byron Leftwich will try to steal the starting quarterback job in Tampa away from Luke McCown after signing with the Bucs.
Jeff Garcia was brought to Oakland as JaMarcus Russell bust insurance, while Jon Kitna will be Tony Romo injury insurance in Dallas.
Zach Thomas will form one of the oldest linebacker duos in football with Mike Vrabel in Kansas City.
Nate Washington goes from the third receiver on the Super Bowl Champion Steelers to potential leading man for the Titans. ";
// END editorial data