2012 Offseason Transaction: Cortland Finnegan

Without a doubt, the St. Louis Rams struggled mightily at the corner position in 2011. Injury upon injury depleted the depth chart leading to Al Harris starting at corner in a couple games. However in Cortland Finnegan, the Rams land a very talented and fiery corner that made the Pro Bowl while playing under Jeff Fisher in Tennessee. The Rams took a major step backwards in 2011, mostly due to an unprecedented amount of injuries to the secondary and offense though Finnegan brings supreme talent to a position of dire need. If St. Louis adds a few more players through the draft and free agency, they could surprise in 2012 though won’t make the playoffs.

2012 Offseason Transaction: Vincent Jackson

Vincent Jackson was the top unrestricted free agent receiver on the market before signing a monster contract with the Tampa Bay Bucs. In Jackson, Josh Freeman gets an elite, big down field receiver that has the potential to be absolutely dominating from game to game. The one question mark regarded Jackson is how effective he can be while not playing beside elite talent Antonio Gates, who draws defenders. Jackson has never topped 68 catches in a single season and the Bucs are going to need more out of him this season if they hope to contend in a deep NFC South. The Bucs are now loaded on offense if Mike Williams can bounce back after a disappointing 2011 season, and Josh Freeman can show that last year was just a down year and 2010 is his real form. While Vincent Jackson should certainly help the Bucs passing game is a big way, it probably won’t be enough to get to the postseason in 2012.

2012 Offseason Transaction: Brandon Marshall

In the first marquee move of the 2012 NFL offseason, the Chicago Bears acquired big-time receiver Brandon Marshall from the Miami Dolphins for two third round picks in April’s draft. In a trade that appears to be an absolute steal for Chicago, Jay Cutler finally gets the premier receiver that he’s lacked in his tenure in the windy city. Easily forgotten in the display of ineptitude that was the Bears in the second half of the 2011 season, is that Chicago was a dominant team early on with Cutler and Matt Forte playing at an elite level. Now with Marshall on board, the Bears look to be extremely improved on offense next season while the defense is still top notch. The Cutler-Marshall combo that was so dynamic and effective in Denver should resume its dominance of defenses in 2012, and this one move should propel the Bears to a playoff berth.