With the NFL's salary cap at a hefty $120 million, there are plenty of teams who will have money to spend this offseason. Not every team is going to spend that money since the salary floor doesn't take effect until 2013, but there is little reason to hold onto it.
The Washington Redskins have proven it on a consistent basis and the Philadelphia Eagles proved it this past season, that the winner of the free agency period isn't necessarily going to win games. With that said, free agency can help push a borderline team over the top or pull a mediocre team out of the doldrums.
Here are three teams that need to make a big impact during the 2012 free agency period.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With nearly $30 million in cap space, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could really make some noise in their first offseason under new head coach Greg Schiano. Just two seasons ago the Bucs looked like a team on the rise as they finished 10-6 and narrowly missed the playoffs. The wheels came off in 2011, however, as Tampa went just 4-12 and lost its last 10 games of the season.
There is young talent on both sides of the ball, particularly on offense with quarterback Josh Freeman and wide receiver Mike Williams. If those players are going to bounce back, though, they need to be supplemented with supporting players. Not only should the Bucs pursue a complement to Williams, but the defense needs a complete overhaul as well.
The Buccaneers should be very active this winter.
2. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills currently have the longest playoff drought in the NFL by a wide margin, as they haven't qualified for the postseason during this millennium. It doesn't help that Buffalo generally hasn't drafted well, particularly in the first round, but there has also been a general lack of impact free-agent signings. With over $24 million to spend, the Bills have to make some splashy moves in order to get out of the AFC East basement.
Perhaps the Bills' first move should be re-signing wide receiver Stevie Johnson, who became the first Bill to record consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. After that, there should still be plenty left for other moves. The Bills are in desperate need of a couple pass rushers, as well as some help on the offensive line.
If they can address those areas and stay healthy next season, a playoff berth isn't out of the question.
3. Chicago Bears
After starting the 2011 season 7-3, the Chicago Bears seemed to be well on their way to qualifying for the postseason. The unthinkable happened, however, as both quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte were felled by season-ending injuries. This caused the Bears to miss five straight games and ultimately miss the playoffs. In order to ensure that doesn't happen again this season, the Bears need to spend some money.
Chicago currently has $19 million in cap space and a decent chunk of that needs to go toward re-signing Forte. For whatever reason, the Bears' front office has been non-committal when it comes to Forte, but he is a huge part of the offense and needs to be locked up. Aside from that, Cutler could use another weapon in the passing game and some help along the offensive line.
If the Bears can accomplish that, I think their 2012 season will have a much better result.
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