Reaction: Day 1 of Free Agency

The first day of free agency: where teams are either struck with a jolt of hope, or already start the next season with disappointment.

Chicago Bears:

Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor, Brandon Manumaleuna - Without a doubt, Peppers was the biggest name and talent on the free agency market this year. The Bears, usually notorious for the defense, were coming off a season in which they looked anemic on D without the leadership of the injured Brian Urlacher. In response, they add Peppers, who at times looks indefensible. However, my questions about Peppers revolve around his effort level. I don't know if it's his attitude or discontent with an inconsistent Panthers team, but Peppers does not always go 100% on every play. If you're going to pay him a huge amount of money, you're going to need a devoted player - not someone who played every other down or when he's on a national stage.

The other players signed - Taylor and Manamaleuna - have raised some eyebrows too. Number 1: Jay Cutler. Yeah, the same guy you traded the whole draft for. The same franchise QB your entire offense depends on. Well, if he is not protected, and has no one to throw to, you may not have solved any problems. Taylor is an excellent, underrated back. He will provide a good spell to Matt Forte, who I believe can return to form next season under Mike Martz. However, he will not help the receiver core who is young, inexperienced and unproven. In addition, Manamaleuna is not a good reason to trade Greg Olsen. I understand the TE is not an imminent part of the Martz offensive system, but he is a talented, young receiver, and the position is becoming a new weapon in offenses all over the NFL as they become more athletic. Yes the Bears made a huge splash yesterday, but no I do not think they resolved their crucial issues.

Arizona Cardinals:

Antrel Rolle, Karlos Dansby and Anquan Boldin - all gone in a day. Congrats Cardinals, you went from the NFC West winner to an average team once again. Or maybe less - you lost some guy named Kurt Warner as well. By losing your defensive leader, a valuable defensive back and a threat at the wide receiver position, the Cardinals have taken numerous steps backwards. I don't understand their thinking behind these moves, and question their intentions. Is Matt Leinart to Steve Breaston the new future? They do not have great depth to just plug in a new guy and expect the same results. I guess complacency hit the dessert after two consecutive playoff runs.

New York Jets:

Getting Antonio Cromartie is a high-risk, high-reward deal. The Jets traded a conditional draft pick, which means right now it is a 2011 third-round pick, but can escalate depending on performance and team success. Putting Cromartie opposite of Darelle Revis Island is what the Jets needed, and thought they had when they did the same move for Lito Sheppard last season. We see the main Jets weakness in the playoffs, when Peyton Missing ripped every other corner on the roster in the second half of the AFC Championship. If, like many analysts have stated, Cromartie can return to form in a man-to-man system under Rex Ryan, pencil my Jets in for another playoff run.

Other less-noted moves:

The Detroit Lions, who at times last season showed signs of being a real NFL team, picked up older, but still productive veterans Kyle Vanden Bosch and Nate Burleson. Vanden Bosch was a Pro Bowler (although most of the NFL was last year) and Burleson had some impressive games last season, especially on a futile Seattle team. Putting Vanden Bosch back with his old Tennessee defensive coordinator can hopefully provide some leadership to a defensive line which I'm sure will improve in the upcoming seasons, and putting Burleson opposite stud Calvin Johnson should allow an actual threat so teams can stop triple-teaming Johnson.

Chad Pennington re-signed with the Miami Dolphins. As a Jets fan, I was extremely jealous of this move. Chad is going to provide a professional, experienced veteran to the team behind young starter Chad Henne. He can mentor, provide leadership and fill in adequately when needed to. Miami lucked out.

Rex Grossman to the Washington Redskins. Enough said.

Other predictions:

Thomas Jones: Whether the Jets re-sign Jones or not, TJ can provide any teams with a workhorse running back for a few more seasons. The guy has intense work ethic and keeps in shape all season long. I can see him going back to the Jets, although he know it would be a reduced-role with Shonne Greene and Leon Washington. Other fits: San Diego, Houston, Seattle, Detroit, Eagles, Patriots, Browns and Kansas City.

Terrell Owens: Please sign him Cincinnati. To see him opposite Chad Ocho Cinco would be worth the price of admission alone. But in all honesty, T.O. is in excellent shape and put up good-enough numbers with a futile Buffalo offense last year. Ocho can spread the field and Owens can go over the middle. And with the Bengals releasing LaveranuesColes, the have a need.

Aaron Kampman: I think the guy is underrated. As rumored, going to Philly would be a great move for him and the team - putting him opposite Trent Cole in a 4-3 is an excellent fit. A real character guy, too.

Brandon Marshall: Yeah, I'll take his baggage any day of the week. He's a stud, and if he goes to Seattle, him and TJ Housh-Your-Momma would be a great tandem for Matt Hasselbeck (if he can stay healthy ever). I feel like a first and third draft pick plus a contract extension is worth it for a guy who is already proven.

The released: Jake Delhomme, LT and Brian Westbrook

Delhomme: I'm sure Jake has enough to do what I think Pennington could do - veteran leadership and a decent-enough fill-in for a team if the starter goes down. You see how much he cares about the game from that press conference.

LT: I have doubted LT the last few seasons. I have criticized LT for missing out on big games during the playoffs. But when one of the most skilled, prolific backs in NFL history has something to prove, I would take a chance on him for one more season. Look out.

Westbrook: Vikings, go get him. I would love to see Adrian Peterson run the ball up the middle, and on third downs seeing Westbrook coming out of the backfield. Losing Taylor was big for the Vikings, and using Westbrook solely on third downs and if AP gets hurt (his running style makes him prone to injury), Westbrook becomes a great fit. Spare use will keep him healthy, and at 29 years old, he has plenty of gas left in his tires.