Who Got Better?

With NFL Free Agency slowing down considerably it's not without precedent to look back and see which teams got better. Here's four that I think that improved themselves, in no particular order.

Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks got better with one move. They traded for Minnesota Vikings do-everything football player Percy Harvin. The Seahawks had proven themselves to be a talented team before they even did anything to get better. With quarterback Russell Wilson, they are a team on the rise. Wilson ended his rookie season playing like a 5-year veteran. With his leadership, preparation, and drive, he's only going to get better. So are the Seahawks. Harvin isn't just a receiver. He might be the most dangerous football player in the league. Adding Harvin to an offense with Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, and Sidney Rice is scary. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell worked with Harvin for two years in Minnesota. The coach has a head start on finding new ways to get the ball in the hands of his versatile new player. The Seahawks' additions of defensive ends Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett got decent amount of attention but they don't really do much for me. Avril always seemed to be on the verge of taking off with the Deteroit Lions but never quite doing so. Bennett? The Seahawks had him early in his career and cut him. They do improve the depth on the defensive line which will be a good thing over the grind of a long season. So, they do help but the team's improvement for me is all about the addition of Percy Harvin. The Seahwks and the San Francisco 49ers have the best rivalry in the league right now. Their meetings next season will be must see viewing.

Kansas City Chiefs. A lot of "experts" predicted that the 2012 Chiefs would challenge for the AFC West title. They didn't come close. Having the top pick in the 2013 NFL Draft is an indication of how their 2012 season went. The predictions were due to the talent on the Chiefs roster. Despite the obvious problems of the last two seasons, this team does have some talent. New coach Andy Reid and a nice free agency add greatly to that talent. Those additions started with the trade for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith. Keeping receiver Dwayne Bowe and tackle Branden Albert helped too. Before free agency really got started, the Chiefs got better. Adding cornerbacks Dunta Robinson and Sean Smith to Brandon Flowers and the Chiefs might be the best equipped team to go against the always present 3-receiver sets in this passing league. The Broncos now might have a challenge in the AFC West. And, the Chiefs have that first pick in the draft.

Denver Broncos. Peyton Manning has probably been smiling nonstop. The Broncos kept their best football player not named Manning or Von Miller in offensive tackle Ryan Clady. They further improved the protection and happiness of their quarterback by signing guard Luis Vasquez. They really got Manning smiling by adding receiver Wes Welker. Plus, they took Welker from New England. The Broncos decided to get better on defense with the signing of defensive tackle Terrence Knighton and corner Dominique Rogers-Cromartie. The Broncos improvement will be sealed if they can right "faxgate" and bring back defensive end Elvis Dummervil.

Philadelphia Eagles. One of my favorite signings of free agency was the Eagles signing of tight end James Casey. He is one of the most uniquely skilled players in the league. I've been a fan of his since his college days at Rice. He never could get on the field enough playing behind Owen Daniels in Houston. He'll get his chance in Philadelphia. I think that new Eagles coach Chip Kelly will find all kinds of ways to get Casey in the game plan. I also like the overhaul of the secondary with the signings of corners Carey Williams and Bradley Fletcher and safeties Kenny Phillips and, in particular, Patrick Chung. I really like the addition of defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga to the line. The reunion of quarterback Dennis Dixon and Kelly could be interesting. The Eagles improvement is similar to that of Chiefs. Both teams have some nice talent, even before they added to it, despite their recent problems. Plus, a new coach usually brings some juice.

While I don't think that the New England Patriots necessarily got better on paper, I really like their additions of safety Adrian Wilson and receiver Danny Amendola. Retaining corners Kyle Arrington and Aqib Talib helped too.

I can't leave this topic without touching on the Minnesota Vikings. It's real difficult to say that they improved when they no longer have the dynamic Percy Harvin but adding Green Bay Packers receiver Greg Jennings could be an improvement for their offense. Not only will Jennings be an on the field impact player he will mentor an extremely young group of receivers. I also think that he might compliment running back Adrian Peterson better than Harvin. Peterson has encountered 8/9 defenders in the box since he's been in the league. While Harvin was a tremendous offensive threat the Vikings mostly ran plays that kept him around the line of scrimmage. Handoffs, quick passes, screens, etc. In defending Peterson by keeping players close to the line the defense was also defending Harvin. The threat of Jennings doing damage intermediate and deep should open things up for Peterson. Jennings getting open at those distances will also help quarterback Christian Ponder. Adding veteran quarterback Matt Cassel will also help the Vikings.