Impact Faces in New Places

As we get ready to begin the 2009-10 NFL season, it is worth noting the player movement in the league and how certain players will impact their new teams.  Here is a look at the players who I view will have the biggest impact in their new homes:

5. Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills - TO and his love me some me attitude signed in Orchard Park after being released by the Dallas Cowboys.  It was a great move by the Bills who have been in obscurity for a number of seasons.  TO gives the Bills a 1-2-3 punch with Lee Evans and Marshawn Lynch.  The question now becomes can Trent Edwards distribute the ball properly without this move imploding.  If he can the Bills could compete with the Dolphins for second place in the AFC East and a possible wild card slot.

 4. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears - Jay Cutler was traded from Denver to Chicago in April following a heated controversy between him and Denver management, after Denver failed in its bid to make a trade for Matt Cassel.  Cutler gives the Bears franchise a renewed hope, as he is the first legitimate QB that they have had in years.  With his strong and accurate arm, the Bears will finally have a well balanced offensive attack.  If their D holds up, the Bears should be in a 3 way battle for the NFC North Crown. 

3. Bart Scott, New York Jets - Bart Scott followed his defensive coordinator Rex Ryan to the Jets when he was named head coach.  The move was great for Ryan and it will allow the league to see how good Scott really is.  Having played his whole career in Baltimore alongside Ray Lewis, this will be Scott’s first chance to shine.  He will give the Jets D a veteran, stable voice who knows what his coach wants on and off the field.  While it might not result in wins this season due to a rookie QB, Scott might have been the steal of the offseason.

2. TJ Houshmandzadeh, Seattle Seahawks - Did TJ Houshmandzadeh get himself more attention this offseason by signing with the Seattle Seahawks or his boycotting of Madden 2010 due to his player rating?  Either way he promises to give the Seahawks the number 1 WR they have been coveting for the last few seasons. The combination of Housh and a healthy Matt Hasselbeck should move the Seahawks right back into contention with the Cardinals for the NFC West title.

1. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons - The 10 time NFL Pro Bowler has moved on from Kansas City to the Hotlanta Falcons.  Moving from one of the bottom feeders in the NFL to a legitimate contender can only reenergize the elite TE.  Giving Matt Ryan another asset in the passing game, should allow the Falcons to open up things even more.  To me this was the biggest get of the offseason and should give the Falcons enough juice to win the NFC South crown and compete for home field advantage. 

Honorable mentions: Albert Haynesworth (Ten to Wash), Jason Taylor (Wash to Mia), Kellen Winslow (Cle to TB), Brian Dawkins (Phil to Den), Jason Peters (Buf to Phil), and Matt Cassel (NE to KC).