A couple teams in the NFC have been busy this offseason with building their rosters for a deep playoff push in 2014. Some teams made a lot of little moves to improve a couple holes on their roster like the Redskins and Buccaneers. A team like the Bears made just a couple big signings to improve the most glaring weakness on their team. But which one of these teams is the most improved team in the NFC? Which one of these teams has improved enough to get their teams back to the playoffs?
Best Offensive Improvements
The Buccaneers will see their offense improve dramasticly after the return of one of the best running backs in the league Doug Martin. He was lost for the bulk of the year last season and the team obviously struggled in his absence. This year not only will they have him back but a couple of offensive linemen as well. Anthony Collins and Evan Dietrich Smith are starting caliber players for their last teams. Their additions to the team will not open running lanes for Martin, but they’ll better protect quarterback Mike Glennon as well.
The Redskins however have improve their offense the most not only in the NFC but maybe in the entire League. The first big piece they’ll be getting back is a healthy Robert Griffin III. The Redskins struggled last season as it was obvious that Griffin hadn't fully recovered from the knee injury suffered in the playoff loss to the Seahawks. Not only will they have a healthy Griffin but they’ve also loaded up with targets for him to throw to. With the signing of DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts the Redskins now are three deep at receiver. And with Fred Davis not completely out of the picture Jordan Reed will have the opportunity to develop into a dangerous weapon.
Best Defensive Improvements
The Buccaneers have also improved on defense which would be hard for any team after losing one of the best corners in the league. With Darrelle Revis on the move to New England the team countered by signing top free agent Alterraun Verner. Verner was one of the best corners in the league last year and was selected to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. They were also able to add Michael Johnson and Clinton McDonald on the defensive line. McDonald was one of the playmakers on a Seahawks team that dominated in last years Super Bowl. Tampa Bay added three playmakers to a defense with a couple young talented pieces which will make them instantly a better unit.
The Bears are another team that has improved their defense from last year. The Bears almost made the playoffs last season and they have weapons galore on offense. Last season one of their most glaring weaknesses was that they didn’t have a pass rush. Last year Julius Peppers was the leading sack leader with just seven and a half sacks. This off season the Bears went out and got two legit pass rushers in Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston. These two will automatically improve the teams chances in a division with Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford.
Coaching
The Buccaneers were a mess last year off the field with disputes with the then franchise quarterback Josh Smith and the MRSA issue in the locker room. Lovie Smith will be an improvement as the last team he coached went 10-6 and made it to the playoffs. Lovie was one of the best coaches in the league a couple years ago and he knows what it take to run a winning team. With a dysfunctional group like the Bucs a coach like Smith can be the perfect remedy.
Last year D.C. stood for Drama City with all the “Days of Our Lives” storylines coming out of Redskins park. Coach Mike Shanahan and RG3’s relationship seemed to be damaged beyond repair. Griffin and his camp blamed shanahan for Griffin’s injury and Shanahan blamed the Griffin for the teams failures that season. Even though Shanahan and his son were good coaches with great football minds the relationship between them and the new face of the franchise was too much to overcome. Jay Gruden the new head coach has experience with helping young quarterbacks develop and Griffin is a young quarterback oozing potential.
Most Improved Team
The Buccaneers are the most improved team so far this offseason. They will have improved in all facets of the game on and off the field. Lovie Smith will take this team and whip them into a winning team. The last time Smith was a head coach in the league his team made the playoffs. The additions they’ve made on offense and defense will help them become a contender in the NFC South.