by Alex Marvez

With no salary cap in 2010 (unless a new labor agreement is reached), the mechanism for clubs to spread a prorated cap hit over two seasons no longer exists. Outcast players who once may have remained in limbo until today, like ex-Dallas wide receiver Terrell Owens, already have gotten released.

So the biggest offseason transactions are pretty much done. That means we can now look back at the winners and losers from a wild three months.

Biggest Winners

Philadelphia: Even this team's notoriously grumpy fan base can't gripe after this stellar offseason. The Eagles upgraded an aging offensive line by trading with Buffalo for Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters and signing free-agent guard/tackle Stacy Andrews (Cincinnati). The running game was further bolstered with the signing of fullback Leonard Weaver and second-round selection of LeSean McCoy to serve as Brian Westbrook's new backup. Philadelphia also finally made the plunge for a blue-chip wide receiver prospect in the draft, making Jeremy Maclin the team's first top-round selection at the position since Freddie Mitchell in 2001. Defensively, the bulk of the NFL's No. 3 unit from 2008 returns intact.

The Eagles have the NFL's top cornerback quartet in Asante Samuel, Sheldon Brown, Joselio Hanson and newcomer Ellis Hobbs (trade, New England). The loss of free safety and locker-room leader Brian Dawkins stung early in free agency, but the Eagles will get more athletic at the position with replacement Quintin Demps. The only major negative this offseason concerns the health of esteemed defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. He was forced to take an indefinite leave of absence in May to undergo cancer treatment. If the 68-year-old Johnson can't return, secondary coach Sean McDermott will have his first turn calling the team's defensive signals.

New England: Tom Brady is back. That alone is enough to mark a successful offseason for the Patriots. Almost all of New England's other core players are returning as well. But coach Bill Belichick wasn't content with keeping the status quo after missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 2002. Veterans were added at running back (Fred Taylor), wide receiver (Joey Galloway and Greg Lewis), tight end (Chris Baker and Alex Smith) and cornerback (Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs). The Patriots might not be done tinkering with their roster if a quality pass-rushing outside linebacker becomes available.

New York Jets: New head coach Rex Ryan wasted no time raiding defensive players from his former team, swiping linebacker Bart Scott, safety Jim Leonhard and defensive end Marques Douglas from Baltimore in free agency. The Jets also landed a potential franchise quarterback with a bold draft-day trade, leapfrogging 12 spots to select USC's Mark Sanchez at No. 5. Such moves have already helped erase the sting of last year's late-season collapse.

Biggest Losers

Washington: Jason Campbell should feel unloved. The Redskins tried replacing him through an unsuccessful trade attempt for Jay Cutler. Washington, though, shouldn't be blamed for trying. Campbell is clearly the fourth-best quarterback in the division and failed to make many big plays in the second half of the 2008 season as the Redskins faded after a 6-2 start. Washington should be better defensively with the addition of free-agent defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, but the Redskins still lack a proven pass rusher. The Redskins hope rookie Brian Orakpo can make a quick impact, but that's asking a lot from their 2009 first-round draft choice.

Denver: The offseason began in disastrous fashion with the franchise's alienation of Cutler. It hasn't gotten any better. The Cutler situation became so toxic that someone who should have been the franchise's cornerstone player was traded to Chicago (more details below). Some of Denver's free-agent signings were head-scratchers as well. The grace period already has ended for first-year head coach Josh McDaniels before he has even coached a game.

Indianapolis: A consistent double-digit winner under retired coach Tony Dungy, the Colts may find their future less rosy under replacement Jim Caldwell. "I'm not sure everybody's on the same page in this building," quarterback Peyton Manning recently said. The recent resignation of two key offensive coaches — Tom Moore (coordinator) and Howard Mudd (line) — hurts. There also were changes at defensive coordinator and special teams coach. Personnel-wise, there is no clear heir apparent for departed wide receiver Marvin Harrison. Tennessee will enter the season as the AFC South favorite — a position the Colts have held most of this decade.

Offseason Awards

BEST FREE-AGENT SIGNING: Buffalo inking wide receiver Terrell Owens to a one-year, $6 million contract.

Sure, it's a risk to add such a controversial figure. But desperate times — nine years without a playoff appearance and a head coach (Dick Jauron) who almost got fired last season — call for desperate measures. Owens has looked outstanding in Buffalo's offseason program and appears motivated to prove Dallas made a mistake with his release. And it's just a one-year deal, which should have T.O. on his best behavior.

WORST FREE-AGENT SIGNING: St. Louis giving ex-Baltimore center Jason Brown a five-year, $37.5 million contract with $20 million guaranteed.

The Rams needed to upgrade their offensive line, but overpaid for a player whose limited athleticism makes him a better fit at guard.

BEST TRADE: Kansas City acquiring quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel from New England for a 2009 second-round draft choice.

New Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli made a brilliant move, bringing two familiar faces from the Patriots with him to Kansas City for a relative pittance. New England was desperate to trade both players at the start of free agency to create cap space. Pioli acted before Denver and Tampa Bay could up the ante. Cassel blossomed last season while replacing the injured Brady, while Vrabel will help Kansas City in the transition to a 3-4 defense.

WORST TRADE: Denver trading Cutler to Chicago for two first-round picks, a third-rounder and quarterback Kyle Orton.

The Bears no longer have questions at quarterback. The Broncos do. Orton — who was never in Cutler's league during four seasons in Chicago — may not beat out Chris Simms for a starting spot.

BEST UNDER-THE-RADAR MOVE: Miami getting a head start on the free-agent signing period.

The Dolphins re-signed three starters (right tackle Vernon Carey, linebacker Channing Crowder, safety Yeremiah Bell) before they could test the market. The Dolphins also upgraded at safety by signing Gibril Wilson almost immediately after his surprising release by Oakland. Being able to later add center Jake Grove (Oakland) and defensive end Jason Taylor (Washington) was gravy.

BEST RE-SIGNING: Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner.

It's mind-boggling that the Cardinals would risk losing their team leader and Super Bowl starter by not re-signing him before the start of free agency. But all's well that ends well. After a brief flirtation and posturing with NFC West rival San Francisco, Warner was re-signed to a two-year, $23 million deal.

WORST RE-SIGNING: Washington giving cornerback DeAngelo Hall a six-year, $55 million contract with $23 million in guaranteed money.

Yes, the same DeAngelo Hall who was such a washout in Oakland last season that he was cut after eight games even though the Raiders had signed him to their own massive contract. Hall is a good player but not that good.

BEST MOVE NOT MADE: Cleveland not trading quarterback Brady Quinn.

The option was tempting. Cleveland could have used the No. 5 overall pick on Sanchez, who reportedly had impressed Cleveland brass in pre-draft evaluations. The previous administration that drafted Quinn in 2007 is gone, which means new head coach Eric Mangini doesn't have the same commitment to a player he didn't select. Mangini also didn't hand Quinn the starting job upon his hiring and kept quarterback Derek Anderson even though it cost the Browns a $5 million offseason roster bonus. But such tough love may pay dividends. The Browns kept Quinn, who has impressed Mangini with his offseason work ethic. Quinn will enter training camp as the favorite to start as Cleveland tries to find the franchise quarterback it has lacked since returning to the NFL in 1999.

BRETT FAVRE CENTRAL

It's still so strange to see, but Brett Favre did in fact sign with the Vikings and will don the purple this season in one of the most unprecedented soap operas in NFL history. FOXSports.com has been all over one of 2009's most intriguing storylines. GET THE FULL LOWDOWN ON FAVRE ...

MOVE THAT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED: Atlanta releasing quarterback Michael Vick.

The Falcons continue to hold Vick's contractual rights in hopes of salvaging trade compensation. Give up the ghost already. Even if he is reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the chance Vick can be dealt is remote. Any interested suitor wouldn't want to assume the big money remaining on Vick's contract. Falcons owner Arthur Blank already has said Vick won't be rejoining the team, which further destroys his trade value. As long as he remains under contract, the franchise will have its name dragged through the mud whenever Vick is referenced as an "Atlanta quarterback." It's time to make Vick an ex-Falcon. Release him outright to officially close the ugliest chapter in franchise history.

BEST DRAFT: Detroit.

Because he was the top overall pick, the success of quarterback Matthew Stafford is how Detroit's 2009 draft will ultimately be judged. But some other selections should also play a key role in getting this franchise back on its feet. Second-round pick Louis Delmas could become an immediate starter at safety. DeAndre Levy (third round) will likely be groomed at middle linebacker behind free-agent pickup Larry Foote. And Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit's other first-round choice, is the team's best tight end prospect since Hall of Fame selection Charlie Sanders in the 1970s.

WORST DRAFT: Cleveland.

I say this from a value standpoint. The Browns squandered the chance to take an impact player with the No. 5 overall pick by trading the selection to the Jets. Cleveland dropped 12 spots in exchange for three pedestrian players (defensive end Kenyon Coleman, safety Abram Elam and quarterback Brett Ratliff) that Mangini knows from his days in New York. The Browns kept moving down before selecting center Alex Mack at No. 21. Maybe he'll become the next Frank Gatski, but centers really shouldn't be getting chosen this early.

BIGGEST ARREST: Cleveland wide receiver Donte' Stallworth on DUI manslaughter charges.

Toxicology tests have shown Stallworth was over the legal alcohol limit when he hit and killed a pedestrian with his vehicle outside Miami Beach in March. Stallworth's arraignment is set for Thursday. While he has yet to receive an NFL suspension, the Browns already are making plans to move on without a player signed to a seven-year, $35 million contract in 2008. Cleveland drafted wide receivers Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi in the second round and declined trade feelers for starter Braylon Edwards.

BIGGEST SUSPENSION: Buffalo running back Marshawn Lynch.

Pending an appeal to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Lynch will miss the season's first three games after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor weapons charge. There also was marijuana in the car where Lynch was arrested on Feb. 11. The Bills have decent backups in Fred Jackson and newcomer Dominic Rhodes, but neither is in the same class as Lynch, a second-year player coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance.

Pittsburgh and the Prez

President Obama congratulates Pittsburgh on their Super Bowl win, but reminds everyone where his heart lies when it comes to NFL allegiance.

MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT: Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison's rationale for declining a White House invitation celebrating the Steelers' Super Bowl XLIII victory over Arizona.

Harrison said this to Pittsburgh television station WTAE: "If you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don't win the Super Bowl. As far as I'm concerned, he would've invited Arizona if they had won." No word on whether Harrison also knows that the Super Bowl winner — and not the loser — is given the Lombardi Trophy.

BEST REMAINING FREE-AGENT: Wide receiver Plaxico Burress.

The 2008 Giants crumbled when Burress was lost last December after shooting himself in the leg. Burress is a game-changing receiver and red-zone menace (22 touchdowns in 2006 and 2007 combined). Tampa Bay, which has no problem rolling the dice on players with character issues, and the Jets have expressed interest since Burress was released by the Giants. But don't expect any contract offers until Burress' legal situation becomes clearer. He has a June 15 court appearance scheduled on a felony weapons charge that carries a minimum of 2½ years in prison. Burress also faces a possible NFL suspension even if the charges are reduced and a plea bargain is reached.

BIGGEST REMAINING QUESTION: Who comes back first — Vick or Brett Favre?

MICHAEL VICK CENTRAL

Nothing about Michael Vick has ever been normal. And certainly his return to the NFL after a two-year prison sentence. FOXSports.com has the complete coverage of Vick's Philadelphia freedom.

The answer depends entirely on Favre. He can return from retirement immediately by announcing plans to sign with Minnesota. Favre, though, may opt to stay retired if he isn't confident that a torn biceps tendon can heal properly without extensive surgery. Until Vick's prison sentence (currently finishing term under home confinement) for dog fighting ends July 20, Goodell has said he will not consider the possibility of NFL reinstatement. Vick may be forced to wait for an extended period until displaying the "remorse" for his actions that Goodell wants to see. This much is certain: Vick and Favre will continue generating headlines until their NFL futures are decided.

NEXT BIG MOVE BEFORE CAMP: Wide receiver Anquan Boldin re-signs with Arizona or gets traded.

While anything is possible with Arizona's penny-pinching management, I just can't see Boldin playing another season under his current contract. Boldin's dissatisfaction has led to the firing of agent Drew Rosenhaus and the claim of a "hamstring injury" that kept the wideout away from an offseason minicamp. If a new deal can't be hammered out by training camp, don't be surprised to see Arizona place Boldin on the trade block just like the New York Giants did last offseason when shipping disgruntled tight end Jeremy Shockey to New Orleans.

FINAL SALUTE: Baltimore right tackle Willie Anderson.

After 13 seasons, Anderson called it a career in May because of ongoing leg injuries. He spent 12 years in Cincinnati without winning a playoff game. That changed in 2008 when he signed with Baltimore following his Bengals release. After playing in 196 NFL games with 185 starts, Anderson finally experienced postseason success when the Ravens defeated Miami in January. While not the same caliber player as earlier this decade, Anderson said he had never been happier. You can understand why following all those years of losing in Cincinnati.