So I was inspired last night. Yes, watching my Celtics win their first title since I was 11 years old sure did make me happy. But I also thought about something announcer Mark Jackson said, which made me think how it might relate to the NFL. He said -- and I am paraphrasing here: "If I am (an NBA) general manager, I am inspired by what Danny Ainge and the Celtics did this past offseason, and I am going to go out and get veterans to help me win a championship."

Again, I don't recall his exact wording, but it was something along those lines. Anyway, it got me thinking as to which teams followed a similar approach this offseason -- favoring bringing in veteran talent over younger players -- in the NFL. I came up with four, and though you could argue that more teams should end up on the list, I thought these four best fit this pattern.

What do the four teams have in common? They all missed the playoffs this past season -- like the C's last year. This list:

Vikings -- Probably made the biggest move of the offseason, trading several draft picks for DE Jared Allen, who was languishing in Kansas City. Allen has some bust potential, but he fits what the team needed and could be an All Pro. Madieu Williams and Bernard Berrian, like Allen, are not "older" players, per se, but they are solid veterans who should improve their respective positions. Top draft pick Tyrell Johnson won't start, but he could contribute as a third safety and special teamer.

Jets -- More than any team perhaps, the Jets relied on improving their roster through free agency. OG Alan Faneca was a big signing, and it's the kind of move that could synchronoize the offensive line -- especially with young C Nick Mangold and OLT D'Brickashaw Ferguson -- making several positions better with one signing. The rest of their moves cast some doubt, especially with one-year wonders Calvin Pace and Damien Woody (basically, he got paid for his work for five games at right tackle), but NT Kris Jenkins might be a good fit if he can return to form. Of course, the Jets did have two first-rounders -- OLB Vernon Gholston and TE Dustin Keller -- who are expected to contribute right away, so they did not eschew rookies by any means.

Browns -- If you're looking for a team that showed little regard for the draft, look no further. The Browns traded their top three picks away but were able to land DL pillars in Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers. Provided they can fit into the system that neither have played in before, and provided that Rogers can play more consistently and up to his immense talent, the Browns might have remade their run defense. Another interesting move, adding WR Donté Stallworth, should help in an offense that will use four and five pass catchers often. The top draft picks, fourth-rounders Beau Bell and Martin Rucker, will start off on the bench and play special teams to begin.

Raiders -- The gobs of money the team threw at CB DeAngelo Hall, WR Javon Walker and S Gibril Wilson shocked and disarmed some people, but it should help make them a better football team. We still have to wait to see about Walker's condition, but fill holes in a pass defense that ranked eighth in passing yards allowed but a far more revealing 29th in passing yards allowed per play. The Raiders also might have found starters in OT Kwame Harris and C John Wade. The draft was a one-man show, at least for this season -- RB Darren McFadden. But there's already talk that the team wants to put a bit of a pitch count on McFadden's touches this season, wanting to preserve him for the full season.

My guess is that at least one of these teams will have improved themselves enough to make the playoffs. Some feel that the Vikings are close to Super Bowl contention. Hey, if the Celtics did it ...