Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Top 10 NFL free agency signings

10- Calvin Pace- 2007 team- Arizona Cardinals 2008 team- New York Jets
-Not a top notch linebacker, but to be honest there were not many available, solid starter, who should contribute to that defense and help generate a pass rush that they were lacking last season, he had a career high 98 tackles and 6.5 sacks last year, those numbers should only continue to grow. Grade- B-
9- Derek Anderson- 2007 team- Cleveland Browns 2008 team- Same
-Very solid 2007 campaign, automatically made Anderson the number 1 Qb available, teams were just not willing to part with the draft picks needed to acquire him, and so he remains with Cleveland, the Browns should be very happy about this, as Anderson had very nice numbers of 3787 yards and 29 touchdowns last season, including 10 multi touchdown games, had Cleveland in the thick of the playoff race, only one question remains- What do the Browns now do with 2007 first round pick Brady Quinn. Grade- B+
8- Alge Crumpler- 2007 team- Atlanta Falcons 2008 team- Tennessee Titans
-Very solid tight end, who was a victim of a poor QB situation in Atlanta, was at one time Michael Vick's go to guy, and could possibly develop into a similar role for Vince Young, let's not forget this is a guy who had 3 consecutive seasons of over 700 yards receiving, not too shabby for a tight end. I like the signing. Grade- C+
7- Javon Walker- 2007 team- Denver Broncos 2008 team- Oakland Raiders
-Wide reciever that is full of talent, has had some injury concerns, which is one reason to be puzzled by the 16 million in gurantees the Raiders handed him, however that is the price you pay in today's NFL, if healthy their are not many with more talent, will be interesting to see what Jamarcus Russel and Walker can do as a tandem, this would be an absolute A+ in my opinion if not for the injury issues, so for now it's a little lower. Grade- C+
6- Bernard Berrian- 2007 team- Chicago Bears 2008 team- Minnesota Vikings
-Another talented reciever that probably recieved more money than they were worth, but you have to overpay in the NFL, he has big play potential, and is a deep threat on every play, still only 27 years old, and he is exactly what Tavaris Jackson needed, Minnesota is in my opinion the early threat to win the NFC North. Grade- B
5- Michael Turner- 2007 team- San Diego Chargers 2008 team- Atlanta Falcons
-Very talented running back, who was hidden in the shadows of one of the all time greats LaDainian Tomlinson, it is now his time to shine, as he will most definetely be the feature back on the Falcons, only 26 years old and full of all the potential in the world, should be fun to watch him every down. Grade- B+
4- Justin Smith- 2007 team- Cincinatti Bengals 2008 team- San Francisco 49ers
-Talented Defensive End that fills a big hole for the 49ers, who had major problems generating a pass rush in 2007, they have a talented secondary and having a pass rush threat will take pressure off of them, Smith had a down year last year but he was a top 5 pick at one time, he recieved 45 million for 6 years, alot of money but pass rushers are at a premium, and it is the price to pay. Grade- B+
3- Randy Moss- 2007 team- New England Patriots 2008 team- Same
-One of the most talented people to ever step on a football field, has character issues and is known for being disruptive if not in a winning environment, that should not be a problem for the New England Patriots because they are a contender every year, however I have to question whether last years record breaking year was just the product of him being in a contract year, and trying to get a long term deal, its a question that will be answered this year, but the Patriots could not afford to lose this talent. Grade- A-
2- Alan Faneca- 2007 team- Pittsburgh Steelers 2008 team- New York Jets
-I am usually not a fan of giving big money to Guards but even I can not deny that this man is a future hall of famer, and the Jets did the right thing by breaking the bank for him, with the addition of Damien Woody, and the continuing development of Ferguson and Mangold, this could be a very talented offensive line, just imagine Darren McFadden falling to them at the number 6 pick in the draft, Jets fans get excited. Grade- A+
1- Asante Samuel- 2007 team- New England Patriots 2008 team- Philadelphia Eagles
-One of, if not the best corner in the NFL, has a knack for getting turnovers and helphing his team win games, brings a championship mentality to a city in desperate need for a championship, it is kind of questionable as to why the Eagles made this move, when they already have two pro bowl caliber corners in Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown, but i have heard rumblings of a possible Sheppard trade, in which case this move is brilliant, you can not beat someone with a combination of talent and championship experience, we just have to see if he will play with the same heart now that he has the long term deal he has been seeking for the past few years. Grade- A++

No comments:

Blog Archive