motife
03-12-2008, 05:14 PM
Ask the experts
What has been the best offseason move thus far, and the worst?
By PFW staff
March 10, 2008
A little more than 10 days into the 2008 free-agency period, the NFL’s offseason has been anything but quiet.
Brett Favre has retired, Randy Moss re-signed with New England, stars like Jonathan Vilma (Saints), Marcus Stroud (Bills) and Shaun Rogers (Browns) were traded, and a number of players have moved to new cities via free agency — most notably CB Asante Samuel (Eagles) and OG Alan Faneca (Jets).
There are many more players’ futures still to be decided, with franchise tags still to be settled or lifted and a number of unrestricted free agents still on the market. There likely will be a few more trades prior to the April 26-27 draft, as teams scramble to fill as many holes as possible prior to the annual selection meeting in order to give them more flexibility and options on draft weekend.
So, as we stand in the midst of this flurry of activity, we thought it would be interesting to ask a few PFW editors to offer their opinion on the best and worst moves of the offseason, thus far.
Editor-in-chief Keith Schleiden:
Best move: Patriots re-signing WR Randy Moss
The Patriots have taken some personnel hits this offseason. But the one free agent they couldn’t afford to lose — WR Randy Moss — will remain in Foxborough after agreeing to a three-year deal worth a reported $27 million. Yes, the Patriots have won multiple Super Bowls without Moss. And yes, the Patriots have lost the only Super Bowl in which Moss played for New England. But given his ability to stretch the field and open up a record-setting offensive attack, his return was paramount to the Patriots making another run in 2008. Moss may have been able to get a few more dollars elsewhere, but nowhere would he have been put in a situation that allows him to succeed so easily as in New England.
Worst move: Bears signing ex-Redskins WR Brandon Lloyd
The Bears lost Bernard Berrian to the division-rival Vikings and released WR Muhsin Muhammad, making the WR position an area of serious need. So, they’ve added Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd. Booker is still capable, leading the Dolphins in receiving a season ago. There are questions, however, about whether Lloyd has ever been capable in the NFL. He was a fourth-round pick of the 49ers in 2003, but his antics and lack of commitment led to his being traded to the Redskins in ’06. What did Daniel Snyder get in exchange for $10 million guaranteed? 25 catches and no touchdowns in two seasons. Lloyd has some intriguing skills. But he’s a career underachiever who has already made his fortune. There’s little reason to believe he will all of a sudden “get it” in Chicago.
Executive editor Dan Arkush:
Best move: Patriots re-signing WR Randy Moss
The re-signing of Moss, coming off a record-breaking season, really sticks out — especially when measured against all the moves involving the highest-profile pass catchers that have or haven’t been made (see Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona) this offseason. Moss could have really played hardball with the Pats if he wanted do, but for the second straight season, he agreed to settle for less money than he could have made elsewhere — although a $12 million signing bonus and $3 million in guaranteed money is hardly chump change. Keeping Moss in the mix assures New England of once again having one of the most potent passing attacks.
Worst move: Jets signing ex-Cardinals OLB Calvin Pace
Put simply, this was the biggest case of overspending as there has been so far in an offseason characterized by financially questionable dealings. I understand the Jets feeling pressure to keep up with the Giants and Patriots by creating a buzz with their willingness to open their checkbook. And I give major props to Pace, whose career was rejuvenated last season with his switch to outside linebacker in the Cardinals’ 3-4. But there’s NO way he should be getting a $20 million signing bonus for basically one good year while proven commodity Lance Briggs ended up settling for $13 million from the Bears.
Senior editor Eric Edholm:
Best move: Packers trading DT Corey Williams to the Browns for a second-round draft pick
I really thought the Packers were shrewd by franchising DT Corey Williams and getting a second-rounder for him. They liked him as a player but didn’t want to pay him. The Browns clearly did. So the Packers made the smart move of franchising Williams, which inflated his value and gave them security to work out a deal. He has some talent, but he always did his best work in a rotation. I think the Browns overpaid for him. It’s subtle moves like this that make Ted Thompson a good GM.
Worst move: Jets signing ex-Lions OL Damien Woody
Most of the Jets’ moves have surprised me, but Damien Woody was the oddest. They gave $11 million guaranteed to a guy who has exactly five starts at right tackle under his belt. He played pretty well there late last season from what I saw. But people around the Lions say he was fully intent on getting paid. And we know what happened the last time he did: He got fat and lazy with the Lions, losing his starting spot. As much as I liked the Alan Faneca signing, that’s how much I disliked the Woody deal.
Senior editor Mike Wilkening:
Best move: (tie) Titans signing ex-Falcons TE Alge Crumpler and Saints signing ex-Panthers MLB Dan Morgan
I can’t fault Atlanta for cutting Crumpler or Carolina for tiring of waiting for Morgan to stay healthy. Instead, I’ll praise the Titans for signing Crumpler to a low-risk two-year contract and the Saints for signing Morgan to an incentive-laden one-year contract. Both players can easily outplay those deals … if they can stay on the field, of course.
Worst move: Jets signing ex-Cardinals OLB Calvin Pace
Last season, Pace notched 98 tackles and 6.5 sacks; in his four previous seasons, he had a grand total of 84 tackles and 7.5 sacks to this credit. On the basis of his ’07 production, Pace reportedly received a six-year, $42 million deal from the Jets that includes $22 million guaranteed. Yes, consistent pass-rush pressure is hard to come by, but the Jets paid significant money for a player who 1) has played at a high level for only one season and 2) now has to learn the intricacies of a new defense.
Associate editor Dan Parr:
Best move: Patriots re-signing WR Randy Moss
Re-signing WR Randy Moss saved the Patriots from normalcy. New England came eerily close to allowing the most vital addition to an offense that went from good to record-setting and scary-good last season get away. His departure would have made the Patriots’ “O” look a lot more like the rest of the teams in the league.
Worst move: Panthers not improving their offense
The Panthers failed to upgrade an offense that was in dire need of weapons at receiver and running back, settling instead for second- and third-rate stopgaps. Carolina replaced departed disappointments WR Keary Colbert and RB DeShaun Foster with more scrap-heap material like over-the-hill WR Muhsin Muhammad and backup RB LaBrandon Toefield.
Associate editor Matt Sohn:
Best move: Patriots re-signing WR Randy Moss
The Patriots needed Moss. Moss needed the Patriots. And yet, up until his three-year, $27 million deal was finalized, there was doubt as to whether he would continue with the team that enabled him to put together one of the finest receiving seasons in NFL history. In the end, Moss realized he was far better off staying put and taking a small pay cut than he was in going elsewhere and adding a couple million bucks to his bank account. Without Moss, the Pats’ offense is good. With him, it’s outstanding. More importantly, with Moss, they’re right back in the Super Bowl mix.
Worst move: Raiders re-signing DT Tommy Kelly
There are curious moves and then there are baffling moves. The Raiders’ seven-year, $50 million re-signing of DL Tommy Kelly qualifies as the latter. When fully healthy, the versatile Kelly is a solid NFL starting defensive lineman. Nothing more, nothing less. But, the Raiders, perhaps panicking knowing that Warren Sapp was retiring, inked him to one of the richest contracts for a defender in league history, eating up a huge chunk of valuable cap space in the process. Throw in the fact that he’s coming off a reconstructed knee that he blew out in Week Eight, and we have ourselves the craziest decision that Al Davis has executed.
What has been the best offseason move thus far, and the worst?
By PFW staff
March 10, 2008
A little more than 10 days into the 2008 free-agency period, the NFL’s offseason has been anything but quiet.
Brett Favre has retired, Randy Moss re-signed with New England, stars like Jonathan Vilma (Saints), Marcus Stroud (Bills) and Shaun Rogers (Browns) were traded, and a number of players have moved to new cities via free agency — most notably CB Asante Samuel (Eagles) and OG Alan Faneca (Jets).
There are many more players’ futures still to be decided, with franchise tags still to be settled or lifted and a number of unrestricted free agents still on the market. There likely will be a few more trades prior to the April 26-27 draft, as teams scramble to fill as many holes as possible prior to the annual selection meeting in order to give them more flexibility and options on draft weekend.
So, as we stand in the midst of this flurry of activity, we thought it would be interesting to ask a few PFW editors to offer their opinion on the best and worst moves of the offseason, thus far.
Editor-in-chief Keith Schleiden:
Best move: Patriots re-signing WR Randy Moss
The Patriots have taken some personnel hits this offseason. But the one free agent they couldn’t afford to lose — WR Randy Moss — will remain in Foxborough after agreeing to a three-year deal worth a reported $27 million. Yes, the Patriots have won multiple Super Bowls without Moss. And yes, the Patriots have lost the only Super Bowl in which Moss played for New England. But given his ability to stretch the field and open up a record-setting offensive attack, his return was paramount to the Patriots making another run in 2008. Moss may have been able to get a few more dollars elsewhere, but nowhere would he have been put in a situation that allows him to succeed so easily as in New England.
Worst move: Bears signing ex-Redskins WR Brandon Lloyd
The Bears lost Bernard Berrian to the division-rival Vikings and released WR Muhsin Muhammad, making the WR position an area of serious need. So, they’ve added Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd. Booker is still capable, leading the Dolphins in receiving a season ago. There are questions, however, about whether Lloyd has ever been capable in the NFL. He was a fourth-round pick of the 49ers in 2003, but his antics and lack of commitment led to his being traded to the Redskins in ’06. What did Daniel Snyder get in exchange for $10 million guaranteed? 25 catches and no touchdowns in two seasons. Lloyd has some intriguing skills. But he’s a career underachiever who has already made his fortune. There’s little reason to believe he will all of a sudden “get it” in Chicago.
Executive editor Dan Arkush:
Best move: Patriots re-signing WR Randy Moss
The re-signing of Moss, coming off a record-breaking season, really sticks out — especially when measured against all the moves involving the highest-profile pass catchers that have or haven’t been made (see Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona) this offseason. Moss could have really played hardball with the Pats if he wanted do, but for the second straight season, he agreed to settle for less money than he could have made elsewhere — although a $12 million signing bonus and $3 million in guaranteed money is hardly chump change. Keeping Moss in the mix assures New England of once again having one of the most potent passing attacks.
Worst move: Jets signing ex-Cardinals OLB Calvin Pace
Put simply, this was the biggest case of overspending as there has been so far in an offseason characterized by financially questionable dealings. I understand the Jets feeling pressure to keep up with the Giants and Patriots by creating a buzz with their willingness to open their checkbook. And I give major props to Pace, whose career was rejuvenated last season with his switch to outside linebacker in the Cardinals’ 3-4. But there’s NO way he should be getting a $20 million signing bonus for basically one good year while proven commodity Lance Briggs ended up settling for $13 million from the Bears.
Senior editor Eric Edholm:
Best move: Packers trading DT Corey Williams to the Browns for a second-round draft pick
I really thought the Packers were shrewd by franchising DT Corey Williams and getting a second-rounder for him. They liked him as a player but didn’t want to pay him. The Browns clearly did. So the Packers made the smart move of franchising Williams, which inflated his value and gave them security to work out a deal. He has some talent, but he always did his best work in a rotation. I think the Browns overpaid for him. It’s subtle moves like this that make Ted Thompson a good GM.
Worst move: Jets signing ex-Lions OL Damien Woody
Most of the Jets’ moves have surprised me, but Damien Woody was the oddest. They gave $11 million guaranteed to a guy who has exactly five starts at right tackle under his belt. He played pretty well there late last season from what I saw. But people around the Lions say he was fully intent on getting paid. And we know what happened the last time he did: He got fat and lazy with the Lions, losing his starting spot. As much as I liked the Alan Faneca signing, that’s how much I disliked the Woody deal.
Senior editor Mike Wilkening:
Best move: (tie) Titans signing ex-Falcons TE Alge Crumpler and Saints signing ex-Panthers MLB Dan Morgan
I can’t fault Atlanta for cutting Crumpler or Carolina for tiring of waiting for Morgan to stay healthy. Instead, I’ll praise the Titans for signing Crumpler to a low-risk two-year contract and the Saints for signing Morgan to an incentive-laden one-year contract. Both players can easily outplay those deals … if they can stay on the field, of course.
Worst move: Jets signing ex-Cardinals OLB Calvin Pace
Last season, Pace notched 98 tackles and 6.5 sacks; in his four previous seasons, he had a grand total of 84 tackles and 7.5 sacks to this credit. On the basis of his ’07 production, Pace reportedly received a six-year, $42 million deal from the Jets that includes $22 million guaranteed. Yes, consistent pass-rush pressure is hard to come by, but the Jets paid significant money for a player who 1) has played at a high level for only one season and 2) now has to learn the intricacies of a new defense.
Associate editor Dan Parr:
Best move: Patriots re-signing WR Randy Moss
Re-signing WR Randy Moss saved the Patriots from normalcy. New England came eerily close to allowing the most vital addition to an offense that went from good to record-setting and scary-good last season get away. His departure would have made the Patriots’ “O” look a lot more like the rest of the teams in the league.
Worst move: Panthers not improving their offense
The Panthers failed to upgrade an offense that was in dire need of weapons at receiver and running back, settling instead for second- and third-rate stopgaps. Carolina replaced departed disappointments WR Keary Colbert and RB DeShaun Foster with more scrap-heap material like over-the-hill WR Muhsin Muhammad and backup RB LaBrandon Toefield.
Associate editor Matt Sohn:
Best move: Patriots re-signing WR Randy Moss
The Patriots needed Moss. Moss needed the Patriots. And yet, up until his three-year, $27 million deal was finalized, there was doubt as to whether he would continue with the team that enabled him to put together one of the finest receiving seasons in NFL history. In the end, Moss realized he was far better off staying put and taking a small pay cut than he was in going elsewhere and adding a couple million bucks to his bank account. Without Moss, the Pats’ offense is good. With him, it’s outstanding. More importantly, with Moss, they’re right back in the Super Bowl mix.
Worst move: Raiders re-signing DT Tommy Kelly
There are curious moves and then there are baffling moves. The Raiders’ seven-year, $50 million re-signing of DL Tommy Kelly qualifies as the latter. When fully healthy, the versatile Kelly is a solid NFL starting defensive lineman. Nothing more, nothing less. But, the Raiders, perhaps panicking knowing that Warren Sapp was retiring, inked him to one of the richest contracts for a defender in league history, eating up a huge chunk of valuable cap space in the process. Throw in the fact that he’s coming off a reconstructed knee that he blew out in Week Eight, and we have ourselves the craziest decision that Al Davis has executed.