3/8/08 Free Agent Frenzy Free Agency hits with a bang. Many teams took advantage, while many didn't.
February 29th marked not only the day of the leap year, but also to one of the big Free Agency debuts of all time. It didn't even take one hour for the action to begin, when the Miami Dolphins signed guard Justin Smiley. A total of thirteen signings were made on Day one alone, along to go with four resignings and two cuts. Perhaps the biggest deal though in the midst would be to former Patriots corner back Asante Samuel. When cornerbacks Marcus Trufant and Nnamdi Asomugha were franchised by their teams, only more money was added onto Samuel's future contract. Well, he got paid alright. The Eagles were the ones to bite. Not wasting any time at all, Asante Samuel was signed for a six year, 57 million dollar contract with 20 million being guarenteed.
Many teams had a boat load of many to spend, and many took advantage. The biggest winner in my opinion had to be the Miami Dolphins. Bill Parcells didn't waste any time signing many key Free Agents to help his new desperate team. Some of those players included defensive tackles Jason Ferguson, Randy Starks, linebacker Reggie Torbor, guard Justin Smiley, wide receiver Ernest Wilford, and quarterback Josh McCown. They set themselves up nicely to spend their number one pick on Chris Long, which would make their defensive line 10x better than last season. The Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills also made huge steps in making another playoff run next season. Then Browns also improved their defensive line big time by trading for defesive tackle Shaun Rodgers, and future defensive end Corey Williams. Though they parted ways with Leigh Bodden, their defensive line will help them out by applying a mass amount of pressure on the opposing quarterback. Wide receiver Donte Stallworth was also brought in to stretch the field, which should be a very underrated move. The Buffalo Bills will finally be able to stop the run with the addtions of defensive tackles Marus Stroud and Spencer Johnson. They also improved a very young and stout linebacking core with the addition of Kawaki Mitchell. With Mitchell, Angelo Crowell, and the return of Paul Posluzny to go along with a new and improved front four, the Bills defense may rank in the top 10. Rumors have it they may be adding Arizona wide receiver Bryant Johnson, which in that case they will draw some coverage off Lee Evans. Don't be suprised if both teams are in the post season in 2008.
Some other teams had a lot of money, but failed to make any major additions. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were one of those teams. With having the most money to spend at the start of the free agency period, the only major addition to speak of is center Jeff Faine. The Tennessee Titans also had some money to spend, but really didn't help themselves at all. Alge Crumpler and Jevon Kearse were added, but both players could be way past their prime to help anyways. The Carolina Panthers tried to make a run at many free agents such as receiver Randy Moss, but failed to pull the trigger. All three teams may be wishing they spent more, but the season and future isn't determined by free agency. If they draft well enough, good things can happen.
Other teams weren't fortunate enough to have money to spend, and paid for it. The New England Patriots lost cornerbacks Randall Gay and Asante Samuel, linebacker Rosevelt Colvin, receiver Jabar Gaffney, and possibly Eugene Wilson. If they weren't able to obtain receiver Randy Moss, they were in a lot of trouble. However, it IS the Patriots, we'll be hearing from them again. The Super Bowl champions New York Giants lost many key free agents such as linebackers Kawaki Mitchell and Reggie Torbor, safety Gibril Wilson, as well as possibly losing Michael Strahan to retirement, but if they draft right they should still be in good shape to return to the post season. Both of these teams have the talent to still be great, but not the Kansas City Chiefs. Losing key players on both sides of the ball won't help this team in desperate in need of veteran leadership. Gone are receiver Eddie Kennison, linebacker Kendrell Bell, cornerback Ty Law, and linebacker Demorrio Williams. The Cheifs are looking as if they won't be to scary in 2008. The Chiefs aren't alone though. The Chicago Bears lost both their receivers (Muhsin Muhammad to the Panthers and Bernard Berrian to the Vikings) to free agency, while they failed to make any upgrades. Devin Hester can't do everything. Though they were able to obtain linebacker Lance Briggs, they weren't able to make any additions to a team that has many holes on both sides of the ball.
Maybe making some addtions and not breaking the bank is the way to go though. The Vikings filled in two major needs by signing receiver Bernard Berrian and safety Madeiu Williams to big contracts. Though many say they overpaid, they didn't go nuts signing every free agent out there. The Jaguars did the same. A big playmaker was needed at receiver, so they took a shot at Jerry Porter. Corner back was also a major issue, and they filled that by signing ex- Charger Drayon Florence. The Eagles were also mentioned earlier with the big contract to Asante Samuel, but that however was the only major addition they made.
The Redskins who are normally always busy this time of the year, were rather quiet though, only signing backup quarterback Todd Collins to a 3 year 9 million dollar contract.
So what exactly is the way to attack free agency? Is it the attack right away method the Browns did this year? The sit back and wait method used by the Titans? Add minor additions to positions of need like the Jaguars? Signing that big name free agent like the Eagles? Or possibly the build threw the draft like the Giants are doing? Their are many ways to tackle free agency, but we'll just have to wait and see. The Patriots who were known for letting key free agents walk in the past seemed to be successful at it, but they were also successful last season when signing receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker, and also linebacker Adalius Thomas to contracts.
Time will tell though. One things for sure though, the teams that were very agressive better hope their "guys" make an impact, or eles this whole exciting signing period was all a big waste of time and hope.
Other Articles:
2008: End of a Dynasty? Quarterback Questions Valuable No More
