Good, bad and ugly of free agency
Adam Schein / Special to FOXSports.com
Posted: 5 hours ago
Now that a full week has passed in the NFL's business season, it is time to break down the good, bad, and 49ers in the start of free agency.
Three best moves
Drew Brees to New Orleans — Chargers general manager A.J. Smith will rue the day he neglected this Pro Bowl quarterback. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis swooped in, outbidding the Dolphins with more guaranteed money, and brilliantly signed Brees to a 6 year, $60 million deal with a $10 million signing bonus. The quarterback is the perfect fit for new coach Sean Payton's offense. And Brees acted as the pied-piper by signing in New Orleans, calming fears that free agents wouldn't want to call the city home after Hurricane Katrina.
LeCharles Bentley to Cleveland — When I talked to the stud center at the Super Bowl, his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree in December when discussing the possibility of coming home to Cleveland to play for his childhood favorite Browns. Browns general manager Phil Savage guaranteed Bentley 19 million dollars in the first 3 years to ensure Pro Bowler came home and didn't sign with Philadelphia. His 6 year, $36-million deal with a $12 million signing bonus is the richest contract for a center in NFL history. And it is well deserved, as Bentley adds toughness and credibility to the Browns in the trenches.
Edgerrin James to Arizona — It was going to take a mega-buck offer to lure one of the best running backs in the NFL to the desert and the Cardinals made it happen. James got a 4 yearm, $30 million dollar deal from Arizona that includes $11.5 million in bonus money. James is the perfect compliment to Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin, and Larry Fitzgerald. Now if they can only get some new offensive linemen.
10 worst moves
Antonio Bryant to San Francisco — While the receiver has talent, Bryant is a knucklehead, and thus, a major underachiever. He was a problem child playing college football at Pittsburgh, tossed a jersey in Bill Parcells' face in Dallas, and managed to aggravate everyone in Cleveland in a year and a half after arriving from the Cowboys in a trade. So what do the Niners do? Naturally they give this headache a four-year deal worth $15 million and a $5 million signing bonus. What happened to Mike Nolan building with character? This made absolutely no sense.
Terrell Owens to Dallas — So let me get this straight ... Dallas gives Owens a 3 year, $25 million deal with a $5 million bonus. Did anyone survey Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb, Andy Reid, Brad Childress, Ozzie Newsome, or anybody else Owens drove batty? How in the world could Jerry Jones not remember TO blowing up the Eagles season a year ago? And to give him this type of money without any provisions if he acts just like he did with the 49ers and Eagles is beyond foolish. How can TO get along with Drew Bledsoe, he of the thin-skin and the ill-timed pick, when he couldn't deal with the affable Donovan McNabb? And I wonder what Bill Parcells thinks of TO wanting to be a reality TV star? This is going to be a disaster. Just like it was in San Francisco. And Philadelphia.
Chester Taylor to Minnesota — Can he shoulder the load for 16 games? Is he concretely better than Mewelde Moore/Ciatrick Fason? Does this mean the Vikings won't draft a stud running back at 17 in April's draft? Is Taylor worth 4 years and $14 million with $5.6 million guaranteed? There are a lot of legit questions surrounding this pickup.
Brandon Lloyd to Washington — Being fair, when I talked to Lloyd he said all the right things about playing for the Redskins and being enamored with Joe Gibbs. But after smartly signing Antwaan Randle El to team with Santana Moss and Chris Cooley, I just didn't understand why the Redskins needed another down the field threat. To get the restricted free agent, the Redskins had to give up a 3rd-round pick this season and next year's 4th round pick. Remember, Washington doesn't have its first round pick this year after trading for Jason Campbell. Lloyd has the ability to make the incredible catch, but with the Niners he dropped too many balls in his hands and seemed to be a bit too interested in his rap career.
Kendrick Clancy to Arizona — I really appreciated Clancy's honesty when I talked to him about the move to the desert. The solid defensive tackle said it was mainly about the money. And let's officially call it way too much cash with his four-year, $8.1 million deal. Clancy was a decent run stuffer for the Giants last year, but didn't warrant that contract, especially with Rocky Bernard, Sam Adams, Ryan Pickett, among others, still available at the time.
Joey Harrington — Honestly, how clueless can you be? According to the Detroit News, Harrington sabotaged a Mike Martz orientation by not paying attention or drawing plays. As a result, the Lions signed Jon Kitna and brilliantly picked up Josh McCown, who was encouraged to go to Detroit on the advice of former teammate Kurt Warner. McCown is ripe for overachievement (perhaps the next Jake Delhomme) with Martz and multiple downfield weapons. Meanwhile, Harrington will get cut before the Lions have to pay his bonus on June 15h. The quarterback further sullied his reputation around the league with his latest act. If Joey needs help packing, I am sure I can find thousands of Lions fans willing to lend a hand.
Oakland not signing McCown — The quarterback told Sirius NFL Radio that he was scared off by the Raiders when the brass told him they were interested in drafting a QB (Vince Young) in the first round. Oakland should've never let him leave the complex.
Brett Favre not making up his mind — Are the Packers rebuilding or retooling? Do they need to call Brian Griese or Aaron Brooks? Should they have made a move for Drew Brees or Josh McCown? And to be honest, this goes beyond Favre. His title isn't general manager. Ted Thompson needed to put his foot down before free agency started.
A second round pick for Culpepper — Now I totally understand that Culpepper emailed his way out of town, and in Zygi Wilf's eyes the love boat stigma attached to his now-former quarterback didn't help, but the Vikings needed to get more than a second-round pick for Culpepper. Extra picks, a conditional pick, a player, whatever! And if I didn't get that, I would've held on to the QB who had the second best regular season (behind Peyton Manning) at the position in 2004. In theory, Brad Childress was hired to make Culpepper even better. While I am concerned about Culpepper's maturity, Nick Saban did everything but use a gun and a mask as he robbed the Vikings.
Will Allen to Miami — In essence, the Dolphins trade Sam Madison for a cover corner that couldn't catch a cold if he ran around naked in Alaska. Not that we want to see that. Nick Saban made a bizarre choice when he inked Allen to a four-year, $12 million dollar deal.
Most surprising move
Jamal Lewis back in Baltimore — My surprise was two-fold; it was the day after Baltimore inked Mike Anderson and I talked to Lewis on February 24th and he said he was done with the Ravens. I guess things changed when James signs with the Cardinals (Lewis' first choice) and Deshaun Foster is back in Carolina. And while this stunned me, Lewis goes back humbled and motivated based on how his contract was structured. I cannot believe I am writing this, but it actually appears to be a good fit. But boy did it shock me.
Three instant impact moves
Brian Williams to Jacksonville — The Jags were a playmaking cover corner back opposite Rashean Mathis away from being a truly complete defense. Williams, who gets a six-year, $32 million deal with a $10 million signing bonus, perfectly fits that void. The defensive back played well subbing for Fred Smoot last season and is loaded with upside. He will thrive playing for Jack Del Rio.
Lawyer Milloy to Atlanta — Let's be honest; the Falcons were horrific at safety last year. Milloy adds credibility, toughness, leadership, a winning attitude, and the ability to make plays to the Falcons defense. Troy Vincent told me that the Falcons are getting a "difference maker" who can stuff the run and defend the pass by signing his former Bills teammate to a three-year $6 million deal with a $2.5 million signing bonus.
Will Witherspoon to St. Louis — Desperate for toughness and play-making at the linebacker position, the Rams smartly coughed up 33 million dollars over six years for the former Panther. Witherspoon, who recorded 109 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks and 2 picks for Carolina last year, will play middle linebacker for the Rams and instantly add an attitude.
