Overpaid FA's

[Teague31]

thank goodness Jerry is staying out of this mess.



Seven overpaid NFL free agents
By MJD

Monday, Mar 3, 2008 4:22 pm EST
First, keep in mind that the values indicated likely do not reflect the true value of the contract, because the NFL chooses to do things in a confusing and cumbersome fashion. The true value of the contract won't be known until it's played out or voided.

Justin Smith, DE, 49ers
6 years, $45 million
Smith's been a good and durable player for a long time, but he is coming off his least productive year ever, at least in terms of sacks. He had a grand total of 2 last year. It feels like the 49ers gave a lot of money to the right guy at the wrong time.

Randall Gay, CB, Saints
4 years, $17.8 million

It's understandable because the Saints could sign Emmanuel Lewis as a corner, and he'd be an upgrade, but that still seems like a lot of money for Randall Gay. He's only 25 and does have room to grow as a player, but he'll have to be healthy and on the field for that to happen.

Donte' Stallworth, WR, Browns
7 years, $35 million
Stallworth has never cracked the 1,000-yard mark in a season, and has only been over 800 once. He was supposed to be the Saints go-to guy in the post-Joe Horn era, but the opted cut him loose. Also consider that the Browns already have Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow, and Joe Jurevicius catching passes, and it seems hard to justify breaking off that much cheddar for a guy who has never proven he could be a reliable #1 or #2 receiver.

Bernard Berrian, WR, Vikings
6 years, $42 million
The general consensus seems to be that the Vikings overpaid for Berrian by quite a bit, but I'm not sure I agree. Yeah, it's a steep price, but Berrian's got decent size, great speed, great hands, and can make catches anywhere on the field. He had over 950 yards for the Bears last year, despite the fact that the Bears would've been better off with a Jugs machine at quarterback. I may be in the minority here, but I think Berrian will turn out to be an excellent investment.

Jerry Porter, WR, Jaguars
6 years, $30 million
I've always been a Porter fan, and he's a phenomenal physical talent, but at some point, you've just got to assume that if it hasn't happened yet, it's not going to. On the other hand, he is a physically gifted wide receiver leaving Oakland, and those have prospered in recent years.

Alan Faneca, OG, Jets
5 years, $40 million
Bringing in Alan Faneca might not be a bad idea, but to make him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league, despite the fact that he sleepwalked through the '07 season with the Steelers, seems like a bad idea. Pittsburgh had major offensive line trouble last year, and no one wanted to blame Faneca because he's popular with the local fans and everyone wanted him to stay, but he existed as part of the problem, not in spite of it.

Tommy Kelly, DT, Raiders:
7 years, $50 million
Kelly has the potential to turn into a beast, but you know, so do a lot of people. He was an undrafted free agent, has played in 49 games, has 13 sacks, and is coming off a season-ending ACL injury last year. And with this, the Raiders gave him the largest contract ever given to a defensive tackle. In this particular competition, credentials don't get much stronger than that.

 

[Big Dakota]

Yep, I'd just as soon pay Flo, MBIII and Canty. If we get Walker, i hope it's a short term deal.

 

[dmq]

Bernard Berrian, WR, Vikings
6 years, $42 million
The general consensus seems to be that the Vikings overpaid for Berrian by quite a bit, but I'm not sure I agree. Yeah, it's a steep price, but Berrian's got decent size, great speed, great hands, and can make catches anywhere on the field. He had over 950 yards for the Bears last year, despite the fact that the Bears would've been better off with a Jugs machine at quarterback. I may be in the minority here, but I think Berrian will turn out to be an excellent investment.

So he has this guy on his list, but then explains why he shouldn't be on the list.

 

[sago1]

If Walker is healthy, happy to be a Cowboy & understands his role as our #2WR, then I'd glad we can get him. Hopefully we get him cheap & sign him to a 1-2 year incentive-ladden contract. He's be awesome opposite TO.

 

[yentl911]

That is crazy money for players that for the most part, haven't really done a whole lot in their respective careers. Unreal.

I am glad we have stayed away to be honest.

I do agree with possibly getting Walker if it is a short term, incentive laden contract although I do belive we have some young talented WR's on the team already in Hurd and Austin.

I know this won't be popular but I still am holding onto the possibility of getting Pac Man Jones on a short, incentive laden contract. Have C. Hill work with this very gifted young man and see if he can turn it around. If so, we will be set at CB for years.

 

[superpunk]

I think Berrian got 16 mil guaranteed, and Moss got 15. For more years, sure...but still...

 

[Stash]

That is crazy money for players that for the most part, haven't really done a whole lot in their respective careers. Unreal.

I am glad we have stayed away to be honest.

I do agree with possibly getting Walker if it is a short term, incentive laden contract although I do belive we have some young talented WR's on the team already in Hurd and Austin.

I know this won't be popular but I still am holding onto the possibility of getting Pac Man Jones on a short, incentive laden contract. Have C. Hill work with this very gifted young man and see if he can turn it around. If so, we will be set at CB for years.

I hate to say it, but I'm warming to that idea more and more myself.

Given the value being placed on even average cornerbacks, to get a guy with Jones' talent at a 'redemption discount' is appealing.

Throw in the upgrade over 'Fair Catch' Crayton at punt returner and it's worth the PR hit to me.

Of course I would still be sure to draft a cornerback in round 1.

 

[THUMPER]

thank goodness Jerry is staying out of this mess.

But wait, I thought everyone here was upset that Jerry didn't made a big splash in FA. Now we're happy that he hasn't? I'm confused.

 

[Doomsday101]

But wait, I thought everyone here was upset that Jerry didn't made a big splash in FA. Now we're happy that he hasn't? I'm confused.

Myself making sure we got key FA signed was big in my eyes. It is not always about who you can get from another team but what you have to do to keep the core group together on your team. Jerry has done that for the most part.

 

[jksmith269]

thank goodness Jerry is staying out of this mess.



Seven overpaid NFL free agents
By MJD

Monday, Mar 3, 2008 4:22 pm EST
First, keep in mind that the values indicated likely do not reflect the true value of the contract, because the NFL chooses to do things in a confusing and cumbersome fashion. The true value of the contract won't be known until it's played out or voided.

Justin Smith, DE, 49ers
6 years, $45 million
Smith's been a good and durable player for a long time, but he is coming off his least productive year ever, at least in terms of sacks. He had a grand total of 2 last year. It feels like the 49ers gave a lot of money to the right guy at the wrong time.

Randall Gay, CB, Saints
4 years, $17.8 million

It's understandable because the Saints could sign Emmanuel Lewis as a corner, and he'd be an upgrade, but that still seems like a lot of money for Randall Gay. He's only 25 and does have room to grow as a player, but he'll have to be healthy and on the field for that to happen.

Donte' Stallworth, WR, Browns
7 years, $35 million
Stallworth has never cracked the 1,000-yard mark in a season, and has only been over 800 once. He was supposed to be the Saints go-to guy in the post-Joe Horn era, but the opted cut him loose. Also consider that the Browns already have Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow, and Joe Jurevicius catching passes, and it seems hard to justify breaking off that much cheddar for a guy who has never proven he could be a reliable #1 or #2 receiver.

Bernard Berrian, WR, Vikings
6 years, $42 million
The general consensus seems to be that the Vikings overpaid for Berrian by quite a bit, but I'm not sure I agree. Yeah, it's a steep price, but Berrian's got decent size, great speed, great hands, and can make catches anywhere on the field. He had over 950 yards for the Bears last year, despite the fact that the Bears would've been better off with a Jugs machine at quarterback. I may be in the minority here, but I think Berrian will turn out to be an excellent investment.

Jerry Porter, WR, Jaguars
6 years, $30 million
I've always been a Porter fan, and he's a phenomenal physical talent, but at some point, you've just got to assume that if it hasn't happened yet, it's not going to. On the other hand, he is a physically gifted wide receiver leaving Oakland, and those have prospered in recent years.

Alan Faneca, OG, Jets
5 years, $40 million
Bringing in Alan Faneca might not be a bad idea, but to make him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league, despite the fact that he sleepwalked through the '07 season with the Steelers, seems like a bad idea. Pittsburgh had major offensive line trouble last year, and no one wanted to blame Faneca because he's popular with the local fans and everyone wanted him to stay, but he existed as part of the problem, not in spite of it.

Tommy Kelly, DT, Raiders:
7 years, $50 million
Kelly has the potential to turn into a beast, but you know, so do a lot of people. He was an undrafted free agent, has played in 49 games, has 13 sacks, and is coming off a season-ending ACL injury last year. And with this, the Raiders gave him the largest contract ever given to a defensive tackle. In this particular competition, credentials don't get much stronger than that.

I find it funny that last season everyone said how we over paid for Leonard Davis and he went on to have his best season. and now here we are saying how much teams over paid for the FA's they signed; when IMHO you can't say they where overpaid till the end of NEXT season and see how they preform under the new team and contract...

How many people are out there now that thinks LD was overpaid? I'd bet there are some that thinks he was a steal after the season he had...

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I find it funny that last season everyone said how we over paid for Leonard Davis and he went on to have his best season. and now here we are saying how much teams over paid for the FA's they signed; when IMHO you can't say they where overpaid till the end of NEXT season and see how they preform under the new team and contract...

How many people are out there now that thinks LD was overpaid? I'd bet there are some that thinks he was a steal after the season he had...

Sorry sir but you're not "stealing" anything you paid $49 mil for.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Yep, I'd just as soon pay Flo, MBIII and Canty. If we get Walker, i hope it's a short term deal.

I'm starting to think that if you look back at things, there's probably no way Jerry signs Javon Walker.

Remember, according to the media teams were going to be gung ho after Flo, Barber, and Canty. Yet, none of them have really even got an offer. Dallas was also supposed to be going after numerous free agents or making some trades and they've barely interviewed any FA's and wound up signing Zach Thomas to a 1 year deal.

It's gotten to the point where I hardly ever believe anything the sports media first reports, especially when it comes to Dallas, because they are more concerned about breaking the story first instead of being accurate. So if there's an extremely weak rumor, they'll just run with it so they can say "we reported it first!" if it happens to wind up being true.





YAKUZA

 

[THUMPER]

Myself making sure we got key FA signed was big in my eyes. It is not always about who you can get from another team but what you have to do to keep the core group together on your team. Jerry has done that for the most part.

I totally agree. We went 13-3 and should have done better, and that was with the players we have. Re-signing them was key. We don't need a bunch of high-priced FAs, just a couple of solid players to add depth and a good draft.

The only real "holes" we had this season were in the secondary and at WR when our starters were out or hurting. Losing Julius Jones means we also have to address the backup RB position but not with a guy like McFadden who would cost us everything to get (and would likely require us to part with Marion Barber in the bargain unless McFadden drops some). Not a smart move at all.

Signing a WR like Javon Walker and a veteran RB like Dunn would help provide depth at those positions. I could also see us drafting a CB, WR, & RB with our top-3 picks so that we can continue to bring in young talent at those positions.

Jerry has done a good job so far and has been smart in avoiding the overpriced guys.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Might as well get used to this cause any of our own FA we sign are going to sign for big money. I'm sure if we get Hamlin and Barber locked up long term that it's not going to be exactly cheap.

 

[TNCowboy]

Stalworth's deal seems like a lot when you look at it as $35M, but it's really only a little more than Crayton got over the first 4 years.

I'd trade Crayton for Stalworth in a heartbeat.