FA just not all that

[Wile_E_Coyote]

Mediocre role players cash in

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=sando_mike&id=3287448

By Mike Sando
ESPN.com
(Archive (http://x.go.com/cgi/x.pl?goto=http://search.espn.go.com/keyword/search?searchString=mike_sando&name=SEARCH_m_archive&srvc=sz))

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<!-- end story header --><!-- begin left column --><!-- begin page tools -->Updated: March 11, 2008

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The lights have dimmed on the NFL's latest free-agent signing period.

Nearly 40 percent of unrestricted free agents had found new homes or re-signed with their previous teams through Monday night, the 11th day of free agency. The 188 remaining UFAs can expect plenty of minimum-salary deals.

The big money is spent, but what did it buy? Role players, mostly.

Six players with Pro Bowl experience have changed teams as UFAs this offseason.

Five of the six are in their 30s: Tony Richardson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3408), Alan Faneca (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4288) and Damien Woody (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4665) of the New York Jets (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nyj), Sammy Knight (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4106) of the New York Giants (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nyg) and special-teamer Brendon Ayanbadejo (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6639) of the Baltimore Ravens (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=bal).

Richardson, Woody and Ayanbadejo combined for 11 starts last season. Philadelphia Eagles (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=phi) cornerback Asante Samuel (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6456), formerly of the New England Patriots (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nwe), stands as the only UFA in his 20s who brings Pro Bowl credentials to his new team. The Eagles expect to pay him $20 million in bonuses this year and next, a steep price for the top young free agent unburdened by a franchise tag.

Broader trends affirm the difficulties teams face in improving their rosters with UFAs:

• Josh McCown (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5967), Cleo Lemon (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7026) and J.T. O'Sullivan (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=3745) are the only UFA quarterbacks to change teams so far.

• Nine UFA running backs have changed teams. Six landed with the Seattle Seahawks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=sea), the Minnesota Vikings (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=min) and the Jets. Julius Jones (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6802) (Seattle) started 16 games last season. The other eight combined to start 19. Michael Turner (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6913) (Atlanta Falcons (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=atl)) might be the only other high-impact player among the group.

• More tight ends (seven) than receivers (six) have changed teams through the unrestricted market, little help for teams seeking playmakers. Minnesota, which added Bernard Berrian (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6837) from the Chicago Bears (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=chi) at great cost, has been the only NFC team to add a receiver through the unrestricted market.

• Every team in the NFC South has added a UFA defensive lineman, but those teams have found mostly role players: Bobby McCray (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7008) (New Orleans Saints (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nor)), Tyler Brayton (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6368) (Carolina Panthers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=car)), Jimmy Wilkerson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6525) (Tampa Bay Buccaneers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=tam)) and Tim Anderson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6833) (Atlanta). Teams seeking established players at the position generally have had to trade for them. No team in the NFC East or AFC West bothered with the 11 UFA defensive linemen who have changed teams. Bryant Young (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2931) might be the best remaining UFA defensive lineman, and he's retiring.

• Thirty of the 188 remaining UFAs started at least eight games last season. The number shrinks in significance upon closer inspection. Fifteen of the 30 spent last season with the St. Louis Rams (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=stl) (four), San Francisco 49ers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=sfo) (three), Miami Dolphins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=mia) (two), Kansas City Chiefs (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=kan) (two), Carolina (two) and the Jets (two). Bad teams with injury problems rely upon players with borderline starting ability.

• Eighty-four of the 188 remaining UFAs are at least 30 years old. Forty-eight are at least 33. Thirty-one are at least 35, including four who have reason to feel even older after spending last season with the 49ers: Young, Chris Weinke (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5554), Larry Allen (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2841) and Michael Lewis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5725) (the receiver).

A few years ago, the typical free-agency analysis rewarded high activity levels. The most active teams generated the most excitement and the most positive coverage. That remains true to an extent, particularly for teams that seem to build on strong seasons by making frequent moves.

The Cleveland Browns (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=cle) are the latest example.

The Browns, having traded away their top three picks in this year's draft, appear better on paper for the players they landed in return. But teams overspend in free agency. And they often overspend when they rework the contracts of players acquired through trades -- players who were deemed expendable by their previous employers.

The Browns would be wise to remember the adage about teams not picking up where they left off the previous season. Schedules change. Locker room dynamics change. Luck changes.

The Washington Redskins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=was) chose a good year to sit out free agency. Chicago, the Green Bay Packers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=gnb), the Dallas Cowboys (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=dal), the Indianapolis Colts (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ind) and the San Diego Chargers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=sdg)also refrained from signing a single UFA from another team during the first 11 days of the signing period. Those teams might rank among the true "winners" of this free-agent season, simply by avoiding costly mistakes.

Inactivity, however, isn't always the best policy. Count the Arizona Cardinals (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ari) among the teams that probably have missed out.

Despite signing pass-rusher Travis LaBoy (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6801) from the Tennessee Titans (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ten), the Cardinals could use another veteran starter or two to help second-year coach Ken Whisenhunt further establish a hard-nosed identity. But with Larry Fitzgerald (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6762)'s contract eating up nearly $16.5 million in salary-cap space until today, Arizona hasn't even re-signed any of its own UFAs. Fourteen hit the market. Two signed elsewhere.

The Cardinals own rights to 48 players, counting three restricted free agents and franchise player Karlos Dansby (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6792). The other 31 teams claim 64 players on average. The Denver Broncos (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=den) claim a league-high 78. Arizona is the only team with fewer than 54 (Kansas City).

Including LaBoy, the Cardinals own rights to only 16 defensive players, another league low and well off the average for other teams (27.7). LaBoy, who has battled concussions, is one of 25 UFAs who have changed teams after starting fewer games last season than in 2006, a potential sign of diminishing production. The Bucs, Dolphins and Patriots each signed three of the 25. The Jets signed two.

Seven UFAs have changed teams after posting reduced starts in every season since 2005. Four of the seven landed in the AFC East: Courtney Anderson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7004) (Buffalo Bills (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=buf)), Randy Starks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6830) (Miami), Richardson (Jets) and Jason Webster (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5077) (New England). The Bills doubled up by trading for Marcus Stroud (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5460), who started 16 games in 2005, 11 in 2006 and nine last season.

New Orleans has quietly re-signed eight of its own UFAs since free agency opened, a league high that accounts for one-sixth of the NFL total. The Saints have added two UFAs from other teams while watching one of their own leave. They added linebacker Jonathan Vilma (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6771) via trade, leaving the Saints plus-nine through the UFA market and trades.

At the other end, Tennessee stands minus-five after watching a league-high six of its UFAs sign elsewhere. The Titans have signed only one UFA from another team while adding no players through trades.

The imbalance qualifies the Titans as losers in free agency to the extent that aging Pro Bowl players qualify the Jets as winners -- tenuously.

Mike Sando covers the NFL for ESPN.com.


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[Pasta Little Brioni]

good article...sounds like alot of the stuff i've read here.

[Fish]

The Washington Redskins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=was) chose a good year to sit out free agency. Chicago, the Green Bay Packers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=gnb), the Dallas Cowboys (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=dal), the Indianapolis Colts (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ind) and the San Diego Chargers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=sdg)also refrained from signing a single UFA from another team during the first 11 days of the signing period. Those teams might rank among the true "winners" of this free-agent season, simply by avoiding costly mistakes.


Whaaaa? Avoiding costly mistakes? But...but....

This is craziness!!!

[OnTheWarpath15]

Whaaaa? Avoiding costly mistakes? But...but....

This is craziness!!!


But John Clayton says they're losers?

I'm confused.

[DaKCMan AP]

I'd refer this article to KCChiefsfan88, but I don't think his pea-sized intellect could comprehend the reasoning.

[Wile_E_Coyote]

Top 10 free-agent gambles: Jets take plenty of fliers

By John Clayton
ESPN.com


<!-- end story header --><!-- begin left column --><!-- begin page tools -->Updated: March 12, 2008

<DL class=wide-photo><DT>http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0312/nfl_g_3panel_580.jpg <DD>Getty Images
The Jets committed major bucks to Calvin Pace (left), who has never had more than 6 1/2 sacks in a season. The Raiders hope WR Javon Walker (center) will help revamp their offense while the 49ers want to turn Justin Smith into a 3-4 defensive end.



</DD></DL>
<!-- end wide photo -->Free agency is always a gamble, but the class of 2008 might make bookmakers in Las Vegas nervous.

Of the first 78 players to move to different teams, 48 played less than 50 percent of the downs last season for their previous squads. Over the past three decades, the NFL has developed into a league of role players and situational substitutions. So those figures aren't unusual.

Still, it's a gamble to spend millions of dollars for players who aren't on the field half the time. Some teams are taking a chance that backups can convert to starters. Others are gambling that players can switch positions and live up to their massive contracts.

The stakes are high, but teams have to take gambles to improve. Here are 10 of the biggest and most interesting gambles less than two weeks into the hottest free-agency period in NFL history.

1. Transforming DEs into LBs: With roughly a third of the league using some form of the 3-4 defense, three teams gambled on defensive ends they hope to convert into pass-rushing linebackers.


The New York Jets (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nyj) put their money on Calvin Pace (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6354), who was drafted as a 4-3 defensive end but took on some linebacker duties in Arizona because of injuries to Bertrand Berry (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3966) and Chike Okeafor (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4739). Pace received a staggering six-year, $42 million deal even though he's never had more than 6½ sacks in a season.

To replace him, the Cardinals are gambling $4.4 million a year on Travis LaBoy (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6801), a defensive end with Tennessee. The Cincinnati Bengals (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=cin), who will start to use a hybrid 3-4 defense, spent $5.9 million a year on Antwan Odom (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6816), who had a career-high eight sacks last season in the Tennessee Titans (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ten)' 4-3.

2. Exotic nose (tackle) jobs: For the past couple of years, the San Francisco 49ers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=sfo), Cleveland Browns (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=cle) and Jets have tried the 3-4 but have been in the bottom 10 in rushing yards allowed. The key to any 3-4 defense is the nose tackle, who needs to draw double-team blocking to free up linebackers to make plays. The Jets and Browns didn't fool around in making trades, but it's not 100 percent certain how their new players will adjust to the 3-4 scheme.

The Browns and Jets, respectively, are gambling that Shaun Rogers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5508) and Kris Jenkins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5491) can convert from Pro Bowl defensive tackles in a 4-3 into 3-4 nose tackles. Both players have the size and power to make the transition. At times, both players have been unblockable.

The 49ers, meanwhile, wagered $7.5 million a year that former Bengal Justin Smith (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5451) can convert into a 3-4 defensive end. Smith was known for his relentless effort even though he wasn't considered much of a threat for quarterback sacks. With Bryant Young (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2931) retiring, the 49ers want Smith to be their feature defensive end in the 3-4.

3. Falcons betting on the long run: Nobody argues that former San Diego Chargers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=sdg) backup Michael Turner (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6913) was the best running back in free agency. He's big. He's fast. His nickname is The Burner. When LaDainian Tomlinson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5452) needed a breather, Turner would strike fear in defenses, slamming his 237-pound body into the line and breaking long runs.

The Atlanta Falcons (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=atl) didn't blink in giving him a six-year, $34.5 million contract and a $15 million signing bonus. But banking on Turner as a starting running back is still a gamble. He's never had more than 80 carries in a season and he's never played more than 12 percent of the offensive snaps in a season. The Raiders gambled that Jets backup LaMont Jordan (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5496) can be the full-time starter, and that didn't work out. The Vikings gambled on Chester Taylor (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6142) and succeeded.

4. Third team's a charm for Woody? For the Jets, signing former Pittsburgh Steelers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=pit) standout lineman Alan Faneca (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4288) to an $8 million a year contract wasn't a gamble. Faneca is one of the best guards in football and should help left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7753) and center Nick Mangold (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7778) play at a higher level.

The Jets' gamble was the $25.5 million contract given to Damien Woody (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=1768). He was drafted as a center by the New England Patriots (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nwe) and signed with the Detroit Lions (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=det) as a guard. He's been to the Pro Bowl with the Patriots, but things didn't work out all that well for Woody as a guard with the Lions.

Last summer, figuring Woody was going to be a potential backup, the Lions restructured his contract and allowed him to hit free agency this winter. Late in the season, they tried him at right tackle and he did surprisingly well. The Jets are gambling $5.1 million a year that Woody can be a top right tackle.

5. The Jets' future is now: Staying with the Jets: They are gambling against the biological clock in free agency and trades. Most teams try to add younger players when they sign high-priced free agents or make trades. The Jets are one of the few teams willing to add some age.

Faneca is 31 and Woody is 30. Fullback Tony Richardson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3408) is 36 but is coming off a Pro Bowl season, while 34-year-old cornerback Ty Law (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3188) is coming in for a visit this week. The Jets aren't worried about building for the future. They want to win now.

6. Risky cornerback promotions? It's a gamble to draft a cornerback in the first two rounds and put him on the field as a starter. Quarterbacks tend to pick on the rookie and keep throwing at him until he shuts down a receiver. Rather than wait for the draft, some clubs sign other teams' third cornerbacks as potential starters.

The Houston Texans (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=hou) did that with Dallas Cowboys (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=dal) longtime third corner Jacques Reeves (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6982), who ended up playing 85 percent of the defensive snaps last season because of injuries to other Cowboys starters.

The New Orleans Saints (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nor) gave Patriots third cornerback Randall Gay (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7028) a four-year, $13.55 million deal. The second-best cornerback contract in free agency this offseason -- a six-year, $36.1 million deal -- went to new Jacksonville Jaguars (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=jac) defender Drayton Florence (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6382), a longtime Chargers starter who finished as the third corner last season.

Reeves and Florence finished in the top eight among cornerbacks in the "most passes completed against" category, according to Stats Inc.

7. Another round of Broncos revisions: Denver Broncos (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=den) coach Mike Shanahan gambled and lost last season when he changed six of his top 10 defensive linemen.

This year, he's gambling on fixing his back seven with the signings of Boss Bailey (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6370) and Niko Koutouvides (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6875) at linebacker and Marlon McCree (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5681) and Marquand Manuel (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6082) at safety.

The cost wasn't too bad. Bailey was the costliest at $3.5 million a year, while the others signed for less than that. Shanahan has to gamble on free agency to fix his defense. D.J. Williams (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6776) and Elvis Dumervil (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7875) were the only drafted Broncos defenders to play more than 60 percent of the snaps last season. Shanahan hopes his moderately priced fixes repair the defense.

8. Bills rebuild middle with spare parts: Marcus Stroud (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5460) was the anchor of the Jaguars' defense for seven seasons. He gave the line personality, and running up the middle against the Jaguars used to be impossible. But the Jaguars were willing to trade him because they thought he wasn't the same player after microfracture surgery on his ankle. The Bills hope they were wrong.

Stroud and Spencer Johnson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7058), formerly of the Minnesota Vikings (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=min), were acquired to toughen up the middle of the Bills' 4-3 defense. The Bills finished 25th in the league in run defense, allowing almost 4.4 yards per carry. Coach Dick Jauron hopes Stroud can regain his status as the anchor to his defense.

9. Raiders take a flier on Walker: There is no middle ground on thoughts about Javon Walker (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5906). Walker was considered a Randy Moss (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4262)-type talent with the Green Bay Packers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=gnb); the Broncos acquired him in a trade to revamp their offense. But recently Shanahan feared Walker's knee might be getting closer to needing microfracture surgery in the next couple of years, so the two sides parted ways.


Raiders owner Al Davis gambled $55 million over the next six years that Shanahan was wrong. Davis hopes Walker will not only be a big receiving target for quarterback JaMarcus Russell (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=8255), but also a deep threat. Confident in his move, Davis handed Walker an $11 million check as a signing bonus.

10. Titans welcome Crumpler, the return of The Freak: The Titans felt they were top-heavy in drafted players who were heading into free agency and said goodbye to five 2004 draft choices taken from Rounds 2-5 (these players were between the ages of 24 and 26). To fill in for some of the losses, the Titans are gambling on aging Pro Bowl starters who have had recent injury histories.

The Titans added former Philadelphia Eagles (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=phi) defensive end Jevon Kearse (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4664) -- for his second stint in Tennessee -- and former Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5482). The Titans are gambling that Kearse and Crumpler, who have combined for seven trips to the Pro Bowl, will find the fountain of youth and take advantage of their new opportunities in Nashville.


Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com.


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[JakeT]

Can we just go ahead and list Tampa as a loser since they have chosen to re-unite Jimmy Wilkerson with Ryan Simms -- they are well on their way to one of the worst D-lines in football.

[Micjones]

Whaaaa? Avoiding costly mistakes? But...but....

This is craziness!!!

Five of those teams were in the playoffs...
Good to know that we can conduct business like playoff teams would.
The one who wasn't (Chicago) has since signed two Free Agents.
:rolleyes:

[htismaqe]

Five of those teams were in the playoffs...
Good to know that we can conduct business like playoff teams would.
The one who wasn't (Chicago) has since signed two Free Agents.
:rolleyes:

And we've signed one, too.

:rolleyes:

[Micjones]

And we've signed one, too.

:rolleyes:

That wasn't the point.
I was addressing this idea that the Packers, Bears, Cowboys, Redskins, Colts and Chargers aren't great examples of what this team should be thinking and doing.

We signed a WR and a player at a position where we really didn't need help.
I like both signings. I'm just saying.

[htismaqe]

That wasn't the point.
I was addressing this idea that the Packers, Bears, Cowboys, Redskins, Colts and Chargers aren't great examples of what this team should be thinking and doing.

We signed a WR and a player at a position where we really didn't need help.
I like both signings. I'm just saying.

Darling and Williams:

young? check.

inexpensive? check.

upside? check.

:hmmm:

[Micjones]

Darling and Williams:

young? check.

inexpensive? check.

upside? check.

:hmmm:

Williams? Yes... (But where on our list of priorities does he really come in?)
Darling, not so much...
I'm hopeful that'll he'll develop into something more than what he's been in Baltimore, but the harsh reality is that he has 331 Receiving yards in 4 NFL seasons.

[htismaqe]

Williams? Yes... (But where on our list of priorities does he really come in?)
Darling, not so much...
I'm hopeful that'll he'll develop into something more than what he's been in Baltimore, but the harsh reality is that he has 331 Receiving yards in 4 NFL seasons.

About the same as some of the other guys bandied about around here...

Why don't you just cut to the chase and tell everybody the truth. The Chiefs have signed the EXACT type of players you CLAIMED to be wanting, yet you're still bitching...

[Micjones]

About the same as some of the other guys bandied about around here...

Most of the Receivers being bandied about are much more established than Darling.
Carter, Johnson, Hackett, Gaffney, Lloyd (on down the line)...

Why don't you just cut to the chase and tell everybody the truth. The Chiefs have signed the EXACT type of players you CLAIMED to be wanting, yet you're still bitching...

Cute.
That's what you'd like the forum to believe. Unfortunately it's untrue.

Darling doesn't exactly fit the profile.
Williams does, but he plays a position where we have answers.

The Chiefs biggest problems... STILL haven't been addressed.
Nice try though.

[htismaqe]

Darling doesn't exactly fit the profile.

He doesn't? ROFL

Williams does, but he plays a position where we have answers.

Donnie Edwards is 35 and Nap sucks. We have more questions than answers.

The Chiefs biggest problems... STILL haven't been addressed.
Nice try though.

There's STILL a draft. Nice try though.

[kcchiefsus]

He doesn't? ROFL



Donnie Edwards is 35 and Nap sucks. We have more questions than answers.



There's STILL a draft. Nice try though.

And we STILL have just about as many needs as we have draft picks. Sure hope we suddenly became good at drafting over night because we are going to have to hit on just about every one of our picks.

[ChiefsCountry]

Darling is exactly the type of free agents we should be bringing in.

[Micjones]

He doesn't? ROFL

No, he doesn't.
He's a four year player with a total of 331 Receiving yards.
Again, curb your enthusiasm. He's a lot less established than Wide Receivers I suggested this team take a look at. Wide Receivers you scoffed at. Wide Receivers you said were no more established than Jeff Webb.

Donnie Edwards is 35 and Nap sucks.

Donnie Edwards is going to play 1-2 more seasons in Kansas City.
He's still productive.

Napolean Harris is not as bad as some of you think.
Your expectations of him playing in a Cover 2 with God awful Defensive Tackle play is ridiculous. When we were getting solid DT play he succeeded in this system. Once Boone wore down from more reps than he should've taken ALL 3 Linebackers were effected. Harris was most effected by poor Defensive Tackle play though.

It should be noted that DeMorrio Williams DOES NOT play in the middle.

There's STILL a draft. Nice try though.

The article and topic was Free Agency.
Try to keep up will ya?

[Skyy God]

The best thing I learned as the result of that article? Travis LeBoy's middle name is Jordache.

[veist]

No, he doesn't.
He's a four year player with a total of 331 Receiving yards.

He was also playing for a team with Steve "I can't throw more than 5-yards" McNair as their QB. I mean last year their passing game basically consisted of "throw dump off to Mason."

[Micjones]

He was also playing for a team with Steve "I can't throw more than 5-yards" McNair as their QB. I mean last year their passing game basically consisted of "throw dump off to Mason."

He hasn't had great Quarterback play there. I get that.
But the Ravens don't exactly have Jerry Rice and John Taylor split wide either.

Again, I LIKE the Darling signing.
I just think he's a lower profile signing than I alluded to previously.

[Hydrae]

Williams was signed to replace Fox. I suppose you can say that Darling is taking Parker's spot. So while neither of these signings did anything to address needs we saw during the season, they did fill new roster needs that have developed in the offseason. We are just holding our own for now. How this will work out in the long run, we will see.

[htismaqe]

Napolean Harris is not as bad as some of you think.
Your expectations of him playing in a Cover 2 with God awful Defensive Tackle play is ridiculous. When we were getting solid DT play he succeeded in this system. Once Boone wore down from more reps than he should've taken ALL 3 Linebackers were effected. Harris was most effected by poor Defensive Tackle play though.

So now we need a DT, too. :hmmm:

[htismaqe]

The article and topic was Free Agency.
Try to keep up will ya?

Because free agency is the only way to fill the gaps, right?

[Fish]

Five of those teams were in the playoffs...
Good to know that we can conduct business like playoff teams would.
The one who wasn't (Chicago) has since signed two Free Agents.
:rolleyes:

We're conducting business just like those teams did when they were losing lots of games and rebulding......

If we were 2 or 3 good players away from a championship run like those teams, it would be a whole different story.

[Micjones]

Because free agency is the only way to fill the gaps, right?

No sir it's not but please try to stay on topic.

[Micjones]

We're conducting business just like those teams did when they were losing lots of games and rebulding......

Actually, no we're not...
I've illustrated that three times in this forum.
With the Giants alone.

[htismaqe]

Actually, no we're not...
I've illustrated that three times in this forum.
With the Giants alone.

ROFL

The year that the Giants went 4-12, the year that they were in the position we are in now, they signed THREE free agents in the month of March. And 2 of them came with injury risks and never finished their contracts.

You keep running from the facts but you can't hide.