It's been a while, but the wheel of free agency has slowed a bit. Let's not waste any time!
Nnamdi Asomugha: Once again, the really really good teams bring in top free agent talent for cheap and with little risk. Asomugha clearly didn't fit the scheme in Philly and while the seeming lack of effort is somewhat bothersome, his talent is undeniable. He's not a physical as Charles Woodson or as talented, but he's not far off. If there's one weakness in the Niners roster it's the fact that their secondary isn't all that young or great in coverage. Asomugha likely won't make another pro bowl, but he's savvy and looking to prove he's still an elite player. Great signing.
Antoine Winfield: Winfield has been one of my favorite players for years. He's tenacious, has an extremely high football IQ, and is a tackling machine. The Seahawks and Niners are clearly engaged in a ever-escalating battle of somewhat subtle, but impactful moves that should make for at least two very competitive games in 2013. Winfield likely only plays for one year, but he brings a tremendous professionalism to one of the best secondaries in the league. Keep an eye on how Winfield is received by Richard Sherman, Seattle's most outspoken, and in my opinion brash, player. If you watch ESPN's First Take you know how Sherman can let people who shouldn't bother him bother him, which I think hints at a systemic immaturity on a T.O. or Ochocinco level. Winfield's not a perennial all-pro, but he's had a better carrier than 98% of DBs ever. Sherman doesn't have to take advantage of Winfield's experience and example, but if wants to better than Revis for more than just one year then he needs to take advantage of this opportunity. Great signing by the Seahawks.
Carson Palmer: When the draft doesn't offer you an opportunity to get "your guy" at the QB position the next best thing is signing a guy like Carson Palmer. I'm going to talk about player types in an upcoming post, but let me preview the subject a bit by saying that Palmer is not a team transcendent talent; meaning he's the type of player that is only very good to great when he has the right supporting cast. No QB can do it all, but at no point in his career has Carson Palmer been capable of doing what Andrew Luck did last year. That being said, Palmer still managed to throw for 4000 yards and 22tds with the Raiders' receivers (who led the league in drops I believe). Now Palmer has the 1st or 2nd best receiver in the game to throw to in Larry Fitzgerald. The worry is if the o-line can keep Palmer upright long enough to throw to the future hall-of-famer. But more so than completing throws this next season the Cardinals have stabilized their most volatile position and will be able to focus on building an o-line for their future franchise QB (who's not yet on the roster). Slam dunk!
Darrius Heyward-Bey: For about two decades Al Davis failed to realize that the NFL wasn't college football. His refusal to realize that physical talent in shorts mattered far less than football skills in pads is why this franchise will likely go through another GM and maybe several head coaches before they right the ship. Heyward-Bey was selected before Michael Crabtree in the 2009 draft in a move that had everyone scratching their heads. Heyward-Bey's speed is obvious, but so was the fact that he is a body catcher and that he didn't run crisp routes. To make matters worse, the Raiders coaching staff doesn't seem to have made much progress teaching Heyward-Bey the finer points of the game. I think this says more about the Raiders organization than it does Heyward-Bey. Luckily he has just signed with a truly professional organization and a QB I consider the best young player in the game. We're going to find out very quickly Heyward-Bey's potential in this league. I'm thinking Torrey Smith level at best, which is pretty damn good, but then again, maybe he's just not that good.
Patrick Chung/Kenny Phillips: I list these two together because if they can stay healthy then the Eagles will have made a fantastic move here. Phillips is one of the most talented safeties to come out of Miami, but has always been a health risk. Chung was not as heralded, but is flat out scary when he's on the field. I'd not be too optimistic that two vets with a fairly long history of being out can put it together, but look out if they can!
Rolando McClain: Boom or bust signing, emphasis on the boom! McClain was a highly rated prospect coming out of Alabama and I would argue the best middle linebacker prospect they've had since Ryans came out and was drafted by the Texans. McClain has flashed at times, but clearly didn't mesh with the culture in Oakland. The question is how much of that was his immaturity and how much was the fact that the Raiders were (and still are to some degree) a bad organization. We're going to find out now that he has signed with one of the best organizations in football. I really hope McClain reaches out to Ray Lewis and that Lewis is willing to work with him, because I think he (McClain) can be great, I'm talking all-pro for the next 5 years great. He's going to have to un-learn some bad habits, but that process will be no easier than in Baltimore. Like his former Raider teammate, we're going to know very quickly if McClain can resurrect his career. This guy should lead the AFC in tackles. If he's not starting and dominating by week 10 then I'm afraid he's probably never going to be what I think he is.
Ryan Fitzpatrick: I think the Titan's franchise QB is not on the roster and the signing of Fitzpatrick doesn't change that. His signing does however, somewhat fill the gapping hole left by Matt Hasselbeck's departure to the Colts. The jury is still out on Jake Locker and unless the Titans make spectacular moves in the draft on the offensive side of the ball they'll be looking for another franchise QB. If that happens then the Titans are prepared for it as Fitzpatrick will be cheap and likely has no delusions about his limitations. Moreover, if Locker gets hurt the Titans won't experience a sharp drop off in talent. Nice save after losing Hasselbeck.
That's likely to be all about free agency for a while. Next I think I'll turn my focus to the draft and discuss some prospects and team needs. Stay tuned!
Nnamdi Asomugha: Once again, the really really good teams bring in top free agent talent for cheap and with little risk. Asomugha clearly didn't fit the scheme in Philly and while the seeming lack of effort is somewhat bothersome, his talent is undeniable. He's not a physical as Charles Woodson or as talented, but he's not far off. If there's one weakness in the Niners roster it's the fact that their secondary isn't all that young or great in coverage. Asomugha likely won't make another pro bowl, but he's savvy and looking to prove he's still an elite player. Great signing.
Antoine Winfield: Winfield has been one of my favorite players for years. He's tenacious, has an extremely high football IQ, and is a tackling machine. The Seahawks and Niners are clearly engaged in a ever-escalating battle of somewhat subtle, but impactful moves that should make for at least two very competitive games in 2013. Winfield likely only plays for one year, but he brings a tremendous professionalism to one of the best secondaries in the league. Keep an eye on how Winfield is received by Richard Sherman, Seattle's most outspoken, and in my opinion brash, player. If you watch ESPN's First Take you know how Sherman can let people who shouldn't bother him bother him, which I think hints at a systemic immaturity on a T.O. or Ochocinco level. Winfield's not a perennial all-pro, but he's had a better carrier than 98% of DBs ever. Sherman doesn't have to take advantage of Winfield's experience and example, but if wants to better than Revis for more than just one year then he needs to take advantage of this opportunity. Great signing by the Seahawks.
Carson Palmer: When the draft doesn't offer you an opportunity to get "your guy" at the QB position the next best thing is signing a guy like Carson Palmer. I'm going to talk about player types in an upcoming post, but let me preview the subject a bit by saying that Palmer is not a team transcendent talent; meaning he's the type of player that is only very good to great when he has the right supporting cast. No QB can do it all, but at no point in his career has Carson Palmer been capable of doing what Andrew Luck did last year. That being said, Palmer still managed to throw for 4000 yards and 22tds with the Raiders' receivers (who led the league in drops I believe). Now Palmer has the 1st or 2nd best receiver in the game to throw to in Larry Fitzgerald. The worry is if the o-line can keep Palmer upright long enough to throw to the future hall-of-famer. But more so than completing throws this next season the Cardinals have stabilized their most volatile position and will be able to focus on building an o-line for their future franchise QB (who's not yet on the roster). Slam dunk!
Darrius Heyward-Bey: For about two decades Al Davis failed to realize that the NFL wasn't college football. His refusal to realize that physical talent in shorts mattered far less than football skills in pads is why this franchise will likely go through another GM and maybe several head coaches before they right the ship. Heyward-Bey was selected before Michael Crabtree in the 2009 draft in a move that had everyone scratching their heads. Heyward-Bey's speed is obvious, but so was the fact that he is a body catcher and that he didn't run crisp routes. To make matters worse, the Raiders coaching staff doesn't seem to have made much progress teaching Heyward-Bey the finer points of the game. I think this says more about the Raiders organization than it does Heyward-Bey. Luckily he has just signed with a truly professional organization and a QB I consider the best young player in the game. We're going to find out very quickly Heyward-Bey's potential in this league. I'm thinking Torrey Smith level at best, which is pretty damn good, but then again, maybe he's just not that good.
Patrick Chung/Kenny Phillips: I list these two together because if they can stay healthy then the Eagles will have made a fantastic move here. Phillips is one of the most talented safeties to come out of Miami, but has always been a health risk. Chung was not as heralded, but is flat out scary when he's on the field. I'd not be too optimistic that two vets with a fairly long history of being out can put it together, but look out if they can!
Rolando McClain: Boom or bust signing, emphasis on the boom! McClain was a highly rated prospect coming out of Alabama and I would argue the best middle linebacker prospect they've had since Ryans came out and was drafted by the Texans. McClain has flashed at times, but clearly didn't mesh with the culture in Oakland. The question is how much of that was his immaturity and how much was the fact that the Raiders were (and still are to some degree) a bad organization. We're going to find out now that he has signed with one of the best organizations in football. I really hope McClain reaches out to Ray Lewis and that Lewis is willing to work with him, because I think he (McClain) can be great, I'm talking all-pro for the next 5 years great. He's going to have to un-learn some bad habits, but that process will be no easier than in Baltimore. Like his former Raider teammate, we're going to know very quickly if McClain can resurrect his career. This guy should lead the AFC in tackles. If he's not starting and dominating by week 10 then I'm afraid he's probably never going to be what I think he is.
Ryan Fitzpatrick: I think the Titan's franchise QB is not on the roster and the signing of Fitzpatrick doesn't change that. His signing does however, somewhat fill the gapping hole left by Matt Hasselbeck's departure to the Colts. The jury is still out on Jake Locker and unless the Titans make spectacular moves in the draft on the offensive side of the ball they'll be looking for another franchise QB. If that happens then the Titans are prepared for it as Fitzpatrick will be cheap and likely has no delusions about his limitations. Moreover, if Locker gets hurt the Titans won't experience a sharp drop off in talent. Nice save after losing Hasselbeck.
That's likely to be all about free agency for a while. Next I think I'll turn my focus to the draft and discuss some prospects and team needs. Stay tuned!
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