Today, The Daily Hat Trick offers some rapid fire commentary on some of the higher impact moves in free agency and offseason transactions.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Kevin Kolb, QB, acquired via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles – Arizona went from division champion and defending conference champion in 2009 to cellar dweller (in a division with a 7-9 team as its champion) in large part due to future Hall of Fame candidate quarterback Kurt Warner’s retirement. The acquisition of Kolb makes the Cards front runners in the NFC West, again.
Hat Trick Grade: B+
 |
| At long last, the Kevin Kolb question has been answered. Here is another question: does it look like Kolb is doing the Dougie? |
CAROLINA PANTHERS
DeAngelo Williams, RB, retained unrestricted free agent – The Panthers had a ton of cap space and, in spite of a terrible season last year, there are a handful of outstanding players on the team. Williams is one of them. With fellow workhorse RB Jonathan Stewart still under contract, I was positively surprised to see the Panthers make a serious investment in themselves by retaining a standout player. Not all teams in rebuilding mode are as willing to do so.
Hat Trick Grade: A
Charles Johnson, DE, retained unrestricted free agent – To paraphrase USC running back Marc Tyler, “Carolina! They breaking bread!”
In an interview on ESPN Radio, yesterday, I heard Johnson say that the Panthers told him that they would “come at me hard” in contract negotiations, but that he did not expect the initial offer to be as lucrative as it was (6 years, $72 million). The Panthers may be down, but they clearly don’t plan on staying down for long.
Hat Trick Grade: A
 |
| Charles Johnson: living Marc Tyler's dream! 2 |
CHICAGO BEARS
Roy Williams, WR, agreed to terms after being released by the Dallas Cowboys – Roy Williams was not the franchise receiver (though was paid franchise money) in Dallas, as many had hoped. He is still a talented and productive receiver. The Chicago Bears receiving corps, collectively, was one of the corps that most needed improvement in the offseason. Like one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, one team’s bust could be another team’s hope.
Hat Trick Grade: B
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Reggie Bush, RB, acquired via trade with the New Orleans Saints – This one hits home with me because, of course, it affects my New Orleans Saints. Bush signed a two year, $10 million deal. While a number of details are not available, it appears that Bush was offered a similar or possibly a slightly more favorable deal by the Saints. However, Bush gets to be a big fish (or dolphin) in a small pond in Miami. By taking his talents to South Beach, playing on a team void of signed talent in the offensive backfield (RBs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams remain unsigned unrestricted free agents), and playing in a huge media market, Bush has an opportunity to be something he probably could not have been in New Orleans: a marketable superstar…”the man” on his team.
Still, the Dolphins are a team in need of an offensive identity. When Bush was in New Orleans, that identity was crystal clear. Saints Head Coach Sean Payton had a blueprint to effectively utilize Bush’s unique skill set. I am just an observer, but I don’t see that, yet, in Miami.
On a more personal note, I am very disappointed that he is leaving but I will still be rooting for him unless the Saints meet the Dolphins in the Super Bowl. If you are from Louisiana, you know what the Saints Super Bowl championship season of 2009 meant and means to its fans. Bush was an integral part of that season. He was an integral part of the Saints’ return to contention, in general. He was an integral part of the community of New Orleans and the surrounding area returning closer to normalcy after Hurricane Katrina, and he was very involved in giving back to the community. He will always be a Saint, as far as I am concerned. Football is a business, but his perpetual connection to the Saints and their fans is personal.
Hat Trick Grade: C
 |
| I guess Dolphins Head Coach Tony Sporano saw all he needed to see in 2009. 3 |
Matt Moore, QB, acquired via free agency from the Carolina Panthers – The Dolphins were not sold on Chad Henne in the long term. That I understand. Signing a man whose passer rating was 55.6 and was benched for Jimmy Clausen, who himself is in danger of being jettisoned by a rookie is something I will never understand. According to ESPN, Moore signed for $5 million over 2 years, which is almost minimum wage for a veteran starting quarterback.
Hat Trick Grade: D-
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Donovan McNabb, QB, acquired via trade with the Washington Redskins – While I would like to see McNabb perform in a few games and look somewhat like the McNabb from 2009 and prior, I think the Vikings, who were “unbeaten in regulation” in the 2009 NFC Championship Game, may have put themselves right back into contention by acquiring the future Hall of Fame nominee. The situation in Washington last season was so dysfunctional that I think it is an unreliable predictor of McNabb’s future performance.
Hat Trick Grade: B
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Chad Ochocinco, WR, acquired via trade with the Cincinnati Bengals – After the trade of wide receiver Randy Moss last season, the Pats had a dire need for an elite wide receiver. They got it in Ochocinco. Casual fans of the game could be quick to place Ocho in the “diva receiver” or “problem player” category. Ochocinco is a shameless self-promoter, and I am 100% behind him on that front. I think he and his (harmless) antics are fun and good for the game. From everything I have heard he is an ideal teammate with a second-to-none work ethic. His potential, in games on the field, speaks for itself.
Hat Trick Grade: A
 |
| The guy on the left is still available. If the Patriots land that guy, or bring back Randy Moss...OH...MY...GOD! 4 |
Albert Haynesworth, DT, acquired via trade with the Washington Redskins – I am no fan of Fat Albert’s character. He has had issues off of the field that are extremely unfavorable to his image. He has had incidents on the field that reflect negatively on NFL players. He has had incidents in the proverbial locker room, more specifically with his coaches, which are destructive to a team. By all accounts I have heard and read his work ethic can be abysmal when he is not motivated.
The man is a freak who can bust through lines, manhandle guards and centers, and crush running backs at will. Those darn Patriots...! The rich keep getting richer.
Hat Trick Grade: B
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Darren Sproles, RB, acquired via free agency from the San Diego Chargers – Darren Sproles was signed to a four year deal by the Saints to mitigate some of the loss of versatility of the offense by the trade of Reggie Bush to the Dolphins. Bush offered multiple dimensions: running the ball, receiving out of the backfield, lining up in the slot as a wide receiver, punt returning and kickoff returning.
Except for lining up in the slot, Sproles will help replace a significant portion of the threat that Bush posed using each of those skill sets. In fact, Sproles averages 4.6 yards per carry in his career, as opposed to 4.0 YPC for Bush. So the Saints may have gained some more consistency, if not potency, in its ground game.
Hat Trick Grade: B
NEW YORK GIANTS
Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, retained unrestricted free agent – Beastly defensive lineman…no doubter…no brainer.
Hat Trick Grade: A
NEW YORK JETS
Santonio Holmes, WR, retained unrestricted free agent – Holmes was “1” and “1a” with Oakland Raiders free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha as the most coveted free agents available. The Jets, wisely, made the choice to show Holmes the money. This move was critical to the Jets making at run at a third consecutive AFC Championship Game appearance and keeping up in the arms race with the New England Patriots.
On a side note, while I will believe it when I finally see it, the consensus in the sports media rumor mill is that Asomugha is most likely to go to the Jets. If that happens, opposing coaches can say, “Yo homes! Smell ya later!” to their passing attacks when they face the Jets.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Vincent Jackson, WR, franchise tag applied - Leverage is a wonderful thing to he who possesses it. Jackson held out for much of last season in an attempt to secure a contract extension from the Chargers. The Chargers stood their ground, however, they probably cut through any potential drama in 2011 by applying the “franchise” tag to Jackson, ensuring that the Chargers have the first right of refusal in any negotiations with Jackson and assuring Jackson of one of, if not the, highest salaries in the NFL at the wideout position.
Jackson held the leverage in negotiations with the Chargers because he is the only consistent big play threat they have at that position. However, Jackson, while one of the better receivers in the league is, at best, on the borderline of being one of the elite receivers in the NFL, definitely in the top 15; an argument could be made for top 10. Jackson’s 2011 salary, at the lowest, will be an average of the top 5.
Hat Trick Grade: B-
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Alex Smith, QB, retained unrestricted free agent – Expressions like “throwing good money after bad” and “the definition of ‘insanity’ is to repeat the same actions and expect different results” come to mind. Smith was the first pick in the 2005 draft. He has shown moments when he could live up to his high expectations and the 49ers have stuck with Smith through thick and thin.
While the quarterback position is the ultimate “late bloomer” position in sports, if some of that blooming has not taken place by year five, it probably never will. Smith is entering his seventh year. With other players available in free agency and the trading block, the 49ers could have pursued other options, but gave Smith one more chance.
Hat Trick Grade: D+
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Robert Gallery, G, acquired via free agency from the Oakland Raiders - The second pick in the 2004 draft may have found a niche at the left guard position. This is a moderate risk-potential high reward move for the Seahawks. The best indicator of the effectiveness of this move may be the number of big gain runs running back Marshawn Lynch has to the left side in 2011.
Hat Trick Grade: C
Tarvaris Jackson, QB, acquired via free agency from the Minnesota Vikings – Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? What in the world were the Seahawks thinking when they chose to not negotiate with Matt Hasselbeck, a longtime veteran who took the team to the Super Bowl and led them to a stunning upset win over the then-defending Super Bowl champion Saints, and sign Jackson, who has demonstrated no more than the potential to be an upper tier backup quarterback, thus far in his career?
Why not either bring in a former three time Pro Bowler and proven starter, even if he is on the downside of his career, or allow Charlie Whitehurst, Hasselbeck’s backup in 2010 who showed some flashes of potential late in the season, to compete for the starting job? This would have at least saved the money invested in Jackson for another need, with the same probable output.
Hat Trick Grade: D
 |
| Why? 5 |
Hat Trick Grade: A-
 |
| Why NOT? 5 |
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, acquired via free agency from the Seattle Seahawks - The Titans drafter Jake Locker out of the University of Washington in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft to be the quarterback of the future. Given the absence of offseason Organized Team Activities, the extremely abbreviated training camp, and Locker’s lack of NFL experience, the Titans had to be concerned with the present. Bringing Hasselbeck to Tennessee will give the Titans an experienced, competent veteran presence under center while Locker is groomed for the full-time position in the future.
Hat Trick Grade: C
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Kellen Clemens, QB, acquired via free agency from the New York Jets – On HBOs “Hard Knocks” we saw the Jets front office ask Clemens to take a pay cut to the league minimum because he was being demoted to the third string backup quarterback position, behind veteran Mark Brunell. Clemens was told to strive to be a #2 QB and that “twos” made very handsome salaries in the NFL. I had no idea Clemens would have a legitimate shot to be a “one” just a year later.
At the moment, the Redskins roster consists of Clemens, John Beck, and undrafted rookie Ben Chappell out of the University of Indiana. Most teams only carry three quarterbacks on their roster. Clemens was the last to sign, meaning that, at the time of Clemens’ signing, the Redskins, barring another signing, will open the season with Clemens, Beck, or Chappell. Clemens was either considered an upgrade or the Skins thought Beck was the best option and needed a backup. I doubt that even the Redskins would attempt to start Chappell.
Hat Trick Grade: F
 |
| Someone told Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder this was a good idea. 7 |
Hat Trick Grade: A
Dontè Stallworth, WR, acquired via free agency from the Baltimore Ravens – Donté Stallworth, even entering his tenth season, can still make big plays. He is a viable deep threat and knows how to get into the end zone. He will be an asset to a passing game in which the quarterback will need all of the help that they can get!
Hat Trick Grade: B
Don’t forget to vote in the fan polls!
To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.
1) Image from phillysportslive.com
2) Image from webpronews.com
3) Image from egotvonlne.com
4) Image from bleacherreport.com
5) Image from daylife.com
6) Image from nflgridirongrab.com
7) Image from garciamedialife.com
No comments:
Post a Comment