Let's Go (Free Agent) Shopping!

Shopping for free agents in the NFL is not much different from shopping for groceries at the grocery store.  You must make your grocery list based on what you need, while keeping an eye out for great deals.  You want to avoid overpaying for something that you either don’t need or won’t be satisfied with.  You need to keep you eye out for dropping prices.  It is also essential that you stay away from flawed products that have disappointed in the past.  These are all keys to being a smart shopper in the NFL free agent market. 

So who in the league is getting the best bargains, and who is pulling a “Dan Snyder” and just buying  the shiniest new toy?  Well, that is a much more difficult question in the 2010 off-season than it has been in the past.  Even Dan Snyder has reeled it in a bit, and hired some expert shoppers in Bruce Allen and Mike Shannahan.  Despite speculation that an uncapped season would bring on a spending frenzy the likes we have never seen, NFL ball clubs are actually being more cautious with their financial decisions. 

The uncapped year has seen several teams cut high priced veterans to accelerate the guaranteed portions of their contracts to this year, so they are not as limited in their ability to sign players the following year.  Teams are also putting their guys on “lay away” by putting restricted free agent (RFA) tenders on any of their players whose contracts are up and have less than 6 accrued years in the NFL.  These tenders mean that teams have ultimate leverage because if another team wants to sign that player then they would have to give up a draft pick, and the tendering team doesn't feel the pressure to sign that player to a long term contract.  So you can essentially have that player play for half a season or a even a full season before you decide to pony up the rest of the money for your RFA (hence, lay away).  Either way, it seems that most NFL teams are saying and doing all the right things to improve their teams at this juncture.  Still, there have been some good moves and some bad moves, and now that the first week of free agency is coming to a close it is time to evaluate what the GMs and owners are doing.

Deal of the Week:  Best Free Agent Pick-up

Nominees: Nate Burleson (DET), Scott Fujita (CLE), Artis Hicks (WAS), Julius Peppers (CHI)

Winner: Nate Burleson

The Lions instantly upgraded their offense and their defense in free agency with the additions of Burleson, Corey Williams, and Kyle Vanden Bosch.  With a high draft pick they can get an instant contributor on defense (Ndamukong Suh, or Gerald McCoy) or one of the many offensive tackles to help protect their franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford.  Burleson is the best free agent move because he will immediately be able to take advantage of all the attention Calvin Johnson will get because he has sure hands and finally found some consistency last season.  Many question the 5 year-$25 million contract he received, but that’s about the amount a number two receiver would make.  Burleson should have a good season and the Lions should be much improved in a tough division.

Rotten apples: Worst Free Agent Pick-up

Nominees: Aaron Kampman (JAC), Karlos Dansby (MIA), Marlin Jackson (PHI), Antrell Rolle (NYG)

Winner: Karlos Dansby

This is no fault of Dansby because he is a very good player, but the Dolphins gave him the richest contract for an inside linebacker in NFL history. What? He will be a good player for Miami, but he is not going to turn the defense around.  Especially when you let highly valued leaders like Jason Taylor and Joey Porter walk uninhibited into free agency.  They are also losing Jason Ferguson for the first 8 games of the season and all of this spells trouble for the Dolphins.  In my opinion, this is one of the few teams that has seemed to regress since last season.  That is a difficult thing to say about a Bill Parcell’s led football team.

Hidden gem: Best Value Free Agent Available

Nominees: Darren Sharper, Ladanian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, Joey Porter, Justin Fargas

Winner: Darren Sharper

And it’s not even close.  Yes, I know the guy is 34 years old and just had minor knee surgery.  I also know that he is looking for a 2-3 year deal for significantly more money than he made last year.  But this guy is an instant upgrade to any secondary.  He increases your defensive I.Q. the second he stops on the field and is a coach in the defensive backfield.  He’s seen every quarterback, route combination, and scheme that a coach can think of and he has seen it at least 10 times.  He makes big plays, no, HUGE plays and he’s a threat to take it to the house every time he gets his hands on the ball.  He is a proven commodity and the last two seasons he has played on the two best teams in the NFC (Saints and Vikings).  If you are a team in the NFC looking to get a leg up on New Orleans or Minnesota (ahem...Cowboys), then it only makes sense to make a play for this wiley veteran. 

Brand name (but slightly irregular): Big name players to avoid

Nominees:  Tomlinson, Laverneous Coles, Terrell Owens, Jevon Kearse, Keith Bullock

Winner: Coles & Kearse

These may seem more obvious than the other choices, but someone will take a chance on these guys.  They are very far past their prime and haven’t shown good production in a few years, so one would not expect them to be suddenly revitalized.  The other 3 names I think are good players and will contribute wherever they go.  It will be interesting to see Bullock outside of Tennessee and playing in a different system. I think he has the most bust potential as a free agent pick-up, but still has a chance to make an impact.

Smart Shopper: Team Free Agency Award

Nominees: Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins

Winner: Chicago Bears

Despite the compliments I laid on the Lions earlier, another NFC North team has had the most explosive free agent period and that is the Bears.  Yes, they probably overpaid for players over the age of 30, but they did what they had to in a weaker free agent market. And let's not forget that this team pretty much gave up their whole draft to get Jay Cutler.  They still don't have an elite receiver, but the additions of Chester Taylor and Julius Peppers let's you know that they don't plan on falling too far behind the Packers and the Vikings.  If you can get consistent effort out of Peppers, and a healthy Brian Urlacher, this could be one fo the most formidable front sevens in the game.  And if you can put more emphasis on the run and get a few big plays of of Cutler and Devin Hester then you've got a playoff calibur team on your hands. 

The next few weeks of free agency will be a little bit watered down, but just as crucial to the building of a successful team.  There will definitely be some bargains out there and smart shoppers should keep tabs on who they think will most help their team.  A good draft supplemented by a productive free agent period could get a team to the Super Bowl.  Just ask Darren Sharper.