NFL free-agency

(above) Browns new center Lecharles Bentley.



The NFL free-agency period is heating up and there are already some clear-cut winners, loser’s, and head scratches.

The Strange: The Arizona Cardinals signed former Colts running back Edgerine James to a lucrative 4-year deal, but is it a good idea? I’m not doubting the talents of ‘Edge’ or his appeal on the open market, but Arizona just used a high first round draft pick on running back JJ. Arrington. This is a little bit of a quick hook, for a top ten pick RB. This is also the age of the salary cap, and I don’t see how a team with many needs on offensive and defensive line can possibly spend big dollars on two running backs. Maybe Arrington could make yards if he had holes to run through.

I know Washington is trying desperately to sign everyone who ever played the game of football, but I think they will be sorely disappointed with the services of former Patriots tight end Christian Fauria. Fauria was excellent for New England IN HIS ROLE, as a leading man, I just don’t know. Fauria was used in the red-zone with great success but the Patriots used other tight ends for the majority of the football field. Deep seem patterns, and perimeter work was done by Daniel Graham, and Ben Watson.

The Redskins also have the third most confusing move of the off-season by inking Antwaan Randle El to a contract worth almost 30 million dollars!! I know Randle El is a good return man, and serves as a double threat guy, but for that kind of money you can sign a bona fide number one threat at WR. For god’s sake lets not forget that Randle El has been making his name by playing opposite of Hines Ward, one of the very best players in all of football.

The Lions signed former Cowboys tight end Dan Campbell, he is an excellent all purpose TE, but the Lions just signed Marcus Pollard last season. Pollard is among the best receiving threats at TE’s in the game, and for a team with lots of (potentially great) receivers this seems a suspicious move. You only get one football per down.

The Rams were looking for help in pass coverage, but instead turned to former Vikings defensive back Corey Chavous. Chavous is among the most overrated players in all of football having anchored one of the NFL’s most consistently horrible pass defenses in Minnesota. I know it takes more than one man to make a pass-D good (or reasonable) but this also speaks to Chavous’s leadership skills, having no considerable improvement of his teammates throughout his stay in Minny.

The Best: The Lions landed former Bengal’s QB John Kitna. Kitna is both an experienced quarterback with talent, but he is also an untapped commodity. He hasn’t played much recently, and hasn’t taken a lot of punishment. If the Lions have drafted the right receivers, they’ll know for sure when Kitna plays.

The Vikings signed Ravens runner Chester Taylor. Taylor is a good strong every down runner, with above average explosiveness. If the Vikings want to have a ground game, and start to mask their bad defense a little bit, than this is guy for the job.

The New Orleans Saints landed Drew Brees. This is the player that could potentially tap into the talent ridden, underachieving offensive unit that is the Saints. If Joe Horn and Deuce McAllister still have legs, then Brees will make that train run. Although I think this is one of the best moves that have been made, I also think that the Saints have already wasted far too much time on the erratic Aaron Brooks.

The New York Giants get a four star rating for the pick-up of Lions corner back R.W. McQuarters. R.W. is a big time nickel back, and punt return man who has shown time after time the propensity to make game changing plays. When R.W gets an interception or a big return, the end zone is inevitable. McQuarters could still be an above average starting CB, but as a nickel man there aren’t many number three receivers that I would take in coverage over McQuarters.


The Rams made a nice deal with defensive lineman La’Roi Glover. Glover can still be an effective interior pass rusher, which is a hot commodity in today’s NFL. There are very few teams who have effective rushers from their interior two, ask Tampa Bay how important that was during their super bowl run.

The Redskins made a plethora of moves, but only two of the are good ones. The skins did pick up value with Andre Carter, and Adam Archuleta. Carter is a superb pass rusher at DE and not a bad player against the run either. If Carter didn’t play for San Francisco he would probably already have been to a couple of pro-bowls. Archuleta is one of those players who are consistently good, he may not be the same explosive playmaker he once was, but he will never be seen getting beat badly or making bonehead plays. These are two players who can best be described as solid, on a defensive built on the team concept it seems a perfect fit.

The Dolphins had a pretty darn good period so far in their two pick-ups. QB Daunte culpepper will be the happiest man in south Florida when he sees his offensive teammates. Marty Booker, Chris Chambers, and Randy Mcmichael easily make one of the most imposing three headed receiving cores in the national football league, and oh yes, there is a devastating one two punch running attack. Culpepper is a true talent and has long been maligned under some bad systems, and one of the dumbest head coaches in recent memory. Under Miami’s top notch coaching staff, Daunte will rekindle his knack for top-flight play. Culpepper will also have a new tackle for protection in former Brown L.J. Shelton.

The Titans picked up one of the very best offensive lineman in all of football in center Kevin Mawae. Mawae’s leadership skills will be invaluable to an offensive as young as
The Titans.

The bad: The Jets picked up Steelers lineman Kimo Van Oelhoffen to bolster their pass rush, but the departure of center Kevin Mawae hurts their pass protection. For a team with a very delicate QB situation, I question this trade off.

The 49er’s picked up Antonio Bryant at wide receiver, I usually am a fan of Bryant, but not when you part ways with Brandon Lloyd. Lloyds may be one of the best-kept secrets in all of football, a gifted wide out with great talent. Last year Lloyd was having a true break out season until the 49er’s turned to their rookie quarterback.

The Ravens parted ways with Chester Taylor in favor of Mike Anderson. I love Mike Anderson but it’s so darn hard to judge a RB in the Denver system, the Bronco’s turn out pro-bowl running backs at an alarming rate. Taylor was a know commodity to Baltimore, and they would have been better served bringing him back.

The very biggest winners: It has been a long time since I have seen an organization go from utter stupidity to pure genius overnight. I suppose its time to give Romeo Crennel his due; he has most certainly had a positive impact of this organization and is about to rejuvenate Cleveland football. The Cleveland Browns are coming away from free agency with some very skillful signings, in players that will allow them to compete right away. Center Lecharles Bentley and defensive tackle Ted Washington will do the two things that make teams win football games. Run the football, and stop the run. Even at Big Ted’s age, he still commands a double team, and will make instant stars out of the Cleveland linebackers who wont have to worry about eating so many blocks. Bentley on the offensive side of the ball is a talented run blocker, and leader in pass protection. The Browns also got wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, a wide out that adds guts, leadership, and heart to a young offense. Jurevicius can add those critical tough catches on third down, you don’t always think about players like Joe but ask Seattle how many touchdown drives happened because Jurevicius made a crucial conversion on a third and long.