Best and Worst FA Signings of 2006

[AvengerRam]

Here are my lists:

Best Signings

1. Drew Brees, QB, Saints
Saints gambled and won. Dolphins also considered Brees, and may have had the inside track to sign him, but opted to trade for Duante Culpepper (oops!).

2. Julian Peterson, LB, Seahawks
Another gamble, as Peterson's production had declined following injury in 2004, but he regained his status as an impact player with 89 tackles and 10 sacks.

3. Trevor Pryce, DE, Ravens
Guess he wasn't done after all (13 sacks). Wish the Rams had given him a look

4. Chester Taylor, RB, Vikings
Lived up to promise demonstrated in Baltimore by rushing for 1,200 yards in first year as a starter.

5. Will Witherspoon, LB, Rams
One of the few bright spots on the Rams' defense, lead team with 113 tackles and added 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 8 passes defended.

6. Steve Hutchinson, OG, Vikings
Was the Pro Bowl performer he was signed to be, but still have to question the high price tag.

7. Jeff Garcia, QB, Eagles
Only played part of the season, but did so in an inspired way in leading Eagles to the playoffs.

8. Ricky Manning, Jr., CB, Bears
Did a good job for the Bears, recording 53 tackles, 5 interceptions and 2 sacks.

9. Scott Shanle, LB, Saints
Former Ram draftee signed off the scrap-heap after 3 years in Dallas was a great value signing with 97 tackes and 4 sacks.

10. Ryan Pickett, DT, Packers
Another former Ram. Lived up to his promise (64 tackes, 4 passes defended).

Worst Signings

1. Adam Archuleta, SS, Redskins
Biggest contract ever for a safety - benched by the end of the season. Only in Snyderland.

2. Edgerrin James, RB, Cardinals
They really would have been better off spending their money on a couple of offensive linemen.

3. Nate Burleson, WR, Seahawks
Hawks tried to pay back Vikings for signing away Hutchinson, and ended up with an overpriced, underperforming WR.

4. Darren Howard, DE, Eagles
A hot commodity in the offseason didn't produce as expected (35 tackles, 5 sacks).

5. Terrell Owens, WR, Cowboys
His disruptions and negative attention aside, his productivity is somewhat like an NBA player who scores 25 per game, but shoots 35% from the field.

[r8rh8rmike]

Can't argue with much on your lists Av with the exception of Nate Burleson. He was indeed a non-factor at receiver, but more than proved his worth by coming up big as an explosive return man on both kickoffs and punts.

[Bar-bq]

Originally Posted by r8rh8rmike

Can't argue with much on your lists Av with the exception of Nate Burleson. He was indeed a non-factor at receiver, but more than proved his worth by coming up big as an explosive return man on both kickoffs and punts.

So the Hawks paid the underachieving Burleson the same massive salary as Hutchinson, a perennial pro bowler, just so he could come in and return kicks? Okay, he scorched us on the 90-yarder. But it must be a little difficult for the Hawks to swallow knowing that they have all that money inverted in a guy who may be the 5th reviever by the start of next season (Jackson, Branch, Engram and DJ Hackett- who was very very impressive.)

Imagine if Dante Hall, Jerome Mathis or Bethel Johnson made that much for doing what they do?

[r8rh8rmike]

Originally Posted by Bar-bq

So the Hawks paid the underachieving Burleson the same massive salary as Hutchinson, a perennial pro bowler, just so he could come in and return kicks? Okay, he scorched us on the 90-yarder. But it must be a little difficult for the Hawks to swallow knowing that they have all that money inverted in a guy who may be the 5th reviever by the start of next season (Jackson, Branch, Engram and DJ Hackett- who was very very impressive.)

Imagine if Dante Hall, Jerome Mathis or Bethel Johnson made that much for doing what they do?

Those are fair points, but the two contracts are no where near comparable, especially in guaranteed money. Huchinson received 16 million to Burleson's 5.25, plus Burleson's contract is structured so it most likely will be redone in a few years.

That said, I would agree that considering the current situation, saying Buleson has "more than proved his worth" was probably ill advised.

[Nick]

Originally Posted by Bar-bq

So the Hawks paid the underachieving Burleson the same massive salary as Hutchinson, a perennial pro bowler

The 'Hawks were making a statement with their contract, and aren't giving up much money at all to do so. As RW has already pointed out, Burleson is getting much less guaranteed money (only $5.25 million guaranteed), and the big salaries of the contract don't kick in until 2010, at which point he'll either restructure or be cut and Seattle doesn't pay it. In fact, while the total contract is worth $49 million, Burleson won't see $34.5 million of it. Essentially, he's playing on a four-year deal worth $14.5 million.

[tomahawk247]

Scott Shanle, i cant believe how well he has played for the saints

another wasted draft pick for us

[HUbison]

Originally Posted by tomahawk247

Scott Shanle, i cant believe how well he has played for the saints

another wasted draft pick for us

Don't sweat it, tomahawk. We (and every fan of every other team) could go crazy looking at wasted draft picks. Besides, Shanle tested positive for steroids earlier in his career, and I thought we were against that kind of thing (Merriman thread).

[AvengerRam]

Originally Posted by Nick

The 'Hawks were making a statement with their contract, and aren't giving up much money at all to do so. As RW has already pointed out, Burleson is getting much less guaranteed money (only $5.25 million guaranteed), and the big salaries of the contract don't kick in until 2010, at which point he'll either restructure or be cut and Seattle doesn't pay it. In fact, while the total contract is worth $49 million, Burleson won't see $34.5 million of it. Essentially, he's playing on a four-year deal worth $14.5 million.

All of that is true, but that is still way more than a player with 18 receptions, a 24.5 yard kick return average and a 9.5 yard punt return average is worth.

[tomahawk247]

Originally Posted by HUbison

Don't sweat it, tomahawk. We (and every fan of every other team) could go crazy looking at wasted draft picks. Besides, Shanle tested positive for steroids earlier in his career, and I thought we were against that kind of thing (Merriman thread).

I didnt realise about the positive drugs test. Im not too bothered about it now. Besides, it took him about 4 years to do anything

[BigDaddyPace]

The Archuleta contract may have been the worst signing I have ever heard of. The only reason that guy ever looked good was becuase Lovey was calling the plays and he was on the field with Aeneus Williams.

[81~BIG-GAME]

Archuleta was never good in pass-coverage add that to his back problems and poor technique in tackling,and you have a very average player on far from average wages.Typical Redskins...:l