BAMAPHIN 22
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Personnel convictions are generally connected to a boatload of money. Before the bidding began, there was speculation there would be less spending without an extension to the collective bargaining agreement in place.
Well, after the first five days nothing could be further from the truth.
Here's a Week 1 breakdown of the transactions:
The best of moves
1. Dallas: Owner Jerry Jones didn't hesitate to spend his money, writing about $30 million on bonus checks when you count new QB Drew Bledsoe. I like ex-Browns cornerback Anthony Henry (17 interceptions in four seasons), and guard Marco Rivera is a tough hombre that Brett Favre will miss in Green Bay. Coach Bill Parcells might be too fond of DT Jason Ferguson, but he does fill a huge need. Henry will take some heat off of Terence Newman, who seemed overwhelmed at times last season. Dallas still needs a great defensive end, but where do you find them?
2. Carolina: Everyone's making a big deal out of losing WR WR Muhsin Muhammad, but he wasn't worth $11 million to them. They have Steve Smith (returning from injury) and Keary Colbert to keep Jake Delhomme happy. You can always draft a receiver, too. But they filled two huge needs with ex-Seattle cornerback Ken Lucas and guard Mike Wahle from the Packers. Wahle has the size and quickness to be a right tackle someday, too. Lucas is a very physical cornerback and an upgrade over anything the Panthers have. And with Michael Vick running wild over them, Lucas was a necessity. Good move.
3. New York Giants: This will come as a shock to Giants GM Ernie Accorsi, who still believes I don't give him enough credit for personnel decisions. But I like both of their free-agent pickups. Antonio Pierce had a breakout season at middle linebacker for the Redskins, the best defense in the land last season. Pierce is only 26 and cost a measly $6.5 million signing bonus. The Giants upgraded their team while worsening a division rival, always a good move. Also, Jets OT Kareem McKenzie fills a huge void on the offensive line, one that needs upgrading to protect young Mr. Manning. McKenzie may be talented enough to play left tackle, thus shifting Luke Petitgout to right tackle, where he's better suited. Either way, though, it's a win.
4. Cleveland: I like all their decisions thus far. They allowed QB Kelly Holcomb to leave once they knew they had Trent Dilfer signed up for less money. Sure, the move cost them the fourth-round pick they got for DT Gerard Warren, who may rank as one of the worst first-round flops ever. If the holdover players were ever going to respect new coach Romeo Crennel, Warren had to go. But the special move was acquiring Baltimore cornerback Gary Baxter for an $11 million signing bonus. Baxter was the best and toughest corner out there and he's ready to be a leader. Helps the Browns and really hurts the Ravens. Guard Joe Andruzzi from the champion Patriots brings toughness and character to the offensive line. Andruzzi isn't a great player, but he knows how to win. Punter Kyle Richardson is a positive if he can kick like he did during Baltimore's Super Bowl season.
5. Oakland: The Raiders score when you count the trade for Randy Moss. There are a lot of negative attachments to Moss, but you can't argue against the fact he had more receiving yards over his first seven seasons than Jerry Rice. He can score from anywhere. The Jets are ripping the Raiders for overpaying ($27 million) for backup running back LaMont Jordan. But the Raiders had no choice; they were desperate for a runner and Jordan has a lot of upside. And, if he's the next Priest Holmes, the deal will look like a steal some day. They better find some defense, though.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3443436
Well, after the first five days nothing could be further from the truth.
Here's a Week 1 breakdown of the transactions:
The best of moves
1. Dallas: Owner Jerry Jones didn't hesitate to spend his money, writing about $30 million on bonus checks when you count new QB Drew Bledsoe. I like ex-Browns cornerback Anthony Henry (17 interceptions in four seasons), and guard Marco Rivera is a tough hombre that Brett Favre will miss in Green Bay. Coach Bill Parcells might be too fond of DT Jason Ferguson, but he does fill a huge need. Henry will take some heat off of Terence Newman, who seemed overwhelmed at times last season. Dallas still needs a great defensive end, but where do you find them?
2. Carolina: Everyone's making a big deal out of losing WR WR Muhsin Muhammad, but he wasn't worth $11 million to them. They have Steve Smith (returning from injury) and Keary Colbert to keep Jake Delhomme happy. You can always draft a receiver, too. But they filled two huge needs with ex-Seattle cornerback Ken Lucas and guard Mike Wahle from the Packers. Wahle has the size and quickness to be a right tackle someday, too. Lucas is a very physical cornerback and an upgrade over anything the Panthers have. And with Michael Vick running wild over them, Lucas was a necessity. Good move.
3. New York Giants: This will come as a shock to Giants GM Ernie Accorsi, who still believes I don't give him enough credit for personnel decisions. But I like both of their free-agent pickups. Antonio Pierce had a breakout season at middle linebacker for the Redskins, the best defense in the land last season. Pierce is only 26 and cost a measly $6.5 million signing bonus. The Giants upgraded their team while worsening a division rival, always a good move. Also, Jets OT Kareem McKenzie fills a huge void on the offensive line, one that needs upgrading to protect young Mr. Manning. McKenzie may be talented enough to play left tackle, thus shifting Luke Petitgout to right tackle, where he's better suited. Either way, though, it's a win.
4. Cleveland: I like all their decisions thus far. They allowed QB Kelly Holcomb to leave once they knew they had Trent Dilfer signed up for less money. Sure, the move cost them the fourth-round pick they got for DT Gerard Warren, who may rank as one of the worst first-round flops ever. If the holdover players were ever going to respect new coach Romeo Crennel, Warren had to go. But the special move was acquiring Baltimore cornerback Gary Baxter for an $11 million signing bonus. Baxter was the best and toughest corner out there and he's ready to be a leader. Helps the Browns and really hurts the Ravens. Guard Joe Andruzzi from the champion Patriots brings toughness and character to the offensive line. Andruzzi isn't a great player, but he knows how to win. Punter Kyle Richardson is a positive if he can kick like he did during Baltimore's Super Bowl season.
5. Oakland: The Raiders score when you count the trade for Randy Moss. There are a lot of negative attachments to Moss, but you can't argue against the fact he had more receiving yards over his first seven seasons than Jerry Rice. He can score from anywhere. The Jets are ripping the Raiders for overpaying ($27 million) for backup running back LaMont Jordan. But the Raiders had no choice; they were desperate for a runner and Jordan has a lot of upside. And, if he's the next Priest Holmes, the deal will look like a steal some day. They better find some defense, though.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3443436