Dollar-Driven Deals

The NFL free agent signing period began last week and there are many happy returns. Prominent players were moved and some significant signing were skull-scratching surprises. Here’s the low-down on some of the major deals so far in this early free agent market tracking.
The league’s most sought-after talent, DT Albert Haynesworth, snagged a $100 million deal. Haynesworth makes the transition from top team Tennessee to the national’s capital Washington Redskins. The Redskins are perennial power spenders this time of year, so it comes as no surprise they shelled out the bucks for the dominant defensive gem. Haynesworth isn’t worth as much money as he will receive though. He missed 22 games over the past 6 years and his on-field antics are not commendable. Albert’s most notable misdemeanor occurred against Dallas when he stomped on the head of center Andre Gurode. His careless and classless acts do not embody a “clean” athlete. However, the addition makes Daniel Snyder’s high-strung team a legitimate one with the smash mouth star as the focal point. Washington also overpaid for free agent CB DeAngelo Hall and re-signed former ‘Skin guard, Derrick Dockery. The Redskins attempt is always aggressive and their pursuit almost never pays off in the long run. I can’t see these moves meaning anything will change. Washington has a second year head coach still learning the ropes and a young quarterback. The team is a mismatch of players with no chemistry. When competing in the NFC East, chemistry is crucial in developing winning clubs.
The Kansas City Chiefs played their cards right and snuck the deal of the week. They traded a 2nd round draft pick for New England’s Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel. The 12 year LB Vrabel is the footnote in this genius addition by new Cheifs GM, Scott Pioli. The former Bill Belichick buddy acquired perhaps the best back-up QB in the NFL in Cassel. Matt will start for Kansas City because he showed he was worthy of that role last season as he successfully replaced Tom Brady. Kansas City remains under the salary cap but now has a franchise player to build and revive the lowly Chiefs team.
The Eagles I guess are aiming to cut costs but I question their off-season non-moves thus far. Philadelphia let their star safety, Brian Dawkins, sign with the Broncos and traded veteran, Lito Shepherd, to the Jets. The Dawkins move doesn’t make sense. At least I can understand shipping Shepherd because he wasn’t happy playing the backup role in Philly. Correll Buckhalter was a go-to backup runner for the Eagles. He too will soon be wearing Bronco orange.
The top wide receiver available, TJ Houshmandzadeh, entertained several offers for a few days. Yesterday he agreed to terms with the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle needs Houshmandzadeh because they have essentially no one for Matt Hasselbeck to throw to. I would have liked to see TJ sign with the Giants.
Speaking of the Giants, their moves made a lot of sense. Jerry Reese has a gift for drafting great players and I expect he will look to add a WR to the 2009 bunch too. For now, NY’s focus is clearly on the defensive end. Speed and youth ruled the weekend when the Giants signed former Falcon OLB, Michael Boley and Dallas DE, Chris Canty. The pass-rush for Big Blue looks devastating if it wasn’t dreadful enough. Boley had an off-year in 2008 but I think he will improve with the Giants.
Tampa Bay released a ton of older players but held on to WR, Michael Clayton. They also grabbed free agent, Kellen Winslow, Jr. from Cleveland. Winslow hasn’t been healthy but he fits well with the Bucs and the direction the team appears to be headed. I also like Tampa’s addition of the 1,000 yard rusher, formerly of NY, Derrick Ward. He will help off-injured Ernest Graham and overvalued Cadillac Williams in the backfield.
The NY Jets, with defensive guru, Rex Ryan now calling the shots, made a big splash for the second straight season. Ryan brought in former Ravens LB, Bart Scott. Scott is a solid threat and team leader. Brett Favre was expected to motivate the offense last year and did for a while. Scott is the motivator needed for the defense, NY’s glaring weakness. WR Laveranues Coles was let go, so the Jets are short on quality receivers offensively. Kickers Mike Nugent and Jay Feeley will also test the market.
Dallas has a new backup QB for Tony Romo. They traded with Detroit for John Kitna and for CB Anthony Henry. I think it was a mistake to let go of Henry even though Kitna is the arguably now the best backup QB in the NFL.
Finally, Kurt Warner was offered a $23 million two year deal to return to Arizona but yesterday had a physical for the San Francisco 49ers. I can picture Warner out west playing for San Fran but I think inevitably he will decide to re-sign with the team he led to the Superbowl a month ago.

Parting points: The Devils continue to impress me. Oh and how explosive is Dwayne Wade? The Miami Heat star is something to see