Re: Smooth Moves & Bad Ideas <span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%">Smooth moves & bad ideas</span>D. Orlando Ledbetter - StaffSunday, May 21, 2006Now that most key free agents have signed, the draft is over and most minicamps completed, it's time for some analysis.NFL fans can reflect on whether Vince Young is the next big thing or if Jay Cutler will flop like the last SEC quarterback taken high from a losing program --- Kentucky's Tim Couch.Here's a look at the five best and worst offseason moves:Best moves1. Steve Hutchinson, OG, Vikings. Became the highest-paid guard in the league when he signed a seven-year, $49 million deal. He'll fit in well with center Matt Birk, who's coming back from a hip injury, and left tackle Bryant McKinnie. "Their offensive line, with him, becomes one of the best in the league," said Billy Devaney, the Falcons' senior personnel executive.2. John Abraham, DE, Falcons. Falcons GM Rich McKay and Devaney, who played a major role in engineering the Abraham trade and the move up to draft Jimmy Williams, outmaneuvered Mc-Kay's old buddy Tim Ruskell and Seattle to make the deal happen. When the Seahawks raised the ante, Atlanta found Denver willing to deal one of its first-round picks, which the Jets were demanding as compensation. Instead of getting a green rookie with the 15th pick, the Falcons ended up with a three-time Pro Bowl player.3. Shaun Alexander, RB, Seahawks. The Seahawks had to re-sign Alexander. Take away his productivity and Mike Holmgren is left with an average quarterback and a mediocre receiving corps. Alexander makes the Seahawks special.4. Edgerrin James, RB, Cardinals. Coach Dennis Green and VP of football operations Rod Graves got the Bidwell family to spend some loot, a major accomplishment. James gives the Cardinals a rushing attack to go with a talented receiving corps.5. Reggie Bush, RB, Saints. New Orleans couldn't have gone wrong here after the Texans gifted Bush to them. "There are not that many guys that can change a game single-handedly," Devaney said. "All of this bunk about he's not a full-time back --- if he carries 15 times a game, catches four or five passes, runs back punts and kickoffs --- he's going to do a lot of damage. They said the same thing about Marshall Faulk when he came out because of his size. They weren't sure if he was a full-time guy, but he's going to the Hall of Fame."Honorable mention> Saints stabilize quarterback position by signing Drew Brees.> Arizona drafts its quarterback of the future in Matt Leinart at No. 10.> Colts sign clutch kicker Adam Vinatieri as a free agent after Mike Vanderjagt's playoff choke.> Browns sign center LeCharles Bentley to anchor line.> Panthers get wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson to play opposite Steve Smith. But can heWorst moves1. Terrell Owens, WR, Cowboys. Just look at the track record. He's going to suck the life right out of the Cowboys --- just like he did in San Francisco and Philadelphia. It just a matter of time before this time bomb explodes in Dallas. The only question is whether he's going to stomp on the star at midfield before he's shown the door.2. Adam Archuleta, S, Redskins. Falcons fans remember this guy. He was the one giving chase, getting juked and missing tackles in the 2004 NFC divisional playoff game when Atlanta rushed for 327 yards, the fourth-highest team total in NFL playoff history. The Redskins overpaid (six years, $30 million).3. LaVar Arrington, LB, Giants. The few plays he makes are not worth the tradeoff of his freelancing and mental mistakes. If the Giants can get him to settle down and play their scheme, maybe this one works out.4. Antwaan Randle El, WR, Redskins. The Redskins snatched up the Super Bowl hero from the Steelers. He wanted to play for the Bears, his hometown team, but the Redskins threw too much money at him. He signed a seven-year, $31 million deal that included a $10 million signing bonus. 'Skins owner Daniel Snyder has overpaid for a player who's considered a No. 3 receiver and punt returner.5. Mario Williams, DE, Texans. Maybe Williams turns out to be a solid pro, plays 10 to 12 years and makes seven or eight Pro Bowls. But unless he's the next Deacon Jones or Reggie White, this was a bad move. "He's going to be a great football player, but the other kid [Reggie Bush] changes the game," Devaney said.Honorable mention> Bills reach to take Ohio State safety Donte Whitner too early (No. 8) in the first round.> Packers overpay for Charles Woodson, who's lost a step since suffering a knee injury in 2004 and is coming back from a broken leg.> Titans lock Steve McNair out of the weight room after he's been a good soldier for them his entire career.> Browns trade Trent Dilfer, leaving them with an unproven young quarterback and no real backup in Ken Dorsey.> Bills sign wide receiver Peerless "I hate y'all" Price and actually give him a signing bonus.Wait and see> Daunte Culpepper, QB, Dolphins. Sent packing by Minnesota just one season after throwing 39 touchdown passes. If Culpepper makes it back from a severe knee injury and plays 10 to 12 games, the Dolphins make out fine. If not, it's still OK because they gave up only a second-round draft pick. If the three-time Pro Bowler is ready to play, he's a major upgrade. Culpepper would give the Dolphins their first legitimate quarterback since Dan Marino retired in 1999.
Re: Smooth Moves & Bad Ideas Sounds about right, but here come the Redskins homers 'Archuleta is god'
Re: Smooth Moves & Bad Ideas <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>> Titans lock Steve McNair out of the weight room after he's been a good soldier for them his entire career.</div>While it wasn't done with the most classful tact, locking him out was the right thing to do. Who would want to be on the hook for $23 million AND still have rookies to sign. We would've had to cut 3 or 4 of our good starters just to get under the cap.
Re: Smooth Moves & Bad Ideas Nice to see the Vikings on top of the best moves list, but I would also put them on top of the worst moves list with the trade of Daunte. I know it pretty much had to be done and the situation kind of forced the Vikings, but I think the Dolphins got a steal and the Vikes will regret it.
Re: Smooth Moves & Bad Ideas Umm... yeah............ yah...... come on nowArcheluta got 120 tackles when he played a full healthy season. 'Nough said.Randle El would've been the Steelers #1 WR, if it wasn't for Ward's greatness. He can run, pass, receive, return. Name one other player that can do that.How is it overpaying when we filled in every position, and we still have mad cap room...? That's just our way of stealing players from other teams' cheap offers.
Re: Smooth Moves & Bad Ideas <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sheriff Gonna Getcha @ May 23 2006, 08:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Umm... yeah............ yah...... come on nowArcheluta got 120 tackles when he played a full healthy season. 'Nough said.Randle El would've been the Steelers #1 WR, if it wasn't for Ward's greatness. He can run, pass, receive, return. Name one other player that can do that.How is it overpaying when we filled in every position, and we still have mad cap room...? That's just our way of stealing players from other teams' cheap offers.</div>
Re: Smooth Moves & Bad Ideas i love how all the Skins fans are sayingthat Randle El is so great...you realize that hes a career slot WR, whos only major asset is the prospect of a WR Reverse Throw....which teams will wise to by about week 2
Re: Smooth Moves & Bad Ideas Not to mention his best season features about 43 receptions, and for you slow Skins fans thats slightly above 2.5 receptions a game and a high of 3 TD's
Re: Smooth Moves & Bad Ideas nebkreb... the Seahawks-Steelers game was in like Week 21, you said week 2.venom... he's been a #2 receiver last year, and we got him for his versatility. I will be suprised if he even gets 30 catches this year. 43? No wa he'll ever get in DC.
Re: Smooth Moves & Bad Ideas <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sheriff Gonna Getcha @ May 24 2006, 08:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>nebkreb... the Seahawks-Steelers game was in like Week 21, you said week 2.venom... he's been a #2 receiver last year, and we got him for his versatility. I will be suprised if he even gets 30 catches this year. 43? No wa he'll ever get in DC.</div>So you doubt El will be even a 6 catch improvement over David Patten? Or 21 catch Step Back from Rod Gardner??? Wow. Wow! What a GREAT way to spend 10 mil in signing bonus money!
Re: Smooth Moves & Bad Ideas He is our KR, PR, RB, QB, WR, whatever...If he starts doing good and defenses focus on him, Moss/Thrash/Patten/Lloyd will be pretty much open. If the defense covers them, Randle El will be open for a screen or a 30 yarder.
Re: Smooth Moves & Bad Ideas tahts the thing...he does all of those things..BUT NONE OF THEM EXCEPTIONALLY WELL!!honestly,all u need to do is throw a fast CB on him, and ignore him for the rest of the game
Re: Smooth Moves & Bad Ideas Then what are you gonna do with the rest of the speedsters?And he is the best punt returners and one of the best kick returners. AND, would you rather have a great WR or a good WR that does a LOT more than run and catch.
Re: Smooth Moves & Bad Ideas <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sheriff Gonna Getcha @ May 26 2006, 07:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Then what are you gonna do with the rest of the speedsters?And he is the best punt returners and one of the best kick returners. AND, would you rather have a great WR or a good WR that does a LOT more than run and catch.</div>I'll put 20 bucks down that says if/when the Skins play and Randel El is 1-on-1 covered by Justin Miller, he'll get 3 catches or less.
Re: Smooth Moves & Bad Ideas <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sheriff Gonna Getcha @ May 26 2006, 06:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>So...........?</div>So you dont pay someone 10 million Guaranteed when they will get less then 5 touches a game, excluding returning.
Re: Smooth Moves & Bad Ideas <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sheriff Gonna Getcha @ May 27 2006, 01:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>We can pay as much as we want to win the super bowl ok? </div>Which won't happen anytime soon.
Re: Smooth Moves & Bad Ideas <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Uptown @ May 26 2006, 10:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sheriff Gonna Getcha @ May 27 2006, 01:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>We can pay as much as we want to win the super bowl ok? </div>Which won't happen anytime soon. </div>Agreed.
