NFL Free Agency...and my 2 cents

Gooses take on the NFL Yearly spending spree.
March is here and while that means college Basketball for most, for John Clayton and Goose, it means NFL Free Agency. Its like Xmas for the NFL. New Players coming and going. Daniels Broiler in Bellevue becomes the place to be in Seattle when wooing Free Agents to join the Hawks.
Also this time of year my buddy Ryan makes his yearly trip to Vegas, where he places my futures bet for the upcoming season.
There is always at top 5 or 10 players that will make the rounds in the NFL. I’ll give you my take on the recent signings.

Lets start with the hawks big prize and then I will break down the Lodges teams
Seahawks

Patrick Kerney. I like the signing. This is a workhorse DE with outstanding physical ability. You may look at his sack production and ask what gives? Well Sacks don’t always make the player. He had 14 in 2004 when Brady Smith was opposite him in ATL. Both had double digit sacks. The next year the Atlanta DL was plagued by injuries and Kerney saw a ton of double teams. I think he is a great piece in a defensive end rotation of Wistrom and Fisher.
Also look closely at the Daniel Graham negotiations. If you guys remember the 2003 Draft. The Hawks wanted Graham at the #22 pick. NE took him at 21 and the Hawks traded down and to Jeremy Stevens at #27. What goes around comes around.

Broncos
I like the Dre Bly trade, giving them two solid CB’s after the death of Williams in the offseason. What Im not to sure of is the Travis Henry. He is ok, but I don’t think he is a top tier 5mill a year RB. I’ll bet they could have traded and got Willis Mgehee. for less. They need a good Vet QB behind Cutler.

Cowboys
So far I think the Cowboys have made the biggest blunder in FA signing Leonard Davis to a 50 million dollar contract. The man has poor footwork and not a bulldozer. Yet you are paying him Walter Jones/Jonathon Ogden $$$. He stunk for Arizona. I could be wrong, but he looks to be the bust of the year. (And the Redskins thought of signing him as well, but for way less) The Brad Johnson signing was solid. Good #2 behind the sure handed Tony Romo.

Redskins
I really liked London Fletcher as a player, especially in 2002-03 when he was in his prime. Yes he is a solid Middle LB who knows Gregg Williams but again they overpaid for an aging veteran. Welcome back Fred Smoot. You “Love Boated” your way out of Minnesota.

Some other big moves in the topsy-turvy (note: 1st ever Lodge use of the term topsy-turvy) world of NFL Free Agency

The Patriots signed LB Adalius Thomas The deal is for $37.5 million for five years
This is the granddaddy of all signings and may have landed NE back in the super bowl. This man is a STUD!!!!

After visiting Seattle and looking at Cleveland, free-agent guard Kris Dielman opted to re-sign with San Diego
You got used Seattle. Get over it

The 49ers have signed CB Nate Clements to the biggest contract ever given to a defensive player -- eight years, $80 million, including $22 million guaranteed
Scratch Leonard Davis as the worst signing. If his name aint Champ Bailey, he aint worth 80 million

The Miami Dolphins and LB Joey Porter have reached agreement on a five-year, $32.5 million deal that includes $20 million worth of guaranteed money.
Too much guaranteed money for a big mouth who will not play well out of the Dick Lebeau defensivesystem.


Free-agent quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo visited the Cleveland Browns and is scheduled to visit the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers later this week
Good for Marques. I hope he finds a good home outside of Raider Hell

Free-agent RB T.J. Duckett is in Detroit visiting with Lions. Duckett is scheduled to visit the New York Jets on Wednesday and the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday
Hmmmm Duckett in a Seahawks Uniform? That’s a solid Veteran backup to Alexander, plus a good 4th and 1 bowling ball.

Thomas Jones Traded to the New York Jets.
Ahhh TJ. Life may be greener in uniform for the Jets, but you’ll miss a solid Chicago Offensive Line.

Jeff Garcia signed with Tampa Bay
The Bucs have the #3 overall pick, a solid defense and are going to be improved. I placed a futures bet on them on Friday in Vegas at 75-1. (Before they signed Garcia)

Drew Bennett signs with Rams.
This is an interesting signing. A 6-5 Wide Receiver vs Kelly Herndon. This matchup does not favor the Hawks Defense

Im sure there will be more to come, however I wanted to add my 2 cents