Best and worst offseason moves

**singersp** · 05-20-2006, 02:43 PM

[size=18px]Best and worst offseason moves[/size]

By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 05/19/06

Now 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 if 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 MOVES

1. 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, LB, 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, out maneuvered McKay's old buddy Tim Ruskell and Seattle to make the deal happen. When Seattle raised the ante, Devaney got Denver involved to work out the NBA-style three-team swap. Instead of getting a green rookie with the 15th pick, the Falcons ended up with a three-time Pro Bowler.

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. He makes the Seahawks special.

4. Edgerrin James, RB, Cardinals: Head coach Dennis Green and vice president of football operations Rod Graves got the Bidwell family to give away some of their loot. Major accomplishment. James gives the Cardinals a rushing attack to go with a talented receiving corps.

5. Reggie Bush, RB, Saints: Didn't have to do much here after the Houston 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 MENTIONS

- Saints stabilize quarterback position by signing Drew Brees.

- Arizona gets QB of future in Matt Leinart at No. 10.

- Colts get clutch kicker Adam Vinatieri after Mike Vanderjagt choked last season.

- Browns sign center LeCharles Bentley to anchor line.

- Panthers get wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson to play opposite Steve Smith. But can he blend in with the team?

WORST MOVES

1. Terrell Owens, WR, Cowboys: Go with 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 if he's going to stomp on the star at midfield before he's shown the door.

2. Adam Archuleta, S, Redskins: Falcon fans remember this guy. He was the one giving chase, getting junked and missing tackles in the NFC divisional playoff game in 2004 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 that 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 Synder 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, play 10 to 12 years and make seven or eight pro bowls. But unless he's Deacon Jones and Reggie White, then 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 MENTIONS

- Bills reach to take Ohio State safety Donte Whitner too early in the first round.

- Packers overpay for Charles Woodson, who's lost a step since suffering knee 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

Dante Culpepper, QB, Dolphins: Traded just one season after throwing 39 touchdown passes. If he makes it back from a severe knee injury and plays 10 to 12 games, then the Dolphins make out fine. If not, it's still pretty decent because they only gave up 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.

Best and worst offseason moves

**Benet** · 05-20-2006, 03:27 PM

None of those moves listed would make my top 3 best:

1. Thierry Henry Commits To Arsenal Til 2010

2. Thierry Henry Commits To Arsenal Til 2010

3. Thierry Henry Commits To Arsenal Til 2010

:grin:

**CrazyVikingsFan** · 05-20-2006, 03:29 PM

i believe this article is 100% accurite!!

**bigdaddy72_1** · 05-20-2006, 08:14 PM

Best Move: Steve Hutchinson, OG, Vikings

Worst Move: Not that the Texans took Mario Williams with the 1st overall pick, bu that they didn't take Reggie Bush.

**vikenheel_zdl16** · 05-20-2006, 08:31 PM

I think the best and worst moves for our team is:

Best: Steve Hutchingson

Worst: Trading C-Pep and signing Mike McMahon.

**UndisputedVike** · 05-20-2006, 08:37 PM

Best Moves: Most of the moves we made were good.

Worst: Reaching for Cook in the Draft and signing McMahon.

**howkings** · 05-20-2006, 08:54 PM

Vikings

Best Move: Signing Hutchinson

Worst move: Not giving Burleson a first round tender

League

Best Move: Cardinals signing Edge

Worst move: Bears signing Manning

**umaguma1979** · 05-20-2006, 08:57 PM

I don't know.....obtaining Hutch was a great move, but the Pep trade was probably for the best - for both parties. Remember when Philly replaced Buddy Ryan with Ray Rhodes and Cunningham went from HOF to third string. I could see the same playing out if Culpepper remained a Viking. If the gloves don't fit.....you must....