Yahoo Sports: "Top 5 teams in Free Agency"

[stcjones]

I don't know how this Yahoo missed the Patriots on this list.....includes Arizona and Seattle (both with wild card prospects.....I mean really,...what has Kevin Kolb actually done so far?!)....but whiffs on giving the Pats any credit for bringing in Ocho....and the possibility that BB could transform Big Al back into the force he was a few years ago in Tenn......Anyways....for your pleasure...or displeasure....

Winners! The five teams which improved the most in free agency - Shutdown Corner - NFL Blog - Yahoo! Sports

 

[RodThePat]

Both Ochocinco and Haynesworth were acquired through trades, so it wouldn't make any sense to take these moves into account when grading how teams performed in free agency.

 

[Richardson]

Once I saw Seattle Seahawks I stopped reading.

 

[D-Money]

Charlie Whitehurts to Sidney RicePete Carrol needs to go back to coaching college.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Seattle has no business being on there with the addition of Sidney Rice. Big whoop.

The most overlooked part of the Patriots offseason was retaining a 14-2 team that dominated last year. Light, Mankins (hopefully a long term deal will follow), and really not losing anyone is a big story. Teams like the Colts, Steelers, and Pats never win the free agent splash wars, but they seem to beat the splash war winners.

Ocho and Haynesworth... good moves because they can afford to take some low-risk gambles right now. If those guys never see the field, is this team really in trouble?

 

[Urgent]

Both Ochocinco and Haynesworth were acquired through trades, so it wouldn't make any sense to take these moves into account when grading how teams performed in free agency.

Agreed - what have the Patriots done in free agency?
Does Steve Williams count?
Otherwise nothing.

 

[ausbacker]

Seattle has no business being on there with the addition of Sidney Rice. Big whoop.

The most overlooked part of the Patriots offseason was retaining a 14-2 team that dominated last year. Light, Mankins (hopefully a long term deal will follow), and really not losing anyone is a big story. Teams like the Colts, Steelers, and Pats never win the free agent splash wars, but they seem to beat the splash war winners.

Ocho and Haynesworth... good moves because they can afford to take some low-risk gambles right now. If those guys never see the field, is this team really in trouble?

Seattle can make all the off-season acquisitions they like forgetting to bring in a proper QB. Cross them off the list.

Arizona's been reasonably impressive as have the Chiefs.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Charlie Whitehurts to Sidney RicePete Carrol needs to go back to coaching college.

Seeing how badly he missed the boat on MFC. . . .

 

[DaBruinz]

Guys, I think you aren't giving Seattle enough credit.

They've added solid, but not spectactular guys in Alan Branch, Robert Gallery and Tavaris Jackson, besides Sidney Rice.

When you look at Seattle, they've actually got a pretty damn good team. They've got 2 excellent RBs in Lynch and Washington. They have a very dynamic corps of receivers in Rice, Tate, Williams and Obomanu.

But, I do have to agree, I wouldn't have put Seattle on the list of Free Agency winners.

I'd have to put St. Louis ahead of them. With St. Louis signing Harvey Dahl, Mike Sims-Walker, and Quinton Mikell, the Rams are a more complete team than Seattle.

 

[ausbacker]

Guys, I think you aren't giving Seattle enough credit.

They've added solid, but not spectactular guys in Robert Gallery and Tavaris Jackson, besides Sidney Rice.

When you look at Seattle, they've actually got a pretty damn good team. They've got 2 excellent RBs in Lynch and Washington. They have a very dynamic corps of receivers in Rice, Tate, Williams and Obomanu.

But, I do have to agree, I wouldn't have put Seattle on the list of Free Agency winners.

I'd have to put St. Louis ahead of them. With St. Louis signing Harvey Dahl, Mike Sims-Walker, and Quinton Mikell, the Rams are a more complete team than Seattle.

I agree that Seattle has done well with their acquisitions but that all counts for naught with their QB's. Until they do something to address that with someone of NFL pedigree (not pretending that back-ups are starters) then it's a pointless exercise.

Good points RE: St.Louis. They've had a very good off-season. I've been reasonably impressed with some of Carolina's signings too.

 

[YearbookCurfew]

Yahoo sports has some pretty terrible writers there. I'm not surprised the Pats weren't on the list. I don't think a team that went 14-2 last year is going to somehow miss the post season in 2011

 

[Sivy]

Yahoo is useless when it comes to reading up on sports. Seriously, all of us here could offer more insite to anything sports related.

 

[DaBruinz]

Here is the Sporting News attempt:

Market masters: These 10 teams grade out highest in free agency - NFL - Sporting News

I still fail to see how the Pats can be included in this when neither Haynesworth nor CJ were free agents..

The Pats have added no one via free agency other than re-signing Matt Light and bringing in the normal amount of UDFA..

 

[stcjones]

Both Ochocinco and Haynesworth were acquired through trades, so it wouldn't make any sense to take these moves into account when grading how teams performed in free agency.

Kolb was traded...bush was traded....a lot of guys were traded. I think of FA as acquiring players in the offseason via trades or if contract is up. Maybe I missed your point, as it didn't seem like the writer was only referring to those players that were UFA'S....

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

the only thing AZ did this offseason was bend over and let philly give it to em

 

[ctpatsfan77]

The Pats have added no one via free agency other than re-signing Matt Light and bringing in the normal amount of UDFA..

Because "free agency," in this specific context, is often taken to mean "all offseason moves other than the draft."

 

[jmt57]

The Yahoo article is obviously considering any addition (free agent or trade) since they talked so much about the Cardinals' trading for Kevin Kolb. While Arizona did address a gaping hole at quarterback, I'm really not sure why they are being portrayed as 'winners' considering what they gave up.

Yahoo also did a Losers! The five teams to which free agency was not kind column. Interestingly the Jets are included due to their not signing Asomugha, Brad Smith leaving, and the swap of Plaxico Burress for Braylon Edwards. Id on't know why so much weight is given to kick and punt returner, and frankly I think adding Burress in exchange for Edwards is a positive for them, especially when you also take into account their salaries.

In the Sporting New article right off the bat they made it clear they were considering both traded and free agent signings, but one thing neither column really touched on was re-signing your own free agents. It's as if that is considered to be a given unless the player stinks; zero points for re-signing your own but negative points if he signs elsewhere. I never really understood that philosophy other than I guess it makes it much easier for the writer to do these little rankings. At least Sporting News acknowledged the Patriots' moves, even if they're not totally convinced on the effect they will have. And I'll give them a bit of a pass because the column was put together prior to the re-signings of Matt Light and Kevin Faulk.