PFT TEN-PACK: FREE AGENCY WINNERS, LOSERS
Now that the first wave of free agency has thrown millions of new money into the pockets of plenty of players, let's take a time out and look at the biggest winners and biggest losers after five full days of activity.
First, the winners:
1. Antwaan Randle El: 35 catches in 2005. $11.5 million in bonus money in 2006. Should anyone be surprised when T.O. wants $18 million to sign?
2. Arizona Cardinals: Finally, the Bidwills realize that sometimes you've gotta spend money to make money.
3. Edgerrin James: He learned everything he knows about grabbing the most coin from Peyton Manning.
4. Miami Dolphins: Daunte Culpepper for a second-round pick? In 17 states, that constitutes rape.
5. Adam Archuleta: No offense intended, but if this guy can get $10 million in guaranteed coin, we've still got a chance to catch on somewhere for the league minimum.
6. Cleveland Browns: With John Collins counting beans somewhere other than in the team's front office, Phil Savage finally can put his imprint on the frnachise.
7. Uncle Sam: Perhaps the biggest winner in this process, the Internal Revenue Service scored millions in tax dollars after the CBA extension pushed the salary cap above nine figures.
8. Drew Brees: Though his contract is only a one-year arrangement, $10 million for a guy with a bad shoulder and a mixed track record ain't too shabby.
9. Jon Kitna: The former Bengals starter who was bumped out of a job by the No. 1 overall pick in 2003 gets a chance to start again after bumping out the No. 3 overall pick in 2002.
10: Steve Hutchinson: An interior offensive lineman gets a $49 million contract? What's next? $45 million for a kicker?
Now for the losers:
1. Indianapolis Colts: Edgerrin James, Larry Tripplett, and David Thornton are gone for good. Do you think Bill Polian might be having second thoughts about his decision to tie up so much money in his second and third receivers?
2. The Postons: They overpriced their clients who were hitting the market, and as a result none of them got a sniff when the money was flowing like liquid from an elephant with IBS. To add insult to ignorance, Carl is now facing a two-year unpaid vacation.
3. Washington Redskins: We suggest that Dan Snyder satisfy his insatiable hunger for collecting NFL players at an unjustifiable premium by searching for McFarlane figures on eBay.
4. Jamal Lewis: The guy who pouted for a couple of years regarding the lack of a long-term, blockbuster deal stays in Baltimore for what amounts to a one-year, $6 million contract.
5. Oakland Raiders: To address the various holes in its roster, the Raiders have done . . . absolutely freakin' nothing.
6. Kris Jenkins: With Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu added to the rotation at defensive tackle, Jenkins' days as a Panther could be numbered.
7. Green Bay Packers: All that cap space, and no significant additions. To make matters worse, Lord Favre is now trying to play G.M.
8. Eric Moulds: By sitting on his rights when everyone knows they'll eventually cut him, the Bills blocked Moulds' shot at getting one last solid payday.
9. New York Giants: First they let Kendrick Clancy slip away. Then they sign every washed up defensive back that's on the market.
10. Jon Runyan: The guy decides to take a vacation to the Caymans at a time when NFL teams are working overtime to give money away. Who's he getting advice from, Ross Verba?
Now that the first wave of free agency has thrown millions of new money into the pockets of plenty of players, let's take a time out and look at the biggest winners and biggest losers after five full days of activity.
First, the winners:
1. Antwaan Randle El: 35 catches in 2005. $11.5 million in bonus money in 2006. Should anyone be surprised when T.O. wants $18 million to sign?
2. Arizona Cardinals: Finally, the Bidwills realize that sometimes you've gotta spend money to make money.
3. Edgerrin James: He learned everything he knows about grabbing the most coin from Peyton Manning.
4. Miami Dolphins: Daunte Culpepper for a second-round pick? In 17 states, that constitutes rape.
5. Adam Archuleta: No offense intended, but if this guy can get $10 million in guaranteed coin, we've still got a chance to catch on somewhere for the league minimum.
6. Cleveland Browns: With John Collins counting beans somewhere other than in the team's front office, Phil Savage finally can put his imprint on the frnachise.
7. Uncle Sam: Perhaps the biggest winner in this process, the Internal Revenue Service scored millions in tax dollars after the CBA extension pushed the salary cap above nine figures.
8. Drew Brees: Though his contract is only a one-year arrangement, $10 million for a guy with a bad shoulder and a mixed track record ain't too shabby.
9. Jon Kitna: The former Bengals starter who was bumped out of a job by the No. 1 overall pick in 2003 gets a chance to start again after bumping out the No. 3 overall pick in 2002.
10: Steve Hutchinson: An interior offensive lineman gets a $49 million contract? What's next? $45 million for a kicker?
Now for the losers:
1. Indianapolis Colts: Edgerrin James, Larry Tripplett, and David Thornton are gone for good. Do you think Bill Polian might be having second thoughts about his decision to tie up so much money in his second and third receivers?
2. The Postons: They overpriced their clients who were hitting the market, and as a result none of them got a sniff when the money was flowing like liquid from an elephant with IBS. To add insult to ignorance, Carl is now facing a two-year unpaid vacation.
3. Washington Redskins: We suggest that Dan Snyder satisfy his insatiable hunger for collecting NFL players at an unjustifiable premium by searching for McFarlane figures on eBay.
4. Jamal Lewis: The guy who pouted for a couple of years regarding the lack of a long-term, blockbuster deal stays in Baltimore for what amounts to a one-year, $6 million contract.
5. Oakland Raiders: To address the various holes in its roster, the Raiders have done . . . absolutely freakin' nothing.
6. Kris Jenkins: With Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu added to the rotation at defensive tackle, Jenkins' days as a Panther could be numbered.
7. Green Bay Packers: All that cap space, and no significant additions. To make matters worse, Lord Favre is now trying to play G.M.
8. Eric Moulds: By sitting on his rights when everyone knows they'll eventually cut him, the Bills blocked Moulds' shot at getting one last solid payday.
9. New York Giants: First they let Kendrick Clancy slip away. Then they sign every washed up defensive back that's on the market.
10. Jon Runyan: The guy decides to take a vacation to the Caymans at a time when NFL teams are working overtime to give money away. Who's he getting advice from, Ross Verba?
