What are the 5 Best Free Agent Signings of the BB Era?

[JDSal45]

I'll go with:

1.) Mike Vrabel
2.) Rodney Harrison
3.) Antwouin Smith
4.) Roman Phifer
5.) David Patten

Trades (so Moss, Welker, Ted Washington, Dillon, etc.) don't count. Others I considered: Mike Compton, Donte Stallworth, Christian Fauria, Heath Evans, Bobby Hamilton, Anthony Pleasant, Larry Izzo, Junior Seau, Roosevelt Colvin, Otis Smith, Tyrone Poole, Jabaar Gaffney, Mark Edwards, Russ Hochstein, Stephen Neal

J D Sal

 

[Fixit]

Colvin's been pretty good when he's been healthy. I'd put both him and Junior above Patten.

 

[Run it up baby!]

Jabar Gaffney of course. He saved our perfect season, what more could you ask for?

 

[strongside]

Vrabel
Harrison
Dillion
Pfifer
Ted Wasington

 

[fnordcircle]

I'd put Tyrone Poole ahead of Phifer.

We should also have the worst 5 signings.

1) Donald Hayes (good guy shame about the learning disability)
2) Steve Martin (what a doofus)
3) Victor Green
4) Monty Beisel (I loved his energy on the field but he would not stay in his area)
5) Chad Brown

 

[alamo]

Vrabel
Harrison
Dillion
Pfifer
Ted Wasington

You missed Randy Mioss and Wes Weker.

 

[chunkypony]

I'd put Tyrone Poole ahead of Phifer.

We should also have the worst 5 signings.

1) Donald Hayes (good guy shame about the learning disability)
2) Steve Martin (what a doofus)
3) Victor Green
4) Monty Beisel (I loved his energy on the field but he would not stay in his area)
5) Chad Brown

You seriously arent putting Duane Starks on that list?

I forget if he was a trade or not, but if not, he was easily the worst acquisition EVER.

Actually, either way, WORST. Acquisition. EVER.

 

[alamo]

I'd put Tyrone Poole ahead of Phifer.

We should also have the worst 5 signings.

1) Donald Hayes (good guy shame about the learning disability)
2) Steve Martin (what a doofus)
3) Victor Green
4) Monty Beisel (I loved his energy on the field but he would not stay in his area)
5) Chad Brown

Rodney Bailey.

 

[alamo]

You seriously arent putting Duane Starks on that list?

I forget if he was a trade or not, but if not, he was easily the worst acquisition EVER.

Actually, either way, WORST. Acquisition. EVER.

Trade, gave up a 3rd. Which is the biggest reason it was bad.

 

[fnordcircle]

Yeah you'll have to forgive me if I've blocked even the basic concept of Duane Starks out of my mind as a coping mechanism.

 

[Funktopus]

what about Brian Cox? Where would you say he fits in?

 

[MetalBleachers]

The jury's still out, but in a couple of years I hope we're talking about Sammy Morris. Great complementary back.

 

[brdmaverick]

I agree that Mike Vrabel was by far the best free agent signing that they have made

 

[ALP]

i think rodney is the best, followed by vrabel....

then there are a lot tied for 3rd

 

[slam]

Does Bill Belichick count as a free agent signing?

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Antonio Langham was pretty bad as well.

 

[Urgent]

You have to look at the 2001 team as well.

Bryan Cox - right, very important to that season.
Hamilton was as well.
OTIS.
Joe Andruzzi.
Not sure if Stephen Neal should count - he was an undrafted player the Pats later picked up, a free agent but not a veteran - he came after being released from somewhere else.

I'd probably say:

Mike Vrabel
Rodney Harrison
Roman Phifer
*
Rosevelt Colvin
Joe Andruzzi

*Stephen Neal if he counts

Then maybe:
Antowain Smith
Junior Seau
OTIS
Bryan Cox
Bobby Hamilton
David Patten

 

[strongside]

You missed Randy Mioss and Wes Weker.

Both were brought in via trade. So was Dillion

 

[DaBruinz]

Vrabel
Harrison
Dillion
Pfifer
Ted Wasington

Ted Washington was traded for. So was Corey Dillon.

 

[VJCPatriot]

More recently:
Colvin
Seau
Morris
Brady
Adalius Thomas

Where do these rank?