Top Ten Free Agent Signings
by Josh Gaier
Writer Josh Gaier breaks down the top ten free agent signings from March.
1. Asante Samuel, Cornerback, Philadelphia Eagles
Samuel leaves the powerhouse organization, the New England Patriots, to join Andy Reid and the Eagles. With an excellent combination of size, athleticism, and instincts, Samuel offers the Eagles an interception-hungry cornerback that consistently makes plays. In zone coverage, Samuel offers the Eagles a player that does a terrific job reading the quarterback’s eyes; and when in man coverage, he offers them a lockdown corner that has the speed, height, and strength to hold his own. Although Lito Sheppard’s future with the team is a mystery, the potential of having a duo comprising of Samuel and Sheppard starting with Sheldon Brown as a nickel back is teetering near perfection. The three will comprise one of the scariest backfields in the NFL.
2. Michael Turner, Running Back, Atlanta Falcons
After the Michael Vick dilemma, the Falcons organization was left in disarray. Thus, a rebuilding of the offense was badly needed. The Falcons let the aging Warrick Dunn leave and replaced him with an exciting specimen that has been yearning to get a chance to crack an NFL starting lineup: Michael Turner. Turner brings the Falcons a big, powerful, explosive back that can churn out the tough yards but has the acceleration and speed to hit a homerun every time he touches the ball. The Falcons offense was lethargic last year, and the addition of Turner will inject the offense with a sense of excitement and explosion. Although Turner hasn’t shown he can do it as a starter yet, this one-time back up as unlimited potential — but also great expectations.
3. Bernard Berrian, Wide Receiver, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings running game last year was tops in the league, but the passing game was lackluster and hindered the success of the team as whole. A major cause for the ineptitude of the Viking’s passing game was a lack of playmakers on the outside. Berrian is an explosive receiver that has terrific acceleration and straight-line speed. He’ll be able to spread out defenses for the Vikings and open up the running game even more as a deep threat for young quarterback Tavaris Jackson. By adding Berrian, the Vikings have finally found themselves a legitimate deep threat that can help Jackson live up to his potential.
4. Calvin Pace, Outside Linebacker, New York Jets
If you’re a division rival of the New England Patriots, you’re forced to have a tough, constant, hard-hitting pass rush to slow down the NFL’s golden boy, Tom Brady. Knowing this, head coach Eric Mangini went out and bought Calvin Pace — an explosive pass rusher who knows how to get to the quarterback. The Jets saw a major setback in their rebuilding phase last year and a large part of that was due to their dull pass rush. Bryan Thomas took a step back from the promise he displayed in ’06, and the defense showed no ability to rush the quarterback whatsoever. With Pace pairing up with sixth-overall pick Vernon Gholston, the Jets found themselves an explosive pair of rushing outside linebackers.
5. Justin Smith, Defensive End, San Francisco 49ers
In coach Mike Nolan’s 3-4 scheme, two defensive ends that can clog the line and contain blockers and space are needed. Smith has exceptional upper- and lower-body strength which allows him to shed defenders easily and track down the ball carriers. With Smith’s track record of being sturdy against the line, his signing bodes well for a 49ers scheme that requires their defensive ends to play close to the line of scrimmage and control offensive linemen. Once Bryant Young retired, the 49ers’ defensive line needs waxed, but Justin Smith filled that void.
6. Alan Faneca, Offensive Guard, New York Jets
The Jets offensive line was horrendous last year. Chad Pennington, Kellen Clemens, Leon Washington, and Thomas Jones felt the effects first hand. After trading disgruntled Pete Kendall away in an effort to not establish “precedents,” the Jets realized the gigantic loss only after the season began. Although Faneca is a shadow of his former self, he still offers the Jets a dominant run blocker that can control the line of scrimmage with his initial punch. His intelligence and understanding of the game also make him a perfect fit for an Eric Mangini team. Another positive that Faneca brings to the table is that he will greatly help third-year left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson.
7. Antwan Odom, Defensive End, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals offense has been carrying the team the last couple of years, but that hasn’t gotten them much success. The pass rush is inconsistent and the linebackers aren’t filling against the run. Last year, while with the Titans, Odom showed he was capable pass rusher as he recorded eight sacks. Odom plays with terrific low leverage and has the speed to zoom past the opposing offensive tackle. Although he still has ways to go in the mental aspect of the game, Odom has the physical skills to inject the Bengals’ defensive line with a spark in the pass rush. When you also factor in the addition of Southern California product Keith Rivers, the Bengals defense could become much improved as they employ more speed and athleticism.
8. Justin Smiley, Offensive Guard, Miami Dolphins
New head coach Tony Sparano’s forte is the offensive line. In an attempt to rejuvenate an offense, Sparano is making every effort to have his blockers intact. This signing couple with the drafting of Jake Long proves this. Now, with Long as the bookend on the left side and Smiley as the left guard, the Dolphins left side of the line is potent. Ronnie Brown, an already formidable NFL running back, should have a ton of holes to hit towards the left side of the line, and the quarterback — whoever that may be — won’t need to worry about his blindside. We always hear the offensive line is the most important component of an offense; the Dolphins are putting that theory to the test.
9. Alge Crumpler, Tight End, Tennessee Titans
Although Crumpler had a down year last year, he still has the potential to become the receiving threat he used to be. The Titans desperately need to supply Vince Young with more weapons, and Crumpler is a good first step. He creates mismatches, has the speed to beat man coverage, catches the ball nicely, and has the size to do something after the catch. Since the Titans failed to partner Young with a dynamic receiver, Crumpler will fill that void. Also, as Crumpler spreads out the field and defenses, the running game will open up even more.
10. Donte’ Stallworth, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns
The Browns exploded on offense last year and look to add to that by pairing stud receiver Braylon Edwards with the speedy Donte’ Stallworth. After an impressive campaign last year, Derek Anderson now has multiple targets that can stretch the field and make things happen after the catch. With Stallworth posing as a deep threat, and Edwards having the ability to hit the home run and go over the middle, the Browns offense could improve again this season. If the defense can hold its own, the Browns look to take the next step as a franchise.