2007 NFL FREE AGENCY

March 2nd was an illustrious day for the National Football League. The free agency period began, and this year the salary cap was heightened from roughly 89 million (102 million) to a whopping 109 million. For owners, it meant less revenue, on a small scale. But players and their agents were salivating at the mouth with the gross amount of dollars that were to come.
The landmark day saw dollars tossed around like the pigskin on Sunday afternoons. Teams had to decide; Do we spend quick and get the prime free agents, or just let the chips fall where they may and then scoop up the what's left? Plus, the first few signings would create a domino effect on how much cash is spent on each player or position. Teams hoping to hold onto free agents had the opportunity to franchise one player per club. Guys such as Asante Samuel, Dwight Freeney, Josh Brown and Lance Briggs all received one year deals for a hefty sum.
Thus, on March 2nd, 448 free agents tested the market. The Patriots and Dolphins stepped right up, signing the two premier defensive players available. The Fins' signed former Steeler Joey Porter to a 5/32 (5 years at 32 million dollars) contract. The Pats snagged Adalius Thomas at 5/35, but he could have gotten much more if he visited other clubs. Thomas was the better signing due to his more professional attitude and better versatility. Thomas led the NFL in sacks when one combines the past three seasons.
Running backs were quite busy. Tatum Bell ended up in Detroit, Reuben Droughns In New York(Giants), Thomas Jones in New York(Jets), Ahman Green in Houston, Travis Henry in Denver, Willis McGahee in Baltimore and Jamal Lewis in Cleveland. All are good signings, but the lucrative contacts given to all except Henry and Lewis seem to much, especially Green at 4/23 and McGahee 7/41. Simply too much money.
The better deals were short term solutions. Spend less money and save the draft picks. Lewis signed for 1/3, while T.J. Duckett 1/1.5 with Detroit, 2/7 for Dominic Rhodes with Oakland, Heath Evans 2/3 and Sammy Morris 4/7 with the Pats. All these deals look brilliant, though some may not pan out. Other short deals, such as 3/5.1 for Lorenzo Neal with the Chargers and the Ravens re-signing Musa Smith 1/1 are other good deals for running back/ fullbacks.
Quarterbacks were in short supply, especially with draft hopefuls like Troy Smith, JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn on many teams' list.
Once Jake Plummer retired, Tampa turned to Jeff Garcia, dishing out 2/14.5. In my opinion, the club should have resigned Tim Rattay. No question about it. The Chiefs made a brilliant move by re-signing Damon Huard to a 3/7.5 deal. He will likely be a starting quarterback. Yet, the Cowboys gave Brad Johnson the same exact deal to be a backup to Tony Romo. Which club made a better deal, economically speaking? That's obvious. Lastly, Patrick Ramsey (2/4.5) reached a deal with Denver to backup Jay Cutler. The only deal I like is the Huard one.
Wide receivers had their way as well. The Pats signed Donte Stallworth 6/30 and Wes Welker 5/18 to deals. Both are solid signs, though Stallworth could be a small risk and Welker cost the club a couple draft picks. Atlanta gave Joe Horn a peculiar 4 year pact at 19 million. The Horn signing may go down as the worst signing this free agency period.
Andre Johnson signed a whopping 8/60 contract to stay with the Texans. He's a great receiver, at a steep price though. Other smaller deals may be the best of all though, such as Ashley Lelie 2/4.3 with the 49ers and Bobby Wade with the Vikings 5/15. Mid-range deals like Dennis Nothcutt 5/17 with the Jaguars and Jerrico Cotchery 5/19 with the Jets may well work, bit the Cotchery is far better. Drew Bennett signed a 6/30 deal with St. Louis as well.
Tigh Ends were a mixed bag. The market was weak. Daniel Graham was oddly the best available, even with his inconsistency and health. He signed a mammoth 5/30 contact with Denver. The Rams gave Randy McMichael a three year deal, as the Dolphins let him go to sign David Martin 3/3. McMichael is 20 times the tight end Martin is. Even so, gaining a backup tight end at 1 million per season isn't the worst idea.
Even kickers made out well with the salary cap increase. The Fins' signed Jay Feeley at 3/6, while the Jags re-signed Josh Scobee at 5/10. The question is; Why didn't these teams go after Adam Vinatieri last season. He got the same type of deal with the Colts, and he is way better than these two.
It's the defense where players really cashed in. Often injured Patrick Kerney got a monstrous 6/39.5 with Seattle. An expensive chance. Napolean Harris got a 6/24.5 deal with the Chiefs, who also sighed Donnie Edwards to a big deal. The Bucs signing of Kevin Carter at 4/25 is laughable. The Redskins made an unusually smart signing, gaining London Fletcher-Baker away from the Bills at 5/25.
Cornerbacks were at a premium. Dre' Bly got shipped to the Broncos. Fred Smoot, whose career has been tainted with the cruise scandal, got a 5/21 with the Redskins. The most lucrative contract thus far was when the 49ers signed Nate Clements for a staggering 8/80 million dollar contract!
Lastly, offensive lineman may have made out the best. When Seattle gave Steve Hutchinson a 7/49 deal last offseason, the Offensive Line changed as we know it. They became much more appreciated, especially knowing they protect the vital quarterback and create holes for the running backs.
The Chargers made an early splash, signing L.T.'s gapper Kris Dielman for 6/39 million. Even worse, the Cowboys gave Leonard Davis a 7/49.5 deal. It didn't stop there though, as Eric Steinbach 7/49.5 (Browns) and Derrick Dockery 7/49 (Bills) signed similar deals.
So, there you have it. The good, the bad and the ugly from the expanded salary cap. So, the players are making money, as are the agents, owners and coaches(Lovie Smith 4/21 with the Bears). Let's just hope the fans won't have to offset the dollars floating around, via tickets and jerseys etc.. The league's economics are becoming too much like Hollywood. That's frightening.