Shutdown Corner - NFL

Mon Mar 03, 2008 4:22 pm EST

Seven overpaid NFL free agents

First, keep in mind that the values indicated likely do not reflect the true value of the contract, because the NFL chooses to do things in a confusing and cumbersome fashion. The true value of the contract won't be known until it's played out or voided.

Justin Smith, DE, 49ers
6 years, $45 million

Smith's been a good and durable player for a long time, but he is coming off his least productive year ever, at least in terms of sacks. He had a grand total of 2 last year. It feels like the 49ers gave a lot of money to the right guy at the wrong time.

Randall Gay, CB, Saints
4 years, $17.8 million

It's understandable because the Saints could sign Emmanuel Lewis as a corner, and he'd be an upgrade, but that still seems like a lot of money for Randall Gay. He's only 25 and does have room to grow as a player, but he'll have to be healthy and on the field for that to happen.

Donte' Stallworth, WR, Browns
7 years, $35 million

Stallworth has never cracked the 1,000-yard mark in a season, and has only been over 800 once. He was supposed to be the Saints go-to guy in the post-Joe Horn era, but the opted cut him loose. Also consider that the Browns already have Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow, and Joe Jurevicius catching passes, and it seems hard to justify breaking off that much cheddar for a guy who has never proven he could be a reliable #1 or #2 receiver.

Bernard Berrian, WR, Vikings
6 years, $42 million

The general consensus seems to be that the Vikings overpaid for Berrian by quite a bit, but I'm not sure I agree. Yeah, it's a steep price, but Berrian's got decent size, great speed, great hands, and can make catches anywhere on the field. He had over 950 yards for the Bears last year, despite the fact that the Bears would've been better off with a Jugs machine at quarterback. I may be in the minority here, but I think Berrian will turn out to be an excellent investment.

Jerry Porter, WR, Jaguars
6 years, $30 million

I've always been a Porter fan, and he's a phenomenal physical talent, but at some point, you've just got to assume that if it hasn't happened yet, it's not going to. On the other hand, he is a physically gifted wide receiver leaving Oakland, and those have prospered in recent years.

Alan Faneca, OG, Jets
5 years, $40 million

Bringing in Alan Faneca might not be a bad idea, but to make him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league, despite the fact that he sleepwalked through the '07 season with the Steelers, seems like a bad idea. Pittsburgh had major offensive line trouble last year, and no one wanted to blame Faneca because he's popular with the local fans and everyone wanted him to stay, but he existed as part of the problem, not in spite of it.

Tommy Kelly, DT, Raiders: 
7 years, $50 million

Kelly has the potential to turn into a beast, but you know, so do a lot of people. He was an undrafted free agent, has played in 49 games, has 13 sacks, and is coming off a season-ending ACL injury last year. And with this, the Raiders gave him the largest contract ever given to a defensive tackle. In this particular competition, credentials don't get much stronger than that.

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80 Comments

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  1. chris b
    1. Posted by chris b Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:23 pm EDT

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    Being a browns fan, do not know why we would spend so much on stallworth, but in phil we trust. how bought we trade anderson to miami for taylow and a first day pick?
  2. David B
    2. Posted by David B Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:45 pm EDT

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    i am not ready to jump on anderson's back yet, nor am i ready to let quinn drive solo. fight it out like men, and may the best man survive. trade the other next year!
  3. Kenny
    3. Posted by Kenny Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:25 pm EDT

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    The thing with Faneca is that he was great in run blocking, but like everyone else on the Steelers' O-line, he sucked at pass protection. With Ferguson and Mangold alongside him he won't be as overmatched as he was last year, while if they use him effectively in the running game (he is the best in the game at getting out to the next level if your scheme allows him to do that) he will be a great addition.
    He was the best lineman available, but yeah, he isn't worth the top money.
  4. whoaaa
    4. Posted by whoaaa Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:53 pm EDT

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    vikings have about as consistent a passing attack as the bears, so maybe berrian will be good if he can get near 1000 yards. Faneca is interesting, seems old.
    Justin Smith, that seems like a lot of money for a guy that hasnt produced not only that much last year, but actually he has never went over 10 sacks in a season
  5. Russell
    5. Posted by Russell Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:38 pm EDT

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    what about gibril wilson???
  6. Russell
    6. Posted by Russell Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:38 pm EDT

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    what about gibril wilson???
  7. ball2best
    7. Posted by ball2best Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:01 pm EDT

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    i just want to say that you clearly have not been a bears fan or watched bears games recently to say that bernard berrian has great hands and can make catches all over the field. That is the most ridiculous statement i have heard. I like berrian and wanted to keep him but he does not have the best of hands and that is why we let him go.
  8. koko
    8. Posted by koko Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:42 pm EDT

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    $42 mill for Berrian...Wow, just WOW!
  9. acdagreat30
    9. Posted by acdagreat30 Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    What were the Browns thinking signing Donte Stallworth?? i mean are u kidding me?? He has never been a number one receiver and he has had the opportunity in New Orleans when Joe Horn was out. Coming out of Tennesee i felt his career was going to be a very good one but for now he will be labeld as an under achiever. 7 years 35 million?? come on Phil Savage
  10. buddybarker820
    10. Posted by buddybarker820 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:15 pm EDT

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    Bernard Berrian may be good, but 42 million? He's good, but definitely not worth that money.
  11. chris
    11. Posted by chris Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:25 pm EDT

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    i don't know who the guy is that is reporting on this stuff well i went look up nfl players and how can the saints sign a planer name emmanel lewis when there is no nfl player with that name they need to fo there research before reporting on stuff.
  12. V3K
    12. Posted by V3K Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:59 pm EDT

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    emmanuel lewis was the midget that played webster on TV. Its a joke.
  13. pauls95blazer
    13. Posted by pauls95blazer Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:03 pm EDT

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    pick a public school ,any school and pay them 50mil. that tommy kelly just got and see how well the children do.
  14. rick
    14. Posted by rick Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:43 pm EDT

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    the browns didn't sign stallworth for this year, they signed him because Joey J. is going to retire at the end of the year. t
  15. T_cornmuffin_
    15. Posted by T_cornmuffin_ Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:57 pm EDT

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    berrian has GREAT hands? LMFAO! thats a joke
  16. DDub
    16. Posted by DDub Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT

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    Wha, no Big Ben vote? Does anyone here think Roethlisberger is worth more than Manning or Brady money?
  17. BHo
    17. Posted by BHo Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:03 pm EDT

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    to post #11, Chris I, you're a freaking moron!!! You should do some research before you post any comments!!! LOL
  18. pm.drummer
    18. Posted by pm.drummer Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:14 pm EDT

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    I think stallworth will be a good reciever in CLE. I know for a fact that he can play or he wouldn't still be in the league. But he hasn't ever been in a system where he can thrive, but now hopefully as a slot receiver with the browns with defenses shading towards braylen edwards, hopefully he will get open in the middle kinda like wes welker just not as tough.
  19. Illinifan08
    19. Posted by Illinifan08 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:23 pm EDT

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    maybe the bears could benefit having a Jugs machine at quarterback... it costs alot less than grossman's useless self
  20. Foo Yoo Mo Fo
    20. Posted by Foo Yoo Mo Fo Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:53 pm EDT

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    The point a lot of teams seem to be making with giving huge contracts to players with SOME professional experience is that the day of the rookie making an immediate impact is rare. Teams are now trying to glean whatever talent they can find at a huge price, nevermind that the (now rich) hack was and always will be marginal (J.Porter, for example, that the author rightly pointed out that if it hasn't happened, it never will). For example, Tommy Kelly might not have been drafted, but why chance that he might get away and then you would have to fill his spot when you have way too many holes that still might need three or four drafts anyways
  21. Foo Yoo Mo Fo
    21. Posted by Foo Yoo Mo Fo Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:53 pm EDT

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    the point a lot of teams seem to be making with giving huge contracts to players with some professional experience is that the day of the rookie making an immediate impact is rare. teams are now trying to glean whatever talent they can find at a huge price, nevermind that the (now rich) hack was and always will be marginal (j.porter, for example, that the author rightly pointed out that if it hasn't happened, it never will). for example, tommy kelly might not have been drafted, but why chance that he might get away and then you would have to fill his spot when you have way too many holes that still might need three or four drafts anyways
  22. Foo Yoo Mo Fo
    22. Posted by Foo Yoo Mo Fo Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:53 pm EDT

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    the point a lot of teams seem to be making with giving huge contracts to players with some professional experience is that the day of the rookie making an immediate impact is rare. teams are now trying to glean whatever talent they can find at a huge price, nevermind that the (now rich) hack was and always will be marginal (j.porter, for example, that the author rightly pointed out that if it hasn't happened, it never will). for example, tommy kelly might not have been drafted, but why chance that he might get away and then you would have to fill his spot when you have way too many holes that still might need three or four drafts anyways
  23. Foo Yoo Mo Fo
    23. Posted by Foo Yoo Mo Fo Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:53 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    the point a lot of teams seem to be making with giving huge contracts to players with some professional experience is that the day of the rookie making an immediate impact is rare. teams are now trying to glean whatever talent they can find at a huge price, nevermind that the (now rich) hack was and always will be marginal (j.porter, for example, that the author rightly pointed out that if it hasn't happened, it never will). for example, tommy kelly might not have been drafted, but why chance that he might get away and then you would have to fill his spot when you have way too many holes that still might need three or four drafts anyways
  24. Foo Yoo Mo Fo
    24. Posted by Foo Yoo Mo Fo Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:53 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    the point a lot of teams seem to be making with giving huge contracts to players with some professional experience is that the day of the rookie making an immediate impact is rare. teams are now trying to glean whatever talent they can find at a huge price, nevermind that the (now rich) hack was and always will be marginal (j.porter, for example, that the author rightly pointed out that if it hasn't happened, it never will). for example, tommy kelly might not have been drafted, but why chance that he might get away and then you would have to fill his spot when you have way too many holes that still might need three or four drafts anyways
  25. Foo Yoo Mo Fo
    25. Posted by Foo Yoo Mo Fo Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:53 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    the point a lot of teams seem to be making with giving huge contracts to players with some professional experience is that the day of the rookie making an immediate impact is rare. teams are now trying to glean whatever talent they can find at a huge price, nevermind that the (now rich) hack was and always will be marginal (j.porter, for example, that the author rightly pointed out that if it hasn't happened, it never will). for example, tommy kelly might not have been drafted, but why chance that he might get away and then you would have to fill his spot when you have way too many holes that still might need three or four drafts anyways

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