Aqib Talib- Denver Broncos: six-years, $57 million
Talib is a fine cornerback, don’t get me wrong. However, so was former Bronco Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who allowed fewer catches (30 to Talib’s 38) and 143 less yards than Talib last season. Denver decided not to extend the contract of Rodgers-Cromartie (at least not yet) and sent almost $60 million at a player of the same or worse caliber.
Granted, Denver desperately needed to boost their secondary, with Chris Harris injured and Champ Bailey gone, but the answer may have already been on the team. Plus, the Broncos threw &28 million guaranteed to a risky Talib, both on and off the field.
Maybe the Broncos simply wanted to steal a player from the Patriots. That could have been a genius move, save for the fact that Darelle Revis is now a Patriot.
Overall, I think Denver stretched to pick up Talib.
Ted Ginn Jr.- Arizona Cardinals: three-years, $9.75 million
Ginn Jr. has been in the league for eight years, and he finally had a breakout season in 2013. He caught 36 passes for 556 yards and five touchdowns, helping the Carolina Panthers to the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
It’s normal to think that Ginn Jr. was going to cash in on his big year, but the speedy wide receiver has shown that he can be inconsistent in the receiving front. Yes, he is a great returner, but the Cardinals gave him a three-year deal with the expectations that he could make a big contribution on offense.
I’m not so sure he can repeat what he did in 2013. My head keeps returning to San Francisco, where he totaled 384 yards on 33 catches in three seasons. If he meets his potential, the contract may make more sense. I’m sold on that happening, and three years is a long time in the NFL.
Donald Brown- San Diego Chargers: three-years, $4 million
This one just puzzles me. Brown was effective for the Colts, putting up 537 yards and six touchdowns rushing, as well as 214 yards and two touchdowns receiving. He’s a threat on both ends, good for a team that needs a dual-threat running back.
That team is not San Diego. The Chargers already have Ryan Mathews, Danny Woodhead and Ronnie Brown of their roster. Why would they need Brown?
Matthews is a great runner, Woodhead is a huge threat receiving and Ronnie Brown can plug in some power from time-to-time. Donald Brown is a quality player, but those three running backs combined can do everything Donald Brown can.
Josh McCown- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: two-years, $10 million
I smell a quarterback controversy coming on. Yes, McCown was great in relief of Jay Cutler last season, but does that mean he’ll solve all of the Buccaneers’ problems? Probably not.
McCown has bounced around the league for almost 12 years, putting together a few strong season, like the 66.5 completion percentage, 1,829 yards and 13 touchdowns. However, he was throwing to top wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. Plus, he had a top 5 defense to work with.
McCown hasn’t always been that good. He recorded just one season with over 60 completion percentage in his first seven.
Not to mention, second-year quarterback Mike Glennon was thought to be the future of the team after taking over for Josh Freeman last year. Why would the Buccaneers add a quarterback, at 35, who may create a competition? Either bring in a much better quarterback or much worse, not close to the same caliber.
Austin Howard- Oakland Raiders: five-years, $30 million
The Raiders endured a series of setbacks with their first attempted signing, Rodger Saffold, who originally signed a deal and then failed his physical. That led the team to be desperate when looking for a quality offensive tackle.
Oakland found a tackle and paid him quality money, but he isn’t the player that they want him to be. Howard is an average-at-best tackle that has played in only half of his game’s in the past two years. He won’t solve all the Raiders problems, but the team gave him a nice load of money to try.
But let’s not rag on Oakland; it made a few great moves this week.