In my opinion, the opening of NFL Free Agency is the greatest day of the year.
Well, apart from Christmas, Anzac Day, my birthday, your birthday and the return of House of Cards, so it’s comfortably in sixth place.
The inquisition, information leaks, and evolution of social media have made the off-season and start of free agency just as if not more intriguing than what happens on the gridiron.
That being said, it’s not all good. Players are cut, overpaid, traded without warning all for our entertainment, which essentially makes the NFL the greatest reality television program available right now. I am waiting for the inevitable barrage of hatred from loyal Real Housewives fans.
So for your perusal I’ll be firstly be going over the moves I loved, the ones I was less enthusiastic about and those where you’re guess is as good as mine.
Moves I loved
1. Seattle trading for Jimmy Graham
Giving up centre, Max Unger, and a first round pick for one player may perhaps seem a steep price for one player, but this is Jimmy Graham we’re talking about.
Graham is clearly the second overall player at his position and arguably the most versatile tight end in the league (and yes he is a tight end).
The criticism of Seattle was that management failed to provide quarterback Russell Wilson with adequate weapons in the passing game.
Wilson relied on middle of the road targets Doug Baldwin, Ricardo Lockett and Jermaine Kearse as well as the enigmatic Chris Matthews whose most impressive (and only) stat-line of the season came in their Superbowl loss to the Patriots.
Graham immediately becomes the biggest offensive weapon in the NFC West, the L.O.B. no longer has to face him, and the well documented toughness of Seattle practices should make him a more complete tight end. *cough run blocking cough*.
2. Jacksonville sign Jared Odrick
With the impending arrival of Ndamukong Suh – who decided to take his talents to South Beach as it were – the departure of versatile defensive lineman Jared Odrick went somewhat unrecognised.
Odrick may have a small trip upstate to Jacksonville but his impact should be anything but.
The pairing of Odrick and recently re-signed Tyson Alualu should provide a formidable run defence with the former also having the ability to sweep outside and rush on passing downs.
Odrick should be a perfect fit with coach Gus Bradley whom helped create a monster in Seattle with an emphasis on an aggressive, versatile and rotational defensive line.
3. Lions have Ngata to worry about (sorry)
Detroit was on the unfortunate side of the revised collective bargaining agreement with their dismal years not only resulting in numerous top-two drafts picks but also the absurdly high price tag that came with it.
The Lions were never going to be able to continue to build a team while paying a premium for Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford and Ndamukong Suh.
Enter Haloti Ngata after the Ravens traded the five-time All-Pro for a fourth and fifth round draft pick respectively.
While certainly not as youthful as his predecessor Suh, Ngata, 31, presents a tremendous replacement for a transcendent player, something that very rarely occurs.
Assuming he returns from his substance abuse suspension as his old self, Ngata should assist the Lions in having a pass-rush well capable of getting after NFC North quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Teddy Bridgewater and to a lesser extent…Jay Cutler.
4. Shane Vereen lands in New York (but not the Jets)
Former New England running back Shane Vereen proved in the Superbowl to be a well established weapon in the passing game, catching 11 balls and providing crucial third-down agility and lateral shiftiness.
This did not go unnoticed by the New York Giants.
Rashard Jennings and rookie Andre Williams were a respectable running back tandem but provided little help in a passing attack centred around, short to intermediate routes and a quick release from Eli Manning.
Vereen should provide more of a threat from Manning’s check-down passes due to his ability in the open field to make tacklers miss and subsequently extend key offensive drives.
5. The Rams somehow receiving value for Sam Bradford
Before trading started, if you saw the Rams somehow receiving a quarterback, a fourth and a second round pick for Sam Bradford put your hand up?
And if you’re hand is up, place it down on the keyboard and close this article. I don’t want liars reading my articles.
But all apparent logic aside, the Philadelphia Eagles did exactly that, departing with Nick Foles along the way.
Bradford went 18-30-1 as a starter in St Louis, with seven of those wins coming in his rookie year before piecing together another three injury riddled seasons before his Rams tenure culminated with an ACL injury.
Foles’ – while also coming off a season ending injury – is already a more accomplished NFL quarterback than Bradford.
In 2013 he finished with 27 touchdowns to two interceptions, which greatly eclipses any single season performance by Bradford to this date. Kudos to the Rams for proving true the immortal words of NBA legend Kevin Garnett, “anything is possible.”
Final thoughts
-I’ve attempted to make sense of the logic behind the Bradford/Foles trade but like trying to watch Inception repeatedly for clarity, it is merely leaving me a confused mess. Chip Kelly you are Christopher Nolan.
-Sufferers of sleep-deprivation need only look at the news of the Vikings signing Shaun Hill. If that doesn’t put you to sleep I don’t know what will.
-Rex Ryan in Buffalo is like Paul Blart Mall Cop 2…none of us asked for it, we know what we are getting into, but the allure is too much to resist.
-The loyal fans of Real Housewives are yet to comment.
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