Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 502 of 1503)

      Antrel Rolle is now the highest paid safety in the NFL…yikes.

      March 6, 2010 /

      I get it – it’s the nature of the beast. If a team wants to improve its roster by adding a premier free agent in the offseason, then they’re going to have to overpay.

      But there’s something seriously wrong with the fact that Antrel Rolle is now the highest-paid safety in the NFL after agreeing to a five-year, $37 million deal with the Giants. I never blame the player (or his agent) for going out and signing the biggest deal they possibly can. Football is a violent game and if a player is lucky, he’ll play eight years in the league and make as much money as he possibly can during that time. So, good for Rolle for cashing in on his first free agent contract.

      That said, this was the same man that was once benched for Rod Hood in Arizona. Rolle is an excellent athlete with great speed and is solid when he can locate the ball and make a play on it. But he’s a poor tackler, is inconsistent in coverage and he definitely benefited from playing next to Adrian Wilson in Arizona. He will often get abused against top passing offenses, as the Packers proved last season in the playoffs. I realize the Packers will make a lot of defensive backfields look bad, but if the Giants want to be a Super Bowl contender again then they can’t be worried about Rolle getting toasted in the playoffs by teams that can throw.

      The Giants needed safety help with the uncertainty of Kenny Phillips’ playing status for next season. So they went out and spent a ton of money on the best safety on the market in Rolle, who is slightly above average in his prime. In an uncapped year, I understand that they had to spend big (they’re not the only ones overpaying) in order to address a glaring need but just because I understand it, doesn’t mean I think the system makes sense. In fact, free agency in the NFL makes as much sense sometimes as the rookie salary structure.


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      Dansby gives Dolphins the defensive playmaker they’ve needed

      March 5, 2010 /

      There are few inside linebackers in the NFL that are as good in coverage as they are against the run. But Karlos Dansby certainly fits the bill, which is why he was the most sought after linebacker on the free agent market this offseason.

      On Friday, Dansby signed a five-year, $43 million contract with the Dolphins, which includes $22 million in guarantees. It’s the richest deal ever for a linebacker that isn’t primarily a pass-rusher, which proves how valuable he was to Miami.

      If there were one thing the Dolphins have sorely needed the past two years, it would be a playmaker that can immediately step in and make an impact on the defensive side of the ball. Dansby will fill that need for Miami playing next to Channing Crowder as the team’s new “Ted” linebacker in their defense. He’s solid in run defense and skilled in coverage, which is a rarity for inside linebackers. He’s also good for causing a couple of turnovers a year and will certainly be missed by the Cardinals.

      Next up for the Dolphins is finding someone that can rush the passer, which is the one thing they won’t get from the Dansby signing. As expected, the Fins terminated the contract of Joey Porter today, whose only contribution to the team was getting after the quarterback. Miami also released fellow linebacker Akin Ayodele and safety Gibril Wilson, who turned out to be a free agent bust after signing a five-year, $27.5 million contract in February of 2009. It was the second time in two years that Wilson was released by a team just one year after he signed a multi-year contract. (The Raiders cut him after the 2008 season after he signed a lucrative contract that previous spring.)


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      Patriots did what they had to in order to keep Wilfork: They opened up their wallets

      March 5, 2010 /

      The New England Patriots have long been known as a team that doesn’t pony up when it comes to signing free agents. But Vince Wilfork’s new five-year, $40 million deal proves just how much the Pats value the 28-year-old defensive tackle.

      Having a nose tackle that can occupy multiple offensive linemen and keep blockers off of linebackers is a vital component for a team that plays the 3-4. Wilfork, a skilled run defender, is arguably the best nose tackle in the league and while $40 million is a hefty price to pay for his position, New England had no choice but to shell out big money to retain his services.

      The Patriots defense didn’t play at the same level last season that everyone has come to expect under Bill Belichick’s guidance. It was imperative that they re-signed Wilfork and in doing so, they’ve filled a potential void that could have been detrimental to their success for the next couple seasons.

      Considering he’s only 28 and has shown no signs of decline, there’s a good chance that Wilfork will see the end of his contract in New England.


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      Anquan Boldin, Ravens a perfect match

      March 5, 2010 /

      Anquan Boldin hasn’t caught one pass yet as a Baltimore Raven, but I feel confident enough to say that it’s already a perfect partnership.

      The Ravens acquired Boldin and a fifth round pick from the Arizona Cardinals on Friday in exchange for their third and fourth round selections in this year’s draft. Immediately after acquiring the 29-year-old receiver, Baltimore signed him to a four-year, $28 million deal.

      The Ravens have been desperately seeking a true No. 1 receiver over the past couple years, while Boldin has wanted to be treated like one. It’s not that he didn’t like playing in Arizona – he just felt as though he should be paid similarly to Larry Fitzgerald, or at least have the opportunity to make No. 1-type money.

      Boldin will immediately upgrade Baltimore’s receiving corps and assuming he doesn’t retire, Derrick Mason will make a fine No. 2. Acquiring a legitimate No. 1 receiver was the final piece of the puzzle for GM Ozzie Newsome and while it took a couple years, he finally found one in Boldin. Joe Flacco now has several solid weapons at his disposal in Boldin, Mason and rising star Ray Rice, and will also be protected by an above average offensive line.

      While the Cardinals would have loved to keep Boldin paired with Fitzgerald in their dynamic offense, all parties involved in this trade walk away winners. The Ravens got their receiver, Boldin got his money and his No. 1 status, and the Cardinals got fair compensation for a player that didn’t want to be there long-term.

      Boldin was a top 10 fantasy receiver in Arizona, and depending on who starts the season as the Ravens’ WR2, he should be a top 10 receiver in Baltimore. If Mason sticks around, it will likely depress the numbers of both players. Also, don’t expect Ray Rice to catch 78 passes again next season. Boldin is going to get a ton of targets and Mason figures to as well.

      From Arizona’s point of view, it’s an opportunity for Steve Breaston or Early Doucet to step into the WR2 role and have a big season. Breaston has had the better career, but Doucet played well in the postseason, catching 14 passes for 145 yards and two TD against the Packers and Saints. However, either player’s success will depend directly on how Matt Leinart fares at QB. There’s a good chance that the Cardinals will now focus more on Beanie Wells and the running game. Larry Fitzgerald should continue to be a top 3 fantasy wideout.


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      Ravens, Patriots, Chiefs in the mix for Boldin

      March 5, 2010 /

      ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Ravens are the front-runners to land receiver Anquan Boldin, although Baltimore beat writer Aaron Wilson writes that the Patriots are the front-runners.

      From Rotoworld.com:

      ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Ravens are the front-runners to land Anquan Boldin while Ravens beat writer Aaron Wilson calls the Patriots the favorites.

      The Chiefs also in the mix. It’s funny that two Baltimore reports have the Pats as the favorites, possibly to drive up the price on the Ravens. If the cost is still a third-rounder, Boldin is a no-brainer. His next team has him under contract cheaply for the 2010 season with a year to work out a contract. If no deal can be reached, the cost was still just a third-rounder for one season of a possible difference-maker.

      The Cardinals did well by setting the asking price for Boldin at a third round pick. Getting multiple teams to bid against each other for the next month will only drive up Boldin’s trade value before the draft, which is when teams will really get desperate.

      If it requires throwing in another pick, Ozzie Newsome might want to sweeten his offer (whatever it may be) to ensure Boldin winds up in Baltimore next season. A No. 1 receiver is essentially the last piece of the puzzle for the Ravens’ offense and Boldin would do wonders for Joe Flacco in the passing game.

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