Under Rated Free Agency

by Tyson Lamp

It was a busy first weekend of the NFL Free-Agency period. With a league regulated salary cap of $123 million dollars, many teams had the room to spend on big name players such as DT Albert Haynesworth (Redskins 7-year deal $100 million), LB Bart Scott (Jets 6-year deal $48 million), FS Brian Dawkins (Broncos 5-year deal $17 million) and LB Jonathan Vilma (Saints 5-year deal $34 million). Teams also looked to help bolster their line-up by wheeling and dealing for immediate impact players such as QB Matt Cassel (Chiefs), TE Kellen Winslow II (Buccaneers), CB Lito Sheppard (Jets) and LB Mike Vrabel (Chiefs). But even with excess cash to spend, some teams are targeting second-tier players to help boost their rosters.

Let’s take a look at some of the Free-Agents whom have signed that you may not know as well and the impact hey could make on their new team:

LB Michael Boley (New York Giants)
The former Atlanta Falcon fourth year player signed a 5-year $25 million contract with the New York Giants. Boley started 12 games last year at OLB for the Falcons and registered 73 tackles. He fell out of favor with the Atlanta coaches but will immediately compete for the weakside linebacker job. Chase Blackburn, Gerris Wilkinson and rookie Bryan Kehl played weakside for the Giants last season. It was the only position where the team used three different starters.

C Jason Brown (St. Louis Rams)
This former Baltimore Ravens player became the highest paid center in the NFL after signing a 5-year $37.5 million contract with the Rams. The 6 foot 3, 320-pound Brown was considered the top interior lineman in free-agency. The 2005 fourth-round pick moved to center last year after starting at left tackle and left guard the previous two seasons. The Ravens rushed for 2,376 yards last season, fourth-best in the NFL. The offensive line has been a weak spot for St. Louis, as Brown is 30 pounds heavier than Nick Leckey and Brett Romberg, the two centers the Rams had last year.

SS Keith Lewis (Arizona Cardinals)
A special-teams standout the past 5 seasons for the San Francisco 49ers, Lewis played in 76 games and started 13 of them. He is known for his aggressive play and attitude; combined with a career 155 tackles, 4 forced fumbles and 3 interceptions. Look for Lewis to play a back-up role to Pro Bowl safety Adrian Wilson but make an immediate impact on kickoff and punt coverages.

DT Colin Cole (Seattle Seahawks)
After five seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Cole signed a 5-year $21 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Despite only making five starts, Cole was a significant player in the defensive line rotation and showed consistent play at the defensive tackle position. He will look to fill the gap left by DT Rocky Bernard who signed with the New York Giants.

WR Brandon Jones (San Francisco 49ers)
The 49ers chose not to re-sign a wide receiver with the initials B.J., so they went out and got another one. Free-agent receiver Brandon Jones of the Tennessee Titans signed with the 49ers for five years at $16.5 million, with $5.4 million guaranteed. As for San Francisco’s previous B.J., Bryant Johnson signed a three-year deal with Detroit. A career receiving average of 12.3 yards per catch suggests Jones is more of a possession receiver than a deep threat, although most of his playing time with the Titans was on third down plays. He’ll compete for playing time with WR Josh Morgan and WR Jason Hill.

C Geoff Hangartner (Buffalo Bills)
A free-agent signing that went under the radar was the Bills signing this former 2005 fifth-rounder. Hangartner started 8 games last season for the Carolina Panthers and has played in 54 career games. He brings depth to the Bills line and will compete for the starting position at either center or guard.

DE Antonio Smith (Houston Texans)
You probably first met Smith during Super Bowl XLIII where the Arizona Cardinals Defensive End registered 8 tackles and 1 sack against the now Champion Pittsburg Steelers. This 6-foot-4, 285-pound player had 41 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season and has 125 tackles and 14.5 sacks in his five-year career. He signed a 5-year $35 million contract to line up opposite Pro Bowl DE Mario Williams in Houston. Smith will replace recently released DE Anthony Weaver whom tallied only 1 sack in three seasons with the Texans.