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  • December 20, 2007 11:04 AM ET

SIFS: Best free agent signed in the offseason prior to the 2007 NFL season

Dookie: Here We Go Steelers (119-19-8) vs EagleHater: Goodbye, FN (84-36-3)
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Now that the 2007 Regular Season is almost over, we have plenty of time to review how the free agency signings in the off season worked out. This topic says "who was the best 2007 free agency signing?".

My pick for best free agent signing is Jamal Lewis who was signed by the Cleveland Browns.

He has 1084 yards on 251 carries (4.3 ypc) and 9 touchdowns this year and 24 rec for 205 yards and 2 TDs receiving to go along with that.

Last year Reuben Droughns was their leading rusher and only had 758 yards. The Browns only had 1335 yards rushing AS A TEAM!

In the NFL, one way to be successful you need to have a decent QB and a rushing attack (see the Steelers). This keeps the ball out of their opponents hands and its a heck of a lot harder to score without the football.

Everyone seems to be giving Anderson credit for the big turnaround, but to me, I think Lewis is the focal point of the 360. The fact that defenses now have to respect the run allows Edwards more space downfield and it opens up the Browns passing game. (remember that Anderson started 3games last year and didn't do so well)

Without signing Lewis, the Browns would not have enjoyed their success in 07


Well, I was REALLY tempted to choose a Cowboy- both Ken Hamlin and Leonard Davis are having phenomenal years (and both are going to their first Pro Bowl) However, I am sure people are sick of seeing me talk Cowboys, so I skipped 'em.

I was looking at the free agent class last year. It was pretty thin. I was going to pick Eric Steinbach, but arguing for an O-lineman on the team of the RB you picked would be hard. It would be a chicken or egg discussion. Is Lewis making Steinbach look good, or is Steinbach making Lewis look good.

Then it donned on me. This is about ANY free agents, not just guys with new teams. And so I picked the one that DIDN'T get away.

Asante Samuel was free agent signed this off-season (yes, he re-signed with his team, but technically he was a free agent, who signed a contract.)

Samuel is undoubtedly a BIG reason the Pats are undefeated as of right now. Samuel is THE BEST player on that New England defense, and thus he is a big reason why the D is 4th overall, and 5th against the pass.

Samuel, who was rewarded with a Pro Bowl berth for his NFL 4th best 6 interceptions, is the lockdown corner for a secondary 6th in yards per pass, despite playing ahead a LOT


Way to try and go for the loophole (and an incorrect one at that - you said he signed a contract in the offseason but actually he was only franchise tagged) but it shouldn't even matter in this discussion.

The Patriots biggest acquisitions (yes, they were through trades) were Moss and Welker. Samuel wasn't even the biggest signing or (re) signing (or franchise tagging) of the Patriots offseason.

Samuel might be 1 reason why the Patriots are undefeated but he is CLEARLY not THE reason. He isn't even one of the top 3 reasons why the Patriots are undefeated. (BTW the probowl awards are popularity contests and therefore meaningless)

It's hard to say what the Patriots would be like without Samuel, but we can say what Lewis' impact did for the Browns:

Without Lewis last year: The Browns went 4-12. They were 30th in scoring and 31st in rushing.
Fastforward to present day: The Browns have 9 wins, they are 5th in scoring and 14th in rushing.

Lewis' impact is measurable and he is THE REASON for the turnaround of the Browns - the franchise tagging of Samuel isn't the reason the Pats are 14-0


<font color="red">Forfeited Turn</font>


hmmm. Since you didn't make any argument, I guess I'll just reiterate my position for my last turn:

Lewis is the best free agent signing of the 2007 offseason. If you need reasons, please see my second post.


<font color="red">Forfeited Turn</font>

Comments (19) Add A Comment

December 20, 2007  11:11 AM ET
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Look at his picture.. thats his pick

December 20, 2007  11:11 AM ET
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I feel you on the #NR duquesne cap, I have never been ranked, oh well at least we are on the actual leaderboard

December 20, 2007  11:21 AM ET
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haha yea BSchwartz...i put the NR to try and motivate myself....lookin at the top 25 there are about 5 that should be in there...you are def one who should be in the top half atleast...maybe this will be the week....

December 20, 2007  12:13 PM ET
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I have always been on every leaderboard, but I am overrated, lol

December 20, 2007  12:32 PM ET
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haha i def wouldnt say that detroit

December 20, 2007  12:42 PM ET
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you are Det fan, I would rank you about #23 or #24, jk. I'm waiting to see you take that #1 spot on the big board.

and I hear you Duquesne, we will be up there one sweet day. (funny I'm a HOF finalist, but not in the top 25)

December 20, 2007  12:43 PM ET
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as for your rank Duquesne, anything higher than 5 or 6 is really a slap in your face, but that is just my thinking

December 20, 2007  12:59 PM ET
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thanks, but i'll just be happy to crack the top 25...haha then give me a month before i start gettin offended....but there is atleast 10 guys on this site i could rank ahead of me, and you're def one of them

December 20, 2007  01:09 PM ET
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thanks man, we have a regular love fest going on here.

I don't get offended, I see people that get full on pissed off at that stuff. I just see this place as a great site to talk sports. If you want to rank me, or vote me to some award I am honored, but if you don't so be it.

December 20, 2007  01:12 PM ET
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haha yea, we were just all blowin each other.....yea this site is a great place to just leave up all day and see what other people are seein/thinkin when it comes to sports

December 20, 2007  04:43 PM ET
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Good luck Duquesne.

December 20, 2007  05:24 PM ET
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same to you...i'm preparing for the steeler game right now, so i might not get an argument done til later

December 20, 2007  07:58 PM ET
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2 great opening arguments and you will have to wait until Sunday for the rankings

December 21, 2007  10:24 AM ET
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Gotta like Duke's choice, especially over Samuels. If he had gone with Moss it would have been a much tougher vote.

December 21, 2007  10:41 AM ET
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Moss was traded for, not signed as an FA.

December 21, 2007  11:46 AM ET
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I have to go with Duq's argument. Asante Samuel hasnt made the same impact. Hes a great player on a great team with a great supporting cast (how many times can I use the word great in a sentence? well there you have it.. 3)
.

December 23, 2007  11:15 AM ET
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How about Ryan Grant? He got picked up on waivers from the giants practice squad. He began starting in week 8 and has 799 yard averaging 4.8 yards per carry and has 6TD's.

December 23, 2007  01:33 PM ET
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I switched my vote because EH only used one argument.

 
December 23, 2007  05:54 PM ET
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Dammit all!!!!!


I have been super busy recently.

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