Interesting article on FA WRs (1 Viewer)

[snellman]

from Viking Update

For all the emotional baggage Terrell Owens brings to the table, over the last five years, he has been one of the few free agent wide receivers that has actually produced at a level with his new team that he did with his previous team. Perhaps this sad trend of player disappointment is why the Vikings didn't get in the deep end of the wide receiver free agent pool.

Maybe the Vikings know what they’re doing by not going after a top wide receiver in free agency.

Brad Childress has always seemed to be a man who looks at history when making decisions and Rick Spielman can count toothpicks with “Rain Man” precision. Between the two of them, they must have realized that taking a free agent wide receiver or trading for a veteran is a dicey proposition.

While Vikings fans lamented the loss of Randy Moss in 2005, in 29 games with the Raiders, he has fewer catches (102), yards (1,558) and touchdowns (11) than he had in the 2003 season – his last healthy year as a Viking. But he is far from alone.

Ashley Lelie cost the Falcons a first-round pick last April and what did he deliver? 28 catches for 430 yards and one TD. Muhsin Muhammad signed two years ago with the Bears after coming off an enormous season with the Panthers. In those two years, he barely has more yards and receptions than he had in 2004 and has seven fewer touchdowns. Nate Burleson signed his alleged seven-year, $49 million contract with the Seahawks last year and, despite playing in every game, caught just 18 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns.

Need more ammunition? Joe Jurevicius has burned both the Buccaneers and Browns by signing free agent contracts and then stinking up the joint. The only good year he’s had since he left the Giants was in 2005 with the Seahawks – who picked him up after being released by Tampa Bay. Antonio Bryant signed a free agent deal with the 49ers last year and responded with numbers of 40-733-3 – totals so bad that he was released prior to the start of free agency this year. Derrick Mason was a big free agent signee in 2005 but in his last five years with the Titans, he never scored less than five touchdowns in year. In two full seasons with the Ravens, he has a total of five touchdowns. The Jets thought they were getting a budding star in Justin McCareins when they signed him away from Tennessee in 2004, a year in which he caught seven touchdown passes. In the three years since, he has caught a total of seven touchdowns.

The same can be said for players like David Patten, Donte Stallworth, Peerless Price and Antwaan Randle El. Each signed for multi-millions. Each has been a disappointment with his new team. A look at 25 recent free agent signees shows that more than 80 percent of them have posted numbers even or less than they did with their previous team. While teams have found free agent windfalls in quarterbacks like Drew Brees and running backs like Chester Taylor, wide receivers almost invariably don’t live up to the hype – or the paycheck – when they move to a new system.

Is it the difficulty of moving to a new city and new offensive scheme? Is it a matter of getting timing down with a new quarterback? Perhaps. But the numbers don’t lie. Maybe that is why the Vikings went after a low-rent player like Bobby Wade. If he can produce like Mike Furrey did when he was given an opportunity, the Vikings will benefit, as opposed to paying huge money with little return like so many other NFL teams have done in recent years.

It’s understandable that Vikings fans are upset that the team hasn’t made a stronger push in free agency, but, when it comes to wide receivers, maybe doing little or nothing has turned out to be the better option.

Discuss

 

[coolnerd]

 

[zamboni]

So what's the implication - Troy Williamson is the guy, or they draft a WR in the 1st?

 

[snellman]

I am not happy with the vikings lack of interest either, but this was an interesting article NFL wide on how many WRs have signed monster FA contracts and have not lived up to the billing. Coicidence or are they possibly on to something?

 

[Couch Potato]

Easy to cherry pick examples that support a contention, as this article does.

It fails to mention Javon Walker, who did just fine after going to Denver in 2006 (#9 fantasy WR). And Burriss, who has been a top-12 fantasy WR in the two years since his move to NYG. Santana Moss was #3 in 2005 after his move to WAS. Coles had no drop off since his move to NYJ. Stallworth was mentioned in the article, but on a PPG basis he had the most productive year of his career. Galloway was never higher than #26 in Dallas, but he's been #5 and #15 the last two years in Tampa Bay. Terry Glenn's career has had a renaissance since he went to DAL, in the top-20 the last two years. Caldwell last year had his best year by far.

I don't think it's any surprise that an article can be written to support any claim the writer wants to make. I could write an article using the above names and it would look like changing teams is the greatest thing in the world for a WR. Yes, there have been busts who changed teams, but there have also been busts who didn't change teams. When the writer wants to go to the trouble of doing an empirical study I'll pay attention. He may be correct in his conclusion, but the anecdotal evidence he presents means little.

 

[NoCheese]

Easy to cherry pick examples that support a contention, as this article does.It fails to mention Javon Walker, who did just fine after going to Denver in 2006 (#9 fantasy WR). And Burriss, who has been a top-12 fantasy WR in the two years since his move to NYG. Santana Moss was #3 in 2005 after his move to WAS. Coles had no drop off since his move to NYJ. Stallworth was mentioned in the article, but on a PPG basis he had the most productive year of his career. Galloway was never higher than #26 in Dallas, but he's been #5 and #15 the last two years in Tampa Bay. Terry Glenn's career has had a renaissance since he went to DAL, in the top-20 the last two years. Caldwell last year had his best year by far. I don't think it's any surprise that an article can be written to support any claim the writer wants to make. I could write an article using the above names and it would look like changing teams is the greatest thing in the world for a WR. Yes, there have been busts who changed teams, but there have also been busts who didn't change teams. When the writer wants to go to the trouble of doing an empirical study I'll pay attention. He may be correct in his conclusion, but the anecdotal evidence he presents means little.

<_<

 

[sho nuff]

Easy to cherry pick examples that support a contention, as this article does.It fails to mention Javon Walker, who did just fine after going to Denver in 2006 (#9 fantasy WR). And Burriss, who has been a top-12 fantasy WR in the two years since his move to NYG. Santana Moss was #3 in 2005 after his move to WAS. Coles had no drop off since his move to NYJ. Stallworth was mentioned in the article, but on a PPG basis he had the most productive year of his career. Galloway was never higher than #26 in Dallas, but he's been #5 and #15 the last two years in Tampa Bay. Terry Glenn's career has had a renaissance since he went to DAL, in the top-20 the last two years. Caldwell last year had his best year by far. I don't think it's any surprise that an article can be written to support any claim the writer wants to make. I could write an article using the above names and it would look like changing teams is the greatest thing in the world for a WR. Yes, there have been busts who changed teams, but there have also been busts who didn't change teams. When the writer wants to go to the trouble of doing an empirical study I'll pay attention. He may be correct in his conclusion, but the anecdotal evidence he presents means little.

Javon Walker was not a free agent...he was traded. Moss and Coles were also trades were they not?

 

[Couch Potato]

Easy to cherry pick examples that support a contention, as this article does.It fails to mention Javon Walker, who did just fine after going to Denver in 2006 (#9 fantasy WR). And Burriss, who has been a top-12 fantasy WR in the two years since his move to NYG. Santana Moss was #3 in 2005 after his move to WAS. Coles had no drop off since his move to NYJ. Stallworth was mentioned in the article, but on a PPG basis he had the most productive year of his career. Galloway was never higher than #26 in Dallas, but he's been #5 and #15 the last two years in Tampa Bay. Terry Glenn's career has had a renaissance since he went to DAL, in the top-20 the last two years. Caldwell last year had his best year by far. I don't think it's any surprise that an article can be written to support any claim the writer wants to make. I could write an article using the above names and it would look like changing teams is the greatest thing in the world for a WR. Yes, there have been busts who changed teams, but there have also been busts who didn't change teams. When the writer wants to go to the trouble of doing an empirical study I'll pay attention. He may be correct in his conclusion, but the anecdotal evidence he presents means little.

Javon Walker was not a free agent...he was traded. Moss and Coles were also trades were they not?

I think the point is that the writer is saying the WR's production does not meet expectations after a move. I really am not concerned about the cause of the move.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

Easy to cherry pick examples that support a contention, as this article does.It fails to mention Javon Walker, who did just fine after going to Denver in 2006 (#9 fantasy WR). And Burriss, who has been a top-12 fantasy WR in the two years since his move to NYG. Santana Moss was #3 in 2005 after his move to WAS. Coles had no drop off since his move to NYJ. Stallworth was mentioned in the article, but on a PPG basis he had the most productive year of his career. Galloway was never higher than #26 in Dallas, but he's been #5 and #15 the last two years in Tampa Bay. Terry Glenn's career has had a renaissance since he went to DAL, in the top-20 the last two years. Caldwell last year had his best year by far. I don't think it's any surprise that an article can be written to support any claim the writer wants to make. I could write an article using the above names and it would look like changing teams is the greatest thing in the world for a WR. Yes, there have been busts who changed teams, but there have also been busts who didn't change teams. When the writer wants to go to the trouble of doing an empirical study I'll pay attention. He may be correct in his conclusion, but the anecdotal evidence he presents means little.

Javon Walker was not a free agent...he was traded. Moss and Coles were also trades were they not?

I think the point is that the writer is saying the WR's production does not meet expectations after a move. I really am not concerned about the cause of the move.

But the article is specifically pointing out free agent movement.

 

[coolnerd]

Easy to cherry pick examples that support a contention, as this article does.It fails to mention Javon Walker, who did just fine after going to Denver in 2006 (#9 fantasy WR). And Burriss, who has been a top-12 fantasy WR in the two years since his move to NYG. Santana Moss was #3 in 2005 after his move to WAS. Coles had no drop off since his move to NYJ. Stallworth was mentioned in the article, but on a PPG basis he had the most productive year of his career. Galloway was never higher than #26 in Dallas, but he's been #5 and #15 the last two years in Tampa Bay. Terry Glenn's career has had a renaissance since he went to DAL, in the top-20 the last two years. Caldwell last year had his best year by far. I don't think it's any surprise that an article can be written to support any claim the writer wants to make. I could write an article using the above names and it would look like changing teams is the greatest thing in the world for a WR. Yes, there have been busts who changed teams, but there have also been busts who didn't change teams. When the writer wants to go to the trouble of doing an empirical study I'll pay attention. He may be correct in his conclusion, but the anecdotal evidence he presents means little.

Javon Walker was not a free agent...he was traded. Moss and Coles were also trades were they not?

I think the point is that the writer is saying the WR's production does not meet expectations after a move. I really am not concerned about the cause of the move.

But the article is specifically pointing out free agent movement.

The author contradicted that notion by first mentioning Randy Moss who was traded.

 

[ditka85]

Easy to cherry pick examples that support a contention, as this article does.It fails to mention Javon Walker, who did just fine after going to Denver in 2006 (#9 fantasy WR). And Burriss, who has been a top-12 fantasy WR in the two years since his move to NYG. Santana Moss was #3 in 2005 after his move to WAS. Coles had no drop off since his move to NYJ. Stallworth was mentioned in the article, but on a PPG basis he had the most productive year of his career. Galloway was never higher than #26 in Dallas, but he's been #5 and #15 the last two years in Tampa Bay. Terry Glenn's career has had a renaissance since he went to DAL, in the top-20 the last two years. Caldwell last year had his best year by far. I don't think it's any surprise that an article can be written to support any claim the writer wants to make. I could write an article using the above names and it would look like changing teams is the greatest thing in the world for a WR. Yes, there have been busts who changed teams, but there have also been busts who didn't change teams. When the writer wants to go to the trouble of doing an empirical study I'll pay attention. He may be correct in his conclusion, but the anecdotal evidence he presents means little.

Javon Walker was not a free agent...he was traded. Moss and Coles were also trades were they not?

I think the point is that the writer is saying the WR's production does not meet expectations after a move. I really am not concerned about the cause of the move.

But the article is specifically pointing out free agent movement.

The author contradicted that notion by first mentioning Randy Moss who was traded.

And IIRC Lehlie was also acquired thru a trade.

 

[joelib77]

Easy to cherry pick examples that support a contention, as this article does.It fails to mention Javon Walker, who did just fine after going to Denver in 2006 (#9 fantasy WR). And Burriss, who has been a top-12 fantasy WR in the two years since his move to NYG. Santana Moss was #3 in 2005 after his move to WAS. Coles had no drop off since his move to NYJ. Stallworth was mentioned in the article, but on a PPG basis he had the most productive year of his career. Galloway was never higher than #26 in Dallas, but he's been #5 and #15 the last two years in Tampa Bay. Terry Glenn's career has had a renaissance since he went to DAL, in the top-20 the last two years. Caldwell last year had his best year by far. I don't think it's any surprise that an article can be written to support any claim the writer wants to make. I could write an article using the above names and it would look like changing teams is the greatest thing in the world for a WR. Yes, there have been busts who changed teams, but there have also been busts who didn't change teams. When the writer wants to go to the trouble of doing an empirical study I'll pay attention. He may be correct in his conclusion, but the anecdotal evidence he presents means little.

Good points. I read this article and thought it was pointless.