Source: AP
Here are the 10 the best off-season signings and trades among all teams in the NFL. They include players signing with rival teams and blockbuster trades; but which one ranks as the best one?
10) Cincinnati Bengals sign James Harrison:
- Justin K. Aller/Getty Images North America
There is a reason why Harrison signed specifically with the Bengals. He wants to face the team that released him because they didn’t think he was worth the money he was making in 2013. Harrison has been quoted saying “I understand it’s a business, so it’s not like I can take it personally, But to say that it doesn’t motivate me in some sense it would be a lie.” It seems like he will pull out all the stops to get some revenge on Pittsburgh and prove they made a mistake letting him go. The veteran also brings a tough attitude to a rising young defense in the NFL.
9) New Englad Patriots re-sign Aqib Talib and Kyle Arrington and sign Adrian Wilson:
- Source: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America
Patriots fans have been begging for their defense to get some help, especially in the secondary. These three moves accomplish that. The 5 time pro-bowler, Wilson, will be solid in the safety position along with Devin McCourty. Signing Talib will move Arrington over to cover the slot where he has been most effective in his career. This Pats D should see much better production in the 2013 season.
8)Minnesota Vikings sign Greg Jennings for 5 YR/$47M:
- Source: Jeff Gross/Getty Images North America
After trading away Percy Harvin, the Vikings were left with Jerome “I flipped into the endzone that one time” Simpson and Jarius Wright as their top WRs (Ouch). If the 29 year old Jennings can stay healthy throughout the majority of his contract, he will be a much needed passing weapon for this Vikings offense. Hell, the Vikings would take him even if he was only able to play for half of their games.
7) Cleveland Browns sign Paul Kruger for 5 YR/$40M:
- Source: Patrick Smith/Getty Images North America
Kruger recorded 9 sacks with the Ravens in 2012 and established himself as a solid pass rusher. It is another defensive piece that the Ravens will lose and will have to face him against the rival Browns. One of the knocks on Kruger is that he is an unproven guy to be the main pass rusher on a defense. He performed at his best when Suggs was in the game rushing the passer with him. The question will remain if he can be the guy the Browns are paying him to be.
6) New England Patriots sign Danny Amendola to 5 YR/$31M:
- Source: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images North America
Exit Wes Welker, enter Danny Amendola. He is the younger, less good version of Welker and has only played in 12 games the past two seasons. 2010 was his best year in which he had 689 receiving yards compared to Welker who has surpassed 1,100 recieving yards five different times. But bringing that stat up is kind of unfair when your quarter back is Sam Bradford. Nonetheless, Amendola is a good fit for the Pats as they need a WR to take Welkers place and their offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, had previously coached him in St. Louis. If Amendola can stay on the field, this contract will work out very well for everyone involved.
5)Kansas City Chiefs re-sign Dwayne Bowe for 5 YR/ $56M:
- Source: Jason Miller/Getty Images North America
If Bowe can stay healthy, he and Jamaal Charles will be the top offensive threats for years to come in KC. After drafting OT Eric Fisher with the 1st pick of the 2013 draft, it will open up some holes in the run game which will snowball into the pass game. With the addition of the conservative Alex Smith, this upcoming season doesn’t look so bleak in KC.
4)Miami Dolphins sign Mike Wallace to 5 YR/ $65M:
- Source: Joe Rimkus Jr. / MCT
He is a deep threat, he is a playmaker, and he is now the fourth highest paid WR. I’m not sure of how well he fits here but he and the re-signing of Brian Hartline can make for a great WR combination. Pittsburgh will regret not signing him.
3)Denver Broncos Sign Wes Welker for Two Years/12 Mil:
Source: AP Photo/David Zalubowski
The Broncos are a team built to win now with the aging quarterback, Peyton Manning. When they lost in double overtime to the future Superbowl champion Ravens, they knew they had to somehow make it up to their fan base. So why not bring in a new toy for Manning to play with? Welker is one of the best slot receivers in the game and should see a lot of single coverage with guys like Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas on the outside. This move makes them a favorite for many to win the Superbowl with their mixture of high talent offense and defense.
2)Seattle Seahawks trade 3 draft picks for Percy Harvin:
- Source: Adam Bettcher/Getty Images North America
The Seahawks made a statement when they made this trade. They want to win the Superbowl very soon and they now have the team to do it with this addition. Harvin is a big time play-maker and is a very elusive runner once he gets the ball in the open field. He is going to make his young QB better as well as the other WRs on the team. With how far Seattle made it last year you can’t help but wonder if Harvin is the difference between NFC Divisional round and Superbowl Champions.
1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers Trade 2 picks for Darrelle Revis:
Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America
The Bucs CBs of 2012 gave up the 28th worst completion percentage to opposing WRs and were desperate for some help. So why not do business with the Big Apple Circus, also known as the New York Jets, and trade rape them for the best CB in the league. I know it is a little early to call it trade rape, but seriously, who really thinks that those draft picks will even have one Darrelle Revis type of year. Now Tampa Bay has a weapon against guys in their division like QBs Matt Ryan and Drew Brees or WR Steve Smith of the Panthers. This move is a game changer and puts them on the map for a potential playoff birth in 2013.
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