{"id":4603,"date":"2016-10-23T08:00:13","date_gmt":"2016-10-23T12:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=4603"},"modified":"2016-10-24T01:14:35","modified_gmt":"2016-10-24T05:14:35","slug":"wasted-luck-real-off-season-grades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2016\/10\/23\/wasted-luck-real-off-season-grades\/","title":{"rendered":"Wasted Luck and the NFL’s Real Off-Season Grades"},"content":{"rendered":"

Someone needs to save Andrew Luck<\/a><\/strong>. Seriously. His general manager, Ryan Grigson<\/strong>, is either massively incompetent or is secretly a Manchurian Texans\/Titans\/Jaguars\u00a0Candidate. Here’s what Grigson said following their disastrous 1-3 start, “We have a defense that is work in progress. When you pay Andrew what we did, it’s going to take some time to build on the other side of the ball.”<\/p>\n

WHAT!? Did Ryan Grigson just blame Andrew Luck for not being able to\u00a0draft good\u00a0defensive prospects or<\/em> sign quality defensive free agents?<\/p>\n

Since taking over,\u00a0here’s how his defenses have finished: 2012 (26th), 2013 (20th),\u00a02014 (11th),\u00a02015 (26th), and\u00a02016 (30th). That makes four out of the five years he’s managed the team, his defense has been horrible (20th or higher).<\/p>\n

But wait! Maybe it wasn’t his fault. Maybe the defensive coordinator is at fault, right!?<\/p>\n

Not so fast. Someone picks the talent. On Grigson’s watch only six defensive players have been selected to the Pro Bowl, BUT only three were a result of Grigson (D’Qwell Jackson<\/a><\/strong> in ’15, Vontae Davis<\/a><\/strong> in ’15, and Mike Adams<\/a><\/strong> in ’15 & ’16).\u00a0Again. Only three Pro Bowlers in four years! Does he think he’s working for the Cleveland Browns!?<\/p>\n

Putting that into perspective. The New England Patriots<\/strong> have had seven Pro Bowlers during that span – meaning Grigson isn’t even half as good as New England at scouting. And that’s not even factoring in Mike Adams being a late addition in 2015 and 2016 as a replacement.<\/p>\n

Topping it off,\u00a0he’s been gifted a horrible division to compete in and will most likely miss the playoffs again (this year) – like playing in the Mountain West Conference<\/strong> and not making a Bowl Game.<\/p>\n

And let’s not get started on the\u00a0abominable Trent Richardson<\/a><\/strong> trade, zero Indianapolis Colts<\/strong> offensive linemen not making the Pro Bowl for the last four years, and the awful three year, $21 million contract for a way past his prime Andre Johnson<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Case in point, general managers can be stupid. Anyway, it’s six games into the season; it’s time to officially start grading the off-season moves. Because well, who else is keeping track!?<\/p>\n

*Note: Not every move was graded, just the more notable ones.<\/p>\n

Wasted Luck and the NFL’s Real Off-Season Grades<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

NY Giants<\/h3>\n

Moves:<\/strong> Olivier Vernon<\/a><\/strong> – five years, $85 million, Jason Pierre-Paul<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0one year, $10.5 million, Damon Harrison<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0five years, $46.5 million, Janoris Jenkins<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0firve years, $62.5 million<\/span><\/p>\n

Forget the Super Bowl parade. $36.2 million this year for three players who’ve combined for a measly two sacks through six games. To make matters worse, Vernon is being paid more than JJ Watt<\/strong>, Robert Quinn<\/a><\/strong>, AND Calais Campbell<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0At what point during last season did Jerry Resse<\/strong> say to himself, “WOW! Got to get that guy!”<\/span><\/p>\n

If it wasn’t for the Janoris Jenkins signing this would be a horrible haul!<\/span><\/p>\n

Grade: D+<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Washington Redskins<\/h3>\n

Move:<\/strong> Josh Norman<\/a><\/strong> – five years, $75 million<\/span><\/p>\n

The skinny: Paid like the best cornerback but isn’t the best cornerback. Super solid and definitely top five at his position but Janoris Jenkins is more reliable. He dld hold\u00a0Dez Bryant<\/a><\/strong> to eight yards and one reception, at $12.5 million. A playmaking Patrick Peterson<\/a><\/strong> or shutdown Richard Sherman<\/a><\/strong> for cheaper would probably be a better option.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also. Spotrac.com<\/em> has Norman’s\u00a0market value set at $13.8 million.<\/a> Seems about right.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grade: B+<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Philadelphia Eagles<\/h3>\n

Move:<\/strong> Traded DeMarco Murray<\/a><\/strong> and Sam Bradford<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s Philadelphia’s haul: 2016 first and fourth\u00a0rounder, and a 2017 conditional fourth rounder. Not bad if you quickly glance over it<\/span>\u00a0but doesn’t Murray’s throwaway ruin this!? The Eagles just gave away a top ten running back, who’s fourth in the league in rushing yards, for a 4th rounder because he didn’t fit Chip Kelly<\/strong>‘s offense and ran behind a horrible offensive line last year. Imagine Murray lining up behind Carson Wentz<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grade: B<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Chicago Bears<\/h3>\n

Move:<\/strong> Traded Martellus Bennett<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Bennett’s projected to finish with 968 yards and 11 touchdowns while featured in a scarier offense than the Falcons. A fourth rounder was the best Chicago could get while perplexingly handing the Pats a sixth rounder too?<\/span><\/p>\n

Also: this might be the second most significant 2016 trade right after the Sam Bradford<\/strong>\u00a0deal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grade: D-<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Minnesota Vikings<\/h3>\n

Move:<\/strong> Traded for Sam Bradford<\/span><\/p>\n

Think about this. The Denver Broncos<\/strong> won last year’s Super Bowl because of their suffocating defense, a good running game, and a quarterback just good enough<\/em> to win the big one. Can this year’s Vikings do the same?\u00a0Tossing this in: for a 2017 first, a 2018 fourth rounder (conditional), plus only $6 million on the books while having Philly eat $11 million as part of the deal, that actually looks really good doesn’t it?<\/span><\/p>\n

Grade: B<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Atlanta Falcons<\/h3>\n

Moves:<\/strong> Alex Mack<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0five years, $45 million, Mohammed Sanu<\/strong>\u00a0five years, $32.5 million, Derrick Shelby<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0four years, $18 million<\/span><\/p>\n

So maybe the Shelby signing can be read as to be determined because of the Achilles injury, but Sanu’s just rounding into form, and Mack has been terrific. Now consider this. Sanu’s contract is valued as the 55th best receiver (super cheap!<\/em>), he’s currently projected as finishing with 645 yards and five touchdowns, but most likely will end up with 750+ yards and at least eight touchdowns\u00a0especially<\/em> in that high powered Falcons offense. One more sweetner. Mack’s contract is valued as the the tenth\u00a0best center<\/a>, but actually should be higher – he’s on his way to the Pro Bowl this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grade: A<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Arizona Cardinals<\/h3>\n

Move:<\/strong> Traded for Chandler Jones<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

How much is Jones worth? An early to mid first rounder, most likely. But is Jones worth a late 1st rounder, absolutely. So giving away a late second rounder AND a underwhelming Jonathan Cooper<\/a><\/strong>, who just got released by the Patriots, was definitely a huge win.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jones 2016 stats – four sacks, one fumble recovery, and 20 tackles. On pace for 11 sacks and 40 tackles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grade: A+<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New England Patriots<\/h3>\n

Move:<\/strong> Traded for Martellus Bennett, Traded away Chandler Jones, Chris Long<\/a><\/strong> 1yr\/$2 million<\/span><\/p>\n

Already covered the Martellus trade (A++), and Chandler Jones (C), but\u00a0Chris Long’s sack total is sitting at a lonely one through six games. Not a bad gamble though for just one year and a measly $2 million.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grade: B<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Baltimore Ravens<\/h3>\n

Moves:<\/strong> Eric Weddle<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0four years, $26 million, Mike Wallace<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0two years, $11.5 million<\/span><\/p>\n

Always hard to figure out the effectiveness of a safety besides relying on the usual numbers but here’s this:<\/span><\/p>\n