Last offseason featured some great acquisitions, some OK acquisitions and some only-in-Oakland acquisitions. ««« Here's our best and worst »»»
THE TOP FOUR
1 Thomas Dimitroff, Falcons
Falcons running back Michael Turner typically bats leadoff on lists such as these. But let's trace the Turner signing to its roots. Falcons owner Arthur Blank hired Dimitroff as his general manager. Dimitroff hired head coach Mike Smith. Together, Dimitroff and Smith signed Turner in free agency, drafted quarterback Matt Ryan No. 3 overall and, well, the rest is the kind of history that has made all of Atlanta quickly forget Bobby Petrino, Michael Vick, Joey Harrington and pit bulls.
2 Bill Parcells, Dolphins
Again, a list like this probably would have Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington on it. But, again, let's trace that acquisition to the beginning. Parcells was hired as executive vice president of football operations. He hired general manager Jeff Ireland, a Parcells guy, who teamed with Parcells to hire head coach Tony Sparano, another Parcells guy. The roster was gutted and Pennington was brought in as the kind of high efficiency quarterback that pleases Parcells and Parcells guys.
3 Brett Favre, QB, Jets
Yeah, he's got 17 interceptions. But the Jets were 4-12 last year and they're 9-5 this year. The Jets made other outstanding offseason moves, such as adding guard Alan Faneca and nose tackle Kris Jenkins. But it doesn't take a genius to watch the Jets and realize Favre makes them believe they can win.
4 Jared Allen, DE, Vikings
The Vikings gave up a lot in draft picks (a first-round pick and two third-rounders) and guaranteed money ($31,000,069). But they've gotten 14 1/2 sacks, a more forceful identity on defense and, best of all, a 26-year-old guy who's on the front side of his prime.
THE BOTTOM FOUR
1 DeAngelo Hall, CB, Raiders
This was a colossal gaffe that serves as the latest and best example as to why the Raiders have become the first team in NFL history to lose at least 11 games in six consecutive seasons. The Raiders sent a second-round pick to Atlanta to acquire Hall. Then they gave him a seven-year contract with $24.5 million guaranteed. Then they waived him after eight lousy games.
2 Javon Walker, WR, Raiders
Ditto. The Raiders gave him $16 million in guaranteed money. Then he got robbed in Vegas, had to be talked out of retirement, caught 15 passes in eight games and was injured and done for the year by the end of November.
3 Jerry Porter, WR, Jaguars
You know you're in trouble when Troy Williamson isn't your team's biggest disappointment at receiver. Porter was a much larger and more expensive whiff than Williamson.
The Jaguars gave him $10 million in guaranteed money and got 11 catches before he ended up on injured reserve this week.
