Insects Busy in RFA Period, Spend 2650

[Flaxwless]

Insects Sign RB Lamont Jordan and Retain Steve Smith
A trade to follow?


Bay Area- The Insects and General Manager Frank Alonzo really know how to create a buzz in the RFA period. In the 2004 offseason the league saw Frank bid agressivley as soon as the RFA market open, practically controlling and setting the RB market. In the end it all paid off for the Insects who got another stud RB to pair with Clinton Portis. This season Alonzo and company seem to be at it again, being one of the most active and agrressive teams. With the RFA market at a lull seeing only 10 players being sold with only 2 changing teams, the Insects find themselves retaining injured WR Steve Smith for 900cbs and stealing away Lamont Jordan from division foe, Brain Dead Squirrel Chasers.

Resigning Steve Smith was expected by the Insects since they had offered him a low round tender, but the acquisition of Lamont Jordan is what's creating a buzz hear in the Bay Area. Jordan has spent the past 5 years on the bench but has performed well in bursts, well enough in fact for the Insects to make an intial contract offer of 1750cbs. "How can you turn that down?" asked Lamont Jordan, regarding his contract, "I havent had the oppourtunity to be the featured RB, but if a team goes out and makes an initial offer like that.... man. It just makes a guy feel special. Feel wanted. That's all I want."

Jordan has received the 3rd highest contract so far among RFA runningbacks behind Ahman Green (2400) and Rudi Johnson (1800), both of whom have been starters and played great, even Travis Henry (750), has proven his worth as an NFL starter. So why would the team pay so much for Lamont Jordan when there are other RBs such as Edgerrin James, Bryant Westbrook, Curtis Martin, and Tiki Barber out there? GM Alonzo said, "Our goal from day one of RFA was to make our team better and take the best players. We feel Jordan is the next best RB in RFA aside from Shuan Alexander, especially considering the age and wear and tear on the body," he continued, "Edge and Taylor have had major injuries. Green, Martin, Barber are getting old and have carried the load for many seasons now. So we feel snagging Jordan up for less than 2k is great value consideirng we had him pegged as our 2nd RB on the market." The apprasial is sure to be questioned and maybe laughed at across the league but one must appreciate the Insects boldness.

With the addition of Jordan the Insects find themselves with possibly the best RB stable in the league with Clinton Portis, Micheal Bennett, and RFA Shuan Alexander possibly vying for playing time. So where would Jordan fit in the group is the question. It can be argued that all four RBs are quality starters, with Portis and Alexander considered franchise backs by the league, so did the Insects really gain anything with the addition of Jordan? Jordan quipped, "Did they gain anything? How are you gonna ask me that question? You know what they gained? They gained the leading rusher for next season. That's what they gained." Although the confidence is sure to be appreciated, right now it seems like nothing more than bravado.

However, going to GM Alonzo offered more clarity. "In signing Jordan we acquire a young running back who we feel will be a stud. Not to place any pressure on the kid but if given the touches we feel he'll be in the Top 5. Now speaking from a business standpoint, when you add a commdity like that and at such a low price, it opens up a whole new set of options." The GM stopped there but was asked to elaborate. "Basically we feel he can step in and offer the same production for nearly the same salary or even save us a thousand CBs." Alonzo did not want to comment further, but it is pretty clear that the Insects expect or at least are preparing to let Shuan Alexander walk and take the 1st round comp, since the team has no draft picks this year, and his 2000cbs or to trade Clinton Portis who is nearing the end of his rookie deal.

Even with the resigning of Steve Smith, practically all of last season, the Insects find themselves really thin at WR. Signed to the roster as of now is Laverneus Coles, Steve Smith, and Jabar Gaffney all have big questions and for a team aiming for the champonship they cannot rely on those three WRs. They also currnetly have Kurt Warner as the only QB on the active squad with Kerry Collins in RFA limbo right now. So the addition of a QB would help as well. Last but certainly not least, we are talking about a team without any draft picks, so it is highly concievable that they would attempt to fill their need for a WR, QB, and draft picks by trading Portis or letting Alexander walk.

It seems as if the GM Frank Alonzo and company are placing a whole lot of their season on the legs of Lamont Jordan. It's a gamble and in the end it might just sting.


NOTES: Steve Smith, who was lost for the season with a broken leg, was resigned for 900cbs after a tender of 500cbs. Smith said, "I'm happy to be back with the club. They are the ones that gave me a chance in 2003 and they've stuck by me during this whole ordeal. So now I'm looking to repay hem with my play on the field." On the subject of Smith, GM Frank Alonzo still could not get away from the resigning of Jordan, "Oh we're glad to have Steve back. He's the heart and soul of the WRs. He plays hard, he plays fast, and he catches the ball. With him coming back from injury and the addition of Jordan, it's like we're adding two new players to our ball club. Two big time players."

[Philadelphia Freedom]

Good stuff!!