NFL Stock Down: Week 2

Every Monday during the season we will take a look back at three players who are entering important stages of their contract that may have hurt their stock in upcoming negotiations with their play on Sunday. In addition we will also look at one player signed in the offseason to a new contract that did not live up to the expectations that his contract sets for the player.

Stock Down

Darren McFadden– McFadden received next to no interest from around the NFL and opted for a one year contract to stay on the Raiders with the intent to prove that there was still a long way to go before his career was over. McFadden got his opportunity on Sunday due to an injury to Maurice Jones Drew and finished the day with 12 carries for 37 yards. Unless the Raiders new GM in 2015 is Marty Hurney, McFadden’s chances of any payday next year look to be next to nothing.

Robert Griffin III– I don’t like to include injured players in this category, but I don’t think there is a way to avoid how devastating this latest injury setback is for RGIII. After this season the Redskins have to decide on the option year for RGIII and could also extend the QB. Two years ago it seemed a given that he would get a monster contract extension in 2015. Now the durability concerns may make the option an issue since its injury protected. What’s worse is that he is now going to be looked at as a project QB especially if he fails to reclaim the job when healthy enough to try again.

Osi Umenyiora– To say Umenyiora’s time in Atlanta has been a disappointment is certainly an understatement and on Sunday he played in just 21 snaps and recorded no pressures in his time in the game. Osi is expected to be a situational pass rusher but at this rate the Falcons may decrease the situational opportunities they put him in. The fit on the team is terrible and if there is trade where both sides benefit it may be this one. But he is killing his chances of finding another home in the NFL next season with games like this.

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New Contract Disappointment Of The Week

Matt Cassel– Cassel was re-signed to give the Vikings a professional presence at the QB position and on Sunday he gave them a 3 year old rookie performance. Minnesota had no chance with Cassel throwing 4 interceptions that were a mixture of awful throws and bad decisions. You won’t see many more games in the NFL this bad at this position and one more like this and he will lose his job to the rookie on the bench.

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NFL Stock Down: Week 1

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Every Monday during the season we will take a look back at three players who are entering important stages of their contract that may have hurt their stock in upcoming negotiations with their play on Sunday. In addition we will also look at one player signed in the offseason to a new contract that did not live up to the expectations that his contract sets for the player.

Stock Down

Robert Quinn– The other day I said that Quinn had a great chance at becoming the highest paid defensive player in the NFL, but that is going to hinge on sacking the QB and he wasn’t doing that on Sunday. The Rams defense was embarrassed and its hard to make a case that you should get paid at this high level when your defense allows over 30 points with you on the field. In general I think the Rams are just bad starters so I’d expect better from him and the team next week, but he cant have many of these games if he wants that big deal.

Brian Orakpo– I’ve been a somewhat big Brian Orakpo supporter, much more so than most Redskins fans it seems. But Orakpo was non-existent in the loss against the Texans, and it’s his reputation for disappearing in games that has people questioning being paid highly on a long term extension. Orakpo played 52 snaps, recorded two tackles, 0 sacks and 0 pressures. That’s not the game that gives you a multi year $10+ million a year extension.

Marques Colston– It’s rare that a player records more than 100 yards in a game and gets put in this category, but I find Colston’s situation very unique. The Saints are in a salary cap squeeze starting next year and Colston is one of the few players that can be released for cap considerations. The team has a number of receivers to potentially replace him and he needs to be perfect to keep that job. Colston was credited with two dropped passes on the day and had the critical fumble that set the Falcons up to win the game. Thats not the perfection needed to stay on the Saints.

New Contract Disappointment Of The Week

Maurice Jones-Drew– FWIW, Alex Smith deserves this just as much, but I thought I would go with a free agent rather than an extension for this week. Jones-Drew is attempting to revitalize a career that has looked to be dead for the last two seasons. It still looks dead. Jones-Drew finished the day with 9 carries for 11 yards, 12 of which came late in a game that was more or less decided. I have no clue why the Raiders thought he could be a feature back in an offense, but a few more like this and its the end of a career. With a young inexperienced QB at the helm the Raiders will need much more from Jones-Drew in the future.

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Stock Down: Week 17

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Every Monday during the season we will take a look back at three players who are entering important stages of their contract that may have hurt their stock in upcoming negotiations with their play on Sunday. In addition we will also look at one player signed in the offseason to a new contract that did not live up to the expectations that his contract sets for the player.

Matt Schaub– Schaub had opportunities of the last few weeks to basically open a market up for him once he is cut by the Texans next month. While Schaub had been productive in 2011 and 2012 the lasting memories were big game failures and the implosion in 2013. With no expectations, Schaub should have been able to go out and play well enough to get back into that $10 million a year range but with just 229 yards and two interceptions against Tennessee, Schaub has set himself up to have to take a prove it style contract that probably falls around $7 million.

Andre Brown– Brown has become a mainstay in this column with week after week after week of bad play. His return from injury was a great story but it quickly turned sour. Tom Coughlin had to bench him during this game following yet another fumble, his third in three games. If the Giants overhaul the coaching staff Brown may not even get a chance to come back next season and I don’t know many teams that would give him an opportunity outside of New York.

Darren McFadden– I don’t know what does or does not happen with the Raiders executives this week, but not cutting McFadden sure looks like a mistake in hindsight. Always injured and when healthy enough to play he as completely ineffective. McFadden carried the ball 7 times and gained 9 yards. His 379 yards on the year was the second worst of his career and his 3.3 YPC average looks to be his upside at this point. I guess a team will give him a look for a million or two next year but hes close to being done.

New Contract Disappointment Of The Week

Joe Flacco– The Ravens had every opportunity in the world to get into the playoffs when Andy Dalton was turning the ball over left and right, but Flacco simply could not answer the call. There were tons of question marks surrounding the contract given Flacco following his Super Bowl win and this year he did nothing to answer those questions. On Sunday he threw for just 192 yards in 50 attempts and was picked off three times. In fairness to Flacco he was pretty beat up and played through pain, but I don’t think anyone expected 19 TDs and 22 INTs on the year he signs a deal worth just over $20 million a season.

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Stock Down: Week 16

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Every Monday during the season we will take a look back at three players who are entering important stages of their contract that may have hurt their stock in upcoming negotiations with their play on Sunday. In addition we will also look at one player signed in the offseason to a new contract that did not live up to the expectations that his contract sets for the player.

Stock Down

Miles Austin– 1 reception for 8 yards pretty much sums up the play and importance that Austin has had since signing his ridiculous contract extension in 2010 that cost the Cowboys millions in salary cap penalties. Austin never lived up to the numbers and will likely be cut next season. He’s not even doing a good job auditioning for a new home at this point.

Andre Brown– While it has been a good story for the bounce back from a broken leg, Brown too often can’t get anything going unless it is against a bottom feeder defense like the Cowboys. Brown managed just 2.5 yards per carry on the day and had a fumble in overtime that nearly cost the Giants the victory. Brown might be back with the Giants next season but between injuries and general play I am not sure how many other teams will be interested.

Julius Peppers– Maybe Peppers knows that his time in Chicago is at an end, but he is going out with a whimper instead of a bang. Peppers has just 6.5 sacks on the year, only the second time in his career he has been under 7 sacks, and none in the last three games. Peppers has had some decent years with Chicago and was named to a few Pro Bowls, but he should be cut after this season. He is not the same player he once was and his salary has been outrageous for some time. He’ll latch on somewhere but he needed to show more this season to be considered a special player at 34 years of age and he has not.

New Contract Disappointment Of The Week

Matt Stafford– Stafford signed a lucrative extension in the offseason more for the salary cap mess that the Lions have found themselves in than anything he had accomplished on the field. Stafford was brutal in the game of the season throwing two terrible interceptions, one of which was run back for a score at a time when the Lions should have been putting the game away. Stafford is the classic example of people getting far too caught up in “arm talent” and draft status than what actually happens on the field. Detroit better hope a new coach leads to better play from their franchise QB.

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Stock Down: Week 15

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Every Monday during the season we will take a look back at three players who are entering important stages of their contract that may have hurt their stock in upcoming negotiations with their play on Sunday. In addition we will also look at one player signed in the offseason to a new contract that did not live up to the expectations that his contract sets for the player.

Stock Down

Hakeem Nicks– Did Hakeem Nicks even play this week, because he was near impossible to spot on the field, unless you were looking for a player to not make an attempt to break up an interception. Much like Mike Wallace a year ago in Pittsburgh, Nicks mentally checked himself out of the season back in May when the Giants showed no intention to extend him. Nicks’ pattern this year is to have a good game here and there to remember he exists and then go through the motions afterwards. I’d be very wary about signing him to a big contract in 2014.

Jimmy Graham– Graham was decimating teams early in the season and putting up unheard of numbers that were going to earn him crazy money in free agency. He’ll still earn a big dollar figure but following the return of Rob Gronkowski for a few weeks it became clear that Gronkowski was at the very least still equal if not better than Graham. Graham’s numbers have plummeted, following five 100+ yard games in his first 7 contests. Since then he is averaging 54 yards a game on a 55% catch rate, including a season low 25 yards against the Rams this week.

Santonio Holmes– Speaking of going through the motions we have Holmes of the Jets who called out the Panthers secondary and then responded with two receptions for just 14 yards. Holmes dropped another pass, this time right in his gut, and was targeted eight times in total, including on the pick 6 interception. Holmes will be released this offseason, earning $24 million from the Jets for about 95 receptions and 1,350 yards over three years. It’s been robbery on his part and he may have a hard time finding a job next year.

New Contract Disappointment Of The Week

Paul Kruger– The Browns opened the bank for Kruger this offseason expecting him to be an impact player. Instead the Browns look to have fallen into the deadly trap of overpaying a part time player that doesn’t have the benefit of playing alongside solid players on a defense. The Browns defense has fallen apart in recent weeks and Kruger has been unable to do much anything. He has just 4.5 sacks on the year and failed to add any this week despite the Bears throwing the ball 31 times and he failed to record a tackle. Kruger has just 17 solo tackles this season, 13 off last years pace. He needs to be much better in the coming seasons.

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Stock Down: Week 14

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Every Monday during the season we will take a look back at three players who are entering important stages of their contract that may have hurt their stock in upcoming negotiations with their play on Sunday. In addition we will also look at one player signed in the offseason to a new contract that did not live up to the expectations that his contract sets for the player.

Stock Down

Aqib Talib– It’s been a rough few weeks for Talib. After a terrific start to the season Talib got injured and he has not been the same players since. He was bad against the Panthers and Texans and this week got steamrolled by Josh Gordon of the Browns. His QBR against the last 4 games, according to stats maintained by Pro Football Focus is around 115. Talib looked like a surefire candidate to get the low end of the tier 1 cornerback salary, but now he’s really in the same position he was in before he accepted a one year contract this season. He’s probably going to need a noteworthy postseason to earn that money he was hoping for.

Fred Davis– There are plenty of Redskins that probably could earn a place here but I’m not sure any has been more useless than Davis. Davis did get a few opportunities yesterday was targeted twice and came up with a grand total of 0 receptions. He has just 5 receptions on the season for 38 yards. The Redskins have not been successful at much this season but they did successfully damage Davis’ value even further with multiple deactivations and letting it known how poor of a worker Davis has been for the team. I doubt he gets more than a tryout with a team in 2014.

Terrell Thomas– The return of Thomas is a nice story  for the Giants, but with the Giants likely about to undergo massive changes you have to wonder if they will look to bring Thomas back again next season or not. Outside of NY I am not sure what kind of market there will be and he simply is not a very good coverage guy.  Yesterday the Giants could not find a matchup that he could really win. He was around 6 different receivers who were targeted and each time he gave up the reception including 43 yard TD early in the game that just set the tone for the blowout to come.

New Contract Disappointment Of The Week

Erik Walden– The Colts signed Walden to a head scratcher contract worth $4 million a season because they felt he would be a good pass rusher if given more opportunities. The Bengals passed the ball 35 times on Sunday and not once was Walden close to Andy Dalton. Walden only has 3 sacks on the season and is near the bottom of the league in pressures generated. His big claim to fame this year came after being blocked out of a play by TE Delanie Walker and subsequently ripping Walkers helmet off so he could head butt him with his helmet.

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Stock Down: Week 13

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Every Monday during the season we will take a look back at three players who are entering important stages of their contract that may have hurt their stock in upcoming negotiations with their play on Sunday. In addition we will also look at one player signed in the offseason to a new contract that did not live up to the expectations that his contract sets for the player.

Stock Down

Champ Bailey– With the division and a potential number 1 seed on the line the Broncos had to make an incredibly difficult decision with a future Hall of Fame cornerback which they did when they relegated Bailey to the bench. Bailey was exposed badly in the playoffs last year and I thought Denver could consider moving on then but they kept with him and gave him another chance on a pretty high salary. I think Bailey even realizes his body is breaking down and he’s going to be given the chance to retire, but if he doesn’t retire the Broncos probably will have no choice following multiple games like this one.

James Anderson– The veteran linebacker was supposed to bring some type of experience to a linebacking corps. that was turning over, but Anderson has been as bad as he was in Carolina and his time in the NFL looks to be coming to an end. The Bears signed Anderson to a one year contract after he was released by the Panthers but he has failed to make any type of positive impact over the last few weeks of the season. Yesterday Adrian Peterson ran all over the Bears defense and Anderson was nowhere to be seen, being blocked out of almost every play.

Santonio Holmes– Nobody seems to have an explanation for what happened to Holmes yesterday in the Jets abysmal effort against the Dolphins. Holmes was supposed to be prepared to play and he did…for two snaps.  He seemed to indicate that he felt fine but nobody was saying he was benched either, but the bottom line is that Holmes is missing games left and right this season and has fallen off the map as far as wide receivers go. He’s going to be cut as soon as the season is over and he may have a difficult time finding a job for anything more than the minimum salary.

New Contract Disappointment Of The Week

Donnie Avery– The Chiefs signed Avery this offseason to be the secondary receiver to Dwayne Bowe. Avery has had an ok year and leads the team in yards, but in a critical game against the Broncos he was a disaster. Avery had three big drops on the afternoon which were plays that a receiver has to make. While they may not have won if he made the catches he gave them no chance with those drops. In that type of shootout you have to play perfect and Avery was anything but.

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