2006 Offseason Spending Spree? What Spending Spree?

It's obviously a little too early to know what kinds of contracts are going to be doled out to free agents, but it looks like things are going to get crazy. Offensive guards are historically among the lowest paid players on teams; only TEs, FBs, and safeties are paid less. This offseason, however, it looks like guards such as Dielman, Dockery, and Steinbach are going to get signing bonuses of anywhere from $12-$15M. So, my question is, did our 2006 "spending spree" really amount to a "spending spree" or a last minute attempt to sign free agents at what are now relatively cheap contracts?

Granted, Archuleta was a bust, but the other guys' contracts don't look so crazy right now. DE Andre Carter got a $10M signing bonus, but DEs are among the highest paid players in the league, particularly DEs with goodpass-rushing abilities. WRs ARE and Lloyd were each paid $10M signing bonuses on backloaded contracts that average about $5M per year. That seemed like a lot for #2/3 caliber wideouts, but who knows what FA WR contracts will look like in the near future.

Maybe these crazy contracts will never materialize, but if they do, maybe when I look back in the rearview mirror at the 2006 offseason "spending spree," it won't look so foolish.

Imagine what they'll look like in '09.

It's obviously a little too early to know what kinds of contracts are going to be doled out to free agents, but it looks like things are going to get crazy. Offensive guards are historically among the lowest paid players on teams; only TEs, FBs, and safeties are paid less. This offseason, however, it looks like guards such as Dielman, Dockery, and Steinbach are going to get signing bonuses of anywhere from $12-$15M. So, my question is, did our 2006 "spending spree" really amount to a "spending spree" or a last minute attempt to sign free agents at what are now relatively cheap contracts?

Granted, Archuleta was a bust, but the other guys' contracts don't look so crazy right now. DE Andre Carter got a $10M signing bonus, but DEs are among the highest paid players in the league, particularly DEs with goodpass-rushing abilities. WRs ARE and Lloyd were each paid $10M signing bonuses on backloaded contracts that average about $5M per year. That seemed like a lot for #2/3 caliber wideouts, but who knows what FA WR contracts will look like in the near future.

Maybe these crazy contracts will never materialize, but if they do, maybe when I look back in the rearview mirror at the 2006 offseason "spending spree," it won't look so foolish.

Good point. I thought they overpaid for Jansen but that deal looks like highway robbery with all of this speculation about what guards are going to command.

Does anyone know if Timmerman has anything left in the tank?

Does anyone know if Timmerman has anything left in the tank?

I can't say that I've followed him, but all signs are that he does not. First, Timmerman is 36 and, unless he is some sort of Greek God, is almost certainly running on fumes. Second, the Rams are $23M UNDER the salary cap - so his cap figure isn't an issue. Third, the Rams' line was coming under fire for underperforming this season. So, if their line is underperforming and they have plenty of cap space, why wouldn't they re-sign Timmerman if he is any good? Thus, either Timmerman isn't any good anymore and the Rams' coaches know as much, the Rams' coaches can't evaluate talent and Timmerman is still good, or the Rams' coaches can't evaluate talent but Timmerman still isn't any good.

timmerman is coming off a major injury too i think