NFL 2009’s Worst Personnel Decisions

Posted by Daniel Phillips on Friday, January 22, 2010 · Leave a Comment

In the off-season each team makes moves in the effort of strengthening their team. Some of them are blockbuster deals (Albert Haynesworth), while others go unnoticed (Jeff Garcia). With the 2009 season at a wrap, here’s a look at some of the worst personnel decisions that specific teams have made. Some players don’t succeed due to injury, some due to coaching ineptitude, and the others simply due to their poor performance or a combination of these factors. Whatever the reason, I have compiled my list for you.

The Kansas City Chiefs lead off this list for us with the initial acquisition and subsequent signing of quarterback Matt Cassel. On November 14th the Chiefs signed Cassel to a 6 year 63 million dollar contract. In theory this was a good move as he was tagged by the Patriots and would have made much more of an impact on the cap in 2009 for the Chiefs. On the field Cassel showed some instances of brilliance but also showed signs of a quarterback who was clearly playing in a superior system the previous season. I expect the carousel at quarterback to keep rotating for the Chiefs in the next few seasons, but it was a good try, hence why they rest at the top of the list.

I obviously can’t not mention Terrell Owens’ name on this list, although when it was all said and done T.O. didn’t have the worst season: 55 grabs for 829 yards and 5 touchdowns. Owens has had worse seasons, 1999 with the 49ers to be exact, so I’m hard pressed to push him lower down on this list. I mentioned coaching ineptitude in the introduction, and this was specifically what I was speaking of. All of Owens’ receptions, yards, and touchdowns came at inopportune times; for example his 197 yard 1 touchdown performance in a loss to the Jags, or on the contrary his 44 total combined yards against the Jets. Owens never seemed to be the go to guy for bills QB’s, and when a player of his calibre is brought in he must.

Jamarcus Russell is, for now at least, not the answer at QB in Oakland; if you still have faith, shelving it might be the best thing for your emotions. That being said, the signing of Jeff Garcia was an excellent move for the Oakland Raiders; a veteran pro bowl decision maker who has proven time in and out that he is a winner. Then… they released him? In their defense Bruce Gradkowski proved effective at the end of the season notching a few wins upon his belt. Although had the Raiders realized that Russell was not the answer and thrown in Garcia earlier in the season you can rest assured the 5-11 record would look just a bit more favorable, you don’t have to be a Sports Betting Champ to nail that one.

Nate Washington had the fantasy world’s attention when he was signed to the Titans. He was coming off a career year with the Steelers and was due, according to the Titans depth chart, to become the number one receiver in town. At 6 years 26.8 million the Titans didn’t extremely overpay for Washington as he does have great down field potential. But if you read what some experts are saying maybe it was a little too high of a price tag. Rotoworld has this to say “his hands remain shaky and playing in a run-first offense with a receiver rotation crushes his upside. He’ll be no better than a 4th WR in 2010.” While CBS Sports thinks “He’s the kind of player you can count on for 600 yards or so, but never more than that. Leave him for deeper leagues on Draft Day 2010.” The emergence of Kenny Britt is sure to dampen his value as well.

The biggest name in free agency this year was big, real big, about 350 pounds big. Albert Haynesworth made grumblings around the league in the off-season until he signed with the Redskins to the tune of 7 years 100 million dollars. Haynesworth is without a doubt an astounding force in the middle of any defense, but a large part of the aging DT’s previous success was based upon his understanding and ability to play in Chuck Cecil’s defense. Now Haynesworth will allegedly be asked to play NT in a 3-4 system as the Redskins look to be changing their defense under new coordinator Jim Haslett. A switch this late in his career will prove to be difficult for the 8 year pro. The Redskins have problems all over the field, that 100 million dollars invested properly (4 or 5 players) would have arguably made a bigger impact than an aging DT who may now be forced to play a new position. Congratulations Dan Snyder on making what I believe to be the worst personnel decision of 2009, and I didn’t even mention Jim Zorn!