5 2013 Free Agents Not Living Up to the Hype in Training Camp

Free agency in any sport will always be prefaced by the warning label “buyer beware.”

So here are literally a handful (five fingers, per se) of NFL free-agent additions in 2013 who, so far, have not lived up to their end of the bargain (if they were a bargain) with their new teams. And the emphasis is on “so far” in a few instances.

Keep in mind that as far as the hype goes, these players aren’t promoting themselves. They were either higher-than-anticipated draft choices early in their careers or performers who teased us with a standout performance or two along the way.

Some of these players may also be a solid pro who wore out his welcome with his previous employer. Or it may be a case of a player getting a contract this offseason that some feel was a bit too rich.

There are also a lot of other things to take into account, including injuries and other causes for unavailability.

As always, thanks to the fine folks at Spotrac (subscription required) for all of their financial details.

QB Kevin Kolb, Buffalo Bills

As for quarterback Kevin Kolb, the “hype” has been around for quite a while.

That hype was in the form of being a second-round draft choice by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007. The former University of Houston product was thought to be the heir apparent to Donovan McNabb. But it never turned out that way for numerous reasons, including injuries.

After four seasons and seven starts in Philadelphia, Kolb would be dealt to the Arizona Cardinals in 2011 for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie as well as a second-round draft choice in 2011. But after a 6-8 record as a starter in two seasons with the Cards, Kolb was let go this offseason.

New Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone and the team’s front office signed Kolb to a two-year, $6.1 million deal in April. Later that month, the team drafted quarterback EJ Manuel in the first round. We saw the latter versus the Indianapolis Colts in the preseason opener for both teams this past Sunday.

As for Kolb, he ran into a bit of bad luck in training camp last week.

Will this turn out to be a battle for the starting quarterback position after all? It’s been tough sledding in the NFL so far for Kolb, who hasn’t done much to justify his lofty draft status or trade value to date…but there’s always time.

WR Domenik Hixon, Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers have been looking for wide receiver help seemingly for years.

Make that additional wide receiver help.

Veteran Steve Smith remains one of the best in the business and has shown no signs of slowing down. In fact, the 12-year veteran has caught 70 or more passes for more than 1,100 yards in each of his past two seasons.

Playing with young gunslinger Cam Newton will do that to you.

A year ago, Brandon LaFell emerged as the starter opposite Smith and posted respectable numbers, totaling 44 catches for 677 yards and four touchdowns.

The Panthers were hoping to fortify their wide receiving corps with veteran Domenik Hixon, who totaled 39 receptions for 567 yards and a pair of scores with the New York Giants last season. But the team’s plans in terms of making Hixon the third wideout have not gone well so far according to Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer.

Will Hixon be a factor for the Panthers in 2013? The jury remains very much out.

LB D.J. Williams, Chicago Bears

It’s been a tricky year-and-a-half for linebacker D.J. Williams, a former first-round draft choice by the Denver Broncos in 2004.

And his playing days in the Windy City have been delayed as well.

After nine mostly productive seasons in Denver, Williams was released by the Broncos in March. A starter for his first eight seasons with the club, the one-time Miami Hurricane played in just seven games for John Fox’s club in 2012 due to a pair of suspensions.

This offseason, the Chicago Bears were looking to fill a pair of holes at linebacker, as Nick Roach signed with the Oakland Raiders and Brian Urlacher was not in the team’s plans. The club added Williams and James Anderson, who was released by the Carolina Panthers this offseason. The veterans were expected to be starters for the Bears in 2013.

While Anderson is entrenched in his role, Williams may be in trouble not only in terms of a starting job but perhaps a roster spot as well. Rookie Jon Bostic, a second-round pick in April, made quite the impression on some, including Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times, in Chicago’s preseason opener versus Carolina.

It will be very interesting to see how this all shakes out for the Chicago defense and Williams, who signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract this spring.

OLB Shaun Phillips, Denver Broncos

A funny thing happened on the way to another team in the AFC West for outside linebacker Shaun Phillips.

After nine seasons, 69.5 sacks and 20 forced fumbles with the San Diego Chargers, there may be even more expected from the former Pro Bowler in the Mile High City this season.

A year ago, the Denver Broncos owned the second-ranked defense in the NFL in terms of yards allowed. They also tied for the league lead with 52 sacks.

But a snafu of sorts left the team without Pro Bowl defensive end Elvis Dumervil. And these days, there is the specter of a possible four-game suspension of Pro Bowl outside linebacker Von Miller.

So Phillips may be busier than he thinks this season. But is he ready for the challenge and is he a fit in defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio’s system?

According to Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post, Phillips hasn’t totally convinced himself yet.

S Ed Reed, Houston Texans

Will he or won’t he?

Will veteran safety Ed Reed be on the field anytime soon for the Houston Texans?

Will he be ready for the Houston Texans’ Monday night regular-season opener against the San Diego Chargers?

Reed, who ranks 10th in NFL history with 61 interceptions and tied for first in league annals with nine postseason interceptions, was thought to be an excellent addition to Wade Phillips’ defense.

But after 11 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Reed’s 12th year in the National Football League could be one full of suspense and not necessarily full of all 16 games.

The Texans, coming off of a pair of AFC South titles, certainly have Super Bowl aspirations in 2013. And why not add Reed, whose final game with the Ravens saw him pick off a Colin Kaepernick pass in Super Bowl XLVII?

But we haven’t seen the prolific ball hawk…yet. Then again, Houston doesn’t think it has a problem.

Still, it would be nice to have Reed around once in a while this season—and postseason.