NFL Free Agency: Tiki Barber and the 5 Least-Embraced Free Agents of the 2000s

When Tiki Barber announced that he would return to the NFL after a four-year absence, the sound you heard resembled a collective "oh well."

Barber's return to the NFL has been overshadowed by the impending lockout, Plaxico Burress' release from prison and with news from players who have actually done something in the last four years.

Barber has not, and his signing (if signed) will surely produce a genuine "WTF" moment from fans of his new team.

This got us to thinking, which other free agent signings of the past few seasons were the least embraced by their fan base?

Cleveland Browns Sign Jake Delhomme

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 12: Jake Delhomme #17 of the Cleveland Browns readies to hand off to Peyton Hillis #40 against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

When Cleveland signed Jake Delhomme to a two-year contract worth $7 million this season, including just under $900,000 in base salary, many in the Cleveland area let out a groan.

Delhomme was coming off a terrible showing in Carolina during the 2009 season and, at 35 years old, he was seen as nothing more than a stop-gap quarterback.

To say that Delhomme was not welcome in Cleveland would be an understatement.

Oakland Raiders Sign Javon Walker

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

DENVER - DECEMBER 20: Chaz Schilens #81 of the Oakland Raiders is congratulated by Javon Walker (L) after scoring a touchdown late in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High on December 20, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. Th

The Oakland Raiders, in a move that all but proves Al Davis is insane, signed Javon Walker to a six-year, $55 million contract that included $16 million in guaranteed money one week after the Denver Broncos cut him.

During the 2007 season in Denver, his last there, Walker played in just eight games and was coming off injury. Davis did not waiver in giving Walker a monster contract.

What did Walker do in Oakland? Over two seasons he caught 15 passes.

While this also ranks as one of the worst free agent signings of all-time, it should be remembered that Oakland fans did not want Javon Walker.

Maybe Al Davis should start consulting his fans before making any moves?

2011 Free Agent Randy Moss

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Receiver Randy Moss #84 of the Tennessee Titans warms up prior to the start of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Wide receiver Randy Moss may go down in history as one of the greatest receivers to ever play the game, but teams pursuing him in the 2011 offseason should prepare for a fallout from their fan base.

Moss, at 34 years old, is a shell of his former self. He has also alienated players, coaches and fans in almost every city he has played in during his 12-year career that has brought him to five different teams.

Moss made it just four weeks in Minnesota this season after the team traded a third-round pick to the New England Patriots for him. Picked up on waivers by the Titans, Moss produced just six catches.

Any team that signs Moss for the 2011 season will be faced with serious questions from fans and media alike.

Cincinnati Bengals Sign Adam Pacman Jones

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Adam Jones #24 of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Adam "Pacman" Jones may go down in NFL history as one of the most punished and most controversial players of our era.

It was Jones who incurred the wrath of Commissioner Roger Goodell and was forced to sit out the entire 2007 season, but that did not stop the Bengals from signing Jones to a contract.

While Jones has been on the straight and narrow since signing in Cincinnati, it was the simple fact that the Bengals would take on another troubled player that caused many to shake their heads.

At one point in 2007 the Bengals had nine players on the roster who had been arrested.

2011 Free Agent Tiki Barber

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 03: Former New York Giants Tiki Barber is inducted into the Giants �Ring of Honor� during halftime of a game between the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 3, 2010 in East Rutherford,

Perhaps I should be taking the Tiki Barber Summer Free Agency Tour more seriously, but I can't.

Barber is 36 years old. He has not played in the NFL in four seasons. What makes anyone think his conditioning and the speed we last saw, when he was 32, will come back?

At this point, Barber's comeback attempt looks like nothing more than a media ploy to get the spotlight back on him as he looks for another job in broadcasting.

And smart NFL fans will see it the same way. They will also hope their team does not waste a roster spot on a veteran running back who hasn't carried a football in four years.