Free-Agent Class Not Impressive Buyer beware doesn't tell the half of it. The NFL's 2008 free-agent class wasn't going to be a stellar group to begin with, but the field was diluted significantly because so many teams were so far under the salary cap. That financial flexibility allowed clubs to keep many of their core players off the free-agent market. Difference makers like Chicago LB Lance Briggs and New England WR Randy Moss were re-signed within the early stages of free agency. With few impact performers available and plenty of cash on hand, demand exceeded supply and the results were inevitable. As usual, some teams couldn't wait to display both their desperation and their poor acumen. The 49ers keep showing us why they haven't been in a playoff game since that drubbing they suffered at Raymond James Stadium during Tampa Bay's championship march. Five consecutive losing seasons have ensued and San Francisco keeps making the same mistakes. Give the 49ers credit for drafting Defensive Rookie of the Year Patrick Willis in 2007, but this offseason shapes up as a disaster. A year after overpaying for CB Nate Clements, the 49ers just added DE Justin Smith, WR Isaac Bruce and RB DeShaun Foster. Is this the trio that is supposed to reinvigorate a drab franchise? Smith is a decent pass rusher who is adequate against the run. Given all of Cincinnati's defensive woes, wouldn't Marvin Lewis have tried harder to retain Smith if he deemed him a keeper? Bruce turns 36 in the fall and the former Rams standout no longer has the wheels to stretch the field. Ask Marc Bulger. Foster was a classic teaser in Carolina, turning in one good game a month for a team yearning for a consistent ground attack. The Jets entered full panic mode after plunging from 10-6 to 4-12 in Eric Mangini's second season as coach. With the Giants winning the Super Bowl and dominating the Big Apple sports headlines, the Jets responded with an all-out blitz. Abandoning their stated principles of draft and development, the Jets showed G Alan Faneca the money, signed G Damien Woody, FB Tony Richardson and LB Calvin Pace and traded for DT Kris Jenkins. All in all, the Jets had better land a big-time player with the sixth pick in the draft or there will be blood. Richardson's a nice blocker and Pace covers some ground, but Jenkins hasn't come close to living up to expectations after some exceptional early years with the Panthers. Faneca's best days were spent at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field, while Woody has 10 years of wear and tear. The Jets spent a lot of money and their questionable whirlwind spree has already prompted grumbling from the locker room. If New York doesn't add an offensive playmaker in the draft, the Jets will find themselves replacing Miami in the AFC East basement. The Raiders remain clueless as they search for pride and poise. While Coach Lane Kiffin remains in limbo, owner Al Davis lurches from one wrong decision to another. Oakland overpaid DE Tommy Kelly, gambled on the tender knees of WR Javon Walker and pursued former Giants S Gibril Wilson like he was the second coming of Rod Woodson. Add it all up and a sixth consecutive season of double-digit losses appears likely. The Bills bolstered a weak rushing defense by signing LB Kawika Mitchell and DTs Marcus Stroud and Spencer Johnson. If second-year LB Paul Posluszny returns fully from a broken arm suffered in Week 3, Buffalo's defense should be markedly better. The Eagles targeted Pro Bowl CB Asante Samuel and signed him away from the Patriots, who were more determined to keep Moss as the catalyst for Tom Brady's record-shattering offense. Elite corners are a priority in the pass-happy NFL and Samuel represents an instant upgrade for a defense that yielded only 16 TD passes last season. Philadelphia also signed Chris Clemons, who registered eight sacks for Oakland as a situational DE. Clemons and Trent Cole will be bringing heat off the edge and Samuel has the instincts to take advantage of a quarterback under duress. Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune 17 March 2008