Free agency is especially helpful to NFL teams when they sign value contracts. For every Albert Haynesworth that gets piles of money and underperforms, there is the occasional Justin Forsett, who shines for a low cost.
The Baltimore Ravens signed Forsett, who was joining his fourth team in as many years, to a deal that paid him just $750,000 this season. All Forsett did was go out and rush for 1,266 yards, good for fifth most in the league, and a league-leading 5.4 yards per carry. He added eight rushing touchdowns to boot. This is a prime example of a value signing; a guy who far outperforms his contract.
But now Forsett is scheduled to hit the open market, and he wants a contract that reflects his production this year.
"This is an organization that first gave me my shot, my first real opportunity, and I would love to stay," Forsett said, via ESPN.com. "There's also a business side of it, where unfortunately I've been in the 'friend zone' for most of my career. Hopefully we can get into a deeper commitment somewhere down the road and get some stability."
Offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak is staying in Baltimore, despite interest from the Chicago Bears. That's good news for Forsett, who maximized his role in Kubiak's offensive system.
Forsett, 29, was a seventh round draft pick for the Seattle Seahawks. He was waived by the Seahawks shortly after the start of his rookie season and has since spent time with the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars.
