The first two days of the NFL’s annual free-agent signing period usually feature a whirlwind of players changing teams, and this year was no different as 13 players agreed to don new uniforms in 2005. But in contrast with previous years, when teams scrambled to sign the biggest names on the market, most of the players already signed this year were not considered among the cream of this season’s free agent crop.

On Tuesday, Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com published a list of the top 32 available free agents. After two days,12 of the top 15 remained unsigned, with only DT Jason Ferguson, WR Derrick Mason, and DE Reggie Hayward finding new homes in Dallas, Baltimore, and Jacksonville, respectively.

The quick signing of less identifiable free agents may be the latest example of that classic NFL strategy, “Copy the Champs.” One major reason for the Patriots’ success has been their ability to pick out second-tier free agents whose strengths match New England’s style of play. Knowing these players brought more value to them than to other teams, the Patriots could get first-tier performance by paying discount rates.

The Rams appeared to be pursuing a similar strategy when they signed linebacker Dexter Coakley. The former Dallas Cowboy may be past his prime at 32, and he’s not going to be pushing aside blockers and sacking the quarterback. But he still has the speed to keep up with running backs coming out of the backfield. He’s also good at taking the right angle to the ball carrier, and possesses strong awareness of opposing pass routes. That’s precisely the skill set needed by a St. Louis defense that gave up a lot of long runs in 2004 due to poor pursuit and also ranked among the league’s worst at stopping running backs in the passing game.

San Francisco’s signing of former Buffalo Bills left tackle Jonas Jennings is another example of a team properly identifying its needs. Bay Area fans have focused their attention on the dismal numbers put up in 2004 by running back Kevan Barlow, but much of Barlow’s collapse came because he never could find a hole to run through.

In 2004, Buffalo running backs averaged 5.9 yards per carry when they ran behind the left end or the left tackle – in other words, with Jennings blocking for them. That number topped the AFC and dwarfed the 3.3 yards per carry they averaged on runs labeled right tackle or right end. The 49ers evidently hope that Jennings’s strong play on the left side will allow Barlow to shed his habit of hesitating at the line.

Washington and Cleveland also upgraded their offensive lines with players whose names are better known in NFL front offices than among fans.The Redskins, one of the league’s worst teams running up the middle, signed ex-Ravens center Casey Rabach instead of making their usual big splash in the free-agent pool with a big-name signing. Cleveland, dismal at both pass blocking and run-blocking, ignored Pro Bowler Marco Rivera to sign someone much cheaper and more familiar to head coach Romeo Crennel: Joe Andruzzi, who owns three Super Bowl rings as a member of New England’s no-name offensive line.

As for the Patriots, salary-cap realities forced them to dump Troy Brown, who the wide receiver-cum-nickel back who symbolized New England’s “anything for the team” persona. Critics have attacked Brown’s release as proof that the Pats’ “team-first” concept is really a mirage that masks a heartless front office. But Brown’s release only proves that you can’t pay everyone.

The salary cap is a zero-sum game, and rewarding one player requires the merciless treatment of others. Clearing Brown from the salary cap paves the way for Tom Brady to sign a lucrative extension some time in the next few weeks. One fan favorite must suffer so the other can profit.

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The idea that the Jets could convince running back LaMont Jordan to accept a smaller contract to remain as Curtis Martin’s backup was always a bit farfetched. But the extent of the fantasy only became clear yesterday, when Oakland inked Jordan to a five-year deal worth $27.5 million, including a $7 million signing bonus.

The Jets moved quickly to replace Jordan, and reportedly were close last night to a significantly less expensive agreement with Derrick Blaylock. The Kansas City backup rushed for 539 yards and eight touchdowns last year and on a per-play basis represented very little drop-off from starter Priest Holmes. He may be the perfect replacement for Jordan, used to playing behind a better-known back but just entering his prime after four years of experience.

Any worries that Blaylock’s strong numbers might be a creation of the Kansas City offensive line are tempered by similar questions about whether Jordan’s numbers might be a creation of the equally strong New York offensive line. The transition from Jordan to Blaylock should be fairly seamless, and now Jordan can take on the challenge of making it as a feature back.

If Jordan is the real deal, Oakland has built itself an extremely dangerous offense for next season, with a young and improving offensive line, a strong running game, and a cadre of fast receivers led by Randy Moss.

The problem with the Moss trade and the Jordan signing, however, is that Oakland’s defense is in absolute shambles and has not yet been addressed in the slightest. If it is true that fans will always watch offense, I suggest that ABC make sure to find a place for an Oakland-Kansas City matchup on their 2005 Monday Night schedule.

Mr. Schatz is the editor in chief of FootballOutsiders.com.