Today, there are some who believe that the Ravens are still a free agent or two away from making a big splash in 2005.  Some point to what in their opinion is an unresolved right tackle problem and there are others that feel the defensive line needs an anchor.  Sometimes teams throw money around and overvalue areas of need, driving the market price up for some players that aren't really worthy of such dollars.  Today in Top Guns, we revisit some of the Top Busts of all-time in free agency during the salary cap era.

Larry Brown ~ Signed By The Oakland Raiders ~ Cornerback Larry Brown's two interceptions in Super Bowl XXX led to 14 second-half points and helped lift the Cowboys to their third Super Bowl victory in four seasons and their record-tying fifth title overall. Brown parlayed his Super Bowl success into a lucrative contract with the Oakland Raiders who have always possessed an affinity for high profile corners. How the Raiders were duped into a five-year, $12 million free agent contract, including a $3.5 million signing bonus. Brown played in eight games in 1996 and had one interception. He played in four games in '97, with no interceptions, and the Raiders released him after the season. Not a bad return for Brown whose two Super Bowl interceptions were more like self defense since Neil O’Donnell’s “hot read” miscues were headed straight towards Brown’s chest.

Deion Sanders ~ Signed By The Washington Redskins ~ In June of 2000, the Redskins' signed Deion Sanders to a 7 year contract worth $56 million, including an $8 Million signing bonus. To make room for Sanders, the Redskins were forced to release team leader and long time loyal Redskin Brian Mitchell. "Prime Time" after the signing was quoted as saying, “"It's wonderful to be a Redskin. They've always had something special. There's nothing like these fans, this tradition." Sanders added that "If your top priority is not to win the Super Bowl, I don't know why you play the game. I think we have the makeup of a Super Bowl team." The Redskins finished the season 8-8. Sanders had 41 tackles, 4 interception, 0 TD’s, averaged 7.4 yards on 25 punt returns and had 1 kickoff return for minus 1 yard. Andre Rison ~ Signed By The Cleveland Browns ~ Remember when the Browns announced that they were moving to Baltimore and for a while there, it appeared that we might be called the Baltimore Browns? Some sports apparel companies were stocking Rison’s # 80 jerseys. Art Modell had to beg, borrow and steal every penny he gave to Rison. But Rison never made it into town and thankfully neither did the Browns’ name or uniform. For his 5 year, $17 Million contract that included a $5 Million signing bonus, Rison contributed 47 catches for 701 yards and 3 TD’s. The Ravens had to carry his signing bonus number for a couple of years, weakening their cap position at the time. Let’s call this one, Andre "Bad Move" Rison.

Antonio Langham ~ Signed by The San Francisco 49ers ~ The 49ers agreed to terms with former Baltimore Ravens cornerback Antonio Langham in 1998. Six years ago minus one day today, Langham signed a five year, $17 million contract, including a $3.2 million signing bonus. He was signed to replace Rod Woodson who signed with the Ravens at around this same time. How many of you wondered if Woodson was washed up? We knew how bad Langham was here in Baltimore. What did that say about Woodson when the Niners preferred Langham over the future Hall of Famer? Time certainly has a way of providing clarity, doesn’t it?

Duane Starks ~ Signed by The Arizona Cardinals ~ While Duane holds a dear place in our hearts because of his Super Bowl XXXV pick that produced a touchdown, those of us that watched Starks over the years knew that the Cardinals were overpaying for the former Raven. Since Chris McAlister’s rookie season, Starks was clearly the target of opposing offenses when he was a Raven. The Cardinals were obviously sucked in by his performances during the playoff run and Super Bowl (which admittedly were quite impressive) and signed Starks to a $23 million deal that included a $5 million signing bonus. The Cardinals have gotten very little out of this “investment.” Starks has had contributed a total of 2 interceptions in 2 injury riddled seasons.

Scott Mitchell ~ Signed by The Detroit Lions ~ Scott Mitchell during the early part of his career waited in the wings behind Hall of Famer Dan Marino. During one of his relief stints subbing for the injured Marino, Mitchell’s play convinced the Lions that the hefty southpaw was their guy and they signed Mitchell to a 3 year, $11 million contract. Despite offensive weaponry that most QB’s could only dream of, Mitchell never won anything for the Lions. He did win something for his peers however. He helped to set a trend in the NFL to overpay for other team’s backups.

Alvin Harper ~ Signed by The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ~ Alvin Harper couldn't recapture his deep sideline magic he showed in Dallas all those years while opposite Michael Irvin. In 1995 Harper signed a four-year, $10.6 million deal with Tampa and lasted only two seasons -- catching only 65 passes and three touchdowns. Perhaps the most telling moment in the Harper era wasn't even on the field. In 1996, Harper lost a piece of the tip of his left middle finger when a trainer inadvertently cut it with scissors while applying athletic tape.

Desmond Howard ~ Signed by The Oakland Raiders ~ When Desmond Howard left Green Bay for Oakland after earning the Most Valuable Player award in Super Bowl XXXI for his work on special teams, he was under the impression that the Raiders would involve him more in the passing game. After all, who in their right mind would sign someone to a four-year, $6 million contract just to return kicks? Al Davis, apparently. In his two seasons with the Raiders, Howard caught only six passes for 46 yards. His purpose in Oakland was to supply a spark in the return game, which he finally did last season, when he returned two punts for touchdowns. But all in all, Howard wasn’t the same player in Oakland that he was in Green Bay.