The NFL off-season signings that are making an impact

Newly picked up players are showing they can contribute to new teams

The NFL year is comprised of two seasons that really matter — the spending season in the off-season, and the playing season that runs from training camp and the preseason through the regular season, playoffs and Super Bowl.

How wisely a team operates during the former quite often determines how much success it enjoys during the latter.

Occasional doses of good luck don’t hurt, either.

Practically every player signing during the off-season comes with the promise that good things are in store. Sometimes that works out as planned. Sometimes it doesn’t.

Here’s a look at some of the signings from this past NFL off-season that have paid dividends for the teams and players involved.

EMMANUEL SANDERS, WR, BRONCOS

On March 12, the second day of free agency, the Denver Broncos lost wide receiver Eric Decker to the New York Jets.

They replaced him four days later, agreeing to a three-year deal with Sanders, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers, worth about $15 million US, including approximately $6 million in guaranteed money.

Sanders, with his less expensive contract, has been everything the Broncos envisioned and perhaps more. He ranks seventh in the league with his 852 receiving yards. He has 62 catches and six touchdown receptions. He’s had five 100yard receiving games, and he has brought added speed to the Denver receiving corps. Playing with Manning helps a receiver look good. But Sanders is doing his part as well.

GOLDEN TATE, WR, LIONS

Three spots ahead of Sanders this week on the NFL’s list of receiving-yardage leaders is wideout Golden Tate, who ranks fourth in the league with his 909 receiving yards. The Detroit Lions signed Tate in free agency in March to a five-year, $31.25 million deal that included $13.25 million in guaranteed money. He is outperforming the expectations for him in Detroit so far.

He was to be a complementary receiver to Calvin Johnson for the Lions. But Johnson has been slowed by an ankle injury and has a modest-for-him 29 catches for 461 yards and three touchdowns in six games. Tate’s presence and production have allowed the Lions to overcome that. He’s a major reason that Detroit is 7-2, leading the NFC North.

MARK SANCHEZ, QB, EAGLES

There wasn’t reason to get too worked up in late March when the Philadelphia Eagles signed quar- terback Mark Sanchez to a oneyear contract. He’d been released by the New York Jets.

But Sanchez was looking to revive his career under Eagles coach Chip Kelly. And now, that might be on its way to happening.

He has taken over as the Eagles’ starter with Nick Foles sidelined by a broken collarbone. His first start came Monday night at home against the Carolina Panthers and he threw for 332 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions in a one-sided victory. He’d never had a 300-yard, zero-turnover passing performance with the Jets.

STEVE SMITH, WR, RAVENS

The Baltimore Ravens wasted no time getting veteran wide receiver Steve Smith to agree to a three-year contract worth as much as $12 million in March, the day after he’d been released by the Panthers.

There was room to wonder how much football Smith had left. He was about to turn 35 in May. He was entering his 14th NFL season and he was coming off a 745-yard receiving year in Carolina.

Instead, the Ravens have gotten a still-explosive receiver. His 728 receiving yards are 282 more than fellow Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith, and they put Smith 11th in the league in that category.

KYLE ORTON, QB, BILLS

The Buffalo Bills had a wouldbe franchise quarterback already in place (E.J. Manuel) when they signed Kyle Orton, who had been released by Dallas, in August to be a veteran backup and possible alternative if Manuel faltered. It took the Bills four games to bench Manuel, a first-round draft choice in 2013, and turn to Orton.

Orton has played well with 10 touchdown passes, three interceptions and a 98.4 passer rating. The Bills had won three of his five starts before Thursday’s tilt in Miami, and were in playoff contention, but have put that in jeopardy with a record now of 5-5.

DESEAN JACKSON, WR, REDSKINS

It was a very Redskins thing to do when Washington signed wideout DeSean Jackson to a three-year, $24 million deal, with $16 million in guaranteed money, following his release by the Eagles.

So far, so good with Jackson and the Redskins. Defences simply haven’t been able to cover him and, even while playing with three different starting quarterbacks this season, Jackson ranks 10th in the NFL with his 784 receiving yards. He is averaging an eye-catching 21.8 yards per catch.