ESPN.com: Picking the worst-ever free-agent signing for all 32 NFL teams

New Orleans Saints

Wide receiver Albert Connell

Though I considered a few cornerbacks (Dale Carter, Jason David and Brandon Browner), Connell wins out because of the bizarre way his career ended in New Orleans -- and in the NFL, for that matter. The Saints signed him to a five-year, $14 million contract in 2001, with a $2.5 million signing bonus. But he caught only 12 passes in 11 games before he was caught on camera stealing a total of $4,363 from teammate Deuce McAllister's car and locker. Connell claimed it was a prank and that the story was blown out of proportion, and McAllister declined to press charges. Still, it was enough for the team to suspend Connell and eventually release him after one year. -- Mike Triplett


From Wikipedia:

Front office
Owner – Tom Benson
General Manager of Football Operations – Randy Mueller
Assistant General Manager of Football Operations – Charles Bailey
Director of Football Administration – Mickey Loomis
Director of Player Personnel – Rick Mueller
College Scouting Coordinator – Rick Thompson
Head Coach – Jim Haslett

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_N..._Saints_season

Worst ever? A 2nd tier WR? Really?

And why did you bold Loomis? He doesn't pick players, he just makes it happen.

Triplett selected him because of the theft of Deuce's property...

There were three people who's name I emphasized with bold as they were the three people mostly responsible for signing him...

Regarding Loomis, he has first hand experience in how bad a signing can go (e.g. later Junior Galette) so he should know to be extra vigilant...

No, they were not the 3 most responsible.