Free Agent Moves Around the League

[CanesSkins26]

Eagles re-signed Jackson for 5 years.

[SouthLondonRedskin]

Kyle Orton is a cow (3 year deal)

http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/03/14/cowboys-reach-terms-on-three-year-deal-with-orton/

They also signed CB Brandon Carr to a 5-year, $50.1 million deal.

Oh Bollocks! Would have loved Carr here.

Oh well, more importantly its 1-0 to Chelsea against Napoli at halftime, trying to turn around a 3-1 loss from the first game or we're out of Europe this season.

C'MON CHELSEA!!!

Being a Chelsea fan is pretty much the same thing as a Dallas fan.

Oi CS, I've hit people for less than that!

Chelsea. 3-1 Napoli after 90 mins (4-4). Extra time!

[44diesel]

Eagles re-signed Jackson for 5 years.

$48.5 million over 5 years

[SkinsJock]

Kyle Orton is a cow (3 year deal)

http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/03/14/cowboys-reach-terms-on-three-year-deal-with-orton/

They also signed CB Brandon Carr to a 5-year, $50.1 million deal.

Sounds like the pukes think they need help defending against the new Redskins offense


AND - the Chelsea Blues beat the kids from Napoli - that is fantastic news

[SouthLondonRedskin]

YES!

4-1 after extra time, 5-4 in total. Into the last 8 as England's last remaining team!



All I need now is news that Fletcher has re-signed and someone has shot Goodell...

Any word...?

[44diesel]

YES!
All I need now is news that Fletcher has re-signed and someone has shot Goodell...

Bwahahahaha!!!!

[CanesSkins26]

Kyle Orton is a cow (3 year deal)

http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/03/14/cowboys-reach-terms-on-three-year-deal-with-orton/

They also signed CB Brandon Carr to a 5-year, $50.1 million deal.

Oh Bollocks! Would have loved Carr here.

Oh well, more importantly its 1-0 to Chelsea against Napoli at halftime, trying to turn around a 3-1 loss from the first game or we're out of Europe this season.

C'MON CHELSEA!!!

Being a Chelsea fan is pretty much the same thing as a Dallas fan.

Oi CS, I've hit people for less than that!

Chelsea. 3-1 Napoli after 90 mins (4-4). Extra time!

How are the Premiership standings looking? Not so hot these days, huh?

[SouthLondonRedskin]

Kyle Orton is a cow (3 year deal)

http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/03/14/cowboys-reach-terms-on-three-year-deal-with-orton/

They also signed CB Brandon Carr to a 5-year, $50.1 million deal.

Oh Bollocks! Would have loved Carr here.

Oh well, more importantly its 1-0 to Chelsea against Napoli at halftime, trying to turn around a 3-1 loss from the first game or we're out of Europe this season.

C'MON CHELSEA!!!

Being a Chelsea fan is pretty much the same thing as a Dallas fan.

Oi CS, I've hit people for less than that!

Chelsea. 3-1 Napoli after 90 mins (4-4). Extra time!

How are the Premiership standings looking? Not so hot these days, huh?

What is your problem exactly...?

We've got an ageing team that needs rebuilding, we'll be back soon enough, don't worry.

In the meantime eyes are on the biggest prize of all and European glory!

It was a big night tonight man...

[PickSixerTWSS]

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!Damnit....Cowpies picked up Brandon Carr!!!

[PickSixerTWSS]

Chiefs sign RB Peyton Hillis (1 year, $3 million): A- Grade
You know, it's a shame for Todd Haley that he didn't have Special Agent Peyton Hillis on the roster last year. He could have used Agent Hillis to find all of the bugs in his office that the owners planted.

This is a really good signing regardless of the poor Haley timing. Agent Hillis could always retire and join the CIA, but the Chiefs aren't risking anything. If Agent Hillis focuses on football and stays healthy, Kansas City will have a great one-two punch at running back - something that is essential considering that Jamaal Charles is coming off a torn ACL.

Patriots sign DE/DT Jonathan Fanene (3 years, $12M; $3.85M guaranteed): B+ Grade
I don't think Jonathan Fanene satisfies New England's need for a starting 3-4 defensive end, but he'll provide depth on a currently thin front. Fanene stops the run pretty well, so $12 million over three years with about $4 million in guarantees is a pretty good price.

Chargers sign FB Le'Ron McClain (3 years): TBA Grade
I'll have a grade once monetary details are revealed.

Jaguars sign WR Laurent Robinson (5 years, $32.5M; $14M guaranteed): MILLEN Grade
There are many reasons why this is a terrible signing:

1. I've said it many times, and I'll say it again: Players who go from good teams to crap franchises for a big pay day seldom pan out. The Jaguars experienced this when they signed wide receiver Jerry Porter several years ago.

2. Laurent Robinson is very injury-prone. He's missed 27 games in the past four seasons.

3. Robinson is a one-year wonder. Prior to 2011, he never caught more than 37 passes in a single campaign.

4. On a related note, Robinson hauled in 54 receptions last season. That's his career-high reception total. How do you give a guy $14 million guaranteed when he's never caught more than 54 balls in a single year?

Dolphins re-sign NT Paul Soliai (2 years, $18 million): A Grade
Paul Soliai could have received more money elsewhere (like Denver), but he opted to take a hometown discount to stay in Miami. Good for him. And good for the Dolphins, who were able to retain the top nose tackle on the market.

Cardinals sign G/OT Adam Snyder (5 years): TBA Grade
The Cardinals finally get some offensive line help. I'll have a grade once the monetary details are revealed.

Eagles re-sign WR DeSean Jackson (5 years, $51 million): C Grade
I'm not a fan of this. DeSean Jackson is a bad teammate. He drops passes, has lapses in concentration and is scared to go over the middle of the field. Ever since taking a nasty hit against the Texans in December 2010, he's only put together three 100-yard performances. He's turned into a one-trick pony, and it's only a matter of time before opposing defensive coordinators discover this (I'm shocked they haven't already), but he will continue to serve as a deep-threat decoy in the meantime. The Eagles should have traded him.

Cowboys sign CB Brandon Carr (5 years, $50.1 million): A- Grade
The Cowboys needed a cornerback across from Mike Jenkins, and they signed the top unrestricted free agent on the market. Brandon Carr is very talented and is definitely worth $50.1 million over five years ($100,000 more than Cortland Finnegan). Dallas obviously won't be looking at Janoris Jenkins or Dre Kirkpatrick at No. 14 in the 2012 NFL Draft now, and can instead set its sights on David DeCastro to bolster the offensive front.

Browns sign DE Frostee Rucker (5 years, $20-plus million): MILLEN ON ACID Grade
It's a good thing the Browns cut Eric Steinbach today. They needed the cap space to sign Frostee Rucker to a big deal. You know, because Rucker is so awesome.

Rucker is a good run-defender, but he offers nothing in terms of getting to the quarterback. Cleveland needed a guy who could do the latter, so I'm not sure why the front office would throw more than $20 million at a rotational lineman.

Giants sign TE Martellus Bennett (1 year, $2.5 million): B Grade
Martellus Bennett has always had talent, but he's never lived up to it. The Giants needed a tight end, and they're not risking very much with this signing. Perhaps Bennett will thrive in a new environment. If so, great. If not, no big deal.

Chargers sign DE/OLB Jarret Johnson (4 years): TBA Grade
There will be a grade once the contract details are known. This signing probably means that San Diego won't look at Courtney Upshaw in the first round, as the team will use a rotation of Johnson and Antwan Barnes. The Chargers will likely target a pass-rusher on Day 2.

Eagles extend DE Trent Cole (4 years, $53M; $15M guaranteed): A+ Grade
Trent Cole is one of the top defensive ends in the NFL, so this extension was a no-brainer. Paying $15 million guaranteed to a Pro Bowl-caliber player seems like quite a bargain, especially considering that a pedestrian tight end received just $4 million fewer than that the very same day.

Vikings sign TE John Carlson (5 years, $25M; $11M guaranteed): F Grade
The Vikings are apparently trying to recreate New England's two-tight end offense. The problem is that one of their tight ends suck. And it's the guy they just gave $25 million to.

Talk about overpaying. Carlson is both mediocre (at best) and injury-prone. In what bizarro universe is he worth $25 million, with $11 million of it guaranteed? An even more important question: Did Matt Millen and his LSD-laced kielbasas have a hand in this transaction as well?

Chargers re-sign OT Jared Gaither (4 years): TBA Grade
I'll have a grade once contract details are known.

Colts sign DE/DT Cory Redding (3 years, $10.5 million): B Grade
This is a solid signing. New head coach Chuck Pagano is installing a brand-new 3-4 defense, so he wanted to bring in some of his guys from the Ravens. Cory Redding is 31, but he can still play pretty well. This is a pretty reasonable price for him.

Bucs sign CB Eric Wright (5 years, $37.5M): MILLEN ON LSD-LACED KIELBASA Grade
This is the worst signing in NFL history. That sentence is not an exaggeration.

Eric Wright is terrible. I gave him 1.5 stars in my 2012 NFL Free Agent Rankings for a reason. He's been torched numerous times per week over the past few seasons. Detroit and Cleveland fans know how bad Wright is, and the Buccaneers are about to find out.

Seriously, what the hell was Mark Dominik thinking? He couldn't have been sober when he made this transaction. I refuse to believe it. A plausible explanation is that Matt Millen snuck into his office, strangled him, shoved some LSD-laced kielbasa into the general manager's back side, and then slipped Wright's agent's number into his hand. When Dominik awoke, he was still delirious, so thought that paying $37.5 million to one of the worst cornerbacks on the market was a great idea.

Yes, that's exactly what happened. You heard it here first.

Buccaneers sign G Carl Nicks (5 years, $47.5M; $31M guaranteed): C+ Grade
Once again, I can't support a signing like this. I'll repeat: Players who come from great franchises and go to bad teams solely for the money seldom pan out. It's apparent that Carl Nicks doesn't care about winning. He just wanted a few extra million that the Buccaneers were able to offer him. Now that he has his mega contract, will he give 100 percent? Will he care if Tampa Bay makes the playoffs or not? Because if he wanted to win and have the best career possible, he would have stayed with Drew Brees.


Colts acquire OT Winston Justice and 6th-round pick from Eagles for 6th-round pick
If I were an NFL player, I'd be insulted if I were traded for a same-round swap. But Winston Justice sucks. If he starts at right tackle for the Colts, Andrew Luck will be in trouble. Justice should be a backup. The Eagles, meanwhile, reportedly shaved $2.3 million off the cap, so they are the clear winners of this meaningless trade.

Lions extend WR Calvin Johnson (7 years, $132M; $60M guaranteed): A- Grade
I don't even know how to grade this. Calvin Johnson just became the richest receiver in NFL history, but then again, he is the top player at his position in the league. He also might go down as the second-best wideout of all time by the time his career is finished. So, he's definitely worth the money. The one thing I wonder about is Matthew Stafford - Detroit will have to pay him more than this when his contract is up because he's the quarterback. I'm sure the Lions will do this, but will they be able to afford anyone else? Will they be like the Colts, who have always been plagued with top-heavy contracts, and as a result, a weak supporting cast? What this does in the meantime though is free up $9 million in cap space.



Jaguars re-sign DE Jeremy Mincey (4 years, $27.2M; $9M guaranteed): A Grade
How in the world did Jeremy Mincey receive a less lucrative contract than Robert Meachem? This has been a strange day.

Jacksonville had to retain Mincey; otherwise, it would have needed to find two new defensive ends this offseason. This is a really reasonable price for Mincey, who had eight sacks in 2011 in addition to stopping the run pretty well.

Chargers sign WR Robert Meachem (4 years, $25.9M; $14M guaranteed): MILLEN Grade
This might be the worst signing of the offseason. Robert Meachem has underachieved his entire career despite playing with one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. What makes the Chargers think that he'll finally live up to expectations with $14 million guaranteed in his bank account?

It's clear that A.J. Smith is overreacting to today's events. He lost Vincent Jackson, and watched all day as the receiving market dwindled away. That's why he overpaid for Meachem. I have a feeling he's going to regret this.

Colts sign WR Reggie Wayne (3 years, $17.5 million): A Grade
Reggie Wayne was able to get only $17.5 million over three years? I find that difficult to believe. Why didn't he wait until Peyton Manning signed with a team? I'm sure they would have accommodated him with a better deal. Well, whatever. I like this move for the Colts. Andrew Luck needs someone reliable to throw to (just ask Sam Bradford), and Indianapolis isn't spending very much on bringing its top wideout back.

49ers re-sign CB Carlos Rogers (4 years, $29.3 million): B+ Grade
This is a lot of money to pay to a 31-year-old cornerback, but Carlos Rogers is coming off a great season. The 49ers would have had to find help at corner if Rogers left, so why not just bring him back? Continuity is important, and with Rogers being retained, San Francisco will return all 11 starters on defense next season.

Rams sign CB Cortland Finnegan (5 years, $50 million): A- Grade
This is a really good signing for the Rams. They're filling a big position of need with the top free agent available.

If you're wondering, I'm not penalizing the Rams for signing a guy who took the money to go to an inferior team because Cortland Finnegan wanted to play for Jeff Fisher again. Finnegan knows that Fisher will have his new squad in playoff contention in a couple of years, so his decision to go to St. Louis was a football move.

Buccaneers sign WR Vincent Jackson (5 years, $55.5M; $26M guaranteed): C+ Grade
Only a C+!? The media is raving about this signing, yet I'm giving it just a C+? I obviously hate the Buccaneers!

I don't hate this signing (or the Buccaneers), but I don't like it very much either. Is that because Vincent Jackson hasn't caught more than 68 passes in a single season? No, but it doesn't help. Is that because Jackson hasn't played with a non-elite quarterback in his NFL career? No, but it doesn't help.

Here's my reasoning: Players who take tons of money in free agency, going from a playoff-caliber team to a crappy squad, have a really checkered history. Think about Sidney Rice last summer. Think about Albert Haynesworth. Think about O.J. Atogwe. Think about Zach Miller. Think about all of the bums Daniel Snyder has brought in over the years.

These players often fail because money is a greater priority for them than football. Of course money is important, but when you're getting a $55 million contract, why should $5 or so extra million command where you play football? Josh Freeman is a decent quarterback, but he won't maximize Jackson's potential like Philip Rivers could. As a consequence, Jackson's career will never be as great as it could have been. But like Rice, he doesn't care because he squeezed an extra few million out of a terrible team.

Redskins sign WR Pierre Garcon (5 years, $42.5M; $21M guaranteed): C- Grade
Pierre Garcon is a No. 1 receiver. What, you don't believe me? Then why, I ask, did he get $42.5 million with $21 million guaranteed? Oh yeah, I forgot who signed him for a second.

What the hell are the Redskins doing? Garcon is not a No. 1 wideout. He won't be able to beat double coverage, he drops way too many passes, and he runs poor routes. I'm not giving this an F because I love the Robert Griffin-Garcon fit. Griffin has impeccable deep accuracy, and Garcon will be the recipient of some long bombs. However, Washington really overpaid for a secondary receiver.


Bears acquire WR Brandon Marshall for two third-round picks
Peyton Manning to the Dolphins? This is the first thing that popped into my head when this trade was announced. Otherwise, it doesn't make any sense. Why would Miami deal its top wideout for a pair of third-round picks? It's been reported recently that Manning didn't want to go to the Dolphins because Marshall was such a head case. This is a great move if it leads to Miami landing Manning. If not, the Dolphins screwed up.

This is a terrific trade for Chicago regardless of what happens with Manning. The Bears needed a No. 1 wideout, and Marshall is quite comfortable catching passes from Jay Cutler. They no longer have to pray that Michael Floyd drops to them or think about reaching for Stephen Hill at No. 19. Chicago can look elsewhere with that selection.

Saints re-sign WR Marques Colston (5 years): A Grade
I'm making this grade without seeing the contract details because the amount of money the Saints plan on paying Marques Colston ultimately doesn't matter. No price is high enough to appease Drew Brees, and that's exactly what New Orleans is doing here. Considering Bountygate and the fact that he was franchised against his will, Brees must have been mulling leaving New Orleans next offseason. This is a step toward making him happy - which is really important because New Orleans would be almost as bad as the 2011 Colts without their All-Pro quarterback.

Bears sign QB Jason Campbell (1 year): A Grade
The Bears really need a backup quarterback, and they signed the best one on the market. It's a shame they didn't have Jason Campbell last year; he could have held down the fort and gotten Chicago into the playoffs. Nevertheless, the important thing is that the Bears finally have insurance for Jay Cutler.

Redskins sign WR Josh Morgan (5 years, $12M; $7.5M guaranteed): D Grade
This contract may not seem like much, but it's really a 2-year deal because the rest of the contract is voidable. With that in mind, the Redskins overpaid for another mediocre receiver. I don't know why they needed Josh Morgan; Leonard Hankerson is talented and could easily beat out Morgan for a starting job. Washington is spending its money pretty frivolously and foolishly considering the major cap penalty it incurred recently. No one should be surprised that Daniel Snyder is doing this though.

Seahawks re-sign DE/DT Red Bryant (5 years, $35M; $14.5M guaranteed): B Grade
I was going to berate the Seahawks for spending way too much money on a pure run-defender who has issues getting to the quarterback. Then, I remembered what I wrote on the Seahawks Offseason Needs page: "Red Bryant is so instrumental in Seattle's ability to stop the run. He's a free agent who must be brought back." Can't argue with that. I still feel like Seattle paid a bit too much, but Bryant is essential to the defense.

Redskins re-sign DE/DT Adam Carriker (4 years, $20M; $7M guaranteed): D Grade
Umm... what? Adam Carriker is not a starting-caliber defensive lineman, yet the Redskins have decided to pay him like one for some strange reason. Carriker can get to the quarterback on occasion, but he's a major liability against the run. Given Washington's recent massive cap penalty, I can't understand why it would spend so much money on a lineman who is just a rotational player at best.

Chargers re-sign C Nick Hardwick (3 years, $13.5 million): A+ Grade
Wow, just $13.5 million over three years? How the hell did A.J. Smith do that? The Chargers just retained one of the top centers in the NFL for an incredibly cheap price. Great move.

Giants re-sign CB Terrell Thomas (4 years, $28M; $11M guaranteed): B Grade
Terrell Thomas is definitely worth this money based solely on his talent. The problem is that he suffered his second torn right ACL back in August. He'll be ready to go by training camp, but will he be 100 percent? This is a risky re-signing, but I'm sure general manager Jerry Reese got the green light from his team doctors.

Eagles extend OT/G Todd Herremans (3 years, $21M; $11M guaranteed): A+ Grade
I'm sure most people had their doubts when Todd Herremans was moved to right tackle and asked to protect his quarterback's blind side last year. Herremans thrived at his new position, allowing just four sacks. He's worth every penny of this new deal.

Bears re-sign CB Tim Jennings (2 years): TBA Grade
I'll have a grade posted for this when details are known.

49ers sign CB Perrish Cox (2 years): C Grade
The 49ers have shown us in the last two days that they sure as hell don't care about character issues. Perrish Cox was acquitted of sexual assault recently, but he still had other off-the-field issues in the past. As with Randy Moss, having Cox on the roster could be detrimental to San Francisco's 2012 playoff hopes. I have no idea why the 49ers are signing these losers.

Titans re-sign SS Jordan Babineaux (2 years, $5M): B- Grade
Meh. I'll give this a B- for continuity. The Titans would have had a big need at strong safety if they weren't able to retain Jordan Babineaux. The problem is that Babineaux isn't a good player. Bringing him back for just $5 million over two years isn't a big deal though.


49ers sign WR Randy Moss (1 year): C- Grade
There are dark times ahead for the 49ers. I think this is a terrible signing that could really derail San Francisco's 2012 campaign.

How could it be terrible, you ask? Isn't this an incentive-laden 1-year contract? Sure. But Moss can do a ton of damage even before Jim Harbaugh decides to release him. He will almost certainly poison the locker room, as he has done for every single team he's been on, save for the 2007-08 Patriots. The reason Moss toed the line in New England was because of Tom Brady. Alex Smith is not Tom Brady. When Smith can't connect with Moss, is the aging receiver going to stop running routes? Because that's what he's done throughout most of his career. Smith isn't the type of leader who can make sure Moss doesn't act up.

And here's another question: Can Moss even produce? He couldn't even get on the field for the Titans, and that was back in 2010. Sure, he's looked great running the 40 in shorts, but will that translate to actual games? Will being out of football make it more difficult to take hits?

I absolutely hate this signing for the 49ers. It could be a catalyst for their 2012 collapse. I'm not marking this as an F because I'd like to give Harbaugh the benefit of the doubt, but I'll be pretty shocked if Moss isn't on the waiver wire by Thanksgiving.

Jets re-sign NT Sione Pouha (3 years, $15M; $9.5M guaranteed): B+ Grade
This seems like a bit too much for a 33-year-old nose tackle, but did the Jets really have a choice? Sione Pouha is a monstrous run-stuffer, and New York didn't really have a proven replacement for him. The front office spent a third-round selection on Kenrick Ellis last April, but he could be deported due to legal issues.


Falcons sign ILB Lofa Tatupu (2 years, $5.75 million): B Grade
This contract is all incentive-based, so the Falcons aren't risking much here. With that in mind, this is a pretty good deal. If Lofa Tatupu, the "beest defeenceman," hasn't gotten over his injuries, Atlanta can cut him and just insert Akeem Dent into the lineup. If he's healthy, however, the Falcons will have a damn good inside linebacker on their roster. They almost had to do something like this, given that Curtis Lofton won't be back next year.



Redskins acquire No. 2 overall pick from Rams for No. 6 pick, two future first-rounders, future second-rounder
I don't usually like to say this, but this is a GREAT trade for both teams. The Redskins will finally have a franchise quarterback for the first time since Joe Theismann. Robert Griffin will be a stud, and he's well worth this price. Washington is now relevant again, and every NFC East team should be scared.

As for the Rams, they got what they should have received. Three firsts and a second, despite what the Browns may think, is the right price for a franchise quarterback. St. Louis will presumably pick Justin Blackmon, Riley Reiff or Morris Claiborne at No. 6.

Speaking of Cleveland, doesn't it seem comical that it didn't want to part with the No. 22 overall selection for Griffin? That sort of thinking is why the Browns haven't been in the playoffs since the 2002 campaign.

Falcons re-sign DE Kroy Biermann (3 years, $9 million): C+ Grade
Kroy Biermann was solid in 2010, but struggled last year. The Falcons are buying a bit low here, but I thought they'd be able to retain him for a bit less.

Jaguars re-sign CB Rashean Mathis (1 year, $5 million): C Grade
It seems like $5 million is a lot to pay for a 32-year-old cornerback coming off an ACL tear. Mathis may really struggle in 2012.

Buccaneers re-sign G Jeremy Zuttah (4 years, $16 million): C+ Grade
This is from a few days ago, but contract details are now known. The Buccaneers are overpaying, but I guess Greg Schiano just wants to keep one of his former players. Jeremy Zuttah is a decent lineman capable of playing multiple positions, but he's not worth $16 million over four years.


Falcons re-sign S Thomas DeCoud (5 years, $17.5M; $4M guaranteed): B Grade
Thomas DeCoud isn't a very good player. He plays the run well, but happens to be a major liability in coverage. But I'm not giving the Falcons a bad grade because they're re-signing one of their own and only giving him $4 million in guarantees. Atlanta can pursue an upgrade at this spot next spring if the 27-year-old doesn't improve.


Colts re-sign DE/OLB Robert Mathis (4 years, $36M; $15M guaranteed): D Grade
I don't really get this. Robert Mathis just turned 31. He has no experience in the 3-4. He projects as a good fit, but that's all it is - a projection. Why in the world would the rebuilding Colts offer an aging, declining pure pass-rusher $15 million in guarantees? By the time Indianapolis is ready to compete for a playoff spot, Mathis will be 32 or 33, and his skills will be completely eroding by then. This does not look like a good start for the Colts' new regime.

Bills re-sign WR Steve Johnson (5 years, $36.25M; $19.5M guaranteed): A- Grade
Steve Johnson makes too many mental errors to even be in the conversation about being an elite receiver, but perhaps he'll mature over the years. Regardless, the Bills needed to re-sign him, and I feel like they're retaining him at a great price.

Texans re-sign RB Arian Foster (5 years, $43.5M; $20.75M guaranteed): A Grade
I'm never a fan of signing running backs to long-term deals considering how fragile the players are at the position. However, the Texans are getting an incredible bargain for one of the NFL's best. Arian Foster is a stud, and he received less money than the injury-prone DeAngelo Williams. How does that happen? This is a great job by Houston's front office.

Seahawks re-sign RB Marshawn Lynch (4 years, $32M; $18M guaranteed): B- Grade
Marshawn Lynch has been amazing ever since he trampled the Saints in the crazy playoff upset last January. He's become a fan favorite. However, this contract could really backfire. Lynch has serious lethargy issues throughout his career, and there's a chance he could once again pack it in now that he has $18 million guaranteed in his back pocket. If I were a Seahawk supporter, I'd be glad to have Lynch back, but at the same time, I'd be scared to death that he could quit. Seattle is essentially buying high here, which is never a good thing to do. Lynch should have been franchised.



49ers re-sign DE/OLB Ahmad Brooks (6 years, $44.5M; $17.5M guaranteed): B- Grade
This is a ton of money to give to a player who had seven sacks last year. Ahmad Brooks is a good defender, and the 49ers are definitely making the right move by retaining him, so I won't give them a bad grade. However, the fact remains that they really overpaid.



Browns re-sign ILB D'Qwell Jackson (5 years, $42.5 million; $19M guaranteed): B Grade
The Browns just paid $42.5 million ($19 million guaranteed) to a linebacker who played just six total games in 2009 and 2010. Talk about a risky contract. I'm not going to give them a poor grade, however, because they almost had to do this. Jackson is the leader of Cleveland's defense. The front office couldn't afford to let him go.


Eagles sign QB Trent Edwards (1 year): No Grade
I'm not giving this signing a grade because it's pretty irrelevant. Trent Edwards will only make the roster if he's substantially better than Mike Kafa. The Eagles want a veteran backup at the ready when their starter will inevitably go down with some sort of injury next year, so they're going to have Edwards compete with Kafka for the job. If it's close, it's hard to imagine Andy Reid not siding with Kafka because he was a recent draft pick. Edwards was out of the league for most of last year for a reason.

Keep in mind that this will not prevent the Eagles from selecting someone like Brock Osweiler, Nick Foles or Kirk Cousins on the second day of the 2012 NFL Draft. Armed with three Friday picks, Philadelphia will be searching for a long-term solution at quarterback because its current starter is way too injury-prone and unreliable.


Packers re-sign TE Jermichael Finley (2 years, $15M): A+ Grade
Jermichael Finley has yet to live up to expectations. He kills his team with mistakes despite being so physically gifted. He had 14 drops last year compared to only 55 receptions. Packer fans understandably are constantly frustrated with him.

Having said that, this is a great re-signing. Not only is Green Bay not dedicating lots of long-term money to him; it gives itself the chance to franchise Matt Flynn. With Flynn franchised, it'll allow Ted Thompson to secure at least one high draft pick for him. If the Eagles received a second-round pick and a starting cornerback for Kevin Kolb, the Packers can get just as much for their young reserve quarterback.


Chiefs sign CB Stanford Routt (3 years, $19.6M; $4M signing bonus): B- Grade
I don't think Stanford Routt is a particularly good cornerback. He was whistled for 17 penalties and gave up eight touchdowns in 2011. He can create turnovers, but Kansas City fans are going to get tired of all the infractions pretty quickly. Routt is going to be part of tomorrow's Top 10 Most Overrated Players in the NFL article.

Having said that, this is not a bad signing by any means. Routt isn't getting much guaranteed money, so the Chiefs can dispose of him if he doesn't work out. I just wish Kansas City would have re-signed the superior Brandon Carr. Carr will, of course, land a larger contract, but the Chiefs had the most cap room in the NFL.


I got help from a site and copied a few things. Does anyone know anything else???

[PickSixerTWSS]

Crap. Sorry... I just realized that there are other threads about this. Also Chad Henne just signed a 2-year deal with the Jaguars.

[1niksder]

Six years, $96 million, with $50 million guaranteed for Mario Williams with the Buffalo Bills

[44diesel]

Desean Jackson PROMISES Super Bowl for Filthy in the next 5 years:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8 ... line_stack



Promises, promises...

[44diesel]

Former Redskin Rock Cartwright looks like he's gonna sign with the 49ers pending a physical.

[44diesel]

Madden 2012 Cover Boy, Peyton Hills signed a one year $3 million deal with the KC Chiefs.

[PickSixerTWSS]

Six years, $96 million, with $50 million guaranteed for Mario Williams with the Buffalo Bills

your wrong its:6 years, $100M; $50M guaranteed..........jesus christ.

[Irn-Bru]

Chris Horton caught a break with the NY Giants. A one-year deal.

[JiveTurkee]

Madden 2012 Cover Boy, Peyton Hills signed a one year $3 million deal with the KC Chiefs.

I thought he wanted to be Jack Bauer???

[1niksder]

Six years, $96 million, with $50 million guaranteed for Mario Williams with the Buffalo Bills

your wrong its:6 years, $100M; $50M guaranteed..........jesus christ.

It could max out at $100M....

Raiders have just informed Kamerion Wimbley that he will be released

[1niksder]

Former Redskin Rock Cartwright looks like he's gonna sign with the 49ers pending a physical.

Done deal

[1niksder]

Bengals announce deal with former first-round pick Jason Allen.... Aaron Ross just lost his leverage with the Redskins

[KazooSkinsFan]

Bengals announce deal with former first-round pick Jason Allen.... Aaron Ross just lost his leverage with the Redskins

We seem to be addressing our main needs pretty well. Not that we're there, but in the draft you want to draft for talent not position and we're setting ourselves up to do that.

[SkinsJock]

I just heard that Matt Flynn has reached an agreement to play with the Seahawks

[CanesSkins26]

Brandon Lloyd signs with the Pats

[emoses14]

Manning to sign with the Broncos:


http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/eye-o ... -tim-tebow

Which is to be quickly followed by the least surprising move in the world.


Freeman also reports that the Broncos will attempt to trade Tim Tebow and "do not care" what they get for him.


There's a ringing endorsement of his play at qb.