NFL Free Agency
 

Starts off with Jason Ferguson heading to Dallas.

Good signing (provided the contract is not bloated).

Now to see if the Cowboys' grab Ty Law or Fred Smoot or I guess Anthony Henry who has also been mentioned as a possible addition at corner.

Nice signing as it fills a desperate need. However, I'm wary because he probably got some big bucks and he's 30.

Anyone hear of any new signings on their local news/radio/papers? I can only press refresh on ESPN so many times.

Umm, didn't it start with Muhammed to the Bears?

Learn something new every day...here's something I didn't know about restricted free agency:


Rarely used...I've never seen it used at all.

I agree with what has been said. This is a good signing, provided they didn't break the bank on it. Next order of business - corner and safety.

As expected, the Packers cut Mike Wahle. He's likely to be the most sought-after player in FA this year and will land a rich contract very quickly.

I'm a Packers fan, and so while I'm bummed they couldn't work something out I was never very hopeful to begin with.

As an addendum to those who mentioned Dallas cutting Dexter Coakley... I read this morning that apparently he will run all offers through the Cowboys before signing anywhere else, giving them the opportunity to match anything. I don't know if they actually would or not, but that seems a strange way to do things. He didn't want to lower his salary because he thought he could get more in FA, so it almost looks like a test to see how much he's actually worth.

I'm sure most of you have read this , but in case you haven't, here is ESPN's take and rumored teams the top free agents will sign with.

I'd rather have the Cowboys get Ken Lucas that Fred Smoot, but that's just my opinion.

So essentially, Coakley is making him self a "Volunteer Restricted Free Agent"?

Yeah, that's what it looks like almost.

Saints are openly looking for a right tackle. Victor Riley will not be resigned after leading the team in false starts and never making it through a training camp without punching a teammate. We are interested in Fred Miller from Tenn., but will not pay him anything close to the $10 million signing bonus for which he is looking. I imagine we will end up with Pork Chop Womack or some other such serviceable player. We really need to save the cap room for Deuce's new contract.

And we are openly shopping franchised DE Darren Howard. I kind of hope that we can keep him (you can never have too many good pass rushers), but the team seems to think that the cap dollars can be better spent elsewhere. Who am I to argue.

Good, I love Dex...

Free agent time is always so boring for Steelers fans - aside from Staley last year, Jeff Hartings was probably their biggest FA pickup in the last 15 years (Farrior turned out to be a monster, but at the time he wasn't a huge pickup). I'd probably have a heart attack if they actually went out and got themselves a decent cornerback.

Agreed, and I'm not too keen on this idea of switching to the 3-4. When several of your top defensive players (Glover, Ellis, Coakley) aren't suited for that alignment, and you have enough problems as it is, it doesn't make sense to me to change the philosophy so greatly. I sincerely hope they don't. I don't mind if they bring in some guys who can play the 3-4 and run it on occasion with their current talent, but a wholesale change seems like the wrong move to me.

Looks like the Redskins signed the top center in free agency Casey Rabach. Its a good thing to, we need a good center bad.


from espn.com

The team also got an early start on other team's free agents, reaching agreement with center Casey Rabach.

Rabach, an unrestricted free agent widely regarded as the top center in the veteran pool, agreed to a multi-year contract early Wednesday morning, only a few hours after the start of the 2005 signing period. It marked the third year in a row that Redskins owner Dan Snyder signed at least one player on the opening day of free agency.

He found a willing partner in agent Tony Agnone, who also has a reputation for striking quickly in the market.

Contract details were not yet available, but Rabach, who should help stabilize the middle of the Washington offensive line, was scheduled to be a Redskins Park on Wednesday afternoon to have a physical exam and officially sign the contract. In past years, Snyder has dispatched his private jet all over the country to ferry in prospective veterans signees. With Rabach, he actually saved some money, since the four-year veteran can make the easy drive from Baltimore.

Washington officials had cited the center position as one of their top priorities going into the offseason and Rabach represents a considerable upgrade. The Redskins used Lennie Friedman and Cory Raymer at center in 2004 and neither played well. The Redskins, like many teams, had targeted Rabach in recent weeks.

Pat Williams and Antonio Pierce are said to be visiting Winter Park today. The Vikings signed Pierce to an offer sheet last year when he was a restricted free agent, so hopefully they can agree on a deal again this year.

Raymer wasn't a bad center, and he's a helluva nice guy... I hope he sticks around.

I ain't playin no foosball.

he was a bad center last year, before his knee exploded he was a good center though.

Rams got Coakley.

Wow, that was quick. I thought he was going to try and negotiate with Dallas based on offers he received. He must have went to them, they said "nope" immediately, and he signed with the Rams.

Maybe the impressive coaching of Martz won him over.

:mad:

Crap, I was really, really hoping that he would re-sign...

Nooooooooo!

I think there was a contingency in the deal that stated if you had 15,000 posts, he would've remained in Dallas. Dallas Front Office was sure you were going to eclipse 15K by this afternoon, but you let them down.

ESPN.com has Broncos SS Kenoy Kennedy going to the Lions.

Second.

Reports have Derrick Mason signing a 4 year deal with the Ravens.. woot!

Is Bradie James the new starter then or do the Cowboys go after someone else?

If/when Mason signs, Plaxico will heat up.

Reports are TJ Howsithangingramalamadingdong is re-signing with the Bengals today. Four years. Good. He had good chemistry going with Palmer and has played opposite Chad Johnson for years.

Yup...they're...um...Beavers.

I'm a little surprised that the Ravens are signing Mason. I figured they would give Burress a long look, both because he is talented and to smack the Steelers.

I guess the Jaguars and Jets are possible destinations for him now.

5 years for Mason in Baltimore apparently. Hopefully he doesn't follow in the footsteps of Frank Sanders and Kevin Johnson as guys who were once productive only to their careers die as a Raven.

Burress is a big risk to give a big money deal to.

I think Mason is a safer bet. He's apparently a good locker room guy and has built himself up from just being a return specialist through his early years. Plax has all the talent in the world but he hasn't exactly set the world on fire and that's with a solid running game and a Pro Bowler playing opposite him i Ward.

When looking for a #1 WR, sometimes it's risky to sign a #2 guy and expect him to up his production. Burress is talented but was always second fiddle to Hines Ward.

KJ was done before he got there. He was a desperate move by a team desperate for WR's.

Rams Sign Coakley

Dexter Coakley has spent his entire eight-year career with the Cowboys. But when Dallas released Coakley on Tuesday night, his search for a new home began. Apparently, that search started and ended in St. Louis.

Coakley reached an agreement with the Rams on a five-year, $14.5 million contract. He will receive a $3 million signing bonus.

http://www.stlouisrams.com/article/48065

posted!!!

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/~fof/for...8&postcount=23

See: Alvin Harper and Peerless Price.

Then again, maybe this only applies if they went to Tennesee. :D

Dear Scooper,

You don't know what you're talking about.

- Peerless Price

Dammit!

Difference with Burress is has the tools to be a #1. Those other guys did not. He's such a loafer though and they speculate he's the type that would sit on a big deal.

Vikings fan: You mean he'll play when he wants to?

But isn't he peer-less?

Dear Peerless,

I don't see any evidence that you can stand up to having top corners on you.

- Earth

I wouldn't even say that. I'm not a big Steeler guy but I've never seen the guy fired up or all out. Horrid in 2004. Just terrible. Even if you account for missed time he only had one good game.

Part of it was his role I guess. Looks like they just sent him deep.

I would have figured Brady James would have started without the departure of Coakley, since the Cowboys are switching to a 3-4. It would have either looked like;

Coakley - Nguyen - Singleton - James

or

Coakley - Nguyen - James - Singleton

Now with Coakley gone, the Cowboys' have a need at LB. Haven't given much thought to the Cowboys' switching to the 3-4 but now I know why several mock drafts have had them selecting DE Shawne Merriman from Maryland, who a lot of scouts see as an OLB in the 3-4. David Pollack also looks to be a DE turned rush LB.

Not according to the ESPN article:


In a Tuesday morning meeting, coach Bill Parcells told Coakley that the Cowboys would like to retain him, even if it meant releasing him then re-signing him, but that his role would be reduced as Dallas moved to a 3-4 defense.

Had he opted to remain with the Cowboys, it is likely that Coakley would have played a "nickel" linebacker role, but the Rams project him as a starter. St. Louis is rebuilding its linebacker corps and is seeking to add another veteran, possibly unrestricted free agent Chris Claiborne of Minnesota, in coming days.

The Cowboys were going to get at least one and maybe two LB's in free agency / draft / trade anyway. Coakley's been good for us, but he's getting up there in age so I don't really have a problem with the move.

Word is Dallas has signed CB Anthony Henry. Don't know much about him except that he's definitely going to be an upgrade at right corner.

Yeah, I mentioned that if the Cowboys' decided to stand pat with their current LB corps. Coakley (and Nguyen for that matter) are not the type of LBs that Parcells like.

ESPN.com is saying the Ferguson deal is not done but they're close.

Marco Rivera G is visiting Dallas tonight.

Damn. It'd be nice if the Packers could keep at least one of their two starting guards. :(

Joe Andruzzi just signed with the Browns for 4 years, $9 million. Wish GB would have pursued him as that's dirt cheap for a solid guard.

Pasquarelli is reporting the deal with Henry is 5 years.


Pasq also reports the Ferguson deal is done. Here are the details "The deal is a five-year, $21.5 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $9 million and will pay him $11.5 million in the first two seasons of the pact."

Good for him. He's a great back but obviously would never get the needed time behind Curtis. I wish him the best of luck.

yeah, and it makes me sad to see him go, I liked him.

Among other Pats news, they cut Roman Phifer and Troy Brown...

FM

dola


John Clayton says the Raiders have signed Lamont Jordan to a 5 year deal (no details mentioned, although I've seen $4 mil a year).

Fox Sports reports that DT Pat Williams has agreed to terms with the Vikings.

Williams and Williams in the middle next year.

Dola: 3 years, $13 million for Williams.

Does that put them at the minimum yet?
:)

SI is reporting the Pats are going to trade a 3rd rounder and a swap of like picks in another round for Cardinals CB Duane Starks.

BTW, that deal for Pat Williams looks great for the Vikings. I'm surprised he wasn't able to command more cashola.

I think Dallas overpaid for Ferguson, but alas that was likely the needed price to keep him out of the Jets' hands.

EDIT: Yep. :)

Yeah, Ted Cottrel may have helped talked another former Bill into joining the Vikings. He should be great at nose tackle lining up next to Kevin Williams.

Hopefully they can add Antonio Pierce soon as well.

The Cowboys gave Anthony Henry a $10 mil signing bonus. :confused:

This is from The Insiders

Damn.

Okay, so now it looks like Pierce has gone to the Giants for 26.5 over 6 with a 6.5 bonus.

Full details of the Henry deal.

Colts just released TE Marcus Pollard
Eagles resigned Buckholter
Jags signed DE Reggie Hayward to a 5-year $25 million deal ($10 mil guaranteed)

The Raiders have now fit Charles Woodson, Randy Moss and Lamont Jodan under the cap while cutting some near useless players (Ray Buchanon, Roland Williams, John Parella, Ty Wheatley, Frank Middleton).

They also restructured Kerry Collins, Rich Gannon, Barry Sims and one or two other players.

I am very happy with this signing. Jordan has looked excellent whenever I have seen him and while he hasn't proven he can be a 300+ carry back, with the Raiders passing game, he should be very successful.

Now, they just need to somehow improve the defense.

Done deal and they swap 5th round picks.

Once again a nice move by the Pats getting Starks. He is not a very good corner for teams without pass rush, but is a good guy for their system

There is a rumor that a trade of Donovan Darius for Darren Howard is in the works.

Out with Law, in with Starks. It seems they opted to give up a draft pick instead of spending crazy dollars on a CB in free agency. See what Henry got from the Cowboys!

I think they also are getting him to restructure his contract. I believe he had 2 years left at 3.6 mill a year. If that number comes down from there even more, I say that is not a bad cap number for the next couple of years for a solid CB, which is all they need in Foxboro (although the 3rd rounder would have been nice to get a solid LB prospect in the draft). I am wondering if Tyrone Poole is going to be gone now. I think so.

Where's the rumor from?

Thing that's bugging me about Starks is I'm reading he's been injured more often than not. Anybody can confirm that? (was actually gonna ask "any Cards fan can confirm that?" but thought better of it :) )

FM

As one of the few Cardinal fans out there, Starks was injured in all his seasons with the Cards, missing 6 games in 2002, the entire season in 2003, and two games this past season. Looking at his injury page at SI.com, he's had a ton of injuries.

At first I was questioning this deal, because I'm not sure who else they have at corner, but Starks isn't getting any younger and with those injuries, perhaps it was a good time to part with him and get some value for him.

Kurt Warner was in town :)

LB Antonio Pierce to the Giants (six-years, $26 million)

Lions fans on the various Lions boards out there are going nuts right now. They want action and they want it now!

Seems kind of weak. I mean it's not like they are going to run out of GTA San Andreas or something.

Pierce reportedly ended discussions with the Vikings when he found that the signing bonus wouldn't be paid until this summer.

The Giants would need that guy but I don't see the Vikings as needing to spend for that guy.

If the Vikings take on Burress they might as well have kept Moss unless it's a very cheap deal.

The Giants if can see splurging on him though and it making some kind of sense.

Plaxico Burress is supposedly deciding between the Vikings and the Giants now. I'd be happy to see him go to either, if he isn't going to be in Pittsburgh. I definitely don't want to see him in our division.

Len Pasquarelli is reporting that the Texans have signed free agent LB Morlon Greenwood (Dolphins) to a five-year, $22.5 million contract including a $7 million signing bonus. Greenwood will earn salaries of $540,000 (for 2005), $2.56 million (2006), $3.4 million (2007), $4 million (2008) and $5 million (2009). Those salaries include $100,000 workout bonuses for some seasons.


Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com says the Cowboys' are close to signing Marco Rivera.

Burress would be a good fit as the #2 WR here.

Not doubting you or anything, but what's your source here?

I really question how good that guy is.

Maybe he'd be a good #2 but what kind of money does that cost the Vikes?

Pat Yasinskas, of the Charlotte Observer, reports the Carolina Panthers have agreed to terms with free agent G Mike Wahle (Packers). Terms of the deal weren't available immediately, but it's believed Wahle was seeking a signing bonus in excess of $10 million.

Panthers were under the radar here...I hadn't heard they were even in the running here.

Then I guess you are in the clear.

Me either, but I like it. I'm a closet Panthers' fan (3rd fave team).

With Red still at the helm you can be sure they won't pay too much. Paying enough is not even likely.

From ESPN Insider:


Plaxico Burress
Steelers

Mar. 3 - The Giants are interested in wide receiver Plaxico Burress, but will likely take a wait-and-see approach until his market is set, The New York Daily News reports. "I have talked to the Giants very briefly," Burress' agent, Michael Harrison, told The New York Post. "I think their top priority was offensive line and linebacker, and then they're gonna kind of flip it and see what's going on, see how much money they have left."

According to The Post, Burress is likely headed for Minnesota to replace Randy Moss.

Not a done deal. He is visiting the Lions today though.

Well I know the Pats gave him little respect in their game planning. They put munchins, one on one on him and he didn't get open.

The good game he had, one catch was total luck in the endzone on a ball underthrown.

It is hard to say how good he is or can be, really. I know I have seen him play a lot over the years, and his size and speed make him pretty hard to match up with. He has a bad reputation from doing some stupid things his first few years (spiking the ball after a catch for a 1st Down w/o being touched that resulted in a fumble, public intoxication, having loud parties in an "old money" neighborhood), but in the past two or three seasons, I think he has matured and works hard now. He is overshadowed by Hines Ward, but Burress is a real good blocker.

With the Steelers, until this season (and that could just be a jinx), he never had great QBs to work with (Kordell Stewart and Tommy Maddox) and has always played in a run first offense. I love Ward and would choose him over Burress in a second, but I would imagine other teams worried alot more about matching up with Burress than Ward.

I would guess that Burress, if he played in the Vikings offense and stayed healthy, would put up 80+ catches and 1250+ yards. I don't see him doing anything, number-wise, beyond his typical Steelers' years playing for the Giants.

What I like is that Plaxico's departure will help my man Antwaan Randle El move into a starting role. :)