First things first. This blog editor I'm using really sucks. I was halfway through this post about an hour ago and I went to delete a word, highlighted it and hit back space and it brought me back to My Profile page. You might think no big deal it should have a save feature and I could just get back into that post and start where I left off, but you thought wrong. This editor doesn't have a save feature and I must finish a post or copy and save it to word in order to go back to it if it isn't finished while I'm currently working. Ok, enough about me and my editor rage, lets get down to brass tacks and start talking NFL free agency and the rest of the goings on up to this point and time.
We'll take a look at each NFL team and what they have done or not done from the end of the 09/10 season up until this very point when I post this sucker. From players that have been released, re-signed, traded or brought in via free agency we'll have all listed team by team along with a little commentary from me. My comments will be in italics.
Here we go and wish me luck getting through this one. I've been trying to get it posted since yesterday afternoon. This will be the umpteenth attempt.
Maybe this updated version will look better than the previously posted one. These are all the moves as of 3/10/10 @ 3:30 PM CST.
Arizona Cardinals Released (FS) Antrel Rolle-
when the Cardinals gave big paper to (SS) Adrian Wilson this was just about a forgone conclusion. While the Cardinals hated to lose him they had no choice due to monetary issues and needing to plug holes elsewhere.
Re-Signed (TE) Anthony Becht- Trades
Acquired (S) Kerry Rhodes from the New York Jets for a 2010 4th round selection and a 2011 7th round pick. With a small market left for (FS) via free agency the Cardinals brought in a decent veteran that can fill the void left by Rolle, at least until the draft where they may find a better option.
Atlanta Falcons Re-Signed (QB) Chris Redman-
while he is a quality veteran back-up and he did a decent job filling in for Matty Ice the Falcons still pray that won't happen again in 2010.
Signed (CB) Dunta Robinson-
the Falcons had their share of secondary injuries and bringing in the best corner on the free agent market to help the depth is never bad. Now all they have to do is find a way to get to the opposing quarterback.
Baltimore Ravens Signed (WR) Donte Stallworth-
shouldn't every team have a murderer on their team. As sorry as he may be, did he really serve what he deserved. This country lets people off way too easily.
Trades
Acquired (WR) Anquan Boldin and a 2010 5th round selection from the Arizona Cardinals for a 2010 3rd & 4th round selections. The Ravens took the much safer and less bumpy (WR) route when they almost stole Boldin away from the Cardinals. The early talk of Owens was much less promising than the ultra tough and respected Boldin.
Buffalo Bills Released (TE) Derek Fine-
will never be more than just OK.
(WR) Justin Jenkins, (DB) John Wendling- for me to have never heard of you is surprising and means the Bills won't be missing you guys anytime soon.
Re-Signed (S) Bryan Scott- by far one of the better and deeper position on the team and when your as holey as the Bills are you must keep one part of the ship intact.
Carolina Panthers Released (QB) Jake Delhomme (DT) Damione Lewis (DT) Ma'ake Kemoeatu (LB) Na'il Diggs (LB) Landon Johnson (FB) Brad Hoover Yes, all of these players are over thirty and some of them are really bad at football (cough, cough Jake Delhomme), but does Panthers ownership understand no salary floor doesn't mean you don't need a 53 man roster? By the time training camp comes around they may be known by this name; the Kansas City Panth(Royal)ers. For Panthers fans seeing the end of the Delhomme era end was a great thing, but the Matt Moore era is nothing to throw a fiesta over. Steve Smith is bound to punch somebody in the face come mini-camp. Signed (WR) Wallace Wright- really? Not much to get excited about here, but I guess they need to start building towards that 53 man roster.
Chicago Bears Released (T) Orlando Pace- Lovie Smith really needs to stay out of player personel moves. This is just another in a long line of failured ex-players failing his current team. We also witnessed why the Rams knew it was time to let go of the future HOFer.
(TE) Fontel Mines, (G) Tyler Reed- the team just cutting off some excess fat here.
(RB) Kevin Jones- this move had to be expected after the Bears signed Chester Taylor. This guy had promise, but his career has been dashed by injuries.
Signed (TE) Brandon Manumaleuna (RB) Chester Taylor (DE) Julius Peppers Were these moves act of desperation by men trying to hold onto their jobs beyond the 2010 season? A big time yes, but they also did serve a great purpose to the team. Manumaleuna is not only a huge blocking tight end that may just save Jay Cutler's life sometime next season he is also familiar with Mike Martz's offense. Where the tight end is used mainly as a blocker and that is by far Manumaleuna's strength. This may just signal the end of the Greg Olsen era in Chi-town. The Peppers deal was huge as we all knew it would be and though many in NFL circles question his passion and effort on the field he is fills a huge need for the team even with him playing at 50% 50% of the time. He is the best pass rusher in Chicago since Richard Dent and that is an aweful long time. The suprise signing was Taylor where the Bears not only weakend a division opponent, but also formed a very good one-two back tandem with Taylor and Matt Forte. Mike Martz probably will have a field day with formations including both backs on the field at the same time. This move also gives Bears fans hope that the ownership knows that three seasons without the playoffs is unacceptable. The misconception is that are cheap which they are not when it comes to players, but coaches is a different story and all fans can do is hope that Lovie Smith doesn't screw up these new pieces to severely. Cincinnati Bengals Released
(WR) Laveranues Coles- the Coles era didn't last long in the Queen City as the team learned Coles has little left in the tank. The curious thing is is that they're seriously thinking about bringing in TO. If that happens the Bengals will be entertaining to say the least between Owens and Ochocinco.
Re-Signed (TE) Daniel Coats- with the size of that offensive line a tight end in the running game or passing game really isn't that necessary, but it's still nice to have that option open to you.
Signed (WR) Antonio Bryant- as much as I love Ochocinco, Bryant is the new #1 receiver in the Queen City. This is a nice combo of starting wide outs that Carson Palmer has at his disposal and they just may be able to find that passing game once again.
Cleveland Browns Released (RB) Jamal Lewis- this move was a long time coming for both the Browns and Lewis himself.
(G) Hank Fraley- really how many old, bad players does one team need. In Holgrem's eyes they had a couple too many.
(QB) Derek Anderson- with the acquisition of Wallace the beyond bad Anderson was expendable. Man did he make his money though on the heels of one decent year.
Trades
Acquired (QB) Seneca Wallace from the Seattle Seahawks for undisclosed 2011 draft pick. Great move here by Holgrem who is familiar with Wallace and gives him a back-up plan and short term answer if Browns can't figure out what to do with Brady Quinn or drafting another young quarterback to become the next Bernie Kosar.
Dallas Cowboys No news out of Dallas as of yet of any imminent moves. Has Jerry Jones really spent all his cash on that million dollar Bio-Dome of his? Denver Broncos Released (RB) LaMont Jordan- a wasted signing last season, because young head coach Josh McDaniels wanted to feel comfortable before he made everybody else uncomfortable.
Re-signed (WR) Brandon Lloyd- wasn't used much last season, but may just be a back-up plan in case some team wants to give up a first rounder for Brandon Marshall. Lloyd has never lived up to his potential and if they do lose Marshall there definetley won't be any (6-0) start in Dnever next season.
(G) Russ Hochstein- good signing here for a decent line with good chemistry. They were bound to lose either Hochstein or Hamilton and I feel they made the right choice in who they kept.
Signed (DE) Justin Bannan- a guy who can fill a special teams role and may find his way into the defensive line rotation.
(S) Nate Jones- another guy to play special teams.
(DE) Jarvis Green- suprise, suprise, suprise. Josh McDaniels signs another ex-Patriot. He will work well in the defensive line rotation.
(DT) Jamal Williams- don't know how much is left in this very large tank, but signing him away from a division foe will really hurt the Chargers no matter what. If he has something left he will definitley help 1 or 2 downs at a time.
Detroit Lions Released (DE) Jared DeVries- a motor guy who's time ran out in a motorless city.
(CB) Phillip Buchannon- the Lions are in full blown youth movement and quite frankly have better options that were waiting behind the unrealized potential of Buchannon.
(DE) Dewayne White- the age cutting continues as the steady vet is let go. I hope Vanden Bosch can play both ends at one time.
Re-Signed (TE) Will Heller- a nice complement to starter Brondon Pettigrew.
(WR) Brian Clark- continuity on special teams is important too.
(OT) Jeff Backus- the Lions have plenty of work to do on the offensive line in order to reach a winning record so this move is curious to me as Backus is like a NFC North turn style.
Trades
Acquired (DT) Corey Williams from the Cleveland Browns for a late round pick. Nice move here to bolster the interior of the line with a guy familiar with the division and is a decent talent on top of it.
Acquired (CB) Chris Houston from the Atlanta Falcons for a 2011 6th round selection and a swapping of 5th round picks in 2010. Another nice move to fill the void left after releasing Buchannon. No drop in play and a much cheaper model.
Signed (WR) Nate Burleson- one of the first signings once free agency opened. While Burleson is far from terrific he is the best receiver the Lions have had opposite Calvin Johnson since he entered the league. The Lions passing offense got better with this move.
(DE) Kyle Vanden Bosch- They were knocking on Kyle's door very early and obviously wanted him real bad. A high motor guy that is a good leader both on and off the field. May not produce huge sack numbers, but he will be a nice example for the entire Lions youth movement.
Green Bay Packers Released (DB) Matt Giordano- maybe he can go to Chicago and run a Giordano's pizza as his career looks to be coming to a quick end.
(DE) Mike Montgomery- not a good fit for the new 3-4 scheme.
Re-Signed (T) Chad Clifton- while Clifton was at one point a good player that is no longer the case. Aaron Rodgers is surely asking himself why the Packers brass wants to see him on his ass.
Houston Texans Re-Signed (WR) Kevin Walter- last season was a disappointment, but great re-signing here to keep a awesome passing attack intact.
(P) Matt Turk- he may be getting up there in age, but he still kicks the heck out of the ball and is great asset in the field position game.
Indianapolis Colts Released (QB) Jim Sorgi- the new back-up era has begun in Indy. Say hello to the Curtis "Benchwarmer" Painter era. Sorgi is probably pissed in losing the best job in the NFL. Make great money and never have to do anything for it.
(G) Ryan Lilja- this is how they thank a guy for coming out of nowhere and filing in the line admirable.
Re-Signed (LB) Gary Brackett- most important moved accomplished for the runner up as they can make any moves until they lose someone to free agency.
Signed (G) Andy Alleman- just adding more depth here.
Jacksonville Jaguars Released (WR) Torry Holt- almost the end for the future HOFer, but may be able to fins a role as a mentor to an up and coming team. Can you say Chicago?
(T) Tra Thomas- the play of the two young tackles (Monroe & Britton) made this move very easy.
Signed (DE) Aaron Kampman- if he is healthy, Kampman will relish a chance to play in the 4-3 again and provide so much needed defensive pressure for the Jags.
(WR) Kassim Osgood- not much help here as a wide receiver, but he has been and continues to be one of the best special teams players in the league.
Kansas City Chiefs Re-Signed (WR) Terrance Copper (RB) Jackie Battle (WR) Chris Chambers Seems to me the Chiefs are continuing to shoot for less than mediocre. They are still a very long ways away from being competitive. Signed (RB) Thomas Jones-
one of the fittest running backs (but aging) in the league finds a new home and a starting spot. Another nice one-two combo with him and Jamal Charles. This still doesn't make the Chiefs any good though.
(DT) Shaun Smith- another below average player for a below averag team.
Miami Dolphins Released (LB) Joey Porter (LB) Akin Ayodele (S) Gibril Wilson Tuna is consistent in wanting quality veterans who plays speaks for itself and knows when to keep their mouths shut. That would never happen with Porter who is still semi-productive, but can no longer play up to all his talk. Re-Signed (QB) Chad Pennington- while he no longer will be the opening camp starter he does bring value in experience and knowledge of the Dolphins system. Don't be surprised if you do see Pennington on the field at some point next season.
Signed (LB) Karlos Dansby- while he'll never bring sacks in like a Porter or Taylor he will surely shore up the middle of the Dolphins defense. Dansby is a hard working, smart, talented player who will help the Dolphins defense tremendously.
Minnesota Vikings Re-Signed (S) Bennie Sapp- still need some help in the secondary, but Sapp is a good nickel/dime guy who plays special teams.
Signed (K) Rhys Lloyd- a kick-off specialist? If you like touchbacks this is your guy, but a kick-off specialist?
New England Patriots Released (TE) Chris Baker- looks as if the Patriots will be in the market for both a blocking and receiving tight end as they will lose Benjamin Watson and gave up on Chris Baker.
Re-Signed (LB) Tully Banta-Cain (DT) Vince Wilfork (LB) Leigh Bodden The resigning of Wilfork is huge as he would be almost impossible to replace. A good sign that your organization is good to work for is that veterans don't want to leave when they have a chance. New Orleans Saints Released (DE) Charles Grant- curious move here, but I guess when you win the Super Bowl you can whatever you feel is necessary. The Saints already mediocre pass rush won't get any better next season with this move.
Re-Signed (C) Nick Leckey (S) Pierson Prioleau Two moves to maintain depth on the team and what would a team from New Orleans be without a Prioleau. New York Giants Released (MLB) Antonio Pierce- coming back from a neck injury is very questionable and its time for the Giants to go in a different direction.
(DB) London Fryar (SS) Aaron Rouse Surprising the Giants kept anybody from their secondary, but I guess you couldn't cut them all. Signed (FS) Antrel Rolle- they paid a ton of dough for a relatively cheap position, bit he is worth is to the Giants as they suffered greatly form secondary woes last season. Rolle is a huge upgrade and should help a once decent defense.
(QB) Jim Sorgi- from backing up one Manning to another this guy sure knows how to find good work.
New York Jets Released (RB) Thomas Jones- I know they would love to keep him, but with an up and coming guy like Shonn Greene and a good 3rd down back in Leon Washington, Jones is just too expensive.
(CB) Lito Sheppard- he is still a very good cornerback, but the Jets found a better option to line up opposite RevisIsland. This move may just blow up in their face.
Re-Signed (TE) Ben Hartsock- an important piece to the Jets running game as Dustin Keller really blows at blocking.
Trades
Acquired (CB) Antonio Cromartie from the San Diego Chargers for a 3rd round selection in 2010. This is a wait and see move, while we know Cromartie is filled with talent how will the immature Cromartie deal with constant criticism in New York, because he will see the majority of the balls come his way playing opposite Revis. Lets not forget all the good looking women in New York he can be making more babies with. Just what he needs, right?
Oakland Raiders Released (RB) Justin Fargas- decent guy, OK back, but has a hard time staying healthy and the Raiders have a ton of mediocre backs on their roster already.
(WR) Javon Walker- just another in a long line of horrible free agent signings done by Al Davis. I just hope some other team doesn't make the same mistake.
(DE) Greg Ellis- just couldn't get or stay healthy to really help the Raiders.
Re-Signed (T) Khalif Barnes- if not to be a starter he will add in depth, but that line needs a lot more help than just Barnes.
Philadelphia Eagles Released (RB) Brian Westbrook- could be one concussion away from sipping Jello from a cup the rest of his life.
(LB) Will Witherspoon- a move that left me scratching my head. After acquiring him from the Rams less than a year ago for a 2nd round pick they just let him go for nothing. I understand money is tight in America, but football is still raking it in and the Eagles need as many linebackers as possible if they don't remember last season. This guy still has plenty of football and talent left in him.
Re-Signed (FB) Leonard Weaver- a athletic fullback who blocks well and you can hand the ball to him 5-10 times a game with good results.
(WR) Jason Avant- really came on last season and is an excellent special teamer. Hard to believe, but Avant is the elder statesman of the Eagles receiving corps.
Signed (DB) Marlin Jackson- an knee injury cut his last season with the Colts short and now he will move to free safety in Philly, he should have a nice impact on a defense that has fallen off some since the death of the great Jim Johnson.
Pittsburgh Steelers Re-Signed (FS) Ryan Clark- after some serious flirting with the Dolphins Clark decided to stay with one of the best run organizations in the NFL. Plus, why wouldn't he want to play opposite Troy Polamalu. He only makes you look better.
Signed (CB) Will Allen (WR) Arnaz Battle (WR) Antwan Randle-El The Steelers bolster one of the worst special teams units in the league with all these signings. Randle-El comes back home after a lay over in DC. Probably wishes he never hopped on that flight to begin with. San Diego Chargers Released (RB) LaDainian Tonlinson- this move happened a year late. The team should have traded him a year earlier and gotten what they could.
(RB) Michael Bennett- now the team really only has one true running back in Darren Sproles and he can't go every down. Look for the Chargers to sign a veteran and draft a back early on in the draft.
(NT) Jamal Williams- while he filled huge gaps up front so well for the Chargers the ouchyness became too much for the team to handle at Williams current price.
Claimed (RB) Marcus Mason- this is far from the last move at the running back position this offseason for the Bolts.
Seattle Seahawks You would think that Pete Carroll would be making whole sale changes. Must be waiting to make a big splash on draft day. I still remain suspect on him bringing this franchise back to respectability. San Francisco 49ers Signed (QB) David Carr- after sitting as a back-up in New York for a couple of years getting his brain unscrambled could this be Carr's return to be a starter. While the starter remains Alex Smith I don't think head coach Mike Singletary will pause to throw Carr in if Smith fails early on in 2010.
St. Louis Rams Re-Signed (SS) Craig Dahl- good special teams player.
Signed (QB) AJ Feeley- replacing one bad (Kyle Boller) back-up quarterback with another. Whomever is the starter in St. Louis next season the fans better hope they remain healthy or it will be the 2009 season all over again.
(DT) Fred Robbins- a decent guy to add to the rotation who is familiar with coach Spagnulo and his sytem from their days together in New York.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Released (P) Josh Bidwell (P) Dirk Johnson (DB) Torrie Cox Not much here, but why in the sam hell do you have two punters on your roster to begin with. Injuries or no injuries that is unacceptable. Only in Tampa. Trades
Acquired (WR) Reggie Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles for a 6th round selection in the 2011 NFL draft. They won't be re-signing Antonio Bryant, but Brown as your replacement? I sure hope you have plans to look in the draft other wise the Bucs will push back the development of Josh Freeman back another five years.
Tennessee Titans Signed (LB) Will Witherspoon- finally a move from the Grand Old Opre. Witherspoon was curiously cut by the Eagles, but it was to the Titans gain as they continue a defensive facelift.
Washington Redksins Released (RB) Ladell Betts (RB) Rock Cartwright (QB) Todd Collins (DT) Cornelius Griffin (RB) Marcus Mason (WR) Antwan Randle-El (CB) Fred Smoot (G) Randy Thomas While almost all of these players are over thirty and on the downside of their careers it is a fine example of the mis-managment of personel and money spent by owner Daniel Snyder. Funny it seems that the richer owners like Snyder and Jerry Jones are going on the cheap in this uncapped year which really makes you wonder what's really going on in the NFL and CBA negotiations. Re-Signed (DT) Lorenzo Alexander- a very versatile player who can play (DT), (OLB) and even some (OG). That's what I call getting your monies worth.
(DE) Phillip Daniels- the Skins don't get many sacks from Daniels any longer, but he is steady in both against the run and the pass.
(G) Mike Williams (C) Casey Rabach Seems as if Mike Shannahan was content with what the Reskins offered on the line in keeping these two pieces. Just expect a different style of play from this group from last year's blocking schemes. Signed (G) Artis Hicks- another versatile offensive lineman who can play more than one spot and helps add depth plus competition at the position.
(DT) Ma'ake Kemoeatu- not much risk here, but plenty of reward if this guy can make it back from ACL repair. The defense in DC was good last year, but if Kemoeatu can pair with Haynesworth in the middle of that Skins line it will be a scary day for NFC East running backs.
