NFL Free Agent Signing Thread

[costanza2k1]

Re: NFL Free Agent Signing Thread

Mike Vrabel-LB-Chiefs Feb. 27 - 2:24 pm et

Chiefs acquired Mike Vrabel from the Patriots for an undisclosed draft pick, pending a physical.
As friendly a trade as you'll see. Bill Belichick and buddy Chiefs GM Scott Pioli both know Vrabel's strengths and weaknesses, and his leadership is worth more to the young Chiefs. He'll help be a coach on the field as Kansas City installs their 3-4 defense. We suspect Vrabel will not be an every-down player, and will focus on rushing the passer. He was due for a lesser role in New England, who will go young at a thin OLB spot.

[url="http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx"]http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx[/url]

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: NFL Free Agent Signing Thread

Mike Vrabel-LB-Chiefs Feb. 27 - 2:24 pm et

Chiefs acquired Mike Vrabel from the Patriots for an undisclosed draft pick, pending a physical.
As friendly a trade as you'll see. Bill Belichick and buddy Chiefs GM Scott Pioli both know Vrabel's strengths and weaknesses, and his leadership is worth more to the young Chiefs. He'll help be a coach on the field as Kansas City installs their 3-4 defense. We suspect Vrabel will not be an every-down player, and will focus on rushing the passer. He was due for a lesser role in New England, who will go young at a thin OLB spot.

[url="http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx"]http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx[/url]

Does Vrabel's exodus mean that New England goes after Derrick Brooks now (provided he doesn't choose to retire after being released by Tampa)? He's the kind of LB they typically sign (i.e. old LB's that were once great).

[costanza2k1]

Re: NFL Free Agent Signing Thread

Bryant McFadden-DB-Steelers Feb. 27 - 2:32 pm et

Free agent CB Bryant McFadden reportedly will visit the Cardinals on Sunday.
While the Cards' coaching staff knows McFadden well from their Pittsburgh days, this isn't exactly an ideal match. The Cards have cap room, but McFadden would likely have to compete with Rod Hood to start. He'd be a surefire first-teamer in most other places. This might just be a leverage visit.
Source: azcardinals.com

[url="http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx"]http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx[/url]

[costanza2k1]

Re: NFL Free Agent Signing Thread

Mike Vrabel-LB-Chiefs Feb. 27 - 2:24 pm et

Chiefs acquired Mike Vrabel from the Patriots for an undisclosed draft pick, pending a physical.
As friendly a trade as you'll see. Bill Belichick and buddy Chiefs GM Scott Pioli both know Vrabel's strengths and weaknesses, and his leadership is worth more to the young Chiefs. He'll help be a coach on the field as Kansas City installs their 3-4 defense. We suspect Vrabel will not be an every-down player, and will focus on rushing the passer. He was due for a lesser role in New England, who will go young at a thin OLB spot.

[url="http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx"]http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx[/url]

Does Vrabel's exodus mean that New England goes after Derrick Brooks now (provided he doesn't choose to retire after being released by Tampa)? He's the kind of LB they typically sign (i.e. old LB's that were once great).

Yeah no doubt...sucks for Vrabel he probably thought he was a Cheater for life...

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: NFL Free Agent Signing Thread

Bryant McFadden-DB-Steelers Feb. 27 - 2:32 pm et

Free agent CB Bryant McFadden reportedly will visit the Cardinals on Sunday.
While the Cards' coaching staff knows McFadden well from their Pittsburgh days, this isn't exactly an ideal match. The Cards have cap room, but McFadden would likely have to compete with Rod Hood to start. He'd be a surefire first-teamer in most other places. This might just be a leverage visit.
Source: azcardinals.com

[url="http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx"]http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx[/url]

FYI: There is also a Free Agent Visit thread stickied in addition to the Free Agent Signing thread.

[costanza2k1]

Re: NFL Free Agent Signing Thread

Bryant McFadden-DB-Steelers Feb. 27 - 2:32 pm et

Free agent CB Bryant McFadden reportedly will visit the Cardinals on Sunday.
While the Cards' coaching staff knows McFadden well from their Pittsburgh days, this isn't exactly an ideal match. The Cards have cap room, but McFadden would likely have to compete with Rod Hood to start. He'd be a surefire first-teamer in most other places. This might just be a leverage visit.
Source: azcardinals.com

[url="http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx"]http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx[/url]

FYI: There is also a Free Agent Visit thread stickied in addition to the Free Agent Signing thread.

oops...I should stop while I'm ahead, all of this action has me confused.

[Iron Shiek]

Re: NFL Free Agent Signing Thread

No way! Thanks for filling in for me Cos...had a bunch of meetings. I'm probably done posting for the rest of today anyway so keep it going.

As for Derrick Brooks, Ruthless, he was on Sirius today and is taking his time to find the right match. He sounded like he was surefire to keep playing...but as he was signing off he told the hosts to talk to people at NFL Radio and see about getting him the 3rd host on the show he was on (which he is a normal contributor to). So it seems like he is trying to find out all his options...he sounded pretty serious too.

[costanza2k1]

Re: NFL Free Agent Signing Thread

Kerry Collins-QB-Titans Feb. 27 - 4:03 pm et

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports that Kerry Collins has agree to terms with the Titans on a two-year, $15 million contract with $8.5 million guaranteed.
Considering that he was summarily benched for Vince Young three years ago and was a league average quarterback in 2008, Collins did well for himself as a 36-year-old free agent. The Titans are paying a premium to bank on the veteran's stability for two years while waiting for the light to flip on for Young. Absent Albert Haynesworth, the Titans are going to need Collins to be more than a game manager next season. That's not a recipe for success.

[url="http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx"]http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx[/url]

[costanza2k1]

Re: NFL Free Agent Signing Thread

J.J. Arrington-RB-Broncos Feb. 27 - 4:36 pm et

Broncos agreed to terms with RB J.J. Arrington on a four-year contract.
With Peyton Hillis, Correll Buckhalter, and Ryan Torain in the mix, Arrington is very likely to remain a return specialist and third-down back. The Broncos figure to run a committee, but Arrington probably won't see the ball more than he did in Arizona. He's not a fantasy factor.

DeDe Dorsey-RB-Bengals Feb. 27 - 4:44 pm et

Bengals re-signed RB DeDe Dorsey.
Dorsey's hasn't been able to stay healthy long enough to carve out a role as a third-down back. He could have a pass catching role if the Bengals re-sign Cedric Benson as the lead back.
Source: ESPN.com

Correll Buckhalter-RB-Broncos Feb. 27 - 4:36 pm et

The Broncos have agreed to terms with RBs Correll Buckhalter and J.J. Arrington on four-year contracts.
Barring another signing or draft pick, the Broncos will likely use a committee with Buckhalter on early downs, Peyton Hillis in short-yardage, and Arrington in passing situations. Ryan Torain could also be in the mix. Expect more frustration fantasy-wise from the Denver backfield. Buckhalter, 30, has a long injury history and has never shown the capability of holding up to a heavy workload, so don't expect more than 10-12 touches weekly.
Source: ESPN.com
Related: Ryan Torain

[url="http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx"]http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx[/url]

[Iron Shiek]

Re: NFL Free Agent Signing Thread

I had to post this one...just because I am going to train my son to grow up being a long snapper...pretty cushy career that can last a while...and you get PAID.

Long snapper Paxton signs with Broncos
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Denver Broncos, Lonnie Paxton, New England Patriots

The change that has swept through this country is blowing through New England, too.

On the day the Patriots were completing a trade of veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel to Kansas City, New England’s veteran long snapper Lonnie Paxton signed a five-year, $5.5 deal with the Broncos that includes a $1 million signing bonus. The deal makes Paxton the second-highest paid long snapper in the NFL, slightly behind Cleveland’s Ryan Pontbriand.

An eight-year veteran in New England, Paxton will best be remembered for the snow angels he made after Adam Vinatieri kicked a 23-yard field goal that beat the Raiders and propelled them into the 2001 AFC Championship Game.

[costanza2k1]

Re: NFL Free Agent Signing Thread

Jason Brown-C-Ravens Feb. 27 - 5:01 pm et

A deal between the Rams and C/G Jason Brown is reportedly "imminent."
No other details are available. We had Brown ranked as the number two overall free agent available, so clearly we think it's a great potential move. Especially for Steven Jackson.
Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch


Jonathan Vilma-LB-Saints Feb. 27 - 5:01 pm et

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports the Saints have re-signed Jonathan Vilma to a five-year, $34 million contract with $17 million guaranteed.



Joe Berger-T-Dolphins Feb. 27 - 4:57 pm et

Dolphins signed OL Joe Berger.
Jason Brown is closing in on a deal with the Rams, so Berger will fill in at guard while pushing Samson Satele for the starting center position.
Source: South Florida Sun Sentinel
Related: Samson Satele



Brian Dawkins-DB-Eagles Feb. 27 - 4:54 pm et

The San Francisco Chronicle cites "a league source" reporting that Brian Dawkins has agreed to a two-year contract with the Broncos.
Philly was considered a near lock to retain Dawkins on a one-year deal, but he's set to quarterback the Broncos defense in a Rodney Harrison-type role. Dawkins showed last season that he has plenty left in tank and will help the Broncos defense get back to respectability while in rebuilding mode.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle


Reggie Williams-WR-Jaguars Feb. 27 - 4:53 pm et

Free agent WR Reggie Williams was arrested for a DWI and possession .97 grams of marijuana, both class B misdemeanors.
The amount of weed may be small, but the stupidity is enormous. Williams got arrested two hours after free agency started, immediately killing his shaky value on the open market. Williams failed three sobriety tests. He may have to wait for his legal problems to shake out before he even gets invited to a training camp now.

from rotoworld...

[Jooser]

Re: NFL Free Agent Signing Thread

Ravens could lose Scott to Jets; Lewis gone, too? Posted: Adam Schefter | Adam Schefter | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Bart Scott, New York Jets, Ray Lewis

As if it weren’t bad enough to lose linebacker Bart Scott, now the Ravens are in serious jeopardy of losing free-agent linebacker Ray Lewis, too.

The Jets are expected to sign Scott to a contract worth about $8 million per year that could land in the range of $40 million total. He traveled to visit with the Jets this morning. The Jets also are hosting a visit for Baltimore free-agent CB Corey Ivy. He could be yet another former player of Ryan’s in New York that comes in, helps the Jets learn the new defensive system and contribute on the field as well.

Meanwhile, sources close to Lewis were adamant Friday that one of the game’s greatest defensive players will not return to Baltimore and his career with the team is over. For some reason, Lewis has been rubbed the wrong way in the lengthy negotiations that have occurred between he and the Ravens. Now, Lewis is determined to move on, even if there is no obvious suitor.

The Dallas Cowboys have insisted they will not be signing any high-profile free agents, and there are no other teams that, at the moment, jump out as potential landing spots for Lewis.

Thus, one of Lewis’ confidants was asked if it were possible that the Ravens now could change their linebacker’s mind.

“Not if you knew Ray like I knew Ray,” was his response. He even mentioned retirement as a possibility ahead of returning to Baltimore and insisted it was not a negotiationg ploy. “That’s Ray,” the source said.

For now, Lewis plans to take a couple of days, ponder his plans and then come up with his gameplan. But his gameplan now does not include the Ravens, according to those who know him. Thus Baltimore could wind up losing Lewis to another team or retirement, Scott to the Jets, center Jason Brown to the Rams (Brown is scheduled to visit St. Louis) and Ivy to the Jets.

Change came to this country in January and it looks like it’s coming to Baltimore as well.

[Jooser]

Re: NFL Free Agent Signing Thread

[url="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3939283"]http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3939283[/url]

Looks like Fred Taylor's a Cheat* now....

Updated: February 27, 2009, 6:06 PM ET
Taylor joining Patriots as free agent By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com

The New England Patriots addressed their need for depth at running back on Thursday evening, reaching an agreement in principle with free agent Fred Taylor.


Jaguars RB Fred Taylor topped the 11,000 yard mark in a win over the Lions in Week 10.

Taylor, an 11-year veteran, was released by Jacksonville last week for salary cap reasons, after playing his entire career with the Jaguars. The 33-year-old was scheduled to earn a base salary of $6 million in 2009 and was also due a $1 million bonus in coming weeks.

Taylor agreed to a two-year, $5 million contract that pays him $3 million in 2009 and $2 million next season.

"I have tremendous respect for Fred Taylor, both as a person and as a player whose production is outstanding," Patriots coach Bill Belichick. "I look forward to working with Fred as he joins the rest of our running back group."

The addition of Taylor provides the Patriots a veteran back who could battle fourth-year veteran Laurence Maroney for the starting job. It also continues the Patriots' recent tradition of adding veteran backs to bolster their depth chart.

Last season, New England signed veteran LaMont Jordan as a free agent, and before that it was Corey Dillon , who gave the Patriots experience in production at running back before his release. The New England roster also features much-traveled veteran Sammy Morris, who has been effective for the Patriots as a role player.

Maroney, the team's first-round choice in the 2006 draft, has been anything but durable in his brief career, suffering through a series of injuries that have limited him to 30 games and 15 starts in three years. Taylor, however, has also been hampered by injuries over his career.

The 16th-leading rusher in NFL history with 11,271 yards and 60 touchdowns, Taylor visited on Wednesday with Buffalo Bills officials. At the time, there were strong indications Taylor would sign with the Patriots' AFC East rival. But the Patriots persuaded Taylor to leave Buffalo without a contract, and coach Bill Belichik's sales pitch proved effective.

Taylor, Jacksonville's first round pick in 1998, was a productive back for the Jaguars during his 11-year tenure. The former Florida star appeared in 140 games and was one of the most popular players in the community.

By releasing him, Jacksonville officials seemed to elevate Maurice Jones-Drew to their No. 1 running back and are currently negotiating a long-term contract with him.

[WoodleyofTroy]

Re: NFL Free Agent Signing Thread

Does anyone even want Ray Lewis besides Baltimore? I'm curious if he's getting any attention at all and just using this to increase the Ravens offer...

[Jooser]

Re: NFL Free Agent Signing Thread

He's OLD and FAT!!!