With the NFL’s free agency officially underway as of midnight on Friday, we’ve already seen a lot of happenings around the NFL.
I will do my best here to keep a running log of the biggest moves and rumors. It’s a daunting task for sure but I’ll give it my best shot. It may be late, but better late then never.
- In the first few hours of free agency we saw the Jets bolster the DB position along side Darrel Revis, by trading for the Chargers’ Antonio Cromartie. In exchange for Cromartie, the Jets will receive A 2011 third-round pick will go to the Chargers. It could turn into a second-round pick. On the heels of trading for Cromartie, it was found that he has more legal problems to deal with. Talented player, but an interesting situation the Jets have found themselves in.
- The Detroit Lions were busy early on as well. They pulled in one of the top free agent WRs on the market with the signing of Nate Burleson. Burleson gets a five year, $25 million deal $11 million of which is garunteed. In addition, they have traded with Cleveland for DT Corey Williams and head coach Jim Schwartz is trying to personally recruit free agent DE Kyle Vanden Bosch whom played for him in Tennesee. UPDATE: Just as I finished typing this, it seems as though coach Schwartz recruiting pitch to Kyle Vanden Bosch has been a success. Vanden Bosch has agreed to a four year deal with the Lions.
- The Bears are busy as well. They have signed TE Brandon Manumaleuna. Almost everyone knows Olsen is not a fit in offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s system. The Bears have been rumored to want a second-round pick in exchange for Olsen. The Bears have also secured visits with Julius Peppers and RB Chester Taylor. Julius Peppers’ agent has stated that “it’s the Bears deal to lose.” Chester Taylor is in Chicago today.
- The Carolina Panthers took the hit and released QB Jake Dellhomme. Dellhomme will cost the Panthers $12.7 million.
UPDATE: 2:05PM – The Chicago Bears continue to stay busy. They have completed a signing for RB Chester Taylor. Taylor has agreed to a 4 year deal.
Julius Peppers will be joining Taylor in Chicago. He is taking a physical and a deal is imminent.
UPDATE: 3:00PM – ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Seahawks are strongly considering signing Broncos wideout Brandon Marshall to an offer sheet.
UPDATE: 5:30PM – SI’s Peter King tweets that the Ravens are “closing in” on a deal for WR Anquan Boldin.If this deal gets completed, the Ravens would be adding a much-needed weapon to Joe Flacco’s arsenal. I wonder if Boldin does indeed get traded would Derrick Mason still fit in Baltimore?
UPDATE: 6:30PM – The Ravens have indeed dealt for Anquan Boldin. Bolin signed a three-year, $25 million extension on his current deal, including $10 million in guaranteed new money. He’s due $28 million over the next four years. It looks as though Baltimore has finally found a number one receiver. (At least they hope he’s a number one.)
The Baltimore Ravens couldn’t pass up the opportunity to add a talented pass catcher to their roster: three-time Pro Bowl standout Anquan Boldin. Under the circumstances, the Ravens made a good move in signing Arizona receiver Anquan Boldin. The Ravens were limited as far as the offseason moves they could make because they were one of the top eight teams in the NFL a year ago.
Baltimore obtained Boldin from the Arizona Cardinals on Friday for a third- and fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft. Baltimore also got a fifth-round pick from Arizona.
The 29-year-old Boldin has amassed at least 1,000 yards receiving in five of his seven seasons, including 1,024 yards on 84 catches last season.
Boldin received a new four-year, $28 million deal with Baltimore in which $10 million is guaranteed.
Granted, he won’t be putting up his monster numbers like in Arizona, where they averaged about 3,401 pass attempts per game, but he’ll be a huge weapon for the offense. Anybody who says this trade isn’t smart, or is ill-advised is pretty dim and ill-advised themselves. Try to tell me that those two players selected in the third and fourth round would’ve become NFL stars. Now try to tell me that it’s worse to have a current NFL star than to draft one. Yeah, didn’t think so. A huge addition, Boldin is the answer to every Ravens fan’s prayers for the past 10 years.
UPDATE: 8:18PM – LB Carlos Dansby is the latest Arizona Cardinals player to change addresses. Dansby is now a Dolphin. He’s expected to get $43 million over five seasons. $22 million is guaranteed and he’ll make $27 million in his first three years.
UPDATE: 10:09PM -One last note before I shut it down for the night. In a move that makes me happy, my New York Giants have signed former Arizona Cardinals SS/CB Antrel Rolle to a five-year deal worth $37 million, an NFL record for a safety. Rolle gets $15 million guaranteed and $22.5 million over the first three years.
