Let's start with the early morning story, and move into the late one.
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns made thier best move in recent franchise history around 10:00 EST this morning, by resigning surprise star QB, Derek Anderson to a multi-year deal.
The total amount of years and money on the contract was not released in the Browns' report today, but reports say that it contains a 3-year, $21 million number, with a $6.5 million signing bonus. Nothing has been confirmed, however.
Congrats to the Browns on openign this year's Restricted Free Agent period with a good move... for a change.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have landed (LOL!) Pro Bowl Safety, Asante Samuel from the Patriots.
This means anything can happen in the RFA period. In case, you don't recall, Samuel was on that same Patriots team that won Super Bowl XXXIX (39) vs. the Eagles.
Asante Samuel didn't say much. He did make short statment, however.
"I just want a chance to be able to win and get back to the Super Bowl and that's why I picked the Philadelphia Eagles," Samuel stated in a press conference earlier today. "I came here with an open mind. Everybody treated me like I belong here, like I'm wanted."
Great move, and the Eagles got a great player. One problem I have with the Eagles right now is this. The Eagles just cut their Pro Bowl DE, Jevon Kearse for some reason. Pickign up Asante Samuel pretty much cancels that out. They better get something in the draft to jump-start that defense, because Kearse was a good leader, and those are the hardest to replace in the huddle.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have come to terms with the New York Jets to trade Jets LB Jonathan Vilma for a conditional draft pick, depending on Vilma's playing time, reports Jay Glazer.
This is a very good move, and by next season, I can gurantee that the Saints are'nt gonna need a 1st-round draft pick. This season is going to be a complete domination in the NFC South by New Orleans. Nobody stands a chance.
What does this do to the Saints' first-round draft pick this year? I'm not sure, but they definitely want to buff up that defense. The offense has the potential to be #1 in the league, the defense, however, was one of the NFL's worst.
Personally, Aqib Talib, CB from Kansas is who I have them taking right now. He had a great combine workout, and impressed the scouts easily. He should drop no lower than the Top 15, which is where the Saints are conveniently positioned right now. Good things are to come from this deal.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals got one of th, if not the hottest DLineman on the market today. The former Detroit Lion, DT Shaun Rogers, was traded to Cincy today.
Yet again, another good move. My fingers are starting to erase the letters "G-O-O-D M-O-V-E" from my keyobard from typing it some many times today. This guy is going to be an immediate help to that 21st ranked run defense form last year.
This may be the spark I've been expecting to help the Bengals resurge. Do I think that it eventually will be? No. He's had one of the rockiest careers that I have witnessed, being a Lions supporter (I can't say that I'm a proud Lions supporter anymore) I don't think that this is the move that makes everything fall into place for Cincy. You need better than an overweight dopehead to get your team to the playoffs. Good luck, Cincinnati, good luck. (chuckle)
Buffalo Bills
The Bills struck gold today by convincing the Giants' LB, Kawkia Mitchell to sing with them. the move is probably to fix the apparent gap in the defense that had been there all season after Takeo Spikes left the team last summer.
Way to go, Buffalo! This is one of the better moves of the day, and it means that Buffalo might just be able to get above .500 next year, after goign 7-9 for the past two seasons, and missing the playoffs. We'll see what they do with their draft pick and what happens next season. Personally, I am leaning towards something like
Buffalo deserves more Monday Night Games. That one vs. Dallas early in the year was the best game on the regular season. No question. Give them more primtime games! Only Mondays, though. The 56-10 blowout vs. the Patriots on Sunday Night was just plain boring.
New York Jets
The Jets landed DT Kris Jenkins from the Carolina Panthers today. Jeez! There are so many good moves going on, I'm having trouble keeping up with them.
The Jets defense finished way worse than it was in their 9-7 season from a year ago,a nd they need some serious help. Mangini's system didn't quite seem to function the same in Jonathan Vilma's mind as easily as Herm Edwards's defense.
What's even better for the J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS is that they only had to give up their 3rd and 5th round draft picks, Alex Marvez reports. HAHAHA! You tell me who got the better end of that deal!
And my Off-Season Move of the Week is...
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have got him. They landed the hottest wideout on the market, Jerry Porter. Congrats to them. This is going to make them that much more of a fore for the Colts to have to contend with in the AFC South next season.
David Garrard will be red-hot next year, with weapons like Maurice Jones-Drew, Fred Taylor, Ernest Wilford, and now, Jerry Porter. I will personally ridicule him if he doens't take this team to at least a wild card appearence. I don't think there's any way they miss the playoffs, after handling teams like they did this year (Can you feel my humble-ness?LOL!) Jags will be the dark horse for sure next year, watch out for them.
Thanks for reading this summary of the first day of the NFL Off-Season Tasks! Keep checking!
You're right, these all appear to be good deals for the teams that made them. I'm very curious about the length of time on Anderson's contract. If it turns out to be longer than 3 years (meaning a concession to DA) then I think we'll be hearing from the Quinn camp...
On another issue, it will be very interesting in the NFC South next year because I can't see the Buccaneers going down easily if Garcia remains healthy.
Mikey won't like it,,, Mikey likes it. Lets hope so for the Browns that he keeps playing like he did. Sometimes after they get the big contract they have a off year.
I think the Bills did alright last year for what they had for top players more lack of vs the other teams.
I notice the one team out of the hole league that needed to be ready on the go, has not done anything but sale some of its stock was it ? Dolphins needed to be ready, not that anyone great would be wanting to jump on over. lol
Wilford is gone, unless they decide to resign him, which is HIGHLY unlikely. The Vikings trading back for Williamson is more likely than Wilford being resigned.
But I agree, I LOVED the Porter pick up. If they can ship of M. Jones for something of value, and if Stroud gets traded, they should pick up some good pieces or at least high draft picks. Especially if Stroud is dealt.
As for the Eagles. Pro Bowl Safety Samuel? More like Corner back. Still an awesome pick up, let's see what they do with Sheppard/Brown. Kearse wasn't helping them much, I can see that cut. He was injured and not the freak they thought he would be.
And wait for the Bills possible trade for Stroud. I'll be you'll love that one.
Last edited by empty3 on February 29th at 10:13 PM.
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I am Mike Greenspire and I am a sports blogger for FOX Sports and I love the NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, and NASCAR! I was born and raised in the city of Pittsburgh, PA, so naturally I am a die-hard fan of the Pens, Buccos, and Steelers. Since Pittsburgh basketball is long gone, my favorite team in the NBA is the Orlando Magic. Please leave a comment on my blog, I love feedback. My blog is fun, and I enjoy writing it, and I hope that you will enjoy reading it! Thanks!
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