Free agency came hard, and it came fast on Tuesday. We here at Rotoworld were cranking out blurbs all day long as the smoke wafted out of our keyboards.
There were a couple of first-day winners, but I won?t go as far as to say there were losers. After all, we?re only one day into the madness. Let?s get to the action, and there sure was plenty of it.
The 49ers enjoyed a relatively quiet Tuesday after making noise on Monday. ? San Francisco has lined up three free-agent visits for the coming days: safeties LaRon Landry and Charles Woodson and defensive end Glenn Dorsey. Landry and Woodson make sense as cheaper replacements for free agent safety Dashon Goldson. Dorsey would be a nice fallback plan to free agent Ricky Jean-Francois. ? The Niners were interested in defensive lineman Desmond Bryant, but they never got a chance to talk to him. He inked a monster five-year, $34 million deal with the Browns on Tuesday. ? San Fran is said to still be in the mix for free agent cornerback Sean Smith, but common assumption is that he?s out of their price range. ? The Ed Reed speculation figures to be a smokescreen, but we wouldn?t rule it out just yet.
The Bears spent some coin on the opening day of free agency. Chicago locked up left tackle Jermon Bushrod to a five-year, $36 million pact and tight end Martellus Bennett to a four-year, $21 million deal. Bushrod will replace turnstile J?Marcus Webb on Jay Cutler?s blindside, while Webb and Gabe Carimi figure to duke it out for the right tackle gig. Bennett was arguably the top tight end on the market. He?s young, an excellent blocker, and creates mismatches over the middle of the field. Bennett has TE1 fantasy potential as Cutler?s No. 2 target in the passing game. ? The Bears were interested in free agents left guard Andy Levitre and Phil Loadholt before they signed with the Titans and Vikings respectively. ? Franchise player Henry Melton signed his tender and will earn $8.5 million in 2013. ? Chicago has yet to respond to free agent Brian Urlacher?s contract proposal, and they don?t appear to be in a rush to do so. GM Phil Emery could look Urlacher and fellow free agent linebacker Nick Roach?s way on Wednesday.
The Bengals kept the wallet tightly closed on Tuesday, just as we?ve grown accustomed to with them. They did re-sign 29-year-old left end Robert Geathers to a new deal. He?s the Bengals? longest-tenured player, and will be entering his tenth season with the club. ? Free agent running backs Mike Goodson, Beanie Wells, and Reggie Bush are expected to make visits. Bush might not make it out of Detroit. Wells is essentially the same player as BenJarvus Green-Ellis, except worse. We do like Goodson?s fit as a change-of-pace back.
The Bills? lone move on Tuesday was the release of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. The transaction brings a $10-plus million cap hit for 2013, but GM Buddy Nix realized it was time to move on from that mistake. Nix was recorded in a phone conversation saying he believed Fitzpatrick was nothing more than a backup. Buffalo looks to be the early favorites for West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith in the draft. The Bills pick No. 8 overall, but they may have to trade up to the No. 1 spot to get ahead of Jacksonville at No. 2.
The Broncos were one of the more active teams on Tuesday. Denver signed left guard Louis Vasquez away from the division rival Chargers on a four-year, $23.5 million deal. Vasquez, 26 next month, is a fine pass blocker and was arguably the top guard on the market. His arrival puts incumbent right guard Chris Kuper?s future in Denver in doubt. Kuper, 30, hasn?t been able to stay healthy anyway. ? Defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson was re-signed to a two-year deal. He started 14 games last season and proved to be a quality run defender. The Broncos are reportedly close to an agreement with free agent defensive tackle Terrance Knighton to play next to Vickerson. They?ve also kicked the tires on free agent Richard Seymour. ? The Broncos are said to be the favorites for free agent running back Rashard Mendenhall, but he may not make it out of his visit with Arizona. His signing would likely spell the end for Willis McGahee. ? Free agents cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, safety Louis Delmas, and linebacker Stewart Bradley are scheduled to visit Denver. ? Right end Elvis Dumervil has changed his stance on the pay cut front, and he is now open to a slash. Peyton Manning wants his old buddy free agent Dwight Freeney to join him in Denver. Speaking of Manning, the Broncos guaranteed his $20 million base salaries for 2013 and 2014.
The Browns made two of the biggest signings of the day. Outside linebacker Paul Kruger agreed to a five-year, $41 million deal, and defensive lineman Desmond Bryant signed the dotted line of a five-year, $34 million contract. Cleveland?s front seven is looking pretty sharp. Kruger will bookend Jabaal Sheard, and Bryant will likely play end on the front line with Ahtyba Rubin and nose tackle Phil Taylor. ? Free agent outside linebacker Quentin Groves will make a visit. He played under DC Ray Horton in Arizona last season.
The Bucs didn?t spend any money on Tuesday, but they?re linked to plenty of big names. Tampa Bay is rumored to be the destination for Darrelle Revis via trade, but there are still hurdles to be cleared. Other teams may be interested, as well. ? The Bucs are in the midst of wooing free agent safety Dashon Goldson, and the two sides are said to be close on a deal. ? Tampa Bay is one of a handful of teams in the mix for free agent cornerback Sean Smith. ? As you can see, there?s a common theme here. The Bucs are intent on fixing a dreadful pass defense. ? Other free agents linked to the Bucs: cornerbacks Brent Grimes and Derek Cox and defensive end Cliff Avril. ? GM Mark Dominik is actively searching for a No. 2 quarterback and someone to push Josh Freeman. The Bucs came up as a potential destination for Patriots quarterback Ryan Mallett. Dominik is also interested in free agent Drew Stanton. ? Offensive lineman Jamon Meredith is reportedly up for trade. They?d be lucky to get a late-rounder for him.
The Cardinals have plenty of free-agent visits lined up, and they include quarterback Drew Stanton, running backs Reggie Bush and Rashard Mendenhall, safety LaRon Landry, linebacker Rey Maualuga, and cornerback Jerraud Powers. Bush is unlikely to make it to the desert. The Lions are putting the full-court press on him. Mendenhall is more realistic. Maualuga and Daryl Washington would make a nice inside linebacker duo. ? Arizona is one of free agent returner Josh Cribbs? two choices, and free agent linebacker Lorenzo Alexander is rumored to be signing with the Cardinals.
The Chargers signed a couple second- or third-tier free agents in offensive tackle King Dunlap and tight end John Phillips. Phillips was given a three-year deal. He?ll likely replace Randy McMichael as the blocking tight end in San Diego. McMichael was released on Tuesday, along with nose tackle Antonio Garay. ? Free agent cornerbacks Derek Cox and Jerraud Powers are scheduled to visit. ? Running back Fozzy Whittaker was claimed off waivers from the Cardinals.
The Chiefs snatched up a few depth players as free agency opened. Defensive lineman Mike DeVito signed a three-year, $12.6 million deal, tight end Anthony Fasano inked a four-year, $16 million pact, and quarterback Chase Daniel was signed for three years and $10 million. DeVito likely replaces free agent Glenn Dorsey at right end, and Fasano will be the No. 2 tight end and blocking specialist behind Tony Moeaki. Daniel got a nice payday for a backup, but we wouldn?t expect him to give Alex Smith a run for the starting job in 2013. ? Kansas City is reportedly trying to trade Matt Cassel, but they?re not going to find any takers.
Free agency came hard, and it came fast on Tuesday. We here at Rotoworld were cranking out blurbs all day long as the smoke wafted out of our keyboards.
There were a couple of first-day winners, but I won?t go as far as to say there were losers. After all, we?re only one day into the madness. Let?s get to the action, and there sure was plenty of it.
The 49ers enjoyed a relatively quiet Tuesday after making noise on Monday. ? San Francisco has lined up three free-agent visits for the coming days: safeties LaRon Landry and Charles Woodson and defensive end Glenn Dorsey. Landry and Woodson make sense as cheaper replacements for free agent safety Dashon Goldson. Dorsey would be a nice fallback plan to free agent Ricky Jean-Francois. ? The Niners were interested in defensive lineman Desmond Bryant, but they never got a chance to talk to him. He inked a monster five-year, $34 million deal with the Browns on Tuesday. ? San Fran is said to still be in the mix for free agent cornerback Sean Smith, but common assumption is that he?s out of their price range. ? The Ed Reed speculation figures to be a smokescreen, but we wouldn?t rule it out just yet.
The Bears spent some coin on the opening day of free agency. Chicago locked up left tackle Jermon Bushrod to a five-year, $36 million pact and tight end Martellus Bennett to a four-year, $21 million deal. Bushrod will replace turnstile J?Marcus Webb on Jay Cutler?s blindside, while Webb and Gabe Carimi figure to duke it out for the right tackle gig. Bennett was arguably the top tight end on the market. He?s young, an excellent blocker, and creates mismatches over the middle of the field. Bennett has TE1 fantasy potential as Cutler?s No. 2 target in the passing game. ? The Bears were interested in free agents left guard Andy Levitre and Phil Loadholt before they signed with the Titans and Vikings respectively. ? Franchise player Henry Melton signed his tender and will earn $8.5 million in 2013. ? Chicago has yet to respond to free agent Brian Urlacher?s contract proposal, and they don?t appear to be in a rush to do so. GM Phil Emery could look Urlacher and fellow free agent linebacker Nick Roach?s way on Wednesday.
The Bengals kept the wallet tightly closed on Tuesday, just as we?ve grown accustomed to with them. They did re-sign 29-year-old left end Robert Geathers to a new deal. He?s the Bengals? longest-tenured player, and will be entering his tenth season with the club. ? Free agent running backs Mike Goodson, Beanie Wells, and Reggie Bush are expected to make visits. Bush might not make it out of Detroit. Wells is essentially the same player as BenJarvus Green-Ellis, except worse. We do like Goodson?s fit as a change-of-pace back.
The Bills? lone move on Tuesday was the release of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. The transaction brings a $10-plus million cap hit for 2013, but GM Buddy Nix realized it was time to move on from that mistake. Nix was recorded in a phone conversation saying he believed Fitzpatrick was nothing more than a backup. Buffalo looks to be the early favorites for West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith in the draft. The Bills pick No. 8 overall, but they may have to trade up to the No. 1 spot to get ahead of Jacksonville at No. 2.
The Broncos were one of the more active teams on Tuesday. Denver signed left guard Louis Vasquez away from the division rival Chargers on a four-year, $23.5 million deal. Vasquez, 26 next month, is a fine pass blocker and was arguably the top guard on the market. His arrival puts incumbent right guard Chris Kuper?s future in Denver in doubt. Kuper, 30, hasn?t been able to stay healthy anyway. ? Defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson was re-signed to a two-year deal. He started 14 games last season and proved to be a quality run defender. The Broncos are reportedly close to an agreement with free agent defensive tackle Terrance Knighton to play next to Vickerson. They?ve also kicked the tires on free agent Richard Seymour. ? The Broncos are said to be the favorites for free agent running back Rashard Mendenhall, but he may not make it out of his visit with Arizona. His signing would likely spell the end for Willis McGahee. ? Free agents cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, safety Louis Delmas, and linebacker Stewart Bradley are scheduled to visit Denver. ? Right end Elvis Dumervil has changed his stance on the pay cut front, and he is now open to a slash. Peyton Manning wants his old buddy free agent Dwight Freeney to join him in Denver. Speaking of Manning, the Broncos guaranteed his $20 million base salaries for 2013 and 2014.
The Browns made two of the biggest signings of the day. Outside linebacker Paul Kruger agreed to a five-year, $41 million deal, and defensive lineman Desmond Bryant signed the dotted line of a five-year, $34 million contract. Cleveland?s front seven is looking pretty sharp. Kruger will bookend Jabaal Sheard, and Bryant will likely play end on the front line with Ahtyba Rubin and nose tackle Phil Taylor. ? Free agent outside linebacker Quentin Groves will make a visit. He played under DC Ray Horton in Arizona last season.
The Bucs didn?t spend any money on Tuesday, but they?re linked to plenty of big names. Tampa Bay is rumored to be the destination for Darrelle Revis via trade, but there are still hurdles to be cleared. Other teams may be interested, as well. ? The Bucs are in the midst of wooing free agent safety Dashon Goldson, and the two sides are said to be close on a deal. ? Tampa Bay is one of a handful of teams in the mix for free agent cornerback Sean Smith. ? As you can see, there?s a common theme here. The Bucs are intent on fixing a dreadful pass defense. ? Other free agents linked to the Bucs: cornerbacks Brent Grimes and Derek Cox and defensive end Cliff Avril. ? GM Mark Dominik is actively searching for a No. 2 quarterback and someone to push Josh Freeman. The Bucs came up as a potential destination for Patriots quarterback Ryan Mallett. Dominik is also interested in free agent Drew Stanton. ? Offensive lineman Jamon Meredith is reportedly up for trade. They?d be lucky to get a late-rounder for him.
The Cardinals have plenty of free-agent visits lined up, and they include quarterback Drew Stanton, running backs Reggie Bush and Rashard Mendenhall, safety LaRon Landry, linebacker Rey Maualuga, and cornerback Jerraud Powers. Bush is unlikely to make it to the desert. The Lions are putting the full-court press on him. Mendenhall is more realistic. Maualuga and Daryl Washington would make a nice inside linebacker duo. ? Arizona is one of free agent returner Josh Cribbs? two choices, and free agent linebacker Lorenzo Alexander is rumored to be signing with the Cardinals.
The Chargers signed a couple second- or third-tier free agents in offensive tackle King Dunlap and tight end John Phillips. Phillips was given a three-year deal. He?ll likely replace Randy McMichael as the blocking tight end in San Diego. McMichael was released on Tuesday, along with nose tackle Antonio Garay. ? Free agent cornerbacks Derek Cox and Jerraud Powers are scheduled to visit. ? Running back Fozzy Whittaker was claimed off waivers from the Cardinals.
The Chiefs snatched up a few depth players as free agency opened. Defensive lineman Mike DeVito signed a three-year, $12.6 million deal, tight end Anthony Fasano inked a four-year, $16 million pact, and quarterback Chase Daniel was signed for three years and $10 million. DeVito likely replaces free agent Glenn Dorsey at right end, and Fasano will be the No. 2 tight end and blocking specialist behind Tony Moeaki. Daniel got a nice payday for a backup, but we wouldn?t expect him to give Alex Smith a run for the starting job in 2013. ? Kansas City is reportedly trying to trade Matt Cassel, but they?re not going to find any takers.
The Colts weren?t afraid to open up the pocketbook. Indianapolis went out and got a right tackle in Gosder Cherilus on a five-year, $34 million deal. He?s a massive upgrade on Winston Justice, and is a strong pass protector. Offensive guard Donald Thomas was brought in to help the interior of the line. He can play all three spots. ? Cornerback Greg Toler was signed to a three-year, $15 million contract. Fellow cornerback Darius Butler re-upped in Indianapolis for two more years. Toler and Vontae Davis will likely handle the outside, while Butler mans the slot. ? The Colts also brought in a couple of pass-rushers. Outside linebacker Erik Walden got the surprise deal of the day at four years and $16 million. GM Ryan Grigson added outside linebacker Lawrence Sidbury to the mix, too. It remains to be seen if free agent Cliff Avril is still on the radar. ? Free agent safety LaRon Landry set up a visit.
The Cowboys laid low on Tuesday. They don?t have any money to spend, but Dallas was mentioned as having interest in free agent linebackers Brian Urlacher and Chase Blackburn. Urlacher doesn?t make a whole lot of sense with Sean Lee in the middle already, but Blackburn could compete for the strong-side job. The Cowboys were also linked to free agent DeAngelo Hall. They reportedly view him as a free safety. ? Franchise player Anthony Spencer signed his tender and will earn $10.627 million in 2013.
The Dolphins were the big spenders of the day. They fired the first shots by signing receiver Mike Wallace to a five-year, $60 million contract that includes $30 million guaranteed. We?re not big on Wallace?s fantasy prospects in Miami, but his addition certainly opens up the offense. ? Miami added a pair of linebackers, while also subtracting two. Dannell Ellerbe signed a five-year, $35 million deal, and Philip Wheeler inked a five-year, $26 million contract. It?s not quite certain what spots they?ll play, but middle linebacker Karlos Dansby and strong-side linebacker Kevin Burnett were released to make room. Ellerbe is strong against the run, and Wheeler can do it all. ? Free safety Chris Clemons re-upped for one year. ? GM Jeff Ireland missed on tight ends Jared Cook and James Casey. ? The Fins are likely moving on from free agent left tackle Jake Long, and they appear dead-set on moving Jonathan Martin to the blindside. ? The Dolphins are interested in a trio of free agent cornerbacks: Antoine Cason, Captain Munnerlyn, and Chris Houston. They could be searching for two starters.
The Eagles were never expected to go after any big-ticket items in free agency, and they didn?t. Philadelphia did bring in a handful of quality players, though. Outside linebacker Jason Phillips and cornerback Bradley Fletcher signed two-year deals. H-back James Casey, nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga, and safety Pat Chung inked three-year deals. Sopoaga?s is for $12 million. ? We really like the signings of Casey, Chung, and Fletcher. Casey is a perfect fit as a ?joker? in Chip Kelly?s spread-out offensive attack. Fletcher is a big corner who can play press coverage in DC Billy Davis? system, and Chung was with Kelly at Oregon. He?s a physical player, and is easily the best safety on the team at the moment. ? The Eagles finally released cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Fellow cornerback bust Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will not be re-signed.
The Falcons continued locking up their own players. Left tackle Sam Baker, one of the better free-agent left tackles left on the market at the time, re-upped on a six-year deal. It?s quite the score for a guy that has battled back issues throughout his career. Baker picked the right time to have his best season. ? A report leaked that free agent cornerback Brent Grimes was re-signing in Atlanta, but that was later retracted. Grimes is still on the market. ? Center Todd McClure announced his retirement. Peter Konz is expected to move to center in 2013. ? The Falcons are sniffing around on free agent defensive tackle Richard Seymour. He?d be a good fit. Atlanta needs to get bigger in the middle.
The Giants are another team that is strapped by the cap at the moment. However, they did bring back a familiar face on Tuesday. Cornerback Aaron Ross returns to New York after a one-year stint in Jacksonville. ? Running back Ryan Torain was re-signed after being non-tendered as a restricted free agent. ? With Martellus Bennett now officially out of the picture, second-year tight end Adrien Robinson might see an increased role. He played very limited snaps as a rookie, but he?s a height/weight/speed specimen.
The Jaguars weren?t linked to a single free agent on Tuesday. They?re not expected to join the fray until the second wave of free agency.
The Jets were pretty active for a team with limited funds. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie and receiver Santonio Holmes restructured their deals to help alleviate some pressure. Nose tackle Sione Pouha was released in a money-saving move. ? Gang Green is interested in quite a few second-tier free agents: quarterback Jason Campbell, receivers Braylon Edwards, Mohamed Massaquoi, and Brandon Gibson, and running back Mike Goodson. Gibson is the only one that has scheduled a visit. He?d vault to the No. 2 receiver spot on the depth chart if signed. ? The Jets are engaged in Darrelle Revis trade talks, but no deal is imminent. That could change any moment.
The Lions were the pre-free agency darlings. They were being connected to almost every free agent, but they didn?t make any major moves on the opening day. Special teams ace Kassim Osgood re-upped for one year. Kicker Jason Hanson said he?d like to return for another season. He?s a free agent, but the two sides will likely work something out. Detroit extended a second-round tender to restricted free agent defensive end Willie Young. Safety Amari Spievey, a restricted free agent, signed a one-year deal, as well. ? The Lions have four free-agent visits lined up. Running back Reggie Bush is already in town, and Detroit has reportedly offered him the full-time running back gig. They?re considered the front-runner. Defensive lineman Jason Jones and safeties Glover Quin and LaRon Landry are also expected to make visits. ? Detroit made an offer to free agent receiver Domenik Hixon, but he has tabled it as he searches for a better one.
The Packers remain the favorites for free agent running back Steven Jackson?s services, and there are reports that a deal is close to being done. Jackson would be a massive upgrade on who Green Bay has been trotting out there in recent years. ? Free agent running back Peyton Hillis visited on Tuesday. ? The Packers extended a second-round tender to restricted free agent cornerback Sam Shields. They failed to tender offers to tight Tom Crabtree and linebackers Frank Zombo and Rob Francois, making them free agents. ? Green Bay reportedly made free agent receiver Greg Jennings an offer for $10 million annually. If true, Jennings would be crazy not to take it. Some think Jennings is likely to end up back in Green Bay, and we tend to lean that way, too. Jermichael Finley could then be released in a corresponding move.
The Panthers are another team that is expected to keep quiet during the opening days of free agency. Carolina released linebacker James Anderson to free up a little bit of money, and they re-signed tight end Ben Hartsock. Anderson, 30 in September, was one of ex-GM Marty Hurney?s many busts. Thomas Davis, Jon Beason, and Luke Kuechly will handle linebacker duties. ? Carolina failed to tender offers to defensive tackle Andre Neblett and cornerback Nate Ness.
The Patriots lurked in the shadows on Tuesday. New England lets everyone else make the silly deals, and they find value. ? Talks have reportedly broken down with free agent slot receiver Wes Welker, but we?re still not ready to rule him out. Fellow free agent slot machine Danny Amendola is waiting in the wings as a fallback plan. ? A Ryan Mallet trade is unlikely. The Browns and Bucs remain interested. ? New England is one of free agent return man Josh Cribbs? top-two choices, along with Arizona.
The Raiders cut bait with three more players. First-round busts receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and safety Michael Huff were among them. Defensive end Dave Tollefson, a free agency failure from last offseason, was the other. We like Heyward-Bey as a fit with the Vikings or Patriots. It?s quite possible Oakland has the worst roster in the league. We certainly think so. ? Cornerback Phillip Adams wasn?t tendered an offer as a restricted free agent, but he later re-signed for one year and $630,000. He might have a shot at a starting job in 2013 the way it?s looking now.
The Rams had their sights on tight end Jared Cook, and they landed him for five years and $35.1 million. He?s essentially replacing Danny Amendola as the slot receiver in St. Louis, since he can?t block much at all. The Rams were set on finding more weapons for Sam Bradford, and Cook?s vertical skills are some of the best in the league. Cook chose the Rams over the Dolphins and Browns. ? Free agent left tackle Jake Long will visit on Wednesday, and he is expected to sign as long as he passes a physical. ? Free agent safety Louis Delmas arrived in St. Louis on Tuesday night and he?ll also officially visit on Wednesday. His old position coach with the Lions, Tim Walton, is the new defensive coordinator with the Rams. ? The Rams re-signed defensive end William Hayes to a three-year, $10.5 million deal. It?s a good keep after Hayes had a career year in 2012. He was expected to draw heavy interest on the open market. ? St. Louis extended an original-pick tender to safety Darian Stewart.
The Ravens suffered a crushing blow by losing linebacker Dannell Ellerbe to the Dolphins, but they did lock up a few of their own free agents on Tuesday. Special teams ace David Reed signed a two-year, $2.5 million deal, long snapper Morgan Cox re-upped, safety James Ihedigbo signed a one-year contract, and offensive lineman Ramon Harewood inked a one-year pact of his own. ? Baltimore also added a new face to the defensive line. Chris Canty signed a three-year, $8 million deal. He?s likely to play end for the Ravens. ? Baltimore is believed to be one of two teams interested in free agent receiver Danny Amendola.
The Redskins continued to keep the 2012 team together as much as possible. Defensive end Kedric Golston re-signed for three years and $5.2 million. The rotational lineman recorded 16 tackles in 16 games last season. Santana Moss reworked his deal, and he?ll be back to compete for a roster spot this summer.
The Saints lost a big part of their offense in left tackle Jermon Bushrod on Tuesday. He was thought of as a top priority in New Orleans, but the Saints wouldn?t fork out the dough. He instead signed a five-year, $36 million deal in Chicago. Charles Brown is expected to compete for the starting job on Drew Brees? blindside. ? Defensive end Will Smith and linebacker both took pay cuts to stay with the Saints. Smith took a $6 million hit, and Vilma took a $3.7 million slash. New Orleans also released linebacker Will Herring. ? Free agent cornerback Derek Cox is scheduled to make a visit.
The Seahawks were busy introducing new acquisition Percy Harvin to the media on Tuesday. He?ll wear No. 11 for Seattle, and he inked a new six-year, $67 million deal upon his arrival. Harvin is now the league?s fifth-highest paid receiver in terms of annual average behind Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Mike Wallace, and Dwayne Bowe. ? Kick returner and running back Leon Washington was released. The 30-year-old should latch on elsewhere. ? There reportedly isn?t much cooking on the Matt Flynn trade front.
The Steelers took care of a few of their own on Tuesday. Fullback David Johnson re-signed for one year, linebacker Larry Foote re-upped on a three-year deal, and receiver Plaxico Burress is expected to get a one-year deal, too. Outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley finally restructured his deal, and left guard Willie Colon was released. Pittsburgh designated him as a post-June 1 cut, allowing them to spread the cap hit out over 2013 and 2014. ? The Steelers are interested in free agent running back Beanie Wells. Quarterback Bruce Gradkowski and linebacker Dan Connor are scheduled to make free-agent visits. Connor played his college ball at Penn State. We don?t like the Wells fit. Pittsburgh already has two plodders in Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman.
The Texans remained quiet, as well. Houston released receiver Kevin Walter, clearing the way for the team to finally address the No. 2 receiver spot with an athlete. ? Free agent outside linebacker Connor Barwin?s chances of re-signing remain slim.
The Titans were the big winner of the day. Tennessee addressed one of the biggest holes on the team by signing top free agent guard Andy Levitre to a six-year, $46.8 million deal. Levitre is a top pass-blocking guard, but he?s also a quality run blocker. Jake Locker and Chris Johnson certainly signed off on it. The Titans could make their line one of the best in football by drafting one of Jonathan Cooper or Chance Warmack with the No. 10 overall pick in the draft. ? Tight end Delanie Walker inked a four-year, $17.5 million contract. One of the top blocking tight ends in football, Tennessee will likely pair him with raw and athletic Taylor Thompson to replace Jared Cook?s production. ? Tennessee is also expected to sign free agent defensive tackle Sammie Lee Hill. The wide-bodied former Lion is adept at pushing the pocket. Free agent linebacker Moise Fokou has scheduled a visit. ? The Titans released guard Mitch Petrus and safety Jordan Babineaux. They?re also shopping receiver Nate Washington as they eye free agent Danny Amendola.
The Vikings were also a winner on the opening day of free agency. Sure, they didn?t go out and sign any new players, but they kept some important pieces. Mauling right tackle Phil Loadholt re-signed for four years and $25 million after flirting with the Bears. Exceptional lead blocker fullback Jerome Felton agreed to a three-year, $7.5 million deal. Run-stuffing weak-side linebacker Erin Henderson agreed to a two-year contract, as did safety Jamarca Sanford. Backup center Joe Berger signed a one-year deal, and so did receiver Jerome Simpson. We don?t like the Simpson deal. At all. ? However, the Vikings did make a release that rubbed some people in the organization the wrong way. Cornerback Antoine Winfield was cut. He?s still one of the best slot corners in the game, and shouldn?t be on the market for long. ? Tight end John Carlson restructured his contract. He?s shaping up as a free-agent bust. ? The Vikings aren?t actively pursuing free agent receiver Greg Jennings, but they could if his price comes down. Danny Amendola could also be an option. Minnesota badly needs receivers. ? Minnesota may be interested in quarterback Matt Cassel once he gets released by the Chiefs.
Source: http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/42754/310/nfl-hot-stove-day-2
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