NFL Free Agency Blog

Athlon Sports follows the NFL free agent market by updating this blog whenever important news happens. Check our Free Agent Tracker for a complete list of all 2010 free agents and where they're headed.

Thoughts on the Donovan McNabb Trade
April 4, 10:51 p.m.

It was a trade, not a free agent signing, but the Redskins' acquisition of Donovan McNabb bears attention, and these are the thoughts that occur to me:

1. Andy Reid might regret this. I don't think he'll regret trading McNabb, unless Kevin Kolb falls on his face, and my guess is that won't happen. And I don't think the Eagles' coach will ultimately feel he got fleeced in the deal, though a second-round draft pick this year and a third- or fourth-round pick next year didn't exactly break the bank in Washington. But Reid might regret trading him to an NFC East rival. That's twice a year McNabb can rub it in the Eagles' faces. That wasn't likely a year ago, considering how bad the Redskins were, but they've added coach Mike Shanahan and are making major roster moves that should make them a much better team in 2010.

2. McNabb was a great addition. Many Eagles fans had had their fill of him, but McNabb is a terrific quarterback. He goes from one QB-friendly coach in Reid to another QB-friendly coach in Shanahan, and the change of scenery could be great for him. Washington's offense got a lot better today. I'm still hesitant to call the Redskins 2010 contenders in a division that boasts the Eagles, Cowboys and Giants, but things change fast in the NFL. McNabb is the focal point of a lot of positive change in Washington.

3. The Redskins still might draft a top quarterback. They've shown interest in all of the top prospects, and they are scheduled to host visits from Oklahoma's Sam Bradford and Texas' Colt McCoy this week. McNabb could serve as a one-year bridge to a new franchise quarterback.

4. Jason Campbell still could start somewhere in 2010. Campbell figures to leave Washington in either a trade or as a restricted free agent. That his five-year Redskins career had run its course doesn't mean he can't pick it up elsewhere and improve. His growth as a quarterback took a hit almost every time the Redskins changed offenses — darned near every year, actually — and getting away from what has been a dysfunctional organization could be just the thing for him. Campbell would represent an upgrade for such teams as Buffalo, Oakland, Carolina and Cleveland.

Never Enough Running Backs for the Redskins
April 2, 3:40 p.m.

The Redskins might not have the best group of running backs in the NFL, but with the free agent signing of Willie Parker they have one of the most accomplished. The question is what they can accomplish going forward.

Parker joins a backfield that includes incumbent starter Clinton Portis and newly signed free agent Larry Johnson. Their combined accolades include 11 1,000-yard rushing seasons and six Pro Bowl appearances. But the fact that the Redskins considered it important to gather all three indicates a level of concern about each one individually.

Portis suffered a concussion, missed half of last season and was as notable for his mouth as his performance — not generally a good sign. Johnson has done little on the field since 2006, earning most of his visibility for exercises in bad judgment that included his use of Twitter, precipitating a suspension and trade. And (Not So) Fast Willie Parker is a couple of years and injuries removed from his glory days.

New coach Mike Shanahan knows a thing or two about the running game, so whatever production can be gleaned from this group, he'll get. But if reputation could translate directly to yards and touchdowns, he'd be set.

Cowboys Release a Pair of Pro Bowlers
April 2, 2:57 p.m.

With new rules in effect because of the lack of a collective bargaining agreement, the Cowboys today took the opportunity to jettison a couple of big salaries without taking the customary salary cap hit. They released left tackle Flozell Adams and free safety Ken Hamlin.

Both players had signed new six-year contracts two years ago, and both had been to Pro Bowls (Adams five, Hamlin one). Hamlin's trip to Hawaii came after the 2007 season, his first in Dallas, when he had five interceptions. But his play fell off the last two seasons (one total pick), so his release wasn't a great surprise.

Adams' pink slip was a bit more so. He was Dallas' longest-tenured player (12 years) — the last remaining player from the teams featuring Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin — and Adams was in the Pro Bowl as recently as 2008. But he will be 35 in May and his play has been slipping; his most recent Pro Bowl appearances probably had more to do with reputation than performance. Nevertheless, Tony Romo's blind side becomes more of a question mark than it was 24 hours ago. And teams in need of help at left tackle — and there are many — now have an aging but proven option to consider. For many teams, Adams would be a definite upgrade.

Texans Ante Up to Keep Defense Tough
March 30, 7:37 p.m.

He isn't the best player on Houston's defense — that would be second-year linebacker Brian Cushing — but DeMeco Ryans is an integral part of it, and the Texans made a smart move Tuesday when they gave the restricted free agent a new six-year, $48 million contract.

Ryans has been a tackle machine from his middle linebacker spot his first four years in the league, during which time he has started every game since Day 1. He joined the team a round after Mario Williams in 2006, and while Williams has been an impact player the last three years, Ryans has been even more so from the get-go. And with the defense taking another step forward with the addition of Cushing last year, now is no time to be stepping back. The Texans obviously realized that.

Next order of business: Signing another restricted free agent, strong safety Bernard Pollard. He doesn't get mentioned in the same breath as Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu and the like, but his impact on Houston's defense last season was immense. Again, no one knows that better than the Texans.

Still No Offer for Brandon Marshall
March 29, 9:31 a.m.

While Terrell Owens continues to look for work, another temperamental wide receiver, Denver's much younger Brandon Marshall, also awaits an offer to move on.

Marshall, 26, is a restricted free agent, which means he doesn't have the freedom to leave that the unrestricted T.O., 36, does. The Broncos gave him a first-round tender, so any team that might be willing to lavish a big contract on Marshall also would have to surrender a first-round draft pick. That's enough to make teams take pause before bringing in a player who has caught over 100 passes for over 1,000 yards in each of the last three seasons, but who also was suspended at various times last year. Marshall has visited with the Seahawks, but that's it, and no offer came of it — at least not yet.

My gut tells me Marshall won't be wearing a Broncos uniform by the opening of the 2010 season. Coach Josh McDaniels knows full well what Marshall brings to the Denver offense, but he also had a year of dealing with his highs and lows. At some point, one of several teams in need of an elite receiver — such as the Bears (where he would rejoin Jay Cutler), Redskins (where he would rejoin Mike Shanahan), Jets, Bucs, Jaguars, Panthers or Seahawks — will swallow hard and ante up.

T.O. Remains Unemployed
March 23, 8:10 a.m.

We're two-plus weeks into free agency and Terrell Owens is still available to the highest bidder. Or maybe to a bidder, period.

For years, Owens offered teams outstanding production if they could stomach the bizarre sideshow that went along with it. He tallied over 1,000 receiving yards in nine seasons and double-digit touchdowns in eight. But it became evident the market for him was cooling a year ago, when he signed with Buffalo, the first non-marquee team he had played for after 13 seasons with the 49ers, Eagles and Cowboys. And now, after an unspectacular campaign in which he caught 55 passes for 829 yards and five touchdowns, the Bills don't want him and it's unclear whether anyone else does.

Oh, he'll sign somewhere. There are enough receiver-needy teams in the league that he'll get another one-year contract and inspire hope that he can provide one last flurry of touchdowns. But let's face it, he's 36. And as much as he insists he'll behave, you never know when he'll say or do something that threatens to disrupt a team's chemistry. That risk will always exist, and he no longer can deliver as an elite receiver.

It's no wonder the market for his services is dwindling.

New York-to-St. Louis Migration is a Positive Sign for Rams
March 22, 8:10 p.m.

Steve Spagnuolo's first season in St. Louis couldn't have gone much worse — the Rams went 1-15, cutting their 2008 win total in half — but free agency offers a small clue that things will get better. Players who know Spagnuolo are following him to St. Louis.

Already this offseason, three New York Giants have signed with the Rams as free agents: defensive tackle Fred Robbins, cornerback Kevin Dockery and tight end Darcy Johnson. Other than Robbins, who is coming off a down year but has started for the Vikings and the Giants for most of the last nine seasons, these are not familiar names. But that's not the point.

The point is that these players, all of whom know Spagnuolo from his two years as New York's defensive coordinator, want to play for him. They're leaving an organization that won a Super Bowl not long ago for a team that is trying to climb out of the sewer. I know, the Giants weren't doing much to keep them; Dockery and Johnson, in fact, became unrestricted free agents when the Giants chose not to tender them contracts as restricted free agents. Other teams weren't exactly climbing over each other to get these guys to sign on the dotted line, either. And you can argue that this is just a case of a coach bringing in guys he knows to maintain a comfort level with personnel.

I'm sure there are elements of all that in these signings. But these players chose to go to a lousy team. And defensive end James Hall, fresh off a visit to the Super Bowl champion Saints, his hometown team, chose to stay with one when he re-signed with the Rams today. I think these players have a good feeling about where this franchise is headed. For the Rams, that's a positive sign — a rarity in St. Louis the last few years.

Porter Gives Cardinals Some Pass-Rush Punch
March 19, 8:05 p.m.

Finally, the Cardinals have a big name on the plus side of their offseason player movement ledger. Their signing today of outside linebacker Joey Porter doesn't counteract the free agent losses of Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle and the trade of Anquan Boldin, but it's a step in the right direction.

Porter turns 33 next week and his best years are probably behind him. But that doesn't mean he can't give Arizona the dominant pass rusher it lacked last season. Porter had 17.5 sacks in 2008 and nine sacks last season, when he claimed the Dolphins weren't making proper use of his skills.

Now he rejoins coach Ken Whisenhunt, who was an assistant with the Steelers during six of Porter's years there. Look for a happier Porter to be a more productive Porter in his new home.

Dolphins Sign Ill-Tempered Incognito
March 18, 8:53 a.m.

"Oooo, behave." If you've seen any of the Austin Powers movies, you know the context in which that line was spoken. The Dolphins might now be saying the same thing, although not in quite the same vein, regarding Richie Incognito, a free agent guard they signed yesterday.

Incognito is a very solid offensive lineman. He has started all 47 games he has played over five NFL seasons, 44 of them for the Rams and the last three for the Bills at the end of last season. He plays with the kind of nastiness that makes O-line coaches smile.

But Incognito also has serious issues with self-control. The Rams benched him twice last season when he committed senseless personal-foul penalties, and he has had numerous other incidents over the years that involved on-field shenanigans and fines. He also has egged on hecklers, made obscene gestures and so on. He concedes that he is "a less than model citizen," which explains why the Rams, a team in dire need of quality blockers, ultimately released perhaps their most effective offensive lineman last December.

The Dolphins brought in Incognito to provide depth on the line, and he could well wind up starting at right guard. The one-year deal they gave him is relatively low-risk. But it could pay off nicely if Incognito would simply learn to behave. Yeah, baby.

Anderson Hardly Solidifies Arizona's QB Situation
March 17, 12:58 p.m.

The Cardinals signed free agent quarterback Derek Anderson, and though Anderson's credentials the last two years have been horrid, Matt Leinart can't be feeling too comfortable. Coach Ken Whisenhunt hasn't said Leinart is his starter, so look for a training camp battle between the two.

What a difference a year makes, eh? Last year, Kurt Warner was Arizona's undisputed starter while Leinart was his hope-it-doesn't-come-to-this backup. Now, Leinart and Anderson are the top two candidates for the job. Something tells me Arizona's two-year reign atop the NFC West is very, very tenuous.

Russell Arrives at Raiders Workouts
March 16, 3:54 p.m.

I ragged on JaMarcus Russell (below), so it's only fair that I point out he arrived at voluntary workouts today — with an excuse for yesterday's absence. A team official said he was closing on a house in Alabama.

Russell did not appear to the media, though, so it's unknown if he's in better shape than usual. Word is he has been working out at a facility in Arizona and is less fleshy than in past offseasons. That would be a step in the right direction for Russell, who looms as one of the all-time biggest draft busts if he doesn't turn things around soon.

Raiders Re-Sign Gradkowski, Frye
March 16, 8:00 a.m.

Yesterday the Raiders re-signed quarterbacks Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye, both of whom were restricted free agents. And both were on hand for the beginning of the team's voluntary workouts. Former No. 1 overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell was not.

That's pathetic. Russell has loads of ability, but he's so lazy he makes Garfield look like a workaholic. Gradkowski and Frye are both journeymen out of the Mid-American Conference, but I'd take either of them over the fat-cat Russell in a heartbeat.

Don't be surprised if the Raiders do just that, too.

It's Unclear Where Quinn Fits in Denver
March 15, 12:12 p.m.

OK, it's not a free agent move, but the trade of Brady Quinn to Denver bears mention.

That the Browns wanted to get rid of Quinn is no shock. The quarterbacking in Cleveland last season was abysmal, and now the Browns, who recently acquired both Seneca Wallace (from Seattle) and Jake Delhomme (Carolina), are rid of both culprits, Derek Anderson and Quinn. It's time to clean the slate and start over.

What intrigues me is how Quinn fits into the plans in Denver. The Broncos gave up a player (fullback Peyton Hillis) and a couple of low draft picks to get him, so they obviously see some value in him. Does this mean Kyle Orton will have to fight to keep his starting job? Maybe not. The Broncos might just want to make sure their backup situation is more solid than it was with Chris Simms last year. But the Broncos, who pursued Quinn last year before making the Jay Cutler trade that brought Orton from Chicago, also might believe Quinn still has the potential to be the starter the Browns thought he would be when they spent a first-round draft pick on him in 2007. My guess is that Orton vs. Quinn will become one of the more compelling position battles to watch in training camp this summer.

Another L.T. in N.Y.
March 14, 6:05 p.m.

It's safe to say the original L.T., Lawrence Taylor, had a bigger impact on New York than LaDainian Tomlinson will.

Taylor led the Giants to a pair of Super Bowl championships during his 13 years with the Giants. Tomlinson, who never got to the big game as a Charger, will try to help boost the Jets in their quest for a championship, but it's unlikely he'll be leading the way.

Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene led the Jets to the top of the league rushing charts and the AFC Championship Game last season, but with Greene ascending to the lead role, Jones was released and now is replaced by another 30-something runner.

It's hard to see this as a step up for the Jets. Jones was the league's third-leading rusher last season with 1,402 yards, while Tomlinson had by far the worst season of his career with 730 yards (3.3 average). He can give the Jets a spark here and there, but he's clearly on the downside of his career.

L.T. may yet win a ring — the Jets are a team on the rise — and certainly will win a spot in Canton. For now, though, he's a backup to a second-year player. Such is the life cycle of even the greatest NFL running backs.

Browns Sign Another QB
March 13, 10:31 p.m.

The Browns' search for a legit starting quarterback continues. They signed Jake Delhomme today.

Delhomme, who received a boatload of cash from the Panthers a year ago but was released following a disastrous 2009 season, gets a chance to show he's still got it in Cleveland. He'll battle Seneca Wallace, who was recently signed from Seattle, and perhaps Brady Quinn for the starting job — if Quinn isn't released, that is, as Derek Anderson was earlier this week. And who knows, the Browns might use one of their 11 draft picks on a quarterback.

New team president Mike Holmgren is used to getting high-quality play from his quarterback, be it Brett Favre or Matt Hasselbeck. He doesn't have the stomach for the kind of work Quinn and Anderson did last year.

Super Bowl Goat Goes Back to Philly
March 12, 12:30 p.m.

Wide receiver Hank Baskett returned to Philadelphia today after spending most of last season in Indianapolis. The only thing that would have shocked me about Baskett, who signed a one-year free agent deal, would have been him returning to the Colts.

If there was a goat in the Colts' Super Bowl XLIV loss to New Orleans, it was Baskett. He's the guy who failed to cover the Saints' onside kick at the beginning of the second half, the play that turned the game around for New Orleans. Baskett spent the first three-plus years of his career in Philly, but he has never contributed a lot as a receiver. He's typically more of a special teams guy (his Super Bowl gaffe notwithstanding), and that's where he figures to contribute most to the Eagles in 2010.

From the Colts' perspective, he won't be around to serve as a reminder of the play that might have cost them a championship.

Browns Break Out the Benjamins for Watson
March 12, 12:07 p.m.

Benjamin Watson won't make anyone forget about Kellen Winslow, but he shouldn't remind anyone of Robert Royal, Evan Moore or Steve Heiden, either.

Royal, Moore and Heiden were the Browns' leading receivers at tight end last season. Moore led the way with 12 catches, and the trio combined for 33. That was only 44 fewer than Winslow had in his first season in Tampa Bay following his trade a year ago.

Now along comes Watson, who signed a multiyear free agent deal with Cleveland today. Watson has never caught more than 49 passes in any of his six seasons in New England, but he also has not caught fewer than 22 since his rookie year. He snared five touchdown passes a year ago and six in 2007. And he did this in a Patriots offense that doesn't feature the tight end.

Watson, who is adept at both blocking and receiving, is a solid addition at an area of need in Cleveland. He might not make the Pro Bowl, but he will make the Browns better.

Broncos Remain Focused on Fixing Defense
March 12, 8:35 a.m.

The most interesting move of the day Thursday was the one that made inside linebacker Andra Davis an unrestricted free agent. The Broncos released him.

Davis started 13 games last year, his first in Denver after playing seven seasons in Cleveland, six as a starter. He gets paid to stop the run, and when the Broncos' run defense became a sieve toward the end of last season, something had to change. Turns out Davis and starting end Kenny Peterson, who was released the day before, took the fall. Perhaps others will as well.

Davis, who had 90 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season, will latch on elsewhere, likely as a starter. He's not done. What's interesting is how boldly the Broncos are moving to fix their defense. Give them credit for that.

Plenty of Weapons for Joe Flacco
March 11, 9:22 a.m.

The key was the trade acquisition of Anquan Boldin, but with the re-signing of unrestricted free agent Derrick Mason yesterday, the Ravens enter the 2010 season with a vastly improved receiving corps.

Boldin, who was obtained last week from Arizona along with a fifth-round draft pick for third- and fourth-round picks, is one of the league's elite receivers. He was overshadowed by Larry Fitzgerald with the Cardinals, but he'll be Joe Flacco's No. 1 target in Baltimore. And that's good news for Mason, who has been rock steady for the Ravens while surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in eight of the last nine seasons but who, at 36, can't be expected to continue that level of production. Now, he doesn't have to. That's Boldin's job.

Also new to the mix is Donte' Stallworth, who was suspended in Cleveland last season after the car he was driving struck and killed a pedestrian in Miami last March. He figures to have some rust, and he has never been as productive as either Boldin or Mason; his best effort was 70 catches for 945 yards and seven TDs with the Saints in 2005. But he's only 29, and he adds an element of speed the Ravens have lacked among their receivers. And again, he'll be a complementary receiver, not the star of the show.

Put it all together and Flacco has to be a happy man these days.

Broncos Target the D-Line
March 10, 9:28 a.m.

Think the Broncos considered the defensive line an area of need? They've already signed three free agent defensive linemen, including former Chargers nose tackle Jamal Williams and former Patriots end Jarvis Green yesterday. They join Justin Bannan, a former Raven who was signed when free agency opened Friday.

Green, who played eight years in New England, where Josh McDaniels coached until leaving to become Denver's head coach last season, will start at one end spot. Bannan can play end or tackle, but most likely will play end while Williams mans the all-important nose spot in Denver's 3-4 scheme.

Williams is the most intriguing addition. He missed all but one game last season with a torn triceps, and he'll be 34 in April. But he is a three-time Pro Bowler, and when healthy he eats up blockers in the middle. That's important for a team that gave up 133 yards rushing to Oakland's Michael Bush and a stunning 259 yards to Kansas City's Jamaal Charles in its final two home games of the season, both losses.

The Chargers released Williams primarily for money reasons. The Broncos capitalized, and their move could be the type that not only helps them, but hurts their division rival.

Chiefs Grab an Old-But-Young Running Back
March 9, 6:33 p.m.

As 31-year-old running backs go, the Chiefs got themselves a good one in Thomas Jones.

Once running backs hit 30 or thereabouts, it's typically time to start winding down. (See: Tomlinson, LaDainian.) But Jones, who rushed for a career-high 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Jets last season before being cut loose in favor of Shonn Greene, is a young 31. (He'll be 32 in August.) He didn't get much work his first four seasons in the league, so he's more like 29 in NFL years. Which means he still has gas in the tank.

The Chiefs already have an exciting young runner in Jamaal Charles, who rushed for 1,120 yards last season, most of that over the last half of the season. While Charles, 23, brings the flash to the running game, Jones will bring the bash. Put 'em together and the Chiefs will have a much-improved ground game in 2010. (Larry who?)

QB Movement in Cleveland
March 9, 2:47 p.m.

Brady Quinn doesn't have the Browns' starting QB job locked up, but one consistent obstacle in his first three seasons is gone. The Browns released Derek Anderson today.

Anderson had a Pro Bowl year when Quinn was a rookie in 2007, but he was bad the next season and even worse last year. He'll be doing well to find a job carrying a clipboard somewhere. Quinn wasn't much better when given opportunities, however, and never seized the job.

Anderson's release seemingly would pave the way for Quinn to be the undisputed starter — remember, he was a first-round draft pick — but don't be so sure. Quinn hasn't given new team president Mike Holmgren or coach Eric Mangini much reason to feel comfortable with him, and they've already brought in one new quarterback, Seneca Wallace, whom Holmgren acquired in a trade today and knows well from his years in Seattle. Even if Wallace isn't starting material (and maybe he is), the Browns surely will keep evaluating their options as they progress through free agency and into the draft.

Pittsburgh's Busy Monday
March 8, 10:03 p.m.

Safety Ryan Clark's departure from Pittsburgh looked all but certain as the Dolphins appeared poised to lure him down South. That particularly appeared to be the case after the Steelers signed former Bucs safety Will Allen a few hours earlier, seemingly a preemptive move to cover themselves at the position.

Alas, Clark opted to stay in Pittsburgh, which is a big plus for the Steelers. Clark isn't as well-known or gifted as his fellow safety, Troy Polamalu, but he's very good. And if Polamalu is back at full strength next season, he and Clark will have the safety spots covered while Allen can help address the team's woeful special teams play. Former 49ers wide receiver Arnaz Battle, another free agent signing today, can contribute on special teams, too.

The Steelers also brought back a fan favorite, Antwaan Randle El, who had spent the last four seasons in Washington. He's no savior at wide receiver, but at 30 he's better than Limas Sweed, a 2008 second-round draft pick who has had two entirely forgettable seasons, the second of which ended early after he was removed from the active roster — why, no one seems to know.

Chambers Chooses to Stay in K.C.
March 8, 3:22 p.m.

The Chiefs didn't have much offense last season, but what little they did have picked up after acquiring Chris Chambers on waivers from San Diego in November. Now Chambers, 31, has a full offseason to get acquainted with quarterback Matt Cassel after re-signing with Kansas City as an unrestricted free agent.

Chambers gave Cassel a solid target and a legitimate deep threat while drawing some coverage away from Dwayne Bowe, who struggled most of the season (when he wasn't on suspension). The Chiefs' retention of Chambers doesn't rank with the Ravens' acquisition of Anquan Boldin, but their offense certainly looks better with him in it.

Holmgren's First Moves Are Good Ones
March 8, 8:56 a.m.

The Browns made a couple of nice acquisitions Sunday. They signed linebacker Scott Fujita, a starter for the Super Bowl champion Saints, and former 49ers offensive tackle Tony Pashos.

Fujita is a versatile linebacker who packs a wallop and can rush the passer, as Peyton Manning can attest after having Fujita in his face on multiple occasions in Super Bowl XLIV. Fujita played on the outside in New Orleans' 4-3 scheme, but he can play inside or outside in the Browns' 3-4 defense. His leadership skills will be a welcome addition in Cleveland.

The Browns have one of the league's best left tackles in Joe Thomas, and Pashos gives the Browns a solid option at right tackle, a position where John St. Clair struggled last season. Pashos, who also was pursued heavily by Washington, also can move inside to guard if need be. Pashos isn't Pro Bowl material, but he's an underrated player who will make Cleveland's line better.

The Browns have a long way to go, but these early moves by new team president Mike Holmgren are steps in the right direction.

A Perfect Fit
March 7, 1:38 p.m.

Now here's a signing that makes perfect sense: Aaron Kampman goes to Jacksonville.

Kampman was always among the league leaders in sacks when he worked as a defensive end in the Packers' 4-3 defense. But he was switched to outside linebacker in Dom Capers' new 3-4 scheme last year and struggled (3.5 sacks) before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in Week 11. Kampman reportedly is ahead of schedule in his rehab, and his move to Jacksonville allows him to return to end in a 4-3 defense.

And the Jaguars certainly need his pass-rush help. They had only 14 sacks last season, easily the lowest total in the league. Put Kampman, 30, back in a scheme that plays to his strengths and good things should happen for both him and his new employer.

A Quiet Day 2
March 6, 11:42 p.m.

No blockbuster signings today. The Cardinals obtained safety Kerry Rhodes in a trade with the Jets to replace Antrel Rolle, who had signed with the Giants on Friday, but the biggest free-agent signing was former Vikings guard Artis Hicks in Washington. (Yawn.) Quiet day, indeed.

The Redskins have focused on rebuilding an offensive line that lost longtime stalwarts Chris Samuels (retired) and guard Randy Thomas (released) in the last week. In addition to bringing in Hicks and reportedly closing in on former 49ers offensive tackle Tony Pashos, the Redskins re-signed two of their own free agents, center Casey Rabach and tackle Mike Williams.

Of course, none of this activity comes remotely close to what the Redskins were doing in free agency a year ago, when they made defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth an exceedingly rich man. The surprising thing about the Redskins two days into free agency is that owner Dan Snyder hasn't dropped a huge pile of money on anyone yet.

Massive Defections in Arizona
March 5, 10:35 p.m.

The opening day of free agency wasn't exactly a banner one for the Cardinals. Unrestricted free agent Karlos Dansby signed with the Dolphins, recently released safety Antrel Rolle hooked up with the Giants and wide receiver Anquan Boldin was dealt to the Ravens for a couple of draft picks (a third-rounder and a fourth-rounder) that hardly seem to reflect his value.

Boldin is a huge addition for the Ravens, who are thin at receiver. Joe Flacco has to be thrilled to have Q, who has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in five of his seven NFL seasons. They'll be even better if Derrick Mason re-signs, but at least Baltimore's receiving corps won't fall apart if he doesn't.

It took record-setting deals for Miami to land Dansby and New York to bring in Rolle. Dansby signed a five-year, $43 million deal, the league's richest for a linebacker, while Rolle became the highest-paid safety in NFL history with his five-year, $37 million contract. A ton of money, yes, but the Dolphins and Giants both underachieved on defense last season and are trying to do something about it.

The Cardinals, meanwhile, are left with some serious holes to fill.

Bears Land Julius Peppers
March 5, 3:43 p.m.

The Bears have no first- or second-round picks in this year's NFL Draft, so if they are to make major upgrades this offseason, they have to do it in free agency. And barely 16 hours into the league's veteran player feeding frenzy, they've made the boldest move so far, signing defensive end Julius Peppers to what is believed to be a six-year deal worth roughly $13 million per. Peppers joins running back Chester Taylor and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna as first-day signees in Chicago.

Give the Bears credit for opening their wallet and doing what it took to nab the player widely considered the plum of this free agent market. But it's no slam dunk that he'll launch Chicago into a new era of defensive dominance.

Peppers can be a devastating pass rusher, as evidenced by having no fewer than 10.5 sacks in six of his eight NFL seasons. But as he showed far too often over the years in Carolina, he also can disappear for long stretches. The talent is there, no doubt. It's up to coach Lovie Smith and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli to make sure he's tapping into it snap after snap after snap.

Ahead of Adrian ... Finally
March 5, 2:03 p.m.

Well, that's one way to move past Adrian Peterson on the depth chart. Become a Bear.

Chester Taylor, who spelled Peterson in Minnesota, signed a reported four-year deal with the Bears and immediately improved their depth at running back. Matt Forte underachieved in his second season (929 rushing yards) and the Bears had little help behind him with the likes of Garrett Wolfe, Kahlil Bell and, yes, their own version of Adrian Peterson (the one who went to Georgia Southern, not Oklahoma, and had all of seven carries last season). Taylor was a dynamic third-down back in Minnesota, and offensive coordinator Mike Martz can't wait to plug him into Chicago's new offense — which may not ultimately include Peterson, an unrestricted free agent himself.

Meanwhile, it appears that the Bears' signing of primo free agent Julius Peppers is about to happen. Reports are that he's taking a physical and crossing the T's and dotting the I's on a new deal.

It's All About the Fit
March 5, 12:53 p.m.

Greg Olsen wants out of Chicago, Brandon Manumaleuna wants in. That's what happens when a new offensive coordinator takes over and wants to do things differently.

Mike Martz made it clear from the get-go that he values blocking over receiving from the tight end in his offense, which meant Olsen, whose skills are reversed, might not find the Bears' offense to his liking this year. Olsen quickly admitted as much, and the Bears' reported contract agreement with free agent Manumaleuna, a Charger for the last four seasons, should hasten his exit.

Manumaleuna's primary skill is blocking in the running game. He also has a history with Martz, having spent the first five years of his career in St. Louis while Martz was head coach there. Manumaleuna caught only five passes last year — Olsen had at least that many in seven games — but it's all about being a fit for the system. And Manumaleuna is that.

Lions Not Wasting Any Time
March 5, 11:26 a.m.

After making wide receiver Nate Burleson the first signing of the 2010 NFL free agency period, the Lions are at it again. In an attempt to bolster a defense that ranked last in the league in 2009, they signed end Kyle Vanden Bosch to a reported four-year deal.

Vanden Bosch, 31, is clearly on the down side of his career, totaling only 7.5 sacks over the last two seasons after getting 12 in 2007. But he stayed healthy for all 16 games last year after missing six games in 2008 with a groin injury, and reuniting with head coach Jim Schwartz, his defensive coordinator with the Titans, should be a big positive.

Colts Keep Brackett
March 5, 10:44 a.m.

Middle linebacker Gary Brackett doesn’t get the notoriety accorded to the likes of Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher, but he’s no less important to the Colts’ defense than Lewis and Urlacher are to theirs. So it was no surprise the Colts had made re-signing their top unrestricted free agent their No. 1 priority in free agency. The Colts did just that early Friday, signing him to a reported five-year deal.

With Brackett no longer in play, Arizona’s Karlos Dansby looms as the most talented linebacker on the open market. Dansby is a versatile player who excelled as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 alignment before showing he is just as skilled as an inside linebacker in the 3-4. The Cardinals would like to keep Dansby, but the Dolphins are making a strong push to lure him away.

Let the Spending Begin
March 5, 8:51 a.m.

Score one for Matthew Stafford and the Lions. The first signing of the NFL free agent period was wide receiver Nate Burleson, who leaves Seattle after reaching a reported five-year contract agreement with Detroit a couple of hours after the 12:01 a.m. opening of the free agent market.

Burleson, who missed almost the entire 2008 season, is coming off a solid bounce-back campaign in which he had 63 catches for 812 yards and three touchdowns. The Seattle offense struggled in 2009, but not because of Burleson, who immediately becomes the Lions’ No. 2 receiver behind Calvin Johnson.

Other than Johnson, Detroit’s receiving corps was decidedly unimpressive a year ago, and while Burleson doesn’t exactly give the Lions a Larry Fitzgerald-Anquan Boldin combo, he is an upgrade. He offers Stafford, Detroit’s second-year quarterback, a legitimate target who can take advantage of defenders’ understandable obsession with Johnson. Burleson also should benefit from his reunion with Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, who helped the receiver tally 1,006 yards and nine touchdowns when both were in Minnesota in 2004.

An Addition Alongside Revis Island
March 5, 8:27 a.m.

Antonio Cromartie’s play fell off after his 10-interception, Pro Bowl season in 2007, but something tells me 2010 could mark his return to prominence. Shortly before the opening of free agency, the Chargers traded Cromartie to the Jets, reportedly for a conditional 2011 draft pick (likely a third- or second-rounder).

Cromartie replaces Lito Sheppard, who was released earlier in the day Thursday, and will line up alongside shutdown corner Darrelle Revis. Cromartie figures to be the lesser of two evils for opposing quarterbacks, so he’ll see more than his share of balls coming his way. Now it’s a matter of Cromartie showing he’s up to the challenge.

With Revis alone, the Jets have one of the league’s top cornerback tandems; that’s true as long as someone with a pulse handles the other side of the field. But unless the Jets have misjudged Cromartie’s ability — which isn’t likely with coach Rex Ryan calling the shots — this addition gives them the best one.