NFL FREE AGENCY, WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE
Before I get to the pros there's a story out of Columbia Missouri about Tigers' QB James Franklin that should scare Mizzou fans. During their afternoon practice, Franklin dove for a fumble along the sideline & came up holding his right shoulder in obvious pain. Coach Gary Pinkel said after the practice the severity of the injury wasn't known but it was thought to be just a sprain. Keep your fingers crossed Tiger fans.
Brandon Carr now a Dallas Cowboy
Carr, formerly a 4-year starter for Kansas City, signed a 5-year, $50.1 million deal with the Cowboys. The .1 is $100,000 more than Courtland Finnegan got from St. Louis yesterday, making Carr the highest paid defensive back in this year's free agent market. He will move into Terrence Newman's left corner spot, a position he never played with the Chiefs, he started all 49-games on the right. Carr wasn't the only ex-Chief to sign with Dallas. QB Kyle Orton signed a 3-year deal to become Tony Romo's backup.
Johnson to San Diego
The Chargers signed Jarret Johnson, an outside linebacker, to a 4-year deal. The 8-year veteran started the past 5-seasons for Baltimore. The Ravens lost 2 defensive starters today, defensive end Cory Redding was the other.
Eagles sign PITA WR DeSean Jackson
The supremely talented, but huge pain in the ass, wide receiver DeSean Jackson, can now stop obsessing about his financial future. Philadelphia agreed to a 5-year, $47 million deal with $15 million guaranteed. With less than one-third of the contract guaranteed, it shows Eagle management still isn't completely over Jackson's behavior last season. The incentives will allow Jackson to make a lot more, but Philly isn't stuck if he goes into another one of his funks.
Sorry Chiefs fans, I told you Carlson was gone
This morning I said tight end John Carlson was cutting his trip to Kansas City short & flying off to Minnesota where I thought he'd sign. He did, joining fellow Notre Dame alum, Kyle Rudolph. Carlson signed a 5-year, $25 million contract with $11 million in guaranteed dollars. Can you say Jake O'Connell Chiefs' fans?
G-Men ink Martellus
New York signed former Dallas backup tight end Martellus Bennett to a 1-year, $2.5 million deal. Bennett was hoping for a lot more on the open market, but his weird behavior over the years hurt him with a lot of clubs. The Giants lost two of their three tight ends with torn ACL's during their Super Bowl win, so signing a healthy tight end was important.
Tampa uses "pay as you go" in free agency
The Bucs have made a big splash in free agency, signing WR Vincent Jackson, G Carl Nicks & CB Eric Wright. The normally frugal(cheap) Tampa ownership stepped up financially to acquire these starting players who should make a impact on the Bucs won-loss record this fall. They did it by spending the big money very wisely, none of these contracts contain a dime of signing bonus or roster bonus money. The guaranteed portions of their deals are in base salary only, meaning the Bucs won't have to payout anything to this trio until the season starts, when the cashflow is going full steam. Very creative move to energize their fanbase & not cripple them with huge lump sum payments.
Manningham starts in Frisco
Wide receiver Mario Manningham will begin his free agent tour in the Bay Area, visiting the Forty-Niners. The guy who made the catch of Super Bowl 47, is in demand with Frisco, Miami & Cincinnati so far.
Bush looking at Chicago & Cincy
Running back Michael Bush, formerly of the Oakland Raiders, will visit both the Chicago Bears & Cincinnati Bengals over the next few days. Cincy doesn't expect Cedric Benson to be part of their offense going forward & the Bears have franchised Matt Forte, who suffered a torn ACL last November. Bush is a power runner, with excellent blitz pickup skills & an above average pass receiver.
More free agent news later tonight.
Brandon Carr now a Dallas Cowboy
Carr, formerly a 4-year starter for Kansas City, signed a 5-year, $50.1 million deal with the Cowboys. The .1 is $100,000 more than Courtland Finnegan got from St. Louis yesterday, making Carr the highest paid defensive back in this year's free agent market. He will move into Terrence Newman's left corner spot, a position he never played with the Chiefs, he started all 49-games on the right. Carr wasn't the only ex-Chief to sign with Dallas. QB Kyle Orton signed a 3-year deal to become Tony Romo's backup.
Johnson to San Diego
The Chargers signed Jarret Johnson, an outside linebacker, to a 4-year deal. The 8-year veteran started the past 5-seasons for Baltimore. The Ravens lost 2 defensive starters today, defensive end Cory Redding was the other.
Eagles sign PITA WR DeSean Jackson
The supremely talented, but huge pain in the ass, wide receiver DeSean Jackson, can now stop obsessing about his financial future. Philadelphia agreed to a 5-year, $47 million deal with $15 million guaranteed. With less than one-third of the contract guaranteed, it shows Eagle management still isn't completely over Jackson's behavior last season. The incentives will allow Jackson to make a lot more, but Philly isn't stuck if he goes into another one of his funks.
Sorry Chiefs fans, I told you Carlson was gone
This morning I said tight end John Carlson was cutting his trip to Kansas City short & flying off to Minnesota where I thought he'd sign. He did, joining fellow Notre Dame alum, Kyle Rudolph. Carlson signed a 5-year, $25 million contract with $11 million in guaranteed dollars. Can you say Jake O'Connell Chiefs' fans?
G-Men ink Martellus
New York signed former Dallas backup tight end Martellus Bennett to a 1-year, $2.5 million deal. Bennett was hoping for a lot more on the open market, but his weird behavior over the years hurt him with a lot of clubs. The Giants lost two of their three tight ends with torn ACL's during their Super Bowl win, so signing a healthy tight end was important.
Tampa uses "pay as you go" in free agency
The Bucs have made a big splash in free agency, signing WR Vincent Jackson, G Carl Nicks & CB Eric Wright. The normally frugal(cheap) Tampa ownership stepped up financially to acquire these starting players who should make a impact on the Bucs won-loss record this fall. They did it by spending the big money very wisely, none of these contracts contain a dime of signing bonus or roster bonus money. The guaranteed portions of their deals are in base salary only, meaning the Bucs won't have to payout anything to this trio until the season starts, when the cashflow is going full steam. Very creative move to energize their fanbase & not cripple them with huge lump sum payments.
Manningham starts in Frisco
Wide receiver Mario Manningham will begin his free agent tour in the Bay Area, visiting the Forty-Niners. The guy who made the catch of Super Bowl 47, is in demand with Frisco, Miami & Cincinnati so far.
Bush looking at Chicago & Cincy
Running back Michael Bush, formerly of the Oakland Raiders, will visit both the Chicago Bears & Cincinnati Bengals over the next few days. Cincy doesn't expect Cedric Benson to be part of their offense going forward & the Bears have franchised Matt Forte, who suffered a torn ACL last November. Bush is a power runner, with excellent blitz pickup skills & an above average pass receiver.
More free agent news later tonight.
No Nicks. Looks like no NT. How do we fill our NT need now?
Glad you write other NFL news besides the Chiefs. Otherwise there would be no news. The Boys and Skins lost cap money, but you'd never know it. This FA period will decide it for me, whether we have a bright future or not. Scott has to bring in some quality players now.
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