- Suh to South Beach- The Dolphins defense suddenly got even better, albeit for a ton of money. Ndamukong Suh is going to anchor their D-line for $114 million, $60 mil guaranteed. I love the signing for two reasons. First, he was the #1 free agent on the market, and will instantly help a team whose main goal is to make sure Tom Brady doesn't win games. Second? I love that the Redskins didn't sign him. I know, it has nothing to do with the Dolphins or Suh, but in years past this would be the big splash the Skins would make. This would be Albert Haynesworth. Instead, the Redskins signed Ricky Jean-Francois, a very good 3-4 DE/DT coming off his best year for a total of $9 million. They need all the help they can get, and signing one player for the price of five or six wasn't the answer.
- The Eagles are going crazy- First, there was the rather shocking trade of LeSean McCoy to Buffalo for Kiko Alonso. The Eagles traded their best player for an injured linebacker. I know that Alonso is very talented, and an Oregon guy, but I still haven't figured this one out. Next, the Eagles have agreed to sign Byron Maxwell, CB from Seattle, for $63 million which instantly helps their secondary. Philly then agreed to a deal with 49ers all-time leading rusher Frank Gore. Personally, I would have liked to see Gore end his career in San Fran, but when a team is offering you a 3 year deal with two of those years guaranteed for a 31 year old running back is far too good to turn down. And finally (for now) the Eagles brought back Mark Sanchez on a two-year $16 million contract, which is money more for a transitional player than a backup. The question now is what becomes of Nick Foles, and do the Eagles try to trade up for Marcus Mariota?
- The two obvious destinations for Foles are the teams that hold the #5 and 6 picks in the NFL Draft, the Redskins and the Jets. Everybody except the owner of the Skins knows that RG3's time in DC should be over. Both he and the franchise are ready for a new start. I think that a trade which involves the Eagles swapping #1's this year with the Skins, throwing in a 2nd, Foles and next year's #1 to move ahead of the Jets would be a fair asking price. Foles' value isn't exactly high now that the Eagles brought back Sanchez. I think Jay Gruden could do great things with Nick Foles, who is more talented than I thought he would be coming out of Arizona. The other option, of course....
- The New York Jets, who suddenly have wide receivers! Why exactly did the Bears trade Brandon Marshall for a 5th round pick? This is a massive pickup for the Jets, but they still need a QB. The same exact trade could come to the Jets if the Skins don't move back and take a Shane Ray or Randy Gregory at #5. Throwing to Marshall and Eric Decker would make a decent QB look really good. I think Foles would enjoy that, especially if the system fits him better than the Chip Kelly system. Anyway, the overall feeling is that Mariota somehow ends up in Philly, and I am not one to disagree.
- Some franchise faces are going to be finding new homes. This is the unfortunate part about sports, when we see that it really is a business. It will be sad that Andre Johnson will no longer be on the Texans. He is easily the best offensive player they have ever had, and before JJ Watt rose to fame, was the only recognizable name on the entire team. Similarly, while Big Ben has been the leader of the Steelers offense, it was Troy Polamalu who was the leader of the entire team. The flowing locks will no longer be in the black and yellow, and its a shame. Then Reggie Wayne, the main holdover from the Super Bowl champion Colts, will be leaving Indy, meaning that Andrew Luck will be in need of another target. While all of these moves make sense for the teams they are leaving, the nostalgic sports fan in me hates to see them go.
- The moves of some other FA receivers have been interesting. The Ravens are letting both Jacoby Jones (who is signing with the Chargers) and Torrey Smith (49ers rumored to be a favorite there) go to free agency. I am not sure who they think will catch passes from their $100 million QB Joe Flacco, but it has become their #1 need, even over secondary. Look for them to draft from this deep class in the 1st round. Next, Randall Cobb passed over a massive payday from a bad team in order to stay with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. The best QB keeps his #1 target. Nelson, Adams and Cobb might be the best WR corp in football. And THIS JUST IN- as I am typing this, ESPN is reporting that Jeremy Maclin will leave the Eagles in order to reunite with Andy Reid in KC. More madness and turnover in Philly.
I am sure I will write another post or two about free agency once it picks up even more. Until then, enjoy the ride.
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