The opening weekend of the 2010 free agency period, which opened March 5 in an uncapped year, is officially in the rearview mirror.
Signings throughout the first 72 hours saw premier unrestricted free agents (UFAs) DE Julius Peppers and LB Karlos Dansby finding new homes, while some teams took care of their own restricted free agents (RFAs).
Trades also occurred and the Baltimore Ravens addressed a need by acquiring WR Anquan Boldin from the Arizona Cardinals.
The Chicago Bears made arguably the biggest splash this weekend. However, teams sitting out of the action appear content to wait on the next wave sure to occur in the coming days. As proven every season, a diamond in the rough finds a new home after the initial rush.
Just ask the New Orleans Saints about S Darren Sharper’s impact last year.
Meanwhile, here’s a snapshot of signings from the first 72 hours:
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
Signings: S Bryan Scott on March 5
New England Patriots
Signings: DT Vince Wilfork and LB Tully Bunta-Cain on March 5
While a contract hasn’t been signed, the Patriots and G Stephen Neal agreed to terms on a two-year deal Friday night,
ESPN.com reports.
New York Jets
Signings: None as of March 7
Additions: Aquired CB Antonio Cromartie via trade with San Diego Chargers on March 4
Miami Dolphins
Signings: QB Chad Pennington and LB Karlos Dansby on March 5
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AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Signings: None as of March 7
Additions: WR Anquan Boldin via trade with Arizona Cardinals on March 5
Cleveland Browns
Signings: OT Tony Pashos and LB Scott Fujita on March 7
Cincinnati Bengals
Signings: None as of March 7
Pittsburgh Steelers
Signings: None as of March 7
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AFC South
Houston Texans
Signings: WR Kevin Walter and P Matt Turk on March 5
Indianapolis Colts
Signings: LB Gary Brackett on March 5; C Andy Alleman on March 6
Jacksonville Jaguars
Signings: WR Kassim Osgood on March 6; DL/LB Aaron Kampman on March 7
Tennessee Titans
Signings: None as of March 7
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AFC West
Denver Broncos
Signings: G Russ Hochstein, WR Brandon Lloyd, DT Justin Bannan and DB Nate Jones on March 5
Kansas City Chiefs
Signings: RB Jackie Battle (RFA) on March 5, WR Terrance Copper on March 6
Note: Reports have surfaced with national media outlets that RBs Thomas Jones and Justin Fargas are scheduled for visits in the coming days with the Chiefs. Attempts to contact their respective agents to confirm visits went unanswered at time of this publishing.
Oakland Raiders
Signings: OT Khalif Barnes (RFA) on March 5
San Diego Chargers
Signings: TE Kris Wilson and DL Alphonso Boone on March 5
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NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Signings: None as of March 7
New York Giants
Signings: S Antrel Rolle on March 5
Philadelphia Eagles
Signings: FB Leonard Weaver on March 5
Washington Redskins
Signings: OT Mike Williams, DL Phillip Daniels and LB Lorenzo Alexander (RFA) on March 5; G Artis Hicks on March 6
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NFC North
Chicago Bears
Signings: RB Chester Taylor, TE Brandon Manumaleuna and DE Julius Peppers on March 5
Detroit Lions
Signings: WR Nate Burleson, OT Jon Jansen and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch on March 5
Additions: Acquired DT Corey Williams via trade with Cleveland on March 5
Green Bay Packers
Signings: OT Chad Clifton on March 5
Minnesota Vikings
Signings: None as of March 7
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NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
Signings: QB Chris Redman and CB Dunta Robinson on March 5
Carolina Panthers
Signings: None as of March 7
New Orleans Saints
Signings: S Pierson Prioleau and C Nick Leckey on March 6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Signings: None as of March 7
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NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Signings: None as of March 7
Additions: Acquired S Kerry Rhodes via trade with New York Jets on March 6
St. Louis Rams
Signings: QB A.J. Feeley and S Craig Dahl (RFA) on March 5
San Francisco 49ers
Signings: While QB David Carr hasn’t signed yet, the 49ers and Carr agreed to terms on a two-year deal on March 7,
NFL.com reports.
Seattle Seahawks
Signings: None as of March 7
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Notable offensive UFAs currently seeking homes
QB: Jake Delhomme, Daunte Culpepper
RB: LaDainian Tomlinson, Thomas Jones, Brian Westbrook, Willie Parker, Larry Johnson
WR: Terrell Owens, Antonio Bryant, Torry Holt, Derrick Mason, Chris Chambers, Laveranues Coles
TE: Ben Watson, Alge Crumpler
OL: Kevin Mawae, Bobbie Williams
Notable defensive UFAs currently seeking homes
DL: Jamal Williams, Kevin Williams, Dwan Edwards, Adewale Ogunleye
LB: Will Witherspoon, Derrick Burgess, Jason Taylor, Joey Porter, Larry Foote, Danny Clark, Keith Bulluck
DB: Leigh Bodden, Darren Sharper, Lito Sheppard, Ryan Clark
Article posted on March 8, 2010