Free Agency Recap: Big Vince is Back!
The Patriots made the biggest headline of the day, but they were merely one of many teams in the news yesterday. Here's your recap of an unexpectedly busy Thursday in free agency.
- Well, you read the headline. Just days after reports surfaced that Vince Wilfork had cleaned out his locker, ripped off his name-piece and stormed out of Foxborough during contract negotiations, we have a reconciliation, as the team has agreed to a contract extension with their defensive leader. Full details of the deal haven't been disclosed yet, but we do know it can reach a total of 3 years and $22.5 million. However, the lack of guaranteed money beyond the first year essentially makes it a one year deal for up to $8 million ($3 million guaranteed), with options for the next two years. We'll update you on the cap specifics once more details come through.
- The Dolphins filled a big need at running back, signing former Bronco Knowshon Moreno to a one year deal. Moreno's all-around game should make him a big asset to the Miami offense, and particularly for QB Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins are also reportedly shopping WR Mike Wallace, but having a tough time finding any takers thanks to a whopping $17.25 million cap hit. Talk about buyers remorse; Wallace is just in the second year of a five year megadeal signed just last offseason.
- The Broncos also lost veteran DE/OLB Shaun Phillips, who signed a two year deal with Tennessee. Phillips had a nice season in Denver filling in for the departed Elvis Dumervil, but the DeMarcus Ware signing made Phillips dispensable. I wrote earlier this month about the potential fit for Philips in New England, but the Wilfork news will likely make it easier for the Pats to devote a higher round pick on a pass rusher.
- There was a brief period of time when the Moreno signing made it seem like it might increase the Patriots odds of landing veteran RB Maurice Jones-Drew. However, MJD is heading to Oakland for a visit, and Adam Schefter is reporting that there's a good chance he doesn't leave without signing a contract. MJD grew up in the area and was a Raiders fan as a child. [UPDATE: MJD and the Raiders have agreed to terms. It's a done deal pending a physical]
- The Eagles are poised to make their signing of Mark Sanchez official today after the former Jets quarterback's surgically repaired shoulder looked good enough to pass a physical yesterday. It's unknown if he'll be teammates with G Evan Mathis, who is reportedly on the trading block. The Eagles are seeking a third rounder for Mathis, who has been consistently ranked as the best guard in football by ProFootballFocus. Mathis is due for a $6.1 million cap hit in 2014.
- Finally, Brian Orakpo will stay in Washington for one more year at least, as the pass rusher signed his franchise tender yesterday. He'll make $11.45 million guaranteed for 2014 as a result. That wasn't the only reason the Redskins were in the news, as a Stephen Colbert tweet satirizing Dan Snyder's clueless handling of the team's controversial name prompted thousands of, how do I put this nicely, fucking idiots to make #CancelColbert a trending topic. Where has the world come to when you can't even make fun of Dan Snyder on the internet without being falsely accused of racism? This is why we can't have nice things.
As always, thanks for checking out PatriotsLife as your source for Patriots and free agency news. We'll keep these recap posts going whenever there's a busy day on the market.
