Free Agency Recap: Day Two- Pats steal Revis, Broncos thunder


In case you spent last night passed out in a gutter after celebrating the relocation of Revis Island too hard, here's what you missed in our daily recap of yesterday's free agent activity.

  • Your Patriots bounced back in a big way from losing Aqib Talib, signing all-world cornerback Darrelle Revis for a one year, $12 million deal. As expected, Tampa Bay was forced to release their superstar corner when they were unable to find a trade partner, putting Revis Island on the free agent market for the first time in his career. While there were rumors out there about a Jets reunion, something both Rex Ryan and Revis were reportedly very open to, Jets GM John Izdik was apparently not interested, allowing the corner to walk to New England for less than his expected market value. Revis is unlikely to be a one-year rental in New England, who can franchise him after this season and reportedly intend to sign him to a long term deal.
  • In other Patriots news, the team hosted several free agents for visits yesterday, but didn't extend any offers as they waited for the Revis situation to pan out. Those visits included linebacker Wesley Woodyard, linebacker Matt Shaugnessy (who wound up re-signing with Arizona on a two year deal), guard Shelley Smith and receivers Jason Avant and Brandon LeFell. It also broke late last night that former Seahawks corner Brandon Browner will be making his first free agent visit in New England today. Finally, the team cut Isaac Sopoaga lose, freeing up some additional cap space in anticipation of Revis.
  • The Jets might have lost out on Revis, but that didn't keep them from making a big splash. They went out and signed the best wide receiver on the market, Eric Decker, to a five year, $36 million deal. They also landed a replacement for departing right tackle Austin Howard, signing Seattle's Breno Giacomini.
  • The day's most bizarre story was that of Rams Raiders Rams offensive lineman Rodger Saffold. One day after making waves by signing a five year, $42.5 million deal with Oakland, Saffold failed his physical, voiding the contract and allowing him to re-up with St. Louis for five years. Considering that his old team, the Rams, were entirely comfortable with signing him to a long-term deal, some have speculated that the Raiders used the physical loophole to get out of a contract they were already having buyers remorse on. Oakland does have Justin Tuck and Lamarr Woodley in for visits today, so there's that.
  • The Tampa Bay Bucaneers kept wheeling and dealing on Wednesday, signing quarterback Josh McCown to a two year, $15 million deal. It's a great deal for McCown, who parlayed a stretch of excellent play this season in relief of Jay Cutler into a payday and starting gig.
  • Can Golden Tate be the Megatron sidekick that's eluded the Lions for so long? The Lions will be paying him $31 million over the next five years to find out.
  • The Ravens kept a key piece from their 2012 Super Bowl run, re-signing receiver/returner Jacoby Jones to a four year deal. They did lose corner Corey Graham, who signed a four year deal with Buffalo, but are the heavy favorites to land long-time Panthers receiver Steve Smith if/when he's released today.
  • The Dolphins made a solid move by re-signing defensive tackle Randy Starks on a two year deal. They also landed a replacement for Paul Soliai, who signed with Atlanta on Tuesday, in former Texans DT Earl Mitchell.
  • Former Patriots draft pick Jeremy Mincey is in the unenviable position of trying to fill the void of DeMarcus Ware in Dallas. 
  • The Green Bay Packers lost safety M.D. Jennings to their division rivals in Chicago, but they re-signed outside linebacker Mike Neal and brought tight end Owen Daniels in for a visit. Daniels would make an intriguing replacement for Jermichael Finley, who had a visit himself with the Seahawks.
  • Speaking of Seattle, the defending champs managed to re-sign defensive tackle Tony McDaniel. They've also been in talks with some intriguing names, including former Cowboy Jason Hatcher.
  • The Saints made some unexpected news by signing running back Pierre Thomas to a two year deal. It was widely reported that Thomas would be either cut or traded this week for cap savings.
  • The New York football Giants made two moves, re-signing linebacker Jon Beason and adding former Broncos center J.D. Walton. They also visited with corner Tracy Porter and guard Shelley Smith, who also visited with the Pats.
  • Nothing's official yet on this one, but it's looking like defensive end Chris Clemons is going to be the latest Seahawk to join former defensive coordinator and current Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley in Jacksonville. The Jags also visited with a number of players, including Seattle corner Walter Thurmond III and potential Pats target Emmanuel Sanders. Also (apologies to all the Jaguars fans for missing this in yesterday's post), the Jaguars added running back Toby Gerhart on the first day of free agency, while also re-signing New England native Will Blackmon.
  • The Browns cut quarterbacks Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell today, prompting one of the saddest tweets in recent memory: They also lost out on receiver Andrew Hawkins, who had the Bengals match Cleveland's offer sheet. The Browns do have Houston running back Ben Tate in for a visit, and remain in the mix for Julian Edelman. 

Be sure to keep checking PatriotsLife for all your updates on the Patriots free agency, and be sure to check back tomorrow for our recap of the day's action.

Post a Comment
Share