Mattie T’s Day 1 Update of NFL Free Agency..
Written by The Go-To-Man Mattie T. on February 28, 2009
Friday kicked off the NFL’s annual off-season Free Agent Frenzy, as several big moves were made as teams try to improve their rosters before April’s NFL Draft.
We shall start with the Washington Redskins, who pried away defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth from the Tennessee Titans with a gigantic $100 million, 7 year deal.
Washington figures to improve on their 8th-ranked run defense from last season with the addition of Haynesworth, which is critical in an NFC East division that features Brian Westbrook, Marion Barber III & Brandon Jacobs.
The Redskins also re-signed cornerback DeAngelo Hall to a $54 million, 6 year deal on Friday.
Hall will try to revive his career after making the Pro Bowl in 2 of his first 3 NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.
The New York Jets were able to reunite new head coach Rex Ryan with one of his defensive standouts from Baltimore.
Linebacker Bart Scott signed a $48 million, 6 year deal to join a Jets’ run defense that ranked 7th in the NFL last season.
The Jets also traded for cornerback & 2-time Pro Bowler Lito Sheppard on Friday, who spent his previous 7 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Sheppard will try to help a pass defense that ranked 29th in the NFL last season. Lito recorded just 21 tackles last season, which is the 2nd-lowest total of his career.
The New England Patriots signed tight end Chris Baker on Friday.
Baker spent the previous 7 seasons with the New York Jets & will split playing time between Benjamin Watson & David Thomas.
New England also dealt linebacker Mike Vrabel to Kansas City on Friday.
Vrabel spent his last 8 seasons with the Patriots & was a member of all three of their Super-Bowl winning teams this decade.
The Patriots also signed running back Fred Taylor on Friday, who spent all of his previous 11 seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Taylor ranks 16th on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 11,271 yards & will try to rebound after totaling career-lows in rushing yards (556), yards per game (42.8) & yards per game (3.9).
In the most surprising move of the day, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded for 2007 Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow.
When healthy, Winslow is definitely considered to be one of the NFL’s best tight ends. In 2006 & 07, Winslow averaged 86 receptions, 991 receiving yards & 4 touchdowns.
But in 2008, Winslow caught just 43 receptions for 428 receiving yards & 3 touchdowns in 10 games for the Cleveland Browns.
Winslow along with recently re-signed wide receiver Antonio Bryant will try & improve a Tampa Bay offense that ranked 19th last season in points scored with 361.
The Minnesota Vikings have traded for 7-year veteran quarterback Sage Rosenfels from the Houston Texans.
Rosenfels has mostly been used as a backup, as he has thrown for 4,156 yards, 30 touchdowns & 29 interceptions during his NFL career.
Rosenfels threw for a career-high 1,684 passing yards & 15 touchdowns in 2007 for the Texans.
The Denver Broncos signed a pair of running backs Friday, as the agreed to separate deals with Correll Buckhalter & J.J. Arrington.
Buckhalter has just 5 career 100-yard games in his 5 year playing career.
Arrington will mostly be used as a return specialist for the Broncos, who ranked 23rd in kickoff return yardage in 2008.
Finally, the Chicago Bears signed tackle Frank Omiyale on Friday.
Omiyale has spent the last 2 seasons with the Carolina Panthers & might replace Roberto Garza as the team’s starting guard for next season.
I’ll be back tomorrow with a Day 2 Update of the NFL free agent frenzy!!!
I’d also like to thank everyone for the birthday wishes!!!
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