ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Cleveland Browns will match the five-year, $42 million offer sheet the Jacksonville Jaguars signed veteran center, Alex Mack to.
“Well that didn’t take long: Browns are matching Jacksonville’s offer sheet for C Alex Mack. Cleveland keeps Mack, per source,” Schefter wrote.
Mack will receive $26 million in guaranteed money from the Browns.
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A few days after the Jets signed Michael Vick, the Philadelphia Eagles have signed former Jets QB Mark Sanchez.
Sanchez will have to pass a physical in order for the deal to actually go through. He will in all likely be the number 2 QB, backing up Nick Foles who took the league by storm last season. It’s a win-win for both parties as the Eagles will have a solid backup QB and Sanchez will be getting paid to hold the clipboard.
We’ll see what happens in the future.
All the big name free agents are being signed but a few a still out there. Here is another recap by Sam Spiegelman from XNSports.com of the most interesting signings throughout day 4 of free agency.
Wide Receiver
Another wide receiver on the move in Hakeem Nicks, who has a chance to bounce back from back-to-back disappointing campaigns with his new team, the Indianapolis Colts. The ex-Giants wideout signed a one-year deal worth $3.5 million to haul in passes from Andrew Luck.
The veteran Steve Smith didn’t waste any time finding a new home. Smith proved the rumors were true when he inked a three-year, $11 million pact to join the Baltimore Ravens. Smith promised “blood and guts” whenever he faces his former club. The Ravens host the Carolina Panthers at M&T Stadium this coming season.
Tight End
A pair of Tier 2 tight ends, Andrew Quarless and Scott Chandler, both re-signed with their clubs. The Green Bay Packers re-upped with Quarless on a two-year, $3 million deal, likely making fellow tight end Jermichael Finley expendable. Chandler did the same with the Buffalo Bills for two years.
Offensive Tackle
“The Blindside” is coming back to its roots. Ex-Ravens tackle Michael Oher agreed to a multiyear deal with the Tennessee Titans and will now protect Jake Locker‘s blindside. The contract is believed to be worth $20 million over four years, including $9.5 million in guaranteed money. Oher’s tenure in Baltimore was seemingly over once the team traded for Eugene Monroe, then handed him a big-money deal earlier in the week.
Another tackle changing jerseys is Anthony Collins, who joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a five-year, $30 million deal. The Bucs released longtime tackle Donald Penn, who played 112 games in Tampa, to create space for Collins.
Center
The center market got some action Friday when Evan Dietrich-Smith signed a four-year, $14.25 million deal to also head to Tampa. Dietrich-Smith was Pro Football Focus’ No. 8 center last season with the Packers.
Defensive End
The long-awaited signing of Julius Peppers finally transpired, as the Pro Bowl end opted to stay in the Chicago Bears’ division to join the Packers on a three-year pact. The deal reportedly including $7.5 million in guaranteed dough and could max out at $30 million in his first season.
The latest veteran linemen to join the Oakland Raiders in Antonio Smith. The ex-Texans end signed a two-year, $9 million deal, and will now play alongside LaMarr Woodley and Justin Tuck, both of whom signed with Oakland earlier in the week.
Defensive Tackle
B.J. Raji opted to re-up with Green Bay for another season. He signed a $4 million deal for the 2014 season and now probably regrets not taking the long-term offer the team extended him last offseason.
Elsewhere, Vance Walker signed a three-year, $13 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, and ex-Steeler Ziggy Hood agreed to a four-year, $16 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Linebacker
The Buffalo Bills nabbed a pair of linebackers Friday in the form of Brandon Spikes and Keith Rivers. The ex-Patriot, Spikes, signed on for one year at $3.25 million, while the veteran Rivers agreed to a two-year, $4.05 million contract.
Daryl Smith re-upped with the Ravens for four more years as well.
Cornerback
Despite all of the confusion, Brandon Browner finally came to the terms with the New England Patriots on a three-year, $17 million deal. Browner joins Darrelle Revis as the new starting corners for New England, but will miss the first four games of the season due to suspension.
After day 3 of free agency, teams are starting to find out what they will need in the draft more and more after the key free agents are being signed away. This day 3 recap of the key free agents to sign with other teams or stay with their own is from writer Sam Spiegelman.
Day 3 of NFL free agency could not rival that of Days 1 or 2, as there were no DeMarcus Wares or Darrell Revises or Eric Deckers available. Still, there were major re-signings and changing of uniforms on the defensive side of the ball. Here’s the Day 3 roundup:
Tight Ends
After flirting with the New York Jets and reportedly nearing a deal, Brandon Pettigrew opted to re-up with the Detroit Lions in an offense that now includes Golden Tate alongside Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush. Pettigrew was one of the best tight ends available after Jimmy Graham received the franchise tag and Dennis Pitta re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens.
Defensive End
Longtime New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck will no longer be filming Subway commercial in the Big Apple. After giving New York a chance to match any contract offers he received, Tuck signed with the Oakland Raiders on a two-year, $11 million pact. Tuck, 31, had 9.5 sacks in the final six games.
Defensive Tackle
Jason Hatcher switched allegiances yesterday when he traded in his Dallas Cowboys uniform for the Burgundy and Gold. Hatcher, who led all defensive tackles with 11 sacks a season ago, signed with the Washington Redskins. Not only does it strengthen the Skins defense, but weakens that of the Cowboys who lost all of its defensive linemen from 2013.
Linebacker
Joining Tuck on the Raiders’ defense is another former Pro Bowler, LaMarr Woodley. The former Pittsburgh Steelers standout, who was a cap casualty earlier in the week, will be a part of the new-look Raiders after inking a two-year, $12 million deal. Woodley will play right defensive end — not outside linebacker — and Tuck will slide into the left end spot.
Cornerback
One thing we know for sure is Brandon Browner did not officially sign a contract Thursday. Others, however, did.
Former Carolina Panthers corner Captain Munnerlyn has agreed to a three-year, $11.25 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Considered one of the best nickel corners in the league, Munnerlyn enjoyed a breakout campaign last season in his first as a starter.
The Vikings weren’t done there. They also signed former San Diego Chargers Derek Cox to a one-year deal. Cox was considered a disappointing with San Diego after failing to play up to the $20 million contract he signed last offseason. At 27 years old, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer probably believes he can straighten Cox out.
After a crazy first day of free agency in the NFL, ESPN takes a look at what are the most significant signings of day 2 and what they mean.
Broncos bolster their defense
The Denver Broncos have now signed defensive end DeMarcus Ware, cornerback Aqib Talib and safety T.J. Ward already this offseason. The attempt to improve the defense should come as no surprise as the Broncos’ pass defense let them down the past two postseasons, especially when bringing standard pressure.Ware should pair nicely with Von Miller. Miller has recorded the sixth-most most sacks since entering the NFL in 2011. Ware has recorded the third-most in that time.
The duo shouldn’t have to worry about getting in each other’s way. Miller has recorded 83 percent of his sacks when lining up as a left-side linebacker or defensive end. In the last six seasons, Ware has recorded 72 percent of his sacks when lining up on the right side.
The Broncos ranked 19th in sack percentage last season, a year removed from leading the NFL.
Darrelle Revis to the Patriots
As expected, the Buccaneers cut cornerback Darrelle Revis, who didn’t have the same impact with the Buccaneers that he did with the Jets. Within hours, he agreed to a deal with the New England Patriots, who needed a cornerback after losing Talib to the Broncos.But how effective will Revis be?
From 2008 to 2012, when Revis was on the field, opposing quarterbacks completed only 56 percent of their passes and had a Total QBR of 38.9.
When Revis played in 2013, Buccaneers opponents completed 65 percent of their throws and had a Total QBR of 67.1.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed quarterback Josh McCown, and new head coach Lovie Smith immediately announced he’d be the starting quarterback heading into training camp. McCown led the NFL in Total QBR last season, posting an 85.1 in eight games (encompassing 269 action plays), largely because of his 13 to 1 touchdown to interception ratio. The Buccaneers ranked 24th with a 41.3 Total QBR last season.Aided by the presence of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey, McCown was 17 for 36 with four touchdown passes on throws at least 16 yards downfield Tthe league average completion percentage on such throws was around 40 percent). He also was solid on short throws, completing 72 percent of passes thrown fewer than 10 yards downfield (league average: 68 percent)
Seahawks lose a key offensive piece
Former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate signed with the Detroit Lions. Tate was targeted 183 times by Russell Wilson last season (including playoffs), 44 times more than the next highest Seahawk.Tate also led all wide receivers (minimum 50 receptions) with an average of 7.8 yards after the catch.
On defense, the Seahawks released Chris Clemons. He’s the third defensive linemen who ranked among their top seven in snaps played last season to be cut by Seattle.
Browns prepping to draft a quarterback
The Browns released Jason Campbell and Brandon Weeden, who combined to start 13 games last season. That leaves Brian Hoyer and Alex Tanney as the only quarterbacks left on their roster.The Browns pick fourth and 26th overall this year, and if they take a quarterback with either pick, it’ll be the third time since 2007 they’d have taken a quarterback in the first round. The Browns are the only team to take multiple quarterbacks in the first round since 2007.
How bad have the Browns been at drafting?
In 2012 the Browns used two first-round picks to select running back Trent Richardson (third overall) and quarterback Brandon Weeden (22nd overall). Both players are no longer with the Browns.
A.J. Jenkins is the only other first-rounder from 2012 who is no longer with the team that drafted him.
The new NFL league year began on Tuesday with a ton of moves being made within the first couple minutes. Here is a basic recap of the most important things that happened by journalist Jonathan Webb:
The first day of the NFL’s free agency period was met with a bevy of early moves, but the Rams stood pat at least in the short term.
The only Rams-related news Tuesday involved G/T Rodger Saffold, who agreed to a five-year contract with the Oakland Raiders, and CB Cortland Finnegan, who was released following two seasons in St. Louis. Saffold had expressed a likelihood of him leaving St. Louis early in the week, and that sentiment was confirmed with his signing, which will net him an average of $8.5 million per season.
Finnegan’s release had been anticipated for roughly a week, and allows the Rams to avoid a potential $10 million salary cap hit tied to Finnegan for 2014.
Tuesday was a particularly busy day for the NFC West.
Arizona bolstered their offensive line by signing T Jared Veldheer to a five-year, $37.5 million contract. The Cardinals’ decision to add to their offensive line was an expected one, and was emphasized by Head Coach Bruce Arians in the weeks leading up to Tuesday.
San Francisco acquired QB Blaine Gabbert, a St. Louis native, in a trade with Jacksonville in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick. A former 10th overall draft choice, Gabbert received just three starts in 2013, with his final appearance of the year coming in St. Louis in Week 5, a 34-20 Rams win. Additionally, the 49ers released CB Carlos Rodgers, and signed S Antoine Bethea, who has been named to two Pro Bowls in his eight previous seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.
Instead of looking outside the organization for 2014 upgrades, Seattle used Tuesday to secure members of last year’s Super Bowl-winning roster. The Seahawks resigned Michael Bennett to a four-year, $28.5 million deal, and also agreed to terms with TE Anthony McCoy. The Seahawks will reportedly meet with TE Jermichael Finley, who is arguably the top pass-catcher among free agents at his position.
While Tuesday was particularly busy for free agent offensive linemen and safeties, among the key free agents remaining is S Jairus Byrd, who reportedly was set to meet with New Orleans Tuesday evening. Corners Aqib Talib and Alterraun Verner also remained on the market Tuesday. In addition to an ample supply of defensive backs, DE DeMarcus Ware became the top pass-rusher available when he was released by the Dallas Cowboys Tuesday, followed by DE Jared Allen and DE Julius Peppers, who was released by the Chicago Bears Tuesday evening.
The signing flurry left much of the receiver free agent class untouched, including Denver’s Eric Decker and Seattle’s Golden Tate. Defensive tackles Jason Hatcher and Henry Melton also were unsigned on Tuesday.
According to ESPN’s John Clayton, 26 unrestricted free agents agreed to terms with new contracts within the first 90 minutes of Tuesday’s opening of the new NFL season.
The Rams were a notable exception from that flurry of activity, electing—for at least a day—to stand pat.
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