Official 2009 NFL Free Agency Thread

[abpanther]

I figure better to keep all signings and news in one thread.

Free Agency officially begins this afternoon at 4pm, please post here any official signings (with links) or and visits planned, etc.

Plenty of rumours flying around, TJ to the Giants, Haynesworth to the Skins, etc. Will be interesting (and mind boggling) to see the $ thrown around.

 

[coach]

Redskins Going After Haynesworth

From Jason Reid and Jason La Canfora of The Washington Post:

The Washington Redskins plan to pursue Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth if he becomes a free agent tomorrow — though it appears their salary cap situation might prevent them from signing the Pro Bowl performer — and hope to reach a contract agreement with cornerback DeAngelo Hall before the market opens, NFL sources said yesterday.

The Redskins also have significant interest in Dallas defensive end Chris Canty, according to league sources, who would be a far less expensive alternative to Haynesworth, and are seeking upgrades along the offensive line, though likely only by pursuing second-tier free agents.

League tampering rules prohibit teams from beginning the process of signing free agents before 12:01 a.m. tomorrow. But the sources, who requested anonymity because of the rules, said owner Daniel Snyder and Vinny Cerrato, Washington’s executive vice president of football operations, have already laid the groundwork to attempt to acquire Haynesworth, considered the top defensive player who could become available. Another option being considered by the team is Canty, a versatile end who can play the run and pass rush from the interior on third downs.

The team would have the wherewithal to sign only one of those defensive linemen given its limited cap room. The Redskins regard Haynesworth — who reportedly wants to be the league’s highest-paid defensive player — as one of only a few impact players capable of raising the play of the entire defense. Tennessee, Atlanta, Detroit and Tampa Bay are other teams that have Haynesworth atop their wish lists, according to league sources, with most of those clubs having exponentially more cap space than the Redskins with which to complete deals.

 

[abpanther]

Redskins Going After Haynesworth

From Jason Reid and Jason La Canfora of The Washington Post:

The Washington Redskins plan to pursue Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth if he becomes a free agent tomorrow — though it appears their salary cap situation might prevent them from signing the Pro Bowl performer — and hope to reach a contract agreement with cornerback DeAngelo Hall before the market opens, NFL sources said yesterday.

The Redskins also have significant interest in Dallas defensive end Chris Canty, according to league sources, who would be a far less expensive alternative to Haynesworth, and are seeking upgrades along the offensive line, though likely only by pursuing second-tier free agents.

League tampering rules prohibit teams from beginning the process of signing free agents before 12:01 a.m. tomorrow. But the sources, who requested anonymity because of the rules, said owner Daniel Snyder and Vinny Cerrato, Washington’s executive vice president of football operations, have already laid the groundwork to attempt to acquire Haynesworth, considered the top defensive player who could become available. Another option being considered by the team is Canty, a versatile end who can play the run and pass rush from the interior on third downs.

The team would have the wherewithal to sign only one of those defensive linemen given its limited cap room. The Redskins regard Haynesworth — who reportedly wants to be the league’s highest-paid defensive player — as one of only a few impact players capable of raising the play of the entire defense. Tennessee, Atlanta, Detroit and Tampa Bay are other teams that have Haynesworth atop their wish lists, according to league sources, with most of those clubs having exponentially more cap space than the Redskins with which to complete deals.

The Nashville Tennessean believes Albert Haynesworth may only be using the Redskins to drive up the free agent's price tag.

The Washington Post was skeptical at first too. The 'Skins don't currently have the cap space to offer a monster contract, so they would have to do some serious tinkering to pull it off.
Source: Nashville Tennessean

per Rotoworld

 

[coach]

Dallas have cut quarterback Brad Johnson. I can see all the teams lining up to sign him.

 

[dragonfire]

when i get home from work the biggest signing i want to see is Vilma resigns with the Saints

 

[Jono078]

Some things i've read are;

T.J Housmenzadah WR - Bengals
Sage Rosenfels QB - Vikings (apparently just landed in Minnesota via plane)
Drew Bennett WR - Vikings
Kurt Warner QB - Failed to agree on a deal with the Cardinals, this could be interesting.

I thought it started already but nothing had happened, so about 4pm this afternoon we can expect something.

 

[Tom155]

Gibril Wilson Signs With Miami

 

[abpanther]

The Eagles, Giants, and Bears have reportedly emerged as the front-runners to sign T.J. Houshmandzadeh.


The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that as many as eight teams could be in the hunt. At 31, there's some age risk associated with Housh, but he's earned a big contract as one of the league leaders in receptions over the past five years.
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer

 

[abpanther]

So far,

CB DeAngelo Hall re-signed by the Skins
RBs Buckhalter and JJ Arrington to be signed by Broncos pending physicals
C Jason Brown and LB Bart Scott to visit the Rams
Skins pursuing DL Chris Canty
Giants pursuing LB Boley
FB RIchardson re-signs with Jets

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Buffalo have released G Derrick Dockery and TE Ropbert Royal, very very interesting...

Rumors have it that we're gunning for a certain restricted Tight End who is only 26 and a probowler......

However knowing Buffalo we'll probably sign some backup from the Lions super squad of last season and parade it like its Haynesworth lol

 

[abpanther]

Haynesworth to the Skins, $100 million contract with $41 million guaranteed!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jdizzle]

Haynesworth to the Skins, $100 million contract with $41 million guaranteed!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh my god they have overpaid,

 

[Tom155]

Haynesworth 100 Million Dollar Deal With Redskins
Link: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/02/27/redskins-sign-albert-haynesworth-to-100-million-deal/

 

[kurt faulk]

Haynesworth to the Skins, $100 million contract with $41 million guaranteed!!!!!!!!!!!!

7 years aye.

in reality it's probably a 4 year $50m contract.

.

 

[Jono078]

T J Hous.. was on some NFL radio and said he wanted to play for either the Giants, Eagles or Vikings, he really wants to play with Adrian Peterson which would allow him to be 1 on 1 most of the time which he likes.

Interesting to see if the Vikings make a play for him.

 

[Selachimorpha]

Daniel Snyder is already responsible for several of the worst contracts in NFL history, but he's really outdone himself today. He should just put his money in a big pile and set it on fire, it'll be a lot quicker and the end result will be the same as giving it all to Hall & Haynesworth.

 

[Big Tim]

It may be worth combining this thread with the sticky at the top of the page. Just rename the sticky to 2009 or something.

Big news for the Skins..... I wonder if Jason Taylor will be coming back?

 

[abpanther]

Other news;

- Browns have traded TE Kellen Winslow to Tampa Bay for draft picks
- Patriots have traded LB Mike Vrabel to Kansas City for draft picks.
- Broncos have signed S Renaldo Hill and WR Jabar Gaffney, on verge of signing S Brian Dawkins
- Jets have signed LB Bart Scott
- Titans have re-signed QB Kerry Collins
- Saints have re-signed LB Johnathan Vilma
- Lions have signed RB Maurice Morris
- 49ers have signed FB Noran Morris and LB Takeo Spikes

 

[jdizzle]

The Patriots also signed Fred Taylor.

Signing Taylor and trading Vrabel off is a fantastic start to 2009 for the Pats. As much as I love Vrabel and will always love how he has played for us, he was extremely ineffective in 2008 coming off the edge. His cap hit didn't warrant his place.

All we need to do now is trade Cassel off. Draft Currie and sign a good CB and safety.

 

[jdizzle]

There is talk that the trade with Vrabel includes Cassel. If true, that clears up $20mil of cap room, enough to pick up Vilma or Ray Lewis....