Free Agency, Day Nine

Another day, another dozen or so signings.

QB Tim Tebow acquired by Jets

The Jets acquired quarterback Tim Tebow and a seventh round pick from the Broncos in exchange for a fourth-round pick and sixth round pick.

I don’t understand why the Jets would make this move other than to make a headline. The Jets have already given Mark Sanchez a contract extension and he is expected to be their starting quarterback for the next two years. I guess they may work him in in packages, but it hardly seems like that’s worth the trade. For the Broncos, they got what they could for him. Not much else to say other than that.

Bengals sign RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis

The Bengals signed running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis to a three-year deal.

The Bengals had a need at running back so this move makes sense. But it also feels a lot like stop gap move. Green-Ellis is a good player, and young enough that he can still be a building block. However, it looks like the Bengals plan to keep him for the short-terms then go find another cheap free agent to replace him. I’d have preferred to see them draft their own runner but this isn’t a horrible signing to make. Just not a good philosophy to take in my opinion.

Buccaneers re-sign CB Ronde Barber

The Buccaneers re-signed cornerback Ronde Barber to a one-year deal.

The longtime Buc returns for one last hurrah. I like this signing, though more for sentiment than anything. Don’t; get me wrong, Barber can still play, though he would fit better as a nickel back now. I’m just glad to see him at least staying with the guys he’s always been with.

Bills re-sign S Bryan Scott, sign DE Mark Anderson

The Bills re-signed safety Bryan Scott to an undisclosed contract and signed defensive end Mark Anderson to a four-year deal worth $27.5 million with $8 million guaranteed.

The Bills wanted to retain Bryan Scott and were able to do so without much difficulty. As much as Scott thinks he’s worth on the open market, I think he found that his prospects were limited. Scott’s a fine run defender, but his coverage skills are not great. He works well as a hybrid safety/linebacker, but he’ll never be great.

I like the Mark Anderson signing. While he runs a little hot and cold as a pass rusher, his talent is undeniable. He’s played well in both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses and would be an excellent complement to Mario Williams on the other side. This will be augmented by the presence of Kyle Williams and Marcell Darues in the middle. This was a great pick up.

Saints sign DT Brodrick Bunkley

The Saints signed defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley to a five-year contract worth $25 million including $9 million guaranteed.

The Saints continue to look for the right defensive line combination to fix their ever-porous defensive front. I like Bunkley on the whole so I think this was a nice pickup, I’m just curious as to how they’re going to work him into their defensive front. Will he be replacing Sedrick Ellis or simply be playing next to. That is my only question related to this signing.

Colt sign OC Samson Satele

The Colts signed center Samson Satele to a three-year contract worth $10.8 Million dollars with $5 million dollars guaranteed.

The Colts have been making over the entire team and Samson Satele is a good smart center, though he does occasionally get over-whelmed by bigger and stronger defensive tackles. Still, he’s a good rock in the middle of the offensive line. I like this signing.

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Lions re-sign LB Ashlee Palmer, DT Andre Fluellen, LS Don Muhlbach. Sign CB Jacob Lacey

The Lions re-signed linebacker Ashlee Palmer to an undisclosed contract and defensive tackle Andre Fluellen and long snapper Don Muhlbach one-year contracts. They also signed cornerback Jacob Lacey to a one-year deal.

I like how busy the Lions got after they retained Stephen Tulloch. They know they had some holes to fill and other players to sign and they got those signings done.

Palmer is a special teams linebacker who has been with the Lions for a number of years. I expect him to continue in that role. Much the same can be said for Fluellen, a depth defensive tackle and Muhlbach, the long-snapper.

I can’t really say the same for Lacey though. He’s had starting experience with the Colts and could potentially replace Eric Wright either as the slot corner or as a starter. I think they’ll try and find a starting corner in the draft, but that’s just me. I like the signing as a whole.

Broncos sign WR Andre Caldwell

The Broncos signed wide receiver Andre Caldwell to a two-year deal.

After signing Peyton Manning, the Broncos have clearly focused on bringing in weapons for him to use. Caldwell has good speed and has worked well with an ever shifting array of quarterbacks. He should work well as a slot receiver.

Patriots sign CB Will Allen

The Patriots signed cornerback Will Allen to a one-year deal worth $975,000.

The reason for this signing I fairly obvious. Though he’s not going to be a great upgrade, he’ll at least compete.

Seahawks sign OT Frank Omiyale

The Seahawks signed offensive tackle Frank Omiyale to an undisclosed contract.

With the Seahawks having had a number of injuries issues hitting their team, getting more depth along the offensive line seems prudent. Granted, Omiyale is not a great back up, but he’ something.

Vikings sign OG Geoffrey Schwartz

The Vikings signed offensive guard Geoffrey Schwartz to a one-year deal.

The Vikings are in desperate need of offensive line help and Schwartz is a good, versatile player. He’s not going to really replace Steve Hutchinson, but as a stop-gap, he’s a good signing.

Raiders sign CB Pat Lee, re-sign OT Khalif Barnes

The Raiders signed cornerback Patrick Lee to a one-year deal. They also re-signed offensive tackle Khalif Barnes to a one-year, $2 million dollar deal.

Pat Lee, once thought to be the heir apparent to Charles Woodson or Al Harris, has become a strictly backup corner and special teams player. His value past those roles is limited.

Barnes has been a pretty good starter for the Raiders at right tackle so it made sense for the Raiders to get him back for another year.