Busy Hours As Free Agency Opens
As usually happens, the first hours of the NFL’s free agency period has been plenty busy.
And the charge has been led by the normally penny-pinching Chicago Bears.
The McCaskey/Halas family has opened the lock box and in the first half-day of free agency the club has signed two of the biggest names in this year’s crop of unrestricted free agents: DE Julius Peppers (left) and RB Chester Taylor (center). They also signed big TE Brandon Manumaleuna (right).
Peppers got a six-year deal worth $40 million in the first three years. Taylor’s deal is for four years, $12.5 million with $7 million in guaranteed money. Manumaleuna signed a five-year deal with $5 million guaranteed dollars.
Another NFC North team was also active: the Detroit Lions. They signed DE Kyle Vanden Bosch to a four-year $26 million deal and also inked WR Nate Burleson to a five-year, $25 million deal with $11 million in guaranteed money.
CHIEFS UPDATE: Restricted free agents QB Brodie Croyle and LB Corey Mays received tender offers from the team before Thursday night’s deadline. Both were given contract offers for $1,759,000. If another team made them an offer and the Chiefs did not match, the signing team would have to forfeit a second-round choice.
Also, national websites are speculating that the Chiefs are one of three teams chasing a trade for Arizona WR Anquan Boldin that could be wrapped up today. New England and Baltimore were the other teams.
The National Football Post reports that OLB Mike Vrabel’s one-year contract with the Chiefs is worth $1.6 million in base salary and a $1.425 roster bonus. Last year, Vrabel’s base salary was $2.2 million.
Here’s an update on the signings and moves that were public at 3 o’clock Friday afternoon CST, some 16 hours into the free agency period:
- BRONCOS – re-signed G Russ Hochstein and WR Brandon Lloyd.
- BROWNS – reached a new contract with WR/KR/RB/QB Joshua Cribbs.
- CHARGERS – re-signed a pair of former Chiefs players DE Alphonso Boone and TE Kris Wilson.
- COLTS – re-signed LB Gary Brackett to a 5-year deal.
- DOLPHINS – released S Gibril Wilson.
- EAGLES – re-signed FB Leonard Weaver; 3-year deal worth $10 million.
- FALCONS – re-signed QB Chris Redman.
- LIONS – re-signed LB Vinny Ciurciu; signed DE Kyle Vanden Bosch.
- PANTHERS – released DT Ma’ake Kemoeatu and LBs Na’il Diggs and Landon Johnson.
- PATRIOTS – re-signed UFA LB Tully Banta-Cain, 3-year deal with $6 million signing bonus.
- RAMS – signed QB A.J. Feeley t o a two-year deal.
- REDSKINS – re-signed OL Mike Williams, DE Philip Daniels, LB Lorenzo Alexander and C Casey Rabach.
Would Mr. Kemo, Mr. Wilson, or Mr. Diggs be worth substantive consideration?
Boldin is a Raven.
Phuck.
Boo Ravens.
I think my favorite part of this update is Joshua Cribb’s position(s). Just sayin.
Was reading the “deal”…
Boldin and a 2010 fifth-round pick to Baltimore for Ravens 2010 third- and fourth-round picks. $28 million, 4-year deal.
That seems like a lot, actually. I’m beginning to feel a little better about us not signing him. I don’t want to give up picks unless it’s for a DOMINANT player. And the money seems like too much, also. I guess if he kicks ass, it would be worth it. But, what if he didn’t?
Just re-reading your article, Bob
“WR Nate Burleson to a five-year, $25 million deal with $11 million in guaranteed money.”
Isn’t that a TON of money for a pretty average WR?
I’m feeling better and better about our “non-moves”.
Guess so, but doubt Palko will help bring more than 4 wins next year. If “non-moves” is the thing, the Chiefs seem to have it down perfect/
It’s early, but it’s already starting to look bad, real bad, for Chiefs fans. Looks like Pioli is content to sit on his hands again, while the rest of the NFL actually tries to get better. I guess they believe the new coaches they brought in will transform the 4-12 players of last year into a winning team.
KC isn’t exactly the first place I imagine free agents think of to go; so, yes, I suppose the Chiefs would have to overpay for some of the higher profile guys to get them. It’s a risk, of course, but all acquisitions of players are a risk-free agency, trades, even in the draft. You have to take some chances to have a chance to improve. Boldin should be a Chief, period. Even Justin Banaan, probably the best NT available under who is not so old, was too much to ask for? The Broncos snagged him, while the Chiefs slept. And, where’s the signing of Chambers; that should have been done last week.
It’s sickening, and Chiefs fans should let the teams brass know it’s unacceptable. Pioli needs to wake up and do something.
ESPN’s John Claton said, over a week ago, some teams would chose to ignor free agency and be able to put around 30 million in the owners pocket.
I want to nominate Coach Haley for NFL coach of the year in 2010. If he can get 8 wins with two new coordinators and Palko and say 4 starter from the draft, he is the best coach in the history of the NFL. Sorry but this is a diaster because I do not believe you can go far in the playoffs with level 3 players as starters. As of today, what a mess.
Scott Pioli drops the ball again on Boldin. We have more available money than anyone and more draft picks available for him and still lose out to Baltimore (Ozzie Newsome is a better GM than Pioli so it makes sense). I could say that its all good because we have all the draft picks to come in and help but I saw Pioli draft last year and its as ugly as it gets. Unless we’re picking kickers he seems pretty incompitent. Unless you consider picking a mid first round player third overall a good thing… Sorry, now I’m just rambling…
I do not get it. Everyone take a moment and decide for your selves. Mad Chief feels better and better about our “non-moves”. How do you feel? Are non moves the way to get to the superbowl, heck, is it the way to get to 8-8 in 2010? I do not care if the Chiefs spend all their money and over pay every player on the roster, IT IS AN UNCAPPED YEAR. I want some better players than in 09 and not just thru the draft. I want to win more games this year than last, anyone feel we will win more games with Palko and Jackie Battle added to last years roster? Take a moment and tell me I am wrong.
I share some of your frustration, guys. I really do.
I’m trying to look at it this way…who was signed today that would have put us “over the top”? No one. Most of the guys signed today went for WAY too much money and too many years (on their contract).
Looks like we at least made some sort of an effort on Chester Taylor, Boldin, Walter, and Thomas Jones. But, there’s no sense throwing huge money at players that will probably not end up being worth it.
Look at what some of the guys that signed today got money-wise. Too damn much. Seriously…do you think Burleson and Boldin deserve to be at the top of the pay scale for WR’s in this league? I hardly think so. But they are now. Will Peppers be worth $91.5 million over 6 years…with a record $42 million guaranteed? $42 million if he never records another QB sack in his career. Come on. Is Antrel Rolle really worthy of being the highest paid Safety in NFL history? Because now, he is. Is Karlos Dansby worthy of being the highest paid Linebacker in the league? Because he is now.
So let’s just try to keep some perspective, guys.
WHO CARES HOW MUCH THE CHIEFS PAY/OVER PAY FOR PLAYERS. Are you their banker. I want winning bodies, not Palko or Battle. Neither one is going to put us over any top. You say we made an effort on Taylor, Boldin, Walter and Jones. You must be an Chiefs insider. The media has said on several site only Boldin trade had Chiefs involvement. So you know something not commonly known by any one else.
Perspective? I have no use for it. I want a better team than last year and not be left sitting with my thumb in my mouth wondering what the hell just happened to me.
The Bears owners are cheap????
And the Hunt’s are not???
We have been WAY under the cap for years!!!!
If you were a free agent would you want to go to a team with a reputation of being Cheap, and a coach that screams and humiliates you, and oh by the way – they have won 10 games in the last THREE YEARS!!!
Do what you have always done, and you will get what you always got. 4-12 in 2010.
Disaster. We are becoming the Lions. (Or are we already?)
el cid says:
“You say we made an effort on Taylor, Boldin, Walter and Jones. You must be an Chiefs insider. The media has said on several site only Boldin trade had Chiefs involvement. So you know something not commonly known by any one else.”
ArrowheadPride. NFL.com. ESPN. That’s some of my “insider information”. Need specific links to articles?
Good answer, I have since read Jones is still of interest. That said Taylor never left CHI, rumor has it Boldin’s agent and Pioli could not agree on contract and that is why we missed there. Walter and Jones to the best of my knowledge has never set foot in KC, kind of hard to sign someone you have not met with, just saying you are interested may not be enough.
But do you think Boldin was worth our (high) third round pick, and $8 million a year for four years?
Taylor wants to be “the man”, and thinks he can beat out Matt Forte. And probably will. He wouldn’t have had that option here.
FA just started 24 hours ago…these guys need a little time to “set foot” in any cities they may be interested in.
I tried to post the links to multiple articles…but it kept rejecting the comment due to “spam”. So, I quit.
Mad Chief, I understand what you’re saying, and I can agree to a certain extent. And, as I said, it’s still early, and Pioli still has chances to really improve this team. There are still a number of players I’d still like to see them get. They’re going to be mid-level guys, unless it’s though trades, but that can work, too.
We’ll see. I just don’t like the looks of it so far. Where is the urgency?
It bothers me that we hear the same thing every year. That player just costs too much; he won’t be worth it. Sometimes, many times, they’re not. Yet, you’ve been on the short end for too long, and you’re sitting there on a pile of money. Just getting one of these guys can be a catalyst for the organization and the fans. It shows an attitude, and I just thought Bolden, in particular, would have been a geat fit and pumped up everyone’s outlook. It might even make it easier to entice other players to come to KC. I thought Cassel was that kind of move, too. Maybe Pioli sitll has some things up his sleeve.
We’ll see.
El Cid, I totally disagree with MAd Chief. I think that it is this very dumbed down…”oh well we didn’t overpay” that leaves you with a sorry team yet again. Who cares about third and fourth round picks when you could have a solid bird in the hand reciever. I don’t get it? I think Boldin is worth more than a third and fourth round pick. Most of our third and fourth round picks are busts…heck half of our first rounders are busts.
The Ravens, are willing to pay to win. This is not a capped year, get the dang talent. I think it’s sorry. Any offer the Ravens made we should have made better. Boldin/Chambers/Bowe for wide outs. Synergy. Everybody starts getting open.
“Oh well, at least we didn’t use a draft pick”…..nonsense.
And Mad Chief, yes Boldin is worth a third round pick and 8 million dollars. I bet the Lions would hire someone with your mentality.
When Chris Chambers showed up we finally had 2 recievers to challenge the secondary. If we had Boldin in addition, I think we could have a had a consistent threat plus Charles out of the backfield.
I did not mean to be smart, but this is exactly what you have to do to win. I really think it’s just a couple of players all of the sudden the passing game is wide open, the running game is better, the defense isn’t on the field all game and doing better.
If that is not worth 8 million, why not issue a memorandum to the team that the Chiefs pay 8 bucks an hour, max. I think we blew it and it will cost us again. How come the Ravens who have less picks t his year, and more money tied into actual talent are willing to pay more than us?
I would have counter offerred a third round and all three of our fifth round picks. What value is there in “Draft picks”. They are shots in the dark. Boldin is Bank and we know it. Boldin and Haley had a relationship, and the Chiefs still couldn’t get it done…
8 million too much? Are you serious?
A third round pick?
All the money we are under capp…..This is sickening. 4-12 here we go again…
I would have payed Boldin 20 million in 2010 just to get him here. It’s a freaking uncapped year and we have won 10 games in three years……ARRRRR
Sorry for all the posts…..I am kinda pissed.
El Cid called it. If the chiefs owners aren’t lining their pockets who is? Clark Hunt, spend some money because you look like an Arse
My understanding is…it wasn’t just a 3rd…it was a 3rd…and a 4th…plus the cash…
That being said…Don Pioli was in the market at least versus having his head in the sand.
I’m not sure Boldin is necessarily the answer. However, we have a guy named Chambers who’s not been re-signed to this point. Another guy named Walters re-signed with his team while we were chasing Boldin. AND…our offensive line is still well…offensive.
Does it seem to anyone like it took us a long time to get our RFA’s tendered the other day and like we’re getting out-maneuvered a bit? I hope this isn’t the case – but is Don Pioli’s operation not as streamlined as it needs to be?
Last year I blasted coach Haley for being the wrong man. I was so wrong. Today, after a nites sleep, I wish him the best. If he saved any money yet, leave town, as in grab the money and run. Even with a good draft, not like one in 09, he will not win 4 games in 2010. And what if Pioli has another draft like last years, that is just too scary to think about.
How will the Chiefs spin two free agency periods where either they could not id needs or sign anyone who would improve the club? Just read my friend Mad Chiefs.