Day#1 Brings Big $ … Weekend Cup O’Free Agents
Lions head coach Jim Schwartz was on an airplane to Nashville and knocked on DE Kyle Vanden Bosch’s door a minute after midnight. Bears head coach Lovie Smith flew late Thursday night to Charlotte, where the Bears picked up DE Julius Peppers and gave him a ride back to Chicago.
And in Pittsburgh, the Steelers coaching staff was preparing for a trip to a ski resort in the nearby Laurel Highlands for a weekend bonding experience.
Such was the first day of free agency in the 2010 NFL season. Some teams were busy, some teams were focused and some teams were waxing their skies and packing turtlenecks, unfazed by the unrestricted free agent class that became available on Friday.
The big winner financially was Peppers (right), who signed a six-year deal with the Bears that’s worth at the top end $91.5 million. He may not see that figure, but the defensive end will get $42 million guaranteed and $40.5 million in the first three years of the deal. Remember when the Vikings signed Jared Allen two years ago as part of the trade with the Chiefs for the defensive end. Allen at the time got the biggest contract for a defensive player in NFL history: six years, $74 million and $31 million in guaranteed money. Peppers deal leaves Allen’s contract in the dust.
As usually happens in the first days of free agency, the cream was immediately scraped from the top of the free-agent market. Vanden Bosch, Peppers, RB Chester Taylor (Bears), LB Karlos Dansby-left (Dolphins), S Antrel Rolle (Giants), CB Dunta Robinson (Falcons), WR Kevin Walter (Texans) and WR Nate Burleson (Lions) were all taken off the market in less than 24 hours.
The Bears were busy in free agency like they’ve never been before, signing Peppers, Taylor and TE Brandon Manumaleuna to deals totaling $121 million and $55 million in guaranteed money. Their roommate in the NFC North in Detroit was busy as well, signing Vanden Bosch and WR Nate Burleson.
And then there were teams like the Steelers, unwilling to mix it up in the first days of the UFA fight. They’ll wait with a host of other teams for the second wave of more price-worthy free agents.
Of the league’s 32 teams, 12 did not sign a player on the first day of free agency. There were 11 other teams that signed only their own free agents players. That left the other nine teams creating all the activity in signing or trading for players: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Miami, New York Giants, New York Jets and St. Louis. The Ravens and Jets were the teams involved in trades, with CB Antonio Cromartie leaving San Diego for the Big Apple. Then, WR Anquan Boldin was swapped by Arizona to the Baltimore for draft picks.
The Chiefs were one of those 11 teams that signed only their own player, RB Jackie Battle. The NFL rumor mill had them in the sweepstakes for Boldin. Reportedly they were interested in WR Kevin Walter as well, but he re-signed with Houston.
Among the Chiefs free agents, OL Wade Smith made a visit to Buffalo and will also head to Houston. Reportedly Washington is interested in TE Sean Ryan.
The big scores went to defensive players when it came to guaranteed dollars. Peppers ended up with $42 million, Dansby pulled in $22 million, Rolle got $15 million and Vanden Bosch signed for $10 million in locked in money.
Those numbers do not include DT Vince Wilfork (right), who signed a long-term contract with the Patriots, who had named him their franchise player. Wilfork got $25 million in guaranteed money.
Here’s the update on all the movement on the roster in the last day:
- BEARS – signed UFA DE Julius Peppers (Panthers) to a 6-year contract, $91.5 million with $42 million in guaranteed money and 40.5 million paid out in the first three years; signed UFA RB Chester Taylor (Vikings) to a 4-year, $12.5 million deal with $7 million in guaranteed money; signed UFA TE Brandon Manumaleuna (Chargers) to a 5-year, contract with $5 million guaranteed.
- BILLS – re-signed veteran SS Bryan Scott.
- BRONCOS – signed UFA DT Justin Bannan (Ravens) to a four-year contract; signed UFA CB Nathan Jones (Dolphins); 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.
- CHIEFS – re-signed RB Jackie Battle.
- COLTS – re-signed LB Gary Brackett to a 5-year, $33 million deal with $12 million in guaranteed dollars; released DE Raheem Brock and QB Jim Sorgi.
- DOLPHINS – signed UFA LB Karlos Dansby (Cardinals) to a 5-year, $43 million contract with $22 million in guaranteed dollars and $27 million paid in the first three seasons; re-signed QB Chad Pennington; released S Gibril Wilson and LBs Joey Porter and Akin Ayodele.
- EAGLES – re-signed FB Leonard Weaver; 3-year deal worth $11 million and $6.5 million in guaranteed money; will release LB Will Witherspoon.
- FALCONS – signed UFA CB Dunta Robinson (Texans) to a 6-year deal; re-signed QB Chris Redman.
- GIANTS – signed UFA S Antrel Rolle (Cardinals) to a 5-year, $37 million deal with $15 million in guaranteed money and some $22.5 million paid out over the first three years.
- JETS – released RB Thomas Jones and CB Donald Strickland.
- LIONS – re-signed LB Vinny Ciurciu, OT Jon Jansen and TE Will Heller; signed UFA DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (Titans) to a 4-year $26 million contract with $10 million in guaranteed dollars; released DT Grady Jackson.
- PACKERS – re-signed LT Chad Clifton to a 3-year, $20 million deal with $7.5 million in guaranteed dollars; released S Matt Giordano and DE Michael Montgomery.
- PANTHERS – released DT Ma’ake Kemoeatu and LBs Na’il Diggs and Landon Johnson.
- PATRIOTS – re-signed franchise player DT Vince Wilfork to a 5-year, $40 million contract with $25 million in guaranteed money; re-signed UFA LB Tully Banta-Cain, 3-year deal with $6 million signing bonus; re-signed UFA Stephen Neal to a 2-year deal.
- RAIDERS – re-signed OT Khalif Barnes.
- RAMS – signed UFA QB A.J. Feeley to a 2-year deal for $6 million; released TE Derek Fine.
- RAVENS – made a deal with the Cardinals, acquiring WR Anquan Boldin and Arizona’s 5th-round selection for Baltimore’s 3rd and 4th-round choices in the 2010 NFL Draft. Boldin signed a 3-year, $25 million extension with $10 million in new guaranteed money.
- REDSKINS – re-signed OL Mike Williams, DE Philip Daniels, LB Lorenzo Alexander and C Casey Rabach.
- TEXANS – re-signed WR Kevin Walter to a 5-year, $21 million contract.
One of 11 teams that only signed their own player. The Bears spent 55 and 110 million dollars on deals, and we couldn’t pay 8 for Boldin for a team 4-12. Disgusting.
Wow, the Bears spend 150 million in free agency and we dont want to spend 8. With a roster full of holes and 10 wins in three seasons, the Chiefs and Clark Hunt don’t want to bring any players in?
Brandon MArshall is still out there so maybe a miracle will happen and Clark Hunt will drop a nickel in the fan bucket so we can win more than 4 games for the first time in three years. That way he can keep stringing us along and not bringing in talent while we still pay for the chiefs to play.
I know you dont win in free agency usually, but lets face it, the Chiefs are going to suck again next year. We have so many holes and under the cap by so much that ESPN is making fun of the Chiefs. How are we supposed to get better when we resign Jackie Battle and MIke Vrabel? he was good 4-5 years ago. He’s not a postive on this team as far as on the field. Locker room? maybe, but producing on the field? nope.
We win 6 games tops in 2010. We just dont have the talent to compete week in and week out.
I’ll tell ya, fellas. The only thing that made me sad was that we missed out on Kevin Walter. It seems that the free agent class is pretty slim this year. I’m gonna wait until after the draft to throw in the towel on next season. Any thoughts on Jamal Williams? Not a huge move, but he could help for a year or two.
Some guy on the NFL-N might have the right take on teams like the Chiefs when he said, “You can’t buy your way out of a hole if you’re a team with many of them”. He went on to say that the only way out is younger players, fresher legs, better coaching and building through the draft.
His point, (I was listening to the Sirius 7pm feed in my car so I couldn’t identify the author of said comments), was that good to excellent teams, those on the brink of breaking through to elite status, could afford to spend big to add a piece or two whereas the re-building teams need many pieces to shore up its foundation.
I see the wisdom of that comment. The larger question remains for the Chiefs as it relates to the timeline for getting the foundation solid? This 2010 draft should tell the tale as that faraway gonging noise in the background is either signaling the arrival of a team on the rise, or, (gulp) the death knell of one relegated to another bottom feeding franchise that’s lost its way.
I too think we should build thru the draft and maybe at some point we can bring in an impact free agent to put us over the top, hopefully the next year or two will bear fruit for this team. Thanks again for an excellent article.
“They’ll wait with a host of other teams for the second wave of more price-worthy free agents.”
Like it or not, and I know some of you don’t…. that’s where the Chiefs fit in.
Chicago has lots of money to spend. Remember, they don’t have any picks in the first two rounds of the draft. They spent them on Cutler last year.
Dansby and Rolle are good players, yes. But neither are the best at their position…yet they are now the highest paid at their position. Same goes for Peppers. He’ll get $42 million if he never makes another sack in his career. Are these guys really THAT good? Or just at the top of a poor FA class?
And, what’s going to happen to some of these spend-happy teams if the salary cap comes back next year?
We all want our team to be better. The disagreement comes on how to get there. I’ll get
through it by repeating to myself, “Scott Pioli is smarter than I am, Scott Pioli is smarter than I am”.
Ahhh Jackie “Fumbles” Battle what a coup
Got to agree with Thunderchief on this one. Now if only the Chiefs could forfeit the next 32 games and get some more really high draft picks. We will have that “solid” foundation. Of course, the stadium will be empty and there were be no reason for sites like this because we will be waiting for 4-5 years for a team to be put together.
No matter how you cut it, the Chiefs will bank million for the owner, Hunt happy. Pioli is a genius without showing his hand. Poor coach Haley will caught all the heat while the Chiefs continue to be a doormat for the league. But some of us can “enjoy” the ride or worry about player salaries, how wonderful for them. Some even worry about the next cap, I bet Palko and Battle will not effect anyone salary cap, so all is good.
“And, what’s going to happen to some of these spend-happy teams if the salary cap comes back next year?”
Honestly – “not much” – the strategies that in the past were taboo – paying actual salary in year 1, don’t apply for 2010 season…so if you throw $10-mill. at a guy in 2010…who cares? there’s no cap. Unless the new CBA is agreed to soon, complete with retroactive cap figures to apply, it’s a non-issue. In 2011, the salary numbers would be expected to be markedly more conservative. No doubt teams are smart and contracts are being structured that way. That’s also why you see a bunch of players unhappy since they don’t get to cash in.
You cant build a team with as many holes as the Chiefs have solely thru the draft ( see kc royals)they tell you free agency is a crap shoot (the draft isnt ? )how many stud players do we have from the last five drafts ,and you dont have to over pay draft choices ? (see Bowe ,Dorsey , Jackson ) the only name for this game is CHEAP .
“Dansby and Rolle are good players, yes. But neither are the best at their position…”
And, although they might well be better than what’s on our roster…they’re also not Chiefs. We won’t have to worry about rooting for them wearing our jersey this season. Everyone raised the expectations based on the arrival of the new GM and new HC – so – since Pioli’s got his staff supposedly – “From Pioli in 2010 – I expect more.”
What level of responsibility do our HC and new coordinators have in identifying needs and coordinating with the “seasoned” GM? We supposedly have our ducks in a row better since they’ve been hired much earlier this season.
You think fans in Pittsburgh are whining like this??
Matter of fact they have been WINNING like this.
My patience is running thin but I still have some left. I’ll reserve my right to complain AFTER week 8.
Oh by the way, apparently Miami gets one of our draft picks, and the Colts get our lineman Mr. Alleman.
“The only thing that made me sad was that we missed out on Kevin Walter.”
Mr. Pioli seems to be about 1/2 step behind so far in 2010 FA. If you snooze, you lose…? I’m not impressed.
“You think fans in Pittsburgh are whining like this??”
Multiple Super Bowl rings tend to buy a little bit of leniency. Since this fan base hasn’t seen a Chiefs playoff win in quite some time, but we’re still rooting for this team…buying merchandise etc., we’ve probably earned a right to say something.
Mad Chief ……I got to hand it to you…..the house could be on fire….but …..nothing….. but love from you.I hope your faith pays off but after 40yrs I’ve taken the blinders off & now I can see.
Heaven love you Dean because I do not. Week 8, any hope for the season is shot. How many thousands do I send to the Chiefs waiting for your 8th week. How many years does Pioli get to prove himself with the Chiefs? As for me, I am wearing out. If you think, really think, the Chiefs are a stronger team with the addition of Palko and Battle, I am lost.
If I have to type in my name everytime I well be anonymous from now on .Whats up with that.
Mad Chief …….Do you work for the Chiefs ??????? Maybe in the PR department or you looking for a job in that department ????? Wait your Pioli’s brother……..or your real name is Bill Parcell
I just realized something. Think of all the “big name” free agents that were signed, millions and millions spent, new contracts, players had to leave their homes and travel to new cities. Just consider what happened the first day.
Now consider what the Chiefs valued and achieved in the same time period. Palko, how many cities did he visit?, did other clubs value him so much that the Chiefs had, just had to sign him so quickly, sort of like Peppers in Chicago, they would not let him visit other, just shoveled the money. I guess Palko is the equalivate of Peppers to Chi. And how about Battle, was the NY teams just begging him to visit? What a joke, right?
“What a joke, right?”
Let’s be balanced though – they were in the running for Boldin. If they continue to fail to address the areas of need, then tarring and feathering might be very appropriate.
El Cid ……I have the feeling we share our belief in the chiefs.You must be a longtime fan….it starts to wear on you after so many years.I have to see it to believe it now.
I wish clark had told us he could only afford either a team or a stadium I would have chosen a team .
Enjoyed reading all the posts this morning. Yesterday was tough for all of us big name, big money fans. We want these players to get us excited & re-energized for the upcoming season.
Missing out on Boldin was particularly painful for me… 3rd & 4th round pick, 8 mill a yr. I could live with that.
I’m counting on Scott Pioli “pulling a rabbit out of his proverbial hat”. Actually I’m sure he is working on a deal that will have us talking about it for weeks. Most will Love it, some won’t.
I have personally come to realize the emotional ties for our beloved Chiefs has us all on a stressful rollercoaster ride. Year, after year, after year we are hoping to get better each & every one of those years. In the end win a Superbowl every 10 or 15 years or better yet a dynasty of 3 SB wins in 10 yrs.
We’ve got this new thing going on with the owner, GM, coaches & players. Think about what I am about to say. Most everything about the 2010 Chiefs is less than 3 years old. Now let that soak in for a moment. Heck even Arrowhead seems new, training camp in St. Joe. WTF. no wonder we are all uptight & whining.
I’ll tell you all one thing that is alot older than 3. Thats us… The fans… & we have had it up to here with all this mamby pamby football team being regurgitated out of 1 arrowhead Dr. year after year. We want our “just reward”, don’t we.
Lastly, I’ll be my normal optimistic self & say this. I sincerely believe this 3 yr. old organization is going in the right direction & our “just reward” is around the corner.
Go Chiefs.
You know what is said here and other sites means little to the Chiefs organization and probably for the best. We are a vocal minority no matter what our position.
What will be interesting is what happens at Arrowhead this year. Newly remodelled, high dollar suites and all that money from tax payers and owner. After this draft, how will the Chiefs SELL the team to the public. Many will be satisfied with just having a team in KC. But most of those are not season ticket holders. Let me tell you in my area there is an undercurrent. It was strong against carl and wasted on a management who did not listen. It seemed different last year. We did not have all the facts of 09 but next fall it will be interesting to see how it shows itself. Pioli is on a shorter string than carl, his pedigree and how the Hunts sold him does not give much wiggle room. 5 years is too long, he has to start making a move now, actually yesterday. Draft is coming but my expectation are pretty low, once again the ownership does not listen or care, I am afraid.
Anonymous,
“Nothing but love”? No, not quite. I just try to focus on the positive. I just don’t see the “house on fire” that some people do. I still happen to think our team is in capable hands…and that we’re heading in the right direction. Others don’t see it that way. That’s cool. I understand where they’re coming from. We’ve been watching the same team, after all. And we all want the same thing…for our team to be good again. The disagreements come from the method of getting there. Or if we ever will.
PnS,
No, I don’t work for the Chiefs. And no, I’m not looking for a job. I’m not Pioli’s brother or Bill Parcells. Just a long-time Chiefs fan who chooses to look at things in a positive light. And no, it isn’t always easy…just for those wondering. It’s damn tough sometimes.
Listen, I still feel like we have the right people in place now to take this team where we all want it to go. They know a lot more about football, and building a team than I do. So, I keep that in mind when they do things I don’t agree with.
“I’m sure he is working on a deal that will have us talking about it for weeks.”
For comedy sake I must do this…the Chiefs have apparently made a deal this morning…to sign Terrence Copper!
Truth be told, is it possible Pioli has already signed several players and we won’t know about any of it for at least two weeks? LOL
gosh, there you are “chief” fans.
honestly…vandenbosh, boldin, burleson…would we be better with those players long term? cmon…a 3 AND 4 EARLY 4, this year for boldin?
we cant just dumpster dive, and a GREAT FREE AGENT NEVER HAS ONLY ONE SUITOR….
those who hate the moves should appreciate resigning terrance copper, if you don’t, then you must not watch special teams…hes our osgood that doesnt want osgood money
“those who hate the moves should appreciate resigning terrance copper”
A good re-signing. Everyone (myself included) who has praised the addition of Mr. Pioli as our GM is watching. The clock is officially ticking.
Mad Chief,
I know you are a passionate fan of the Chiefs.
Your observations & comments are “right on” most of the time.
Alot of guys are venting today & they are not in the mood for you to sugar coat their disappointment & obvious finger pointing on FA thus far.
Go Chiefs.
There’s a strong case to be made that the current Chiefs’ leadership is doing what they want, how they want and without regard to the fans, or, by some semlance of connection, the media. Depending on your political views, not unlike the current Obama adminstration in Washington?
The fans want hope, want some big names filling big holes in the roster and the CL (Chief’s Leadership) gives us a crumb here and there but mainly, their bony middle finger, or so it seems. What to make of all this? Some scenarios to discuss:
1) Is the team being sold???? Keep the core employees, cut expenses, dress up the building with new paint-carpet-furniture, and make sure the profit margin is as pretty as possible. That’s a rough plan for selling a typical business but that surely couldn’t be the case here, could it?
2) The CL has a longview plan that will explode into a playoff team when no one expects anything. The old ‘under-promise/over-deliver’ strategy. The egoes of the CL must be rewarded for the outcome, thus cloaking the franchise in a shroud of secrecy until the fateful moment is at hand! (SFX: Boris Karloff haunting laughter inserted here)
3) The CL is inept. Many of today’s posters might cast their lot here.
4) None of the above BUT, feel free to add to the list at your leisure. Some one of us has nail it, if only through the sheer volume of scenarios stated. (I learned that truism one time in a statistics class I once took).
I seem to recall Scott Pioli saying, when he was hired, “we’re going to build the best team, not the best names.”…something like that. We’ll have to see who they get with their third and fourth round picks to see if they missed to boat on Boldin. However, I’ll wait til the first of September to determine how well the Chiefs did or did not do in the off season. It would be a tough sell to land a pricey free agent on a team that went 4-12. I’d like to see them resign Chambers, who played well for us for some reason!
It’s a long off season and it just got started.
We’ll see what happens after draft, OTAs, mini-camps, OTAs and training camp!
“We’ll have to see who they get with their third and fourth round picks to see if they missed to boat on Boldin.”
The burden seems to be growing huh…afterall, he’s now gotta be “right on the money” with his 2nd round pick and we’re perhaps throwing this in as well?
The money being thrown around for the likes of Julius Peppers et al is insane. Some of these guys will pan out, others will not. Once a big dollar, long term contract exists, production sometimes drops off.
Wait until the draft is complete, and the dust has settled relative to the lower cost FA’s before making pronouncements about next season.
Bear in mind that there are two new coordinators now who most likely had some input about this first rush of activity.
jimbo says:
“Mad Chief,
Alot of guys are venting today & they are not in the mood for you to sugar coat their disappointment & obvious finger pointing on FA thus far.”
Jimbo, coming from you…point taken. But, you know…I was merely expressing my opinion, same as everyone else. I guess I didn’t realize that a differing view would be so unwelcome. I’ll just let the like-minded have at it from now on.
“I guess I didn’t realize that a differing view would be so unwelcome.”
Bring the differing view – as it keeps the grouches from going 100% sour…
Mad Chief,
I misquoted my intent. I meant that the grouches today are not in a mood to listen to logic etc. from “anybody” not just “you”.
Personally I think you did a great job of giving them both barrels today.
My apologies.
Go Chiefs.
I just don’t think Bouldin’s worth the draft picks. Maybe a 2nd but not 2 draft picks. He hasn’t proven durable enough. I think we’ve got too many needs to pull the trigger on Bouldin. My hope is that the Chief’s are working on less sexy FA but one’s that can suppliment our draft. Say a good O-lineman (Mawue)and a back-up for JC.
Did anyone notice •RAMS – signed UFA QB A.J. Feeley to a 2-year deal for $6 million; released TE Derek Fine. To me this means that the Rams are taking Suh .. if Robinson or Clausen are around at 5 we might be able to trade down and get a few extra drafts.
We don’t need to panic like the Bears have .. no draft now their spending money like a drunken sailor to fix a broken team. It shows what a bad trade Cutler was and hopefully teaches everyone a leason about Free Agency.
We’ve got a great coaching staff so I’m willing to be patient and see what they can do. Heck, it has to be better than last year!! lol
Mad Chief……..I was just poking at you in noway was I dumping on you. I just havent seen someone so positive on the chiefs future . As I always say I Hope You Are Right. It would be dumb to hope other wise’s. While I dont always agree with your take on the statice’s of our chiefs.Don’t let me or others bring you down, keep your faith.Just poking fun
Whether you’re hopeful or furious, at least is refreshing to see the ongoing interest in the future of the Chiefs. Quite a difference to what’s going on some other franchises.
How is Boldin not worth a three and a four? Yeah, you overpay for a free agent, but that is because they are proven talent. Boldin is not the best reciever in the league, but he would be the best on our team.
It’s like when we traded Jared Allen, people thought it was worth it because the picks we got. What did we get with that, a decent LT.
Sack Leader of the league versus decent player.
I think they let Allen go because they did not want to pay him. The Chiefs have a history of not wanting to pay for talent. It’s really stupid.
We need help on offense. We have lessmoney spent than anyone. We have as many picks as anyone, so go get someone. And if you really think that grabbing a few rookies in April is really going to make that much difference, THIS year you haven’t paid attentino to previous drafts….
Mad Chief says:
“I just try to focus on the positive.”
I have to agree with you.
Enrique, you nailed it on the head as usual, always glad to see you posting with your insightful comments.
I was disappointed that the Chiefs didn’t sign a big name free agent. But there was probably a good reason that they didn’t sign any. As I recall we all wanted to see DT Haynesworth signed last year. Well he didn’t get the Redskins to the Superbowl last year, in fact I believe we beat them! Go Chiefs!
Just curius, Merwin. What Chiefs’ fans give a diddly about the Redskins? You are another guy who feels if the Chiefs take no chances then they will never make mistakes. I doubt and hope that is not the case.
Care to explain Pioli’s comment – We will be active in free agency?
Non-moves do not improve the team. It may let you feel better about what the team is doing but improvement, not so much.
Palko, Battle, and Copper. Of the three Copper at least showed he had game. You do not need big name players but you need improvement from last year. I submit those three are not improvement, just treading water. I do not believe level 3 players will get this team to 4 more wins than in 09, we shall see. Next comes the draft, I have know confidence in what we will get.