NFL Free Agency Recap

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

The NFL has been a crazy place the past few days. When the new league year began and number of players got paid big time, while others over-estimated their value. This article is just a recap of the "notable transactions" new league year after the first weekend.

San Fransisco 49ers:  
Signed: QB Matt Barkley, WR Pierre Garçon, WR Marquise Goodwin, K Robbie Gould, QB Brian Hoyer, FB Kyle Juszczyk, and LB Malcolm Smith.

Chicago Bears: 
Released QB Jay Cutler

Signed: WR Kendall Wright, DB Prince Amukamara, WR Markus Wheaton, QB Mike Glennon, DB Quintin Demps, and TE Dion Sims.

Cincinnati Bengals:
Re-signed CB Dre Kirkpatrick and WR Brandon LaFell

Buffalo Bills:
Signed: WR Philly Brown, LB Lorenzo Alexander, FB Patrick DiMarco, K Stephen Hauschka, S Micah Hyde, S Jordan Poyer, and FB Mike Tolbert.

Released S Corey Graham and S Aaron Williams. Agreed to terms with
Restructured QB Tyrod Taylor contract, and re-signed P Colton Schmidt.

Cleveland Browns: 
Released QB Robert Griffin III.

Signed G Joel Bitonio to a five-year contract extension.
Acquired Houston Texans' 2018 second-round pick, 2017 sixth-round pick and QB Brock Osweiler for Cleveland's 2017 fourth-round compensatory pick.
Claimed OL Marcus Martin off waivers from San Francisco.
Signed WR Kenny Britt, OL J.C. Tretter and OL Kevin Zeitler.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Signed WR DeSean Jackson and  DT Chris Baker.
Re-signed RB Jacquizz Rodgers and Safety Chris Conte.

Arizona Cardinals: 
Signed LB Karlos Dansby, K Phil Dawson, LB Chandler Jones, S Antonine Bethea, and C A.Q. Shipley.

Los Angeles Chargers: 
Signed Russell Okung OT and QB Kellen Clemens

Kansas City Chiefs:
Signed S Eric Berry and G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to contract extensions.

Indianapolis Colts:
Signed Jabaal Sheard OLB, John Simon OLB, and Jeff Locke Punter and signed Jack Doyle TE to a contract extension. 

Traded: Dwayne Allen TE to New England

Dallas Cowboys: 
Signed Nolan Carroll CB, Re-signed WR Terrence Williams 

Miami Dolphins:
Signed LB Lawrence Timmons and Safety Nate Allen  
Re-signed TE Anthony Fasano and WR Kenny Stills 
Acquired  TE Julius Thomas from Jacksonville and acquired DE William Hayes from Rams

Philadelphia Eagles:
Released DE Connor Barwin.

Signed G/C Stefen Wisniewski, G Chance Warmack, WR Alshon Jeffery, and WR Torrey Smith.

Atlanta Falcons:
Re-signed DT Courtney Upshaw and QB Matt Schaub

New York Giants:
Signed OL D.J. Fluker and WR Brandon Marshall

Jacksonville Jaguars:
Signed Barry Church S, Calais Campbell DL, and A.J. Bouye CB. LT Branden Albert acquired via trade from Miami.

New York Jets:
Signed PK Chandler Catanzaro and OT Kelvin Beachum.

Detroit Lions:
Signed G T.J. Lang and CB DJ Hayden.

Green Bay Packers:
Signed TE Lance Kendricks and TE Martellus Bennett Re-signed LB Nick Perry, T/G Don Barclay, and P Jacob Schum

Carolina Panthers:
Signed:  WR Charles Johnson, T Matt Kalil, CB Captain Munnerlyn, DE Julius Peppers, and S Mike Adams

New England Patriots:
Acquired WR Brandin Cooks in a trade with the New Orleans Saints, DL Kony Ealy in a trade with the Carolina Panthers and TE Dwayne Allen in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts.
Signed CB Stephon Gilmore
Re-signed S Duron Harmon.

Oakland Raiders:
Signed Marshall Newhouse OT

Los Angeles Rams:
Signed Aaron Murray QB, Robert Woods WR, and Andrew Whitworth LT.

Baltimore Ravens:
Signed Brandon Williams NT and Danny Woodhead RB

Washington Redskins:
Kirk Cousins QB and Terrelle Pryor WR

New Orleans Saints:
Signed Ted Ginn Jr WR and Nick Fairly DT
Acquired 1st round pick from the Brandin Cooks trade.

Seattle Seahawks:
Signed Luke Joeckel OT

Pittsburgh Steelers:
Re-signed Landy Jones QB, and David Johnson TE.

Houston Texans:
Traded Quarterback Brock Oswieler to Cleveland
Re-Signed Shane Lechler P and Nick Novak K

Tennessee Titans:
Re-Signed Matt Cassel QB and Signed Logan Ryan CB

Minnesota Vikings:
Released Adrian Peterson RB

Signed OTs Rilet Reiff and Mike Remmers

Leadoff with Lee 4.8.15 #AdrianPeterson #Browns #Carrasco #NHL

By @cleeverizon

- Adrian Peterson could come off the NFL's Exempt List as soon as April 15th. But once he does he will still be the property of the Minnesota Vikings. Peterson along with his agent met with Commissioner Roger Goodell to clear the way for Peterson's return. But Goodell wants Peterson to go to NFL mandated counseling on top of the counseling that he has already received. The NFLPA and Peterson are opposed to the recommendation of the NFL counseling and state it's a violation of the collective bargaining agreement. As apart of Adrian Peterson's plea deal with the courts he agreed to parenting evaluations and drug tests, and meet with a psychologist and undergo counseling. Despite Peterson's agent Ben Dongra's comments that Peterson will not play for Minnesota again, at this point no trade talks have been discussed with other teams.

- Former Arizona Cardinals TE Rob Housler is visiting the Browns today in Berea. Housler is 6-foot-5, 250 pounds and will be the downfield pass catching tight end the Browns would be looking to replace Jordan Cameron. Housler also has visited the Falcons and Bengals.

- The NFL has suspended Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount for the season opener for violating the substance abuse policy. The suspension stems from Blount's arrest last year for marijuana possession while a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He started the 2014 season with Pittsburgh, but the Steelers released him in mid-November. After going unclaimed on waivers he signed a 2 year deal with New England, where he spent the entire 2013 season. No discipline has been announced for Steelers running back LeVeon Bell, who was also involved in the arrest.

- The Indians signed pitcher Carlos Carrasco to 4-year extension that could reach up to $48M, the deal is worth a guaranteed $22M. The righty's deal includes club options for 2019 and 2020.

- The New York Rangers topped the New Jersey Devils 4-2 to clinch the NHL's best record. The win also got them the 2014-2015 President's Cup and home-ice throughout playoffs.

- The Cavaliers will try to lockup the number 2 seed against the Milwaukee Bucks tonight. Tip off is at 8pm.

Leadoff with Lee 2.27.15 #AdrianPeterson #DezBryant #Browns #CBJ #EarlLloyd

By @cleeverizon

- A judge had overturned the NFL's ruling and reinstated Adrian Peterson Thursday afternoon. Within a hour of the ruling, the NFL has appealed the court decision and will keep open the option to go through the CBA appeal process too.  In the meantime, Peterson has returned to exempt list. Peterson could be traded to another team as soon as March 10.

- The Dallas Cowboys are expected to franchise wide receiver Dez Bryant if a long term deal can't be reached. But a alleged video tape has emerged between Bryant and his girlfriend in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Dallas police have said they have no video of what took place in the parking lot. But I have found out that ESPN has footage and is ready to roll with the package as soon as new infotainment is available. I do find it strange that a Cowboys owned media group was the first source to report this. But here is the police report. You be the judge. 

- Yesterday morning it seemed as if the Buffalo Bills were negotiating a contract for free agent quarterback Josh McCown . As of late last night, league sources indicated that the Browns are still in the fold to sign him. McCown is expected to make a decision sometime Friday.

- Buster Skrine is expected to command anywhere from about $5 to $7 million dollars a year in free agency. The Browns are interested in resigning the cornerback. Skrine will wait until March 10th when free agency starts to determine what his actual market value is . As a restricted free agent the Browns can match any offer made to him by any other team.

- The Falcons have released RB Steven Jackson, the move will save the Falcons 3.7m against the salary cap this season. Since the emergence of quarterback Matt Ryan, Jackson wasn't relied upon as the number one back as he was in St.Louis. Jackson should be able to make it to someone's training camp. But the question is, does he have what it takes to return to the fantasy football dominance he once had?  

- The Columbus Blue Jackets traded forward Nathan Horton to Toronto for forward David Clarkson. Clarkson, 30, signed a 7-year, $36.75 million contract with Toronto in 2013, but hasn't become the impact player that they expected. Horton, 29, has been on the Jackets non-roster injury list for most of the season with a threatening back injury.

- The Florida Panthers acquired Jaromir Jagr from the New Jersey Devils for two draft picks, one in 2015 and one in 2016. Jagr has 11 goals and 18 assists in 57 games for New Jersey this season. Jagr is sixth in NHL history with 716 gores, seventh with 1,068 assists and fifth with 1,784 points in 1,530 career regular season games. Over his 22 years in the NHL, he has played for Pittsburgh, Washington, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston and New Jersey.

- The winner of the Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight on May 2 will be given a new belt. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman says he would like it "to have emeralds or platinum." If boxers are allowed to keep the belt, I would just retire after the fight.

- Finally and sadly, NBA pioneer and first African-American to play in the NBA Earl Lloyd died Thursday at the age of 86. Lloyd came into the league in 1950 for the Washington Capitals, debuting before Sweetwater Clifton and Chuck Cooper. Along with helping the Syracuse Nationals win the 1955 NBA title, Lloyd averaged 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in 560 games played, over nine season with Washington, Syracuse and Detroit. He served in the U.S. Army during the 1951-52 season, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 as a contributor. Thank you Earl Lloyd for EVERYTHING you have done.

Leadoff with Lee 2.22.15 #ChrisBosh #Perkins #Cowboys #MarshawnLynch

By @cleeverizon

- Miami Heat All-Star forward Chris Bosh will miss the rest of the season with blood clots on his lungs. Bosh was admitted into a Miami hospital after meeting with a doctor Thursday night. His initial test proved to be inconclusive. Further testing took place and showed clots on his lungs. He will be treated with blood thinners for pulmonary embolism. Here is a great article by Alex Kennedy about his experience and the Cavaliers own Anderson Varejao.

- Kendrick Perkins will officially become a Cavalier tomorrow! Perkins accepted the buyout from the Utah Jazz after being traded there on Thursday and with the encouragement from LeBron James, agreed to sign with the Cavs. I can see Perkins help spell Timofey Mozgov and will provide extra depth to the Cavs frontline.

- NASCAR Sprint driver Kurt Busch has been suspended indefinitely for smashing his ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll's head against the wall of his home on September 26, 2014 at Dover International Speedway. Busch appealed his suspension but the ruling was upheld.  He will continue to peruse his return to racing by exhausting every avenue possible. I don't know much about racing but is he really suspended forever or just for a season?

- The Seattle Seahawks have offered running back Marshawn Lynch a contract extension that will pay him $11-$12 million the first year, and $9 million in years two and three. Lynch's agent, Doug Hendrickson, has said the framework of the contract are close but no deal has been reached. The reports of Marshawn Lynch, approaching 29 in April, possibly retiring may have some truth to it, but I can't see Lynch turning down that money. Even though the circumstances are different, Jim Brown retired at 29.

- Vikings running back Adrian Peterson reportedly requested or demanded to be traded to the Dallas Cowboys. Peterson may be feeling uneasy with the organization following his child abuse case. Dallas would be an ideal location, considering the uncertainty of the future of DeMarco Murray. But before any trade can be made, Peterson needs to be reinstated by the NFL. Peterson was in Minneapolis on Feb. 6 for a hearing in federal court, as the NFL Players Association sued the league in hopes of gaining Peterson's immediate reinstatement. But unless Judge David Doty rules in the NFLPA's favor, Peterson cannot be reinstated until April 15.

- In a fight that will either be billed as 5 years in the making or 5 years to late. Floyd Mayweather versus Manny Paciao is official.

Mayweather announced the fight with Pacquiao via selfie app Shots. With the SD (standard definition) pay-per-view going for $89.95 and HD format going for $99.95, this fight is expected to generated $400 million dollars. While both boxers are expected to make over $100 million apiece, the purse will be split 60-40 with Mayweather claiming the majority. This will be the highest grossing boxing match in history. Floyd Mayweather's record is 47-0, 26 K.O and Pacquiao is 57-5-2, 38 K.O

- Major League Baseball announced Friday their ideas for the pace of play rule changes to help speed up the game. The average baseball game lasts 3 hours and 8 minutes,with most games starting between 7:05pm-7:10. MLB experimented with the speed up rules in the Arizona Fall League and it was found successful in shortening games.

1. Managers must challenge replays from dugout.
2. Batters must keep one foot in box unless an established exception occurs
3. Play to resumes promptly once broadcast returns from commercial break.

Full details on rule changes can be found HERE.

I'm totally for anything to speed up the game of baseball. The Cleveland Indians are also experimenting starting games at 6:05pm in April and May. Hopefully this increases attendance for the early season games, while allowing parents to take their kids to weekday games during the school year.