Falcons' Moore highlights day of re-signings
With the NFL issuing a memo Friday ostensibly prohibiting teams from reaching agreements with other than their own unrestricted free agents, the first day of the new negotiating period was rather tame.
Very little was revealed about discussions, leading to the belief that the league wants a major surge Tuesday when the league year officially begins at 4 p.m. Eastern time.
However, what did occur were several instances where teams were able to sign their own free agents.
Notable among them was the five-year, $30 million contract signed by safety William Moore to stay with the Atlanta Falcons.
"It's a relief," Moore told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "That was my ultimate goal, to continue to be here in Atlanta and try to get the Super Bowl. I'm very pleased with the negotiations."
The Buffalo Bills re-signed cornerback and kick returner Leodis McKelvin to a four-year deal worth a reported $20 million.
Also making headlines was the Pittsburgh Steelers release of linebacker James Harrison. The two sides were unable to reach agreement on a restructured contract that would have helped the Steelers become compliant with the salary cap.
Harrison said, "There was already an understanding between them and I on what was going to happen. We just couldn't come to an agreement that was comfortable for both sides."
In other agreements, the San Diego Chargers re-signed potential unrestricted free agent Nick Novak to a four year contract. Restricted free agents that signed were Tampa Bay running back LeGarrette Blount (one year); Washington tight end Logan Paulsen and fullback Darrel Young (each three years); New Orleans linebacker Junior Galette (three years) and San Diego long snapper Mike Windt (four years).
Multiple reports indicated the Blount signing is merely a prelude to a potential trade.
Accounting for recent transactions, following is the latest list of top free agents available. Those players released are able to sign before the start of the league year. The numbers in parentheses are the franchise and transition tags for each position.
Quarterbacks ($14.896/$13.068 million)
Jason Campbell, Chicago
David Carr, N.Y. Giants
Drew Stanton, Indianapolis
Matt Leinart, Oakland
Brady Quinn, Kansas City
Running Backs ($8.219/$6.970 million)
Steven Jackson, St. Louis
Reggie Bush, Miami
Shonn Greene, N.Y. Jets
Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh
Cedric Benson, Green Bay
Ahmad Bradshaw (released by Giants)
Best of the rest: Michael Turner (released by Falcons); Felix Jones, Dallas; LaRod Stephens-Howling, Arizona
Wide Receivers ($10.537/$8.867 million)
Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh
Greg Jennings, Green Bay
Wes Welker, New England
Danny Amendola, St. Louis
Devery Henderson, New Orleans
Best of the rest: Jerome Simpson, Minnesota; Steve Breaston (released by Chiefs); Julian Edelman, New England; Ted Ginn, San Francisco; Joshua Cribbs, Cleveland
Tight Ends ($6.066/$5.194 million)
Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta (expected to retire)
Dustin Keller, N.Y. Jets
Fred Davis, Washington
Delanie Walker, San Francisco
Martellus Bennett, N.Y. Giants
Best of the rest: Jared Cook, Tennessee; Anthony Fasano, Miami; James, Casey, Houston; David Thomas (released by Saints)
Tackles ($9.828/$8.709 million)
Ryan Clady, Denver (franchised)
Jake Long, Miami
Branden Albert, Kansas City (franchised)
Andre Smith, Cincinnati
Sebastian Vollmer, New England
Best of the rest: Phil Loadholt, Minnesota; Eric Winston (released by Chiefs); Gosder Cherilus, Detroit; Sam Baker, Atlanta; Jermon Bushrod, New Orleans; Bryant McKinnie, Baltimore; Winston Justice, Indianapolis
Guards ($9.828/$8.709 million)
Andy Levitre, Buffalo
Brandon Moore, N.Y. Jets
Kory Lichtensteiger, Washington
Lance Louis, Chicago
Louis Vasquez, San Diego
Best of the rest: Stephen Peterman (released by Lions); Ramon Foster, Pittsburgh; Kevin Boothe, N.Y. Giants
Defensive Ends ($11.175/$9.151 million)
Michael Bennett, Tampa Bay
Michael Johnson, Cincinnati (franchised)
Cliff Avril, Detroit
Osi Umenyiora, N.Y. Giants
John Abraham (released by Falcons)
Best of the rest: Robert Geathers, Cincinnati; Kyle Vanden Bosch (released by Lions); Israel Idonije, Chicago
Defensive Tackles ($8.45/$7.039 million)
Henry Melton, Chicago (franchised)
Randy Starks, Miami (franchised)
Chris Canty, (released by Giants)
Sammie Lee Hill, Detroit
Corey Williams, Detroit
Best of the rest: Cullen Jenkins (released by Eagles); Sedrick Ellis, New Orleans
Outside Linebackers ($9.619/$8.358 million)
Anthony Spencer (DE), Dallas (franchised)
Paul Kruger (DE), Baltimore
Dwight Freeney (DE), Indianapolis
Shaun Phillips, San Diego
Connor Barwin, Houston
James Harrison (released by Steelers)
Best of the rest: Calvin Pace (released by Jets); Michael Boley (released by Giants); Erik Walden, Green Bay
Inside Linebackers ($9.619/$8.358 million)
Dannell Ellerbe, Baltimore
Scott Shanle, New Orleans
Rey Maualuga, Cincinnati
Brian Urlacher, Chicago
Bart Scott (released by Jets)
Best of the rest: Stewart Bradley (released by Cardinals)
Cornerbacks ($10.854/$9.095 million)
Brent Grimes, Atlanta
Sean Smith, Miami
Mike Jenkins, Dallas
Derek Cox, Jacksonville
Cary Williams, Baltimore
Best of the rest: Chris Gamble (released by Panthers); Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Philadelphia; Bradley Fletcher, St. Louis; Chris Houston, Detroit; Aqib Talib, New England; Nate Clements, Cincinnati
Safeties ($6.916/$6.002 million)
Dashon Goldson, San Francisco
Jairus Byrd, Buffalo (franchised)
Glover Quin, Houston
Ed Reed, Baltimore
Louis Delmas, Detroit
Best of the rest: Kenny Phillips, N.Y. Giants; Corey Lynch, San Diego; LaRon Landry, N.Y. Jets; Dawan Landry (released by Jaguars); Adrian Wilson, Arizona (released by Cardinals); Eric Smith (released by Jets)
Kickers ($2.977 million)
Phil Dawson, Cleveland
Josh Brown, Cincinnati
Lawrence Tynes, N.Y. Giants
Jason Hanson, Detroit
Nick Folk, N.Y. Jets
Punters ($2.977 million)
Shane Lechler, Oakland
Donnie Jones, Houston
Pat McAfee, Indianapolis (franchised)
