Catching up is a great title for this one, because as much as I tried to keep pace with all the moves happening over the last couple of days, plenty fell through the cracks. Luckily for me, every NFL team seems to have taken a breath today so I can actually talk about a few of the moves that weren’t touched on in Thursday and Friday’s articles.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers got a significant upgrade at tight end when they signed Martellus Bennett, formerly of the New England Patriots, to a three-year, $21 million contract. The move came quickly as the Packers’ former tight end, Jared Cook, was playing hardball in contract negotiations. Now he can take his balls and just go home.
Just like Brandin Cooks yesterday, Bennett won’t see any decline in the quality of quarterback tossing him the ball after the move. He goes from Tom Brady to Aaron Rodgers and since he’s played in Chicago and Foxborough, the Green Bay cold shouldn’t be that big a deal either.
Last year Bennett caught 55 passes for 701 yards and seven touchdowns and, you know, won a Super Bowl ring in the first overtime Super Bowl and the greatest come from behind victory in playoff history.
Saturday the Packers picked up a playmate for Bennett, signing former Los Angeles Rams tight end Lance Kendricks after he was cut by the Rams. Last year Kendricks caught a career-high 50 passes for 499 yards and two touchdowns.
Packers new tight end, Lance Kendricks. Him and Bennett in 2TE sets will be lethal. pic.twitter.com/fNHVDy90kr
— James👨🏾💻 (@ScriptsByJames) March 11, 2017
The rest of Green Bay’s free agency early weekend was just keeping their own players. They re-signed offensive guard Don Barclay and outside linebacker Nick Perry. It took some real cash to keep Perry, with the Pack giving him a five-year deal worth $60 million and $18.5 million in guaranteed money.
Last year Perry recorded 52 tackles, 11 sacks, four pass defenses and picked off a pass.
Philadelphia Eagles
Few teams were more active over the first two days of free agency than the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles nabbed the crown jewel of this year’s free agent wide receiver class, Alshon Jeffrey. Jeffrey signed with Philadelphia for a one-year, $14 million contract, basically franchising himself with a new team.
No cap space, no problem. Welcome to the newest Philadelphia Eagle, Alshon Jeffrey.
Meanwhile, in Howie Roseman's office: pic.twitter.com/sjpmA528zZ
— Eagles Fan Problems (@EagleFanProbs) March 9, 2017
While Jeffrey was unquestionably a star when he was on the field, he missed four games last year on a suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy and most of the season before with injuries. It’s obvious this is a prove-it contract for Jeffrey and if he has anything like the seasons he had in 2013 or 2014, he’ll make a hell of a lot more than $14 million next season.
Not only did the Eagles add Jeffrey to their receiver squad, they also added former San Francisco 49er receiver Torrey Smith with a three-year, $15 million contract.
Last year Jeffrey caught 52 passes for 821 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games. Smith had 20 catches for 267 yards and three touchdowns with the 49ers.
The Eagles bolstered their offensive line by bringing in offensive guard Chance Warmack from the Tennessee Titans on a one-year deal. They also re-signed guard Stefan Wisniewski on a three-year contract and will keep linebacker Najee Goode. Goode did not record a single stat last season, though he made appearances in all 16 games.
#Eagles and G Chance Warmack have agreed to terms on a one-year deal.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/Mu3nrmNkO0
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 9, 2017
To make up some salary cap room the Eagles cut defensive end Connor Barwin. Last year Barwain had 34 tackles, five sacks, one forced fumble and defended two passes.
Other moves
In addition to releasing Kendricks, the Los Angeles Rams also cut defensive lineman Eugene Sims. Sims recorded 25 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one fumble recovery and one pass defense last season.
Cowboys right tackle Doug Free has announced his retirement from the NFL after 10 years in the league.
The New England Patriots have signed former Baltimore Ravens back up defensive lineman Lawrence Guy to a four-year contract. Guy played in all 16 games for the Ravens last season and started 10, recording 28 tackles, a sack and one forced fumble.
The Atlanta Falcons re-signed cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson. Wilson did not record a single stat and played in just one regular season game in 2016.
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