Tuesday Open Thread: Free Agency Begins
Free agency officially opens at 4 p.m. today. We’ll keep you up to date with the latest buzz (and there is a lot of it) as we wait for the starting gun.
8:56: According to Jason La Canfora, TJ Ward is drawing “strong interest” from the Eagles and Lions. Ward is largely considered one of the top safety free agents in this class and will likely be paid quite handsomely. Howie Roseman said that if you are going to hand over big money to a player in free agency, “that person has to be a special person on and off the field.” We’ll see if Ward qualifies.
Around noon Monday, we were told that the Eagles weren’t in on the Ward sweepstakes. Adam Caplan backs that notion up.
#Eagles have not spoken to the agent for T.J. Ward, per source. Ward just doesn’t fit what they need. Teams see him more as a box safety.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 11, 2014
— TM
9:04: Here’s an even bigger name for you: Darrelle Revis. Per Adam Schefter, the Eagles and Patriots are two teams to watch if Tampa releases the standout corner.
Jeff McLane mentioned this morning that the Eagles flirted with the idea of acquiring the cornerback a year ago. Revis, who will be 29 in July, had two interceptions and 11 passes defensed last season for the Bucs.
It’s going to be a crazy day. — TM
9:54: According to Les Bowen of the Daily News, the Eagles are “very interested” in Ravens cornerback Corey Graham. The 28-year-old played for Chip Kelly at New Hampshire and has the ability to play both inside and outside. -SK
11:14: Safety Donte Whitner may be heading to Cleveland.
Drumbeat’s strong on Glenville and Ohio State alum Donte Whitner coming home to the Browns to anchor Pettine’s secondary.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 11, 2014
11:34: Ian Rapoport reports that the Bucs are receiving interest from “teams with cap space” that may want to trade for Darrelle Revis. He says the Browns are one team to watch. The Eagles have just under $20 million in cap room, according to the NFL Network. — TM
11:40: Redskins OLB Rob Jackson has been mentioned as a potential fit in Philly. So far, though, we’re told that nothing is cooking with the Eagles. Free agency signings come in waves, and it’s possible that teams come in late after tackling the top-tier talent on Day One. But nothing yet from the Birds. — TM
1:22: Will the Cowboys make a decision soon on DeMarcus Ware?
DeMarcus Ware has requested the Cowboys decide future before start of free agency signing period today at 4 ET. Unsure of Cowboys response
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) March 11, 2014
1:36: A juicy rumor from NBC Washington:
Sources say it will be between the Eagles or The Redskins for Jairus Byrd #NFLFreeAgency
— Dianna Marie Russini (@NBCdianna) March 11, 2014
2:42: Safety Stevie Brown is re-signing with the Giants. I thought there was a chance he could be a sleeper for the Eagles. Brown missed last year with an injury but played well in 2012. — SK
3:23: Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reported earlier this week that the Eagles and Redskins were showing the most interest in Panthers safety Mike Mitchell. If that’s the case, the Eagles might just be the front-runners to land him. — TM
Sounding like #Redskins now a long shot to land Mike Mitchell.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) March 11, 2014
4:10: Whitner to the Browns is official, per multiple reports. And the money is interesting:
Former 49ers S Donte Whitner reached agreement on a four-year, $28 million deal with the Browns, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2014
We need to see how much of that is guaranteed, but Byrd is clearly a superior player. –SK
4:14: Schefter also reports that Antoine Bethea is going to San Francisco to replace Whitner. That’s another safety free agent off the market. Terms were not released yet. –SK
4:15: The Bears add a young, versatile defensive piece:
Former Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston reached agreement on a five-year, $35M deal with the Chicago Bears, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2014
4:16: It’s official: Ware is out in Dallas.
This is chance for DeMarcus Ware to decide if he prefers to play in 3-4 and can be sure next team has talent around him and contend for SB
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) March 11, 2014
Ware turns 32 in July. He has length and pass-rush ability. Maybe the Eagles at least make a call and see what the price tag might be?
4:30: The Eagles aren’t the only NFC East team showing interest in Corey Graham:
CB Corey Graham will make his 1st visit right down the road from Baltimore. Heading to visit the Redskins
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 11, 2014
4:33: Walter Thurmond played his college ball at Oregon:
Seahawks free-agent CB Walter Thurmond is visiting the Jaguars in next 24 hours, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2014
4:34: The latest on Michael Vick:
Jets are very interested in QB Michael Vick, per source. They’re hoping to get something wrapped up quickly, but will have other suitors.
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) March 11, 2014
4:39: The Eagles have announced a three-year deal for puner Donnie Jones, and the team has released safety Patrick Chung.
4:50: It sounds like the Browns might be the favorites for Revis:
Source tells PFT the Raiders are not pursuing Darrelle Revis, but the Browns are.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 11, 2014
4:51: A couple defensive linemen come off the board:
Falcons’ additions of Paul Soliai and Tyson Jackson should signal a move to a more traditional version of Mike Nolan’s 3-4 defense in 2014.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 11, 2014
4:53: O’Brien Schofield was one of the mid-level outside linebackers on the market:
LB O’Brien Schofield agrees to terms with the Giants. Two years, $8 million. Per league source.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 11, 2014
5:04: We have a safety signing. The Eagles have inked Malcolm Jenkins:
Malcolm Jenkins has agreed to a three-year, $16.25 million deal with the Eagles, with $8.5 million guaranteed.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 11, 2014
5:55: Here is our All-22 post on Jenkins. And some thoughts and background on the Jenkins signing.
5:57: On Ware, from someone who is familiar with the Eagles’ decision-makers:
I would bet Philly is working hard to get Demarcus Ware. Very hard.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) March 11, 2014
5:58: Byrd, meanwhile, gets a visit from New Orleans – a team that is last in available cap space:
Bills free-agent S Jairus Byrd is on his way to New Orleans to visit the Saints, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2014
5:59: T.J. Ward finds a home in Denver:
Broncos are signing former Browns S TJ Ward, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2014
6:00: And maybe the Eagles aren’t done yet at safety?
Eagles might still be doing work on the safety front, even after signing Malcolm Jenkins. Stay tuned.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 11, 2014
6:28: Looks like Mitchell will not be bringing his talents to South Philadelphia:
Source tells me #Panthers S Mike Mitchell will sign with #Steelers
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) March 11, 2014