Heard in the Cheap Seats

Sunday Smattering

Free Agency and Rumors:

• Lance Briggs re-signed with the Bears. The Bears quietly entered free agency with little indication as to what their game plan was. After all of the controversy around Briggs last season, the team managed to lockdown one of the game’s top young linebackers.
• Bernard Berrian landed with the Minnesota Vikings. The WR market started out slow this week, with most playing the waiting game to let Berrian set the market. Berrian is a very good receiver, but he lacks the ability to dominate a game. He has the speed to get vertical, but is limited in the red zone due to his average size. Nonetheless, this is a good signing for the Vikings and will add a legitimate passing threat (provided someone can get him the ball, but hey, Berrian is used to that) to their running attack.
• In the biggest signing of the early-period of free agency, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Asante Samuel to a six-year deal (more on this when we get to the rumors section). In addition, the Eagles added some firepower to their pass rush with the addition of Chris Clemons. As the Giants proved in the Super Bowl, a solid pass rush is the key to slowing down any quarterback.
• Justin Smith, considered by many as the top DE on the market, signed with the 49ers. While Smith is a solid player, I think the 49ers overspent to acquire his services. Smith is a classic example of a “right place at the right time” player. He received big money simply because viable alternatives on the market were scarce.
• With the Berrian signing out of the way, the rest of the free-agent market for WRs has begun to fall into place. Donte Stallworth signed with the Cleveland Browns. This is a good deal that will add depth to the Browns already solid receiving corps. Stallworth can stretch the field and is lethal with the ball after the catch.
• The Raiders signed Gibril Wilson.
• In an effort to shore up some holes on their offensive line, the Jets agreed to a deal with Alan Faneca.

There was certainly more moves made in the free-agent frenzy, but the above encapsulates the biggest moves thus far. For a full list, check out ESPN’s free agent tracker.

Rumors:

• With all this movement early in the free agency period, there still remains some intriguing storylines running through the league, not the least of which involves one Mr. Randy Moss. When the Patriots decided not to franchise Moss, it was widely assumed that the team had a deal in place that would be signed as soon as free agency opened. The move was peculiar at the time, because even if there was a deal in place, why not use the franchise tag to protect yourself in the interim? Well, the Patriots failed to do that and they may end up paying the price. Garry Cobb is reporting that the Eagles and Cowboys are the front runners to land Moss’ services after the Patriots. My gut tells me Moss will end up back with the Patriots, but he currently feels slighted that the team won’t pony up top dollar for his services. Teams have an opportunity to swoop in and offer a contract he might not be able to turn down-and you can bet those teams will answer the bell.
• As far as the Eagles are concerned, they have been aggressive in the early-going of free agency, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see them take a run at Moss. But there has been no indication from the team so far that it is interested in acquiring Moss’ services. With the Asante Samuel signing, the Eagles have a plethora of options to work out. The most likely seems Lito Sheppard will be traded. Eagles fans are calling for the front office to use Sheppard as trade bait to acquire Larry Fitzgerald. The likelihood of this happening is minimal, because Fitzgerald carries a massive contract that should never have been signed in this day and age where the teams have all the leverage. Another scenario is to move Sheldon Brown to safety and keep Sheppard as the starting corner opposite Samuel. This would potentially give the Eagles the best secondary in the NFL. It will be interesting to see how this saga plays out. Stay tuned.
• There have been reports that the Vikings could make a run at Brady Quinn. With the multi-year deal signed by Derek Anderson, the Browns have a decision looming on the horizon on the future of their quarterback position. The Vikings might try to nudge them along into making that decision.
• The market for Javon Walker’s services appears to be hot, with as many as 10 teams in the bidding.

As many expected, the market for free agents was short, with most of the best players off the market in the early going. But plenty remains to be figured out.

Final Roundup from Week:

• Kansas exacted a bit of revenge last night by putting a beat down on Kansas State.
• Congrats on #800 Coach K.
• Get well soon, Coach Wooden.