Deal Reached Free Agency Frenzy Begins
By Rudy Haynesworth on July 25, 2011
On Monday, the NFLPA voted unanamiously to approve the leagues new CBA. The 4 month owner imposed lockout was lifted and league activities are set to begin. At 6 o’clock the league released the official free agent list. Tuesday at 10 AM trades can begin (it might get crazy). Players like Kevin Kolb of Philadelphia could be on the move. Rumors have him going to Arizona. What will the Bengals do with Palmer? Donovan McNabb and Matt Hassellbeck are two veteran quarterbacks who may on the move. Kyle Orton and Vince Young will be two other players that may attraqct some offers to their current teams.
Negotiations of free agents can begin tomorrow morning as well. Teams can sign rookies and undrafted free agents, but don’t look for teams to put a high priority on signing rookies with so much on tap. Most teams have about 40 players and they need to get their rosters up to 90. There are plenty of quality undrafted free agents like BC linebacker Mark Herzlich and former Cincy receiver Armon Binns.
On Thursday cuts can take place. Some players are already getting dropped off unofficially. Teams like the Ravens are notifying players like Willis McGahee and Todd Heap, their services are no longer needed. Players will need to sign free agents, cut veterans, sign veterans, and also draftees in a couple of weeks in order to start filling out their rosters. This process is usually done from March to August. There will be an accelerated procees to say the least.
On Friday, it’s going to get crazy. Teams can start signing free agents. There are some great players available led by Raiders corner Nnamdi Asomugha. Braylon Edwards, Santoni Holmes, and Sidney Rice are three of the best young receivers available. DeAngelo Williams and Randy Moss are two other offensive players that will quickly recieve alot of attention. The list of free agents will soon grow when teams release their cuts on Thursday.
The league has never seen a situation like this. Preseason games begin August 11. That is less than 3 weeks away. Again, everything that is done between March and the start of the preseason will take place in the next couple weeks. Teams will be scrambling to sign and re-sign players.
