The NFL free agency signing period opened yesterday with three of the biggest names on the list quickly signing with new teams. With the collective bargaining agreement set to expire at the end of the 2011 season and with 2010 expected to be played uncapped, it was the Bears, Giants and Dolphins showing no fear wading into the free agency waters and making a splash.
Peppers Highlights First Day Of Free Agent Signings
The Bears struck first with the biggest name on the market in Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers. With Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith and the executive team on the hot seat, the conservative Bears opened their wallets to save their own hides. Despite being on the north side of 30, Peppers was showered with a six-year deal worth up to $91.5 million, with $42 million guaranteed. Taking advantage of the uncapped season, the Bears loaded $20 million into the first season of the contract. The Bears were very busy yesterday, also signing Vikings RB Chester Taylor and San Diego TE Brandon Manumaleuna.
It’s do or die in the Windy City.
A similar atmosphere loomed in the Meadowlands yesterday, with the New York Giants scrambling to fill holes in a defense that went from being the best in the NFL to the worst in the NFL in the middle of one season. With gaping holes at linebacker and safety, the Giants will likely address these areas of need in both the free agency signing period and at the draft. With a treasure trove of linebackers in the draft, the Giants passed on Arizona LB Karlos Dansby and signed his teammate, S Antrel Rolle, fresh off his first Pro Bowl since converting from cornerback.
Rolle was released by the Cardinals last week in a salary dump move. Rolle was due a $3 million roster bonus as well as an $8 million salary for the final season of his contract. The Giants were quick to swoop in and pick up the top safety on the market and make him the highest paid safety in NFL history. The deal is a five-year contract worth $37 million, of which $15 million is guaranteed.
After losing out on Rolle, the Miami Dolphins targeted Dansby to fill the hole left by the departure of the talented malcontent LB Joey Porter. Dansby is the first change made under new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan to fix a defense that melted under pressure and caused the Dolphins to miss out on back-to-back playoff appearances. Dansby was awarded a five year deal worth $43 million, with $22 million guaranteed.
The first day of free agency was marked by defense, defense, defense. Outside of the Baltimore Raven’s trade for Anquan Boldin, very little news occurred on that side of the ball. Expect to see momentum pick up on offensive signings in the next few days.
The final week of the NFL season is upon us and the playoff scenarios are the talk of the NFL. In the AFC, seven teams are still alive for a spot in the playoffs. The New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens have the easy course…win and your in, lose and you are out.
The tiebreaker scenarios change significantly based on who wins and who loses. The Jets and Ravens lose every tiebreaker scenario, making it a free-for-all should either team lose. The following is a breakdown of all the possibilities for today’s games:
New York Jets clinch a playoff spot with:
A win over Cincinnati Bengals
Baltimore Ravens clinch a playoff spot with:
A win over the Oakland Raiders
Denver Broncos clinch a playoff spot with:
Denver win and a New York loss or tie and a Baltimore loss or tie
Denver win and a New York loss or tie and a Pittsburgh loss or tie
Denver win and a New York loss or tie and a Houston win
Denver win and a Baltimore loss or tie and a Pittsburgh loss or tie
Denver win and a Baltimore loss or tie and a Houston win
Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a Jacksonville loss
Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a New York loss
Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Jacksonville loss and a New York loss
Pittsburgh loss and a Houston loss and a Jacksonville loss and a New York loss
Miami loss or tie and a New York loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a Jacksonville loss or tie
Pittsburgh Steelers clinch a playoff spot with:
Pittsburgh win and a Houston loss or tie and a New York loss or tie
Pittsburgh win and a Houston loss or tie and a Baltimore loss or tie
Pittsburgh win and a New York loss or tie and a Baltimore loss or tie and a Denver loss or tie
Houston Texans clinch a playoff spot with:
Houston win and a New York loss or tie and a Baltimore loss or tie
Houston win and a New York loss or tie and a Denver loss or tie
Houston win and a Baltimore loss or tie and a Denver loss or tie
Jacksonville Jaguars clinch a playoff spot with:
Jacksonville win and a Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Denver loss and a Houston loss
Jacksonville win and a Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Denver loss and a New York loss
Jacksonville win and a Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a New York loss
Jacksonville win and a Pittsburgh loss and a Denver loss and a Houston loss and a New York loss
Jacksonville win and a New York loss and a Denver loss and a Houston loss and a Baltimore loss
Miami Dolphins clinch a playoff spot with:
Miami win and a New York loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a Jacksonville loss or tie
Along with the Saints, there is another 12-0 team n the NFL and that is the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have been another team that has been very good at times but have been very fortunate to be undefeated. They have done it with the great play from their superstar quarterback, Peyton Manning. They have been suspect on the ground this year as Joseph Addai is their top runner only have amassing 662 yards but has twelve touchdowns. The Colts have a upcoming four game stretch that is win manageable on their quest to perfection.
The Colts next game is home to the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are coming off two impressive victories over the Giants and Chiefs. The Colts are in a different league than those two, add the home field advantage, and the Colts should be 13-0. Their next game is at Jacksonville. This could be a tough road game as Jacksonville as looked good at times. Which Jacksonville team will show up is the question. From their it is the Jets at home. The Colts should roll to a victory over them and possibly be within one game of a undefeated season. Their last game would be in the cold at Buffalo. The C0lts usually don’t fair well in the cold but if they are still undefeated that should warm them up wth the motivation to play well and get the victory.
As you see from their upcoming schedule, the Colts have a decent shot for a perfect season. I would love to see them match the 1972 Miami Dolphins and make this a memorable season for NFL fans. Peyton Manning is one of the best quarterbacks ever and deserves a season like this. Colts+Peyton could very well equal perfection.
The Saints pulled off a remarkable victory over the Washington Redskins yesterday to keep their hopes alive for a perfect season. They trailed the entire game and by ten in the fourth quarter. They tied the game and eventually won it in overtime. They had no business winning the game, but you have to be lucky to be 12-0 at this stage in the NFL season. One question comes to mind; Can they win their next four games and be perfect.
Their next game is at Atlanta. Atlanta has injuries to Matt Ryan and Michael Turner; so they will be hard pressed to beat a good and fortunate team like the Saints. From there it is Dallas at home. The home cookin’ will be something to see as they go for 14-0 against America’s team on a Saturday night. It they win that one, they have Tampa Bay at home and that should produce another victory that could put them one victory from perfection. Their last game is at Carolina. This is a game that intrigues me to say the least. How much will the Saints have left in their tank if they are still unbeaten?
I think the Saints have a better than average shot to pull off a undefeated season. They have a great quarterback in Drew Brees and seem to have lady luck on their side. It would make for a great story in the land of Mardi Gras. Imagine the partying that will go on in the Big Easy if the Saints pull off a perfect season. The Miami Dolphins could have company in that respect. It makes the NFL season that much more interesting down the stretch.
