NFL Free Agency: Day 1

Charlie Klein

Having just finished my bowl of NFL-approved bowl of Chunky soup, I am now officially ready to dissect the first day of free agency.

It's a Bear Market

The Chicago Bears were the big spenders of the first day of free agency, signing defensive end Julius Peppers to a six year, $91.5 million contract. Peppers, the premier defensive end on the free agent market, made the Bears his number one choice and the Bears went after one of the most consistently strong ends in football. 

Peppers, the number two overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, leaves the Carolina Panthers after notching up 81sacks for the team. The Wilson, North Carolina native will earn $40.5 million in the first three years of his deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Peppers is due to receive $42 million in guarantees. Many in the NFL compare Peppers' deal to Albert Haynesworth's seven years, $100 million deal from the Washington Redskins last offseason. 

The Bears also signed free agent running back Chester Taylor from the rival Minnesota Vikings and added tight end Brandon Manumaleuna to a team that won only seven games last season. Taylor and Matt Forte will forge a powerful combination that will pay dividends for the development of Jay Cutler in Chicago. It's only day one, but I would have expected the Bears to try to redress their weakness at wide receiver. They did not get involved in the bidding for Anquan Boldin or for Nate Burleson.

Highway Robbery: Anquan Boldin Becomes A Raven

When I first saw that Boldin was trending on twitter, I assumed it was because he was dealt and was curious to see which team dealt some nice player or draft picks to the Cardinals. Imagine my surprise when I saw that the Ravens were able to acquire Boldin for a third and a fourth round pick! To top it all off the Ravens also receive the Cardinals fifth round draft pick. 

Major props have to go to Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome for adding the number one wide receiver that Joe Flacco has been waiting for since he was drafted in 2008. Derrick Mason, the Ravens top receiver the past two seasons, just does not cut it if one is trying to win in the AFC against the likes of Moss, Wayne, Marshall, and Ochocinco. The Ravens signed Boldin to a thee year, $25 million extension according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. This is my signing of the day. 

Dansby is a Dolphin

Anybody who tells you that losing Karlos Dansby doesn't hurt the Arizona Cardinals is downright ignorant. Dansby was one of their top defensive performers last season with 89 tackles and one sack. The Auburn Tiger is only 28 and has the best years of his career ahead of him in Miami.

Dansby signed the dotted line to the tune of four years, $43 million. He will be a direct replacement for the unwanted and malcontent Joey Porter. 

Rumour Du Jour: Brandon Marshall to Seattle

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Seattle Seahawks are very interested in Denver Broncos restricted free agent wideout Brandon Marshall. The 25 year-old wide receiver out of Central Florida is visiting the Pacific Northwest tomorrow hoping to join T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Deion Branch in the Seahawks offense. 

The move makes a lot of sense for both sides. The Seahawks need a top young wide receiver to complement Housh and Branch (both of whom are over 30) and to replace the departed Nate Burleson (who signed with the Detroit Lions for an outrageous five year, $25 million, with $11 million guaranteed). Seattle has two first round picks (sixth and fourteenth overall) and will miss out, barring any unforeseen events, on Suh, McCoy, and Berry. Marshall is currently better than any player they could draft at six and they could still address their biggest need for a young offensive lineman at fourteen. 

For the Broncos they would get a first and third round pick for Marshall, a player who has been a major distraction to the team over the past few years. The Broncos currently are without a first round pick (dealt to Seattle) and could find a decent piece for their team at six. And I am willing to bet that head coach Josh McDaniels would be glad to see the back of No. 15 after a tumultuous first season in charge at Mile High.