Saturday, March 03, 2007

Big Names getting Big Deals.


Nate Clements signs historic contract with the Niners.


Highly touted cornerback, Nate Clements, has agreed to the highest contract for a defensive player in NFL history. The San Francisco 49ers addressed one of their biggest needs in signing Clements to an 8-year $80 million contract Friday. He is also receiving $22 million of his deal guaranteed. Clements was atop of many people's "Top FA" lists(including mine) because he is in the prime of his career, being only 27, he has great size for a corner, great tackler and has a nose for the ball. In order for him to show that he's is worth it, Clements is going to have to be a dominant shut down corner. Which Clements is more than capable of. San Francisco is expected to add at least 7 new starters on defense including safety an Philadelphia Eagle, Michael Lewis, and former Dolphin linebacker, Donnie Spragan on Saturday to name a few. They are already approaching the $100 million plateau with their signings thus far.

The Bills sign 3 on the first day of free-agency.

Obviously the Bills are more than willing to spend a little cash to get the guys they want. Buffalo's first deal was made shortly after 12:01 they signed versatile offensive linemen Jason Whittle. And they kept their aggressive signing going throughout the day signing two more offensive linemen, Langston Walker and Derrick Dockery. Both guys are absolutely massive, Walker stands at 6'8" 345 and Dockery at 6'6" 345. Walker is a guy that knows how to use his size to his advantage, just knocking most guys around, he can play either the guard or tackle position but the only knock on him is he has a tendency to not give his full effort so to speak and doesn't always pick up blitzes. Dockery is very athletic for such a big man, and is a very impressive run blocker. He should open up many running lanes for whoever is running the rock in Buffalo.

Steinbach opts to stay in Ohio, signs with Cleveland.

Former Bengal signs with the Browns and will add immediate athleticism and versatility to Cleveland's offensive line(if you can call them that). It is being reported that Steinbach signed a 7-year $49 million deal. Also it is reported that the Browns will switch him from right guard to right tackle and trust me, Eric will make a great tackle. I just wish he was still a Bengal.

Patriots sign maybe the best overall linebacker in the NFL.

It is reported that the New England Patriots and hybrid outside linebacker, Adalius Thomas, have a deal in principle. The terms of this outstanding signing aren't known yet, but i'm sure Thomas is going to be getting paid quite well for his services. Thomas fits in perfectly in the Pat's 3-4 scheme, being a hybrid he will take over OLB duties and could even see time at defensive end. I know it's early and I am certainly not taking any of the thunder of the Clements deal, but this is by far the most significant deal we will see this season. The Patriots had a big need and I was fully expecting them to try and fill the need during the draft(which they still may, you can never have enough depth) but no one in the draft can provide the immediate presence that Thomas does and now with Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel in the inside and Rosevelt Colvin and the addition of Thomas, the Patriots have the best linebacker core in the NFL.

Redskins add some veteran leadership in the form of London Fletcher.

The Washington Redskins locked up London Fletcher with a 5-year $25 million deal. In addition to his $24 million he will also receive a $10.5 million signing bonus. Fletcher neglected to re-sign with the Buffalo Bills after having one of his best seasons of his career with 146 tackles, 2 sacks and a tied a career high 4 interceptions. Fletcher is one of the most consistent linebackers with having at least 119 tackles in 7 straight seasons. More deals are expected to be made by Washington throughout the weekend, word on the street as the kids would say is that cornerback Fred Smoot is close to completing a deal with the Skins'.

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