Monday, March 24, 2008

Free Agents

Hey guys, sorry that updates have been so infrequent of late. School is busy, and there isn't huge amounts of NFL news. This is finally it for free agency though, I think...

Bengals sign TE Ben Utecht from the Colts. This is an upgrade at a position of need for them, and gives their offense more flexibility when just working with just two WRs on the field. 

The Falcons stole K Jason Elam from the Broncos. This was really stupid on the Broncos part. Elam was a great guy, and they won (by my count) 3 games last season on last second field goals... including a spectacular one on the season opener in Buffalo. Without him? 4-12. That would have been rough. Huge coup for the Falcons, because nothing helps a challenged offense more than a reliable long range kicker. The Broncos will have to hope they can find this years Mason Crosby in the draft (who should have gone to the Pro Bowl over Nick Folk). The street talent at K is pretty limited right now. Your best bet is probably Morten Anderson, who continues his quest to be the NFLs first 50 year old player. I think he's two seasons short. Anyways, he's reliable, going 24 for 27 last year, but can't hit them past 40 yards out. 

Browns sign former Houston LB Shantee Orr. Well, he's fast. So that's good for special teams. That's about it. 

49ers sign CB Donald Strickland. He's a backup. 

Another big signing, Packers get S Atari Bigby for one year. They hope to sign him long term. You may remember him for his spectacular performance against the Seahawks in the playoffs, as he absolutely demolished Bobby Engram and Marcus Pollard on several occasions. He was less of a factor against the Giants, but still got, as I remember, at least one good hit on Amani Toomer. His coverage is still a little raw, but if he's playing well he gets receivers scared to extend to catch the ball... worried that it will leave them open for a big hit. 

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