As free agency is in it’s closing hours, NFL players are switching teams, as well as some notable players are retiring. Last week the Philadelphia Eagles traded former league rushing leader LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills for linebacker Kiko Alonso. Alonso played for Eagles’ head coach Chip Kelly, when he was at the University of Oregon.
The Eagles attempted to fill the void at running back through free agency with former San Francisco 49er Frank Gore, but he is reportedly having second thoughts. If Gore does leave the 49ers, he appears to be just one of many. 7-time Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis is reportedly going to retire at only 30 years of age, and maybe defensive tackle Justin Smith could follow him out the door.
In a surprise to me, until I saw how much it would cost them, the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots declined the $20 million option for 6-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis. So once again, hired gun Revis is back on the open market. After spending his first 6 years with the New York Jets, Revis played in 2013 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, before spending last year with the Patriots.
The biggest signing of free agency is the Miami Dolphins’ acquisition of Ndamukong Suh, formerly of the Detroit Lions. The contract is for $114 million over the next 6 years, with $60 million guaranteed. Suh is now the highest paid defensive player in NFL history. While he is a great run stopper, and a very disruptive player, he is also commonly known as the dirtiest player in the NFL.
Highlighting his many dubious actions over his short career so far, was the Thanksgiving Day stomping on the arm of Evan Dietrich-Smith a few years ago, who was then on the Green Bay Packers. Suh lied at the time, saying it was an accident, when it was obviously on purpose. Maybe he’s not real clear on the fact that all NFL plays are on television, and played back in instant replay.
The Dolphins are taking a huge risk signing Suh to this enormous contract. Because of his previous offenses, any future suspension will be substantial, and you can count on him doing something stupid again. I’m sure he will help their poor run defense, but he’s not worth that much money, and especially not the $60 million guaranteed for a player with a checkered past.
Other notable players cut by NFL teams include wide receiver Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans. Johnson is the all-time leading receiver in the short history of the franchise. The Pittsburgh Steelers cut veteran defensive end Brett Keisel, and they might also end up cutting future Hall of Fame safety Troy Polamalu.
The free agency period is over on March 10th at 4 p.m. EST. I’m sure there will be a few more moves before then, but time is running out. Next up is the NFL Draft, starting on April 30th.
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