Post 8 - Graham to the Seahawks? Ngata to the Lions? What's happening in Free Agency?

Hello! And welcome to my corner.

Free Agency opened yesterday and what an absolutely crazy day. In less than an hour there had already been multiple blockbuster trades and signings reported, unlike anything in recent memory.

Prior to free agency, news broke of the Eagles trading LeSean McCoy to the Bills for Kiko Alonso. I believe, given the reasons we have heard since the trade, that both teams won this trade. The Bills get a top 5 running back and get rid of a guy who won't fit their scheme and the Eagles get one of the best young linebackers in the game and get rid of a player costing them a huge amount of cap space who was apparently not on the same page as Chip Kelly. With the cap space freed by shipping McCoy, Trent Cole and Cary Williams, the Eagles have been able to sign Byron Maxwell, Walter Thurmond, Brad Jones and Brandon Graham.

In perhaps the biggest deal of the day, the Saints traded All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham and a 4th round pick to Seattle for Pro-Bowl center Max Unger and a 1st round pick in this years draft. I couldn't believe it at the time and I still can't. Jimmy Graham has been arguably the best tight end in football for 3 years and has been the difference maker for the Saints in so many games! As for the Seahawks, I am not looking forward to playing them next year. I mean, as far as triplets go, Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and Jimmy Graham figures to be one of the best. If they all stay healthy then I can see the Seahawks boasting the most formidable offense and defense the league has seen for a long time.

Literally moments later everyone heard that the Ravens had traded Haloti Ngata to the Lions for a 4th and 5th round pick. On the surface, as a Ravens fan at least, that doesn't seem like a very good trade as we lost an unbelievable talent and a huge leader for not that much, however, the move cleared $8.5 million in cap space. Furthermore, Jernigan showed that he is very capable of filling Ngata's shoes. Though I'm still weary of how our front seven will hold up, Ngata was simply dominant and I don't think Jernigan can replicate that yet, if ever.

Another crazy Eagles trade came next. Nick Foles and a conditional draft pick were traded to the Rams in exchange for Sam Bradford. This one is peculiar for the Eagles. Sam Bradford has shown flashes and could be very good for Chip Kelly's system, the real question is can he stay healthy? He missed most of the 2013 season with a torn ACL and missed the entirety of last year after tearing the same ACL. Although, it is rumored that the Titans are interested in Bradford, so, is all of this a plan to then trade up to number 2 and get Mariota? I'm sure Eagles fans hope so!

Although the deal is yet to be signed, Ndamukong Suh has agreed to a huge deal with the Dolphins worth $114 million over 6 years, with $60 million guaranteed! This is huge for the Dolphins, who will now boast Cameron Wake and Suh on the same D-line. I certainly wouldn't wanna be an offensive lineman or QB in the AFC East for the foreseeable future.

Other big moves included; Darrelle Revis going home to the Jets with a 5-year, $70 million contract, Julius Thomas signed a 5-year, $46 million deal with the Jaguars, Torrey Smith agreed to sign a 5-year, $40 million deal with the 49ers, Mike Iupati has agreed to a deal with the Cardinals, Pernell McPhee has gone to Chicago on a 5-year, $40 million deal, Frank Gore is going to the Colts for 3 years and $12 million, Jeremy Maclin has signed with the Chiefs on a deal that will apparently average $11 million a year, Orlando Franklin has agreed to a deal with the Chargers and Shane Vereen is heading to the Giants.

What a mad start to free agency, lets hope it continues.


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