RADIO
Welcome to Day Two of the NFL's 2015 league year, where we're going to cover the notable free-agent signings and rumors as of Wednesday evening. Yesterday I covered some of the big stories from Day One of the NFL's free agency period, in case you missed it.
There's a lot of free agent news to cover, with lots of players joining new teams, so let's get right into it.
NFL Free Agent Signings & Player Movement
Philadelphia Eagles Continue The Insanity
Well, if you want to be entertained this offseason, look no further than Philadelphia. Chip Kelly has lost his No.1 QB, No. 1 RB, and No. 1 WR from last season, but Chip Kelly appears unconcerned due to the addition of Sam Bradford at quarterback.
Bradford's joining the Eagles may prove to add value at more than just quarterback, as former Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray has expressed interest in joining the Eagles and playing with Bradford, his old roommate at Oklahoma. The addition of Murray, the NFL's leading rusher last season, would certainly placate some fans who were frustrated at the loss of LeSean McCoy.
Even if the Eagles don't land Murray, they did add depth at running back by signing free-agent Ryan Mathews from San Diego. When healthy, Mathews is capable of being a legit weapon out of the backfield, but his career has been marked by injury issues.
The Eagles also added free-agent cornerbacks Byron Maxwell and Walter Thurmond, shoring up a secondary that was a weakness for the Eagles in 2014. Of course, "upgrading" at corner relies on Thurmond being able to stay healthy (he hasn't played more than 14 games a season in his career) and Maxwell being a shutdown corner without the aid of Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor.
So I guess what I'm saying is that Philadelphia's training staff is gonna earn their keep this season.
Indianapolis Colts Sign Frank Gore, Andre Johnson
The addition of Gore is surprising, as the veteran back was rumored to be heading to Philadelphia (them again) but changed his mind and decided to sign with the Colts. Gore provides the Colts with a reliable rushing option that they haven't really had in the Andrew Luck era (lookin' at you, Trent Richardson), even if there is a lot of tread on his tires. The three-year contract the Colts signed him to takes him through his 13th NFL season, in a time where the shelf life of running backs seems lower than ever. Gore has done a good job of avoiding a drop-off so far in his career, but we'll have to see how he fares at age 35.
The Colts also added WR Andre Johnson after Johnson requested a trade from the Houston Texans. Johnson is second in the NFL among active receivers with 1,012 career receptions and 13,597 receiving yards, trailing only former Colt Reggie Wayne. Johnson certainly has to be happy playing for Andrew Luck over the carousel of uninspiring QB options he's been playing with in Houston over the last couple of years.
Ndamukong Suh Signs 6-Year, $114-Million Contract With Dolphins
With the Bills trading pretty aggressively, and the Jets adding some star power of their own, the Dolphins' signing of Suh continues the AFC East's efforts to win just one title over the Patriots. Suh is a terror on the defensive line who should immediately have an impact in Miami.
Of course, Suh comes with his own set of issues, as his many incidents of on-field violence have been well-documented, the latest being a stomp onto the injured leg of Aaron Rodgers. So it'll probably be about 30 seconds into the first Dolphins-Patriots game before he's suspended for reducing Tom Brady to paste.
Julius Thomas Signs With Jaguars
Free-agent tight end Julius Thomas cashed in with Jacksonville, signing a 5-year, $46 million dollar contract to play in North Florida, and prompting many people (myself included) to ask "Seriously? Jacksonville?" This is a huge get for the Jaguars, adding one of the top tight ends in the league to a stable of young receiving threats for second-year quarterback Blake Bortles.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether or not Thomas can replicate his previous production catching passes from Bortles instead of Peyton Manning, but if he can, it should make Bortles' sophomore season a lot happier than his rough rookie outing.
New York Jets Sign Darrelle Revis (Again)
Jets fans have to be happy, as the organization went out and brought Revis back to New York on a 5-year, $70 million dollar contract. Of course, he's only coming back after winning* a Super Bowl with the division-rival Patriots, but better late then never, I guess. Revis should shore up a Jets' passing defense that was pretty terrible (as any fantasy owner whose quarterbacks or receivers played the Jets can attest), resulting in a defense that should be a pretty respectable unit in 2015.
In fact, the addition of star power in Revis and WR Brandon Marshall leaves the Jets pretty well stocked...except at quarterback.
Wait, what's that?
Jets Trade Conditional Draft Picks For QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
FITZMAGIC IS COMING TO MANHATTAN!
...which still leaves the Jets starting the winner of Geno Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Jets can not catch a break at quarterback, can they? (cue Jets fans, booing sadly)
Texans Sign Free Agent Brian Hoyer
Good Lord, these free agent QB signings are depressing. I have to end this now before I start crying.
*Nope, the asterisk joke still isn't old.
