Free Agency Morning Updates

Good morning everyone– here’s whats up on the free agent market this morning:

-Top cornerback on the market Dunta Robinson, formerly of the Texans, is reportedly meeting with the Atlanta Falcons today.  According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter this deal is likely going to get done, probably for about 5 years.  The Falcons need to upgrade their pass defense, as they were 28th last year against the pass and 10th against the run.  With a potent young offense Atlanta’s defense is all that’s preventing them from getting to the playoffs again.  While Robinson may not be elite and makes errors in coverage, he’s still better than the average NFL corner.  This is a good pickup for the Falcons, depending on how much they pay Robinson.

-WR Nate Burleson has signed with the Detroit Lions.  He will now play opposite Calvin Johnson and the Lions hope he’ll be another usable weapon for Matthew Stafford.  According to ESPN, Burleson will get a 5 year deal for $25 million with $11 million guaranteed.  Burleson had an inconsistent career in Seattle, but did have his best season in Seattle under now Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, when he had over 1,000 receiving yards.  I’m generally underwhelmed by Burleson because he hasn’t had a great year since 2004, so I’m not sure this is the answer the Lions were looking for.

-The Lions have made more moves– apparently coming to a deal with Titans DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (4 years, $26 million).  That’s a large deal for a DE in his early 30s, but this is once again a case of a player, once great, reuniting with an old coach to see if they can recapture the spark that made the player great.  Lions head coach Jim Schwartz was the defensive coordinator in Tennessee when Vanden Bosch had his best seasons.  The Lions appear committed to getting better and adding veteran leadership to their team.  If you’re a Lions fan there may be hope yet.

-Former Chargers TE Brandon Manumaleuna has signed a deal with the Bears.  Manumaleuna played TE wit Bears coordinator Mike Martz in St. Louis and is known more as a blocking tight end, which the the role Martz traditionally likes tight ends to play in his offense.  This deal could mean a trade is on the way for current Bears TE Greg Olsen, who is known as a pass catching tight end and has apparently already been told by Martz that he’ll need to focus on blocking next season.  Olsen is apparently not okay with that, which he shouldn’t be given that he is the Bears’ best pass catching weapon.  Maybe the Bears can get some picks back in this draft out of Olsen.

- The Cromartie to Jets trade is official.  Just wanted to reiterate the off field issues currently facing Cromartie– he apparently has 7 kids by 6 different women and 5 active paternity suits.  That’s Travis Henry levels.  Apparently the Jets aren’t worried about those issues and Cromartie’s lackluster play the last two years– let’s see if Rex Ryan can turn this guy around.

-Colts linebacker Gary Brackett isn’t leaving.  Apparently the Colts have worked out a 5 year deal with Brackett to keep him in Indy.  Brackett is the captain of the Colts defense, so it’s not shocking that they wanted him back and made a deal work.  Teams looking for an inside linebacker will now have to look at Karlos Dansby to fill that hole.

-Rumors are flying about Chad Pennington trying to resign wit the Dolphins.  Apparently both sides want to do a deal, but the agreement is being held up by Pennington’s demand for a no trade clause.  It’s apparent Pennington wants to stay in one place for the remainder of his career, but the Dolphins may be ready to turn the reins of the offense over to Chad Henne soon and certainly don’t want to be stuck with an expensive backup in a year or two if they decide they no longer want Pennington to start.  It’s therefore no shock  they don’t want to agree to a no trade clause, since they could get value for Pennington from plenty of QB hungry teams if they later decide they want to go with Henne.  We’ll see how that negotiation goes.

-Did I mention the Broncos signed former Cal great J.J. Arrington to a deal yesterday?  Arrington was signed by the Broncos last year before being cut after Arrington’s knee injury appeared more serious than thought.  Arrington sat out last year and is now back in the league.  Just sayin.