The race to land marquee NFL free agents is in full effect and there have already been some very surprising moves. While I’d prefer teams to reward players for their on-field performances and loyalty to a franchise, the League is
The race to land marquee NFL free agents is in full effect and there have already been some very surprising moves.
While I’d prefer teams to reward players for their on-field performances and loyalty to a franchise, the League is without a doubt a business where numbers, as in dollars, rule and the mantra is not what have you done for me, but rather what have you done for me lately?
Depending on which is your favorite team, you could already be jumping for joy because your team has brought in the guy who could put you over the top to win a title. Or you could be punching walls screaming foul words because the team let whatever good players it had walk away — ahem, Oakland Raiders.
Anyways, let’s take a look at some of the moves so far.
DE DeMarcus Ware cut by Dallas Cowboys, signed by Denver Broncos
In recent years in which the Cowboys have constantly underwhelmed despite its roster that looks like a sure playoff contender on paper, Ware has been the consistent playmaker on the field.
Though he had an off year last season because of injuries, and though he is about to enter into the 11th year of his career, I didn’t foresee Dallas cutting him.
Now Ware looks forward to a fresh start with the Broncos. Denver has also brought in cornerback Aqib Talib and safety T.J. Ward. It will be interesting to see if these moves will be enough to help a defense that was thoroughly thrashed in the Super Bowl.
San Francisco 49ers acquire OT Jonathan Martin and QB Blaine Gabbert
Martin was bound to move elsewhere. Going back home to play for his former college coach, Jim Harbaugh, is not a bad option.
If Martin and his new team can move past the bullying scandal, the Niners may have gotten another stud tackle for its already formidable offensive line.
The move to bring in Gabbert though is a bit of a head scratcher. Though the Niners only gave up a sixth round pick in this year’s draft and a conditional pick in 2015, why make the move for a player who struggled mightily in Jacksonville?
Undoubtedly, Gabbert will only be competing for a backup role. But if, for whatever reason, starter Colin Kaepernick should go down, is Gabbert really the guy to whom the Niners want to hand over its offense?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut CB Darrelle Revis
The move was made to prevent the Bucs from paying Revis $16 million and a $1.5 million bonus if he had remained on the team.
The move also saved Tampa Bay from sending a draft pick over to the New York Jets.
The five-time Pro Bowler will now be playing for the New England Patriots after signing a one-year, $12 million deal with the AFC power.
He should be fully recovered from his ACL injury although he did play all 16 games for the Bucs.
Whether he will return to being the premiere shutdown cornerback he was during his days in New York, only time will tell.
• Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or NCelario@thegardenisland.com.
