So here we are, at 12 AM ET on Saturday morning NFL teams were able to start to negotiate with free agents from other teams. This doesn't mean that we can expect a whole lot of news over the weekend.
The league office in New York City sent out this memo to all 32 teams, warning them of tampering violations and possible penalties. Here is the full memo.
Clubs were advised in PP-26-13 that during the three-day negotiating period for prospective Unrestricted Free Agents, they are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2012 Player Contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 12, and that no contract can be executed with a new club until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 12.
Clubs are further advised that prior to the beginning of the new League Year it is impermissible for a club to enter into an agreement of any kind, express or implied, oral or written, or promises, undertakings, representations, commitments, inducements, assurances of intent or understandings of any kind concerning the terms or conditions of employment offered to, or to be offered to, any prospective Unrestricted Free Agent for inclusion in a Player Contract after the start of the new League Year. Any announcement of an agreement or an agreement in principle by a club or another party, including, but not limited to, a certified agent, player, or media organization may subject the club to a tampering investigation.
It is right there in black and white. Teams who enter into agreements with free agents may be subject to tampering investigations. As we all know, commissioner Roger Goodell has an iron fist when it comes to stuff like this. Don't expect a whole lot to break until the new league year begins on Tuesday.
These rules do not include players that were released of their contracts prior to midnight eastern on Saturday or before Tuesday's start of free agency. On that note....
Kansas City Chiefs Sign Dunta Robinson
Kansas City has wasted absolutely no time adding to a team that won just a couple games this past season. As you already know, they have agreed in principle to a trade that will bring them Alex Smith from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a a second-round pick in 2013 and conditional (second or third) round pick in 2014.
In addition, Kansas City retained Dwayne Bowe on a five-year contract Monday, while placing the franchise tag on Branden Albert and releasing Eric Winston.
Now comes the news that Kansas City has signed recently released Dunta Robinson, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons, to a three-year contract. Robinson will be penciled in as the starter opposite Brandon Flowers to form a decent starting cornerback tandem in Kansas City.
Two Sign Franchise Tenders
Defensive tackle Henry Melton of the Chicago Bears and defensive end Anthony Spencer of the Dallas Cowboys wasted absolutely no time in signing the franchise tenders that were given to them on Monday. Melton, a break-out performer in 2012 with Chicago is set to earn $8.5 million under the tag. Spencer, who recorded double-digit sacks last season, will earn about $1 million per sack he tallied (10.5). Both are looking for long-term deals.
John Abraham Dining with San Francisco 49ers
Former Pro Bowl defensive end John Abraham, who recorded 10 sacks for the Atlanta Falcons last season, dined with 49ers' brass in Santa Clara on Friday night and likely stayed the night in the Bay Area after meeting with the Seattle Seahawks earlier in the day. This is surprising on a couple different fronts. While Seattle runs a hybrid defensive scheme, San Francisco is strictly a 3-4 defense. Abraham, hasn't played outside linebacker since he was a young pup with the New York Jets back in the early 2000's.
As many here in Northern California already know, free agents (who the 49ers want to sign) rarely leave without actually coming to terms on an agreement. Finally, Seattle's awesome tandem of general manager John Schneider and Pete Carroll probably wouldn't let Abraham leave the Pacific Northwest for California if they were interested in signing the veteran.
I know the following question has likely popped into your mind. How can San Francisco or Seattle sign Abraham before Tuesday? Well, he was released by Atlanta late last week, which enables him to sign at any time. The Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also interested. It is, however, likely that Abraham will sign with either San Fancisco or Seattle if he wants to play for a true contender.
Veterans Shown the Door
A multitude of different veterans were released on Friday. The San Diego Chargers parted ways with starting strong safety Atari Bigby, who was in Southern California for just one season. Bigby started 11 games and recorded 60 tackles this past season. His release comes on the heels of the Chargers sending Takeo Spikes packing on Thursday.
Fellow safety Dawan Landry of the Jacksonville Jaguars was a surprising salary-cap victim on Friday. The 30-year-old strong safety has started every game in each of the last for seasons, first with the Baltimore Ravens then with Jacksonville over the last two years. While he leaves a little bit to be desired in coverage, Landry is one of the better in-the-box safeties in the NFL. He will draw a tremendous amount of interest on the open market.
Cornerback Chris Gamble, who started 117 games in nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers, was released by the tream that drafted him back in 2004. The veteran defensive back was set to count over $8 million against the cap next season, which wasn't sustainable considering his level of regression over the last three seasons. Even at 29, Gamble should draw some interest as a slot corner.
Another veteran cornerback, Aaron Ross of Jacksonville, was also sent packing on Thursday. Ross came to the Jaguars on a three-year deal last spring, but really didn't help fortify what had and still is a weak Jacksonville' secondary. He recorded zero interceptions and three passes defended in nine starts. While some will be turned off by his lack of production this past season, it is important to note that Ross is just one season removed from recording 13 passes defended and four interceptions by the (then) Super Bowl Champion' New York Giants.
In a less than surprising move, the Arizona Cardinals have released their longest-tenured player. Adrian Wilson, who had been with the team since it drafted him in the third-round of the 2001 NFL Draft, was sent packing on Friday. The five-time Pro Bowler saw his game regress a bit this past season after being among the best strong safeties in the league over the previous six seasons. At 33-years-old, it remains to be seen if Wilson will draw much interest as a starter next season.
Two More Veterans "On Verge" of Being Released
Linebacker James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers and cornerback DeAngelo Hall of the Washington Redskins are both likely to be released this weekend. Harrison, a five-time Pro Bowler who has recorded 61 sacks in the last six seasons, is set to earn over $6.6 million next season and is unlikely to return to Pittsburgh. He will draw some interest as a situational pass rusher for a team that runs a 3-4 defense. Meanwhile, the enigmatic Hall will be shown the door by Washington. His production has decreased in each of the last two seasons and just isn't the same player he used to be. He should still catch on as a reserve corner for a contending team in '13.
Restricted Free Agent Victor Cruz Drawing Interest
The Salsa Man himself, Victor Cruz could actually be moving on from the New York Giants after two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. While it would require a team a first-round pick as compensation for signing Cruz, reports indicated that "a few" teams may be interested in his services. However unlikely it might be, a team with a lot of picks could actually sign Cruz to a tender, at which point New York would be given time to match it. Of course the San Francisco 49ers, who will have 15 picks in April and are in need of a wide receiver, will be mentioned. Other options, and it is pure conjecture here, could be the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks.
Stayed tuned to eDraft for updated free agent information as it become available. Head Editor Vincent Frank and Associate Editor Nick Slegel will have updated "blogs" on here once free agency begins on Tuesday.