With the Falcons expected to keep a close eye on the market without actually pouncing anytime soon, I thought a live blog would help to carry us through the day.
The Falcons are said to be interested in Steven Jackson and Richard Seymour, among others, but we know if Thomas Dimitroff can't get players to agree to a team-friendly contract early, he's content to wait them out. At this point, no move would truly surprise me, but it would surprise me if we got one today.
Still, the rest of the league is busy throwing their dollars at free agents. Let's take a closer look. This live blog will be updated throughout the day!
The Live Blog
4:36 p.m. — Yeah, the Falcons just signed Steven Jackson. Head over to our latest story!
3:15 p.m. — The Colts have reportedly just signed Ricky-Jean Francois, a perfectly useful rotational lineman, to a 4-year, $22 million contract. Some guys are getting too little money, some are getting too much.
Ricky Jean Francois agreed to a 4 year, $22 M deal with the Colts, per source.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 14, 2013
2:39 p.m. — The Saints are reportedly on the verge of signing cornerback Keenan Lewis. It's a nice, relatively low-cost signing for a team that has gaping holes all over its defense, damn them.
Next CB deal likely done is in New Orleans. Saints are close to deal with Steelers free-agent CB Keenan Lewis that could be done today.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2013
2:23 p.m. — Michael Bennett is making his first known free agent visit to the Dolphins. He's one of the guys I'm hoping the Falcons will take a look at, but Miami likes to bring guys in, hauls Gatorade barrels full of money into the room and dump them over their heads, so uh oh.
DE Michael Bennett is visiting the Dolphins today, per league source.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 14, 2013
1:46 p.m. — The top cornerback on the open market is now off it. The Chiefs have signed Sean Smith to a three-year contract, giving them a formidable cornerbacking corps and potentially setting the market for guys like Brent Grimes.
Congratulations to #TeamDEC client @seansmith24 on agreeing to terms on a 3 year contract with the @kcchiefs
— David Canter (@davidcanter) March 14, 2013
1:25 p.m. — Anyone who thought the Falcons made a mistake cutting Dunta Robinson should consider this: He's making about $4.6 million a season and the Chiefs are probably moving him to safety. One of Dimitroff's worst moves by a wide margin.
The guy who once put "Pay me, Rick" on his shoes didn't get paid very much wp.me/p14QSB-7CDy
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 14, 2013
1:16 p.m. — Example one of why you shouldn't spend huge dollars in free agency: The Dolphins have now sank $60+ million into Mike Wallace. I like Wallace, but that $11-million plus in 2015 is going to look pretty bad if Ryan Tannehill doesn't develop and the rest of the offense doesn't perform, both of which are distinct possibilities. You want to roll the dice with your dollars, but the Dolphins have thrown out a lot of money and it's not clear that they're a greatly improved football team because of it.
11:37 a.m. — The Texans sent a private plane to pick up Ed Reed, whose wizened visage could be seen staring in wonderment at the passing clouds.
11:18 a.m. — The Redskins have signed away longtime Buccaneers tackle Jeremy Trueblood, who would like it very much if you'd stop confusing him with that damn vampire soap opera.
Confirmed that Trueblood has agreed to terms with #Redskins pending a physical.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) March 14, 2013
10:48 a.m. — The Chiefs have now released Matt Cassel, who was one of the worst starting quarterbacks in football a year ago. The Vikings and Patriots might be interested.
10:22 a.m. — Nnamdi Asomugha is visiting the 49ers, who do need some help in their secondary. They've also been linked to Charles Woodson:
As @mattbarrows reported, free-agent CB Nnamdi Asomugha visiting 49ers today.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2013