Gimme Some Green! NFL Free Agency Underway

The NFL opened up its free agency doors on Friday and---as expected---plenty of players have been cashing in.

The two biggest ones to sign contracts so far have been QB Ben Roethlisberger and WR Randy Moss. Big Ben got an 8 year/$102 million deal to stay in Pittsburgh for the long haul, with a $36 million signing bonus up front (the largest for a quarterback in NFL history). Not all that ridiculous when you consider that Roethlisberger is only 26, already has a Super Bowl ring to his credit and has made the playoffs in three of his four NFL seasons.

Meanwhile, Randy "the Freak" Moss dabbled in free agency for a weekend before re-signing with New England for 3 years and $27 million, a good deal both ways considering Moss's age (31).

Other teams getting heavy into the free agency game might surprise you. How about the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets? Surely, the Browns have made a major splash in this year's free agency period. After re-signing QB Derek Anderson to a 3 year/$20 million contract, Cleveland signed WR Dante Stallworth (Patriots), then traded second and third-round picks for defensive tackles Cory Williams (Packers) and Shaun Rogers (Lions). There's no denying that Cleveland is significantly stronger up the middle now defensively.

And we've seen the Jets go out and spend more than $60 million in guaranteed contracts for a bunch of new talent. Marquee touchdown makers they are not, but the likes of Pro Bowl guards Al Faneca and Damien Woody, along with defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and linebacker Calvin Pace, have New York feeling optimistic after a 4-12 season. Still, for all the adding, the Jets did trade 26 year-old LB Jonathan Vilma to the Saints for a conditional draft pick, a deal made necessary because of Vilma's discomfort in playing Eric Mangini's 3-4 defensive scheme. (One wonders how that deal will look in a year if Mangini struggles again and gets fired, but we'll save that conversation for another day.)

Elsewhere, San Francisco did well for itself, picking up DE Justin Smith (Bengals), WR Isaac Bruce (Rams) and RB DeShaun Foster (Panthers). Bill Parcells is making his presence felt in Miami already, acquiring G Justin Smiley (49ers), WR Ernest Wilford (Jaguars) and DT Jason Ferguson (Cowboys). Minnesota made a great move in signing WR Bernard Berrian (Bears), though the Vikings still need a quarterback to get him the ball. The Purple and Gold also signed S Madieu Williams (Bengals) to a big deal.

Jacksonville acquired WR Jerry Porter from Oakland in the hopes that he can be their number one target. The Jags also picked up wideout Troy Williamson in a deal with the Vikes, and signed QB Cleo Lemon (Dolphins) as a back-up.

As expected, the Patriots have lost some pieces. None bigger than CB Asante Samuel, who's been among the best cover men in the game the past few years. Philadelphia signed Samuel to a massive free agent contract. Other moves of note: Tennessee signed TE Alge Crumpler (Falcons), giving Vince Young at least one reliable target. The Super Bowl champion New York Giants have lost some pieces. Oakland inked S Gibril Wilson (Giants) to a big contract. The Giants also lost LB Kawika Mitchell to the Bills, but signed S Sammy Knight (Jaguars).

Atlanta gave out big money to RB Michael Turner (Chargers), then promptly released career rushing leader Warrick Dunn. After trading for LB Vilma from the Jets, New Orleans bolstered its secondary by signing CB Randall Gay (Patriots). Carolina re-obtained WR Muhsin Muhammad (Bears), hoping he can alleviate some pressure off stud playmaker Steve Smith.

As for Dallas fans, the Cowboys jumped out with the surprising acquisition of former Miami LB Zach Thomas. The 34-year-old has a history of concussion problems, but that didn't scare Dallas away. Since then, Big D has gone utterly quiet on the free agent trail. Armed with two first-round draft picks, it's hard to ignore the thought that Jerry Jones is going to be ultra-agressive when it comes to trades at the draft in April.

-JAB