Free Agency 2009: Day 1 Update

Being that we are totally anal about everything Green Bay Packers here at Total Packers (hence the name Total Packers, I guess), we have been keeping a close eye on all the free agent developments since the league’s business year began last night. And…

It’s been a whirlwind first day, that probably isn’t nearly over yet. Several of the players on our Top 15 list of free agent targets have already signed elsewhere. Why someone wouldn’t take several million dollars less to be a Green Bay Packer, I’m not sure. Personally, I’d play for the Green Bay Packers for free.

Signings

Leading things off was that idiot Daniel Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins. Snyder made a big move before the signing period began by reupping cornerback DeAngelo Hall for six years at $54 million. The deal includes $22.5 million guaranteed.

Hall was No. 7 on our list of targets and the second-rated cornerback, but $22.5 million in guaranteed money and almost $10 million a season he did not deserve. In fact, that contract is ludicrous, and I don’t mean the rapper.

As soon as the free agency period opened, Snyder opened the checkbook again, signing everyone’s top free agent, Albert Haynesworth, to a $100 million, 7-year contract. Yes, $100-fucking-million. I can’t even comprehend that number, but it makes Haynesworth – a guy who’s never played a full season in the league – the highest paid defensive player in the game. $41 million of the contract is guaranteed.

Again, these are stupid numbers, but Snyder, after sitting last year’s free agency signing period out, has a history of throwing big money at big names. He’s often regretted those decisions. Let’s hope he regrets these as well.

Meanwhile, our No. 2 target, Bart Scott, signed with the New York Jets today for a reported 6-year, $48 million deal. The Jets were looking to spend during the signing period, and that they have.

Visits and Negotiations

Ray Lewis, No. 3 on our list, is negotiating with Baltimore and, as Joe Fortenbaugh reports, Lewis’ asking price is high.

Apparently, Ray Lewis asked the Ravens for a lucrative amount of money over the next three years that Baltimore simply cannot afford. The Ravens want Lewis back, but cannot afford his price and are currently concerned that they will use most of their cash by the time Lewis realizes he is pricing himself out of the market, Fortenbaugh writes.

I wouldn’t look for Ted Thompson to play this game.

Antonio Smith (No. 4) has several visits lined up. Unfortunately the Packers are not among them. Smith has lined up stops with Houston, Philadelphia, the Giants, and (reportedly) Tampa Bay.

The Packers have been on the phone, however. The Green Bay Press Gazette is reporting that the Packers are in the mix for the Cowboys’ Chris Canty (No. 8). Unfortunately, Canty has not committed to visiting the Packers yet, and already has visits with the Giants and Seattle lined up. There are other teams that have their eye on the defensive end, as well.

The Packers, San Francisco and Tennessee also want to bring in Canty for a visit, but [agent Brad] Blank said Canty probably will take only one or maybe two other visits after this weekend. He’ll determine where else Canty will go after getting firm contract parameters and determing which of those teams are most interested. There’s also a chance Canty will sign while in New York or San Francisco.

Jon Stinchcomb (No. 10) was reportedly ready to sign with Seattle, but that has since been debunked by the Seattle PI.

Agent Pat Dye told the paper: “There is absolutely no truth to those rumors. I have not had a single conversation with Seattle regarding Jon Stinchcomb.”

Linebacker Michael Boley (No. 12) has scheduled a visit with the New York Giants, and could be a Giant by the end of the day.

LB Michael Boley, who spent his first four seasons with the Falcons, will visit the Giants later today, according to someone familiar with the team’s discussions with Boley. And from the sounds of it, if everything goes well, Boley could be a Giant by the end of the day, according to Mike Garafolo of NJ.com.

Cornerback Phillip Buchanon (No. 13) is high on the St. Louis Rams list, but they are getting competition from his current team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to ProFootballTalk.

Trades

Yes, there was Kellen Winslow, but that affects us in no way.

The Minnesota Vikings finally consummated the trade for Houston Texans quarterback Sage Rosenfels, today. The deal was for a fourth-round draft choice. They also kicked part-time starter Gus Frerotte to the curb.

Rosenfels will compete with The Man, The Myth, The Legend – Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job. The loser will get the consolation prize of carrying around Aaron Rodgers jock strap for the next year.

According to Fox Sports, Rosenfels also received a 2-year, $9 million contract extension. $5 million is guaranteed.

And now, we can all start shaking in our boots.

Rumors

Here is my favorite part – wild speculation.

I was on Twitter with the Journal Sentinel’s Greg Bedard last night, and he threw out a wild card: Houston Texans safety C.C. Brown.

Brown only played in three games last season, but put together three solid seasons before that. I can’t say I know much about the guy, other than he averaged 80 tackles a year in his first three seasons, he played in the 3-4, and comes with a reasonable price tag.

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