Free Agency Update … Thursday Cup O’Chiefs

It started in the last days of February and so far 126 unrestricted free agents have signed with new teams in the National Football League. That’s based on official notification to the league office of new contracts through Wednesday afternoon.

That’s 126 of 336 available UFAs. Another 88 players re-signed with their former teams. That still leaves 214 UFAs on the street. Some have retired, but others are still searching for a football home, staying in shape and hoping their careers are not over.

Some guys hit the lottery, like defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (left), who skipped out of Tennessee for Washington, collecting a seven-year, $100 million contract, with an NFL record $41 million guaranteed dollars.

Of those UFAs that left for another team, 103 were like Haynesworth, signing within the first month of free agency. Since May 1st, only seven UFAs have signed with new teams. This year re-affirmed the idea that the money comes in a stampede during the first days of free agency, but then the pipeline dries up.

For the first time since free agency began in 1993, no restricted free agents changed teams. RFAs are players who have three years of service in the league. UFAs are players with four or more years of experience who see the end of their contracts.

This year there were 55 restricted free agents who received qualifying offers from their team and all stayed on board. In the previous 16 seasons of restricted free agents, as many as eight changed teams and as few as one, with an average of 3.9 RFAs switching teams each year.

Here are the numbers for free agents who changed teams over the 17 seasons of free agency:

Year     Unrestricted   Restricted
2009

126

0

2008

132

3

2007

126

4

2006

149

4

2005

104

3

2004

124

1

2003

111

5

2002

130

1

2001

93

4

2000

107

4

1999

115

2

1998

110

4

1997

85

2

1996

99

4

1995

171

6

1994

121

7

1993

108

8

The most active team for adding UFAs was Denver, as the Broncos signed 14. One of those players is already gone, as Denver released RB J.J. Arrington because of continuing problems with a knee injury.

Detroit was second with nine UFAs added and the Chiefs were third with eight: LB Monty Beisel, WR Terrance Copper, CB Travis Daniels, WR Bobby Engram, G Mike Goff, G Eric Ghiaciuc, TE Sean Ryan and LB Zach Thomas.

Carolina was the only team that did not sign at least one UFA from another team. Green Bay, Indianapolis, Minnesota and San Diego signed one UFA each.

The teams that lost the most UFAs to other teams were Seattle and San Francisco, as both teams lost seven players. Green Bay and New Orleans lost the fewest with one each.

The period for signing UFAs continues through next week.

VRABEL FINDS TIME TO GO TO CAPITOL HILL

Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel (far left in picture) was part of the contingent of players and officials from the NFL Players Association that spent Wednesday morning on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

They were lobbying lawmakers and aides for political support in their potential labor showdown with the NFL owners. The two sides have held two negotiating sessions on a new agreement.

Led by the NFLPA’s new executive director DeMaurice Smith, the union and players wanted to remind lawmakers that anti-trust exemptions granted by Congress help the owners maximize revenue.

Along with Vrabel, who is a member of the union’s executive committee, some 20 other current and former players walked the halls of the Capitol including Baltimore CB Domonique Foxworth, San Francisco LB Takeo Spikes, Cleveland OT Joe Thomas, St. Louis LB Chris Draft and Houston TE Mark Bruener.

ECONOMY & POOR TICKET SALES WIPES OUT JAGUARS TV

If fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars want to see the team’s home pre-season games, they will have to buy tickets.

The team announced on Wednesday that there will be no TV coverage in Jacksonville, either live or tape delayed, for games on August 22 against Tampa bay and September 3 with Washington.

The team’s pre-season broadcast partner — CBS affiliate WTEV — will not produce the games for a tape-delayed broadcast.

“The cost to produce the game is exactly the same whether it’s in prime time or on tape delay at 11 or midnight,” said WTEV general manager Jeff Whitson. “From a recouping-our-costs standpoint, advertisers are not going to get the same value and can’t be charged the same. The economics of the game’s whole plan change except for the expenses.”

Production costs for each game are around $80,000.

SIGNINGS & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE

NFL – suspended free agent CB Jimmy Williams for four games for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

BROWNS – signed sixth-round draft picks CB Don Carey and CB Coye Francies; released LB Jonathan Foster, DB Nate Ness and RB Marcus Thomas.

PATRIOTS – agreed to terms with second-round draft choice OT Sebastian Vollmer and signed seventh-round DT Darryl Richard.

RAIDERS – released LB Frantz Joseph.

RAMS – signed S Oshiomogho Atogwe to his franchise player tender offer.

RAVENS – signed LB Terrell Suggs to a six-year, $61.5 million contract with $38 million guaranteed.

SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …

Born on July 16, 1955 in Baton Rouge was RB Horace Belton. He joined the Chiefs in 1978 and played three seasons with the team (1978-80) appearing in 46 games with six starts. Belton ran the ball 136 times for 486 yards and three TDs, caught 20 passes for 226 yards and returned 37 kickoffs for 800 yards, a 21.6-yard average.

Born on July 16, 1957 in Hammond, Indiana was DL Ken Kremer. He was selected in the seventh-round of the 1979 NFL Draft out of Ball State. Kremer played six seasons with the Chiefs, appearing in 87 games with 23 starts. He had 5.5 sacks over his career.

Born on July 16, 1971 in Burbank, California was WR Chris Thomas (right). He joined the Chiefs for 10 games during the 2001 season, starting five times. Thomas caught 19 passes for 247 yards and one TD. He played six seasons in the league.


31 Responses to “Free Agency Update … Thursday Cup O’Chiefs”

  • July 16, 2009  - RedandGoldRice says:

    I could care less what Vrabel was doing unless it were under that catagory of “Vrabel decided to head to K.C. to do some catching up with the team workouts”. He’ll be a one-two year “rent-a-Pat” and then gone to retire a Pat.

    As for the UFAs, the first person that came to mind (and there were several) was Kendrell Bell. What a gigantic reach/ bust by Peterson. We missed out on the MLB from Philly (can’t remember his name right off the bat) and things were drying up fast. King Carl had to drop some kind of trophy in front of the Fandome here in KC, but boy did he screw the pooch on that one. I still remember Gunther crowing about Bell during pre-season games trying to pump us up for something special. What a rip-off!

    Personally, if we don’t land the big name we go out gunning for, I’d rather just take a no-name, save some money and wait for next year.


  • July 16, 2009  - Rip 'em a new one says:

    About two weeks away from camp opening and not a sniff of news about signing the top picks in this past draft. Are the agents and players waiting for the dollar slotting from others yet to sign or is there a problem in even finding the bucks to again pay for a premium pick?


  • July 16, 2009  - Nathan says:

    R&GR:
    I would guess you were likely one of the folks who were foaming at the mouth because Peterson was on vacation during the first week of free agency that year. There were torches and pitch forks at the gates of Arrowhead and the fever pitch in KC because of Carl’s vacation could be felt 1000 miles away. Chiefs fans wanted the Chiefs to sign someone…anyone. So much so that there was nearly partying in the streets in KC when the Bell signing was announced.
    Yes, Kendrell Bell was a bad free agent signing. But to sit there and use hindsight to bash Peterson for it is laughable at best…hypocritical at worst.
    Carl Peterson is gone. Build a bridge.


  • July 16, 2009  - RedandGoldRice says:

    Nathan,
    As much money as Peterson made in his time here in KC, I think he can afford a ride under the wheels a few times from some of us dissapointed fans of old. He made some excellent picks early on in his time as GM (Smith and Thomas) and some of his trades could be arguably top tier moves (Montana and Allen), and no one is without their faults per profession, but he was past his time. I won’t make excusses for him or anyone else lucky enough to work within the NFL.

    My point was, in hindsight, I’d rather see us take the 3rd week and later UFAs rather than scramble for a name that we’ll over-pay for who could easily be a flop as was the case in Bell who was still recovering from injuries.


  • July 16, 2009  - anonymous says:

    Rip ‘em a new one,

    This is a a comment I mad a few days ago that in all likely hood is having an effect on teams signing draft picks, especially teams like the Chiefs that have so much cap space.

    July 13, 2009 - anonymous says:

    Lots of luck on the book.

    I said a few months back that the Owners were/are fix n’ to F the hell outta the union, well here’s the first shot at getting their panties down.

    https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/07/13/league-union-fighting-over-2009-cap-space/

    The Author of this post is dead on right about this effecting contract negotiations, especially where the Chiefs are involved. With so much room under the cap, you know that they were counting on some of that good ol’ Wall Street math to help eat some of the cap up. Enron used a term that describes this kind of of accounting in reverse (damn I can’t recall the term) But, it used projected profits as actual profits (Yeah! I know! How could that possibly be legal?) I hope like hell, it blows up in these owners faces!!

    Just as it did Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling.

    Any one think that there is an uncanny resemblance between Belich, (ah hell, I can’t spell it without looking) the Head Coach of the Pats and Skilling?


  • July 16, 2009  - findthedr says:

    Matt Jones anyone?


  • July 16, 2009  - anonymous says:

    Just say NOPE to DOPE!!


  • July 16, 2009  - ILChiefsFan says:

    Supplemental draft today; predictions, anyone?


  • July 16, 2009  - anonymous says:

    I think Pioli takes a pass on these guys.


  • July 16, 2009  - anonymous says:

    Does anyone know how the league divvies up the rights to signing the guys that go unselected in the supplemental draft? Is it done the same as they do with players on waivers, The team with worst record gets first shot?


  • July 16, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    * Free agency? We don’t need no stinking free agents!

    * Update? I gots your update right here: ‘check’ “any 22 is what I always say- er, or did that is before Brian slapped me back to reality. Thanks - I needed that.”

    * Speaking of another like Sisyphus who’s not being rolled over on as much as rocking upon the Hill, Capitol that is:

    That a ‘Dion’ song that Rin hears playing? “Has anybody here, seen my old friend Vrabel- can you tell me where he’s gone?” Oh and what’s the term called: a locker-room lawyer? Stay tuned…

    * Horace Belton…next to Cleophus Miller, Arnold Morgado and Morris LaGrand, HB was Rin’s favorite Chiefs unheralded running back ever to play in KC - except for Brian Shay, Jessie Haynes & yes Tony Grisby, all of whom were to be the next Greg Hill or “real deals” et al at any.

    Goodnight Mrs. Calabash; KC will be signing your non-descript skillset to a contract any day now…

    daddy-o, ’search’ & ‘check’ affirming…


  • July 16, 2009  - findthedr says:

    Undrafted Free agents are the same whether they go undrafted from the regular or supplemental draft.

    The team that gets the player to sign the contract gets the guy.


  • July 16, 2009  - leo says:

    Rin, you are growing very tiresome. Best to be thought a fool, than open your mouth and remove all doubt.


  • July 16, 2009  - gorillafan says:

    LEO,LEO,LEO——–WHY DID YOU DO THAT?

    OKAY BOYS, HERE WE GO…………………..


  • July 16, 2009  - anonymous says:

    findthedr,

    Thanks, wasn’t sure how that worked.


  • July 16, 2009  - SG says:

    “Matt Jones anyone?”

    I hope not.


  • July 16, 2009  - The IT Guy says:

    Poor Rin,

    Living in an altered reality is tough. You see all the ways you have been wrong, but haven’t the ability to admit it.

    “Search” and “Check” have done a fine job of showing Mr. Waters what its like to fall in line and march to THEIR tune. If Brian had any leverage or the guts, he would have sat out the OTA’s. But there Brian was, sure enough, and far overweight to boot. I’m sure he will be thinking of cuddling up to you when he is working all that fat off at training camp, though. At least you have that, right Rin?


  • July 16, 2009  - Mark says:

    Jacksonville is a dying franchise. Can’t even show exhibition games on home TV?


  • July 16, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    leo said

    “Rin”

    - yes, what is it now?

    “you are”

    - Omnipotent, whereas you are im… speaking of which, how’s your dominant hand doing?

    “growing very tiresome.”

    - you could try the other, but it would probably be best to-

    “Best to”

    - just give it up in your case, for only a fool keeps repeating something that isn’t working & consents to be thought a fool.

    “be thought a fool”

    - yes, least afore you open your mouth and remove all doubt by repeating yourself…

    “than open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

    - condoglianze…

    daddy-o, ’search’ & ‘check’ affirming…


  • July 16, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    The IT Guy said

    “Poor”

    - get a real job…

    “Rin”

    - yes, what is it now?

    “Living in an altered reality is tough.”

    - Rin leaves you to your area of expertise…

    “You see all”

    - and know all: I am Rin, and the ways His-

    “the ways”

    - yes earmuffs, and you-

    “you”

    - yes, have been wrong-

    “have been wrong, but haven’t the ability to admit it.”

    - a common symptom of acute ’search’ & ‘check’ poisoning-

    “Search” and “Check”

    - yes, in layman’s terms known as two blind guys, no waiting. They have done-

    “have done”

    - too much coffee, mr. anxious? Now then, Herm Edwards did a fine job of showing Mr. Waters-

    “a fine job of showing Mr. Waters”

    - yes Miracle Ear, of showing him how to return to the Pro Bowl in 2008 and what it’s like to-

    “what its like to”

    - did you fall in line - several times - when you were a child and (just like leo) get your cochlea stepped on?

    “to fall in line and march to THEIR tune”

    - beat of a different drummer - or several your case. Now, back to Brian-

    “If Brian had any leverage or the guts, he would have sat out the OTA’s. But there Brian was, sure enough, and far overweight to boot.”

    - seems Brian had plenty of leverage/guts as such - scared so much that he ended up ‘messing himself’ daily until had lost 25 lbs…

    “I’m sure he will be thinking of cuddling up to you”

    - I can understand that; people are naturally drawn to Rin…

    “when he is working”

    - don’t have :roll:’s schedule, but he’ll need an appointment nevertheless, because Rin’s adulation line forms early & to the right, daily…

    “all”

    - everyone, no cutting in line ahead of others, not even that fat-

    “that fat”

    - yes cauliflower ear, used to be before BW cut him down to size, but before we continue here - are your auditory appendages turned off?

    “off”

    - thought so. Now then, if doesn’t get lost & can manage to arrive at training camp-

    “at training camp”

    - yes proverbial reverbial, though-

    “though”

    - yes, ‘though’ Rin is not at all certain will find it without a compass, map & chaperone - nor will for that matter.

    “At least you have that right Rin”

    - Rin has healed you!

    daddy-o


  • July 16, 2009  - anonymous says:

    Mark,

    Your right. That’s NASCAR country. Time for these boys that own NFL teams realize that they do have some competition in at least small parts of the country.


  • July 16, 2009  - SG says:

    “Supplemental draft today; predictions, anyone?”

    Prediction: none - as in they’ll sign…none.


  • July 16, 2009  - The IT Guy says:

    You make my point for me Rin. Nothing there but smoke and mirrors.


  • July 16, 2009  - findthedr says:

    https://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4332087
    The Washington Redskins selected defensive lineman Jeremy Jarmon in the third round of Thursday’s supplemental draft.

    Five teams put in fourth-round claims for the 6-foot-3, 278-pound defensive end, a source told ESPN.com’s John Clayton.

    The draft officially concluded with no other players getting selected.


  • July 16, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    The IT Guy said

    “You make my point for me Rin.”

    - yes, twas my pleasure crafting that steeple atop your head…

    “Nothing there but smoke and mirrors.”

    - but just below the pointed pate’s surface yours an area as vacuous as space & pointless as hope a Chiefs season this 2009… it is an area which we call - your ‘IT’IOT Zone’

    Come back anytime and (try) again…

    daddy-o, ’search’ & ‘check’ affirming…


  • July 16, 2009  - tm1946 says:

    Just saw a pic of Chiefs cheerleaders, seem like nice girls but Dallas Cheerleaders seem to find really good looking girls who can cheer. No wonder Royal’s Zack is hooking up with one.


  • July 16, 2009  - Bob says:

    I am a minimal waste of bandwidth. Just use my 3rd grade level smiley’s to know when to skip a post.


  • July 16, 2009  - The IT Guy says:

    Like Bob, I am an ITiot.


  • July 17, 2009  - The IT Guy says:

    Cue the real Rin being fake once again. Making up words, making fun of others, all to cover his own character flaws and inability to be original. Thank god for Bob’s website, huh Rin…I mean, all the writers on the other sites you post at kicked you off because they don’t have time for Trolls…..Sit down or Else fails there, while Rin succeeds here…Its our loss really.


  • July 17, 2009  - arrowhead1978 says:

    Wow so the redskins got him with a third rounder. In a previous blog I had mentioned he could be a 3rd rounder to another team, I wonder if the chiefs got beat out by submitting a 4th rounder…


  • July 17, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    Cue yet more angst and yet ‘nother too Elton John paraphrase, this time via the self-described - he didst call himself (an) - ITiot …

    “Green eyes….’fake’ ITiot Guy’s got, green eyes.”

    Leave Real Rin out of your travails with your alter egos(s), however many…

    & affirming…


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