6th
March
2007
Tuesday Quick Hits
posted in Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, Free Agency, Trades, Chicago Bears, NFL |- Joey Porter signed with the Miami Dolphins today, who gave him a $12 million dollar signing bonus and $20 million in guarantees. While Porter and Jason Taylor will be a formidable pass rushing duo in Dom Capers version of the 3-4, it remains to be seen how the Miami linebackers will fare if a team spreads the field and forces Taylor, Porter, or Zach Thomas to cover a speedy RB or TE. The contract that Miami gave Porter is surprising.
- The Kansas City Chiefs replaced Kavika Mitchell with Napoleon Harris, the former Northwestern linebacker, who was a first round pick of the Raiders in 2002. Harris received $7.5 million in guaranteed money, and while it appears he has talent, he is often injured. This at least takes a need area away from KC.
- New Orleans also addressed a problem area, signing Brian Simmons, formerly of Cincinnati. Simmons is not the player he once was, but he is an upgrade over Scott Fujita, or could replace Mark Simoneau in the middle. This should allow NO to take the best defensive player, regardless of position, in Round 1.
- Patrick Kearney, one of the impact players on the market, signed with Seattle, where he will start at DE. Kearney’s signing probably reduces the chance that Seattle will take a DE with their Round 2 pick (They traded their first rounder to New England). Kearney is a solid player, but at 30 years old, is probably not worth $19.5 million in guaranteed money.
- The biggest piece of news is the Chicago Bears trading RB Thomas Jones to the Jets. Jones is an upgrade over Leon Washington, and the trade allows Cedric Benson to start for the Bears. The Jets seemingly got a good value, by trading the 37th overall pick for Jones and the 63rd overall pick. The Jets have already signed Jones to a long term deal.
