sports uncensored 24/7

NFL Offseason Schedule

Since there are two months left until actual football is played, I thought it would be a good idea to present a list of Restricted Free Agents that are left out there.  Today is the deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned unrestricted free agents to receive exclusive negotiating rights for rest of season if the player is not signed by another club by July 22.  This is also the deadline for old clubs to send tender to their unsigned RFAs or to extend an offer to retain exclusive negotiating rights.  This is what the St. Louis Rams are up against in regards to Safety O.J. Atogwe.  The Rams have been in constant talks with the safety, but if they don't place a high tender or sign him to an extension by midnight, he will become an unrestricted free agent.  

June 1-11 begins all of the Organized Team Activities, while June 15th starts mandatory mini-camps across the NFL.  Late July is when training camps begin, and Preseason starts in August. 

Here is a list of remaining unsigned RFAs team by team:

Jason Taylor to the Jets "Close to Done"

According to the Sun Sentinel, a deal between FA LB Jason Taylor and the New York Jets is "close to done."  This deal is just waiting on a few issues that need to be worked out, but Taylor appears likely to be headed to New York.  If this proposal happens, "the deal would be for two years at $3.45 million, the maximum the Jets could pay him under the new rules for an uncapped NFL year," according to the report.  

If this happens, it would be a pretty good deal for both sides... The Jets don't have to worry too much about using a high pick this year to draft the pass rusher they have been missing, which allows them to focus on putting together their offense.  The drafting of a WR might be in order if Taylor does indeed sign.  For Taylor, who is coming off minor surgery, it gives him some security if it's a two-year deal.  Not to mention he has the opportunity to stick it to the Miami Dolphins, who did not show much interest in retaining his services.  
 

2010 NFL Mock Draft

26. Arizona Cardinals (10-6)

DE Jerry Hughes (TCU)

This is a very interesting pick for a team that is in the process of rebuilding it's defense.  The Arizona Cardinals lost players via FA and retirement, and the first order of business will be to draft a proven pass rusher.  Jerry Hughes was one of the most productive pass rushers over the past few seasons.  He dominated while at Texas Christian, and if it wasn't for being an undersized DE, he would have been a top draft prospect.  The Cardinals will use him as an outside linebacker, where he will be able to use his abilities to be the same disruptive force he was throughout college.  He will need to bulk up a bit but that shouldn't be a problem for his type of body frame.   

Why he's good for the Cardinals:

With the addition of FA LB Joey Porter and the acquisition of S Kerry Rhodes, the next step is to fill another void left by Bertrand Berry's retirement.  Clark Haggans and Chike Okeafor are both over 33, and there still isn't a long-term answer at this position.  Hughes gets to learn from one of the best in Porter, and joins a defense that loves to be aggressive and get to the QB.  This is the perfect fit for a player of Hughes' caliber.  

2010 NFL Mock Draft

25. Baltimore Ravens (9-7)

TE Jermaine Gresham (Oklahoma)

Even though the Ravens recently went out and traded for Anquan Boldin, young quarterbacks like Joe Flacco can never have enough weapons on offense.  With TE Todd Heap getting older, and UFA L.J. Smith likely gone, the Ravens select the best TE in the draft, Jermaine Gresham.  Gresham is an ideal fit for the Ravens, because he adds another threat for Flacco to really stretch the field and helps add depth to a very thin TE position.  The Ravens could also add help on the defensive side of the ball, as it might be hard to pull the trigger on a player that missed the entire season last year.  But, with Gresham, you gain an experienced blocker and very capable pass catcher.

Why he's good for the Ravens: 

The Ravens get the best TE in the draft, and if he comes back healthy, Gresham will be a huge threat in the middle of the field.  The signing of Boldin and the adding of Gresham takes pressure off Flacco, as well as RB Ray Rice.   

2010 NFL Mock Draft

24. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)

S Taylor Mays (USC)

With the selection of Taylor Mays, the Philadelphia Eagles get a highly rated safety, and fill a void in their defense that hasn't been the same since S Brian Dawkins left.  Although they did sign FA Marlin Jackson from the Indianapolis Colts, questions about health, coupled by the fact that Quintin Demps is not a full time starter, will cause them to seek other remedies.  With this draft pick, the Eagles get a player with tremendous upside and loads of potential.  They also gain one of the most physically gifted players in the draft, as well.   

Why he's good for the Eagles:

The Eagles don't have too many holes in their team, but the one that does stand out is the safety position.  When healthy, Marlin Jackson is an upgrade to what they have, but then again, he has only played 16 games once in his career. Mays does have a few flaws in his game, but if the Eagles are able to put him in a position to make plays, he has the potential to become very serviceable.  

Porter Signs with Cardinals

Free agent LB Joey Porter and the Arizona Cardinals have agreed to a three-year deal today.  It had been rumored that he would sign with the Washington Redskins earlier, but chose to play on the West Coast instead.  It is reported that Porter will earn $17.5 million over the three years, but including incentives, it can reach up to $24.5 million.    

(Sun-Sentinel)

I guess it's an okay move for the Cardinals.  I can't understand why they gave Porter that type of money, but if he does play well, then he is in for an even larger pay day.  The Cardinals did need to make some sort of move to their linebacker position, but I don't feel they are a playoff team anymore and could have retooled through the draft.  We'll see how it all plays out.