NFL’s business season with the wildness often seen on the stock market floor. A frenzy
of bidding and trading and changes of mind — all involving millions of
dollars.Several trends already have appeared during the two days of the “legal
tampering” period
Janoris Jenkins Jerseys 2019 , and once moves became official:DISENCHANTMENT WORKSAntonio Brown didn’t want to be a Steeler anymore.
Nor did Le’Veon Bell.Odell Beckham Jr., was unhappy with his quarterback in New
Jersey.So Brown, whose antics at the end of the 2018 season pretty much
guaranteed he would be leaving Pittsburgh, landed in Oakland, where he
presumably is thrilled with a new contract that guarantees him $30 million; he
had no guaranteed money remaining on his Steelers deal. How long he will be
happy with Derek Carr after becoming dissatisfied with Ben Roethlisberger
depends on how often and accurately Carr gets Brown the ball.Bell, who sat out
the entire 2018 schedule rather than sign another franchise tag, saved a year of
wear and tear, always a consideration for a running back. Then he got a megadeal
from the Jets that satisfies his demands for financial security: $52.5 million
for four years, with more than half of that pretty much guaranteed. He also has
some attainable incentives that could increase the total package.The Beckham
trade echoes the Brown situation only in that his shenanigans — and criticisms
of Eli Manning — made his team tire of him despite all of his electrifying
skills. Where the Giants prospered and the Steelers didn’t was in the value of
compensation: Cleveland parted with a first- and third-round draft pick and
Jabrill Pepper, who should start at safety.But Beckham also got out of a place
that didn’t totally please him.BUILD THE TRENCHESWhile defensive linemen tend to
come into the NFL and make an early impact
Youth Wayne Gallman Jerseys , it’s far more rare for blockers to do so. Thus, teams are turning more and more to free agency for guys to protect their most
valuable commodity, the quarterback, and open holes for runners.The Raiders led
the way here, grabbing left tackle Trent Brown, who was a major contributor to
New England’s title run, for $66 million over four years.Buffalo, whose 2018
season in part was destroyed by problems up front, got Chiefs center Mitch Morse
for four years and $44.5 million, and tackle Ty Nsekhe ($14.5 million for two
years).Recognizing how its O-line had regressed
Wayne Gallman Jerseys Stitched , Atlanta spent nearly $40 million for two guards, James Carpenter and Jamon Brown.Carolina, San Francisco and Seattle also dived
in with huge sums for huge men on the O-line.And Baltimore re-signed what coach
John Harbaugh calls “the best blocking tight end in the league,”Nick Boyle, for
$18 million over three years.GUARANTEED BUCKSEarly returns indicate players are
getting more guaranteed money, in total and percentage-wise. A fully guaranteed
contract such as the deals hundreds of baseball players negotiate, remains
extremely rare in the NFL. But there’s progress being made, and perhaps Kirk
Cousins’ megadeal in 2018 (three years, $84 million) eventually will be a
bellwether.TRENDING UPNo question the Browns, Raiders
Youth Dalvin Tomlinson Jerseys , Jets, Bills and 49ers all took major steps in upgrading their rosters through trades and free agency. What do those five have
in common, though? How about lots of losing in recent years?Certain units that
needed improving, aside from the aforementioned offensive lines, got an influx
of talent: Kansas City’s and Green Bay’s defense; Washington’s secondary; and
Jacksonville’s quarterbacking with Nick Foles.TRENDING DOWNThe Steelers, long
the measuring rod in the AFC North, look severely weakened — and they already
did so too often in tight games last season.Giants fans might be wondering why
they should show up at MetLife Stadium this year. Well, there’s the sensational
Saquon Barkley.Miami, which traded starting QB Ryan Tannehill to Tennessee on
Friday, is in full rebuild mode. Carolina could wind up there
Dalvin Tomlinson Jerseys Stitched , too. The Giants have two picks in the first round of the draft this week and many are wondering if the team will take
a quarterback with one of those selections.There’s less uncertainty about where
else they might be looking. The Giants defense wasn’t good enough last season
and they’ve parted ways with safety Landon Collins and defensive end/outside
linebacker Olivier Vernon since the 5-11 campaign came to an end.General Manager
Dave Gettleman made it clear last week that the team is looking for upgrades
across the board.“I have always been a big believer that if you look at the
great defenses, they have a lead dog in every level,” Gettleman said, via
NJ.com. “A legitimate playmaker at every level of their defense. I said it at
the postseason presser and I will say it again, we need some defensive
playmakers.”Gettleman named linebacker Alec Ogletree and new safeties Antoine
Bethea and Jabrill Peppers as current Giants who are lead dogs. Others may not
share that view, but Gettleman’s made it clear he’s not interested in such
opinions as he tries to reverse the trajectory of a team that’s won eight of
their last 32 games.
