NFL Free Agency: Day 4 Recap

Hakeem Knicks Signs with Colts: After Reggie Wayne missed the majority of the 2013 season due to injury, the Colts realized that quarterback Andrew Luck was in desperate need of talent at the wide receiver position. The contract will only be for one year, but if things go well in Indy next season, one can expect that the contract would be renegotiated between both sides.

Steve Smith Joins Ravens: After Steve Smith's career with the Carolina Panthers ended in an ugly fashion, Smith will now play for the Baltimore Ravens for the next three seasons. That being said, the Ravens are scheduled to play Carolina at some point in 2014, although it is yet to be announced where the game will be played.

Cortland Finnegan to Play for Dolphins: Cortland Finnegan spent just two years in St. Louis before becoming a free agent, and now, he will find a new destination for the third time in four years. Finnegan played in just seven games last season with 1 interception, no sacks, and no forced fumbles. The deal is reportedly worth $11 million for two years.

Michael Oher Leaves Baltimore for Tennessee: Michael Oher, a player known by many for his interesting story portrayed in the film The Blind Side, has decided to leave Baltimore and will now be joining the Tennessee Titans. Although he is not considered to be one of the league's best offensive tackles, his celebrity status makes this transaction a notable storyline.

Patriots Officially Sign Brandon Browner: Despite his history with performance enhancing drugs, the Patriots were willing to take the risk with this cornerback from Seattle. Browner's suspension will carry over into the first four games of the season, but once he is back, Browner will play alongside recently-signed corner Darrelle Revis.

Today, I am proud to announce that I am a New England Patriot. I am honored that the Patriots are (cont) http://t.co/mJmk9yN7Jo
— Brandon Browner (@bbrowner27) March 14, 2014

Yes sirrr it official I'm a Raven.... agent89sr
— Steve Smith (@89SteveSmith) March 15, 2014

NFL Free Agency: Day 3 Recap

Darren Sproles Traded to Eagles: Widely considered to be the most versatile running back in all of football, Darren Sproles has now been traded to Philadelphia from his team of three years. The Eagles acquiring Sproles is somewhat surprising because they already have All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy. At 30 years old, the Eagles will have to pay the $3.5 million left on Sproles' contract for one season, but Chip Kelly appears to be content with his recent acquisition.

Vince Wilfork Asks to be Released by Pats: Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork has asked the New England Patriots, a franchise that he has played for throughout his career, to be released. The New England Patriots were looking to re-negotiate his contract after an injury to the Achilles cost him the majority of the 2013 season. Wilfork did not take the news well. A five-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion, Vince Wilfork may still have trouble finding eligible suitors due to the likeliness of future injuries.

Justin Tuck Accepts Deal from Raiders: The Oakland Raiders are looking to improve their weak pass rush by acquiring former New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck. This two-time All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champion will make $11 million over the course of two years. After back-to-back seasons with single-digit sacks, Tuck recorded 11 sacks in 2013, so the Oakland Raiders are now looking to improve from their 38 sacks in 2013.

Steve Smith Officially Cut By Panthers: After 13 seasons with the Carolina Panthers, Steve Smith has officially been cut from the Panthers' roster. It is rumored that the Panthers looked to dump the 34 year old receiver in order to require a younger Hakeem Knicks.

Future HOF James Harrison Cut: After the Cincinnati Bengals picked up James Harrison just one-year ago, the Bengals have decided to drop this aging star in order to look for more youthful talent. Despite his great years in Pittsburgh, Harrison recorded just 2 sacks and 30 tackles despite playing in 15 games in 2013.

Other Storylines: Chris Johnson will reportedly take a pay cut in order to leave Tennessee, Ted Ginn joins Cardinals under a three-year contract, Brandon Browners is rumored to have reached an agreement with New England, and LaMarr Woodley joins Justin Tuck in Oakland.

Many thanks to all the @Bengals fans for your support over the last year - I had a great time in Cincinnati.
— James Harrison (@jharrison9292) March 13, 2014

Text from Justin Tuck: "Done deal." He's an Oakland Raider.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2014

NFL Free Agency: Day 2 Recap

Darrelle Revis Signs with Patriots: After the Denver Broncos dominated the first day of free agency, Bill Belicheck retaliated by making a big signing of his own. Darrelle Revis is meant to serve as Aqib Talib's replacement, but they are not taking a huge risk because the contract is for just one season ($12 million). Revis' disappointing season in 2013 clearly drove down the price of his yearly salary, so a successful season in 2014 may allow Revis to earn a new contract for more money. With a rematch between Denver and New England seemingly unavoidable, it will be interesting to see how these new teams will match up against one another.

DeMarcus Ware Signs with Denver: Not only did Denver sign Pro-Bowlers Aqib Talib and TJ Ward in this year's free agency, but the addition of DeMarcus Ware today will clearly enhance a previously mediocre defense. Ware totaled 117 sacks over the course of his career, which is the most sacks by any player in a nine year span, only behind Hall-of-Famer Reggie White; however, Ware had the lowest sack total of his career last season with six, and also had no forced fumbles for the first time of his career.

Eric Decker Now A New York Jet: Close to midnight on day two of the NFL's free agency, it was announced that Eric Decker will play for the New York Jets next season, where he will make 36.25 million over the course of five years. It comes as no surprise that the Broncos were unable to re-sign Decker following their recent acquisitions (Talib, Ward, and Ware).

Golden Tate Strikes Deal with Lions: Throughout Calvin Johnson's career, he has never played alongside a game-changing wide-receiver, which obviously puts a lot of pressure on Megatron to succeed. Now that the Lions have signed Golden Tate to a five-year deal worth $31 million, Matthew Stafford will have another wide receiver to choose from, which may draw potential double teams away from Calvin.

Steve Smith No Longer a Carolina Panther: After spending thirteen years in Carolina, today, we were told that Steve Smith will no longer be a pat of the Panthers' organization. The date of his release has yet to be announced, but there will clearly be many teams looking to sign the future Hall-of-Famer.

Jared Allen May Leave the NFL: Jared Allen said today that he would be willing to leave the NFL if he is not offered the right amount of money. Earlier in the day, Denver supposedly offered Allen 3-years, $30 million, but instead, this offer was accepted by DeMarcus Ware. Now, Allen will have to wait for an equal amount of money, or else he will retire from the NFL.

Other notable story lines: Seattle Seahawks released defensive end Chris Clemens, Josh McCown signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Brandon Weeden was cut by the Cleveland Browns. 

In @Revis24's first and only season with the @TBBuccaneers, they improved from LAST in pass defense to 17th.
— Numbers Never Lie (@ESPN_Numbers) March 13, 2014

RT to welcome 7-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware to the #Broncos! pic.twitter.com/O9ToHo65Vq
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 12, 2014

NFL Free Agency: Day 1 Recap

Aqib Talib Signs with Rival Broncos: After New England was unable to sign their star cornerback this past offseason, the Denver Broncos managed to swoop in, and snag Talib off of the market. The contract will be worth $57 million over the course of six-years, even though Talib has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. One thing is for sure: the next time Talib sees Welker in Denver's locker room, the two will have an awkward encounter.

Jonathan Martin Traded to 49ers: Despite all of the controversy surrounding Martin, as well as his nemesis, Incognito, the 49ers were willing to trade for Martin. Martin will now be under his former head coach at Stanford, Jim Harbaugh. The trade was especially surprising due to the recent reports that Harbaugh was losing control over the locker room, so it will be interesting to see how Martin affects the team chemistry.

Jairus Byrd Signs Deal with Saints: Jarius Byrd, a three time All-Pro, has struck a deal with the New Orleans Saints, which is rumored to be worth 6-years, $56 million contract. In the past 5 years, Jairus Byrd recorded 22 interceptions as a safety in Buffalo, which can certainly help the Saints' pass defense, who ranked 24th overall in interceptions last season.

DeMarcus Ware Cut by Dallas Cowboys: The Dallas Cowboys have decided to cut DeMarcus Ware, which will free up more than $16 million in cap space. Now, the Denver Broncos have emerged as one of the favorites to sign the 7-time pro bowler, as well as Defensive Player of the Year.

Julius Peppers Cut By Bears: Julius Peppers, an 8-time Pro Bowler, has officially been cut from the Chicago Bear;s roster. At 34 years old, it comes as no surprise that Pepper saw a drop-oof in his statistics last season compared to 2012.

Jets Showing Interest in Maurice Jones-Drew: After being considered to be one of the best running backs in the league, MJD was unable to find his groove last season due to his injury, as he rushed for 803 yards with 5 scores in 15 games. Depsite his poor season in 2013, the Jets are rumored to show interest in the 29 year-old running back.

And now with CB Aqib Talib a Bronco, Patriots figure to make a real push for Darrelle Revis.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2014

DeMarcus Ware has the most sacks in Cowboys history and the 2nd-most sacks in the league since his rookie season in 2005 (117).
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 11, 2014