It's the start of free agency, but for one big name quarterback, it's the start of unemployment.
MIke Wallace - The Dolphins finally got their man and it only took them $65 million to do it. That's what the Miami Dolphins paid wide receiver Mike Wallace. The deal is for five years with $30 million guaranteed. Give Miami credit, they may have struck out last year in the Peyton Manning sweepstakes, but they stepped up and got young QB Ryan Tannehill a new reason to smile.
Nnamdi Asomugha - The Philadelphia Eagles released the underperforming cornerback today when they couldn't come to an agreement on a restructured deal. Asomugha was supposed to make $15 million in 2013, but the three-time Pro-Bowl player will have to settle for his guaranteed $4 million and a new place of residence. Guaranteed money, the only time you can use the words "settle" and "4 million" in the same sentence.
Ryan Fitzpatrick - Fitzpatrick was due a $3 million dollar bonus tomorrow, but the Buffalo Bills stopped that check from ever being cashed. New coach Doug Marrone announced that they were cutting the QB after only two years as starter. Fitzpatrick was in the second year of a 6-year, $59 million extension he signed in late 2011.
"We kept every possible option open right down to the wire, when we had to make a decision on whether to keep Ryan," GM Buddy Nix said. "In the end, we had to do what we feel is best for our football team. And it was a difficult decision."
Not according to Deadspin.com.
The website reports that a secretly recorded phone conversation revealed Nix telling Tampa Bay Bucs GM Mark Dominik "We just can't afford to pay that kind of money for a guy who's fighting for probably a backup job." The secret call was an elaborate prank by two 20-year-olds. Don't expect Ryan Fitzpatrick to get the joke, however. In a statement, the Bills claim to have contacted the NFL and are reviewing the incident with "legal counsel."
Taping conversations without permission is federal crime. Fitzpatrick may not be the only one getting screwed over all this.
Dannell Ellerebe - Miami wasn't done spending, giving Baltimore Ravens LB Dannell Ellerbe a 5-year, $35 million contract.
Erik Walden - Andrew Luck should feel a little safer with OLB Erik Walden part of the roster. Formerly of Green Bay, Walden signed a 4-year, $16 million deal.
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