(Image source: NFL.com)
BY JOSH FRYDMAN
You're watching multisource sports news analysis from Newsy.
Christmas in July? It could feel that way for several NFL teams.
They can finally begin their free agent shopping spree now that the lockout has ended.
Several big names will be up for grabs during an unprecedented free agency period.
One club executive tells Sports Illustrated...
"It'll be unlike any other week in NFL history, but not necessarily because of the moves that will be made. It'll be the volume of moves that we've never seen before. We've never had three unique signing periods overlap before (free agency, collegiate free agents, draft-pick signings).”
What usually takes three-to-five months will now be crammed into just three to five days.
As NFL Agent Drew Rosenhaus explains to ESPN, the short signing window could be the card players use at the negotiating table to gain maximum value.
“In the past when you negotiate with them, it was in March, they had plenty of time. They could play cat and mouse with you. They could low-ball you. They’re going to have to hit you with their best shot. You’re going to have very meaningful negotiations with the teams cause they are going to be very hungry to have guys signed in time so that they can get players into practice.”
Yahoo! Sports has set up a Free Agency Twitter Tracker, displaying the top tweets from NFL insiders covering the movements of players. Yahoo!’s top three available players are all cornerbacks, led by shutdown corner Nnamdi Asomugha.
The acquisition of a top-end corner is something Fox Sports’ Brian Billick thinks could make the biggest difference for potential contenders looking to upgrade through free agency.
“I’m skeptical of any free agent signing being the true difference for a team to become a Super Bowl contender or even make their way into the playoffs. The acquisition of a top-flight corner may be the exception. Nnamdi Asomugha, Jonathan Joseph and Antonio Cromartie may fall into that category. Asomugha is the only elite cover corner in this group, but the others represent, for the right team, a game changer for their defense.”
Other big time names who might play musical chairs are wide receivers Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, and Sidney Rice along with running backs DeAngelo Williams, Ahmad Bradshaw and Ronnie Brown.
Tuesday is the first day teams can begin negotiating with all free agents, sign draft picks and undrafted collegiate free agents. By 6 pm Eastern time on Friday, free agents can sign contracts and player movement will officially begin.
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