March 11, 2017
As we know, the Philadelphia Eagles have made four signings so far in free agency, likely only to pick from the bargain bin from here on out. As long as the Birds seem to be taking a break from the initial onslaught of activity, let's take a look around at the rest of the teams in the NFC East, and what they've done so far.
Gained: DT Stephen Paea, CB Nolan Carroll, DE Damontre Moore
Retained: WR Terrence Williams, WR Brice Butler
Lost: S Barry Church, S J.J. Wilcox, OG Ronald Leary, DT Terrell McClain, DT Jack Crawford, OT Doug Free (retired), QB Tony Romo (not official yet, but a certainty).
Still on the market: Morris Claiborne, Brandon Carr, Jonathan Cooper, Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar, Justin Durant, Gavin Escobar, Andrew Gachkar, Mark Sanchez, Kellen Moore, Rolando McClain, Josh Thomas, Ryan Davis
Because they are in even worse salary cap shape than the Eagles, the Cowboys have been quiet, at least in terms of free agent signings. For some reason, with their limited financial resources, they decided to pay former Eagles CB Nolan Carroll $10 million ($4 million in the first year) on a three-year deal.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys have lost a number key contributors. In fact, they have lost six players who played at least 500 snaps last season (snap counts via PFF):
| Player | 2016 snaps |
| RT Doug Free | 1126 |
| LG Ronald Leary | 871 |
| S Barry Church | 723 |
| S J.J. Wilcox | 574 |
| DL Jack Crawford | 548 |
| DT Terrell McClain | 500 |
There are no stars noted above, but the Cowboys will still have to replace them with competent players. After having already lost safeties Wilcox and Church, the Cowboys are also at risk of losing cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr.
Otherwise, the Cowboys' offseason is all about what's going to happen with Tony Romo. Initially they reportedly told Romo they were going to release him, and now they've decided they would to make a last ditch attempt to try to get a draft pick for him in return. That seems unlikely.
Gained: Brandon Marshall, D.J. Fluker, Rhett Ellison,
Retained: Jason Pierre-Paul (franchise tag), Zak DeOssie
Lost: Marshall Newhouse, Robbie Gould
Still on the market: Johnathan Hankins, Rashad Jennings, Victor Cruz, John Jerry, Leon Hall, Bobby Rainey, Mark Herzlich, William Beatty, Trevin Wade, Coty Sensabaugh, Keenan Robinson, Larry Donnell, Kelvin Sheppard, Will Johnson, Uani Unga, Joshua Johnson, Ryan Nassib
After franchise tagging Jason Pierre-Paul at just under $17 million, the Giants didn't leave themselves a ton of wiggle room, in terms of signing players under the cap. The big signing they were able to make, however, was Brandon Marshall, who will add to a potent passing attack that already includes Odell Beckham and Sterling Shepard. That's quite a trio.
They also signed D.J. Fluker, a former 11th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, and massive human being, at 6'5, 339. Fluker was drafted one pick after another Alabama offensive lineman, OG Chance Warmack, who the Eagles signed in free agency. Like Warmack, Fluker was something of a disappointment his first four seasons in a the NFL. He'll join a Giants team desperate for OL help.
Gained: D.J. Swearinger, Stacy McGee, Terrelle Pryor, Tharold Simon, Terrelle McClain
Retained: Kirk Cousins, Vernon Davis, Junior Galette, Nick Sundberg
Lost: Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson, Chris Baker
Still on the market: John Sullivan, Cullen Jenkins, Kedric Golston, Chris Thompson, Donte Whitner, Duke Ihenacho, Terence Garvin, Greg Toler, David Bruton, Ziggy Hood, Nick Moody, Silas Redd
Off the field, the Redskins have been a disgrace. We'll reserve our commentary on that whole mess for our dumpster fire series this summer (can't wait!).
On the field, the Redskins will be without two major proven passing game weapons in DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. The Skins brought in something of an unproven player in Terrelle Pryor, who topped 1000 yards in 2016, but does not exactly have a long track record of success in the NFL.
By all accounts, Kirk Cousins does not want to be in Washington any longer, and who can blame him? Cousins' situation will be fun to follow the rest of this offseason, for however long it drags out.
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