March 29, 2016
Ann Heisenfelt/AP
Vikings RB Adrian Peterson thanks Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul for massaging his back with his club hand as he runs by for a first down.
There are still currently unemployed players who will sign with teams looking for depth, but otherwise NFL free agency is all but over. We've dissected the Eagles' moves, so let's shift our focus to what the rest of the NFC East did.
As usual, the Cowboys were on the lower end of the scale in terms of available salary cap space, so they were unable to be participants for potential impact players. The Cowboys signed two players of note from outside their building, both of whom were already in the NFC East.
Cedric Thornton, DL, Eagles: Thornton was of course a starting defensive lineman the last few years in Philly, where he didn't often affect games by getting to the quarterback, but was very good against the run. He'll play DT in the Cowboys' 4-3. Four years, $17 million.
Alfred Morris, RB, Redskins: Morris was a tough, hard runner between the tackles who had his best seasons when paired with quarterback rushing threat Robert Griffin III. After a great rookie season, Morris' numbers have been on the decline since:
| Alfred Morris | Rush | Yards | YPC | TD |
| 2012 | 335 | 1613 | 4.8 | 13 |
| 2013 | 276 | 1275 | 4.6 | 7 |
| 2014 | 265 | 1074 | 4.1 | 8 |
| 2015 | 202 | 751 | 3.7 | 1 |
Morris is also quite one-dimensional. Over his career, he has averaged 11.8 catches per season. Morris signed a two-year deal worth $3.5 million.
The Cowboys' most notable re-signings were LB Rolando McClain, CB Morris Claiborne, and pass catching RB Lance Dunbar.
It appears that the team has no interest in re-signing scumbag DE Greg Hardy, which was a disastrous splash signing a year ago. The Cowboys "lost" QB Matt Cassel and reserve guard Mackenzy Bernadeau.
A season ago, the Giants had the third-worst defense (total yardage-wise) in NFL history. This offseason, they tried to buy their way out of that extreme awfulness, handing out ridiculous contracts to a number of defenders.
Olivier Vernon, DE, Dolphins: Vernon was a good pass rusher in Miami, but certainly not among the best in the game. Over his four year career, Vernon has averaged just over seven sacks and one forced fumble per season.
| Olivier Vernon | Tackles | Sacks | FF | FR |
| 2012 | 32 | 3.5 | 2 | 0 |
| 2013 | 57 | 11.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 46 | 6.5 | 2 | 0 |
| 2015 | 61 | 7.5 | 0 | 0 |
According to overthecap.com, he is now the highest paid 4-3 DE in the NFL, on a five year deal worth $85 million. His cap numbers the next five years will be $13mm, $16mm, $17mm, $19.5mm, and $19.5mm. Panic move, plain and simple.
Janoris Jenkins, CB, Rams: Jenkins is a good playmaker, but he is also susceptible to being beaten on big plays when he gambles. He also had the benefit of playing behind one of the best defensive lines in the NFL in St. Louis. Like Vernon above, he is a good player, but not among the the best in the league at his position. However, he is now paid like an elite corner on a five year, $62.5 million deal, which makes him the fifth-highest paid corner in the league.
Damon Harrison, NT, Jets: Harrison is a massive 6'4, 350 pound run stuffer. He is a not a threat to get after the quarterback on passing downs, and thus a rotational player, albeit a very effective one at what he does. Like the other Giants' free agent acquisitions, he is now absurdly rich after signing a five year, $46.2 million deal, which makes him the fifth-highest paid 4-3 DT in a league full of 4-3 DT impact players.
Keenan Robinson, LB, Redskins: The Giants paid Robinson $2.6 million on a one year deal. Finally, a reasonable buy.
The Giants also paid a lot to retain their own:
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE: The Giants signed JPP to a one-year deal worth $10 million. Pierre-Paul played in eight games last year and had one sack. It is also worth noting that Pierre-Paul only has one hand. So there's that, too.
Add it all up, and the Giants handed out contracts worth a total of $141.2 million to three defensive linemen who combined for 9 sacks last season. And five hands.
The Giants' free-agent departures included Prince Amukamara (Jaguars), Robert Ayers (Buccaneers), and Rueben Randle (Eagles).
The Redskins, like the Cowboys, didn't have an exorbitant amount of cap space to work with, especially after franchise tagging quarterback Kirk Cousins, who will be paid a shade under $20 million in 2016.
The Redskins made two modest outside free agent acquisitions in safety David Bruton and defensive end Kendall Reyes. Otherwise, they retained about 10 depth players of their own. Their losses of note included RB Alfred Morris (Cowboys), LB Keenan Robinson (Giants), and of course, Robert Griffin III (Browns).
Golf clap for the Skins for not forcing action like the Giants above.
