Philadelphia one-upped Daniel Snyder and the Washington Redskins, outbidding them for defensive end Jevon Kearse on the first day of the free-agency signing period.
But the traditionally hyperactive Redskins also made moves Wednesday. Snyder's team agreed to terms with defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin and, according to a league source who requested anonymity, with Seattle cornerback Shawn Springs.
Kearse agreed to a US$66 million, eight-year deal to move from Tennessee to Philadelphia, which took a risk. Kearse has been hurt often the last two seasons, playing in only 18 of 32 games. That was one reason the Titans decided not to protect him with the "franchise" player tag.
But after losing in the NFC title game three years in a row, the Eagles decided to go for the pass rusher they lacked last season after letting Hugh Douglas leave for Jacksonville.
The Redskins had been interested in Kearse, but had to settle for Griffin, who spent his first four seasons with another NFC East team, the New York Giants. He also is a risk. His best season was as a rookie in 2000, and he had only one sack in 2003.
Springs would replace Champ Bailey as the shutdown cornerback in the Washington secondary. The Redskins also took a chance on Springs, who hasn't played a complete season in four years.
Last year, Snyder signed four players on the first day of free agency, picking up guard Dave Fiore in San Francisco just after midnight in his private plane and zooming him to Redskins Park to sign a contract.
"One of the things I admire about Dan is he makes quick decisions," said Joe Gibbs, who didn't have to deal with free agency or the salary cap when he first coached the Redskins from 1981-1992. "At 12:01, we were on the phones. It's exciting. It's one of the biggest nights we'll have."
The Skins made their splash before the official start, sending Bailey to Denver for running back Clinton Portis and acquiring quarterback Mark Brunell from Jacksonville for a third-round draft choice.
The Brunell trade became official Wednesday, and Portis was at Redskins Park, although the deal had not officially been announced. Bailey, however, agreed to terms with Denver, and Brunell was introduced by the Redskins.
Both Washington and Denver scheduled news conferences Thursday to formally announce the Bailey-Portis trade.
The Redskins also signed defensive end Philip Daniels on Tuesday. Daniels had been cut by Chicago on Monday, technically making him what's known as a "street free agent," not an unrestricted one.
So the Bears made the first deal with unrestricted players.
They agreed to terms with running back Thomas Jones, the seventh overall pick in the 2000 draft. He was a disappointment in Arizona and Tampa Bay.
Chicago also grabbed Jonathan Quinn, a career third-string quarterback who was in Kansas City last season, cut veteran linebacker Warrick Holdman and re-signed fullback Stanley Pritchett.
The trade of Philadelphia quarterback A.J. Feeley to Miami for a second-round draft choice in 2005 became official Wednesday.
Tampa Bay signed two lower-tier free agents: fullback Greg Comella and tight end Dave Moore. Released by Buffalo on Tuesday, Moore spent 10 seasons with the Bucs.
-- The Oakland Raiders took the first step toward revamping their defense by agreeing to a US$14 million, four-year contract with veteran tackle Ted Washington. A key member of the Super Bowl champion Patriots last season, he receives a US$4 million signing bonus. Washington turned down an US$8 million, three-year offer from the Patriots last week to become a free agent.
-- Green Bay agreed to a six-year, US$32.6 million deal with left tackle Chad Clifton, saving the salary cap space he would have used up had he remained the team's franchise player. As a franchise player, Clifton would have cost US$7 million under the cap. It now will be US$2.5 million.
-- Safety Jerome Woods agreed to a six-year contract with Kansas City. Woods was a defensive leader for the Chiefs last season and made the Pro Bowl for the first time.
-- The New York Jets released 11-year veteran Marvin Jones, the second linebacker let go in three days. On Monday, New York released Mo Lewis, who had been with the team for 13 seasons.
-- New England re-signed wide receiver J.J. Stokes, who joined the Patriots late last season after being released by Jacksonville. Stokes was the 10th overall pick by San Francisco in the 1995 draft.
-- Steelers fullback Dan Kreider passed up free agency and signed a four-year contract that will pay him a little more than US$4 million. The 27-year-old Kreider received an US$840,000 signing bonus and will earn US$535,000 next season.
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