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Around the NFC West: Free Agency Roundup

March 17, 2018 03:29PM
Around the NFC West: Free Agency Roundup
Kristen Lago Rams Writer/Reporter @kristennlago

The first week of the NFL’s free agency period is winding down and already a lot of big moves have been made.

On Wednesday, the Rams made several transactions to kick off the new year, but there were also plenty of other interesting trades and acquisitions happening around the NFC West.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the biggest storylines from around the division:

Seattle Seahawks:

During the first week of free agency, the top headlines from Seattle were more focused on players who will not be suiting up in navy and green in 2018, rather than the players who are joining the franchise.

The Seahawks began the league year with two of the most surprising moves in the NFC —

trading three time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Michael Bennett to the Eagles, while releasing four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman.

But these aren’t the only two familiar faces who won’t be with the club next year, as wide receiver Paul Richardson (Redskins), tight end Jimmy Graham (Packers), cornerback DeShawn Snead (Lions), and cornerback Jeremy Lane are all moving on.

Other notable moves coming from Seahawks’ camp this week included the re-signing of safety Bradley McDougald, along with the addition of tight end Ed Dickson and linebacker Barkevious Mingo.

San Francisco 49ers:

When Sherman was released by the Seahawks earlier this month, there was plenty of speculation as to where he would end up.

It turns out we didn’t need to look very far, as the 49ers jumped at the opportunity to sign the star cornerback. Just one day after being released, Sherman signed a three-year deal with San Francisco where he will face off against his former team twice a year.

General manager John Lynch also made moves to bolster the team’s ground game, agreeing to a four-year deal with running back Jerick McKinnon and a five-year deal with center Weston Richburg. By bringing Richburg onto its roster, San Francisco was free to trade its former starting center Daniel Kilgore to the Dolphins.

Plus, the club extended quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and wide receiver Marqise Goodwin in February — providing continuity for the 49ers’ offense for years to come.

Arizona Cardinals:

The Cardinals made waves last season by trading for seven time Pro Bowler and former NFL MVP, Adrian Peterson. But after a relatively unproductive and injury-plagued season, the Cardinals were ready to move on from the 10-year veteran and released him.

Arizona also let go of safety Tyrann Mathieu after both sides could not find common ground on a new contract. After playing for the franchise for four seasons, the Cardinals were reportedly asking Matthieu to take a pay cut.

However, the club was willing to spend money on its new quarterback Sam Bradford, who is set to replace Carson Palmer behind center. Bradford signed a one-year deal worth up to $20 million with Arizona, to become the first starting quarterback under new head coach Steve Wilks.



#HelmetHornsMatter

“Well, the color is good, I like the metallic blue,” Youngblood recently said while laughing, via NFL Journal. “The horn is terrible. It looks like a ‘C.’ When I first saw it on the logo I honestly thought it was a Charger logo.

“Now when I see it on the helmet, it just isn’t a ram horn. There is no distinct curl like a mature ram horn. I don’t know how the Rams could get that wrong. That is your symbol and it has been for what? Seventy years or more? Longer than I have been alive? It’s just not us, it’s not the Rams.”---Mr. Ram Jack Youngblood


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  Around the NFC West: Free Agency Roundup

Ramsdude244March 17, 2018 03:29PM