Darrelle Revis and Darren Sproles found landing spots in the Northeast.
Now James Harrison and Steve Smith look for their new NFL homes.
Revis’ stay in Tampa Bay was short, and he might not be in New England much longer. After less than a year as a Buccaneer, he was cut Wednesday and officially agreed to terms with the Patriots on Thursday – but only on a one-year deal, albeit worth about $12 million.
The 28-year-old shutdown cornerback whose contract impasses have led him from the Jets to the Bucs to the Patriots since last April, was the latest big name on the move.
Versatile running back-kick returner Sproles will add some juice to Philadelphia’s already high-energy offense after he was acquired from New Orleans.
And someone will grab veteran Smith after the standout wide receiver was released by Carolina.
As for Harrison, the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year was cut by Cincinnati, where he spent only the 2013 season after being released by Pittsburgh.
It was yet another busy stretch on Day 3 of NFL free agency in which the maligned Jonathan Martin signed a two-year contract with San Francisco.
Martin passed his physical Thursday to complete a trade that sent the tackle from the Dolphins to the Niners to be reunited with his college coach, Jim Harbaugh. The teams first announced the move Tuesday night for Martin, who left the Dolphins last fall after accusing teammate Richie Incognito of bullying in a scandal that overshadowed the franchise’s 8-8 season.
Tampa Bay cut tackle Donald Penn and signed Anthony Collins to replace him; Oakland signed defensive end Justin Tuck; Green Bay re-signed linebacker Mike Neal and tight end Andrew Quarless; and the Jaguars formally signed defensive end Chris Clemons, defensive lineman Ziggy Hood and re-signed defensive end Jason Babin, who led the team with 7½ sacks in 2013.
Revis’ business manager, John Geiger, tweeted: “Now it’s Official.(at)Revis24 has agreed to terms with the New England Patriots!”
Tampa released the three-time All-Pro before he was due a $1.5-million bonus. Revis was cut after efforts to trade him and his $16-million salary failed.
New England had a need at the position because Aqib Talib left for Denver. The Patriots have not announced the Revis move.
The Eagles were eager to let the world know about the addition of the 30-year-old Sproles, who figures to be a threat as a receiver, returner, runner and in pass protection against blitzers – all the things he did so well in New Orleans.
“Darren Sproles is an unbelievable offensive weapon,” Eagles’ head coach Chip Kelly said. “He can do it all: run, catch, plus he’s a proven winner. And on top of that, he can bring all of those dynamic skills to the return game, as well. There is no question we were all excited once we found out we were going to be able to trade for him.”
Sproles had 71 catches for 604 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 220 yards and two scores in 2013.
Smith has been the face of Carolina’s franchise for a decade. But he will turn 35 in May and would have cost the Panthers $7 million under this year’s salary cap. The Panthers still owe Smith $3 million.
“When I took this position, I knew that difficult decisions would have to be made along the way,” general manager Dave Gettleman said. “To move on from a storied veteran player is probably the most difficult of all – a decision not to be taken lightly. However, after much thought, I feel very strongly it’s the right one.”
Cincinnati no longer was the right place for Harrison, 35, who had a limited role with the Bengals after he helped the Steelers win a pair of Super Bowls.
Harrison played in 15 games, starting 10, and finished 12th on the team in tackles. He had two sacks and one interception.
“It was great for our coaches, players and fans to have James on our team last year,” Bengals’ head coach Marvin Lewis said. “He’s a player everyone looks up to because of his ability, his accomplishments and his drive to be the best. He helped us win a division title with his play and with the example he set.
“It’s time for us to go a different direction now, with some younger guys, but we will all still reap benefits from having had James with us as a Bengal last year.”
Tuck, soon to turn 32, got a two-year deal in Oakland. He spent nine seasons with the New York Giants during which he helped them win two Super Bowls. Tuck has made two Pro Bowls and has 60½ career sacks, 20 forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries in 127 career games.
Oakland also gave linebacker LaMarr Woodley a two-year deal. Woodley was cut by Pittsburgh.
In other moves:
Super Bowl champion Seattle and Tarvaris Jackson agreed to a one-year contract for him to back up quarterback Russell Wilson.
Rodger Saffold’s bizarre free-agent experience ended back in St. Louis. He re-signed Thursday, one day after he failed a physical to void a five-year, $42.5-million deal with the Raiders.
Jason Hatcher agreed to a four-year, $27.5-million deal to join the Redskins, a person with knowledge of the agreement said on condition of anonymity because the contract had not yet been signed. Hatcher had 11 sacks last year and was selected to his first Pro Bowl in his eighth season with the Cowboys.
Washington also agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent linebacker Darryl Sharpton, according to a person familiar with the deal.
Buffalo brought back its top tight end, Scott Chandler, who holds the Bills’ record for tight ends with 32 consecutive games with a catch.
Minnesota signed cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, a starter on Carolina’s improved defense last year. Munnerlyn got a deal that could pay him $15 million over three years with incentives.
Tight end Garrett Graham re-signed with the Texans, two days after the team released two-time Pro Bowler Owen Daniels. Graham took over as the starter last season when Daniels was injured and started a career-high 11 games. He had 49 receptions for 545 yards and five touchdowns.
Arizona signed wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. to a three-year contract and agreed to terms on a two-year deal to keep linebacker Matt Shaughnessy. Ginn had 36 receptions for 556 yards and a career-high five touchdowns with the Panthers in 2013. Ginn also returned 26 punts for 316 yards, setting a franchise record with a 12.2-yard average. The team also released linebacker Dontay Moch.
Indianapolis signed center Phil Costa, who’s likely to replace Samson Satele, who started the last two seasons with Indy. Satele was released in a cost-cutting move late last week.
Cleveland signed tight end Jim Dray to a three-year, $5.62-million contract. And the Browns signed Cincinnati slot wide receiver Andrew Hawkins to a four-year offer sheet. The Bengals have five days to match the offer or they’ll lose the elusive and speedy Hawkins to one of their AFC North rivals.
The New York Giants reached an agreement with fullback Henry Hynoski on a one-year contract worth $1 million, a person with knowledge of the deal said.
Dallas signed linebacker and special teams player Will Herring. The eighth-year pro spent the last three seasons with New Orleans after starting his career four years in Seattle.
Quarterback Kellen Clemens and linebacker Kavell Conner signed with the Chargers. Clemens spent the last two seasons with the Rams as a backup to Sam Bradford. He replaces Charlie Whitehurst, who left for Tennessee.
Chicago agreed to a three-year contract with defensive end Willie Young and a one-year deal with receiver Domenik Hixon. Young spent four years with Detroit, and Hixon had seven catches for 55 yards with Carolina in 2013. He previously played for Denver (2006-07) and the New York Giants (2007-12).
NFL
Thursday’s Sports Transactions
FOOTBALL
National Football League
ARIZONA CARDINALS – Signed WR Ted Ginn Jr. to a three-year contract. Released LB Dontay Moch. Agreed to terms with LB Matt Shaughnessy on a two-year contract.
BUFFALO BILLS – Agreed to terms with TE Scott Chandler.
CAROLINA PANTHERS – Released WR Steve Smith.
CHICAGO BEARS – Agreed to terms with WR Domenik Hixon on a one-year contract and DE Willie Young on a three-year contract.
CINCINNATI BENGALS – Released LB James Harrison.
CLEVELAND BROWNS – Signed TE Jim Dray.
DALLAS COWBOYS – Signed LB Will Herring.
DETROIT LIONS – Signed DE Darryl Tapp to a one-year contract.
GREEN BAY PACKERS – Re-signed TE Andrew Quarless and LB/DE Mike Neal.
HOUSTON TEXANS – Re-signed TE Garrett Graham.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – Agreed to terms with DEs Chris Clemons and Ziggy Hood.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS – Signed CB Captain Munnerlyn.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – Traded RB Darren Sproles to Philadelphia for a 2014 fifth-round draft pick.
OAKLAND RAIDERS – Signed DE Justin Tuck to a two-year contract and LB LaMarr Woodley.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – Agreed to terms with CB Nolan Carroll on a two-year contract.
ST. LOUIS RAMS – Re-signed OL Rodger Saffold.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS – Signed LB Kavell Conner, CB Brandon Ghee and LB Reggie Walker.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS – Acquired OT Jonathan Martin from Miami for an undisclosed draft choice.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS – Signed OT Anthony Collins and QB Josh McCown. Released OT Donald Penn.
TENNESSEE TITANS – Agreed to terms with QB Charlie Whitehurst on a multiyear contract.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS – Signed DE Clifton Geathers.
Associated Press
