The NFL free agent period has been a frenzy by teams to sign players, including big spenders like the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins and there also has been a nice amount of quarterback movement, as Matt Cassel is now with the Vikings and Alex Smith was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Dolphins made the biggest splash in free agency by signing Mike Wallace, Dannell Ellerbe and Phillip Wheeler as well as re-signing quarterback Matt Moore. The Browns also made a splash with Paul Kruger and Desmond Bryant, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought in 49ers safety Dashon Goldson.
The New York Giants made some small moves, signing kicker Josh Brown and safety Ryan Mundy as well as linebacker Keith Rivers and defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins. The Chiefs could be most improved after bringing in Alex Smith, tight end Anthony Fasano as well as cornerbacks Dunta Robinson and Sean Smith from the Dolphins.
Matt Cassel now signed in Minnesota and according to reports, he could compete for the starting job with Christian Ponder, who led the Vikings to one of the worst passing offenses in the NFL. Cassel was a goner in Kansas City once Smith was acquired and after he signed a ix-year, $63 million contract he was a disappointment. Andy Reid had no problems starting over and now Ponder will need to step his game up or be at risk of losing his job. He went 1-7 last season and 4-5 in 2011 as a starter before getting hurt and while that is not great, he was playing on awful teams.
The Vikings are hoping he can show the form that led the Patriots to an 11-5 record when Tom Brady was hurt and the player who passed for 3,116 yards with 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions while making the Pro Bowl in 2010.
Cassel passed for 9,549 yards with 59 touchdowns and 44 interceptions in 48 games in his four seasons with the Chiefs and he could be the answer in Minnesota, as the team needs a solid starter after losing Percy Harvin in a trade to Seattle to keep things afloat
Kevin Kolb is expected to be released by the Arizona Cardinals and could end up with the New York Jets, as some reports say the team is eyeing him as the starter for Week 1. The team wants an upgrade over Mark Sanchez and after signing David Garrard, they could want to bring in someone younger and more ready, as Garrard hasn't played in two years.
Kolb only has a 9-12 career record as a starter, but he was with an awful Cardinals team and could do better with the Jets. Last season he threw for 1,169 yards and eight touchdowns and the Cardinals went just 5-11 with Kolb, John Skelton and Ryan Lindley throwing the ball around.
Fitzpatrick also could be an interesting signing and it is likely he will be in a backup role somewhere, including in Oakland, Tampa Bay or in New Orleans, where they lost Chase Daniel to the Chiefs. The Bills released Fitzpatrick after two disappointing seasons since signing his six-year $59 million contract and last year he had 3,400 yards and 24 touchdowns, but he also had 16 interceptions for the 6-10 Bills.
The team was ready to move on and now these quarterbacks could be important signings for other teams in free agency.
CHECK out the SWR Forum: Who Should Start At Quarterback For The Jets? Mark Sanchez or Tim Tebow?
