NFL free agency: Patriots stay ahead of the pack after wild day Published: Mar 09, 2017 at 01:55 PM Senior National Columnist The day included , , the -- THE CLEVELAND BROWNS! -- doing something revolutionary and smart, and the reigning champion churning its roster not even five weeks after hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. What looked at the outset to be a staid free agency period with a shallow pool of top-tier talent turned briefly Thursday afternoon into a wild free-for-all. When it was over, the NFL was almost exactly where it was when the day began: with the rest of the league scrambling to keep up with New England, while the managed to steadily improve their roster. That, after all, is what the Sindarius Thornwell Jersey ' astounding trade to rid themselves of Osweiler and his contract -- as a thank-you payment, they gave the a second-round draft pick in 2018 -- was all about. Osweiler, who seemed to be one of the big free agency winners when he chose the over the last year, was the face of Houston's failure this postseason, when even moderately competent quarterback play might have given the a victory over the . When Osweiler, who by the in favor of Peyton Manning in 2015, over Gary Kubiak's Denver offense a year ago, there were plenty of people around the league who questioned whether he chose poorly, particularly when word got around that the had signed Osweiler . Almost immediately last season, everyone seemed to realize their mistake, and the were intent on cutting their lo ses as soon as they could. There will be plenty of time for thinkpieces J.J. Redick Jersey about how this style of trade may open a new horizon in the NFL, but the bottom line is clear: Osweiler is without a team -- the -- and the are presumably awaiting the arrival of Romo, who was not immediately released by the while Jerry Jones that he could find a trading partner. The trade -- and what Osweiler has become -- was best summed up in a quote released by the , who would appear to be in no position to throw shade at anybody but managed to do it to Osweiler anyway. "We're really excited to acquire a second-round draft choice in this trade," said executive vice Wenyen Gabriel Jersey president of football operations Sashi Brown. Brown continued about how important draft picks are to the before getting around to mentioning that the look forward to having Osweiler compete. Brown, though, has a point. Cleveland's stockpile of draft picks is critical, and perhaps that second-rounder the picked up will turn into something lasting -- that is certainly what they hope, as they, , try to craft a package that would entice the to part with backup quarterback . The have sent plenty of signals that they are not going to trade Garoppolo, but you need only look to of former cornerback to know that nothing is sacred -- and nothing is predictable, except the abhorrence of complacency -- in Foxborough. The move is out of character for the , who generally have preferred to let the first, big-money wave of free agency pa s (or make trades, as they did , to take the place of the departing Martellus Bennett) before swooping in to pick up a few bargain veterans. Gilmore, though, is just 26 years old and was among the best cornerbacks available. Kenrich Williams Jersey The reported contract, , is the kind of top-of-the-market deal that few -- including -- receive. The have plenty of money -- they started with $55 million in cap space, a nice place to be with a Lombardi Trophy in hand -- but the fallout of this deal could be significant. It can't make cornerback , hero of recent vintage, happy that if he remains with the , he presumably will have to play on he was a signed as a restricted free agent, a bargain-basement price for a corner of his caliber. Butler's name has been linked, though, to speculation that he could be traded in a deal for receiver , who would be just another target for an already ferocious offense. And it would be another maddening reminder that the never rest on their considerable laurels. Had the remained exactly the same after this past season, they almost surely would have gotten better anyway -- just because tight end , who mi sed the playoff run after going on injured reserve in December, would be healthy again. Instead, Belichick has put his foot on the gas once more, preparing his defensive backfield for the departure of free agent (who later ) and perhaps even Butler. And the still have plenty of money to re-sign linebacker , a defensive Jahlil Okafor Jersey bedrock and Belichick favorite who has with the while surveying the free agency landscape. There are surely competitors who will try to close the gap with the . Denver general manager John Elway to improve the ' weakest link, the offensive line, and if Houston lands Romo, the might finally have an offense to match their defense. But Belichick's relentle s churning of the roster is a reminder that the NFL's most succe sful franchise may stuff the trophy case, but it is never satisfied. This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be mi sing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an i sue.
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