March 9th 4:00 pm Free Agency and NFL calendar till then

[BobDigital]

Feb 11th/18th/25/26 - NFL Regional Combines

Feb 15th - First day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

Feb 28th-March 6th - NFL Scouting Combine (the big one)

March 1st - Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March 9th - Free Agency Begins.

These to me are the big dates. FYI Free Agency is 29 days and 35 minutes away. Not too far off. The draft gets a ton of focus as it should but considering we have near 70 million to spend this should maybe get the most attention. The Giants showed this year how much free agency can change a team when they bought maybe the best D in the league.

 

[PatriotsPimp136]

If i am a free agent i would take a one year deal to play for the best franchise in the nfl right now and try to win a ring with the goat. If bennett's gone than someone else will come.

 

[farn]

There are now more examples than ever of solid vets on the decline (yet still PLENtY useful) coming to NE & giving themselves a chance at the big win.

Two or three of those have got to be thinking : I want that. Especially if they already have the $ (like Long).

Does anyone on here know of players between 29-32 years old how are available and fit this mood ?

 

[mgteich]

For me, I broadly separate 4 phases of free agency.

1) ACTIONS BEFORE THE MARCH 9 DEADLINE
A lot can happen. Obviously, we want to make decisions (hopefully sign) lots of our own free agents. We need to decide on tags and tenders. Also, there are sometimes negotiations with existing players (Amendola?) whose contracts are but out of whack. Of course, there are the moves to free up cap money, including the occasional surprise waiver. This process is often in priority order because of cap constraints. This will be less of an issue this year.

2) THE TWO WEEKS OR SO OF FREE AGENCY (though March 23rd)
This is when the top players are often taken. However, sometimes, players a bit lower are re-signed after they test free agency.

3) FREE AGENCY IN THE MONTH BEFORE THE DRAFT
It is here that many critical decisions are made, many re-signing, and many replacements and additions to augment the roster. After all, the goal before the draft is to have complete team, allowing maximum flexibility in the draft.

4) AFTER THE DRAFT
This is where the roster is completed, sometimes making up for disappointments or injuries in camp. Belichick often takes flyers. Also, Belichick, more than any other coach, extends this process heavily into the first two weeks of the season, often with minor trades. IMHO, Belichick has more transactions than anyone in the month around the "final cuts" (the 2 weeks before and after the season begins).