Kalimba Edwards has resigned with Detroit, meaning the search continues for a pass rushing LB who won't break the bank. Willie McGinest is in town today. For a year or two he would seem to fit the bill nicely, but apparently the parties don't agree on the numbers. To me, that means the Browns will probably make a standing offer and have to wait/hope the market settles down. I'm not too upset about losing Edwards -- he sounded like an intriguing guy, but opinions certainly varied. McGinest would bring more to the table, but, kind of like Ted Washington, he would not be part of the long-term plan. That's okay if the price is right.
Brees to New Orleans. I love this move for the Saints, and I like the move for New Orleans. While draft speculation had the Saints picking Leinart, it's far better to pay the price for a Pro-Bowl QB when he's on the open market -- afterall, it doesn't happen often, and Brees is not an EX-Pro Bowler but a current one with basically no baggage. But more than that, the fact is that the Saints need players at a lot of positons and needed to fill some of their needs in free agnecy. Unless they wanted to overpay a stubborn free agent holding out for a big offer (insert name here). This way they get a proven NFL QB, will still get a top player in the draft, and will likely be able to trade down and get at least one more promising young player who can help right away. I do like Lienart as a pro prospect, but it's unlikely he could succeed in New Orleans without some better players around him.
Culpepper to Miami. I have to say I am suprised Nick Saban likes Culppeper enough to trade for him (as well as pay him) while he is hurt. While the trade price wasn't too high (a 2nd in '07, which is like a 3rd or 4th in '06), the fact that Culpepper's knee is seriously injured makes the whole deal a gamble. A bigger gamble, though, is whether Culpepper can be a very good quarterback without a Randy Moss to throw to. The 2005 season really explosed Culpepper as a purely instinctive player who couldn't adjust to a defense. Apparently Saban thinks 2005 wasn't a bad sign. Even granting that, I wouldn't have thought Culppeper would be Saban's type of QB; it's akin to Butch Davis signing Jeff Garcia. Of course, I'm still of the mind that Saban is more or less the next incarnation of Butch Davis in the NFL so maybe this all makes perverse sense. I do think Culpepper can be a decent QB, but I looks like Saban thinks he can be a bit more than that.
The Patriots have $20 million in cap room. I wonder what they are waiting for. That team would be interesting with LaVar Arrington.