An active first day of NFL free agency

NFL teams had until 4:00 p.m. Tuesday to come to terms with their own players before they become unrestricted free agents. Immediately after the deadline passed, there was heavy action from around the league.

Due to the Colts phase of rebuilding and poor salary cap action, they have yet to make any moves but they are talking. The cap for 2012 is about $120 million but they have about $38 million money going to players no longer under contract like Peyton Manning. That means Indy is working with about $82 million.

One week ago, defensive end Robert Mathis signed a four-year, $36 million deal to remain with the Horseshoes. New head coach Chuck Pagano has indicted his desire to change the defensive to a 3-4 scheme and because Mathis is versatile, he was kept.

Late Tuesday night, the Colts and wide-receiver Reggie Wayne came to an agreement on a three-year, $17.5 million deal. By then, most of the top free agent receivers already signed with a new team and the Colts still needed one. I like the deal, for all parties involved.

Pierre Garçon follows the $$$ to the Redskins
The 2008 draft pick from Mount Union turned down a $7 million a year deal that the Colts offered. He announced first on Facebook page that he was going to sign with the Washington Redskins.

“I wanted you all to hear it from me 1st before u saw it on the news…I will be signing with the Washington Redskins and I’m very excited about the opportunity in front of me.”

When I first saw the news that he was headed elsewhere, it was not a surprise. And before the numbers came out, I was sure they overpaid for him…and they did. Garçon received a five-year deal worth $42.5 million. He will receive a $11 million signing bonus and is guaranteed $20.5 million guaranteed.

The Redskins traded for the No. 2-pick in the draft, which surely will be Robert Griffin III after Indianapolis selects Andrew Luck. Washington wanted to have talent to surround RG3 and so they hit free agency hard, also signing former 49ers receiver Josh Morgan.

On the radar:
Two names to be familiar with are Cory Redding and John Carlson.

Redding is a veteran defensive end that played under Pagano last season in Baltimore. He will meet with the team brass and I think a deal will get done. It’s not unusual for players to follow their former coach to his new team and Redding may be the first.

Carlson, a former Seahawk, is a fourth-year tight-end. He had over 50 receptions and five touchdowns in each of his first two seasons. He may be the guy to try to fill the void of Dallas Clark.

Manning-watch:
Peyton Manning has yet to decide where he will sign. He has visited Denver and Arizona, has reportedly met with Miami, and is scheduled to talk with Tennessee. I suspect he will come to a decision in the coming days but I am truly surprised that teams haven’t questioned his health. I’m still not confident he will be able to play well, at a high level, for an extended period of time.

Of note:
Jacob Lacey is an unrestricted free agent and was not tendered a contract as a restricted free agent. Should he now sign with another team, the Colts will not be compensated.