Vets on the move
Patriots sign Revis as short-term replacement for Talib
Darrelle Revis and Darren Sproles found landing spots in the Northeast. Now Steve Smith and James Harrison look for new NFL homes.
Revis’ stay in Tampa Bay was short, and he might not be in New England much longer. After less than a year as a Buccaneer, he was cut Wednesday and officially agreed to terms with the Patriots on Thursday — but only on a one-year deal, albeit worth about $12 million.
The 28-year-old shutdown cornerback, whose contract impasses have led him from the Jets to the Bucs to the Patriots since last April, was the latest big name on the move. Versatile running back/kick returner Sproles will add some juice to Philadelphia’s already high-energy offense after he was acquired from New Orleans. And someone will grab veteran Smith after the standout wide receiver was released by Carolina.
As for Harrison, the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year was cut by Cincinnati, where he spent only the 2013 season after being released by Pittsburgh.
It was yet another busy period on the third day of NFL free agency. Tampa Bay cut tackle Donald Penn and signed Anthony Collins to replace him; Oakland signed defensive end Justin Tuck; Green Bay re-signed linebacker Mike Neal and tight end Andrew Quarless; and the Jaguars formally signed defensive end Chris Clemons, defensive lineman Ziggy Hood and re-signed defensive end Jason Babin, who led the team with 7 1/2 sacks in 2013.
In other moves:
• Rodger Saffold’s bizarre free-agent experience ended back in St. Louis. He re-signed one day after he failed a physical to void a five-year, $42.5 million deal with the Raiders.
• Jason Hatcher agreed to a four-year, $27.5 million deal to join the Redskins, a person with knowledge of the agreement said on condition of anonymity because the contract had not yet been signed. Hatcher had 11 sacks last year and was selected to his first Pro Bowl in his eighth season with the Cowboys.
Washington also agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent linebacker Darryl Sharpton, according to a person familiar with the deal.
• Buffalo brought back its top tight end, Scott Chandler, who holds the Bills’ record for tight ends with 32 consecutive games with a catch.
• Minnesota signed cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, a starter on Carolina’s improved defense last year. Munnerlyn got a deal that could pay him $15 million over three years with incentives.
• Tight end Garrett Graham re-signed with the Texans, two days after the team released two-time Pro Bowler Owen Daniels.
• Arizona signed wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. to a three-year contract and agreed to terms on a two-year deal to keep linebacker Matt Shaughnessy. Ginn had 36 receptions for 556 yards and a career-high five touchdowns with the Panthers in 2013. Ginn also returned 26 punts for 316 yards, setting a franchise record with a 12.2-yard average. The team also released linebacker Dontay Moch.
• Dallas signed linebacker and special teams player Will Herring. The eighth-year pro spent the past three seasons with New Orleans after starting his career with four years in Seattle.
• Quarterback Kellen Clemens and linebacker Kavell Conner signed with the Chargers. Clemens spent the last two seasons with the Rams as a backup to Sam Bradford. He replaces Charlie Whitehurst, who left for Tennessee.