New and Improved Free Agency Discussion and News Mega-Thread

[WCH]

Originally Posted by redbills

Eagles signed OT Demetrius Bell, formerly of the Bills, to a five-year contract.
The Eagles announced the signing, curiously adding that the correct spelling of Bell's name has been "Demetress" all along. Athletic but unreliable due to injury, Karl Malone's son was arguably the best offensive lineman left on the market.

I always forget about that little factoid.

[mightytitan9]

"Demetress Bell" lol that's whats being reported on NFL.com right now

[killxswitch]

How does a guy have his name spelled wrong for so long? Hasn't he been in the league since 2008?

In other news, the Colts signed NT Brandon McKinney, formerly of the Ravens and Chargers. Any insight on this guy?

[mightytitan9]

I don't know, you figured he'd have corrected people. Could be like Shiancoe, he changed the pronounecment of his name

[BeerBaron]

Wow, his wikipedia page is even already updated to "Demetress" or whatever the **** kind of retardation that is.

[ATLDirtyBirds]

Originally Posted by redbills

Hahahaha, everyone was offering him 1 yr deals so Philly gives him 35 over 5

Just a pretty number for the agent to throw around. Probably extraordinarily incentive based, with very little guarantee beyond the next year or 2.

[BeerBaron]

So were the Bills like, not allowing him to use this name or what? Why is it suddenly changed. I do not understand this.

[mightytitan9]

I like how the Eagles are the ones that are telling us, did they just run a background check and need a social security card or birth certificate and then were like "oh, you know you're names spelled Demetruss?"

[eaglesalltheway]

They signed him to that contract on the parameters that he change his name. He could've kept his name, but he would've had to sign for less.

[Jvig43]

Originally Posted by eaglesalltheway

They signed him to that contract on the parameters that he change his name. He could've kept his name, but he would've had to sign for less.

Kind of like that subway fellow.

[ChiFan24]

5 years/35 million for Demetriuesss Bell is why the Bears haven't gotten in on the O-line free agent market. I'd rather roll with J'Marcus Webb at that cost.

[BeerBaron]

Originally Posted by ChiFan24

5 years/35 million for Demetriuesss Bell is why the Bears haven't gotten in on the O-line free agent market. I'd rather roll with J'Marcus Webb at that cost.

This is not a statement that should be uttered, circumstance be damned.

[eaglesalltheway]

Originally Posted by ChiFan24

5 years/35 million for Demetriuesss Bell is why the Bears haven't gotten in on the O-line free agent market. I'd rather roll with J'Marcus Webb at that cost.

Its essentially a two year contract. Granted he's being paid too much in those two years, but its not as bad a 5/35 seems.

[redbills]

Why Bell’s first name changed
Posted by Chris Brown on April 4, 2012 – 1:17 pm

The spelling of Bills former offensive tackle Demetress Bell’s first name had a noticeable change in signing with the Eagles as it used to be spelled Demetrius. We found out why.
According to Bell, his mother has spelled his name incorrectly since his birth. Recently Bell needed his birth certificate and came to discover that his name is spelled Demetress. Not much more to it than that I’m afraid.

http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2012/0...-name-changed/

[ATLDirtyBirds]

There's no cap hit if he's cut in 2013. Pretty number for the agent to throw around.

[BeerBaron]

The ******** spelling is the correct spelling. Some people's parents man....they just need slapped.

[JHasley10]

Chargers resign Luis Castillo aka Fat Ricky Martin.

[marshallb]

Vikings signed CB Chris Carr.

[niel89]

Originally Posted by killxswitch

In other news, the Colts signed NT Brandon McKinney, formerly of the Ravens and Chargers. Any insight on this guy?

Solid rotational DL. Strictly a run stopper but he is experienced in the Ravens 3-4 defense so he should be a good addition to a rebuilding defense.

Originally Posted by marshallb

Vikings signed CB Chris Carr.

Not the greatest CB but is a solid player and a good addition to a secondary in need. He really wanted to get more starting time which I'm sure he'll get with the Vikings. He can also do PR duty which is helpful.

[BeerBaron]

The Bears are talking to FA Eric Steinbach.

If we sign him and he's even remotely close to an average player, he'll be an upgrade.

[eaglesalltheway]

Even if he's mediocre, with that OL, he'd be an upgrade...

[DeepThreat]

Originally Posted by BeerBaron

The Bears are talking to FA Eric Steinbach.

If we sign him and he's even remotely close to an average player, he'll be an upgrade.

He'll be good if he's healthy. Unfortunately, that's a huge if.

[BeerBaron]

Originally Posted by DeepThreat

He'll be good if he's healthy. Unfortunately, that's a huge if.

Him healthy at LG is definitely better than Chris Williams healthy at LG, and Chris Williams is arguably more oft-injured. So I'll take it.

[ATLDirtyBirds]

I wonder how much McNeill is asking for. The optimist in me thinks the Falcons will get him when he comes down to a realistic, heavily incentive based one year deal.

[bigbluedefense]

McNeil's career is probably over. When you have a degenerative back condition, you're basically done once it gives out.

I wouldn't invest in him bc you can't trust him to stay healthy. No point in investing in a guy when there's a 80% chance he won't even be healthy enough to play.