How long does it take for the 1st FA to sign? (1 Viewer)

[Shutout]

Just a funny thought as we approach 4pm. Technically, no one is supposed to be talking to anyone right now but there's always that guy or two that sign within 15 minutes or so.

So, who you guys got?

Who's the can't miss quick signing this season (team or specific player)?

I'm going to guess that the Dolphins sign someone immediately...

 

[icehacka]

Friend and I were talking today about how we remembered players signing a few minutes after FA opened when it used to open at midnight. It was always fishy when that first deal would come through. You wondered how a team and FA would come to an agreement in minutes, but obviously some form of communication happened prior.

I think that Washington is the first to sign a player. I think they would like that first player to be VJax, but I would be surprised if he doesn't weigh his options. Maybe they will offer him a big stack of cash and RG3 throwing to him.

 

[Warhogs]

I was thinking about this a little bit because I don't remember how it works. Are players in route to meet with teams or at 4:01 do owners start calling and sending private jets to bring players in?

I just remember in the past reading posts of players flying into locations and teams trying to sign them before they jump on a jet to the next potential team.

 

[Couch Potato]

I think that with Darth Roger throwing exhibiting his power so freely these days, even if a deal was locked up weeks ago teams would be smart not to flaunt their tampering and wait at least an hour or two before finalizing a deal. The player isn't going to get away. It just doesn't make a lot of sense to have a signing at 4:01 ET and risk punishment.

 

[Sweet Love]

I think that with Darth Roger throwing exhibiting his power so freely these days, even if a deal was locked up weeks ago teams would be smart not to flaunt their tampering and wait at least an hour or two before finalizing a deal. The player isn't going to get away. It just doesn't make a lot of sense to have a signing at 4:01 ET and risk punishment.

Exactly what I was thinking...I would not "submit" any deal to the league office prior to 4:20 EST...even if that meant the possibility of losing someone.

 

[Steed]

Haynesworth signed a few minutes after midnight IIRC.

The league doesn't seem to be overly concerned with the appearance of tampering, most know it's been going on in ernest since the Combine.

 

[GregR]

The NFL investigated the Redskins for tampering when they signed Albert Haynesworth 5 hours after free agency started in 2009. They eventually said the Redskins didn't commit any violations.

I don't know if that precedent is going to have teams waiting a little longer to make announcements now or not.

 

[Couch Potato]

I think that with Darth Roger throwing exhibiting his power so freely these days, even if a deal was locked up weeks ago teams would be smart not to flaunt their tampering and wait at least an hour or two before finalizing a deal. The player isn't going to get away. It just doesn't make a lot of sense to have a signing at 4:01 ET and risk punishment.

Exactly what I was thinking...I would not "submit" any deal to the league office prior to 4:20 EST...even if that meant the possibility of losing someone.

I remember the Redskins signing Haynesworthless at something like a minute after the start a few years ago, and I really didn't understand why they weren't hit with tampering penalties. Sure, it can't be "proven," but the timing was all the circumstantial evidence the Commish needed had he chosen to use it. If you know there's a speed trap ahead, you don't drive by it at 100 MPH giving the cop the finger as you go by.

 

[icehacka]

The NFL investigated the Redskins for tampering when they signed Albert Haynesworth 5 hours after free agency started in 2009. They eventually said the Redskins didn't commit any violations. I don't know if that precedent is going to have teams waiting a little longer to make announcements now or not.

5 hours?! 5 minutes ok...but 5 hours?!

 

[Couch Potato]

The NFL investigated the Redskins for tampering when they signed Albert Haynesworth 5 hours after free agency started in 2009. They eventually said the Redskins didn't commit any violations. I don't know if that precedent is going to have teams waiting a little longer to make announcements now or not.

Was it 5 hours? OK. My recollection is bad then. I guess the news outlets were all reporting it before it was actually official and that's what I was remembering. Five hours I think teams can get away with.

 

[Shutout]

I was thinking about this a little bit because I don't remember how it works. Are players in route to meet with teams or at 4:01 do owners start calling and sending private jets to bring players in?

I just remember in the past reading posts of players flying into locations and teams trying to sign them before they jump on a jet to the next potential team.

I'm guessing there are some players that just so happen to be hanging out in cities where they could talk to some interested party real quickly. Like someone else said, I was thinking Haynesworth signed like 10 minutes into the period (guess I'm mistaken).

 

[GregR]

The NFL investigated the Redskins for tampering when they signed Albert Haynesworth 5 hours after free agency started in 2009. They eventually said the Redskins didn't commit any violations.

I don't know if that precedent is going to have teams waiting a little longer to make announcements now or not.

Was it 5 hours? OK. My recollection is bad then. I guess the news outlets were all reporting it before it was actually official and that's what I was remembering. Five hours I think teams can get away with.

My recollection was that it was minutes as well, but I dug up a PFT article to confirm the ruling after the NFL investigation, and that article said 5 hours.Maybe they announced an agreement in principle a few minutes in but it took 5 hours until they actually signed?

 

[GroveDiesel]

I like Mike Florio's proposal: make a 5 day period where players can start negotiating with other teams but can't sign with anyone but their original team.

Tampering is happening anyway, this just puts it out in the open while still giving the original team a more legitimate opportunity at signing the player over other teams.

 

[ImTheScientist]

12 minutes.

 

[rzrback77]

I believe that someone will be signed within the first hour of the free agency period.

 

[Tackling Dummies]

I'll say within 45 and for the win, it will be Brandon Carr.

 

[Shutout]

Got some news saying robert Meachum to the Bills, not confirmed. That would be in under 10 minutes...fastest talking agent in the biz apparently.

Well, I kinda had the dolphins thing. Brandon Marshall to Chicago...whoa!