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Almost $800 million dollars have been spent in a whirlwind of a free-agent signing period. Teams have been re-signing and shaking up their lineups faster than McFadden’s 40 yard combine time. So here are the early big signings:

1. Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers
(8 years - $102 million / $36 million guaranteed)

Ok, this one is a no-brainer. Except for the hiccup of a season following his motorcycle accident, Roethlisberger has been one of the most consistent QBs in the league. If you do not count 2006, Roethlisberger’s QB rating has been 98.1, 98.6, and 104.1 each successive year. In those three seasons, he did not throw more than 11 interceptions in a season, and his TDs grew from 17 his first two season to 32 last year. Oh, and he won a Super Bowl his sophomore season. His salary is exactly what a top tier QB is worth in this league. The Steelers have guaranteed to be a threat in the AFC North for years to come.

2. Donte Stallworth – Cleveland Browns
(7 years - $35 million / $10 million gauranteed)

Great pickup for the Browns, who are looking to improve on their surprise 11 win season last year. After re-signing Derek Anderson, the Browns next priority was giving him a viable deep threat, and at $5 million a year, Stallworth is a great deal. Under utilized with the Eagles and then overshadowed in the Pats offensive juggernaut, Stallworth will be an excellent complement to Braylon Edwards and Joe Jerevicious. Even though Anderson had a breakout year, his numbers (82.5 QB rating, 7.19 yds/attempt) were not particularly mind blowing. Especially with the uncertainty surrounding Kellen Winslow, Stallworth will help take the Browns to the next level and hopefully a playoff berth.

3. Asante Samuel – Philadelphia Eagles
(6 years - $57 million / $20 million guaranteed)

This is going to be one of those “we will have to wait and see” kind of deals. The upside for Samuel is huge. He is regarded as a play maker who can make a big difference in a game with one play. And with 10 and 6 interceptions the last two seasons, double digit interceptions any given year is not out of the question. Pairing him with an already decent secondary (Quintin Mikell, Sheldon Brown, and Lito Sheppard) should give the Eagles an excellent pass defense. The only doubt is the money (almost $10 million a year is steep for a CB, and $20 million guaranteed is a big risk). However, if Samuel lives up to his billing, he can be a premier player in this league for years to come.

4. Jerry Porter – Jacksonville Jaguars
(6 years - $30 million / $10 million gauranteed)

Before the critics (including my fellow blogger) start saying that Porter is past his prime and this is a bad deal, take a few things into consideration. 29 is not that old for a WR (its not like a RB who is done after 30). He has also played his whole career in Oakland, the worst run professional sports organization on the planet (sorry Knicks, I didn’t mean to leave you out). A breath of fresh Florida air might revitalize this WR. And while by itself this signing does not look great, imagine what it will do for the Jags pass offense as a whole. David Gerrard, who had a monster season last year (102.2 QB rating and 18 TDs), just got another weapon to go along with Reggie Williams and Dennis Northcutt. $10 million is a lot for a gaurantee, but the $5 million a year salary is not that huge a gamble.

5. Randy Moss – New England Patriots
(3 years - $27 million / $15 million gauranteed)

There has been a lot of debate surrounding how significant this deal is, but no one can deny the impact Randy Moss made last year. Over 1400 receiving yards and 23 TDs speak for themselves. And lets not forget how just his presence on the field improved the whole passing attack (Wes Welker is a great receiver, but he had a career year thanks to Moss). With the loss of Dante Stallworth, Moss is even more important. This was a steal for the Patriots. Two years in a row the Patriots convinced arguably the best wide receiver in the league to sign for less than he is worth (the Eagles through everything but the kitchen sink at Moss, and they couldn’t steal him away). Moss is a focused man now, and his goal is championships. A great deal for both sides.

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