Free Agency Roundup: Tuesday opens with a Bang

David E. Klutho/ SI

Day 1 of free agency is in the books. While we still haven't had anyone step up to the challenge of matching the stupidity of the contract Minnesota gave Everson Griffin, there was a ton of player movement at the start of free agency, with plenty of money getting thrown around as if there's no tomorrow (or as if the cap is projected to go up almost $30 million in the next two years). As promised, here's our daily recap of all of yesterday's action.

• The Denver Broncos were undoubtedly the winner of day one of free agency. They added TJ Ward, the best strong safety on the market, re-signed Andre Caldwell, and reportedly emerged as the favorites to land Demarcus Ware. Then, they saved their biggest move for last, finishing the night by stealing Aqib Talib from under the Patriots noses. Denver landed Talib by giving him the most guaranteed money ($26 million) ever to a cornerback, part of a six year, $57 million deal. The Broncos clearly intend to go "all-in" in their attempt to win a ring before Peyton Manning retires.

• Speaking of Revis, lets update the Revis watch. The Bucs are still trying to trade Revis before 4 pm tomorrow, when his $1.5 million roster bonus becomes guaranteed. However, that's looking increasingly unlikely, as Revis has shockingly refused to negotiate a pay cut to facilitate a trade to Oakland or Cleveland. According to Adam Schefter, the Patriots and Eagles are teams to watch if/when Revis is released, and there's speculation out there that the Jets could get involved also. With Jason La Confora reporting Revis can be had for a fifth round pick, a trade looks like the best/only option to bring Revis to New England.

• For their part, Tampa didn't wait around, but went out and signed Revis' replacement, former Titan Alterraun Verner (4 years, $25 million, $14 million guaranteed). They also added Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson for big money, signed former Giants tight end Brandon Myers, and are in the mix for quarterback Josh McCown, offensive tackle Anthony Collins and cornerback Charles "Peanut" Tillman.

• The Colts made two big splashes, re-signing cornerback Vontae Davis (four years, $39 million, $20 million guaranteed) and bringing in Arthur Jones for five years, $30 million while also signing on for two more years of the ageless Adam Vinatieri. The Colts did lose safety Antoine Bethea to the 49ers and running back Donald Brown to the Chargers. However, they certainly had an aggressive day, and they should still have enough money to make a serious run at Eric Decker.

• The 49ers might have had the weirdest day of any team on the market. They lost safety Donte Whitner to the Browns (where Whitner will replace the departed TJ Ward), and promptly signed Antoine Bethea to replace Whitner. However, they drew bigger headlines for two fringe moves; trading a sixth round pick for quarterback Blaine Gabbert and a conditional seventh round pick to reunite the bullied Jonathan Martin with his college coach, Jim Harbaugh. They also re-signed kicker Phil Dawson and corner Eric Wright.

• The Saints were another team to make waves, somehow finding enough cap space to sign former Bills safety Jairus Byrd to a six year, $54 million contract with $28 million guaranteed. That certainly dulled the pain of losing safety Malcolm Jenkins, who signed with the Eagles to replace the freshly released Patrick Chung. They also have apparently changed their tune on Darren Sproles, and are optimistic they'll be able to trade the scatback rather than just releasing him for cap purposes.

• The Ravens managed to re-sign left tackle Eugene Monroe, crossing off their number one priority of free agency. They are now apparently looking to supplement their offense with Napoleonic receivers, targeting Julian Edelman and emerging as a favorite to land Steve Smith if/when he is released. Meanwhile, their rivals in Pittsburgh mustered enough cash to sign another Panther, safety Mike Mitchell, thanks in part to savings from an Ike Taylor pay cut and releasing LaMarr Woodley.

• No team was hit harder in the first day of free agency than the Chiefs, who lost 3/5ths of their starting offensive line. Left tackle Brandon Albert is now a Dolphin, guard Jon Asomoah is now a Falcon, and guard Geoff Schwartz is now a Giant. The Chiefs also lost diminutive receiver Dexter McCluster, who signed with Tennessee.

• Speaking of the Falcons, they made headlines both for signing Asomoah and for two noteworthy releases: safety Thomas DeCoud and tight end Tony Gonzalez. DeCoud was a Pro Bowler in 2012 but saw his play deteriorate this past season. Gonzalez had to be released, as his unfiled retirement papers would have put the Falcons on the hook for a $7 million cap hit. He claims to be retired, but has said that before...

• The Raiders, flush with the most cap space in the league, had an up and down day. They lost their own two high profile free agents, with left tackle Jared Veldheer bolting for Arizona and defensive end Lamarr Houston winding up in Chicago. However, Oakland did make a few moves to shore up their offensive line, adding Jets right tackle Austin Howard and Rams guard/swing tackle Rodger Saffold. They also re-signed Darren McFadden on a one year deal.

• Speaking of da Bears, the signing of Houston led to the expected release of Julius Peppers, who joins a crowded field of free agent veteran pass rushers. They also added former Steelers safety Ryan Mundy, re-signed linebacker DJ Williams and are reportedly in the mix for Jared Allen.

• The Lions re-signed valuable running back Joique Bell and are reportedly bringing Golden Tate in for a visit. Just what Golden Tate needs, an environment were discipline is emphasized! /rolls eyes

• The New York Giants had a quietly active day, re-signing safety Stevie Brown while adding guard Geoff Schwartz and running back Rashad Jennings. They did lose defensive tackle Linval Johnson to Minnesota and tight end Brandon Myers to the Bucs.

• The Cowboys big news was obviously the release of DeMarcus Ware, but he wasn't the only high-priced veteran sent packing. They also released receiver Miles Austin, who probably pulled his hammy walking out the door. 

• The Browns didn't shy away from spending yesterday, giving Donte Whitner $7 million a year to replace TJ Ward. They also signed former Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby and put out an offer sheet for Bengals restricted free agent Andrew Hawkins (which the Bengals are now expected to match). The Browns still have plenty of cash and are expected to be in on several more big names, including Julian Edelman and Darrelle Revis.

• The Jets did very little on Tuesday, re-signing kicker Nick Folk, releasing receiver Santonio Holmes (as expected) and watching right tackle Austin Howard walk to Oakland. However, the Jets could be making big splashes with their cap space soon. They are meeting with Denver receiver Eric Decker today, reportedly could be a player in the Revis sweepstakes, and are also "very interested" in adding running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

Whew! And that's just day one of free agency. Keep checking Patriotslife throughout the day; we'll be keeping you up to date with every development in RevisWatch 2014.