It took edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney about four months to find a new NFL team, while running back Adrian Peterson was signed in two days. They, along with some other key players, found new NFL teams while other high-profile players are still waiting for a phone call.
Clowney found a home with Tennessee, reuniting with head coach Mike Vrabrel who served as his position coach and defensive coordinator when the two were in Houston. Peterson, who was waived by Washington, signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions.
Clowney was the highest-profile free agent in the offseason, and was reportedly garnering interest from several general managers. The impasse was money. Clowney’s price tag was too high, and organizations were willing to wait him out.
The Titans weren’t initially the favorites to acquire Clowney. His former team, Seattle, was the +150 choice to keep the defensive player. When talks between the two broke down, however, the Titans became the +200 favorite to get him.
There was some drama last week, though, when rumors swirled of a private dinner between Clowney and New Orleans coach Sean Payton. The Saints weren’t even listed as a possible suitor.
The Titans saw a bump in their Super Bowl odds with the signing of Clowney. They were at 30/1, but after it was announced Clowney is coming to Tennessee, they dropped to 28/1.
Peterson Happy with New NFL Team
The biggest shock of training camp was when Washington waived Peterson last week. The club is going with rookie Antonio Gibson.
“It comes as a surprise. I didn’t feel I showed anything that would warrant being released,” Peterson told ESPN.
The Chicago Bears became the +450 frontrunner to land Peterson, with Jacksonville (+500) and Miami (+650) both behind the Jaguars. Detroit wasn’t even on the board, even though the Lions were looking for a veteran to join their stable of young rushers.
“They’re giving me an opportunity to play,” Peterson told ESPN. “I know Coach Bevell from my days in Minnesota. Ultimately I feel comfortable going there and helping them to get better.”
Fournette Finds New Home
One player who also found a new NFL team is running back Leonard Fournette. The former Jacksonville Jaguar was released from that team because of rumored conflicts with head coach Doug Marrone and upper management. Marrone denied those rumors saying cutting Fournette was completely based on his performance.
Tampa Bay, who was the third pick to land Fournette at +350, didn’t seem worried about his attitude. They signed him four days after the Jaguars released him. Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians told reporters he wasn’t concerned with Fournette.
“That’s one position [where] I don’t think you can have enough good guys,” Arians said. “That’s the one area where nicks and bruises really add up, and when you can get a player of that caliber – I’ve gotten great reviews from people that know him and have coached him. He’ll fit right in and then we’ll see what role happens, and how fast it can happen.â€
