NFL Free Agency Signings: Grading Every Day 2 Deal

If you thought the first day of free-agent movement was fast a furious, then the second day proved to be as brisk with big names changing teams just as some analysts thought they would.

Who would have thought the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be as aggressive has they have been in the first two days, solidifying their offensive line and snagging the top-rated receiver left on the free-agent list? The Glazers are certainly trying to prove that making a change in the coaching ranks was not the only thing they wanted to do to make this team a contender.

And there are still more teams in the market for key players. Everyone is playing the waiting game right now. Players like Peyton Manning and Mario Williams may take a few days to decide where they want to call home while teams step to the plate and try to sway them.

Here is a look at the activity so far today and how it stacks up for the success of the player and the team. Also, all information regarding the signings of players by new teams was researched from NFL.com.

Kyle Orton, QB, Dallas Cowboys

I love this move by the Cowboys.

Stephen McGee offers you nothing if Tony Romo is injured and we have learned he has a penchant for injuries in the past.

Orton is a seasoned starter in this league. He can manage a game with the best of them and he knows if this team is in the thick of the playoff picture, he will manage to win the game, not lose it.

Dallas is the best place for him.

GRADE - A-

Frostee Rucker, DE, Cleveland

Wow! This move is great for Cleveland and hurts in-state and division rival Cincinnati.

So much was made of the Bengals defense being key to the team's success last season while the young combination of Andy Dalton and AJ Green learned to play catch.

Rucker was a key component of that defensive live. This strengthens Cleveland's resolve that with a few key players (more on the offensive side of the ball), the Browns could be a very good football team.

GRADE - B+

John Carlson, TE, Minnesota Vikings

Carlson goes from one dome to another and becomes part of the Vikings' aerial assault.

The former Seattle tight end will benefit from having Percy Harvin on the outside to open up short, middle-of-field passes.

Christian Ponder passing to him is better than Charlie Whitehurst or Tavaris Jackson.

GRADE - B

Jonathan Fanene, DE, New England Patriots

Another one of Cincinnati's defensive linemen leaves for another AFC team.

This can only hurt the Bengals.

Fanene is a good tackle who will take on double teams. He also helps solidify the Patriots' defensive line and which will enable them to get to the quarterback more effectively.

GRADE - A-

Eric Wright, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Another one of those moves by Tampa Bay.

While signing Carl Nicks and Vincent Jackson was a great offensive coup for the Bucs, signing Wright was also a strong move.

The Buccaneers looked like a cracked water pipe in the secondary last season. Wright could help with coverage and contribute on special teams.

GRADE - B

Carlos Rogers, DB, San Francisco 49ers

Sometimes, having the same components on your team is the right thing to do.

By re-signing Rogers, the 49ers do not break up a unit that played well last year.

The 49ers could make another solid run at the playoffs and the Super Bowl. Breaking down chemistry could only be harmful.

Solid move.

GRADE - B

Jared Gaither, T, San Diego Chargers

Not sure why they did this.

At times, he was good. At times, he was bad. He had a key penalty called against him in Kansas City and was released.

The Chargers need his help but they could have also looked elsewhere.

He needs to show progress.

GRADE- C

Jarrett Johnson, LB, San Diego

This is where the Ravens did not want to be.

With Cory Redding out on the market, the team cannot afford to lose two of their main defensive stars.

Johnson gives the Chargers a solid linebacker to help with their 3-4 defense.

The loss will be felt by the Ravens because of Johnson's consistency in the middle.

GRADE- B

Carl Nicks, Guard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The best move of the day.

The Bucs get the best offensive linemen in this free-agency period to come east and help this young team succeed.

It also puts a dent in the Saints and the unit they have held together for a number of years.

The Bucs instantly look like contenders with the three moves they have made in two days.

GRADE- A+

Jeremy Mincey, DE, Jacksonville

This one was done right around midnight last night, so let's include it here.

Mincey gives the Jaguars one rush end with consistency. It also means the team has all its key parts back from last season's defense with the exception of Matt Roth.

This was the biggest move of the offseason for the team.

GRADE- A

Dwight Lowery, DB, Jacksonville

Another late-night deal by the Jaguars.

Lowery is key because of his coverage skills and the fact that Rashean Mathis is only there for another year.

Also, Lowery did not want to be anywhere but Jacksonville. That makes the deal even better.

GRADE - B+

Robert Meachem, WR, San Diego

The signing of Meachem is a solid one for the Chargers.

When they lost Vincent Jackson, they needed someone to replace him. Meachem has speed and good hands and was the third option in the Saints' offense.

Now, he is the first one for Philip Rivers.

If Meachem catches 80 balls in this offense, the Chargers will not miss a beat.

GRADE - A-

Cory Redding, DE, Indianapolis

This is a nice move by Indianapolis.

Redding does not get the hype and accolades his fellow Ravens did, but he was as consistent as they came. And he will do well as a leader on the Colts' defensive line.

Look for Redding to become an outside threat and rotate with Robert Mathis.

You can never have too many good edge rushers.

GRADE- B

Martellus Bennett, TE, New York Giants

The Giants may have wanted to take a tight end in the draft.

Now, they do not have to.

Bennett is a tall, thick, blocking and receiving tight end that becomes another red-zone target for Eli Manning, as if he did not have enough of them.

GRADE - B-

Brandon Carr, DB, Dallas

Carr makes the Dallas defense better instantly.

When the Cowboys released Terrance Newman, it was presumably so they could sign Carr, who was a nice player in Kansas City.

While the team still needs more help on the defense, selecting Carr and signing him is a step in the right direction.

GRADE - A-