Rise ‘n Grind: The second wave of NFL free agency

The first wave of free agency is over. We’ve reached the point in the NFL’s offseason sweepstakes where the BIG NEWS involves such luminaries as Kenny Britt or that other team’s mid-level starting guard who is no doubt very important to their plans but a total snoozer as far as generating tweets and takes.

This time is for the depth guys or stars past their prime taking their time to find the right deal (or actually get an offer). All that is subject to change thanks to the direction, whatever it may be, teams like the Eagles and Saints are taking this offseason.

It’s quiet again, at least as quiet as it gets in the NFL’s vicious news cycle. Hell, we can even start talking about the draft again, breaking down the minutia of Marcus Mariota’s pro day and figuring out which players are going to get dinged from anonymous scouts for the way they wear their hat.

Marcus Mariota still hearts Chip - The Oregon quarterback isn’t giving up on the idea of a reunion with his old coach, Chip Kelly.

Mike Wallace’s impact - The perpetually unhappy receiver is reportedly not too thrilled to be going to Minnesota, but it could end up being a good situation for him with Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback and more utilization in Norv Turner’s offense. The Daily Norseman explains the ins and outs of the team’s newest receiver.

Shaking up the draft - Will the Mike Wallace and Kenny Stills trades change how receivers fall in the draft? That could be good news for the 49ers.

Another investigation - The NFL is looking into the possibility that the Jets tampered with Darrelle Revis while he was still technically with the Patriots.

Trade rumors! - The Evan Mathis trade wasn’t quite as imminent as initially reported a few days ago, but trade talk involving the Eagles lineman isn’t going away either. The Bills are one possibility, and certainly need a guard given their heavy investment in Mathis’ former teammate, LeSean McCoy.

How much for Julio? - Jeremy Maclin’s $55 million deal ($22 million guaranteed) has Falcons fans wondering what it will cost to re-sign Julio Jones after this season, the last year of his contract. Jones can demand a deal more along the lines of Calvin Johnson’s, so the Maclin deal could be a best case scenario for the team.

Everyone likes the Cowboys now - Kind of. Another prudent offseason offseason, especially the decision to let the Eagles pay DeMarco Murray more than $8 million a season, is sort of uncharted territory for Jerry Jones’ team. And people are taking notice. Thanks Stephen Jones!

Double down - The Rams made a pair of free agent moves on Friday, both signaling a commitment to doing the same thing that keeps Jeff Fisher’s teams below .500. Nick Fairley gives them a fearsome defensive line, but will he play enough to justify the contract? It seems more like a move for a contending team. Plus, they’ll need to score points, and for that they re-signed Kenny Britt. It’s a $14 million, two-year deal with $4.3 million guaranteed, for a receiver who just finished his first full 16-game season in five years. If Britt’s still the team’s No. 1 receiver and they don’t get better on the offensive line, all the pass rush in the world isn’t going to make them a threat to the Seahawks.

Meet the Jets - Gang Green was a big winner in free agency. Danny Kelly takes a look at nine teams that appear to have gotten better over the last week.

An oral history of Frank Gore’s time with the Eagles - READ THIS.

Ponzi scheme? - PFT Commenter grades the winners and losers from free agency. Hint: They’re all losers.

The general returns - Famous Civil War general Andrew Luck penned another dispatch to his dearest Abigail. He’s excited about the team’s reinforcements.