The Kansas City Chiefs entered free agency with nine players hitting the market, three restricted free agents and six unrestricted. For the difference between those two terms, check out this great read.
The restricted free agents were WR Jeff Webb, C Rudy Niswanger and S Jarrad Page. All three of those players signed their tenders over the last few months. Webb signed his tender back on April 20. Niswanger signed his just a few days later and Jarrad Page just signed his tender less than a week ago. All three of these players are assured of being Chiefs in 2009. Or at least making it to training camp to compete.
That leaves us with the six unrestricted free agents and only three of them have gotten new deals. None of our free agents were snatched up right away.
- LB Pat Thomas - Signed a one year deal with the Buffalo Bills
- S Oliver Celestin
- DE Jason Babin
- LB Rocky Boiman
- S Jon McGraw - Signed contract with the Chiefs
- G Adrian Jones - Signed by the Houston Texans
What's going on with the rest of these guys?
Oliver Celestin, who was signed by the Chiefs last November, is trying out for the United Football League this weekend. Celestin spent most of his time playing on special teams and I don't believe he made it into a game at the safety position.
Interestingly enough, former Chiefs QB Quinn Gray is also trying out for the UFL in Orlando. After QB Matt Cassel was signed, the Chiefs cut Gray back in mid-March.
Jason Babin was signed by the Chiefs just after Celestin was in November 2008. The only hint of news about Babin was that he visited with the Bills shortly after becoming an UFA. Apparentely, a pregame ritual of eating an entire bucket of fried chicken (bones and everything) doesn't translate to on the field success. Babin was not signed by the Bills and remains a free agent today.
Finally, we have Rocky Boiman. He became a Chief back in October 2008 and was cut in late March. I can't find any updates on what's been going on with him. There appears to be no interest in Rocky Boiman around the NFL.
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Don't expect any of these guys to make a big name for themselves in 2009. Like with the Chiefs, they are role/reserve/special teams players at best. For a list of all of the NFL's remaining UFAs, check out this link.