NFL signings fast, furious
Albert Haynesworth got paid, Kellen Winslow was traded and Bart Scott followed his mentor.
With signings coming at a furious pace, it was a busy first day of free agency in the NFL as a handful of big-name stars changed uniforms Friday.
The Washington Redskins led the way, signing Haynesworth to a $100 million contract that includes a record $41 million signing bonus. The deal came shortly after Washington re-signed cornerback DeAngelo Hall to a six-year, $54 million deal.
"You're not going to remember Albert Haynesworth as a bust," the big defensive tackle said.
In other major moves, Cleveland traded Winslow to Tampa Bay in exchange for draft picks; New York signed Scott to a $48 million, six-year deal, reuniting the linebacker with new Jets coach Rex Ryan; Minnesota acquired quarterback Sage Rosenfels from Houston; and New England signed 33-year-old running back Fred Taylor. Some others stayed put as Tennessee re-signed 36-year-old quarterback Kerry Collins, and New Orleans re-signed linebacker Jonathan Vilma.
The Redskins snagged the biggest name available with a blockbuster deal within hours of the midnight start of free agency.
"With the contract, it's going to be all on me," Haynesworth said. "My goal is to be the best player on the field and to eventually get to that Hall of Fame status and be mentioned with Reggie White and Bruce Smith and all the greats."
Haynesworth's money eclipsed the previous mark of $37 million in guarantees that Atlanta paid Michael Vick in December 2004. All told, the Redskins — who laid off 23 employees recently — are spending nearly $63 million on two players.
The Redskins also agreed to terms with left guard Derrick Dockery, who returns to Washington after he was released by Buffalo on Thursday.
Tampa Bay obtained Winslow, whose five years in Cleveland were marked by injuries and controversy. The talented tight end missed most of his first two seasons with injuries, but made the Pro Bowl in 2007 after making 82 catches for 1,106 yards. He demanded a new contract after that season and last year was suspended briefly after being hospitalized with a staph infection.
"People don't really know me yet," Winslow said. "Everybody makes mistakes."
Winslow was the sixth overall pick in 2004. The son of Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow Sr., he had 219 receptions for 2,459 yards and 11 touchdowns in 44 games with the Browns.
The 28-year-old Scott will make $27 million during the first three years of the contract, agent Harold Lewis told The Associated Press.
"The opportunity to play under Coach Ryan again was huge," Scott said. "I've made it no secret how big a role he has played in me taking the steps from being an undrafted rookie free agent to where I am today. I wanted to keep that chemistry going."
Collins took over for Vince Young at quarterback and led the Titans to the NFL's best regular-season record at 13-3. There was never much chance that he would leave and never much doubt that the Titans wanted him back.
Minnesota got Rosenfels from Houston for a fourth-round draft pick and signed him to a two-year, $9 million contract extension. He'll compete with incumbent Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job.
Pittsburgh re-signed left guard Chris Kemoeatu after he turned down an offer from the Jets. The deal is worth $20 million over five seasons and pays him a signing bonus of nearly $4 million.
