Patriots aggressive in free agency

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Day Two of free agency should be called Patriots Day. It was a day in which the Patriots spent big for a star linebacker and were also aggressive adding several role players.

For the past year, the Patriots didn't appear to want to spend big. They lost several key free agents and traded Deion Branch when he held out for a bigger contract. But if that was done to clear up cap room for this season, the Patriots can't be criticized for being passive in 2007.

Adalius Thomas

Linebacker Baltimore Ravens Profile

2006 SEASON STATISTICS Tot Ast Solo FF Sack Int 83 64 19 0 11 1

Day Two also featured some hard-ball trades and interesting maneuvering. Here are 10 key observations.

1. Bucs general manager Bruce Allen loves to be a wheeler-dealer. On Saturday, he was at his best. He signed quarterback Jeff Garcia to a two-year deal that will pay him $5 million this year. The total deal is reportedly around $7 million for two years. Then, he traded a conditional 2008 pick to Denver for Jake Plummer, whose threatened retirement held up a trade that was agreed on Friday. Smart business. Hard business. Now the Bucs control Plummer's fate. If he does play, the Bucs could have him compete for a starting job or trade him for a fourth-round pick, the price they established with the first trade with the Broncos. You can never have enough quarterbacks.

2. Garcia's agent, Steve Baker, had a good handle on the Garcia situation. Unlike the past when Garcia turned down the chance to go to Tampa to sign with Cleveland and Detroit, Garcia played the market well. He could have made more by going to Oakland, but he was wise in passing on that opportunity. He doesn't have the deep throwing arm Al Davis likes. Plus, the offensive line is shaky in Oakland. Garcia finally gets to play for Jon Gruden, whom he's always wanted as an offensive play-caller. By going to Oakland first and establishing Garcia could get starter's money, Baker parlayed the situation into a good contract.

Dan Wilkinson

Defensive Tackle Miami Dolphins Profile

2006 SEASON STATISTICS Tot Ast Solo FF Sack Int 14 10 4 1 0 0

4. The Dolphins only had six draft choices on Friday. Former coach Nick Saban traded a number of picks during his two-year reign. Now, general manager Randy Mueller is building back the stockpile of choices. He got a sixth-round choice from Denver for Dan Wilkinson, whom he was going to cut. If the Patriots sign wide receiver Wes Welker to a restricted offer sheet, the Dolphins could pick up a second-rounder. Sure, it would be a low second-round pick, but that's still not a bad choice. Mueller faces an interesting decision on Welker.

5. The Lions are giving the appearance that they might be willing to trade the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. Sure, they could sit at No. 2 and take left tackle Joe Thomas from Wisconsin. They could take running back Adrian Peterson. With Kevin Jones coming off a serious foot injury, that's not a bad option. But they've picked up halfback Tatum Bell and right tackle George Foster, so that could change their draft plans. They also are close to signing Bucs free-agent defensive end Dewayne White. Wide receiver Kevin Curtis left Minnesota on Saturday and flew to Detroit. He might be signed by Sunday. There is a growing chance the Lions might trade out of the second spot in the draft and pick up more draft choices. They have four fifth-rounders and 10 choices.

6. So much for Daniel Snyder not being a big player in free agency. The Redskins signed middle linebacker London Fletcher-Baker and cornerback Fred Smoot to five-year deals. They are talking to cornerback Travis Fisher. Offensive lineman Leonard Davis is deciding between the Cowboys and Redskins. Davis pulled an interesting move. He asked Jerry Jones for a massive amount of guarantees in his contract. When he didn't get them, he left for Snyder's private plane and a trip to Washington.

Drew Bennett

Wide Receiver Tennessee Titans Profile

2006 SEASON STATISTICS Rec Yds TD Avg Long YAC 46 737 3 16.0 39 166

8. The Chargers aren't going to be players in free agency, but they already are one of the biggest winners of the offseason. They re-signed guard Kris Dielman, a Pro Bowl alternate who turned down more money from Seattle and Cleveland to take a six-year, $39 million deal from the Chargers. Dielman's return keeps together one of the game's best offensive.

9. A year ago, the Seahawks didn't want to make Steve Hutchinson a $7 million-a-year guard and they lost him to Minnesota. Now, they can't even buy a $7 million guard when he's on the market. Dielman turned down close to $7 million a year from the Seahawks to return to San Diego. The Seahawks were furious. Watch for them to be extra aggressive trying to sign Kerney or tight end Daniel Graham. They could even sign both of them.

10. The Raiders are going to keep Barry Sims, who is moving from guard to left tackle, and wide receiver Ronald Curry, who restructured his contract Saturday. But they might lose halfback LaMont Jordan. For the moment, Jordan doesn't want to renegotiate a $4.75 million signing bonus that is due Wednesday. Figuring they could lose Jordan, the Raiders have asked Travis Henry to visit after his stop in Denver.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

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John Clayton

NFL senior writer

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• Senior NFL writer and commentator
• Joined ESPN in 1995
• Member of the writers' wing of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio