It’s been a week of constant wheeling and dealing with NFL teams, but none that have made the major splash as the big deals and trades since Free Agency began on March 10. Teams now are shoring up their depth charts and, in some instances, swinging for the fences on odd-ball prospects, overseas players, draft disappointments and potential troublemakers.
Foreign players get their shot
Did you know there’s a British American Football Association? I didn’t either, but the Dallas Cowboys did, signing defensive end Efe Obada to a contract. Obada is a 6-foot-6, 255-pound physical specimen that the Cowboys will be working out as a pass rusher and as a tight end. Obada was signed all on potential as he played in just five games for the London Warriors last season. Obada’s main job was that as a warehouse store worker, a job which he’s made it clear he’ll be happy to leave behind.
Played 5 football games his entire life.
Currently works in a warehouse.Now.. he's a Cowboy: http://t.co/DDZqb8033j pic.twitter.com/2OSqhLWkCU
— NFL (@NFL) April 1, 2015
“This is a dream,” Obada told NFL.com. “It’s amazing and life-changing. It’s a major turning point in my life and feels like a movie… This doesn’t happen to people like me.”
But sometimes it actually does. Just ask Polish offensive lineman Babatunde Aiyegbusi who was signed by the Minnesota Vikings last week. Aiyegbusi is 6 ft. 9 in. and 351 lbs. and has spent time in the Polish American Football league and the German Football League. Aiyegbusi traveled all the way from Poland to San Antonio, Texas to take part in a Pro Day workout.
Babatunde Aiyegbusi: "It's a dream come true"
Meet our new 6-9 351 pound Polish lineman: http://t.co/nNLO1fBKfX pic.twitter.com/2wEcQ4igVd
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 28, 2015
“I’m just so grateful of the opportunity the Vikings gave me,” Aiyebusi told ESPN. I’m aware that this is the real deal, that I have to prove myself. I’m read to do it…. They told me it would never happen, but it did. I’m very happy.”
Obada and Aiyegbusi aren’t the only foreign players getting their shot in the NFL. Early in the offseason the San Francisco 49ers signed Australian National Rugby League star Jarryd Hayne to a reserves/futures contract. Back in 2013, the Indianapolis Colts considered signing 6-foot-9, 420-pound Icelander Hafthor Bjornson. Ultimately they didn’t and Bjornson had to find a way to console himself by being cast as Gregor Clegane (The Mountain) in HBO’s Game of Thrones.
Rolando McClain re-signs with Cowboys
While he’s the biggest name signed on Wednesday, Rolando McClain also comes with the most baggage. McClain, who had a career year at middle linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys last season, signed a one-year contract worth up to $3 million Wednesday to remain with the team.
On its face, the deal seems like a good one. The problem is there’s no telling when the 25-year-old linebacker and former No. 8 draft pick will stay on the field after already violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. McClain won’t see the first four game checks of that $3 million deal because he was busted last season. If he messes up again, he’ll have to sit out four games.
Last year McClain started 13 games for the Cowboys after being acquired in a trade from the Baltimore Ravens. He had 81 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and three interceptions, two of which turned out to be game-clinching picks.
Saints add former first-round pick Kyle Wilson
New Orleans bolstered its defensive backfield Wednesday by signing former first round pick Kyle Wilson to a one-year contract. Wilson has played all five of his previous seasons with the New York Jets and was the team’s starting corner in 2012 when he had 48 tackles, one forced fumble and two interceptions. Since that season Wilson has made just one start, but been decent as a nickel corner.
At 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, Wilson lacks the size to match up with some of the bigger receivers in the league. Last year Wilson appeared in all 16 games for the Jets, recording 20 tackles and his first career sack. Wilson has three career interceptions and did not pick off a pass last season.
Arizona adds unknown quarterback
Arizona will make sure to have plenty of quarterbacks in camp this season after signing Chandler Harnish to a one-year contract. Harnish has been in the league for three seasons, either at the bottom of the Indianapolis Colts’ and Minnesota Vikings’ rosters or on their practice squads and has never thrown a pass.
https://twitter.com/C_Harnish/status/583341365989404672
The 6-foot-2, 222-pound QB hails from the University of Northern Illinois and was a seventh round “Mr. Irrelevant” draft choice of the Colts in 2012.
