It’s been the offseason in the NFL for almost a month but today was the first day free agents could sign with other teams. As expected, it was quite busy with key players switching rosters.

Unfortunately for the Super Bowl champion Giants, that included former middle linebacker Kawika Mitchell, who cashed in by inking a five-year $17 million deal with the Buffalo Bills.

The 28 year-old Winter Springs, Florida native had a nice season for Big Blue after coming over from the Chiefs, finishing with 76 tackles and a career best three and a half sacks plus an interception. He really proved beneficial when Mathias Kiwanuka went down and came up with some big plays down the stretch as the Giants surprised many by winning their third Super Bowl.

Reaction: It’s definitely a hit but you have to expect that around this time of year. It’s impossible to keep everyone together. No doubt Mitchell should help the Bills and I wish him the best of luck and thank him for how he played here. Does Gerris Wilkinson take his place? 

In other Big Blue related news, former safety Gibril Wilson landed in Oakland for six years and a hefty $39 million. In 13 games last season, he finished with a career best four picks along with 92 tackles. Since the 27 year-old San Jose native entered the league in 2004, he’s paced all safeties with 284 solo tackles. Not bad for a player former Giant GM Ernie Accorsi grabbed in Round Five.

Reaction: Obviously, the Giants were never going to be able to retain Wilson. Especially for that type of money. Overpayment for sure. Wish him well playing in the Black Hole (in more ways than one). Jerry Reese will either replace from within with Michael Johnson or in the upcoming Draft.

Meanwhile, the Jets were pretty busy finally dealing away linebacker Jonathan Vilma to the Saints for a conditional draft pick.

“I enjoyed my four seasons with the Jets and thank them for the opportunities they gave me,” the 26 year-old Miami Hurricane product said via a statement released to the AP in taking the high road. “But this represents a new chapter in my football career and in my life and I am truly excited and fortunate to be joining a team that just a little over a year ago was one win away from appearing in the Super Bowl.”

Reaction: Vilma is lucky to get out of Jets land where the zany Eric Mangini is destroying that franchise with his off the wall schemes. How do you ruin a player as talented as Vilma, who won Defensive Rookie of The Year in 2004? By installing a 3-4 D instead of the 4-3 and not playing to his strengths. This past season Vilma only got into seven games before injuring his knee. He finished with 39 tackles. Watch him comeback healthy and make an impact with the Saints.

In other team related news, Gang Green traded for former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins from Carolina, sending third and fifth round picks. The 28 year-old from Michigan once was part of a terrorizing Panther D which made the Super Bowl. He’s been healthy the past couple of years producing 79 tackles and five and a half sacks.

Reaction: Jenkins replaces Vilma in the Jets 3-4 and obviously will be looked upon to make an impact. He’s not what he once was but still a solid DT.

The biggest splash on Day One of the NFL FA period was made by the Eagles signing former Patriot corner Asante Samuel to a six-year $57 million deal with 20 million guaranteed.

Since the Pats drafted him out of Central Florida in the fourth round five years ago, the 27 year-old has been a shutdown corner and easily one of the best in the NFL. A season removed from setting a career high with 10 picks, the Fort Lauderdale native int’d six more including one for a TD. Now he’ll switch conferences and play for Andy Reid.

Reaction: Samuel’s one of the game’s best. This is a great move by the Eagles. The years might be a little much but it definitely should improve their secondary. Mean time for Bill Belichick’s Pats, it’s another elite player gone. Somehow, they’ll manage and continue to remain good.

In other news, the Browns didn’t wait long re-signing starting QB Derek Anderson to a three-year deal worth a reported $24 million with over $13 mill guaranteed. The 24 year-old Portland, Oregon native had a decent season as the starting tossing for over 3,700 yards along with 29 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. 

Reaction: Poor Brady Quinn who will be most likely riding the pine unless Anderson falters. The Browns want to remain competitive but can Anderson really do what they want? Maybe they’d be better off letting Quinn take over and learn on the job.