NFL FREE AGENCY ROUNDUP

updated 11:39 a.m. ET March 1, 2008

Asante Samuel, Isaac Bruce, Kris Jenkins and Jonathan Vilma were just a few of the big-name players to change teams on a busy first day of the NFL’s free-agent period.

The Philadelphia Eagles' signing of cornerback Asante Samuel made the biggest splash Friday. The former Patriots cornerback who tied for the league lead in interceptions with 10 last season.

Samuel will be paid a reported $57 million over six years with $20 million of it guaranteed, comparable to the $80 million that cornerback Nate Clements got for eight years from San Francisco last year.

The New York Jets were particularly busy, acquiring Jenkins from Carolina and dealing Vilma to New Orleans. They also re-signed defensive tackle Sione Pouha to a three-year deal and fullback Stacy Tutt to an exclusive-rights contract.

New York also signed Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca to a four-year, $32 million contract, ESPN.com reported.

Vilma, who missed the final nine games of last season with a knee injury, had 118 tackles as a rookie after being the No. 12 overall draft pick in 2004. The linebacker led the NFL the following season with 187 tackles and made the Pro Bowl. That changed in 2006, when the Jets switched defenses and Vilma had just 116 tackles.

He played in seven games last season before injuring his knee and had 39 tackles. The Jets eventually gave him permission to shop for a new home and he found it Friday. New York will receive a fourth-round pick this year for Vilma, and, with incentives, that could be upgraded to a third- or possibly a second-rounder next year.

“This represents a new chapter in my football career and in my life,” Vilma said. “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.”

Jenkins, whose play fell off the past two years, was obtained for third- and fifth-round draft picks. The 349-pounder is expected to move to nose tackle after signing a new five-year contract worth $35 million, including $20 million in guaranteed money.

Free agency news, analysis Broncos sign 7-time Pro Bowl safety Dawkins Skins sign Haynesworth, Hall for $170M Curran: Redskins' big deals are big mistake Rosenthal: Pats get busy, sign Fred Taylor Rosenthal: Jets smart to sign Bart Scott Curran: Major lack of major free agent stars Rosenthal: Star defenders for big bucks Rosenthal: Few prizes await on offense Rotoworld: Leftwich best bet among QBs Houshmandzadeh best WR  |  Lewis top LB Curran: Economic woes huge  |    Video Curran: Teams face tough choices at QB

“I think it will be somewhat of an adjustment,” Jenkins said of playing in the Jets’ 3-4 defense. “I mean, I am human. I can’t just put on a red cape and fly away. I think it is something I can handle, and something I can excel at.”

The Giants lost two key defensive players from their championship team: linebacker Kawika Mitchell and safety Gibril Wilson.

Mitchell signed with Buffalo after having a career season in his only year with the Giants. He finished with 3½ sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown and had two more sacks in the playoffs, including one in the Super Bowl. Oakland signed the playmaking Wilson to a $39 million, six-year deal.

Bruce agreed to a two-year deal with San Francisco, a day after St. Louis released one of the most prolific receivers in NFL history.

An NFL source, speaking on condition of anonymity because the contract hadn’t been signed yet, said Bruce chose to stay in the NFC West with the 49ers after 14 seasons with the Rams. The deal is worth $6 million.

Bruce will be reunited with 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who ran the Rams’ offense during the team’s two most recent trips to the Super Bowl.In another major trade, Detroit traded Shaun Rogers to Cleveland instead of dealing the defensive tackle to Cincinnati, a person familiar with the moves told The Associated Press.

The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Lions and Browns weren’t commenting on the trade, said Detroit acquired cornerback Leigh Bodden and a third-round pick from Cleveland after the deal with Cincinnati fell through.

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