NFL 2008 Free Agent Signings: Derek Anderson, Josh McCown, Madieu Williams, Jerry Porter

The NFL Free Agent signing period is in full swing with plenty of teams trying to improve their chances for the upcoming season by acquiring new talent. Some teams like the Cleveland Browns kept the talent they had, while others like the Miami Dolphins let go of players they had to sign new ones. Here then are some of the major signings making the news this week.

Derek Anderson:

Derek Anderson, whose fine 2007 season earned him Pro Bowl recognition, has reportedly signed with the Cleveland Browns for somewhere between $24-$26 million over the next three years. The contract which offers $13.5 million in a guaranteed bonus, is a step up from the $20 million, three year offer that Anderson had turned down recently. While the signing delays the start of the Brady Quinn era in Cleveland, it is nevertheless a great signing for the Browns. Anderson who threw for over 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2007, lead the Browns to an overall 10-6 record. What's more the young QB seems to have good chemistry with Brown's receiver Braylon Edwards, and tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. Only the most cynical of fans, or a Brady Quinn groupie would object to this signing.

Josh McCown:

Having passed on quarterback Brady Quinn in last year's draft, Miami finds itself once again having to sign another free agent this year. The last two they have brought in have not worked out all that well for the Dolphin's, whose 1-15 record last year was the worst in the league. This year, the Dolphin's turn to ex-Raider Josh McCown as a potential starter, signing him to a two year deal. McCown will be trying to become Miami's 13^th quarterback since the retirement of Hall of Famer Dan Marino. With the release of Trent Green this year, and the loss of Cleo Lemon to free agency, McCown will have to beat out second year QB John Beck for the starting role in 2008.

Madieu Williams: