The NFL’s version of March Madness is underway, as the free agency period started on Friday at 12:01 a.m., and there’s been a flurry of action already, including a number of notable signings and acquisitions.

The biggest one, money-wise so far, is Asante Samuel’s switch from the AFC East to the NFC East, as the Eagles have signed the former Patriots cornerback to a six-year, $57 million deal.

Not only does it mean that Lito Sheppard is likely on his way out, but the Eagles may have killed two birds with one stone, as Donovan McNabb may have that weapon he was looking for - Samuel has 16 interceptions in the last two seasons. Just throwing that out there…

Samuel isn’t the only guy whose pockets got a little deeper since the free agency window opened.

There’ve been quite a few deals already that will force us all to change our mock drafts - again. By now, many of the top names have been snapped up, but there are still many signings yet to come.

There have been a few notable trades as well.

Jonathan Vilma is going from the Big Apple to the Big Easy, as the Jets linebacker was traded to the Saints for a conditional pick in the 2009 draft. If his knee holds up, and he stays healthy, Vilma will provide an instant upgrade to the Saints defense, and it allows Vilma to be back in a 4-3, where he’s most comfortable and effective.

The Jaguars traded DT Marcus Stroud to the Bills, who are keying on defensive improvements, as they also signed Giants LB Kawika Mitchell on Friday (5 years, $17.5 million).

The Packers franchised defensive tackle Corey Williams earlier in the week, but shipped him off to the busy Browns on Friday for a second-round pick in this year’s draft. Williams, who had 14 sacks in the last two seasons at defensive tackle, will start at left end for the Browns.

Apparently instant impacts are much more valuable for the Browns than draft picks, as the Browns traded third and fifth-rounders to get Lions DT Shaun Rogers.

Now that Cleveland is winning again, Phil Savage and Co. are intent on making sure they keep on doing it. Besides re-signing Derek Anderson (more on that later in the week) and Jamal Lewis, two of the key parts of their resurgence this past season, and making the two trades, the Browns picked up receiver Donte’ Stallworth.

Is it too early to start talking about the Browns as a possible darkhorse contender in the AFC? No matter who their QB is, they’re putting the pieces in place to make a run.

While the Browns are looking to continue their rise, the Falcons are trying to push themselves back towards respectability, which means signing the top free-agent running back on the board, San Diego’s Michael Turner.

Turner was signed to a six-year, $34.5 million deal on Sunday, so with that kind of money, you’d have to expect for him to be the starter over Jerious Norwood.

But, he and Norwood (6.2 yards per carry in two seasons) could make for one of the most exciting RB tandems in the league in no time, if Turner can translate his production as a backup into the same success with more touches, and if the big-play capable Norwood can make the most of his opportunities, whether it’s on the ground or through the air.

As a result, the Falcons cut ties with Warrick Dunn, who averaged 3.2 yards per carry in 2007, the lowest number of his six seasons in Atlanta. However, before this year, Dunn was coming off three straight 1,000 yard seasons, and he’s only 33, so I don’t doubt that he still has a little something left.

Other big signings:

The Vikings splashed the cash on two big buys, getting Bengals safety Madieu Williams (six years, $33 mil) and Bears receiver Bernard Berrian (six years, $42 million).

In another move within divisions, the Rams made clutch-kick specialist Josh Brown the richest kicker in NFL history by giving him a five-year, $14.2 million deal to replace the retiring Jeff Wilkins.

The Bengals lost end Justin Smith to the 49ers, but picked up Tennessee’s Antwan Odom on Monday. Odom had a breakout year with eight sacks in 2007, and pass rushing is definitely an area Cincinnati needed to address. Now it’s just time to start hoping Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis drop to them at #9.

The marquee signing thus far belongs to New England, everyone’s favorite dream-crusher. The fact that the Patriots and Randy Moss seemed to be at odds over a new deal, and that Moss had reportedly already started looking at his options outside of New England no doubt gave a few fans some hope that he would land with their team next year.

But, that was squashed very quickly, as the two sides agreed to a three-year, $27 million deal that was confirmed on Monday.

We’ll be keeping track of all of the signings (and some of the big rumors), and so can you - right here.

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