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| Rock Cartwright has been re-signed by the Redskins, according to ProFootballTalk.com. He probably would have liked to have signed with a team that would offer more playing time, but he must be content with the new three year deal worth over three million. |
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| Billy Miller has been re-signed by the Saints, according to the New Orleans Times Picayune. Miller could play a solid role in 2008 with a little luck, but isn't going to be a viable fantasy option. |
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| Julius Jones has signed with the Seahawks, accoring to NFL.com. Details of the deal are yet to be revealed. TJ Duckett should still hold value as a goal-line specialist. |
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| LaBrandon Toefield has inked a one-year deal with the Panthers, according to the Rock Hill Herald. Toefield is a talented young back but was limited while in a crowded Jacksonville backfield. |
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| Plaxico Burress is agitated about the recent signing of Javon Walker to a massive contract, according to the New York Star-Ledger. Walker, who was coming off an injury-marred campaign, received a six-year deal worth $55 million from Oakland, including $16 million in guaranteed money. Walker is now making twice as much money as Burress, who signed his contract back in 2005. During the past three seasons, Burress has started 46 games for New York - compiling 209 receptions, 3,227 yards and 29 touchdowns. He is due to make $3.25 million in 2008 and $10.5 million over the next three seasons. |
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| Adam Jones, CB, Dallas Cowboys | Friday 3/7, 4:03 PM CT |
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| Owner Jerry Jones has been asking a few staff members how embattled cornerback Pacman Jones would fit into the organization, according to the Dallas Star-Telegram. There isn’t much to this story right now because Dallas is prevented by league rules from talking to Jones or his representatives. However, it appears that Jones is at least intrigued by the possibility of taking on the problem child. |
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| The Bears have agreed to terms with Brandon Lloyd on a one-year contract, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The Bears are desperate for a speedy replacement for Bernard Berrian, so he'll get a chance to turn his career around after being a complete bust in his two seasons with the Redskins. |
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| There are rumors circulating that the Carolina Panthers are shopping defensive end Julius Peppers, according to Pro Football Talk. Peppers’ agent Carl Carey has advised PFT that he and his client have heard the rumors, but that they have no merit. “We fully expect that Julius Peppers will be a Carolina Panther this football season,” Carey said. Peppers, who notched 34.5 sacks in the three previous seasons, thudded to earth in 2007 posting 38 tackles and 2.5 sacks, easily the worst performance of his six-year career. He was placed on injured reserve missing the final two games of the season due to a medial collateral sprain in his right knee. As a result, the team could attempt to restructure Peppers, who is the Panthers highest paid player next season with a base salary of $6.5 million. |
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| The long-awaited contract for New York head coach Tom Coughlin is finally all wrapped up and is ready for the coach’s signature, according to lohud.com. The team will announce tomorrow that Coughlin will have some security for the next four seasons to the tune of $21 million. |
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| Jacob Bell, G, St. Louis Rams | Friday 3/7, 2:53 PM CT |
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| The St. Louis Rams had recently signed offensive guard Jacob Bell ranked higher than Alan Faneca on their free agent board according to Pro Football Weekly. The Rams pursued Faneca first because of the leadership he could have provided to the youthful offensive line, but when the New York Jets swooped in the organization immediately turned their attention to Bell. The organization loves Bell’s feisty, determined attitude and the fact that he started 31 games over the past two seasons for Tennessee was definitely a positive. Bell will fill the left guard slot alongside Orlando Pace, with guard Alex Barron and tackle Richie Incognito as the projected starters on the right side. The organization feels much better about its offensive line, which had nothing but problems during the 2007 campaign. Now if they can just locate a serviceable center, Steven Jackson could bounce back to beast status in 2008. |
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| Warrick Dunn, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Friday 3/7, 2:36 PM CT |
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| The Dallas Cowboys appear to be genuinely interested about adding running back Warrick Dunn to the roster, according to Pro Football Weekly. Dunn’s representatives have already contacted Dallas, where Dunn could provide a nice change of pace to Marion Barber. Dunn has been overused in recent years, especially given his age, and if he could get a diet of 8-12 touches per game, he might be a very productive back on a per-rep basis. Dunn has said he would like to play one more season before retiring. |
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| The Kansas City Chiefs have been very quiet on the free agent front, some of which is because potential free agents are shunning the organization, according to Pro Football Weekly. Head coach Herman Edwards reportedly wants to obtain eight new starters during the offseason, but two players they were interested in declined to visit with the organization. Both center Jeff Faine and kicker Josh Brown were coveted by Kansas City, but neither opted to even schedule a visit leaving the impression that veterans find Kansas City an unattractive place to play. Looks like its going to be a long, and possibly ugly rebuilding process in Kansas City. |
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| Jacques Reeves is slated to start in place of Dunta Robinson, while the latter rehabilitates from knee and hamstring injuries, according to Pro Football Weekly. The signing of Jacques Reeves bolsters the Texans’ secondary depth and gives them a badly needed veteran cornerback with significant starting experience. The 5-11, 188-pound Reeves started 13 games for Dallas last season, breaking up 12 passes and intercepting one pass. Houston could also target the cornerback position in the first round of the NFL draft, as they are rumored to still be in the market for additional help in the defensive backfield. |
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| Head coach Marvin Lewis has indicated that a deal for New York defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson remains a possibility, according to Pro Football Weekly. The club is expected to target the interior defensive line during the draft, but may still want to acquire a veteran after the trade for Shaun Rogers collapsed. The trade for Robertson hit a snag when the two sides couldn’t agree on a restructured contract. |
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| The New York Jets draft strategy has been altered by their frenzied activity in free agency, according to Pro Football Weekly. Prior to attacking the open market, the interior lines appeared to be the greatest need - now the team would prefer to trade down if they can find a willing partner. The team is said to be focused on running back Darren McFadden with the 1.06 pick, but like other teams have concerns about his off-the-field conduct. Another name being bandied about is defensive end Vernon Gholston, who could replace Bryan Thomas and play on the other side of the recently acquired Calvin Pace on the outside. This reflects league consensus, which suggests Gholston projects better on the second level, than as a down lineman. |
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| Ryan Clady, OT, Denver Broncos | Friday 3/7, 1:16 PM CT |
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| Ryan Clady suffered an pectoral injury during his bench press workout at the combine, but turned in a first-round performance during the Boise State’s Pro Day, according to SI.com. Clady ran times of 5.20 seconds after tipping the scales at 311 pounds. His three-cone time of 7.05 seconds eclipsed that of any offensive linemen at the combine by almost a half-second. And he also looked good in position drills. Clady will likely be selected in the top half of the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. |
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| The agent for Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Chartric Darby is denying an earlier report that his client has signed with the Detroit Lions, according to the Detroit News. Darby visited the Lions earlier in the week, and his connection with head coach Rod Marinelli makes it likely that the Lions will pursue him. Darby began his career in Tampa, where Marinelli coached the defensive line. The Lions have a need for a veteran nose tackle because of the trade last week that sent Shaun Rogers to Cleveland. |
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| The Pittsburgh Steelers seem intent improving at free safety after hosting Chris Crocker and Eugene Wilson this week, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The Steelers had problems at free safety last season. Starter Ryan Clark was lost in October because of a condition that eventually led to the removal of his spleen. Anthony Smith, who replaced Clark, floundered late in the season and lost his starting job to Tyrone Carter. Crocker, who has also visited the Texans, said he was impressed by his visit with Pittsburgh. Of meetings he has scheduled with the Broncos and Titans, the fifth-year veteran said, "Let's hope I don't have to make those trips." Crocker said the Steelers told him he'd have a chance to compete for the starting job at free safety if the two sides reached an agreement. |
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| Sammy Davis, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Friday 3/7, 12:44 PM CT |
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| The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have re-signed reserve cornerback Sammy Davis to an undisclosed contract, according to ESPN. Davis is a journeyman type who played in 14 games, starting one, for Tampa Bay in 2007. He compiled 19 tackles (16 solos) last year, and is the fourth corner on the Bucs depth chart. |
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| Kindal Moorehead has agreed to a two-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons, according to the Herald. Moorehead has been a key reserve in Carolina for the past five seasons, but will apparently compete for a starting job in Atlanta. |
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| General manager Ted Thompson didn’t try to talk quarterback Brett Favre out of retiring, according to the Philadelphia Daily News. The report cites league sources that say Thompson will never admit it, but he was ready to move on without the 38-year old future Hall of Famer because he faded down the stretch over the past three seasons. In 2007, Favre posted a 101.5 QB Rating in the Packers' first 11 games and 82.1 in the last seven. In 2006, he had an 81.3 QB Rating in the first nine games and 61.0 in the last seven, and finally in 2005, Favre had a 93.1 QB Rating in the first six games falling to 58.0 in the last 10 games of the season. |
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| Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens | Friday 3/7, 12:02 PM CT |
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| Quarterback Joe Flacco continued to wow NFL scouts with another solid throwing performance at Delaware’s Pro Day yesterday, according to the Philadelphia Daily News. “He threw the ball great," said an AFC scout who attended Flacco's early-morning on-campus workout. "He's done everything right in the offseason. Everything." Has his stock risen enough to get him into the first round? "I think so," the scout said. "Right now, there's a lot of teams that have him rated ahead of [Matt] Ryan." Flacco was arguably the best passer at the combine and posted a blistering 6.82 in the 3-cone drill, which ranked him top 10 among the running backs and wide receivers. Two months ago Flacco was projected as a third-rounder, now he’s being talked about as a late first-round selection. |
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| Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants | Friday 3/7, 11:42 AM CT |
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| Head coach Tom Coughlin’s much anticipated contract extension could finally be announced today, according to the Star-Ledger. The delay is reportedly due to some phrasing in the contract and legal ramifications, which must be ironed out. Coughlin is expected to receive a four-year deal worth $21 million that will keep him gainfully employed in New York through the 2011 season. |
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| Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey is looking to silence his doubters on March 26 during his Pro Day workout at LSU, according to FOX Sports. Dorsey feels he has been portrayed unfairly in the media as a player with injury issues. During the combine, Dorsey didn't expect to get peppered with questions about his health and injury history, but multiple media outlets had reported that concerns about a stress fracture in his right tibia as a junior could affect his standing as one of the draft's top prospects. Dorsey was smiling when the interview session began; however, by the time he left the podium, Dorsey was admittedly hurt, confused and angry. Roughly one-third of the questions Dorsey was asked pertained to his injury history. This is all part of the scrutiny of being a highly touted college player. NFL organizations with the first four selections will each be doling out at least $20 million in guaranteed money. |
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| Caleb Miller is heading to Seattle to visit the Seahawks, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Miller is an unrestricted free agent, who would be nothing more than depth for Seattle, whose front line linebacker corps is very strong. |
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| The Buffalo Bills have re-signed veteran offensive lineman Jason Whittle, according to buffalobills.com. Whittle is expected to provide valuable depth at both guard spots and center. Last year, his season was cut short when he tore his hamstring during Week 3, landing on injured reserve. |
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| Shaun Smith, DE, Cleveland Browns | Friday 3/7, 11:03 AM CT |
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| Shaun Smith has acknowledged that wide receiver Chad Johnson took a swing at head coach Marvin Lewis during halftime of a playoff game against Pittsburgh in 2005, according to ProFootballTalk. On Monday night, speaking at a recent meeting of the Central Maryland Browns Backers, the former Bengals defensive tackle acknowledged that Johnson took a swing at Lewis -- and made contact. Smith said of Johnson: "He swung on Marvin. . . . [Johnson] shattered the training room glass. . . . He swung on Marvin [and] hit Marvin in the eye. . . . Then he tried to swing on wide receivers coach Hue Jackson, who's now in Baltimore." After the playoff game, the Bengals denied any such incident, and Johnson called a press conference for the sole purpose of claiming that nothing happened. Bizarre story. Incredible that a player could lay a hand on his head coach without any repercussions. |
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| The Detroit Lions have agreed to terms with defensive tackle Chartric Darby, according to Spartan Nation. Darby played in six games last season for Seattle before he suffered a torn patella tendon, which required surgery causing him to miss the remainder of the season. |
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| The restructuring of Larry Fitzgerald's contract appears no closer to fruition than it was a month ago, and the rumblings of frustration are growing within the organization, according to the Arizona Republic. Fitzgerald was the third overall pick in 2004, and he signed a deal laden with incentives that would pay him handsomely if he became an elite player. Included in that rookie contract were clauses that would bump his 2008 salary by $10 million should he chosen for two Pro Bowls in his first four years, and by $11 million in 2009 for other achievements. As a result the organization is on the hook for $32 million over the next two seasons. So far, both sides are saying all the right things. The Cardinals insist Fitzgerald will play for them in 2008, even at a salary of $14.6 million. Fitzgerald's agent, Eugene Parker, said team officials have reassured him that Fitzgerald is going nowhere, even if a new deal isn't reached. |
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| Rashied Davis is generating substantial interest from several teams around the league, according to FanNation. Davis is thought to be an attractive option, because he requires no compensation for teams wishing to sign him. Chicago is interested in retaining his services, but the Kansas City Chiefs will reportedly make a big push to sign Davis. |
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| The New York Giants will visit with cornerback Brian Kelly, according to FanNation. New York flirted with the idea of adding disgruntled Atlanta cornerback DeAngelo Hall, but seemed to have cooled off on that idea. Kelly, 32, has missed 19 starts during the past two seasons due to various injuries. |
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| Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons | Friday 3/7, 10:12 AM CT |
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| Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff has expressed concerns about playing a young quarterback without the proper parts in place to protect him, according to FanNation. That doesn't mean he couldn't draft Boston College's Matt Ryan; however, with gaping holes along the offensive and defensive lines, they might use the No. 3 overall pick to solidify those interior positions. This means possibly waiting until later in the draft before taking a quarterback they hope will stabilize the sport's most important position. |
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| Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots | Friday 3/7, 10:04 AM CT |
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| Commissioner Roger Goodell wants the National Football League to conduct surprise inspections of locker rooms, press boxes and in-game communications equipment, and to lower the standard of proof needed for him to impose penalties for cheating, according to FOX Sports. "As the Commissioner and Competition Committee, we must take every appropriate step to safeguard the integrity of the NFL," Goodell wrote. "We have already taken some positive and significant actions this past season, but we must go further to ensure fair competition amongst our 32 teams and maintain public confidence in our game." Goodell wants the new rules in place next season "to preserve the competitive integrity of the game" and "maintain public confidence" in the sport, according to a memo he sent it to the NFL competition committee. It is Goodell's strongest response to the controversy stemming from the New England Patriots videotaping scandal. |
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| The Chicago Bears have some interest in free agent wide receiver Justin McCareins, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The Bears will likely draft a wide receiver on the first day of the 2008 NFL Draft, given the state of their receiver corps. McCareins is also being courted by the Tennessee Titans and Washington Redskins. |
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| The Denver Broncos have interest in Baltimore free agent running back Musa Smith, according to the Denver Post. Smith is a five-year veteran, who has played his entire career in Baltimore. Last season, he started one game posting 74 carries for 264 yards and two scores on the ground, while chipping in 27 receptions, 192 yards and one score in the passing game. |
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| Jason Elam, K, Atlanta Falcons | Friday 3/7, 9:44 AM CT |
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| Jason Elam said talks with the Denver Broncos are not dormant but there is some parts of the team's contract proposal that he believes need to be significantly adjusted, according to the Denver Post. The two sides will continue to negotiate, but Elam could take some trips to visit other teams including Seattle, Atlanta and Kansas City, who are all in the market for a kicker. |
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| Landon Johnson has agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Johnson has led the Bengals in tackles three of the past four seasons, and his defection represents a significant blow to their linebacker corps. He will likely challenge Na'il Diggs for the starting job at weak-side linebacker with the Panthers. |
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| The Denver Broncos are scheduled to visit with Carolina safety Marquand Manuel, according to the Denver Post. The organization has restricted free agent Hamza Abdullah in the fold, and John Lynch recently announced that he would play for another season, so safety isn’t a pressing need. Manuel is a journeyman type, who played 16 games for Carolina last year, starting one, while compiling 18 tackles, one sack and one interception. |
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| The Denver Broncos are scheduled to visit with Cleveland free agent defensive end Orpheus Roye, according to the Denver Post. Roye, 35, is a run stuffer who can play inside and on the edge. He has missed 10 games the past two seasons due knee injuries. |
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| Mark Brunell is drawing interest from Atlanta and New Orleans, according to the Washington Post. Brunell is close to Atlanta quarterbacks coach, Bill Musgrave, and he’s scheduled to visit the Saints next week. At this stage of his career, Brunell is better suited to be the third quarterback, rather than the primary backup. |
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| D.J. Williams will move to the weak-side linebacker slot in 2008, according to the Denver Post. The team recently agreed to terms with Boss Bailey, who will man the strong-side, and newly signed Niko Koutouvides will get the opportunity to be a full-time starter at middle linebacker for the first time in his career. |
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| The St. Louis Rams have agreed to contract terms with offensive lineman Adam Goldberg, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Goldberg started two games at right tackle last season before a knee injury (which did not require surgery) ended his season prematurely. In 2006, Goldberg appeared in 15 games for St. Louis, starting once at left guard and once at left tackle. |
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| The St. Louis Rams have agreed to contract terms with Tampa Bay free agent tight end Anthony Becht, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Becht, 30, who was a first-round draft pick by the New York Jets in 2000, is a blocking specialist with good size (6-5, 280 pounds). |
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| The Cincinnati Bengals have expressed interest in meeting with New England free agent safety Eugene Wilson, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. James Sims, Wilson's agent, said nothing has been set up yet with the Bengals; however, the team might be in the market for another veteran safety after losing starting free safety Madieu Williams to Minnesota last week. Wilson is a five-year veteran, who has compiled 55 starts and 62 games of experience with the Patriots. He has 10 career interceptions, and played in 11 games including six starts for New England last year, while posting 31 tackles. Wilson has also visited with the Steelers, Titans and Buccaneers. |
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| David Garrard and the Jacksonville Jaguars are negotiating a contract extension and the two sides aren’t far off on the financial aspects of the deal, according to jaguars.com. Previous media reports have indicated that Garrard will ultimately receive a six-year deal in the $50 million range. |
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| Landon Johnson, an unrestricted free agent, has completed a visit to the Carolina Panthers, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Johnson is a versatile player who can play all three positions in a 4-3 scheme. The Cincinnati Bengals also remain interested in trying to re-sign Johnson, who has led the defense in tackles three of his four seasons with the team. |
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| Ricky Williams was recently a guest on Dan Patrick’s radio show and provided some insight into his future with the club, according to the Palm Beach Post. Williams described his first encounter will Bill Parcells after last season, and the meeting suggested the former NFL rushing leader will be a factor. “Earlier in the day, we were in a meeting with the whole team, and he was going through his spiel of what he wants, what he’s looking for,” Williams said. “He said ‘I don’t want any punks, any troublemakers. I don’t want any of these things.’ And I’m sitting there, thinking ‘Oops, I guess I’m not going to be here.’ A couple hours later he called me into his office and told me that he wanted me and he really believed in me. He’s been really positive about keeping me involved and inspiring me to contribute this year.” It appears if Williams can stay clean, he will be backing up Ronnie Brown in 2008, and possibly more if the latter struggles getting back to form following knee surgery. |
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| Ben Troupe, TE, Oakland Raiders | Friday 3/7, 8:00 AM CT |
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| The Tampa Bay Buccaneers reached a two-year deal with Tennessee tight end Ben Troupe, according to ESPN. Troupe is hoping to rekindle a career that seemed so promising a couple years ago. The Titans made him the 40th pick in the 2004 draft because of his size and pass-catching ability. In 2005, Troupe caught 55 passes for 530 yards and four touchdowns. However, his productivity has diminished over the past two seasons. In 2006, Troupe started nine games but caught only 13 passes. Last year, he had two starts and only five catches. Troupe will have a chance to compete for the starting job against Alex Smith. |
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