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| Chauncey Davis, who has been unable to secure a long-term agreement with the team, will receive a first right of refusal, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The team will attempt to work out a multi-year deal with Davis before next season. |
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| Michael Boley, who has yet to come to a long-term agreement with the team, will be tendered by Feb. 29, the start of free agency, reports AJC.com. Boley is expected to be tagged with a first-round tender - a first-round pick from any team that might consider signing the Falcons linebacker. Boley, who compiled 109 tackles in 2007, is a top-tiered IDP option in any format.
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| Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall has one-year left on his contract and recently said he wants to stay in Atlanta, but he won't play next season without an extension, notes AJC.com.
"DeAngelo is a top-notch talent, and we're still evaluating," Dimitroff said. "I know coach Smith definitely wants him on the team. He makes this team better." The reports suggested that the Falcons have not committed long-term to Hall and are exploring trade possibilities.
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| GM Phil Savage told the Plain Dealer on Tuesday that he's optimistic the team will sign quarterback Derek Anderson before he becomes a restricted free agent on Feb. 28.
"Talks have been a little more frequent in recent days," Savage said in an e-mail response. "It seems that the three-year deal is becoming more the focus. We've had pretty good dialogue and will continue over the [NFL scouting] combine."
The Browns have until Feb. 28 to sign Anderson, or tender the starting quarterback to a one-year offer as a restricted free agent. |
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| Dallas Clark, TE, Indianapolis Colts | Tuesday 2/19, 7:23 PM CT |
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| Dallas Clark , as expected, was handcuffed with the Colts' franchise tag on Tuesday. According to ESPN, after failing to reach a long-term agreement the team protected their starting tight end. Talks were ongoing with Clark this past week, but with no deal in sight, the Colts designated their 2007 second leading receiver.
The one-year franchise tender for a tight end is $4.522 million and if any team chose to sign Clark, that organization would have to surrender two first-round draft choices. |
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| Jerry Angelo would not comment when asked if Brian Urlacher's surgery on his neck last month was a contributing factor in the Bears’ decision to make a final contract push for free agent linebacker Lance Briggs. But Angelo did speak on the condition of Urlacher, according to chicagobears.com.
"We feel good about the prognosis and what the doctors have told us about Brian’s surgery and that he’s going to be 100 percent healthy," Angelo said. "He continues to go through the rehab process, which is going well. It’s a concern anytime a player has surgery. But we feel good that he’s going to be back and going. Nobody’s said anything to the contrary, and we’ll just go from there.’’ |
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| Josh Brown, K, St. Louis Rams | Tuesday 2/19, 4:44 PM CT |
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| The Seahawks must designate a franchise player by Thursday, according to the Seattle Times, if they choose to do so. Hawks beat writer Danny O'Neil suggests the team will protect Josh Brown for now, but if the Seahawks can sign Brown to a long-term deal by Thursday they can reassign the tag to CB Marcus Trufant. |
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| 49ers beat writer Matt Maiocco, of The Press Democrat, suggests after the release of Derek Smith on Tuesday the team still isn't expected to make a play on free agent Lance Briggs . "It was clear that Smith was not going to be a starter in '08, so the club obviously has a plan. I can't see them spending big money on free agent Lance Briggs," said Maiocco. The team believes that the "ted" position Smith played can be found with second-tier free agents. It's also possible the 49ers could give Brandon Moore a chance to start opposite rookie stalwart Patrick Willis. |
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| Michael Strahan, who is currently pondering whether to return for a 16th season, recently said that HC Tom Coughlin’s return could sway him to play for another campaign, according to Newsday.com. Strahan, 36, started 15 games in ’07, compiling 57 tackles and nine sacks proving he still has some gas in the tank. It will be interesting to see if Strahan rides into the sunset as a champion, or decides to face the rigors of another NFL season in the Big Apple where expectations will be through the roof. |
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| Derek Smith, LB, San Diego Chargers | Tuesday 2/19, 1:21 PM CT |
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| Derek Smith was waived on Tuesday, according to The Press Democrat. The move was expected as the team verbalized early last week they didn't plan to pay Smith the $3.28 million salary he was scheduled to earn in 2008. Smith's role in the Mike Nolan defense was situational this season making a tough personal decision, financially easy. |
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| Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants | Tuesday 2/19, 1:05 PM CT |
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| The New York Giants could reward HC Tom Coughlin with a long-term contract extension sometime this week, according to Newsday.com. Coughlin, who entered the 2007 season on the hot seat, softened his hardcore demeanor, while guiding the Giants to a 17-14 upset victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. No financial terms have been disclosed; however, speculation suggests Coughlin will receive a four-year contract extension worth approximately $5 million per season. |
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| Keyshawn Johnson is seriously contemplating a return to the NFL, according to Yahoo.com. "I like challenges," Johnson told Yahoo Sports on Monday. "The challenge of helping to turn a team around, to help get it to the next level, that gets my competitive fires burning. I have the itch, and right now I'm trying to decide how strong that itch is." Johnson, 35, turned down a two-year contract offer in May ‘07 worth nearly $8 million from the Tennessee Titans, instead signing a lucrative, four-year deal with ESPN. Johnson, who posted 70 receptions, 815 yards and four scores for the Carolina Panthers in 2006, will likely desire a contract larger than most NFL organizations are willing to offer, if he decides to give up his cushy ESPN gig. |
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| Travis Kirschke and the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to a two-year contract extension, according to the Tribune-Review. Kirschke, who is an 11-year NFL veteran, has primarily filled a backup role in Pittsburgh for the past four campaigns – starting in only five contests. |
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| Cato June, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tuesday 2/19, 11:42 AM CT |
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| Cato June, who is currently rehabilitating from foot surgery, is expected to participate fully in the offseason program, according to the St. Petersburg Times. June sustained a broken foot during Week 17 and missed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ playoff loss to the New York Giants. June, whose IDP value is at an all-time low, literally saw his tackle numbers cut in half with the move last season to the strong side in Tampa Bay’s cover 2 defense. |
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| Alge Crumpler, who was recently cut by the Atlanta Falcons, will begin discussions in the near future with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers about the possibility of joining the organization, according to the St. Petersburg Times. Tampa Bay is definitely in the market for a tight end with Anthony Becht and Jerramy Stevens expected to become unrestricted free agents on Feb. 29. If Crumpler is healthy, and can keep his attitude in check, he would be a welcome addition to the passing attack. |
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| Roderick Coleman, who was recently cut by the Atlanta Falcons, will begin discussions with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers about the possibility of joining the organization, according to the St. Petersburg Times. Coleman’s agent, Pat Dye Jr., will reportedly begin negotiations with Tampa Bay representatives as early as today. The success of the cover 2 defense in Tampa Bay is derived with pressure from their front four, so Coleman, a defensive tackle who recorded 31 of his 58.5 career sacks in the past four seasons in Atlanta, would be a welcome addition to their rotation. |
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| Rex Grossman's agent will reportedly meet with Chicago GM Jerry Angelo at the Indianapolis scouting combine to discuss a possible contract extension, according to the Sun-Times. Grossman, who has one year remaining on his current deal, has been an erratic performer during his five-year tenure in Chicago. He appears to be in the right place at the right time, given the fact there is a very thin class of available free agents at the quarterback position. |
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| Zach Thomas, LB, Dallas Cowboys | Tuesday 2/19, 10:20 AM CT |
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| Zach Thomas, who recently received an undisclosed contract offer from New England, is seeking a multi-year contract including guaranteed money, according to the Miami Herald. “We had a great visit in New England,” agent Drew Rosenhaus wrote in a text message last night. “They offered him a contract and we will continue negotiations.” There is speculation the Patriots offered an incentive laden deal paying the veteran minimum of $830,000. Thomas left New England without signing the contract – and his free-agency tour is expected to include New Orleans and Dallas with Buffalo and the New York Jets also having interest in his services. |
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| Tommie Harris, a three-time Pro Bowler who is signed through the 2008 season, has received an undisclosed contract extension offer from the Chicago Bears, according to the Sun-Times. Harris, who is currently rehabbing after recently undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, is one of the rare defensive tackles who can stuff the run - and provide pressure up the middle as a pass rusher. Harris has posted 64 tackles and 13.5 sacks the past two seasons. |
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| Bernard Berrian, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent, has received an undisclosed contract offer from the Chicago Bears, according to the Sun-Times. This move certainly makes sense as Berrian, who is the team's best wide receiver, has increased his reception and yardage totals the past two seasons. Berrian compiled 71 receptions, 951 yards and five scores in 2007, and more importantly is familiar with the offensive scheme, which is vital for the continuity of the unit. |
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| Lance Briggs, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent, has received an undisclosed contract offer from the Chicago Bears, according to the Sun-Times. Earlier in the offseason it sounded like the organization was ready to let Briggs walk - but with LB Brian Urlacher recently undergoing neck surgery and dealing with an arthritic condition in his back - it appears that Chicago isn’t too keen on losing Briggs. |
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| Zach Thomas, LB, Dallas Cowboys | Tuesday 2/19, 9:01 AM CT |
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| Zach Thomas paid a visit to the Patriots' facilities Monday and left with a contract offer from the AFC champs, according to ESPN.com. Thomas was released by the Dolphins last week after playing in only five games in 2007 because of concussions and migraines. He's expected to visit the Saints and Cowboys next. |
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| The Ravens have placed their franchise tag on Terrell Suggs, but did they do it at the right position? The team tagged him as a linebacker, which gives him a one-year tender offer at $8.065 million. However, Suggs claims that he played over half defensive snaps at defensive end, which has an $8.879 million tender offer, according to ESPN.com's John Clayton. Suggs is expected to challenge the designation. |
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