| Dan Morgan, LB, New Orleans Saints | Thursday 3/6, 7:10 PM CT |
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| Dan Morgan will sign a deal to join the Saints, this according to a report on Carolina Growl. Terms of the deal are not yet known, but the length is, it's a one year deal. Morgan is still rehabbing in Achilles injury, and apparently he felt that things have progressed to the point that he was ready to make a commitment to an NFL team. |
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| Drew Carter, WR, Oakland Raiders | Thursday 3/6, 5:45 PM CT |
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| Drew Carter, continuing his NFL tour, was in Nashville today to meet with the Titans, this according to The Tennessean. Justin McCareins formerly of the Jets was also visiting the Titans. The team certainly needs someone for Vince Young to throw too, but players like Carter and McCareins really are nothing more than complimentary receivers. |
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| Lewis Sanders signed a contract with the Patriots on Thursday to bolster their secondary, this according to the AP. The team also signed Tank Williams as well. The Pats lost Asante Samuel and Randall Gay of late, so they needed to restock the bare cupboard. |
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| Trent Green, QB, St. Louis Rams | Thursday 3/6, 3:54 PM CT |
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| Trent Green has completed his visit to St. Louis and will return home to mull things over before making a decision, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Jim Steiner, Green's St. Louis-based agent, said Green is thorough and meticulous in making such decisions. "He makes a very informed decision based on all the information he's gathered in the last few days in New Orleans and St. Louis," Steiner said. Green reportedly enjoyed his visit to St. Louis, noting there are a lot of positives about playing for the Rams based on the familiarity with the city, several players, and coaches. Green has no other visits planned at this time, but has also received calls from Green Bay and the New York Giants. With no other visits planned, it appears Green will land in either St. Louis or New Orleans. |
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| Suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones says he has changed the way he conducts himself in public, and is ready to play football again, according to SI.com. Jones appeared as a guest Thursday on WCNN-AM "The Fan," in Atlanta and said he is still interested in playing for the Dallas Cowboys. The Titans met with Jones' agents in January and the team is expected to try and trade the cornerback once he is reinstated, which may not be until training camps open in July. Uh, yeah right! We have some ocean front property on the market if you’re interested. Sounds like Pacman might be running out of money - and is saying all the right things to try and get some sucker organization to give him another shot. |
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| Boss Bailey, LB, Denver Broncos | Thursday 3/6, 3:08 PM CT |
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| The Denver Broncos have reached an agreement with Detroit free-agent linebacker Boss Bailey on a five-year, $17.5 million deal, according to NFL.com. Bailey started 51 games over five seasons with the Lions, missing the entire 2004 season after suffering a season-ending knee injury during training camp. Bailey has seven career sacks and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. Bailey is the second linebacker signed by the Broncos this offseason, who acquired former Seahawks linebacker Niko Koutouvides, earlier in the week. Bailey will likely man the strong-side in Denver, and there have been rumors that D.J. Williams will move to the weak-side in 2008. This would leave Koutouvides and Nate Webster to battle for the middle linebacker slot. |
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| Maurice Williams has agreed in principle to a four-year, $16 million deal including $4 million in guaranteed money, according to ESPN. Depending on how much the team uses him, he could make another $500,000 a year. His agents, Tom Condon and Ken Kramer, were flooded with phone calls as free agency opened last week for Williams, who was being sought after as a tackle. He was considered one of the top right tackle prospects on the market. |
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| Free agent defensive end Jevon Kearse has agreed to contract terms with the Tennessee Titans, according to the Tennessean. This is the second tour of duty in Tennessee for Kearse, who will attempt to fill the void left behind by Antwan Odom and Travis Laboy, who recently departed in free agency. |
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| Takeo Spikes, LB, Philadelphia Eagles | Thursday 3/6, 2:13 PM CT |
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| The Philadelphia Eagles have announced that they have released veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes, according to philadelphiaeagles.com. A 10-year NFL veteran, Spikes spent the 2007 season with the Eagles and finished second on the team with 139 tackles and also had one sack in 14 games. Spikes missed the final two games of the season with a torn rotator cuff. The report didn't speculate on the starting linebacker corps, but one likely scenario has Stewart Bradley moving into the middle, meaning Omar Gaither would slide into the weak side role vacated by Spikes. |
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| Brandon Chillar is expected is expected to receive a contract offer from Green Bay in the next few days, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Chillar had 85 tackles, 2.5 sacks, four passes defensed and three forced fumbles in 15 games (14 starts) last season for the St. Louis Rams. If signed, he will provide competition for the incumbent Brady Poppinga at strong-side linebacker. |
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| The Washington Redskins have been in contact with the agent for Seattle wide receiver D.J. Hackett, according to the Washington Post. The organization has had preliminary discussions with Hackett, but nothing has progressed to the advanced stages. The Redskins appear interested in Hackett, only if they can get him for a discounted rate. Additionally, the team still has interest in a blockbuster deal that would add Chad Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald to their roster. |
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| The Washington Redskins contacted the Atlanta Falcons a few times during the Indianapolis scouting combine regarding the availability of cornerback DeAngelo Hall, but nothing has materialized, according to the Washington Post. The Falcons haven’t given Hall’s agent permission to enter negotiations with any other team, according to sources cited in the report. However, it appears the organization also isn’t fielding any offers because many clubs have serious concerns about Hall’s attitude, maturity, makeup, and how he might alter team chemistry. Hall advised a slew of reporters at the combine that he would never play for Atlanta again, so this situation could get very interesting down the road. |
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| Julius Jones is scheduled to visit with the Seattle Seahawks today, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The Michael Turner signing in Atlanta, leaves Jones next in the pecking order for many teams including Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Detroit and now Seattle. If the organization were to sign Jones, the backfield suddenly becomes very crowded. Pure speculation, but it could lead to the end of Shaun Alexander as a Seahawk. |
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| Chris Crocker, a free agent safety from Atlanta, is scheduled for a personal interview with Pittsburgh today, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Crocker, 28, has started the past three seasons, two for the Falcons and one for the Cleveland Browns, where he broke into the NFL in 2003. |
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| The Jacksonville Jaguars have re-signed offensive lineman Maurice Williams to an undisclosed contract, according to jaguars.com. Williams replaced Chris Naeole at right guard midway through last season, after Naeole sustained a season-ending leg injury. Previously, he was a starter for six seasons at right tackle. Williams, who accepted a salary cut last season in exchange for a reduction of his contract to one year, was looking forward to finding a new team in free agency and a return to right tackle, his preferred position. It appears the organization has changed his thinking with the new deal. |
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| Jake Plummer, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Thursday 3/6, 12:40 PM CT |
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| General manager Bruce Allen told PewterReport.com this week that the team would welcome quarterback Jake Plummer, if he decided to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at some point this offseason. In head coach Jon Gruden's six years as head coach of Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers have only had one starting quarterback (Brad Johnson) play an entire regular season (2003). Maybe this is why Gruden has such an affinity for collecting quarterbacks. At any rate, Plummer remains retired, with no change in his status on the horizon. |
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| Barry Sims, G, San Francisco 49ers | Thursday 3/6, 12:32 PM CT |
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| The Carolina Panthers’ contract discussions with Oakland free agent left tackle Barry Sims are dead in the water, according to the Charlotte Observer. Carolina wanted to make a one-year commitment, while Sims was interested in a long-term deal. Sims, 33, is a nine-year veteran who has made 119 career starts with the Raiders. |
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| Hank Poteat, CB, New York Jets | Thursday 3/6, 12:24 PM CT |
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| The New England Patriots have had dialogue with free-agent cornerback Hank Poteat about the possibility of him signing with the club, according to the Boston Globe. Poteat spent parts of 2004, 2005 and 2006 with the Patriots. He was with the Jets for most of 2006 and all of last season. At this point, nothing is imminent and no official visit has been scheduled. The Patriots are thin at cornerback with only Ellis Hobbs, Tim Mixon, Mike Richardson, Antwain Spann and Jason Webster under contract at cornerback for 2008. |
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| Brett Favre, QB, Green Bay Packers | Thursday 3/6, 12:11 PM CT |
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| Brett Favre made it clear this morning that he's finished with football, crying as he discussed the decision, while thanking the Green Bay organization for letting him play, according to SI.com. "I know I can play but I don't think I want to," a teary Favre said, confirming his retirement in a news conference at Lambeau Field. "It's been a great career for me, but it's over." Favre is the NFL's only three-time MVP, and leads the league with 442 touchdown passes, 61,655 yards passing and 160 career victories. He also started 253 consecutive regular-season games, more than any other quarterback in NFL history. |
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| Steve Christie signed a one-day contract with the Buffalo Bills earlier this week, and then officially retired as a Buffalo Bill, according to the Buffalo News. Christie filed his retirement papers with the NFL last summer, but had never made it official. Christie is the greatest place-kicker in Bills history. He played nine of his 15 seasons in Buffalo, from 1992 to 2000. He holds the team records for points (1,011), field goals (234) and the longest field goal in team history (59 yards). He played two seasons in Tampa before joining the Bills then played three seasons with San Diego and one with the New York Giants after leaving Buffalo. He ranks 13th in NFL history in field goals made (336) and 15th in points (1,476). |
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| The Jacksonville Jaguars have tendered strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh at the second-round level, according to UltimateJaguars.com. Sensabaugh will earn $1.47 million in base salary for 2008 because of the second-round tender. If he signs an offer sheet with another team, the Jaguars can retain him by matching the offer. If the team decides not to keep Sensabaugh, it would receive a second-round draft pick as compensation from the team that signs him. The organization has already announced that Sensabaugh will be their starting strong safety in 2008, following the release of veteran Sammy Knight. |
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| Two-time Pro Bowl special teams player Brendon Ayanbadejo has chosen to sign a contract with the Baltimore Ravens, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. It is a four-year deal worth $4.925 million. The contract is front-loaded and will pay him $3.355 million in the first two years. The deal he got from Baltimore turns out to be similar to what he turned down from Chicago. |
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| Punter Sean Landeta, 46, has announced his retirement from the NFL, according to the Journal News. Landeta leaves with an unmatched streak of 17 straight seasons with a punting average of 42 yards or better, and is second only to Rohn Stark on the NFL’s all-time list with a 43.3-yard career average. He was one of only eight players to be named to the All-Decade teams of the 1980s and ‘90s. |
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| Brett Favre, QB, Green Bay Packers | Thursday 3/6, 10:52 AM CT |
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| Brett Favre's news conference on his retirement decision has been delayed roughly 30 minutes, to 11:30 a.m. due to unexpected flight delays, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Favre is expected to make a statement followed by answering questions from the media for one hour or so. |
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| Torry Holt, WR, St. Louis Rams | Thursday 3/6, 10:44 AM CT |
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| Torry Holt, who is a seven-time Pro Bowler, has flown under the trade radar, but St. Louis might find their rebuilding efforts easier if they were to move the star receiver, according to the Delaware News-Journal. Holt, 31, is slated to make $5.65 in base salary in 2008 and $6.65 next in 2009, excluding bonuses. His agent, Greg Williams, said he called the Rams at the end of the season to discuss their plans for Holt, but hadn't heard back from the organization. "I didn't know if they would be rebuilding or looking to trade [Holt] or if he'd be there to play out his contract," Williams said. "I think if they were going to do something, they would let us know. From my understanding, they have every intention of bringing him back." St. Louis has already released Isaac Bruce, leaving them thin at the position. We highly doubt the Rams have any intentions of moving Holt, unless someone offers a deal too good to be true. |
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| Six weeks after undergoing surgery, Rivers is rehabilitating the knee like a madman, intent on recovering by the time training camp begins in late July, according to the North County Times. "I would be totally shocked if I'm not ready for training camp," Rivers said. Rivers will soon start doing exercises in a swimming pool and could receive the go-ahead to begin running by the end of this month. He has been doing a variety of exercises to regain strength in the knee and the muscles in other areas of the leg. The Chargers re-signed backup quarterback Billy Volek last week, to solidify the position heading into 2008. |
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| If there isn’t substantial progress toward a new deal in the next week or so, the Cardinals might have no choice but to consider trading wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, according to Pro Football Weekly. Presently, the major hang-up in contract talks with Fitzgerald’s agent, Eugene Parker, is the amount of guaranteed money his client would receive. Not helping matters are the hefty contracts that have been doled out to lesser receivers early in this year’s free-agent market. Philadelphia has reportedly offered cornerback Lito Sheppard and a 2008 second-round pick, but its thought that Arizona would demand a considerable haul if they were to move Fitzgerald. |
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| Randall Gay, CB, New Orleans Saints | Thursday 3/6, 9:31 AM CT |
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| Randall Gay was accustomed mostly zone coverage in New England, but will be asked to play substantially more man-to-man coverage in the Saints’ defensive scheme, according to Pro Football Weekly. Some league insiders wonder if Gay is going to perform like cornerback Jason David did last season. David struggled mightily in the scheme after coming over from Indianapolis, where he was utilized in the Cover 2. The addition of Gay has been viewed as a crucial move for New Orleans to upgrade its 30th-ranked pass defense, and he will likely bump Jason David from a starting CB spot to nickel back. |
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| Joe Horn, WR, Atlanta Falcons | Thursday 3/6, 9:19 AM CT |
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| Joe Horn will be evaluated at the mini-camp three weeks prior to the 2008 NFL draft to see if he is a good fit as the No. 4 receiver in Atlanta, according to Pro Football Weekly. The report states that Roddy White, Michael Jenkins and Laurent Robinson are entrenched in the top three spots. The organization will likely burn a second-day draft selection on a wide receiver if they decide to part ways with Horn, who is well past his prime. |
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| Jabar Gaffney is an ideal role player for New England and has the complete confidence of the coaching staff, according to Pro Football Weekly. Gaffney, who recently signed a one-year deal worth $2 million, appears to be the frontrunner for the first reserve spot in the Patriots’ receiver rotation. Gaffney is a sure handed receiver with the ability to move the chains, and he also has the respect of quarterback Tom Brady. It appears he will receive more targets in 2008 with the release of Donte Stallworth. |
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| Contrary to recent reports, Bill Parcells is looking to unload defensive end Jason Taylor, according to Pro Football Weekly. This report cites a team insider, who also stated the feeling is mutual, as Jason Taylor wants out of Miami. Parcells recently stated that Taylor would either play for Miami next season or retire, but according to the inside source he's just trying to avoid the criticism of purging the team of one of its most popular players. It appears possible that the organization could trade Taylor if the price is right. Taylor should have a couple of good seasons left in the tank, and rumors circulating suggest he could be traded for a pair of draft picks, with second- and fourth-round selections appearing to be a plausible exchange. |
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| The Bills believe their acquisition of DT Marcus Stroud from the Jaguars in return for third- and fifth-round draft picks is quite a coup, according to Pro Football Weekly. Jacksonville was reportedly seriously concerned about Stroud’s health due to an ankle injury that required microfracture surgery. On the flip side, Buffalo has a highly respected medical team that believes Stroud will make a full recovery. When operating at 100 percent, Stroud is regarded as one of the premier interior defensive linemen in the league both as a pass rusher and run stopper. |
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| Rex Hadnot, C, Cleveland Browns | Thursday 3/6, 8:52 AM CT |
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| Rex Hadnot left Pittsburgh without signing, according to The Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Hadnot notably started for Miami for three seasons, and the search to replace Alan Faneca in Pittsburgh must continue. |
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| Troy Brown, WR, New England Patriots | Thursday 3/6, 8:44 AM CT |
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| Troy Brown may return for a 16th season despite not catching a pass in 2007 or being active for the Super Bowl, according to The Boston Globe. Brown reportedly feels great and believes he can continue to play and contribute. He will turn 37 in July additionally. |
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| T.J. Duckett, who recently signed with the Seattle Seahawks, received a five-year deal worth $17 million, according to seattlepi.com. There was some give and take in these negotiations, Duckett will only receive $1 million in base salary for 2008, but he did secure a $4 million signing bonus. The actual deal (not including the back-loaded incentives) is three years for $7.5 million. Duckett will join Shaun Alexander and Maurice Morris in the Seattle backfield, and the team is rumored to be pondering the selection of a running back in the 2008 NFL draft. |
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| Jake Scott, C, Tennessee Titans | Thursday 3/6, 8:35 AM CT |
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| Jake Scott met with the Titans, according to the Indy Star. |
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| Greg Wesley, S, Kansas City Chiefs | Thursday 3/6, 8:32 AM CT |
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| Greg Wesley was dismayed that the Chiefs recently released several veterans but not him, according to The Kansas City Star. He was also irked that fellow safeties Madieu Williams and Gibril Wilson both received lucrative new contracts, and he was not able to do anything and join in on the sweepstakes. Wesley mentioned that he is clearly not going to be part of the Chiefs plans in 2008 and he wants to know why they won't honor his wishes to be released. Wesley will be 30 this season. |
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| Randy Moss, WR, New England Patriots | Thursday 3/6, 8:25 AM CT |
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| Randy Moss chose to re-sign with the New England Patriots due to “intangibles” that pushed matters in their favor, according to ESPN. "Oftentimes, when people judge whether a contract is a success, they look at how much it's worth. But there is more to life than just pure money," Moss’ agent Tom DiPiero said. "In this case, Randy experienced some intangibles during the year, from his friendships, to his relationship with the coaching staff and others in the organization. Those intangibles had some value here." Reading between the lines, Moss chose New England because of Tom Brady, who can help cement his legacy going forward. |
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| There has been news circulating as of late that David Pollack has been medically cleared to play, but Bengals public relations director Jack Brennan stated on Wednesday night that the team has no information on a Pollack return or his medical status. This according to The Enquirer. |
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| Andre’ Woodson ran the 40-yard dash in a respectable 4.8 seconds at UK’s Pro Day workout despite battling a slightly pulled hamstring, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader. Woodson also looked sharp throwing the ball to former Kentucky receivers Keenan Burton, Steve Johnson and Jacob Tamme as scouts from 25 NFL teams looked on. He is expected to have his name called in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. |
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| Aaron Rodgers is expected to make a smooth transition as he takes over as the Packers starting quarterback, as believed by quarterbacks coach Tom Clemens who stated, "Aaron wants to play, so I am sure he is excited about that. I am not going to say anything magical to him. He knows he has to get ready because he is now the guy, and we'll move forward. He is going into his fourth year and I think he is up for the challenge". Rodgers himself mentioned that you can't replace a legend, and all he can do is try to be the best quarterback he can be, this according to PackersNews.com. |
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| Mark Brunell, QB, New Orleans Saints | Thursday 3/6, 7:58 AM CT |
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| The Green Bay Packers are taking the next couple of days solidifying their plan, and will begin exploring options in free agency and the trade market to find a backup for Brett Favre’s successor, Aaron Rodgers, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette. “First, you have to be able to play the game,” General Manager Ted Thompson said of the qualities he’s looking for in Rodgers’ backup. “But if you have some experience, that’s good. If you have some ability to be a mentor, that’s probably good. I don’t know if any of them are absolute requirements. The main thing is you find a good player.” This was expected due to the lack of depth behind Rodgers on the depth chart. The organization has had preliminary discussions with Mark Brunell and the article mentioned Quinn Gray, Joey Harrington and Aaron Brooks as possibilities. |
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| Tony Richardson and the New York Jets have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, according to SI.com. Richardson, 36, is a three-time Pro Bowler, who was also selected to the All Pro team last year with the Minnesota Vikings. He is latest addition to a revamped Jets' offense; and he will be counted on to pave the way for running back Thomas Jones in the running game. |
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| Isaac Bruce, WR, San Francisco 49ers | Thursday 3/6, 7:41 AM CT |
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| Isaac Bruce is looking forward to helping the 49ers franchise this season, especially while reunited with offensive guru Mike Martz, as reported by insidebayarea.com. Bruce noted that he has no idea who the starting quarterback will be this season, but was not complaining and has faith that the 49ers are moving in the right direction. Bruce ended his career with the Rams with 942 receptions, which ranks 6th all-time. |
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| Dominic Rhodes restructured his contract and will remain in Oakland, this according to insidebayarea.com. Rhodes was due a base salary of $3 million for 2008, as well as a $2 million roster bonus. He will battle for playing time with 2007 standout Justin Fargas and second year pro Michael Bush, while the status of LaMont Jordan with the team is yet to be decided. |
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