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| The Arizona Republic reports that punter Dirk Johnson will make $605,000 for the 2008 season.
This is the minimum for a player with his experience. |
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| Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic breaks down defensive end Travis Laboy new contract:
2008 -- $750,000,
2009 -- $2 million,
2010 -- $3.5 million,
2011 -- 4 million,
2012 -- $4.5 million.
If LaBoy's $7.5 million of guarantees is in the form of a signing bonus, his cap figure this year is $2.25 million. |
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| The Lions will change their offensive philosophy with Jim Colletto replacing pass-happy Mike Martz as the offensive coordinator, this according to the Free Press. But running the ball between the tackles won't come easy with Kevin Jones and Brian Calhoun still recovering from knee injuries -- with no guarantee either will be completely healthy, ever again. If the NFL regular season were to start today, the team's starting tailback would be Aveion Cason. T.J. Duckett has signed with Seattle. Tatum Bell is free to sign with anyone -- but has no takers.
The Lions failed to land free agent Julius Jones, and are now looking at veterans Chris Brown and Michael Pittman. The more things change, the more they stay the same -- Detroit under Matt Millen just isn't very good... again. |
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| The Lions agreed to a one-year deal with George Foster, a position (offensive line) they need to address with the loss of Damien Woody. The report notes that the free-agent market isn't exactly loaded with good offensive tackles, which couldn't be more accurate. |
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| The Houston Texans team website reports that cornerback Dunta Robinson is back. The Texans’ top defensive back tore his ACL and hamstring against the Oakland Raiders at mid-season but has recently returned to Houston after months of rehabilitation in Birmingham, Ala.
Robinson said he’s thrilled to be back at home and around his coaches and teammates after rehabbing his left leg following surgery.
“I’m thinking I’m probably playing 10-12 games next season,” he said Thursday. “I’ll probably start the year off on Physically Unable to Perform (list) and I think that’s either 4-6 games that I’ll be out, and I’ll be back. I’ll be back way ahead of schedule." Robinson's prediction that he would not miss half of the '08 season as most suggest, is more than a possibility for the young defensive stalwart.
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| SI.com reported Friday that Raiders' quarterback JaMarcus Russell is still an unknown. There is no real proof he is ready to take over the starting job. The most disturbing note in the report was the rumor that he's close to 300 pounds and not exactly prepared for offseason programs. |
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| Free agent safety Keith Davis is scheduled to visit the Dolphins on Monday morning, this according to the Sun Sentinel. Miami would like Davis to compete with safeties Jason Allen, Yeremiah Bell, Courtney Bryan, Tuff Harris, and converted cornerback Travis Daniels for one of the two starting spots.
Davis, who has started 22 games in his five-year career with the Cowboys, is known more as a special teamer. |
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| Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots | Sunday 3/9, 8:55 PM CT |
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| Matt Walsh, the former New England Patriots employee holding tapes of illegal spying by head coach Bill Belichick and his staff, is reported close to an agreement with the NFL, according to Slam Sports.
The NFL said in a statement Sunday night that in the last week, lawyers for Walsh and the league have made "substantial progress toward an agreement that will allow Mr. Walsh to be interviewed."
"Both sides are optimistic that any remaining issues can be addressed successfully and they are committed to reaching a full agreement as promptly as possible," the statement added.
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| Jesse Chatman has inked a deal with the Jets, according to the Miami Herald. It is a one-year deal and will keep him in the AFC East where he performed well at times for the Dolphins following Ronnie Brown's season ending injury last season. |
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| Shaun Alexander could be cut after June 1, according to the Tacoma News Tribune. The move would free up around $4 million in cap space for the Seahawks. |
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| Torry Holt, WR, St. Louis Rams | Sunday 3/9, 7:46 PM CT |
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| Torry Holt is not on the trading block, according to The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Scott Linehan commented that the Rams are not shopping Holt by stating, "There's no interest, no discussions about trading Torry Holt. He's on our team, we want him on our team, and I hope he feels the same way."
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| Isaac Bruce, WR, San Francisco 49ers | Sunday 3/9, 5:52 PM CT |
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| The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Jerry Rice has given the go-ahead for Isaac Bruce to wear his No. 80 with the 49ers. The club has not issued No. 80 since Rice's final season with 49ers in 2000. Number 80 is not officially retired but the team has treated it as such.
"I have always respected Isaac Bruce," Rice said. "I don't know what is going to happen in that scenario but if it was left up to me I would say, 'Yeah.' For Steve Largent to do what he did for me he showed me a side of him where I just feel like I have to do the same thing. He set the standard. It would be left up to Isaac and myself to sit down and talk or if the 49ers decide to do something like that it is OK with me."
Bruce wore No. 80 with the Rams for 14 seasons. |
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| The Boston Globe reports that Jabar Gaffney's new contract is a one-year package with a $700,000 base salary. He received a $500,000 signing bonus as part of the deal, as well as a $75,000 workout bonus. Gaffney's salary cap charge is $1.281 million. Gaffney was the starting third receiver for the Patriots in December and January taking over the role Donte' Stallworth held for most of the season. |
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| According to the Tennessean, Pacman Jones said he's "turned the corner" and is ready to play football again.
In an interview with 680-AM in his hometown Atlanta on Thursday, the Titans cornerback mentioned his desire to play for the Cowboys. The addition of Jones, regardless of his baggage, would be a huge lift to a defense that needs more playmakers. Jones told the radio station he believes the hard part of his yearlong NFL suspension is behind him. |
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| Chris Simms, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Sunday 3/9, 10:41 AM CT |
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| Bucs GM Bruce Allen said that Chris Simms could still be on the roster for training camp, according to the Tampa Tribune. Whether that happens will depend on his offseason performance in mini-camps, etc. The Bucs plan to bring five quarterbacks into camp -- maybe even six if Jake Plummer comes out of seclusion. He still has some upside, but with Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese, Luke McCown and Bruce Gradkowski in the mix, he has an uphill climb just to make the roster. |
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| Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison was charged Saturday with slapping his girlfriend across the face and breaking her cell phone in half, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The couple had argued and Tibbott locked herself in the bedroom, the affidavit stated. She was attempting to call 911, when Harrison broke through the door, took her phone, slapped her in the face and knocked off her glasses. Police said she had red marks on her left cheek. Tibbott told police she was afraid of Harrison, the affidavit said. Franklin Park police found Harrison as he was driving back to his residence and told him to return to the Sonie Drive home to speak with investigators, the affidavit stated. Harrison admitted that he and his girlfriend had an argument and he broke through the door into her bedroom and slapped her in the face, according to the affidavit. Harrison is charged with one count each of simple assault and criminal mischief. He was arraigned yesterday before District Judge Carla Swearingen and released with a nonmonetary bond. Harrison was cut four times and was a reserve/special teams player before becoming a starter last season. Harrison, a four-year veteran out of Kent State, exceeded all expectations and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player in 2007, edging quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. |
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| It would appear the frustrations of contract talks gone awry, and more to the point, the public reports of such dischord, have led the Philadelphia Eagles to make an official offer to obtain the services of WR Larry Fitzgerald , according to the Arizona Republic. Kent Somers reports the Eagles have contacted the Cardinals and are rumored to have offered, as part of any potential trade, WR Reggie Brown and CB Lito Sheppard. Both sides claim to be attempting to come to a resolution for a problem that centers around the team's growing concerns about fulfilling incentive-laden responsibilities put forth in Fitzgerald's contract that will put the Cardinals on the hook for over $32 million over the next two seasons. The Cardinals have made significant strides over the past year, and Fitz has been a tremendous contributor to that cause... thus his ability to meet and/or exceed every incentive in his contract. Other teams, like Philadelphia, recognize the young WRs talent and future and are going to give the Cardinals options to consider. Stay tuned folks. This is going to get interesting. Fitz could (and probably should) stay in Arizona, but there are teams that will be making offers above and beyond the level of sanity. Arizona would be foolish not to consider all offers, other teams would be foolish not to make an attempt, and we would all be foolish not to give it our full attention. |
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