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| David Garrard and the Jacksonville Jaguars appear to be on the verge of a new contract agreement that will make Garrard one of the highest paid passers in the game, according to Adam Schefter of the NFL Network. Per the report from Schefter, the Jags and Garrard met face to face in Indianapolis at the scouting combine last month and have since exchanged contract proposals. Sources report Garrard is now poised to become the next quarterback to cash in with a new blockbuster contract and become the highest paid player in the Jaguars' team history. |
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| DeAngelo Hall has agreed to terms on a seven-year, $70 million deal that will confirm his trade from Atlanta to Oakland, according to ESPN.com. We have had numerous reports of intrigue on this story and it now appears to be a done deal. The dominoes that may fall after this are hard to fathom. Many of the top CBs in the NFL will use this deal as a benchmark for negotiations in the future, and the ramifications in Oakland will be interesting to watch. The team may find a need to create room to make salary cap restrictions, and that could result (as we reported earlier this week) in the need to revoke the exclusive franchise tag on CB Nnamdi Asomugha. If he becomes available, teams will flock to vie for his services. |
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| William James , formerly known has Will Peterson, has signed a two-year agreement with the Buffalo Bills, according to NFL.com. The seven-year veteran has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but played 14 games with the Eagles last season, starting six. He finished with one interception and three passes defensed. Terms of the agreement have not been announced. |
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| In the growing saga that is the potential trading of CB DeAngelo Hall , reports have come forth that claim Hall has in fact switched agents in the midst of a trade that would send the disgruntled cornerback to Oakland, according to ProFootballTalk.com. The troubled negotiations were being handled by agent Joel Segal, Hall's long-time representative, but per league sources, it appears Alvin Keels has joined the fray and has, at the very least, joined in a team effort on behalf of Hall and may now be the agent charged with getting this deal done. The deal has still not been finalized, and the sticking point is a contract extension for Hall, who is signed through 2008. |
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| Free agent OC Justin Hartwig has reportedly signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Adam Schefter of the NFL Network. According to Schefter , the Steelers have agreed to a two-year deal worth roughly $4 million, with a $975,000 signing bonus. Hartwig adds another veteran lineman to a unit hoping to find a viable replacement for recently-retired Jeff Hartings. They signed Sean Mahan away from the Bucs early this month and the view of choice seems to put Hartwig as the likely starter at center while Mahan will be asked to move to guard (a position he has played before). |
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| The Tennessee Titans have signed free agent tight end Dwayne Blakley to an undisclosed contract, according to Pro Football Talk. Blakley has played the past four seasons in Atlanta, where he never had more than seven receptions in any season. He is the equivalent of an extra offensive lineman. |
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| The Buffalo Bills have re-signed safety Bryan Scott, according to BuffaloBills.com. Scott served on special teams and played a reserve role at safety until the final two games of the 2007 season when he earned consecutive starts at free safety against the Giants in Week 16 and strong safety against the Eagles in Week 17. As the season wore on last year, defensive coordinator Perry Fewell came up with different ways to use Scott within his scheme making use of a three safety package on obvious run downs, so he could play a more prominent role this year with a full offseason under his belt. |
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| Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons | Tuesday 3/18, 3:37 PM CT |
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| Matt Ryan concluded his Pro Day workout – throwing 52 passes, and Kansas City head coach Herm Edwards thought he pressed a couple of times, according to the Boston Globe. "I thought he pressed a couple times, trying to throw the ball a little too hard," Edwards said. "That's generally what happens with quarterbacks, when you get the media there. It used to be 10-15 years ago, the workouts, five people were there. Now, depending who you are, what school you're at, and where people slate you being drafted, it becomes this. Which is kind of good, because it puts a lot of pressure on the kids, and the game everyone plays, there is going to be pressure on them. You look at that, and also understand that they're going to press some. He pressed some throws, but the thing this guy has is his ability to win. That's the thing you like about quarterbacks -- some guys win, some guys don't. You can look at all the stats, arm strength, you can look at all the different things, but at the end, can he win games? This guy has done that." Minnesota vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman agreed with Edwards's assessment that Ryan pressed, but also noted that he moves around better than advertised. |
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| Trai Essex, T, Pittsburgh Steelers | Tuesday 3/18, 3:04 PM CT |
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| The Pittsburgh Steelers have re-signed offensive lineman Trai Essex, according to The Sports Network. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Essex will be entering his fourth season with the Steelers after being selected in the third round of the 2005 draft. He has appeared in 24 regular season contests as a backup at both tackle and guard and started four games at left tackle in place of Marvel Smith during the 2005 season. |
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| The Pittsburgh Steelers have re-signed offensive lineman Chris Kemoeatu, according to The Sports Network. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Kemoeatu will be entering his fourth season with the Steelers after being selected in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Kemoeatu has appeared in 18 career games mostly as a reserve at guard and as a special teams contributor. He started two games at right guard in place of Kendall Simmons during the 2006 season. |
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| The Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos are interested in running back Chris Johnson, according to ESPN. Johnson, who is 5-11 and 199 pounds, ran a blistering 4.24 during his combine workout – turning a lot of heads in the process. Johnson’s elite speed could earn him a spot in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft. |
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| Ellis Wyms, DT, Minnesota Vikings | Tuesday 3/18, 2:30 PM CT |
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| Ellis Wyms signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings, which includes a $500,000 signing bonus, according to the Pioneer Press. Wyms is a versatile lineman who will be counted on to provide quality depth both outside and inside, particularly behind Pro Bowl defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams. |
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| The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are interested in adding playmakers in this year’s draft, but do not be surprised if Florida junior defensive end Derrick Harvey’s name is called by the organization, according to The Tampa Tribune. Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin showed a lot of interest in Harvey at Florida’s Pro Day, after he showed his tremendous coordination, agility and speed through numerous drills. Kiffin was one of only two scouts (Jacksonville was the other) that spent time individually talking with the Florida standout. After speaking with Harvey, Kiffin left and said that was the only player he was in Gainesville to see. “I’m not going to say a whole lot because other people read newspapers, but he had a nice workout. He really did,” Kiffin said. “He’s a nice young man. He works very hard and I can tell he stays in shape. He’s in good shape.” Harvey is a three-year letterman who finished his Florida career with 90 tackles and 20.5 sacks, ninth in school history. He led Florida with 8.5 sacks and 17 tackles for a loss last season, was an AP All-SEC Honorable Mention honoree and a second team All-SEC selection by the coaches. |
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| Troy Brown, WR, New England Patriots | Tuesday 3/18, 2:05 PM CT |
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| Free agent wide receiver Troy Brown visited with the New York Jets yesterday and worked out for them, according to The Boston Globe. It's unclear how genuine the interest is from the Jets and their coach, former Patriots assistant Eric Mangini. This could just be the latest salvo in an increasingly bitter feud between the Patriots and Jets, which escalated during their season-opener last September, when the Jets tipped off the NFL that the Patriots were illegally filming their defensive signals. The Browns and Lions are also interested in Brown, though both have cooled in their pursuit of the veteran receiver. |
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| Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons | Tuesday 3/18, 1:57 PM CT |
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| The Kansas City Chiefs had the largest contingent in attendance for Boston College’s Pro Day leading to speculation that the organization is interested in quarterback Matt Ryan, according to the Boston Globe. The Chiefs sent head coach Herm Edwards, general manager Carl Peterson and offensive coordinator Chan Gailey to check out Ryan, who is widely considered the best quarterback prospect in the draft. |
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| Contrary to a report by the NFL Network's Adam Schefter, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that DeAngelo Hall is in fact expected to be traded to Oakland by Thursday morning. The Atlanta cornerback is expected to travel to the Bay Area and the trade will consummated after a physical.
Hall said he is scheduled to fly to Oakland Wednesday to meet with team officials and sign the new contract. |
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| There are rumblings that Seattle Seahawks president of football operations/general manager Tim Ruskell absolutely loves Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart, according to Pro Football Weekly. The report suggests that Seattle could attempt to trade up from the 1.25 slot to land him. Stewart, who recently underwent toe surgery, is expected to be ready for training camp. |
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| The San Francisco 49ers are currently giving an edge to free-agent addition Dontarrious Thomas over Brandon Moore for the strong-side inside linebacker job that previously belonged to the departed Derek Smith, according to Pro Football Weekly. Thomas will have to earn the job, as Moore actually has the edge in experience in the 3-4 defensive scheme. |
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| Torry Holt, WR, St. Louis Rams | Tuesday 3/18, 1:07 PM CT |
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| Head coach Scott Linehan said that recent trade rumors involving WR Torry Holt — the Eagles and Bengals were mentioned as possible suitors — were nothing but hot air, according to Pro Football Weekly. If anything, with primarily return specialist Dante Hall currently shaping up as the top No. 3 wide receiver candidate behind Holt and Drew Bennett, the Rams need more receivers — a need they are expected to address in the draft as early as the third round. |
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| Although Kansas City general manager Carl Peterson has said that free-agent pickup OLB Demorrio Williams will provide valuable depth for the linebacker corps, it would be a considerable surprise if he doesn’t secure a starting job, according to Pro Football Weekly. Derrick Johnson and Williams are expected to start in the outside slots, with Napoleon Harris and Donnie Edwards competing for the middle linebacker role. |
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| The Oakland Raiders are attempting to trade cornerback Fabian Washington, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Washington, who was a first-round draft pick in 2005, lost his starting job last year, and was arrested for domestic battery in February. Washington has started 28 games during his three-year career – compiling five interceptions and 24 defensed passes. |
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| Jacoby Jones was asleep behind the wheel, car in drive, with his foot on the brake when officers approached to arrest him on a charge of suspicion of drunken driving this past weekend, according to The Houston Chronicle. Houston police approached Jones, 23, after motorists alerted them, and a subsequent breath test showed his blood-alcohol content was 0.13. Jones, who is expected to compete for the Texans’ No. 3 wide receiver role this season, could be facing additional scrutiny from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and the league's substance abuse program. |
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| Cecil Sapp, RB, Denver Broncos | Tuesday 3/18, 12:15 PM CT |
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| The Denver Broncos have submitted their latest contract proposal to fullback Cecil Sapp, according to The Denver Post. "A positive conversation took place today between Cecil and Coach Shanahan," said David Canter, Sapp's agent. "Cecil hopes the Broncos will change their offer that will allow him to be where he wants to be, which is in Denver." With no experienced fullback on his roster, head coach Mike Shanahan personally spoke to Cecil Sapp in a phone conversation Monday. Sapp is reportedly close to making a decision between Denver and three other undisclosed teams. |
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| Anquan Boldin hopes the Arizona Cardinals will address his contract situation this year, but he’s not stressing about it, according to The Arizona Republic. "I leave that up to my agent (Drew Rosenhaus)," Boldin said Monday after working out at the team's facility. "They'll go back and forth. He'll keep me in the loop for the most part, but I can't be worried about that. I think when players get involved in that, that starts to affect their play on the field.” Despite posting comparable statistics, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is making $10 million per season to Boldin’s $4 million. Boldin has no plans to be a distraction to the organization – stating he would attend the Cardinals’ entire offseason program. |
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| Chad Johnson, WR, Cincinnati Bengals | Tuesday 3/18, 11:56 AM CT |
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| Chad Johnson advised ESPN2 that he didn’t throw a punch at head coach Marvin Lewis, despite earlier reports that indicated he did, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. "It was an incident that did happen," Johnson said on ESPN2 this morning. "No punches were thrown. I was unhappy with the first half. We were winning. My frustration was out of place. I had to be restrained (by Lewis and former Bengals wide receivers coach Hue Jackson)." Johnson also said he has not spoken to Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis or anyone else in the organization since the end of the season. The acrimony between Johnson and the Bengals organization needs to be resolved, or this situation is going to become a major distraction going forward into the offseason program. |
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| NFL Network's Adam Schefter reported on Monday night that the trade talks between the Raiders and Falcons involving DeAngelo Hall have cooled. Schefter noted he no longer believes the trade will transpire. Rest assured the Falcons will not give up on trying to get something for one of the top defensive backs in the league. |
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| Sean Payton told The Advocate that cornerback Mike McKenzie's knee rehab is ahead of schedule.
McKenzie suffered a tear in his ACL in December and is a long shot to begin the season on the active roster. |
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| Jamie Martin, QB, New Orleans Saints | Tuesday 3/18, 10:21 AM CT |
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| When the Saints signed Mark Brunell it all but ended Jamie Martin’s stay with the team, this according to The Advocate. Martin, the primary backup the last two seasons, is an unrestricted free agent. The veteran signal-caller will find work somewhere this summer. |
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| D.J. Hackett, WR, Carolina Panthers | Tuesday 3/18, 10:15 AM CT |
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| The Gaston Gazette reported on Tuesday morning that there's a good chance D.J. Hackett will be the team's starter opposite Steve Smith. In fact, Hackett's agent Kevin Robinson, said the Panthers assured Hackett that he would be their No. 2 receiver.
"That's what they told him," Robinson said.
However, the team wasn't ready to declare Hackett the starter, although clearly he is in the mix.
"He is a guy who has been productive in this league and is someone we feel can come in and compete for the No. 2 spot," said Panthers general manager Marty Hurney.
There is little question that Hackett will start, and he's capable of challenging as the team's top receiver with the presence of a healthy Smith drawing double coverage. |
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| Chris Myers, who was signed to a four-year deal on Monday worth $11 million, was immediately traded to Houston for a sixth-round pick in April's draft, this according to realfootball365.com. Meyers, a restricted free agent, started 16 games the last two seasons at center and guard, filling in for injured C Tom Nalen and G Ben Hamilton. |
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| Dewayne Robertson, whom the Jets has twice tried to trade in the past three weeks to the Bengals and Broncos, joined Laveranues Coles as the only two Jets who didn't take part in the team's voluntary program on Monday, this according to the Star-Ledger.
It was thought Robertson would report because general manager Mike Tannenbaum said he wouldn't rule out bringing Robertson back next season if he can't be traded.
Neither Coles nor Robertson can be fined because the workouts are voluntary. |
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| The Jets and the representatives for unhappy wide receiver Laveranues Coles are close to agreeing on a long-term contract, this according to the Star-Ledger. The Jets receiver, after signing, would report to the team's voluntary offseason workouts later this week.
It's unclear what type of agreement the Jets and Coles are nearing, but the person characterized it as a "win-win for both sides."
Coles was a no-show yesterday for the first day of the Jets' offseason program. |
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