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Giants | Ruegamer re-signed
Tue, 27 Mar 2007 12:26:42 -0700
The New York Giants have re-signed free-agent OL Grey Ruegamer. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Updated: March 27, 2007, 3:53 PM ET
NFL owners vote to make replay permanentAssociated Press
PHOENIX -- Replay is here to stay in the NFL. Or at least as permanently as any rule can be in pro football.
League owners voted 30-2 on Tuesday to make the video replay system to aid officiating a permanent tool. Every stadium will be equipped with high-definition equipment and will be recabled before the upcoming season.
"It's a long time coming," said Atlanta Falcons general manager Rich McKay, co-chairman of the compe ion committee that recommended the change. "It made sense to us this year to do it. Instant replay is an accepted part of the game. It's what we are. There was not really much discussion about it."
Cincinnati and Arizona voted against the proposal, as they nearly always do on replay issues.
The owners also voted unanimously to allow a second interviewing window for assistant coaches on Super Bowl teams who are in the running for other head coaching jobs. Previously, only during the week after the season ended could an interview be conducted.
The coach's current team would have to grant permission for the second interview, which would take place during the bye week after the conference le games.
"We wanted to make sure that coaches on Super Bowl teams didn't feel it was a disadvantage," McKay said.
One proposal was defeated. Defenses will not be allowed to have a coach-to-player communications device similar to what quarterbacks use. McKay said owners and coaches were concerned about who would be allowed to wear the device with defenses using multiple formations and the possibility that more than one player could wind up on the field with such a device.
San Francisco withdrew its proposal to make defensive pass interference either a 15-yard penalty or a spot foul, depending on the severity of the infraction.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Giants | Ruegamer re-signed
Tue, 27 Mar 2007 12:26:42 -0700
The New York Giants have re-signed free-agent OL Grey Ruegamer. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
NFL | Pass interference proposal withdrawn
Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:46:40 -0700
Barry Wilner, of the Associated Press, reports the San Francisco 49ers have withdrawn their proposal of changing the pass interference penalty to either a 15-yard penalty or a spot foul, depending on the severity.
NFL | Defense communication device voted down
Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:42:20 -0700
Barry Wilner, of the Associated Press, reports the NFL owners voted against the proposal where defensive players would be able to wear a device that connected them to the defensive coaches. The owners have several concerns about who would wear the device and the confusion it may have caused.
NFL | Super Bowl assistants allowed second interview
Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:34:42 -0700
Barry Wilner, of the Associated Press, reports the NFL owners unanimously approved the proposal that assistant coaches of the Super Bowl teams will be able to have a second interview for a head coaching job. Previously, these coaches would only be allowed to have a second interview after the Super Bowl.
NFL | Replay permanent
Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:19:32 -0700
Barry Wilner, of the Associated Press, reports the NFL owners voted 30-2 in favor of making instant replay permanent. Every stadium will now have high definition equipment. The Arizona Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bengals were the two teams to vote against the proposal.
hahahah! wadsworth is a jet..... wow thats funny.... how long before dude is out of the NFL again?
If the Raiders want a big slow QB, they should trade for Byron Left , who I hear is being a real big one in Jacksonville.
mardigan you hear anything about the bills trying to trade lee evans?
I havent heard anything like that, I cant see that happening, they have no other reciever besides Parish, and I think his contract is good for 3 or 4 more years. I will poke around though
Bears | Angelo-Briggs meeting resolves nothing
Tue, 27 Mar 2007 14:36:03 -0700
Don Pierson, of the Chicago Tribune, reports Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo and LB Lance Briggs met to discuss Briggs' contract situation. Angelo offered not to use the franchise tag on Briggs next year if Briggs would play this season. Briggs has said he will sit out the season if the Bears keep the franchise tag on him. No agreement occured during the meeting.
Houston Texans re-sign running back, quarterback
March 27, 2007
HOUSTON (AP) -The Houston Texans re-signed running back Chris Taylor and quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt.
Taylor, an undrafted free agent, spent much of last season on the practice squad before being activated in December. He played in the final four games, rushing for 123 yards on 28 carries.
Van Pelt was originally signed in November when backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels was placed on injured reserve. Van Pelt, who was a rookie with the Denver Broncos in 2005, did not play last season.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2006-2007, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
Marshall arrested after argument with girlfriendAssociated Press
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. -- Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall appeared in court Tuesday after being arrested on su ion of false imprisonment and domestic violence.
Marshall
Douglas County sheriff's department spokeswoman Cocha Heyden said Marshall appeared before a judge and was released on personal recognizance.
Marshall was arrested Monday night in the Denver suburb of Highlands Ranch after a woman told authorities she and Marshall, whom she identified as her boyfriend, had argued earlier in the day, Heyden said.
The woman reported that her boyfriend blocked her taxi with his vehicle as she tried to leave his Highlands Ranch home, Heyden said. The woman had no injuries, Heyden added.
"We are aware of the situation involving Brandon Marshall," the Broncos said in a statement. "The organization takes matters of this type very seriously, and we will continue to gather information before offering further comment."
Marshall's agent, Fletcher Smith, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Updated: March 27, 2007, 11:20 PM ET
Gore reaches agreement with 49ers through 2011By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
When the San Francisco 49ers selected tailback Frank Gore in the third round of the 2005 draft, the former University of Miami star proved to be one of the biggest steals in the last several seasons. On Tuesday evening, the 49ers opened up their coffers to Gore, the NFC rushing leader in 2006.
Gore
ESPN.com has learned that the 49ers reached agreement with Gore on a four-year contract extension through 2011, with the deal averaging just shy of $7 million in terms of so-called "new money."
Gore will receive an initial signing bonus of $6.5 million and total guarantees of nearly $14 million. The contract will pay Gore $13.862 million in its first two seasons and $18.212 million in the first three years. Because Gore had one season remaining on his original rookie contract, the four-year extension creates a five-year deal, and the total value over the course of the five seasons is $28.012 million.
Base salaries are $450,000 (for 2007), $2.5 million (2008), $2.5 million (2009), $2.85 million (2010) and $2.9 million (2011). The contract includes a $4.165 million option bonus and roster bonuses of $1.75 million (2009), $1.85 million (2010) and $2 million (2011). Gore's full base salary of $2.5 million in 2009 is guaranteed.
San Francisco officials acknowledged at the end of the 2006 season that, in keeping with their recent initiative to secure their nucleus players for the long-term, they hoped to sign Gore to an extension. Through negotiations with agent Drew Rosenhaus, this deal continues a string of big-money contracts for tailbacks that have been ongoing and were ratcheted up in recent days.
The deal is unusual in that it comes after Gore has logged only two seasons in the NFL and after he overcame severe knee and shoulder injuries to emerge as one of the league's premier runners.
Gore, 23, played as the backup to Kevan Barlow as a rookie in 2005, then won the starting job in training camp last summer. Starting in all 16 games, he carried 312 times for 1,695 yards and eight touchdowns. In two seasons, he has 2,303 yards and 11 scores on 439 carries, appearing in 30 games, with 17 starts.
Senior writer Len Pasquarelli covers the NFL for ESPN.com.
Updated: March 28, 2007, 9:35 AM ET
Bowens is fourth DE added by Jets in offseasonESPN.com news services
The New York Jets added another free-agent defensive end, agreeing to terms with former Dolphin David Bowens.
Bowens
According to several reports, Bowens will sign a three-year, $6 million contract that could be worth as much as $8 million.
The Jets also have signed defensive ends Kenyon Coleman, Michael Haynes and Andre Wadsworth this offseason.
Bowens, 6-foot 3, 265 pounds, reportedly picked the Jets over the Panthers, Dolphins and Patriots.
Although a defensive end for his entire career, Bowens, 29, will probably play mostly at outside linebacker, in a kind of hybrid-type position or in a situational role, in New York's 3-4 alignment.
Bowens' agent, Harold Lewis told The Journal News that the Jets were relentless in the pursuit of his client. He said a manager in the Jets' operations, Ari Nissim, called him constantly after Bowens visited the team in early March.
"He was relentless," Lewis told The Journal News. "He was calling every single day after David visited."
The Jets posted 35 sacks in 2006, in coach Eric Mangini's first season, but want to create more pressure this season.
Bowens has just 26 career sacks, but 18 have come in the past three seasons, and he has always possessed the ability to pressure the pocket.
The former Western Illinois standout entered the NFL as a fifth-round draft choice of the Denver Broncos in 1999. He was traded to Green Bay in 2000, then Miami claimed him on waivers in 2001.
Beyond his 26 sacks, Bowens has 168 tackles, 18 passes defensed, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 104 games.
ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli contributed to this report.
Updated: March 28, 2007, 9:29 AM ET
Bears, Redskins enter talks about a trade for BriggsAssociated Press
PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The Washington Redskins have talked with the Chicago Bears about disgruntled Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs, who has threatened to sit out the 2007 season after the NFC champions slapped a franchise tag on him.
"The two teams have talked and its in their hands now," Briggs' agent Drew Rosenhaus told the Daily Southtown of suburban Chicago on Tuesday. "It's out of my hands now."
Clayton: Bears Saying No
The Bears aren't biting at the Redskins' proposed trade for Lance Briggs, but don't expect any quick decisions just yet, writes John Clayton. Story
Bears general manager Jerry Angelo, in town for the NFL meetings, said:
"We will take what [the Redskins] said under consideration and we told them if there's anything on our part we would get back with them," Angelo said, adding there is no timetable for a deal.
"I'm taking it under advisement. ... I didn't come down here anticipating any of this. I'll take it under consideration and get back with them."
Briggs, a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker, would earn $7.2 million in 2007 from the Bears, the average of the five highest salaries at his position.
He met Monday with Angelo.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
I cant believe the Skins are willing to do this. The Bears would get a great pick, and save some moneyin th elong run. Snyder shouldnt be allowed to make desicions anymore
Texans | Van Pelt re-signed
Tue, 27 Mar 2007 21:29:24 -0700
HoustonTexans.com reports the Houston Texans have re-signed exclusive-rights free-agent QB Bradlee Van Pelt. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Texans | C. Taylor re-signed
Tue, 27 Mar 2007 21:02:40 -0700
HoustonTexans.com reports the Houston Texans have re-signed exclusive-rights free-agent RB Chris Taylor. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Texans | Team may draft a left tackle
Tue, 27 Mar 2007 21:31:31 -0700
John McClain, of the Houston Chronicle, reports Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said the team may select a left tackle in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Despite the team signing free-agent tackle Jordan Black (Chiefs) and re-signing left tackle Ephraim Salaam, they may target another tackle because OT Charles Spencer (leg) is only 50-50 to come back next year.
Updated: March 27, 2007, 9:49 PM ET
Panthers safety Minter to retire at end of seasonAssociated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter plans to retire after this season.
Minter
Minter has played 10 seasons for the Panthers and started more games (141) than any player in team history.
"This year is going to be it," he said Tuesday in a phone interview.
The former second-round draft pick out of Nebraska in 1997 is the franchise leader in tackles (953) and fumble recoveries (10), and is tied with Julius Peppers for the lead in forced fumbles (16). He also has a franchise-record four interception returns for touchdowns.
"It's not that I felt like my play is slipping," Minter said. "The decision is more based on how my body feels. You're talking about 1,200 or 1,300 snaps a year and not having missed any time. Eventually that adds up, especially how I play the game."
Minter, 33, has started a franchise-record 94 straight games for the Panthers, but there's a chance he may be relegated to a backup role this year. Over the weekend he accepted a $1.43 million pay cut for the 2007 season, agreeing to reduce his base salary from $2.15 million to $820,000.
That move allows Minter, a locker room leader, to stick around this season, but it won't guarantee him a starting job.
Minter said he spoke to head coach John Fox, who told him the team plans to bring in some younger players to compete at safety. Minter and Deke Cooper are the only safeties on the roster with any significant experience, but the Panthers select 14th overall in next month's draft and there's a possibility they could go after a safety.
Minter said he welcomes the compe ion from younger players and said he won't leave the starting lineup without a fight.
"I view it as they are going to bring in some young guys and we're going to go on the field and compete," Minter said. "If it's on the field then I like my chances as well as anybody. I came into the league competing and I will go out competing."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Last edited by mardigan; 03-28-2007 at 03:12 PM.
Raiders | Team may be interested in McCown
Tue, 27 Mar 2007 17:54:37 -0700
Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports there are rumors that the Oakland Raiders are interested in acquiring Detroit Lions QB Josh McCown.
Panthers | Team signs Ball
Tue, 27 Mar 2007 16:17:57 -0700
Pat Yasinskas, of the Charlotte Observer, reports the Carolina Panthers signed free-agent DE Dave Ball (Jets) to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Panthers | Team signs Lavalais
Tue, 27 Mar 2007 16:13:47 -0700
Pat Yasinskas, of the Charlotte Observer, reports the Carolina Panthers signed free-agent DT Chad Lavalais (Falcons) to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Panthers | Team signs Deloatch
Tue, 27 Mar 2007 16:08:50 -0700
Pat Yasinskas, of the Charlotte Observer, reports the Carolina Panthers signed free-agent CB Curtis Deloatch (Saints) to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Falcons | Bryant claimed off waivers
Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:36:00 -0700
Chris Pika, of AtlantaFalcons.com, reports the Atlanta Falcons have claimed DT Anthony Bryant (Lions) off waivers.
It's basically down to this for the Packers: Work out a trade for Randy Moss, Michael Turner or Darrell Jackson or forget about adding a veteran on offense who can make a major impact next season.
-- Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Michael Strahan was at the Giants workouts, but declined to comment on rumors that he has asked to be traded or is planning a training camp holdout. He has two years and $8 million left on his contract and was recently rebuffed in his efforts to get more money.
-- New York Daily News
There have been questions about how long Steve McNair will remain the Ravens' starter after team officials recently said they have begun thinking about who will be their quarterback of the future.
-- Baltimore Sun
Asked to provide his best guess about Randy Moss' future, Oakland coach Lane Kiffin said: "I think he'll be on our team. I do." Kiffin, in fact, said he believes Moss will appreciate his role in the Raiders' new offense, one modeled after the pro-style set Kiffin learned as an assistant at USC.
-- Minneapolis Star Tribune
The smart money is on the Raiders drafting a quarterback, but they could take Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson. But if it is a quarterback, the expected order starts with LSU's JaMarcus Russell, followed by Notre Dame's Brady Quinn.
-- Detroit News
Laurence Maroney's status has the Patriots considering drafting a running back. One intriguing player is Rutgers' Brian Leonard.
-- Providence Journal
There is a chance the Broncos will trade Dre' Bly if he balks at coming in for the team's offseason conditioning program, and New Orleans has shown interest.
-- Denver Post
Al Wilson's agent, Peter Schaffer, is trying to secure trading partners for the Broncos, though he and Mike Shanahan have left open the possibility Wilson could return to the Broncos for the 2007 season
-- Rocky Mountain News
After three losing records in the past four seasons, Bucs vice president Joel Glazer indicated that coach Jon Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen have been put on notice that the team "needs to start improving."
-- St. Petersburg Times
Coach Joe Gibbs acknowledged yesterday the Redskins have talked to the Bears about acquiring disgruntled Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs. However, a team source expressed skepticism a deal would be reached.
-- Washington Times
Although it isn't believed much progress was made at the owners' meetings in trade talks between the Chiefs and Dolphins involving Trent Green, the latter remains the front-runner for his services.
-- South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Several Giants defenders are glad Tim Lewis is out as defensive coordinator. Cornerback Corey Webster, whom Lewis verbally shredded late last season, isn't alone. One player who asked not to be named said he hoped new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo would use the personnel more wisely than Lewis did.
-- Newsday
Commissioner Roger Goodell, who has promised a tougher personal conduct policy, is expected to meet with ans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones early next month. Goodell also has plans to meet with Bengals receiver Chris Henry.
-- Boston Globe
Sources say the Jets are targeting a cornerback with their first-round pick (25th overall), with Miami tight end Greg Olsen also on their radar. Pitt's Darrelle Revis and Texas' Aaron Ross are among the corners that could be available for the Jets.
-- New York Daily News
After Wisconsin's Joe Thomas, who's expected to be a top-three pick, there's a drop to the second-best tackle Penn State's Levi Brown. Central Michigan's Joe Staley is moving up the charts, but he's expected to be taken in the bottom half of the first round.
-- Houston Chronicle
Patriots receiver Troy Brown is recovering from offseason knee surgery, which has slowed any contract talks on the free agent market, according to multiple sources at the NFL's annual meetings. The injury sheds light on why there has been little activity regarding Brown this offseason.
-- Boston Globe
Panthers safety Mike Minter confirmed Tuesday what became obvious last week when he agreed to take a significant pay cut: This is his final season.
-- Charlotte Observer
Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jackson, who started all 16 games last season, is suing the franchise for invasion of privacy and defamation over the alleged released of his medical records, the player's attorney said Tuesday. The team claims it's a contract ploy.
-- Atlanta Journal-Cons ution
Although the Vikings have more salary cap space than the majority of NFL teams, they have declined to give Pro Bowl center Matt Birk a contract extension.
-- St. Paul Pioneer Press
Updated: March 28, 2007, 3:19 PM ET
Broncos sign Bly to five-year, $33M contractBy Michael Smith
ESPN.com
Bly
The Denver Broncos signed cornerback Dre' Bly to a five-year, $33 million contract Wednesday.
The deal includes $18 million in bonus money, $16 million guaranteed.
The signing should end any speculation Bly wouldn't report to the Broncos.
Neither Bly nor his agent, Kennard McGuire was available for comment.
Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan told the Denver Post that Bly initially wasn't happy when traded to Denver from the Detroit Lions, but he believes Bly will be happy with the Broncos.
Michael Smith is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
Updated: March 27, 2007, 8:08 PM ET
Burns leaves field to become special teams coachAssociated Press
DENVER -- Keith Burns won't be returning to the Denver Broncos as a standout special teams player.
Instead, he'll be back as an assistant coach, the Denver Post reported Tuesday.
Burns
Burns, who was a free agent, has reportedly decided to retire and join Denver's coaching staff. A message left by The Associated Press for his agent, David Kyle Hardin, was not immediately returned. Team officials declined comment.
Burns, 34, will be helping out Scott O'Brien, who was recently named the Broncos' special teams coordinator. Ronnie Bradford, the special teams coach for the past four seasons, was moved to assistant defensive backs coach on Jan. 29.
Burns was selected by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL draft. The 13-year veteran out of Oklahoma State was in his third stint with the Broncos. He also played a season in Chicago (1999) and in Tampa Bay (2004).
The special teams maven led or tied for the Broncos' in special teams tackles in seven of his 11 seasons with the team. He had a career-best 24 special teams tackles in 2000 and '03. He had 231 special teams tackles in his career.
Burns finished with nine special teams tackles in 2006. He didn't play in the regular season finale against San Francisco because of a broken left hand.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Updated: March 28, 2007, 4:14 PM ET
Jags re-sign Toefield to one-year, $800K dealBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
The tailback-rich Jacksonville Jaguars retained some of their wealth at the position on Wednesday, re-signing unrestricted free agent LaBrandon Toefield to a one-year, $800,000 contract that returns him to the team that brought him into the league.
The retention of Toefield, 26, was somewhat surprising, in that the Jaguars already have two standout tailbacks in starter Fred Taylor and backup Maurice Jones-Drew, who combined for 2,087 yards in 2006. And it was believed that Toefield, whose playing time was slashed last season when Jacksonville added Jones-Drew, would seek a new home.
But the Jaguars' coaching staff wanted Toefield back and the four-year veteran did not find another offer to his liking, so he opted to return, with the knowledge that he can go back into the free-agent market again next spring. Toefield actually rejected a multiyear proposal from the Jaguars in favor of the one-year deal.
Toefield will receive a $200,000 signing bonus and a base salary of $600,000. He can earn as much as $300,000 in incentives based principally on rushing yards.
Miami, St. Louis and Pittsburgh demonstrated varying degrees of interest in Toefield, but none met his financial expectations. And while Toefield is No. 3 on the depth chart in Jacksonville, the reality is that Taylor is 31 now and that could present the opportunity for more carries in 2007.
A former LSU standout, Toefield, chosen in the fourth round of the 2003 draft, has rushed for 543 yards and six touchdowns on just 150 carries in his career. He has 45 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns, and he has also returned kickoffs and played on special-teams coverage units.
He has appeared in 43 games and started two of them.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
Bears | Rosenhaus says Briggs will sit
Wed, 28 Mar 2007 12:23:26 -0700
Phil Arvia, of the Daily Southtown, reports Drew Rosenhaus, the agent for Chicago Bears LB Lance Briggs, said Briggs would sit out 10 games in 2007, play the minimum six to qualify for a season and then see what his options are next year, if the current situation isn't resolved.
Seahawks | Rosenhaus shopping Briggs
Wed, 28 Mar 2007 12:22:54 -0700
Phil Arvia, of the Daily Southtown, reports Drew Rosenhaus, the agent for Chicago Bears LB Lance Briggs, is shopping Briggs to multiple teams, including the Seattle Seahawks, according to a 49ers team source.
49ers | Rosenhaus shopping Briggs
Wed, 28 Mar 2007 12:19:45 -0700
Phil Arvia, of the Daily Southtown, reports Drew Rosenhaus, the agent for Chicago Bears LB Lance Briggs, is shopping Briggs to multiple teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, according to a 49ers team source.
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