Steelers | Faneca upset with contract
Wed, 4 Apr 2007 21:30:59 -0700
Gerry Dulac, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reporting for the Sporting News, reports the reason Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl OL Alan Faneca skipped the first voluntary workouts of the offseason is because he is upset that his contract hasn't been renegotiated.
Cowboys | Rivera expected to retire
Thu, 5 Apr 2007 12:01:32 -0700
Mac Engel, of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, reports Dallas Cowboys OG Marco Rivera is expected to announce his retirement in the next few weeks.
Cowboys | Crayton signs tender
Thu, 5 Apr 2007 12:02:27 -0700
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Dallas Cowboys restricted free-agent WR Patrick Crayton signed his one-year tender offer worth $1.3 million.
From SI.coms Truth and Rumors
Negotiations with Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel took an acrimonious turn last night when Samuel told the NFL Network he wanted to be traded if things did not change course.
-- Boston Globe
The ans met with Chargers running back Michael Turner and will soon meet with former Patriots running back Corey Dillon. Then it's decision time. The ans also remain interested in re-signing Chris Brown, who spent most of last season on the bench.
-- The Tennessean
Pacman Jones talked of being a changed man. He apologized to his team and the NFL for all the negative publicity he has generated, and said he expects to be punished. Jones, who quit speaking to local reporters in October, said some Nashvillians had judged him unfairly because of his appearance.
-- The Tennessean
Cowboys guard Marco Rivera is expected to announce his retirement soon, possibly as early as this week, a source said.
-- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Bill Belichick's new galpal is a 43-year-old boutique owner from Jupiter, Fla., who has been dating the Patriots man-about-town for a couple of months. Linda Holliday, the mother of two preteen girls, is the mystery blonde Belichick took to the NCAA National Championship hoopla in Atlanta the other night.
-- Boston Herald
Mike Doss' scheduled visit to Philadelphia took a detour when the free-agent safety decided to sign with the Vikings after visiting with them Tuesday. Doss will be reunited with Leslie Frazier, who was the defensive backs coach last season for the Super Bowl champion Colts.
-- Philadelphia Inquirer
After completing his third visit as a free agent, cornerback Jamar Fletcher found the team he wants to join. Now, he sits back and waits to see if a deal can be reached with the Texans.
-- Houston Chronicle
Claude Terrell is on his way to St. Louis for the Rams' offseason conditioning program. Terrell's agent just can't say when. By the end of this week, Terrell will have missed the first three weeks of the Rams' offseason conditioning program. If there's anyone who needs to show the coaching staff that he's committed to playing football, it's Terrell.
-- St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Offensive lineman Mike Gandy will be rewarded handsomely a year from now should he prove himself to be a reliable player for the Cardinals in 2007. Gandy will contend for a starting job at either left tackle or left guard.
-- Arizona Republic
Poor Pacman...he's just misunderstood.
NFL | Wistrom to retire?
Thu, 5 Apr 2007 16:18:24 -0700
Adam Schefter, of NFL Network, reports unrestricted free-agent DE Grant Wistrom (Seahawks) is leaning towards retirement, according to sources close to Wistrom.
Last edited by mardigan; 04-05-2007 at 08:10 PM.
Updated: April 5, 2007, 5:33 PM ET
Macklin agrees to 1-year deal with RedskinsBy John Clayton
ESPN.com
Sometimes, the voice of Joe Gibbs can have a great impact.
Macklin
That had to be the case Thursday when Gibbs, head coach of the Washington Redskins, talked Cardinals cornerback David Macklin into accepting a one-year deal with the Redskins over three more lucrative deals with other teams. Macklin agreed to a one-year, $760,000 deal Thursday.
The Chiefs, Eagles and Saints had better financial offers on the table, but Macklin agreed to fit within the Redskins' cap restraints and accept a deal for the NFL minimum, along with a $40,000 signing bonus. The Chiefs were offering him two years of security.
Instead, Mackin, 28, decided to compete against three other veteran Redskins cornerbacks for playing time. Macklin had seven starts last season for the Cardinals and played 41 percent of the defensive plays.
John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com
Updated: April 5, 2007, 6:53 PM ET
Saints cut Carney looseBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
New Orleans kicker John Carney, the 19-year veteran who starred as the Saints' placement specialist, was cut loose by the team on Thursday after asking for his release. The move, which makes Carney a free agent, came only two days after the Saints on Tuesday acquired kicker Olindo Mare from the Miami Dolphins for a sixth-round draft choice.
General manager Mickey Loomis and Carney's agent both confirmed the veteran kicker had asked to be released.
"This is something we were sensitive to because he has been an important part of the Saints and the community during his time in New Orleans," said Loomis. "We will always have a lot of respect for John as a person and a player."
Carney would like to continue his career but at his age -- he will turn 43 later this month -- that might be difficult. In acquiring Mare, the Saints added a kicker who is nearly 10 years younger than Carney and is viewed as among the NFL's top field goal kickers.
Last year, ESPN.com reported that the Saints auditioned several kickers the week before the season started, because of concerns over Carney and his age. But they decided to keep Carney and he responded by converting 23 of 25 field goal attempts and all but one of his 47 extra point tries, for 115 points.
It marked the fifth time in six seasons with the Saints that Carney scored 100-plus points. For his career, Carney has 10 seasons of 100 or more points.
The former Notre Dame star, who entered the league in 1988, has converted 413 of 505 field goals and 510 of 517 extra points for 1,749 points. He kicked for Tampa Bay (1988-89), San Diego (1990-2000) and New Orleans (2001-2006).
Also on Thursday, the Saints re-signed restricted free agent defensive tackle Rodney Leisle to a one-year, $850,000 contract. The former UCLA star, chosen by the Saints in the fifth round of the 2004 draft, has appeared in 17 games in three seasons.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
Last edited by mardigan; 04-05-2007 at 08:11 PM.
Seahawks | Gray re-signs for two years
Thu, 5 Apr 2007 17:56:52 -0700
Mike Sando, of the Tacoma News Tribune, reports the Seattle Seahawks have re-signed free agent OG Chris Gray to a two-year deal. Financial terms of the deal were not available.
Updated: April 6, 2007, 2:40 PM ET
Carr chooses Carolina over SeattleBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
The Carolina Panthers won the battle for free agent quarterback David Carr early Friday morning, reaching agreement in principle with the former Houston Texans star on a two-year contract, the financial details of which were not immediately available.
Carr
Carr was released by the Texans after Houston acquired Matt Schaub in a trade with Atlanta earlier this offseason. The first player selected overall in the 2002 draft, Carr will serve as the backup to Panthers starter Jake Delhomme, who is coming off an uneven 2006 season.
"It's a case where we were obviously looking for someone to come in [and] back up Jake and the opportunity to get a quarterback the caliber of David in free agency is unique," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney told The Associated Press. "We thought it was a good situation and a good opportunity for us."
Carolina coach John Fox reiterated during the Panthers' courtship of Carr that Delhomme is the unchallenged starter, but the addition of Carr certainly provides an interesting alternative if the in bent struggles as he did a year ago.
Carr, 27, chose the opportunity with the Panthers over one in Seattle. He visited with Carolina coaches and team officials on Monday and Tuesday, then made a two-day trip to meet with the Seahawks, where he would have also been a backup. After returning from the Seattle visit, Carr counseled with his wife and opted for the deal with Carolina.
"We made it clear and he knows that Jake Delhomme is our starting quarterback," Hurney said to the AP. "I think it was important for him to come to a winning organization and a place where he thinks has a chance to win. He knows that Jake is our starter. Every player wants to play, but he knows the role he's coming into."
The Cleveland Browns also indicated interest in Carr in recent days and the Miami Dolphins considered him as well. The only visits he made, however, were to Carolina and Seattle.
Obviously, the deal with Carolina represents a step back for Carr in his career, but most NFL experts believe the former Fresno State star still possesses immense talent and sorely needed a change of scenery.
In five seasons with the Texans, he completed 1,243 of 2,070 passes for 13,391 yards, with 59 touchdown passes and 65 interceptions, and a passer rating of 75.3. But Carr was the most-sacked quarterback in the league during his tenure with the Texans. Playing behind one of the league's most porous offensive lines, he was sacked a remarkable 249 times.
Carr started 75 games but recorded just a 22-53 record. Between bonuses and base salaries, the Texans paid Carr more than $35 million in five seasons. When they acquired Schaub, whom they immediately named the starter, they initially hoped to be able to trade Carr, but instead released him rather than prolong his time with the franchise.
The move also means the Panthers now have the top two picks from the 2002 draft. Carolina selected defensive end Julius Peppers with No. 2 pick.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Seahawks | Team signs Gray
Fri, 6 Apr 2007 10:39:26 -0700
Updating a previous item, ESPNews reports the Seattle Seahawks have signed free-agent OG Chris Gray (Seahawks) to a two-year deal. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Seahawks | Veteran signing could move Wallace to wide receiver
Thu, 5 Apr 2007 20:55:22 -0700
Mike Sando, of the Tacoma News Tribune, reports one of the main reasons the Seattle Seahawks would have for signing a veteran quarterback would be to free up QB Seneca Wallace to play other positions, notably wide receiver.
Ravens | Team re-signs Haley
Fri, 6 Apr 2007 09:45:41 -0700
Mike Duffy, of BaltimoreRavens.com, reports the Baltimore Ravens re-signed exclusive-rights free-agent LB Dennis Haley.
Cowboys have simple plan for WilliamsBy Matt Mosley
ESPN.com
Archive
Not long ago, NFL safeties were considered more of a luxury than a necessity. Most teams searched for the so-called shutdown corner and tried to make do at safety.
The problem was that opposing offensive coordinators paid close attention to that trend and took full advantage of it.
The Cowboys made Oklahoma safety Roy Williams the eighth overall pick in the 2002 draft because they thought he was the most dynamic defender in college football.
Playing near the line of scrimmage, he disrupted the run and terrorized quarterbacks. Just ask any Sooners fan -- or Longhorns fan for that matter -- about "The Play," and you'll get an earful.
Because the Cowboys still had All-Pro safety Darren Woodson in 2002, they didn't dwell on the fact that Williams had never been asked to do much in pass coverage.
"That's not why we took him," said Larry Lacewell, the director of scouting at the time. "He was always going to be a down safety or basically a fancy linebacker."
The Cowboys had made the decision to copy Tampa Bay's defense, and Williams was supposed to be their John Lynch.
Williams had a strong rookie campaign, but when a back injury forced Woodson to retire three years ago, Williams lost his security blanket. Since 2004, Williams has played opposite the likes of Tony Dixon, Lynn Scott, Keith Davis and Pat Watkins. And in time, head coach Bill Parcells began changing a 4-3 scheme that featured small, speedy linebackers.
The Cowboys don't want Roy Williams to stray too far from the line of scrimmage.
Williams was still one of the most feared players in the game because of his vicious hits, but he became an easy mark for big plays in the passing game.
"We rushed his learning curve too much," Lacewell said. "We lost Woodson and Roy wasn't getting any help back there."
That's why Williams has become new head coach Wade Phillips' first major renovation project. Even before he hired Phillips, owner-general manager Jerry Jones talked about how the club had to find a better way to utilize Williams, who was exposed on almost a weekly basis in 2006.
The Cowboys signed former Seahawks safety Ken Hamlin in free agency because they were tired of being held hostage by the position. Hamlin isn't a pure cover safety, but his knowledge of the game and experience should give Williams more freedom to make plays.
One of the best safeties to ever play for the Cowboys, Charlie Waters, thinks the arrival of Hamlin might be exactly what Williams needs. Waters and free safety Cliff Harris were a big reason for the Cowboys' success in the 1970s.
"Safeties are as good as the guy next to them," Waters said. "If you have complete trust in the other guy, you feel the freedom to make plays."
People within the organization say Williams wore down toward the end of last season, and it probably didn't help that he was carrying too much weight. Phillips told me recently that he plans to play Williams much closer to the line of scrimmage and wants to use him in several blitz packages.
The Cowboys are now hoping he can be the next Troy Polamalu, who has become one of the most versatile defenders in the league for the Steelers.
A player taken 16 spots after Williams in the 2002 draft, the Ravens' Ed Reed, has had a better career to this point. Reed and Polamalu have helped restore prestige to the position. Safeties LaRon Landry (LSU), Reggie Nelson (Florida), Michael Griffin (Texas) and Brandon Meriweather (Miami) all could be taken in the first round of the draft later this month.
And that's after a 2006 draft that saw two safeties, Oakland's Michael Huff and Buffalo's Donte Whitner, go in the first 10 picks.
Safeties used to sit out the first round entirely, but they're showing up again because so many offenses are using one-back formations designed to spread out defenses.
Basically, teams need at least one of their safeties to have the coverage skills of a cornerback and still be able to support the run.
Jones rewarded Williams with a $12 million signing bonus and long-term extension before last season, so you can't blame him for wanting to see more return on his investment.
When Williams is asked to line up 20 yards away from the line of scrimmage, he's barely more than an average player. Phillips will try to simplify the game for Williams and let him create havoc near the line of scrimmage.
Though they might not admit it publicly, coaches such as the Saints' Sean Payton built game plans around exposing Williams in coverage. Phillips and defensive coordinator Brian Stewart must find a way to limit that exposure.
The fact that Williams has only 2½ sacks over the past three seasons speaks to how out of place he's been.
Williams is at his best when he simply allows his instincts to take over, and with Phillips and Hamlin on the scene, that shouldn't be a problem.
Matt Mosley covers the NFL for ESPN.com. He may be reached at [email protected].
Devin Hester: Maximum Speed
It's long been rumored, it's been hinted at, it's been lobbied for, and it's been perennially denied -- but now, an NFL player has finally achieved the near-impossible: meriting a perfect 100 in one of Madden NFL's proprietary skills ratings.
Chicago return man Devin Hester has attained perfection in the "Speed" category, gaining the maximum 100 rating in the upcoming Madden NFL 08 for his amazing wheels. Hester, who set an NFL single-season record with six returns for touchdowns in his rookie campaign of 2006, has been known as the "Windy City Flyer" for his unique ability to turn on the afterburners and bring a kick back for six points. His 100 rating tops the previous high of 99, given to such players as Deion Sanders, Randy Moss, Charles Woodson, and a couple others.
Hester racked up his six scores on three punt returns, two kick returns and an incredible 108-yard return of a missed field goal attempt against the New York Giants. Additionally, he took the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI 92 yards for a score, making him the first player ever to open the Super Bowl with a touchdown on the very first kick.
Hester has been known to have been lobbying members of the Madden NFL 08 development team for the top speed rating. He's certainly deserving of the honor; after all, there's pure speed and then there's football speed, which measures how fast a player can go weighed down with pads and equipment while 11 men on the other team try to bring him down. As he showed many times during his breakout rookie season, Hester's football speed is top-notch, and now Madden NFL 08 will pay him the ultimate respect by giving him a perfect rating in that category.
"That's just about the best thing you could have told me," Hester said with a huge smile, when informed of his new Speed rating. "It's an honor -- I don't know what to say, really."
How does he feel about being rated higher than his friend and mentor "Neon" Deion Sanders, who was once timed at 4.19 in the forty-yard dash and returned a kick or two in his day? "Deion has told me a bunch of times that I was as fast as he was," Hester replied diplomatically.
As fast as he is, the return man -- who also plays cornerback for the Bears -- still has some room for improvement in other areas, but like most NFL players that also play Madden, when we inquired about some of his other ratings, he was less than satisfied. "Well, since you're asking, my defensive awareness was low -- too low," he said, "and I definitely need to break more tackles. On a few of my returns last year I feel like I showed what I can do in that category."
Hester will just have to live with those "subpar" ratings for now, and really, the Breaking Tackles rating may not mean much in the end -- with a 100 Speed rating, who is going to catch him in the first place?
Updated: April 6, 2007, 6:25 PM ET
Ricky Williams officially applies for reinstatementAssociated Press
NEW YORK -- Ricky Williams, the former NFL star who played in Canada last season after being suspended for a year for substance abuse, has applied for reinstatement.
Ricky Williams joined Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann to talk about his life journey and the steps he has taken toward reinstatement with the NFL. Listen
Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, said the running back, who will turn 30 in May, had sent a letter asking that he be allowed to return to the Miami Dolphins.
The NFL confirmed that Williams had sought reinstatement, for which he will be eligible after April 27, when he will have been suspended for a year. Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene said the team had no comment because Williams is not yet eligible for reinstatement.
Williams, a former Heisman Trophy winner at Texas, was originally drafted by New Orleans when then-coach Mike Ditka gave up all his picks in the 1999 draft to get his rights. He was traded to Miami for two first-round draft picks after the 2001 season and rushed for 1,853 yards for the Dolphins in 2002 and 1,372 the next season.
But he abruptly retired shortly before training camp in 2004, then returned in 2005 to back up rookie Ronnie Brown. Williams rushed for 743 yards and a 4.4 yard average that year.
The suspension, handed down last year by former commissioner Paul Tagliabue, was Williams' fourth.
Williams' previous positive drug tests were for marijuana, which he acknowledged using. The latest test apparently involved a substance other than marijuana and may have been related to his interest in holistic medicine.
Steinberg said Williams has been teaching yoga in California since returning from Canada last December.
"He's told me that his interest in eastern philosophy has overcome his desire for mind-altering substances and has given him another outlet," Steinberg said. "He's in outstanding shape and he hasn't taken a lot of hits for a running back. I think he's still at the top of his game."
During the 2005 season, Williams laughingly described himself as weird and compared his career to a roller coaster. But he also dispelled his reputation as an aloof, selfish pothead, winning praise from teammates and winning the south Florida media's annual postseason Good Guy Award, given to the player most cooperative with reporters.
Williams has gained 7,097 yards in 1,757 carries during his NFL career and rushed for 47 touchdowns.
Last season with Toronto in the CFL, he ran for 526 yards on 109 carries and caught 19 passes for 127 yards. He missed two months because of a broken arm.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
why isnt Brady's awareness 100? it doesnt get much better than that!
Panthers | Contract update: Carr
Fri, 6 Apr 2007 18:17:21 -0700
Updating a previous item, ESPNews reports Carolina Panthers QB David Carr signed a two-year contract worth $6.2 million.
Hate to quote myself but.....
Redskins | Team to inquire about Samuel
Fri, 6 Apr 2007 15:53:50 -0700
Ryan O'Halloran, of the Washington Times, reports the Washington Redskins are expected to call the New England Patriots about the availability of CB Asante Samuel.
Chargers | Team waits for Godfrey's answer
Fri, 6 Apr 2007 15:41:47 -0700
Mike Sullivan, of the North County Times, reports San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith hopes to have an answer before the 2007 NFL Draft on whether unrestricted free-agent LB Randall Godfrey will return to the team next season
ans | Reynolds signs tender offer
Fri, 6 Apr 2007 15:16:09 -0700
Terry McCormick, of the Nashville City Paper, reports restricted free-agent LB Robert Reynolds ( ans) signed his tender offer from the Tennessee ans
Texans | Hutchins re-signs
Fri, 6 Apr 2007 14:38:58 -0700
Carmine Pirone, of HoustonTexans.com, reports the Houston Texans have re-signed restricted free-agent CB Von Hutchins. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
They are just itchin to trade this pick. Could you imagine what the Pats could do with the 6th pick? Damn, so many things, Peterson, Quinn, they could get somebody great, and still draft a starting corner in the first round. Stupid fuicking Redskin owners
The #6 pick for Samuel? Not even I think the Skins are that stupid.
Asante isnt that great...
Panthers | Team willing to trade Jenkins
Sat, 7 Apr 2007 08:15:08 -0700
Pat Yasinskas, of the Charlotte Observer, reports the Carolina Panthers have told other teams DT Kris Jenkins could be available in a trade, according to multiple personnel sources from other teams.
Holy , I know he is a risk, but if he could stay healthy he would be exactly what the Cowboys need, I wonder what it would take to get him, a 3rd?
Last edited by mardigan; 04-07-2007 at 10:22 PM.
Patriots | Team talks trade with Redskins
Sun, 8 Apr 2007 11:54:32 -0700
Albert Breer, of the Boston Herald, reports the New England Patriots have been rumored to have been talking about a trade with the Washington Redskins, which would ship the Patriots 28th pick and CB Asante Samuel to the Redskins for the sixth overall pick. This would allow the Patriots to draft Louisiana State S LaRon Landry, an impact player who would be ready to start on the season opener.
I cant believe how stupid the Redskins are, they will never learn. Plus, I know Samuels is pretty good, but I know he will have trouble with the big recievers in the division
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