NFL Offseason Thread

[mardigan]

Bucs release Pro Bowl DE Rice
Jay Glazer
FOXSports.com

As training camps begin, a surprise name has suddenly been added to the open market.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday released Pro Bowl defensive end Simeon Rice, FOXSports.com has learned. In a meeting between Rice and Tampa management, the team asked the 12th-year player out of Illinois to take a pay cut. When Rice refused, the team released him.
The timing is odd, to say the least, as Rice showed up and checked in to Bucs training camp before being called in to the meeting.

The Bucs left open the option for Rice to return, though that does not seem likely at this point.

Rice began his career in Arizona, before moving to Tampa Bay prior to the 2001 season. Rice has recorded double-digit tackles in eight of his 11 pro seasons, including every year from 2001-05. The 32-year-old Rice has also consistently been among the league leaders in forced fumbles.

The No. 3 overall pick in the 1996 draft, Rice was a two-time Pro Bowler for the Bucs, making the team in 2003 and 2004.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7064530

[mardigan]

Browns, Thomas agree to five-year deal; Quinn still unsigned
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: July 27, 2007, 2:16 AM ET



The Cleveland Browns reached an agreement in principle Thursday night with left tackle Joe Thomas, the third pick in the NFL draft.

Although they still have to work out some contract language and other items to finish the deal, Thomas agreed to a five-year deal that could max out at $42.5 million. Included in the deal are guarantees of around $22-$23 million.

Thomas hopes to compete the deal and be on the practice field Friday morning. His deal opens as a six-year contract, but it has a clause that will void out the sixth year and allow him to play five seasons.

Cleveland also reached agreement on a four-year deal with cornerback Eric Wright, a second-round pick, leaving quarterback Brady Quinn as the team's only unsigned draft pick.

Thomas' agent, Peter Schaffer, who also represents Wright along with partner Lamont Smith, had been "grinding" through contract language with the Browns all day. Cleveland avoided a holdout by Thomas, the highest selected player to come to terms this summer.

"The deals for Joe and Eric are a culmination of three months of constant, good-faith, arms-length negotiations by myself, my partner and the Browns," Schaffer said. "There were countless hours of give and take, honest negotiations and hard work that led to two win-win contracts."

The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Thomas missed the team's rookie orientation program this week as Schaffer negotiated. Rated as the top lineman in April's draft, and one of the most polished to come out of college in the past few years, Thomas will compete with in bent Kevin Shaffer for the starting job at left tackle.

Wright, who slipped into the second round due to off-the-field troubles he had as a freshman at Southern California, will compete for a starting job in the Browns' secondary. Financial terms were not available on the deal for Wright.

Now that the Browns have Thomas and Wright signed, they can turn their full attention to Quinn, whose contract situation is a tricky one. The Notre Dame QB slid through the first round before he was picked by the Browns, who traded a first-round pick in 2008 to Dallas to move into the No. 22 spot to get Quinn.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2950674



Quinn is a , he should be payed what any qb drafted at that spot would, I dont know who the he thinks he is

[mardigan]

No. 1 pick Okoye agrees on deal with Texans
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: July 27, 2007, 9:02 AM ET



The Houston Texans have agreed to contract terms with defensive tackle Amobi Okoye, the youngest player ever selected in the modern-era draft, and the 10th player chosen overall in this year's NFL draft.

Okoye, 19 when he was drafted and 20 as of last month, will sign a six-year contract that will void to five seasons if he reaches certain performance thresholds. The deal has a maximum value of $17.7 million and includes $12.8 million in bonuses.

Although first-round signings continue to be slow, the past two days have shown a good deal of movement. Okoye is now the fourth pick in the top 10 to come to terms.

Okoye, born in Nigeria, played college football at Louisville. He is the fourth straight defensive lineman chosen by the Texans in the first round, following Jason Babin in 2004, tackle Travis Johnson in 2005 and end Mario Williams, with the first overall pick in the 2006 draft. None of three has yet to play up to his potential.

Okoye didn't begin playing football until his sop re year in high school and was a two-year starter at Louisville. He is still maturing both physically and as a player, and will need to better define both his physique and technique over the next few years, scouts say.

Okoye, who probably projects best to the "under" tackle position in the NFL, figures to be an active interior player with good penetration skills and quickness. He has also shown the ability to compress the pocket, as evidenced by his 8½ sacks in 2006.

In 48 games at Louisville, including 24 starts, Okoye registered 121 tackles, 23 tackles for losses, 10 sacks, three passes defensed four forced fumbles and three recoveries. At the NFL combine, he posted an impressive time of 5.07 seconds in the 40-yard dash.


Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2951088







McCardell agrees to one-year deal with Texans
ESPN.com news services

Updated: July 27, 2007, 9:28 AM ET



Keenan McCardell is heading home.

McCardell has agreed to a one-year contract with the Houston Texans. McCardell, who played with San Diego the last three seasons, told the Houston Chronicle he had numerous offers and left some money on the table to sign with his hometown team.

The one-year contract, which will be officially signed Friday, is worth $860,000.

"I'm really excited about playing with the Texans,'' McCardell told the Chronicle. "They've been interested in me for quite a while and even though other teams were too, this just seem like a natural fit for me.''

He provides the Texans with a complementary receiver to pair with star pass-catcher Andre Johnson.

McCardell has 861 receptions for 11,117 yards and 62 touchdowns. A two-time Pro Bowl performer, McCardell has registered seven seasons with 70 or more catches and five 1,000-yard campaigns. His career season was in 2000, when he rang up 94 catches for 1,207 yards for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He enters the season as the No. 3 active receiver in the NFL, behind only the Colts' Marvin Harrison and the Rams' Isaac Bruce. In terms of receiving yards, he would be the fourth-leading active player in the league, and he ranks 18th in NFL history in that category.

The former Nevada-Las Vegas star has appeared in 199 games with 167 starts in stints with Washington (1991), Cleveland (1992-95), Jacksonville (1996-2001), Tampa Bay (2002-03) and San Diego (2004-06).

Last season, McCardell had 36 receptions for 437 yards with San Diego, but he played in only 11 games. He was phased out later in the year when the Chargers began to rely on younger players at the position, and failed to score a touchdown for the first time since 1994.

Information from ESPN.com senior writer Len Pasquarelli contributed to this report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2950930

Moulds for McCardell swap, dont see much of a difference

[mardigan]

NFC camps: Carriker signs in time to report to Rams' camp
ESPN.com news services

Updated: July 27, 2007, 10:14 AM ET


St. Louis Rams' first-round draft pick Adam Carriker was expected to be on the practice field Friday, hours after agreeing to a five-year contract.

Terms were not disclosed. Rams spokesman Rick Smith said the deal was reached early Friday, before the first workout of training camp.

Also expected at practice was quarterback Marc Bulger, who was a no-show for a mandatory team meeting Thursday, when players were to report. Bulger is signed through next season but is seeking a new contract and had threatened to hold out.

Smith said the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback arrived at camp early Friday. He said Bulger's agent and the Rams continue to discuss a contract extension.

Carriker played defensive end at Nebraska, where he was the Big 12 defensive lineman of the year as a senior, leading the Cornhuskers with seven sacks. He is expected to move to defensive tackle for the Rams, who have struggled in recent years at that position.


Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/traini...ory?id=2951187

[J.T.]

Quinn is a , he should be payed what any qb drafted at that spot would, I dont know who the he thinks he is

No man, I was getting pissed at him in the draft because he kept giving those "I can't believe this is happening" looks while he was sliding. I think Goodell even told him to leave the draft area because he didn't want him on TV anymore (heard that on ESPN I think?).

Also news out of Colts training camp is that one of their draft picks Tony Ugoh was being groomed to replace Tarik Glenn after this season. Glenn was mentoring him excessively in rookie camp and they got to know each other pretty good. The team is still pretty shocked by Glenn's retirement and they don't know who the replacement will be, but Ugoh might be starting at LT if he does well in camp and preseason.

[mardigan]

Colts sign first-round draft pick
Gonzalez gets $7.5 million over 5 years

Wide receiver could earn more later by achieving performance goals


By Mike Chappell
[email protected]

Now all Anthony Gonzalez needs to worry about is catching passes from quarterback Peyton Manning.

The Indianapolis Colts' first-round pick, the 32nd overall selection in the April NFL draft, took care of his business off the field Thursday by signing a five-year, $7.5 million contract.

"Anthony is very excited to put this behind him and have the ability to concentrate on what he loves, and that's football,'' said Mike McCartney, Gonzalez's agent. "I have to say the Colts did a very good job of negotiating in good faith.''
Finalizing the deal, McCartney added, "is a huge load off Anthony's mind. He really wanted to be in camp on time.''

The Colts report to Terre Haute on Sunday for the start of training camp. Only draft picks under contract are allowed to report.

The contract guarantees Gonzalez approximately $5.4 million in various bonuses, and could be worth as much as $10.3 million if he triggers escalators late in the deal. For instance, if Gonzalez catches a total of 125 passes in his first four seasons -- a relatively low trigger threshold -- he will receive an additional $2.76 million in 2011.
Gonzalez is expected to work primarily as the slot receiver in the three-receiver formation with Pro Bowlers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. In three seasons at receiver-rich Ohio State, Gonzalez caught 87 passes for 1,286 yards and 13 touchdowns.



http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../1058/SPORTS03

[mardigan]

Breaking news: Ross to sign
Posted by Mike Garafolo July 26, 2007 10:10AM
Categories: Breaking News, Draft, Training Camp
ALBANY, N.Y. -- CB Aaron Ross, the Giants' first-round draft pick (20th overall), has agreed to terms and will sign his contract today. Andrew Kessler of CAA Sports confirmed the deal.

Kessler declined to provide the terms of the contract but someone familiar with the the deal said it's a five-year contract with $8 million guaranteed and can be worth up to $13.5 million.

This means all of the Giants' picks are signed one day before players are to report. That's a good move for Ross because getting into camp early will help him in the battle for playing time in the secondary.

MG

http://blog.nj.com/ledgergiants/2007...s_to_sign.html

[mardigan]

NFL denies Thurman's request for reinstatement
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


Middle linebacker Odell Thurman has been denied reinstatement by the NFL and the Cincinnati Bengals' one-time starter will have his suspension continued at least through the 2007 campaign.

That means Thurman will miss a second straight season, putting his career in jeopardy.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who met recently with Thurman, made the decision. The Bengals, who anticipated that Thurman would be cleared to return, made the announcement of Goodell's ruling on Thursday morning in a news release.

Thurman will be able to apply again for reinstatement after this season.
One of Thurman's representatives, Saf Lawson, had said repeatedly that his client was in compliance with the conditions of his one-year suspension, and that he expected to be back with the Bengals. Neither Thurman nor Lawson could be reached on Thursday morning for comment.

Thurman filed his reinstatement paperwork nearly a month ago, so that it would be in the NFL offices well in advance of July 12, which marked the one-year mark of his suspension.

Thurman, a Bengals' starter in 2005 when he led them in tackles as a rookie, was initially suspended for four games when he missed a scheduled drug screening. The sanction was subsequently increased to a year after Thurman was arrested on DUI charges Sept. 25.

Earlier this spring, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis indicated that Thurman would be welcomed back to the team, and would be able compete for a roster spot in training camp, if the league reinstated him.

"I have been in contact with Odell and he has an opportunity to be reinstated," Lewis said in mid-May, while appearing on a local radio show. "He will have had to ... (follow) the very strict NFL guidelines to get to that point and then, obviously, if reinstated, to go forward. And if that happens, he'll have an opportunity (to return)."

Lewis later backed away from that sentiment a bit and has not discussed Thurman's status in detail since then.

Last month, two men in Thurman's hometown of Monticello, Ga., filed complaints against Thurman, alleging that he hit and kicked them at a party. On the day the complaints were to be heard by a local magistrate, they were withdrawn. It is not known how that incident might have affected Goodell's decision to deny reinstatement.

Despite missing much of his rookie training camp because of a protracted contract impasse, the 24-year-old Thurman appeared in 15 games in 2005, all as a starter, and registered 148 tackles, one sack, five interceptions, nine passes defensed and four forced fumbles. The former University of Georgia star, a second-round draft pick in 2005, was a candidate for defensive rookie of the year honors.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2949872

Goodell's starting to piss me off

Btw, the more I think about this, the more it pisses me off. Kid is going to miss 2 years after he kept his nose clean all of last year. The less he plays football the more chance he could get into trouble imo, and Im starting to really dislike Goodell

[J.T.]

Colts sign first-round draft pick
Gonzalez gets $7.5 million over 5 years

Yup he's going to be the bomb, especially after Marvin retires, but I think Marvin sticks around and breaks some of Rice's records first.

[mardigan]

Bulger remains in St. Louis with six-year deal
By Chris Mortensen
ESPN
Updated: July 27, 2007, 12:19 PM ET



St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger, who skipped a mandatory meeting Thursday when the team reported to training camp, has agreed in principle to a six-year, $62.5 million contract that secures his future in St. Louis beyond 2007.

Bulger's new deal includes $26.5 million in guaranteed money, sources said. He participated in the team's first on-field practice Friday morning after missing Thursday's meeting meeting when the Rams reported to camp.

Bulger had recently suggested he could stage a training camp holdout only to soften the threat, but when he missed the meeting Thursday it raised the specter of a looming camp absence even though Rams coach Scott Linehan described it as "excused ... for personal reasons."

Bulger had one year remaining on a four-year, $19.1 million contract. His agent, Tom Condon, was finalizing contract language on the new deal this morning with Rams general manager Jay Zygmunt.

With a $10.25 million average salary, Bulger's new contract would place him in elite company, just behind Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Michael Vick, Tom Brady and Brett Favre as quarterbacks who make $10 million or more on average per year.


Chris Mortensen covers the NFL for ESPN.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2951390

[mardigan]

1st-round pick Ginn agrees to terms with Dolphins



By Steven Wine, AP Sports Writer
MIAMI — First-round draft pick Ted Ginn Jr. agreed to terms Friday with the Miami Dolphins, his father said, meaning the team will have all 87 players under contract when the full squad begins training camp Saturday.
Ginn, a receiver and kick returner, reached the agreement after missing five practices for rookies.

All 10 Miami draft picks are now under contract, which is sure to please owner Wayne Huizenga. He was unhappy when the Dolphins' top picks held out in 2005 and 2006, and warned in March that any rookie holdouts this year would be benched when they finally reported.

Ginn's father, Ted Ginn Sr., said he was glad his son reached an agreement before the first full-squad practice.

"I thought it was important," said Ginn Sr., a high school football coach in Ohio. "He's got a job to do. I'm just glad it's over and he can take care of business."

The deal was first reported by ESPN.com. The Dolphins declined comment, and Ginn's agent didn't respond to messages seeking comment.

Ginn scored 26 touchdowns at Ohio State, including a Big Ten-record six returning punts. He made 59 catches for 781 yards and nine scores as a junior last year, and he was the second receiver drafted, behind Calvin Johnson, who went to the Detroit Lions with the No. 2 pick.

But fans jeered new Dolphins coach Cam Cameron at the team's draft party in April for bypassing Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn in the first round and picking Ginn instead with the ninth choice.

Ginn was among the fastest players in the draft, but has been criticized for running poor routes, dropping too many passes and struggling to get off the line, and there have also been doubts about his health. He sprained his left foot during an end zone celebration after returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown at the BCS national championship game Jan. 8.

In May, Ginn said he might wear a protective boot to prevent further problems.

The Dolphins hope Ginn can bolster a sputtering offense that has been the primarily culprit in the team's five-year playoff drought.

The Associated Press

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footb...38456165_x.htm

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I still have trouble figuring out why the Dolphins chose Ginn Jr. over Quinn.

[J.T.]

I still have trouble figuring out why the Dolphins chose Ginn Jr. over Quinn.

Because they were probably working on the Trent Green deal at the time?

[samikeyp]

Because they were probably working on the Trent Green deal at the time?

Probably but Quinn would have still been the better choice, IMO. Green is not a long term solution to the problem. Quinn could have learned the system while Green played then stepped in when he was ready.

[mardigan]

Strahan fails to report to Giants camp, considering retirement
Associated Press

Updated: July 27, 2007, 3:55 PM ET


ALBANY, N.Y. -- Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan failed to report to the New York Giants training camp on Friday, and he is mulling retirement, his agent told the team.

"He is not here," Giants general manager Jerry Reese said after Strahan failed to report with veterans and rookies to the University at Albany. "Last night I talked to his agent [Tony Agnone] and his agent said to me at seven o'clock last night that he is contemplating retirement. That's all I know right now."

Neither Reese nor coach Tom Coughlin has been able to contact Strahan, although the 35-year-old who holds the NFL single-season record for sacks (22½) left a message for Coughlin around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday night.

Coughlin did not see the message until Friday morning. He left a telephone message for Strahan, but it was not immediately returned.

"Obviously I am disappointed that he is not here," said Coughlin, who said that Strahan left no message other than to call him. "He is a very important part of our team as we have talked all along. We are just going to have to wait for more information.

Angone did not immediately return a telephone message left at his office by The Associated Press.

Strahan, whose 132½ sacks are tops among active players, was not immediately available for comment.

The Giants placed Strahan on their reserve-did not report to camp list, Reese said, adding that Agnone did not say why Strahan was considering retirement.

Neither Coughlin nor Reese would say whether Strahan would be fined for missing camp until they spoke with him.

Coughlin hoped the incident would not distract the team with its first practices scheduled for Saturday.

"We've had enough of those," Coughlin said of distractions which plagued the Giants during an 8-8 campaign in 2006. "At least we've dealt with it. Put it that way."

There have been recent reports that Strahan, who was scheduled to make $4 million this season, was going to hold out because he felt he was being underpaid.

However, many felt that Strahan was looking for more money after losing a bitter divorce this past summer to his former wife, Jean. She was awarded $15.3 million along with child support for their twin daughters at $18,000 a month.

Agnone did not talk about renegotiating Strahan's contract with Reese, who added that Strahan might be tired after 14 seasons.

"I thought it was a little bit of a late notice but that's the way the National Football League works some times," Reese said. "I just told him [Agnone] that if he's ready to retire we wish him God's speed. Tony said he might wake up in the morning and say 'I want to play.'"

Strahan, who missed half of last season with a foot injury, took part in the Giants offseason training program and minicamp.

Despite his second major injury in three years, Strahan believed then that he was the NFL's best defensive end.

"I can still pop on the film and show you I am still the best at what I do," Strahan said in June. "I mean that's my opinion."

If Strahan does retire, the Giants may consider moving second-year pro Mathias Kiwanuka back to defensive end. He played well there last year as a rookie but the Giants moved the first-round draft choice to strongside linebacker in April in an attempt to get him more playing time.

Reese said the team will have to move on if Strahan walks away.

"I think he is a Hall of Fame football player, so obviously it's a big void," Reese said. "But we don't know anything yet. When we talk to him and get more information you'll know."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2951686

[samikeyp]

However, many felt that Strahan was looking for more money after losing a bitter divorce this past summer to his former wife, Jean. She was awarded $15.3 million along with child support for their twin daughters at $18,000 a month.

$18,000 a month?

What the is she feeding those kids?

Damn, talk about going after the

Now we know where Kanye got the inspiration for his song.

[mardigan]

$18,000 a month?

What the is she feeding those kids?

Damn, talk about going after the

Now we know where Kanye got the inspiration for his song.

At least shes not asking for the 30,000 a month Lienarts baby moma is

[mardigan]

Looking to grab backup QB spot, Couch signs with Jacksonville
Associated Press

Updated: July 29, 2007, 7:05 PM ET



JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Former No. 1 draft pick Tim Couch signed a two-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, getting a chance to revive his career as a backup to quarterback Byron Leftwich.

Couch, the top pick by Cleveland in 1999, hasn't played a down in the NFL since the 2004 preseason.

The contract, which did not include a signing bonus, will pay Couch the veteran minimum of $595,000 this season if he makes the team. He would earn slightly more in 2008.

Couch could end up supplanting Quinn Gray as the team's third-string quarterback -- a move that would save the Jags about $700,000 this season.

Gray, who has failed to move up the depth chart in four years playing behind Leftwich and David Garrard, signed a one-year deal worth $1.3 million in April.

But Gray has a sprained ankle and started training camp on the physically unable to perform list. Coach Jack Del Rio said he needed a fourth quarterback during camp. The team also has undrafted rookie Lester Ricard.

"We plan on throwing the ball in this camp and we're a little short at that position with Quinn down, so we've added a fourth quarterback," Del Rio said. "At some point, Quinn will get healthy and we'll deal with the numbers. At this point, we've added an experienced quarterback to come in and give us an opportunity to throw the football like we need to in this camp."

Scott Eyster from Delta State and Sam Hollenbach from Maryland worked out alongside Couch on Sunday, and the Jaguars struck a deal with the former Kentucky star after he passed a physical. Couch had shoulder surgery last year.

The Jags considered signing Daunte Culpepper following his release from Miami, but Culpepper reportedly wanted just a one-year deal.

The team ended up with another member of the heralded 1999 quarterback draft class, which included Couch, Donovan McNabb, Akili Smith, Culpepper and Cade McNown -- all taken in the top 12 picks.

Couch's five years in Cleveland were filled with disappointment. He was sacked often, booed regularly and plagued by elbow trouble.

He played in 62 games with the Browns, completing 59.8 percent of his passes for 11,131 yards with 64 touchdowns and 67 interceptions.

After leaving Cleveland in 2004, Couch signed a one-year deal with Green Bay to be Brett Favre's backup. The Packers didn't work out Couch before signing him to a contract that included a $625,000 bonus, and it seemed to backfire.

Couch was bothered by a sore throwing arm, struggled to grasp the West Coast offense and couldn't even unseat third-string quarterback Craig Nall.

Couch completed 11 of 34 passes for 96 yards with no touchdowns in three preseason games and was cut just before the season opener.

He worked out for Chicago and Cincinnati in 2005, but neither team signed him. He worked out for Tennessee, Miami, Pittsburgh and Houston last year.

"He's got an opportunity like anybody else in camp," Del Rio said. "His first opportunity is to make the football team. We're not setting anything out in terms of drama. You guys make it as dramatic as you like. We've got 86 guys in camp. He's one of 86."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2953496

[mardigan]

Bears send fifth-round pick to Bills for Walker
ESPN.com news services

Updated: July 29, 2007, 7:35 PM ET



PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- The Chicago Bears acquired defensive tackle Darwin Walker in a trade with Buffalo on Sunday, landing a veteran to replace Tank Johnson.

The Bills, meanwhile, acquired a fifth-round draft pick in return, and dropped a player who refused to report to Buffalo in a contract dispute. The Bills obtained Walker in March in a trade that sent linebacker Takeo es and backup quarterback Kelly Holcomb to Philadelphia.

Walker, however, refused to report to Buffalo until the team renegotiated the remaining two years on his contract. He was scheduled to make $1.3 million this year and $1.4 million next season.

"When he didn't show up to begin camp, it looked like it would drag on," Bills general manager Marv Levy said. "The opportunity presented itself for us to make this deal with the Bears, so it seemed like the best thing to do. We did it and we're moving on."

Levy added the draft pick the Bills receive will depend on Walker's playing time in Chicago this season. The Bills would've been forced to return Walker to Philadelphia in exchange for a sixth-round pick if the player had not reported by Aug. 5. Bears general manger Jerry Angelo said Sunday the deadline no longer applies.

Walker had no trouble getting to Bears training camp in Bourbonnais, Ill. Shortly after the trade was announced, the seven-year veteran was taking a physical during the team's afternoon practice.

"Philly, I have no regrets. I enjoyed myself in Philadelphia," Walker said. "I'll always have those years, championship years, to remember. But I'm extremely excited to be here."

He said it's a whole new situation with a team he thinks is a Super Bowl contender.

Walker's agent, Albert Irby, said his client was eager to join the Bears and planned to negotiate a new contract with Chicago.

"Darwin's old deal is gone. The new deal will be talked about tomorrow," Irby said. "We'll take a one-year deal. We'll do whatever it takes. We're not going to hold out."

The Bills offered Walker a one-year contract, but for the same money he was scheduled to make this season. The offer, however, was immediately rejected.

Asked if he thought the Bills misled him, Walker said, "I'm not going to go there. I think that situation is now behind me, and I'm looking forward to being a Chicago Bear."

Walker fills an immediate need in Chicago, after the defending NFC champions released Johnson in June because of the player's constant run-ins with the law.

"Losing Tank, we were one defensive lineman down," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "We feel we filled that need."

Walker has 26½ sacks over the past five years, making him the fourth-most productive defensive tackle during that span.

The Bears were one of the teams Walker was interested in joining when the Eagles allowed him to seek a trade last spring. But Chicago, at that time, had no room for him because Johnson was still on the team, Irby said.

"We felt that bringing in another defensive lineman, in particular a defensive tackle, would be a good thing for us," Angelo said. "To get a quality player that we think is still in his prime is a good get for us."

The Bills hoped Walker would bolster their defensive line, but are pleased with the progress John McCargo has shown in camp. The second of Buffalo's two first-round draft picks last year, McCargo appeared in only five games in 2006 before breaking his foot.

McCargo then had a setback in his recovery and needed a second operation on his foot earlier this year.

"We're very encouraged by the progress John has made. That helps alleviate a little bit of the fact that we weren't able to come to terms [with Walker]," Levy said. "If we could have worked something out with Darwin, we would have liked to have had him."

Walker faced being fined by the Bills for missing the first three days of training camp, which opened Thursday in suburban Rochester. He also faced potential fines for missing Buffalo's three-day mandatory minicamp in June.

Information from ESPN.com's John Clayton and The Associated Press was used in this report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2953545

[mardigan]

Giants to give Rice physical Wednesday
Associated Press

Updated: July 29, 2007, 6:56 PM ET



ALBANY, N.Y. -- With Michael Strahan holding out and considering retirement, the New York Giants plan to give recently released defensive end Simeon Rice a physical on Wednesday.

Strahan, 35, stunned the Giants on Friday when he failed to show up for training camp at the University at Albany. His agent said that Strahan was considering retirement after 14 NFL seasons.

Rice will arrive in New York on Tuesday and be examined the next day, Giants spokesman Peter John-Baptiste said after the team finished its second practice on Sunday.

Rice, whose 121 career sacks rank second to Strahan (132½) among active players, was released by Tampa Bay last week after the Buccaneers signed first-round draft pick Gaines Adams.

Rice had failed a physical earlier in the day after reporting to camp. The 33-year-old started the first eight games of last season before being sidelined with a shoulder injury.

After being released, Rice was confident his injury would heal and that he would play this season.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin has been playing telephone tag with Strahan since Friday.

"I have nothing to report on those lines," Coughlin said Sunday.

Strahan has been critical of Rice in recent years, claiming that he gets sacks but doesn't play the run well.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2953787

[mardigan]

Redskins sign sixth pick in draft, LSU's Landry
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Updated: July 30, 2007, 10:09 AM ET



Working all through the day Sunday, the Washington Redskins were finally able to strike an agreement early Monday morning with first-round choice LaRon Landry of LSU, the sixth player selected overall in this year's draft.

Now that all NFL training camps are open for business, coaches will tell you these absent rookies are falling behind in their programs by the minute.

The deal, negotiated by agent Joel Segal, came just shy of 1 a.m. Monday, and will be signed later in the day after both sides review the final do ent.

The five-year contract has a maximum value of $41.5 million and it includes $17.5 million in guarantees.

A four-time all-SEC defender, Landry was universally regarded as the top safety in the 2007 draft and among the best prospects at the position in the last several years. He is one of only a handful of safeties ever chosen among the top 10 players in the modern-era draft, and joins teammate Sean Taylor, the Redskins' top pick in 2004, in that distinction.

In Washington's scheme, Landry will play strong safety and allow Taylor to concentrate on the free safety spot. Over his first three seasons, Taylor has lined up at both safety spots, but the arrangement devised by coordinator Gregg Williams should benefit both players.

It will keep Landry close to the line of scrimmage, where he makes a lot of plays, and free Taylor for more coverage responsibilities.

Landry is a physical player with a solid frame (6 feet-¾ inches, 213 pounds) who hits with authority. He possesses good coverage skills, but will have to improve his hands at the NFL level. Timed at 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash, and with a vertical jump of 37½ inches, Landry is a superb athlete.

His older brother, Dawan Landry, is a second-year safety in Baltimore, and started 14 games for the Ravens as a rookie in 2006.

A rare four-year starter at LSU, where he appeared in 52 games for his career, Landry posted 315 tackles, 16 tackles for losses, 12 interceptions, 22 passes defensed, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and two blocked punts.

Senior writer Len Pasquarelli covers the NFL for ESPN.com

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2954132

He's going to be a good one

[samikeyp]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2955145

Scott done for year with knee injury; Samuel continues holdout

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots defensive back Chad Scott will miss the upcoming season because of a knee injury, the team announced Monday, as cornerback Asante Samuel's holdout continued.

Scott, 32, was placed on the reserve/injured list. The news came just hours after coach Bill Belichick continued to describe Scott's injury as day-to-day.

Last season, Scott played in 14 regular season games with nine starts. He made 44 tackles and had two interceptions. He signed with the Patriots before the 2005 season, which was cut short by a shoulder injury that October.

Scott was drafted in the first round, 24th overall, by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1997. He spent the first eight years of his career with the Steelers.

Meanwhile, Samuel continues holding out for a multiyear agreement after rejecting a one-year, $7.79 million contract.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[mardigan]

Rookie Johnson signs with Detroit after week-long holdout
ESPN.com news services

Updated: August 3, 2007, 9:03 AM ET



ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Rookie wide receiver Calvin Johnson signed a six-year deal with the Detroit Lions on Friday, ending the No. 2 overall pick's eight-day holdout.

A week into NFL training camps, coaches will tell you these absent rookies -- including JaMarcus Russell, right -- are falling behind in their programs by the minute.

Terms of the deal are not yet known.

Johnson's signing allowed him to get into camp by 9 a.m. Friday for workouts Friday. Fellow wideout Roy Williams said a day earlier that "the rookie needs to get in here."

Johnson was regarded by some as the best player in the draft after catching 78 passes for 1,202 yards and 15 touchdowns during his All-America junior season at Georgia Tech. He won the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's top college receiver.

The Lions, 3-13 last season, in April made Johnson the fourth receiver taken with their first pick in the past five drafts.

"He's going to be a big part of getting us to where we want to go," Lions president Matt Millen said after Johnson was drafted.

The Lions are 24-72 and have missed the playoffs every season since Millen joined the front office in 2001. The soft-spoken Johnson figures to get ample opportunities in offensive coordinator Mike Martz's pass-happy scheme.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2959620




Cardinals agree to six-year, $62M deal with No. 5 pick Brown
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Updated: August 3, 2007, 9:06 AM ET



The Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night reached agreement with first-round draft pick Levi Brown, the offensive tackle from Penn State, on a six-year contract, ESPN.com has confirmed.

The contract, negotiated by agent Joel Segal, has a maximum value of $62 million. That is believed to be the most lucrative contract in NFL history for an offensive lineman, although Brown is unlikely to max out the deal by reaching all the incentives.

A week into NFL training camps, coaches will tell you these absent rookies -- including JaMarcus Russell, right -- are falling behind in their programs by the minute.

"Levi is looking forward to joining the Cardinals coaches and players at practice tomorrow," Segal said. "The Cardinals stepped up and made this deal happen."

Brown, 23, was the fifth player chosen overall and the second offensive tackle. The accord leaves five first-round choices unsigned. The group includes the top pick, quarterback JaMarcus Russell of Oakland. Detroit wide receiver Calvin Johnson, the No. 2 pick, agreed to terms on a six-year contract early Friday.

Segal said Brown was en route to Phoenix on Thursday night from his home in Virginia. Brown was scheduled to take a physical Friday before signing his contract and then join the Cardinals at training camp on the Northern Arizona University campus.

"We were a bit frustrated by the amount of time it took and didn't think it had to take this long," Arizona general manager Rod Graves said. "...The proposal that we agreed upon today was not far from where we've been the last week or so."

A four-year starter for the Nittany Lions, with 44 of his 45 starts at left tackle, Brown is expected to challenge veteran Oliver Ross for the starting job at right tackle. That is a key position in the Arizona offense, since quarterback Matt Leinart is left-handed, and the right tackle is responsible for primary pass protection duties.

Brown spent much of the spring working on the right side and, according to the Cardinals' coaches, seemed to make a good transition. Having missed the first five days of camp, he will have to catch up quickly under the tutelage of line coach Russ Grimm to still have a chance to start on opening day.

Although he arrived at Penn State as a defensive tackle, Brown was moved to the offensive side early in his first camp. He is blessed with a big upper frame and his size (6-feet-5½, 323 pounds) allowed him to engulf opponents at the college level. Brown has long arms and big hands and, while his 40-time (5.40) is not impressive, he moves his feet very well in pass protection situations.

He will have to work on not setting up so high, and losing leverage, when pass blocking.

In his final two years, according to Penn State coaches, 60 percent of the team's rushing yards came in part as a result of his blocks.

Brown was the second offensive lineman chosen in the draft. Cleveland selected tackle Joe Thomas as the third pick overall. Thomas has signed a five-year deal reportedly worth $42.5 million, with $22-23 million guaranteed.

Senior writer Len Pasquarelli covers the NFL for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2959237

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Colts release Corey Simon's contract

By The Associated Press
August 4, 2007

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) -- The Indianapolis Colts released former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Corey Simon on Saturday.

Colts owner Jim Irsay said Wednesday that he expected to release the tackle within the next few days.

Simon did not pass his physical last weekend. He was expected to report to camp on time July 29 but was never seen at Rose Hulman Ins ute of Technology.

Simon did not play last year during the Colts' Super Bowl-winning season and was eventually placed on the non-football illness/injury list with an undisclosed ailment.

The Colts also waived rookie wide receiver Michael DePriest and placed tight end Mike Seidman on injured reserve with a knee injury. Seidman was signed this past spring after five seasons with Carolina.

Indianapolis also signed a pair of free agents, defensive end Noland Burchette and wide receiver Aaron Brown. Burchette is a 6-foot-2, 259-pound rookie defensive lineman who played at Virginia Tech. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by Atlanta.

Brown is a 6-3, 212-pound rookie who played at New Hampshire. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by Buffalo.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

[mardigan]

Colts DT McFarland out for 'long-term' with knee injury
ESPN.com news services

Updated: August 6, 2007, 12:48 PM ET


The Colts likely will have to defend their Super Bowl le without a key member of their defensive line.

Defensive tackle Anthony McFarland hurt the patella tendon Friday and missed Saturday's controlled scrimmage after an MRI showed the extent of the injury, the team said. The Indianapolis Star reported that it's believed that McFarland tore the tendon, likely ending his season before it begins.

Colts coach Tony Dungy called the injury serious.

"It's a long-term injury," Dungy said. "We've got some other guys that have to pick up the slack."

Rookie defensive tackle Quinn Pit , a third-round draft pick from Ohio State, could fill in for McFarland. Pit practiced for the first time Monday after missing the first week of camp with a leg injury.

Even with the 6-foot, 300-pound McFarland, the Colts had problems against the run last season, allowing 173 yards on the ground per game. Now Indianapolis apparently will have to replace its best run-stuffer.

McFarland's injury comes soon after the team parted ways with defensive lineman Corey Simon, who missed all of last season with a knee injury and reportedly failed a Colts physical last week.

McFarland was acquired from the Buccaneers at the trading deadline last season.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/traini...ory?id=2962811