NFL Offseason Thread

[mardigan]

Moss hurts left knee in one-on-one drills
Associated Press

Updated: August 6, 2007, 12:44 PM ET


ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Denver Broncos first-round draft pick Jarvis Moss injured his left knee during 1-on-1 pass-rush drills Monday and was taken off the field for medical tests.

There was no immediate word on the extent of his injury.

Moss, who signed a five-year, $18 million deal on July 28, was injured when he did a spin move past an offensive lineman, then began hopping on one leg before crumpling to the grass. He stayed down for five minutes before getting up and walking gingerly to the sideline. He got into a cart and was taken to the locker room.

The defensive end from Florida was the 17th overall selection in the NFL draft. He was expected to provide the Broncos' pass rush with some much-needed help.

Last week, linebacker Warrick Holdman suffered a spinal cord concussion during practice and was hospitalized. He returned to the sideline Saturday but has yet to be cleared to return to action.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/traini...ory?id=2963179

[mardigan]

Chiefs' top pick Bowe ends holdout
ESPN.com news services

Updated: August 5, 2007, 9:02 PM ET

Front offices and fans alike of the Raiders, Jets and Browns are going to have to sit tight. These three rookies -- including JaMarcus Russell (right) -- are far enough apart in contract talks that they won't be seen in camp anytime soon.

The Chiefs have come to terms with their first-round draft pick, leaving just three first-round selections from the 2007 draft unsigned and holding out from training camps.

Former LSU receiver Dwayne Bowe, who was the 23rd overall pick in the draft, agreed to terms with the Chiefs on Sunday, sources told ESPN.com's John Clayton. Bowe is expected in camp Monday.

Panthers rookie linebacker Jon Beason, picked 25th, also signed on Sunday.

The remaining first-round holdouts are the Raiders' JaMarcus Russell (No. 1 overall), the Jets' Darrelle Revis (14th) and the Browns' Brady Quinn (22nd).

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/traini...ory?id=2962177

[mardigan]

Browns Agree to Terms With Brady Quinn
Posted Aug 7th 2007 1:07PM by Michael David Smith

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports is reporting that the Cleveland Browns have agreed to terms with quarterback Brady Quinn, the 22nd overall pick in this year's NFL draft.

Glazer reports that Quinn, whose holdout has created a great deal of controversy in Cleveland, agreed to terms on a five-year deal with the Browns Tuesday morning. Quinn will be guaranteed $7.75 million. The base value of the deal is $20 million and the maximum value with incentives is $30 million. As of just after 1 p.m. ET, however, the contract has not yet been signed.

According to Glazer, Quinn was on his way to Cleveland to join his teammates at training camp on Tuesday. Quinn, the Notre Dame quarterback who was expected by most observers to go in the Top 10 of the draft, had been working out in Tempe, Ariz., while his teammates were going through training camp.

When Quinn reports to camp, there will be just two rookie holdouts remaining: Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell and Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis.

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/...n-brady-quinn/

[mardigan]

Minter makes retirement official after 10 seasons
Associated Press

Updated: August 7, 2007, 2:27 PM ET


SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Mike Minter, the Carolina Panthers' career leader in games started and tackles, blamed achy knees in announcing his retirement Tuesday after 10 seasons with the team.

The 33-year-old safety, wearing dark sunglasses, blamed injuries for quitting a year earlier than he originally planned.

"I thought about it long and hard," Minter said at a news conference at training camp. "I don't want to be at 80 or 85 percent, but want to be remembered as a player who always played at 100 percent."

Owner Jerry Richardson, fighting back tears, said Minter was the face of the franchise.

"When we think about having the privilege to have a person who starts and ends his career the way Mike has, it's extraordinary," Richardson said.

Minter was the Panthers' second-round pick in 1997, and became a fan favorite because of his longevity, toughness, hard hits and work in the community.

He has 467 more tackles than any other player in franchise history. His 141 starts and 94 consecutive starts are team records, as are his nine fumble recoveries and four interception returns for touchdowns.

Despite being just 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, Minter overcame three knee surgeries and a staph infection early in his career to become the key player in Carolina's secondary.

Minter had not missed a game since early in the 2001 season, despite several injuries along the way. He played with a torn biceps muscle and even on a broken foot during Carolina's loss to New England in the Super Bowl at the end of the 2003 season.

But over the past few seasons, Minter had more trouble with his knees. He took a pay cut in March and announced that 2007 would be his final season, and he was penciled in to start at free safety.

However, Minter was unable to practice twice a day at training camp and told reporters last week he was considering retirement because he wasn't sure if his body would hold up over a 16-game season. He told his teammates about his decision Sunday night during a team meeting.

Minter, the Panthers' defensive captain the past five seasons, was well respected in the locker room and in the community, where he was involved in several business and charitable activities.

"That's the one point that needs to be made: this was a man off the football field," said quarterback Jake Delhomme, one of several veterans at the news conference. "I'm not talking in a masculine type of way. I'm talking in a fatherly type of way and the civic person he was. This a true man and a true pro when he came to play."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2964793

[mardigan]

Porter to miss at least two weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery
Associated Press

Updated: August 7, 2007, 1:53 PM ET
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DAVIE, Fla. -- New Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter was up walking soon after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday for the third time in two years.

Teammates expect him to rejoin the lineup soon.

"He'll be back tomorrow," linebacker Channing Crowder joked after talking by phone with Porter. "He walked right after surgery. He'll be fine. He'll probably get a couple of snaps in the preseason."

Porter is expected to be out at least two weeks. The first of Miami's four exhibition games is Saturday against Jacksonville.

Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery in Birmingham, Ala. Porter has been out since Friday because of the injury, which began bothering him during the offseason.

"Joey has been fighting through this thing all of camp so far," defensive tackle Vonnie Holliday said. "I think they wanted to go ahead and clear this up and get it over with. I don't think this will be a problem long-term. I think it was just a cleanup job."

Porter received a guaranteed $20 million in March to sign with Miami after spending his first eight NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has missed only six games in his career.

Tackle Anthony Alabi might also return soon. He limped off the field Monday with a left knee injury. Coach Cam Cameron said the injury was minor and there was little swelling.

Porter, a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker, missed most of training camp and all four exhibition games in 2005 after left knee surgery -- a problem aggravated when he jumped to celebrate winning a training camp blocking compe ion.

He returned to play in all 16 regular-season games and four playoff games for the Super Bowl champion Steelers.

Porter had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in May 2006. He went on to play in 14 games, missing two because of a hamstring injury.

The Steelers released Porter in a salary cap move last spring, and he signed a five-year, $32 million deal with Miami. His replacement at outside linebacker will be Donnie Spragan, who started nine games each of the past two years.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/traini...ory?id=2964487

[mardigan]

Reports: Alstott, Bucs' career TD leader, to retire
ESPN,com news services

Updated: August 9, 2007, 11:52 AM ET


TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers fullback Mike Alstott is expected to announce his retirement Thursday, multiple Tampa Bay-area media outlets reported.

The team has scheduled a 2 p.m. ET press conference in Tampa, at which the retirement is expected to be announced.

The announcement comes after Alstott missed a third consecutive day of workouts Thursday as the team prepared for its exhibition opener Friday against the New England Patriots. His retirement is reportedly not injury-related.

Alstott, who was entering his 12th year with the Bucs, is the team's all-time leader in touchdowns with 71 and rushing touchdowns with 58.

He is second in team history with 5,088 yards rushing and third in scoring with 432 points.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/traini...ory?id=2967306

[BeerIsGood!]

Now that the preseason games have started, is it still considered the off season?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Holmes’ leadership is nowhere to be found
By JASON WHITLOCK
Midway through the third quarter of Thursday’s NFL exhibition game at Arrowhead Stadium, long after I’d decided Larry Johnson had had another productive night, I asked Kansas City’s media-relations staff where was locker-room leader Priest Holmes.

“He’s here, but I haven’t seen him,” said Pete Moris.

“He’s here somewhere,” offered Bob Moore.

You might think I’m a little obsessed with Priest Holmes and his comeback. Maybe I am. I find it rather fascinating — the dishonesty of it, the attention it’s receiving on HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” his comments about taking some of Larry Johnson’s money.

There were no great developments during the Chiefs’ excruciatingly boring 11-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Trent Green looked old, kicker Justin Medlock looked like a mistake, Damon Huard looked like a backup, Brodie Croyle looked inexperienced and talented, and the Chiefs looked like a team that will struggle to score and fill the seats all season.

Oh, and Larry Johnson looked brilliant for continuing to hold out and demand more guaranteed money. Michael Bennett and Kolby Smith just aren’t the kind of threats that will relieve pressure on Kansas City’s struggling quarterbacks.

And Priest Holmes, the man who promised to be a leader, an inspiration to his young teammates, a symbol of man’s ability to overcome any obstacle, well, I still don’t know where he was Thursday.

He wasn’t on the sideline. Hey, maybe there was some sort of emergency and Priest couldn’t attend Thursday’s game. If so, Moore and Moris, Carl Peterson’s right- and left-hand men, knew nothing about it. (I hope Bob Gretz doesn’t get jealous reading all this stuff about Moore and Moris.)

When the Chiefs finally do sign Johnson, I believe Holmes will get what he’s wanted all along — his unconditional release. He doesn’t want to play for the Chiefs. Not under his current contract.

Why play for $870,000, when he can sign a contract with a team in his home state — Dallas or Houston — for the same money with maybe a few incentive bonuses?

When Holmes opened his mouth about wanting Johnson’s money, I took it as a demand to be cut. Holmes knows his comments infuriated Larry, one of the most sensitive players in professional sports.

The two running backs have never gotten along. They coexisted for two years. No way they coexist now. If you thought Larry was upset about Vermeil’s diaper remarks, he has to be livid with Holmes.

There’s an unwritten and respected rule among professional athletes that you do not inject yourself in any way into another man’s contract negotiations. Brett Favre broke that rule when he criticized Javon Walker for staging a holdout. Favre is an NFL legend who gets a free pass for his shortcomings, especially from media representatives.

Holmes won’t get a pass from Johnson. He doesn’t deserve it in the Chiefs’ locker room, either. His whole Kansas City comeback bid is a farce. He’s sucking up airtime on “Hard Knocks” as a marketing tool.

You might read this and think I dislike Priest Holmes. I don’t. We did some events together when he was in his heyday. I wrote in favor of him receiving a contract extension. I just don’t like the way he has handled things since he was injured at San Diego. I have no problem with him playing games with Peterson. That’s business. It’s Holmes’ manipulation of the media that bugs me. And his jealousy directed at Johnson.

I’m not in the tank for Johnson, either. This offseason I presented both sides of the LJ debate. I pointed out the reasons the Chiefs shouldn’t pay him, and I allowed LJ to make the case for why he’s more mature and why he should be paid.

It’s still a very difficult decision for Peterson and the Chiefs. But Priest Holmes should have nothing to do with the decision. He has virtually no interest in playing here.

After the contest, I asked Herm Edwards whether his 33-year-old locker-room leader was at the game.

“He was here,” Edwards said. “I think he might’ve been up (in a suite) because he didn’t want to do any interviews.”

Hmm. That’s the first one he’s turned down in three weeks.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/235682.html

[johnsmith]

I think Mardigan deserves a big thanks for this thread. I've gotten more NFL news from this thread then I did from any other site for the entire off season.

Nice work.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

^

[mardigan]

Eagles continue shakeup on defense by releasing Trotter
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Updated: August 21, 2007, 11:15 AM


Four-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter will be job-hunting in the coming days after being released by the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday.

A nine-year veteran, Trotter was informed of his status in a meeting with coach Andy Reid. The Eagles suggested that the now-unrestricted free agent consider retirement, but the 30-year-old's preference is to continue playing in the league. Trotter's release will become official when his name appears on the NFL's internal transactions wire this afternoon.


"Jeremiah is one of my favorite guys," Reid said in a statement Tuesday. "There's no question that this is the toughest part of this job. He and I met about this [Monday] night and it was very emotional for the both of us. Jeremiah and I have been together for many years and he's played a vital role in helping this team win a lot of football games."

The departure of Trotter continues a shakeup to Philadelphia's linebacker corps. It is now likely that two-time Pro Bowl player Takeo es, acquired from the Buffalo Bills in a March trade, will take over the middle linebacker spot. es has primarily worked at the weakside position in training camp.

Eagles officials have worked hard to create depth and compe ion in the linebacker corps, and have a number of young players the coaches want to work into the lineup.

This marks the second time the Eagles have essentially released Trotter. In the spring of 2002, Philadelphia designated him as a franchise player, and subsequently rescinded the tag, making him a free agent. Trotter then signed with Washington, where he played two seasons before being released after the 2003 campaign.

In 2004, Trotter contacted Reid, with whom he had parted on shaky terms, to see if he might rejoin the Eagles. He returned to the team that brought him into the league as a third-round pick in the 1998 draft and earned a Pro Bowl berth in his first year back.

A former Stephen F. Austin star, Trotter is one of just four linebackers in Eagles' history to earn four or more Pro Bowl invitations. He joins Hall of Fame member Chuck Bednarik, Maxie Baughan and Bill Bergey in that select group.

In 131 games with the Eagles (1998-2001, 2004-2006) and Redskins (2002-2003), Trotter has 1,184 tackles, 12½ sacks and nine interceptions. He has notched 100 or more tackles in seven seasons, and 150-plus tackles five times, and had 202 stops in 1999.

Trotter has three years left on his contract, at base salaries of $2.635 million (2007), $2.72 million (2008) and $3.28 million (2009). His release was not a salary cap move, however, since the Eagles are comfortably under the $109 million ceiling.

Senior writer Len Pasquarelli covers the NFL for ESPN.com.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/traini...ory?id=2984329

[samikeyp]

I think Mardigan deserves a big thanks for this thread. I've gotten more NFL news from this thread then I did from any other site for the entire off season.

Nice work.

yes.

[ALVAREZ6]

Trotter dropped by the Eags....

[mardigan]

Jaguars re-sign fullback Jones for undisclosed terms
Associated Press

Updated: February 13, 2008, 6:35 PM ET


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars retained one of their top free agents Wednesday when fullback Greg Jones re-signed with the team.

Jones has 856 yards rushing and nine touchdowns since the Jaguars drafted him in the second round in 2004. He also has 24 receptions for 178 yards and two scores.

More important to the Jaguars, Jones has become one of their best blockers and helped create one of the NFL's top rushing attacks.

Jones, who started 11 games last season after missing all of 2006 with a knee injury, was named the first alternate to the AFC Pro Bowl. Jacksonville led the conference in rushing, averaging 149.4 yards a game.

Details of his new contract were not available.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3244640

[mardigan]

NFL Wire Notes | Panthers release Morgan, Wahle
By The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers ran out of patience with injury-prone linebacker Dan Morgan.

The Panthers released their former first-round pick Monday after seven seasons. Morgan, 29, could be dominant when he played, but was on the field for a mere 59 of 112 games.

Carolina also released Mike Wahle, 30, who started 16 games at left guard last season. The moves were the first of what are expected to be many by the Panthers after consecutive nonwinning seasons.

Morgan, the 11th player taken in the 2001 draft, wowed coaches and fans with a combination of hard hits and speed. He had 25 tackles in Carolina's loss to New England in the Super Bowl four years ago.

Morgan couldn't stay healthy. He never played all 16 games in a regular season because of numerous injuries, including at least five concussions.

He missed all but one game of the 2006 season after having two concussions in a month.

The Panthers brought him back for 2007 only after he agreed to restructure his contract so his bonus money was based on the number of games he played.

Morgan partially tore his right Achilles tendon, had surgery and missed the final 13 games. Rookie Jon Beason from Miami moved to Morgan's middle-linebacker spot and thrived, leading the team in tackles with 140.

Morgan's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said his client needs a change of scenery.

"Dan will definitely be playing football in 2008," Rosenhaus said. "He's way ahead of schedule on his recovery."

Cutting Morgan and Wahle clears an estimated $6 million in salary-cap space for the Panthers.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...598_nfl12.html

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Nice bump, mardigan.
Going right back to work in giving us the latest NFL info.
Thanks a lot. You make life a lot easier for some of us.

[mardigan]

Eagles | Kearse a candidate to get released
Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:34:36 -0800

Terry McCormick, of the Nashville City Paper, reports Philadelphia Eagles DE Jevon Kearse is a candidate to get released by the Eagles this offseason. Kearse is due $6.46 million in base salary in 2008 and lost his starting job with the team during 2007.


http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl

[Spuradicator]

Kearse has been such a bust, glad he's been an Eagle though

[mardigan]

Miami Dolphins Cut Zach Thomas
Posted Feb 14th 2008 1:07PM by Michael David Smith



Jay Glazer of Fox Sports is reporting that the Miami Dolphins have informed linebacker Zach Thomas that they will release him today.

The roster move, which comes as no surprise for a team that's trying to get younger, ends the Miami career of a linebacker who made seven Pro Bowls in his 12 seasons. Thomas is one of the best players in Dolphins history, a fifth-round draft pick in 1996 who was thought by many to be too small and too slow to be an NFL linebacker but has frequently proved the doubters wrong.

But while Thomas won't be back with the Dolphins, his NFL career is apparently not over. Glazer reports that Thomas said he is not ready to retire. If doctors can clear him after the serious concussion he suffered in 2007, there might be a team out there that's willing to give him a look. But if there's even the slightest chance that he could be doing himself permanent harm by risking another concussion, here's hoping he hangs it up.


http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/...t-zach-thomas/

[mardigan]

Raiders | Team unlikely to bring back Rhodes
Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:08:50 -0800

Steve Corkran, of the Contra Costa Times, reports the Oakland Raiders are not likely to bring back RB Dominic Rhodes for next season.


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Raiders | Jordan will likely be released
Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:05:43 -0800

Steve Corkran, of the Contra Costa Times, reports the Oakland Raiders will likely release RB LaMont Jordan.


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Raiders | Fargas contract details
Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:05:10 -0800

Updating a pervious report, Steve Corkran, of the Contra Costa Times, reports the Oakland Raiders have re-signed RB Justin Fargas to a three-year deal worth $12 million. The contract includes $6 million in guarantees and could be worth up to $14 million if he reaches certain performance levels.


http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl

[sa_butta]

Eagles | Kearse a candidate to get released
Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:34:36 -0800

Terry McCormick, of the Nashville City Paper, reports Philadelphia Eagles DE Jevon Kearse is a candidate to get released by the Eagles this offseason. Kearse is due $6.46 million in base salary in 2008 and lost his starting job with the team during 2007.

http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl

[J.T.]

Raiders | Team unlikely to bring back Rhodes
Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:08:50 -0800

Steve Corkran, of the Contra Costa Times, reports the Oakland Raiders are not likely to bring back RB Dominic Rhodes for next season.

Come back to Indy and spend the rest of your career shining Joseph Addai's cleats.

[Spuradicator]

Edge might be cut by Arizona I read, maybe he can shine cleats too?

[J.T.]

I dunno if I would want Edge back, since he was the Colts Tiki Barber in 2006. . .

[mardigan]

Chiefs | Law could be released
Fri, 15 Feb 2008 08:14:50 -0800

Adam Teicher, of the Kansas City Star, reports the Kansas City Chiefs could release CB Ty Law this offseason. Although Law has the team's highest individual salary-cap number at $9.05 million, he would only cost $3.15 million against their cap if he is released before June 1.


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Chiefs | Welbourn released
Fri, 15 Feb 2008 07:32:42 -0800

Adam Teicher, of the Kansas City Star, reports the Kansas City Chiefs have released OT John Welbourn.


Chiefs | Team releases Harris
Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:24:36 -0800

The Associated Press reports the Kansas City Chiefs released RB Gilbert Harris Friday, Feb. 15.


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Chiefs | Team releases K. Smith
Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:55:18 -0800

The Associated Press reports the Kansas City Chiefs released DL Khreem Smith Friday, Feb. 15.



Broncos | R. Smith placed on reserve/retired list
Fri, 15 Feb 2008 07:28:02 -0800

The Denver Broncos announced Friday, Feb. 15, that WR Rod Smith has been placed on the team's reserve/retired list.


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Seahawks | Wahle signed five-year deal
Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:52:04 -0800

Updating a previous item, the Associated Press reports Seattle Seahawks OG Mike Wahle signed a five-year contract with the team. Exact financial terms were not disclosed, but it is believed he will earn approximately $3 million in base salary and many more millions in signing bonus.


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Panthers | Team shopping Foster around
Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:43:37 -0800

Pat Yasinskas, of ESPN.com, reports the Carolina Panthers are shopping RB DeShaun Foster for a trade, according to several sources around the league.


http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl