NFL Offseason Thread

[mardigan]

Broncos cut Walker


The Broncos have releasaed veteran WR Javon Walker, according to a report from ESPN's Michael Smith.

That clears the way for the Cowboys to move in on Walker, who grew up in Galveston and could provide a strong vertical complement to Terrell Owens. Walker was due $5.4 million in bonuses in 2008, with the first installment to be paid Tuesday. No one was going to pay that and, by all appearances, the lack of a suitable trade partner prompted the team to make the move now.

It is expected that the Broncos release LB Ian Gold too, with LB Niko Koutouvides all set to visit Denver tomorrow after he finishes up in Tampa today.

When healthy, Walker's been a force, posting 1,000-yard seasons in 2004 and '06. But in 2005 (his last year with the Packers) and '07, he couldn't stay healthy, and there've been rumblings that he may need microfracture surgery on his knee down the line. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder turns 30 in October.



http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/ar...ut-walker.html

[mardigan]

Bengals trade for Rogers, to sign Dhani Jones
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
Updated: February 29, 2008, 4:03 PM ET


The Cincinnati Bengals, who acquired defensive tackle Shaun Rogers in a trade with the Detroit Lions on Friday afternoon, reached a three-year agreement with linebacker Dhani Jones.

The Bengals traded third-round and fifth-round draft picks to Detroit to acquire Rogers.

Jones and linebacker Landon Johnson were two of the team's priorities to re-sign once free agency started Friday morning. Jones, who signed with the Bengals during the 2007 season after a number of linebacker injuries, was the first to reach an agreement. Talks continue with Johnson, who is an unrestricted free agent.

The Bengals lost safety Madieu Williams to the Vikings early Friday morning when he agreed to a six-year, $33 million contract.

Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3271113

[peewee's lovechild]

Posted on the Hashmarks blog on ESPN.com

Bell ringing in Dallas?

February 29, 2008 3:13 PM


Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

Colleague Matt Mosley is driving right now and can't type. But he just called me with a tip from one of his Cowboys sources. Dallas suddenly is showing interest in running back Tatum Bell.

He's not the biggest name out there, only rushing for 182 yards with Detroit last season. But Bell, who was begging for a trade out of Detroit midway through last season, could be a nice fit as a backup running back. He was a 1,000-yard rusher for Denver in 2006. He's also a Dallas native and, at 26, he still has fresh legs.

I don't know what I think about this.

Was he just a product of the Denver "system"?

I'd rather draft Felix Jones.

[peewee's lovechild]

When healthy, Walker's been a force, posting 1,000-yard seasons in 2004 and '06. But in 2005 (his last year with the Packers) and '07, he couldn't stay healthy, and there've been rumblings that he may need microfracture surgery on his knee down the line. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder turns 30 in October.

"When healthy" is what worries me.

[midgetonadonkey]

Dallas is starting to look like the place where washed up receivers go to die.

[samikeyp]

The San Francisco 49ers and defensive end Justin Smith agreed to a six-year, $45 million contract that included $20 million in guarantees.

Smith, who had played all of his seven previous seasons in the NFL in Cincinnati, was given the franchise tag by the Bengals in 2007.

Smith was the fourth overall pick in the 2001 draft out of Missouri. He has 43 ½ career sacks but managed only two last season. Smith has played in 16 games every season except his rookie campaign when he made 15 appearances.

Michael Smith covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

[Burn531]

Bengals trade for Rogers, to sign Dhani Jones
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
Updated: February 29, 2008, 4:03 PM ET


The Cincinnati Bengals, who acquired defensive tackle Shaun Rogers in a trade with the Detroit Lions on Friday afternoon, reached a three-year agreement with linebacker Dhani Jones.

The Bengals traded third-round and fifth-round draft picks to Detroit to acquire Rogers.

Jones and linebacker Landon Johnson were two of the team's priorities to re-sign once free agency started Friday morning. Jones, who signed with the Bengals during the 2007 season after a number of linebacker injuries, was the first to reach an agreement. Talks continue with Johnson, who is an unrestricted free agent.

The Bengals lost safety Madieu Williams to the Vikings early Friday morning when he agreed to a six-year, $33 million contract.

Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3271113

Lions deal Shaun Rogers to Cleveland after Cincy trade falls apart

Tackle appears headed to Browns for third-round pick and cornerback after deal with Bengals fails.
Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News

ALLEN PARK -- Shaun Rogers' career as a Lion headed to a bizarre ending, with roller-coaster trade proposals Friday that spanned from one corner of Ohio to the other.

A deal that would have sent Rogers to the Bengals fell through, prompting the Lions to turn to the Browns as a trade partner for the 370-pound nose tackle.

The Lions and Browns centered their talks on a deal late Friday that would give the Lions cornerback Leigh Bodden and a third-round pick in the April draft. In the trade with the Bengals, the Lions would have gotten third- and fifth-round draft picks, also this year.


There was no immediate announcement from the Lions or Browns on the Rogers deal. An announcement was expected today, pending league approval.

Lions officials announced the trade with Cincinnati at about 3 p.m., and it was reported on the Bengals' official Web site. However, Bengals management never made an official announcement.

There was no comment from the Bengals or Lions on why the trade was off, but there was speculation the NFL canceled it because of salary-cap issues.

The Lions were operating under a deadline to deal Rogers. If Rogers was on the roster at 12:01 a.m. today, he was due a roster bonus of $1 million.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...3010334/&imw=Y

[Condemned 2 HelLA]

From NFL.com:

Jaguars sign CB Florence
The Jaguars signed cornerback Drayton Florence on a deal that will pay him $12 million guaranteed and $6 million per year according to NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

The Chargers allowed Florence to walk away as a free agent after Antonio Cromartie recorded 10 interceptions and earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl. The Jaguars now have three cornerbacks who have started in the NFL with Florence, Brian Williams and Rashean Mathis.

Also:

Bills acquire DT Stroud in trade with Jaguars
Associated Press


ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud in a trade with Jacksonville.

The deal was announced by the Bills at a press conference on Saturday.

It was not immediately clear what the Bills gave up in exchange for Stroud, a seven-year veteran who had the Jaguars' permission to seek a trade.

The move was completed after the Bills began revamping their porous defense on Friday, the first day of NFL free agency. Buffalo signed linebacker Kawika Mitc and released veteran defensive tackle Larry Tripplett.

In another move Saturday, the Bills signed former Minnesota defensive tackle Spencer Johnson to a five-year contract.

[mardigan]

Dolphins | Team close to signing Pace
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 15:41:01 -0800

Bob McManaman, of the Arizona Republic, reports the Miami Dolphins are close to signing free-agent LB Calvin Pace (Cardinals).


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Texans | Reeves agrees to five-year deal
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 15:31:06 -0800

John McClain, of the Houston Chronicle, reports the Houston Texans have agreed to terms on a five-year, $20 million contract with free-agent CB Jacques Reeves (Cowboys).


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Jets | Faneca signs five-year deal
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 14:43:11 -0800

Alex Marvez, of FOXSports.com, reports the New York Jets have agreed to terms with free-agent OG Alan Faneca (Steelers) on a five-year contract worth $40 million with $21 million guaranteed. It is the largest free-agent contract ever signed by an offensive lineman.


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Browns | Stallworth signs with team
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 14:42:10 -0800

Jay Glazer and Alex Marvez, of FOXSports.com, reports the Cleveland Browns have signed free-agent WR Donte' Stallworth (Patriots). Exact terms of the deal were not disclosed, but he will make $10 million in guaranteed money.


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Vikings | Berrian agrees to terms on six-year contract
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 14:25:16 -0800

Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports the Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms on a six-year contract with free-agent WR Bernard Berrian (Bears), according to sources. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.


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Jaguars | Stroud traded to Buffalo
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 13:46:48 -0800

Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports the Jacksonville Jaguars have traded DT Marcus Stroud to the Buffalo Bills for third- and fifth-round draft picks.


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Panthers | Colclogh signs two-year contract
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 13:35:11 -0800

Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports the Carolina Panthers have signed free-agent CB Ricardo Colclough (Browns) to a two-year deal worth $4 million.


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Jaguars | Florence agrees to contract
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 13:33:41 -0800

Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports the Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to contract terms with free-agent CB Drayton Florence (Chargers). Exact terms of the deal were not disclosed, but he will receive roughly $12 million in bonus money.


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Eagles | Clemons signs five-year contract
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 12:33:31 -0800

The Philadelphia Eagles announced they have signed free-agent DE Chris Clemons (Raiders) to a five-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.


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Falcons | E. Coleman agrees to four-year deal
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 12:09:59 -0800

Steve Wyche, of the Atlanta Journal-Cons ution, reports the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms on a four-year contract with free-agent S Erik Coleman (Jets). He is projected to compete for the starting free safety position.


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Packers | Holiday becomes a free agent
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 11:46:58 -0800

Tom Silverstein, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reports the Green Bay Packers did not make a qualifying offer to WR Carlyle Holiday, making him an unrestricted free agent.


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Rams | Contract update: J. Brown
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 11:44:53 -0800

Jim Thomas, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams PK Josh Brown signed a five-year contract worth $14.2 million with a $4 million signing bonus.

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49ers | Team agrees to terms with J. Smith
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 06:26:30 -0800

Michael Smith, of ESPN.com, reports the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to terms with free-agent DL Justin Smith (Bengals) on a six-year deal worth $45 million, with $20 million in guarantees.


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Broncos | Lynch to return to team in 2008
Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:23:32 -0800

Jeff Legwold, of the Rocky Mountain News, reports Denver Broncos S John Lynch will return to the team for 2008, according to the Denver Post. He signed a one-year contract with the Broncos Friday, Feb. 29. He will take a pay cut to stay with the team.


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

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Texans | Reeves agrees to five-year deal
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 15:31:06 -0800

John McClain, of the Houston Chronicle, reports the Houston Texans have agreed to terms on a five-year, $20 million contract with free-agent CB Jacques Reeves (Cowboys).

.

[Evan]

"Texans | Reeves agrees to five-year deal
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 15:31:06 -0800

John McClain, of the Houston Chronicle, reports the Houston Texans have agreed to terms on a five-year, $20 million contract with free-agent CB Jacques Reeves (Cowboys)."

How much of that is real money? That has to be some sort of backloaded deal where he gets cut at year 4.

[midgetonadonkey]

Reeves sucks balls. gins is a better DB than Reeves.

. What the is McNair thinking?

[O-Factor]

"Texans | Reeves agrees to five-year deal
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 15:31:06 -0800

John McClain, of the Houston Chronicle, reports the Houston Texans have agreed to terms on a five-year, $20 million contract with free-agent CB Jacques Reeves (Cowboys)."

How much of that is real money? That has to be some sort of backloaded deal where he gets cut at year 4.

WOW,

[Spuradicator]

[TheSanityAnnex]

Moss was serious about being team player last year. It's definitely possible he'll do the same during contract negotiations.

[Condemned 2 HelLA]

Sources: ans reach agreement with tight end Crumpler

A late push by the Tennessee ans was able to give Vince Young a big target, tight end Alge Crumpler, to help him be more efficient at quarterback.

Crumpler agreed to a two-year deal that he plans to sign on Monday in Nashville, according to sources. In the final two days, Crumpler was talking to the ans and the Seattle Seahawks, but Crumpler liked two things about the ans. He thought Young mirrored some of the positive things he saw from Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. For Vick, Crumpler was a big target who could get open when Vick scrambled, and the tight end could offer the same target for Young.

Secondly, his wife liked what she saw of Nashville and how it would be a nice fit for their family.

Originally, Crumpler was thinking about signing with an NFC South team and having a chance to play the Falcons twice a year. Some of those teams weren't as aggressive in making him offers because they had concerns about his knees, though. The ans didn't have such concerns and locked him up to a two-year contract Sunday evening.

Financial terms of the deal weren't available.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3274091

[John Patrick]

VY is VY, no cutting any corners. Regardless of who they give him, he still has to work on getting the ball to them.

[Condemned 2 HelLA]

Saints agree to terms with Gay, McCray; re-sign veteran Stecker



The New Orleans Saints continued a busy opening weekend in free agency on Sunday, adding two players to bolster their defense and re-signing a key contributor on offense.

The Saints agreed to terms on a five-year deal with defensive end Bobby McCray, and also reached an agreement on a four-year contract with cornerback Randall Gay, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

McCray's contract is valued at $20 million, including a $5 million signing bonus. The Saints reached terms with Gay on a contract worth $17.8 million, including $6.9 million in guaranteed money. The first two years of the deal could pay Gay as much as $9 million.

The Saints also re-signed running back Aaron Stecker.

McCray spent each of his first four NFL seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, starting 29 of 61 career regular season games. The former seventh-round pick out of the University of Florida has 22 career sacks, including a career-high 10 in 2006. The 26-year-old started nine games in 2007, registering 18 total tackles and three sacks.

"Bobby is a player we identified as being able to come in and help us in the defensive line rotation," Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis told neworleanssaints.com. "He is a player that is quick off the edge and has displayed a penchant for being able to generate pressure on the quarterback and be disruptive in passing situations."

Gay played in all 16 games for the Patriots last season, including three starts, finishing with 38 total tackles and three interceptions. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2004, Gay started nine games as a rookie but was limited to eight games the following two seasons due to injuries.

Gay's agent, Albert Elias, told The Associated Press that Gay is expected to sign the contract on Monday.

An unrestricted free agent, Stecker rushed for a career-high 448 yards, scored five touchdowns and caught 36 passes during six starts in 2007. He originally signed with the Saints in 2004 after four years with Tampa Bay.

On Saturday, the Saints re-signed wide receiver Devery Henderson and terminated the contract of linebacker Brian Simmons.


http://www.nfl.com/freeagency/story?...o&confirm=true

[peewee's lovechild]

.

He and gins are going to make a solid tandem.

[peewee's lovechild]

Reeves sucks balls. gins is a better DB than Reeves.

. What the is McNair thinking?

Dude, you were the biggest critic of gins this past season!

Don't start back tracking.

[monosylab1k]

[ATRAIN]

VY is VY, no cutting any corners. Regardless of who they give him, he still has to work on getting the ball to them.

Won't happen he is garbage.

[mardigan]

Panthers | Brayton agrees to two-year contract
Tue, 4 Mar 2008 21:01:32 -0800

Adam Caplan, of Scout.com, reports free-agent DE Tyler Brayton (Raiders) agreed to a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He will compete for the starting right defensive end position.



Bears | Booker agrees on two-year deal
Tue, 4 Mar 2008 19:22:14 -0800

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Bears have agreed to terms on a two-year deal with free-agent WR Marty Booker (Dolphins). Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.



Steelers | Contract update: M. Moore
Tue, 4 Mar 2008 18:39:54 -0800

Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Steelers RB Mewelde Moore signed a three-year deal worth $4.95 million with a $1.35 million signing bonus. Moore will compete to be the team's third-down back and to return punts and kickoffs.



Seahawks | Contract update: Putzier
Tue, 4 Mar 2008 17:58:45 -0800

Updating a previous item, Adam Caplan, of Scout.com, reports Seattle Seahawks TE Jeb Putzier agreed to a one-year contract worth the veteran minimum of $605,000. He received a signing bonus of around $40,000.



Buccaneers | Lehman signs with team
Tue, 4 Mar 2008 17:56:37 -0800

Jim Flynn and Scott Reynolds, of PewterReport.com, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed free-agent LB Teddy Lehman (Lions). Terms of the deal were not disclosed. He will likely compete for the backup middle linebacker position.



Buccaneers | Lehman signs with team
Tue, 4 Mar 2008 17:56:37 -0800

Jim Flynn and Scott Reynolds, of PewterReport.com, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed free-agent LB Teddy Lehman (Lions). Terms of the deal were not disclosed. He will likely compete for the backup middle linebacker position.



Buccaneers | McCoy signs with team
Tue, 4 Mar 2008 17:55:59 -0800

Jim Flynn and Scott Reynolds, of PewterReport.com, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed free-agent LB Matt McCoy (Saints). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.



Patriots | Gaffney agrees to one-year deal
Tue, 4 Mar 2008 17:49:16 -0800

Mike Reiss, of the Boston Globe, reports the New England Patriots have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free-agent WR Jabar Gaffney (Patriots), according to the NFL Network's Adam Schefter. The deal is worth $2 million.



Patriots | Aiken signs two-year deal
Tue, 4 Mar 2008 17:40:48 -0800

Karen Guregian, of the Boston Herald, reports the New England Patriots have signed free-agent WR Sam Aiken (Bills) to a two-year contract that could be worth $2 million. Aiken will play on special teams and could compete for the fifth or fourth receiver's position.



Raiders | Sapp officially retires
Tue, 4 Mar 2008 17:25:18 -0800

The Associated Press reports former Oakland Raiders DL Warren Sapp has officially retired from the NFL after 13 seasons.



Seahawks | Duckett signed to five-year deal
Tue, 4 Mar 2008 15:56:37 -0800

The Associated Press reports the Seattle Seahawks have signed RB T.J. Duckett (Lions) to a five-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.



Patriots | Team signs Webster
Tue, 4 Mar 2008 13:14:28 -0800

Mike McDermott, of The Providence Journal, reports the New England Patriots signed free-agent CB Jason Webster (Bills) Tuesday, March 4. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.



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




Browns' recently acquired defensive tackle gets 6-year deal
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
Updated: March 5, 2008, 11:34 AM ET


The Cleveland Browns moved quickly to acquire former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers after a trade with the Bengals was nixed, and moved just as fast in securing him to a long-term contract.

Rogers and the Browns agreed to a six-year, $42 million deal on Wednesday, a restructuring that will keep him in Cleveland until 2013. With his existing contract scheduled to expire in 2010, three years and a guaranteed $20 million were added to make the deal work.

Under terms of the new contract, Rogers will make $23 million over the first three years.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3277837

[midgetonadonkey]

Dude, you were the biggest critic of gins this past season!

Don't start back tracking.

How am I backtracking. I'm saying that gins is better than Reeves and that is saying nothing. gins sucks balls, but Reeves is even worse. them both.

[LakerMagic]

VY is VY, no cutting any corners. Regardless of who they give him, he still has to work on getting the ball to them.

I'd trade Phillip Rivers for Vince Young in a heartbeat.