NFL Offseason Thread

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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday signed quarterback John Navarre and linebacker Mike Labinjo, both little-used backups the past three years.

Navarre, who played at Michigan, appeared in two games with the Arizona Cardinals, completing 32 of 64 pass attempts with two touchdowns and five interceptions. He started the only game he played in 2004, when the Cardinals benched Josh McCown in favor of Shaun King for two games and then Navarre for one game before going back to McCown.

Labinjo, from Michigan State, played three games with Philadelphia in 2004 and seven games with Miami in 2005, totaling 19 tackles. He was waived by the Dolphins in September and did not play last season.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Updated: March 15, 2007, 3:39 PM ET
Cardinals sign special teams standout MoreyAssociated Press


TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals have signed free agent Sean Morey to a three-year contract, the team said Thursday.


Morey


Morey was a special teams standout last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where new Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt was offensive coordinator. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Morey, who also plays wide receiver, returned eight kickoffs for 202 yards and had a team-high 21 special teams tackles for the Steelers last season. He had 18 special-team tackles in the Steelers' 2005 Super Bowl championship season.

The New England Patriots drafted Morey in the seventh round out of Brown in 1999. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003, then signed with the Steelers as a free agent in 2004.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

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Redskins re-sign veteran lineman Wade for two yearsBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


The Washington Redskins on Thursday bought themselves some insurance on the offensive line, and a possible starter as well, when they reached agreement to re-sign veteran blocker and unrestricted free agent Todd Wade.


Wade


Wade, who appeared in two games for the Redskins in 2006 after signing with the team just before the start of the regular season, will sign a two-year contract worth slightly more than $6 million.

The retention of Wade assures the Redskins a solid No. 3 tackle behind starters Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen. Perhaps more important, however, it could provide Washington with its new starting left guard.

Wade, 30, has not played guard previously in his career, but the Redskins are seeking a replacement for standout Derrick Dockery, who departed as an unrestricted free agent two weeks ago. Because of his toughness and tenacity, the Washington coaches feel that Wade can make the transition to guard, and that he might be a better candidate for the position than any of the veterans remaining in the free agent pool.

Certainly a move to guard, especially if it allowed Wade to become a starter again, might re-energize his career. Wade was unceremoniously released by the Houston Texans last July because the new coaching staff there did not feel he was a good fit for the system they were installing.

Once regarded as a cornerstone for the Houston offensive line, the seven-year veteran right tackle played just two years for the Texans after signing with the team as an unrestricted free agent in the spring of 2004. His tenure in Houston was marked by inconsistency, injury and a big financial investment that went sour for Texans officials.

A former University of Mississippi standout, Wade was chosen by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2000 draft. In four seasons with Miami, he appeared in 63 games, all starts, before signing with the Texans in 2004. At the time, some talent evaluators in the league, while conceding Wade probably represented an upgrade for Houston, questioned the size of the contract the Texans gave him.

That six-year, $30 million contract, which included a $10 million signing bonus, turned out to be a catastrophe for the Texans. Over two years, the Texans paid Wade $12 million in bonuses and salaries, but he never quite lived up to expectations as the Houston line continued to struggle.

Wade appeared in 14 games in 2004, his first season in Houston, starting 13 times at right tackle. He started the first nine contests in 2005 but then suffered a torn knee ligament and was placed on injured reserve for the balance of the season.

For his career, he has played in 88 games, all but two as a starter.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com

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Bears' Johnson to spend 120 days in jailAssociated Press


SKOKIE, Ill. -- Chicago Bears defensive lineman Tank Johnson was sentenced Thursday to four months in jail for violating probation in a 2005 gun case.


Johnson


Johnson immediately was taken into custody. He could have been sentenced to up to a year behind bars.

Johnson, who pleaded guilty to violating his probation, also must pay a $2,500 fine.

Johnson was arrested on misdemeanor weapons charges Dec. 14 after police raided his home in the Lake County town of Gurnee, about 40 miles northwest of Chicago, and found six unregistered firearms.

At the time, he was on probation in a November 2005 Cook County case. In that case, he'd pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge stemming from an arrest in which a nightclub valet reported seeing Johnson with a handgun in his sport utility vehicle.

Johnson's bodyguard, Willie B. Posey, was arrested on felony drug charges after the raid on Johnson's home. Posey was shot and killed two days later during an early morning fight while he and Johnson were at a nightclub in Chicago.

The Bears suspended Johnson for one game for being out at the club.

He has been under house arrest since the raid, but was permitted to attend practice and travel to Miami for the Super Bowl, where the Indianapolis Colts beat the Chicago Bears 29-17.

Just days after returning from Miami, Johnson pleaded guilty to violating his probation in the 2005 case. He has pleaded not guilty to the Lake County charges in the latest arrest.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

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Updated: March 15, 2007, 5:42 PM ET
Eagles land former Rams wideout CurtisBy John Clayton and Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


The Philadelphia Eagles signed former Rams unrestricted free agent wideout Kevin Curtis to a six-year, $32 million contract on Thursday.


Curtis


The Eagles beat out the Minnesota Vikings and two other teams for the chance to land the heavily-coveted Curtis, who will be guaranteed $9.5 million in the deal.

Rated by ESPN.com as the No. 23 player available in the unrestricted market, Curtis was one of the top players still remaining in the talent pool. The four-year veteran was one of the most popular unrestricted free agents from the outset of the signing period, but his courtship was delayed when he changed agents a week into the process.

Curtis, 28, had played his entire career with the St. Louis Rams before going into free agency. He wrapped up his visits with other teams this week, meeting with Tennessee ans officials, then returned home to Utah to deliberate the offers from his various suitors.

The addition of Curtis is a coup for the Eagles and team president Joe Banner, not just because of the intense compe ion for his services, but also because he figures to be such a good fit with the team's young corps of receivers. He has played in an offense similar to the design of coach Andy Reid, and the deep threat he consistently provides will compensate for Philadelphia's recent loss of wide receiver Donte Stallworth in free agency.

One of the NFL's fastest players, certainly in terms of straight-line speed, Curtis will bring a big-play dimension to the Eagles' attack.

In his four seasons with the Rams, he registered 136 receptions for 1,714 yards and 12 touchdowns. His best season was in 2005, when Curtis had 60 catches for 801 yards and six touchdowns, playing in the Mike Martz-designed offense.

He garnered considerable playing time that year because of injuries, but his role was reduced under first-year coach Scott Linehan in 2006, when St. Louis relied more on the running game and didn't use as many three-wideout formations.

A former Utah State standout, Curtis was a third-round choice in the 2003 draft, and has appeared in 51 games, with 11 starts.

John Clayton and Len Pasquarelli are senior writers for ESPN.com


Just another guy for Newman to lock down

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Chargers | Robinson re-signed
Thu, 15 Mar 2007 14:19:37 -0700

The San Diego Chargers have announced the re-signing of exclusive rights free-agent DL Derreck Robinson to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.



Chargers | Bingham re-signed
Thu, 15 Mar 2007 14:21:25 -0700

The San Diego Chargers have announced the re-signing of exclusive rights free-agent DL Ryon Bingham to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.



Dolphins | Team will not hire a offensive coordinator
Thu, 15 Mar 2007 14:43:12 -0700

Harvey Fialkov, of the Orlando Sun-Sentinel, reports Miami Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron will not hire an offensive coordinator and will call the plays himself.


Packers | Team wants to extend Williams' contract
Thu, 15 Mar 2007 10:56:41 -0700

Bob McGinn, of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, reports the Green Bay Packers want to extend the contract of DL Corey Williams, who becomes a free agent after next year. Discussions have gone on, but nothing has come out of these talks.



NFL | T. Brown wants to play next year
Thu, 15 Mar 2007 14:54:12 -0700

Michael Felger, of the Boston Herald, reports unrestricted free-agent WR Troy Brown (Patriots) wants to play next season, no matter which team it's for.

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Johnson dazzles during awesome pro day displayBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


ATLANTA -- He still isn't likely to be the first player selected overall, but Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson did nothing here Thursday during his "pro day" workout to dispel the notion that he is the premier prospect in this year's NFL draft class.



Kevin Terrell/WireImage.com
Calvin Johnson did nothing to depreciate his draft value at the Georgia Tech pro day Thursday.
Auditioning in front of about 75 league scouts and coaches assembled on the Georgia Tech campus, a group that included head coaches Lane Kiffin of the Oakland Raiders and the Washington Redskins' Joe Gibbs, Johnson dazzled the crowd with a rare combination of raw athleticism and polished receiving skills.

"Whatever they wanted to see," said Johnson, "I think I showed them."

And then some.

As expected, Johnson caught the ball well, making effortless grabs on passes thrown by former Yellow Jackets quarterback Damarius Bilbo and prospect Drew McKay of Liberty University.

Several receptions, during a session mostly directed by Detroit Lions scouts and coaches, came on balls that were thrown well outside of Johnson's body frame and for which he had to stretch out.

The 6-foot-5, 239-pound Johnson on Thursday eschewed the 40-yard dash, in which he was clocked at between 4.35-4.39 seconds at the combine workouts in Indianapolis last month. But he turned in sterling efforts of 42½ inches in the vertical jump and 11 feet, 7 inches in the long jump. He had not performed in those events at the combine.

Putting those numbers in some perspective: The best vertical jump by any of the participants at the combine was 41½ inches. And no one at the combine posted a long jump of better than 11 feet.

Said one regional scout from an AFC franchise: "For a guy that size to do the things that he does, and to make it all look so easy ... is amazing."

Johnson, who opted to bypass his final season of eligibility to enter the draft, is projected by most observers to be a top four choice on April 27. In 29 games for the Yellow Jackets, he had 127 receptions for 2,151 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com

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Dolphins | Team will not hire a offensive coordinator
Thu, 15 Mar 2007 14:43:12 -0700

Harvey Fialkov, of the Orlando Sun-Sentinel, reports Miami Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron will not hire an offensive coordinator and will call the plays himself.

Being a Fin fan myself I believe they had Mularkey as their OC mardigan? Why and when was he given the boot?

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Cam Cameron looks set to call the plays in his first season as Miami Dolphins coach in 2007.

Cameron announced the completion of his staff on Thursday but did not name an offensive co-ordinator.

Cameron, 46, served as offensive co-ordinator of the San Diego Chargers for the last five seasons, helping build one of the league's better offences. San Diego averaged a league-leading 30.8 points last season en route to a franchise-best 14-2 record.

Signed to a four-year contract on January 19, Cameron will look to rejuvenate a Miami team which finished in last place in the AFC East with a 6-10 mark.

Although he will undertake play-calling duties, Cameron has surrounded himself with an experienced offensive staff that includes former coaches Mike Mularkey and Terry Robiskie.

"I think we have assembled one of the strongest coaching staffs in the league," Cameron said.

"Our offensive staff, which includes a number of former head coaches and co-ordinators in the NFL as well as head coaches at the major college level, will work closely with me in formulating and implementing our game plan."

That game plan will likely centre around third-year running back Ronnie Brown, who rushed for 1,008 yards and five touchdowns in his second season.

Cameron will be hoping to have a healthy quarterback after three-time Pro Bowler Daunte Culpepper was limited to just four games in 2006 while rehabilitating a major knee surgery.



There ya go DNS, he is still there, but in what capacity Im not exactly sure.

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Ravens | Team signs Rimpf
Thu, 15 Mar 2007 20:22:30 -0700

Mike Duffy, of BaltimoreRavens.com, reports the Baltimore Ravens signed exclusive rights free agent OG Brian Rimpf to a one-year contract Tuesday, March 13.



Dolphins | Mularkey to coach tight ends
Fri, 16 Mar 2007 08:09:02 -0700

Harvey Fialkov, of the Sun-Sentinel, reports the Miami Dolphins have named Mike Mularkey as the team's tight ends coach.



Steelers | Team re-signs Iwuoma
Fri, 16 Mar 2007 09:28:57 -0700

Steelers.com reports the Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed CB Chidi Iwuoma to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.


Eagles | Team re-signs Buckhalter
Fri, 16 Mar 2007 09:37:46 -0700

The Philadelphia Eagles announced Friday, March 16, they have re-signed RB Correll Buckhalter to a two-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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Thanks for that.

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Updated: March 16, 2007, 1:23 AM ET
Saints DE Grant is set to meet Friday with Bucs officialsBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


In what might be a plot aimed at snatching away a standout young defender, or simply a ploy meant to rattle a division rival, the Tampa Bay Bucs will meet Friday with New Orleans defensive end Charles Grant, designated by the Saints last month as a franchise player.


Grant


On face value, a huddle between the sides might be benign, little more than just a get acquainted session. But such meetings involving a franchise player are so unusual, given that franchise-designated players rarely change teams, that it must be considered significant.

Since the current player movement system was implemented in 1993, only three franchise players have switched teams, none since 1998.

The reason: The cost of pirating away a franchise player is prohibitive.

To secure Grant, the Bucs would first have to sign him to an offer sheet, and the Saints would then have seven days to decide whether to match it. If it matched, New Orleans would assume the terms of the offer sheet. If the Saints declined to match it, Grant would move on to Tampa Bay, but the Bucs would have to compensate New Orleans with a pair of first-round draft choices.

Tampa Bay owns the fourth overall pick in the 2007 draft and, even for a player as valued as Grant, that selection in itself would be pricey compensation. An alternative would be for the Bucs to sign Grant to an offer sheet, and then for the two teams to subsequently agree on a trade for something less than two first-round draft choices.

But trading Grant to a team within the division would be difficult for the Saints to reconcile.

Grant, 28, had hoped to avoid the franchise tag because of the acrimony it typically entails and because, like most free agents, he would have preferred to be in the unrestricted market. The value of the franchise marker for a defensive end, which basically represents a one-year qualifying offer, is $8.64 million.

There were some discussions during the season of a long-term contract extension for Grant, but they never resulted in a deal, and the two sides didn't have much dialogue after the 2006 campaign concluded. Not surprisingly, Grant was critical of the Saints after the team used the franchise designation to keep him off the open market.

A former University of Georgia standout, Grant was New Orleans' first-round choice in the 2002 draft, and played his entire tenure with the Saints under his original rookie contract.

Grant has never missed a game in five seasons. He is an intense two-way performer, a defender whose motor typically runs high, and who plays well versus the run and the pass.

In 80 appearances, Grant has 298 tackles, 36 sacks, one interception, 24 passes defensed, 15 forced fumbles and five recoveries. He totaled 20½ sacks in 2003-04, but fell off to just 2½ sacks in 2005, before improving to six in 2006.

Tampa Bay last week signed veteran defensive end Kevin Carter after he was released by the Miami Dolphins, but apparently wants to continue to upgrade the position.

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

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Updated: March 16, 2007, 8:08 AM ET
Dolphins, Broncos extend deadline on 'Big Daddy'By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

With the clock ticking toward a possible dissolution of the deal, Denver and Miami officials have extended the deadline by which defensive tackle Dan "Big Daddy" Wilkinson must report and pass a physical examination to complete the March 3 trade that sent him from the Dolphins to the Broncos.

According to the conditions of the trade, in which the Broncos sent the Dolphins a sixth-round draft pick in exchange for Wilkinson, the veteran tackle was to have reported for a physical examination by Friday. His failure to do so would have nullified the trade.

But the teams decided late Thursday to extend the deadline indefinitely while Broncos officials, who clearly want Wilkinson to be a part of their defensive tackle rotation in 2007, try to find the 13-year pro and persuade him to report.

The problem: Wilkinson, who acknowledged in the wake of the trade that he had "some issues" to address before reporting to the Broncos, has not returned phone calls from either team.

The clubs could probably extend the deadline, if they so desired, right up to the draft. At that point, given that the sixth-round choice involved in the deal is in this year's lottery, the trade might have to be voided, assuming Wilkinson still had not surfaced.

Wilkinson, 34, has considered retirement in recent seasons. He is also notorious for trying to avoid offseason conditioning programs and even training camp. He did not sign with the Dolphins last summer until well into camp.

The Broncos, who have made a habit in recent years of trading for onetime high-round defensive linemen, definitely want Wilkinson. They feel that despite his age, he can play well in their tackle rotation. But as a contingency, the Broncos met this week with a pair of unrestricted free agent tackles, Alfonso Boone and Ian Scott, both of the Chicago Bears.

Depending on how things play out with Wilkinson, the Broncos could pursue one of the free agents.

Wilkinson is still regarded as a solid defender versus the run but is coming off a 2006 season in which he registered just 14 tackles in 10 games. Once capable of providing plenty of inside push on the pass rush, Wilkinson did not have a sack in 2006.

A former Ohio State star, Wilkinson was chosen by the Cincinnati Bengals to lead off the 1994 draft. After four seasons with the Bengals, and a contentious relationship with the front office when dealing on contract matters, he was traded to the Washington Redskins in 1998.

Wilkinson played five seasons in Washington, where he was very productive, then signed with the Lions in 2003.

In 195 career appearances, Wilkinson has 386 tackles, 54½ sacks, seven forced fumbles, four recoveries, five interceptions and 28 pass deflections.

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

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Giants' Short was in store next to fatal gunfightESPN.com news services


New York Giants linebacker Brandon Short escaped from the crossfire of a shooting in New York's Greenwich Village, in which police brought down a gunman who shot and killed a bartender and two auxiliary police officers on Wednesday night.

Short told the New York Daily News he was in a Bleeker Street jewelry shop when gunfire errupted Wednesday night. He said the two officers who were killed, Nick Pekearo and Eugene Marshalik, ran past him just as he entered the store.

Short told the Daily News he ran to the back of the store and dropped to the floor when the shooting between police and gunman David Garvin began.

"I was fearful for my life," he told the newspaper. "There were bullets flying everywhere."


Outside, police engaged Garvin in a firece gun battle after he shot a bartender in a pizzeria and then shot and killed the two auxiliary officers. Garvin then holed up in a leather goods store -- next to the jewlery shop where Short had been shopping -- before coming out firing. Police fired 56 shots at Garvin, killing him.

"It was a crowded street in Manhattan. Some people were running through restaurants, running down alleys to get away," Short told the newspaper. "It's a miracle that no bullets actually went through the window."

Garvin, 42, had been carrying two semiautomatic firearms and a bag with a fake beard and 100 rounds of ammunition, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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Updated: March 18, 2007, 12:51 AM ET
Chiefs agree to re-sign Wilkerson for one yearBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


Continuing the momentum aimed at replenishing their threadbare front four, the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday night reached agreement to re-sign four-year veteran defensive lineman Jimmy Wilkerson, who spent the past two weeks testing the unrestricted free agent market.


Wilkerson


It marked the third straight day in which the Chiefs addressed a defensive line that had been perilously thin before the sudden spate of signings.

On Thursday, the Chiefs signed six-year veteran tackle Ron Edwards, who returned to the team after spending the past two weeks exploring the free agent market. They followed that up on Friday with the addition of unrestricted free agent tackle Alfonso Boone, who played his entire six-year career with the Chicago Bears until becoming a free agent.


Edwards and Boone both signed four-year contracts believed to be worth about $7 million-$8 million. Wilkerson signed just a one-year contract, and the financial details were not yet available.


Wilkerson, 26, chose to return to the Chiefs over a short-term offer from Green Bay, where he had visited with Packers officials this week. In fact, it was surprising how much attention Wilkerson drew in free agency, given his modest production in four NFL seasons.


The former Oklahoma star was coveted by the Chiefs and other teams, however, for his versatility and for his effectiveness as a role player. Wilkerson can play the "under" tackle position and both end spots, and is seen as a defender who gives maximum effort despite a limited amount of snaps. He can also play on special teams.


A sixth-round choice in the 2003 draft, Wilkerson has 86 career tackles, one-half sack, 34 quarterback pressures, one fumble recovery and four pass deflections. He has appeared in 56 games and started two contests.


By signing just a one-year contract, Wilkerson will be able to add to his résumé in 2007, when his playing time could be increased, and go back into free agency again next spring.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com

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Updated: March 18, 2007, 8:52 AM ET
Bucs to sign Colts' LB June to three-year dealBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


Unrestricted free agent Cato June, one of the NFL's top "cover two" linebackers, is headed to the team that all but invented the scheme that helped make him a Pro Bowl performer.

Top free agents

JuneLinebacker Cato June is No. 11 on ESPN.com's list of the top NFL free agents on the market. Story

• Scouting report

June, who helped lead the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl XLI championship in 2006, on Saturday reached agreement with the Tampa Bay Bucs on a three-year contract. June visited with Bucs officials and coaches on Friday and the two sides struck a quick deal.


ESPN.com has learned that June will sign a three-year contract worth slightly in excess of $12 million. But the structure of the contract, negotiated by the Manhattan-based Sportstars agency, will all but mandate that the Bucs revisit it before the three years is up.


June was rated as the No. 11 player in ESPN.com's rankings of the top unrestricted free agents.


Securing an active linebacker like June, an excellent player in pass coverage, should boost a Tampa Bay defense that slumped to 17th in the league last season. The Bucs had rated among the NFL's top 10 defenses in nine of the previous 10 seasons. June will team with Derrick Brooks to give the Bucs two of the top coverage linebackers in the league.


It was key, given his skills-set, for June to land with a franchise that plays a "cover two" style and that goal was met with Saturday's deal. There was some speculation in the past few days that June might re-sign with the Colts, for whom he played the first four seasons of his career. Instead, he becomes the fourth starting linebacker to exit Indianapolis in free agency since 2003.


Mike Peterson signed with Jacksonville in 2003, Marcus Washington with the Redskins in 2004 and David Thornton with Tennessee in 2006.


June, 27, was a college safety at the University of Michigan, but the Colts, who selected him in the sixth round of the 2003 draft, quickly converted him to linebacker. He became a starter in only his second season with the team.


In four seasons, June has 379 tackles, including 100-plus tackles in each of his three years as a starter. He also has one sack, 10 interceptions, two forced fumbles and three recoveries. He struggled at times against the run in 2006, often missing tackles and not holding up at the point of attack, but still led the Colts with 142 tackles.


June was named to the Pro Bowl team after the 2005 season, a campaign in which he posted five interceptions.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com

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Dolphins | Mularkey to coach tight ends
Fri, 16 Mar 2007 08:09:02 -0700

Harvey Fialkov, of the Sun-Sentinel, reports the Miami Dolphins have named Mike Mularkey as the team's tight ends coach.

Im just glad he is not running the Offense anymore. He was terrible.

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NFL | Harrington heading to Canadian Football League?
Sun, 18 Mar 2007 08:01:35 -0700

Harvey Fialkov, of the Sun-Sentinel, reports the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League gained exclusive rights of free agent QB Joey Harrington (Dolphins) by placing his name on the team's negotiation list, according to the Toronto Star.



Texans | Team signs S. Barber
Mon, 19 Mar 2007 11:27:55 -0700

Chris McPherson, of PhiladelphiaEagles.com, reports the Houston Texans have signed LB Shawn Barber (Eagles). Details of the contract were not disclosed.

[sa_butta]

NFL | Harrington heading to Canadian Football League?
Sun, 18 Mar 2007 08:01:35 -0700

Harvey Fialkov, of the Sun-Sentinel, reports the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League gained exclusive rights of free agent QB Joey Harrington (Dolphins) by placing his name on the team's negotiation list, according to the Toronto Star.

Toronto Agronauts=Dolphins dumping ground.

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Updated: March 19, 2007, 3:52 PM ET
Manning deal keeps QB in New York 3 more seasonsBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


In a move planned since the day Eli Manning signed his rookie contract, the New York Giants have exercised a $5 million "buyback" option, raising to $20 million the amount of total bonus money that the quarterback has earned since he entered the league as the top overall choice in the 2004 draft.


Eli Manning
Quarterback
New York Giants

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
Att Comp Yds TD Int Rat
522 301 3058 24 18 77.0


Without the buyback bonus, the 2007 season would have been the last on Manning's deal, and he would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring. Even with his inconsistent performance at times, the Giants weren't about to allow that to happen. The buyback means that Manning, who has been the team's starter since the second half of his rookie campaign, remains under contract to the Giants through the 2009 season.

There was a published report on Monday that the Giants had extended Manning's contract through the 2012 season, but that was erroneous. Manning remains under the six-year deal, worth $45 million-$54 million, that he signed in July 2004 and there have been no major alterations to his contract.

Under that contract, Manning received an initial signing bonus of $3 million in 2004. In March of 2005, the Giants paid him a guaranteed $9 million option bonus. But under the terms of the contract, Manning could void the 2008-2010 seasons by reaching minimum playing time standards in any of the first three years of the deal, which he accomplished.

By reaching those thresholds, Manning triggered a guaranteed $3 million roster bonus, which was paid earlier this month. That raised his total bonus money to $15 million.

The Giants then had the right to "buy back" the 2008-2009 seasons, which had been voided, for an additional $5 million bonus, which they did. Essentially, the team restored two years that had voided, retaining Manning through 2009.

The buyback clause, basically a mechanism for adding bonus money to a deal, has become fairly conventional in recent years for contracts signed by quarterbacks chosen early in the first round. Last year, the Houston Texans paid quarterback David Carr a buyback bonus of $8 million to restore three seasons of his contract that had voided.

By paying the buyback in Manning's deal, the Giants set his base salaries at $8 million for 2008 and $8.5 million for 2009. The former University of Mississippi star can earn further performance bonuses of $1.5 million each in 2007-2009, but those are conditional on the Giants making the playoffs and Manning ranking among the top five quarterbacks in the league in a variety of statistical categories.

Manning, 26, has appeared in 41 games, with 39 starts, in his three seasons. He has completed 690 of 1,276 passes for 8,049 yards, with 54 touchdown passes, 44 interceptions, and a passer rating of 73.2.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

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Cowboys no match for LB Fowler; ans sign GageBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


The Dallas Cowboys on Friday evening opted not to match the restricted free agent offer sheet signed by linebacker Ryan Fowler earlier this week, meaning that the three-year veteran will be allowed to move to the Tennessee ans.


Fowler


Dallas' decision not to match, which was anticipated, came three days before the deadline for acting on the offer. The offer sheet is for four years, and believed to be worth $11.5 million.


Had the Cowboys matched it, they would have assumed the terms of the deal that the ans negotiated with Fowler. Because he entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent from Duke in 2004, and Dallas made Fowler the lowest qualifying offer for a restricted free agent, a one-year deal at $850,000, the Cowboys will receive no compensation from the ans.


Gage


Fowler came close to signing an offer sheet with Philadelphia on Sunday and, in fact, the Eagles dispatched an e-mail to national media members announcing that he had agreed to terms. As it turned out, Fowler never signed the offer sheet with the Eagles, and on Monday he decided to sign with Tennessee instead.


In three seasons, Fowler has appeared in 32 games and started just three contests. He has 49 tackles from scrimmage, two forced fumbles and one recovery. For the most part, Fowler served as a backup inside linebacker in the Dallas 3-4 scheme. On special teams, he posted 28 tackles and had one forced fumble.


The Tennessee coaches feel that Fowler can challenge for the starting job at middle linebacker.


Securing the services of restricted free agents historically has proven a difficult undertaking with the current system. In the 14 previous years of free agency, only 55 restricted free agents changed teams. Four restricted free agents changed teams in 2006.


But Fowler is the third restricted free agent to change teams already this year. One restricted free agent, wide receiver Wes Welker, was actually traded from Miami to New England. Earlier on Friday, the Cincinnati Bengals declined to match a four-year offer sheet that defensive tackle Shaun Smith signed with the Cleveland Browns last week.

In another Friday move, the ans signed unrestricted free agent wide receiver Justin Gage, a four-year veteran who had spent his entire career with the Chicago Bears. A fifth-round choice in the 2003 draft, Gage has appeared in 49 games and started 16 of them. The former Missouri standout has 64 receptions for 908 yards and four touchdowns.


Contract details were not immediately available.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com

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The Vikings have no interest in bringing Randy Moss back, and the odds are good that the Packers won't be able to make a deal with the Raiders, who want quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a former No. 1 pick, in the deal.

http://www.startribune.com/507/story/1063612-p2.html

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The Vikings have no interest in bringing Randy Moss back, and the odds are good that the Packers won't be able to make a deal with the Raiders, who want quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a former No. 1 pick, in the deal.

http://www.startribune.com/507/story/1063612-p2.html

Yea, found this too


Packers GM insists QB Rodgers not on trading blockESPN.com news services


Despite the rumors of a trade that would include Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Raiders wide receiver Randy Moss, Green Bay officials are dismissing the talk, according to a published report.

Aaron Rodgers
Quarterback
Green Bay Packers

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
Att Comp Yds TD Int Rat
15 6 28 0 0 48.2


"It's never been discussed inside the building or outside the building," Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson told the Green Bay Press-Gazette when asked about the chances of a deal that would include Rodgers.

Rodgers was the Packers' first round pick (No. 24 overall) in the 2005 NFL draft and is expected to be Green Bay's quarterback of the future.

"I think [Aaron's] a very talented guy," Thompson said. "He's everything we thought of in terms of intelligence, and his physical ability, his ability to throw the ball. I like the way he handles himself around the team."

Last season, Rodgers completed six of 15 passes for 46 yards before breaking his left foot during a 35-0 loss to the New England Patriots on Nov. 19. Rodgers was placed on IR after the injury.

The former Cal QB is expected to back up veteran Brett Favre this season.

[sa_butta]

Yea, found this too


Packers GM insists QB Rodgers not on trading blockESPN.com news services


Despite the rumors of a trade that would include Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Raiders wide receiver Randy Moss, Green Bay officials are dismissing the talk, according to a published report.

Aaron Rodgers
Quarterback
Green Bay Packers

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
Att Comp Yds TD Int Rat
15 6 28 0 0 48.2


"It's never been discussed inside the building or outside the building," Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson told the Green Bay Press-Gazette when asked about the chances of a deal that would include Rodgers.

Rodgers was the Packers' first round pick (No. 24 overall) in the 2005 NFL draft and is expected to be Green Bay's quarterback of the future.

"I think [Aaron's] a very talented guy," Thompson said. "He's everything we thought of in terms of intelligence, and his physical ability, his ability to throw the ball. I like the way he handles himself around the team."

Last season, Rodgers completed six of 15 passes for 46 yards before breaking his left foot during a 35-0 loss to the New England Patriots on Nov. 19. Rodgers was placed on IR after the injury.

The former Cal QB is expected to back up veteran Brett Favre this season.

I cant imagine them parting with their project future QB for a WR. I was surprised when the rumor first surfaced. Farve is near the end and Rodgers should fill in nicely once Brett decides he has had enough.

[mardigan]

I cant imagine them parting with their project future QB for a WR. I was surprised when the rumor first surfaced. Farve is near the end and Rodgers should fill in nicely once Brett decides he has had enough.

I can, just because they havent ever seemed very high on this guy, and every time he gets into the game he looks absolutely horrible. I guess it would be win now vs. win later. If they really thought they could win right now if they added Moss with Driver (which would be scary by the way), I say do it. I guess it all depends on how good they think he will be