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| The NFL Network's Mike Mayock reports that Jonathan Stewart could undergo surgery on his toe that would sideline him for four-to-six months. If the running back does have the procedure, obviously his stock would tumble big time. He was a sure-fire first-round pick before this news. |
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| The NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports that the Texans are expected to complete a deal for free agent running back Chris Brown tomorrow. Brown had 464 yards and five TDs last year with Tennessee. Brown isn't likely to start with Ahman Green still around, but he would still see plenty of carries. |
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| Takeo Spikes , cut last week by the Philadelphia Eagles, is making his first visit ever as an unrestricted free agent with plans to visit the San Francisco 49ers, according to ProFootballTalk.com. Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports Spikes will visit the Niners on Thursday. When the Eagles released him, it marked the first time in Spikes’ ten years in the NFL that he was available for hire as an unrestricted free agent. In San Fran, Spikes would join a defense that appears to be on the rise, featuring 2007 NFL defensive rookie of the year Patrick Willis. Spikes would add a veteran presence and another solid tackler in an attempt to shore up the rush defense. |
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| The Bucs are said to be nearing a deal with free agent safety Eugene Wilson, according to the St. Petersburg Times. Wilson could also help out at cornerback for Tampa. He'll play primarily in nickel coverage. |
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| The NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports that Drew Carter has signed on with the Raiders. Terms of the deal aren't known at this time. This comes just over a week after Oakland brought in Javon Walker. Carter will be the No. 3 option with the Black and Silver, though he could get some starts if Walker's knee acts up. |
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| Kalvin Pearson signed a three-year contract with the Detroit Lions after Tampa Bay declined to match the offer sheet, according to the Tampa Tribune. The deal is worth $3.5 million, including $1 million in guaranteed money. Pearson, who earned $516,360 last season, led Tampa Bay with 21 special teams tackles last season. |
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| The New York Giants have signed linebacker Danny Clark to an undisclosed contract, according to lohud.com. Clark will fill the roster spot that opened up after Reggie Torbor signed with Miami. Clark will likely be a core special teams player in the Big Apple. |
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| The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with receiver Justin McCareins, according to the Tennessean. McCareins' deal is for one year, and it includes a base salary of $730,000. The total package is believed to be worth around $1 million. McCareins had his best NFL success with the Titans from 2001-03. |
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| The Washington Redskins have made veteran receiver Reche Caldwell a contract offer, according to the Washington Post. Terms of the contract offer are undisclosed right now, but the deal will likely be for the veteran minimum. Caldwell played in eight games last year for Washington, starting one, while compiling 15 receptions for 141 yards. |
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| The Cincinnati Bengals have re-signed linebacker Roy Manning to a one-year contract, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Manning has played in 21 NFL games (with two starts), 15 of those as a rookie in 2005 with the Green Bay Packers, who originally signed him as a college free agent. In 2006, he played in one game for Houston and finished the year on the Buffalo roster. He was with Jacksonville briefly in the 2007 regular season (inactive for one game) before the Bengals acquired him on waivers. His career statistics include 20 tackles on defense and 21 tackles on special teams. |
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| David Carr has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the New York Giants, according to the Star-Ledger. Terms of the deal are undisclosed, but the contract is being written up now and details will be released shortly. Carr, who is better known for his poor decision making skills than anything else, will likely backup Eli Manning, though it probably isn’t a slam dunk. |
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| The Arizona Cardinals have re-signed free agent long snapper Nathan Hodel to a four-year contract, according to the Miami Herald. Hodel has handled the long snapping duties for the past six seasons with the Cardinals. He made his NFL debut in 2002 and has appeared in 96 games since. |
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| Aaron Schobel was hoping for an upgrade at defensive tackle during the offseason, and was extremely happy when Buffalo made it a reality by trading for Marcus Stroud, according to buffalobills.com. Buffalo's sack total dropped noticeably from 40 to 26 between 2006 and 2007 as most opponents keyed on Schobel with double teams - sliding protection to the pass rusher's side. With Stroud onboard, he will see less double teams, and the run defense that has languished in the bottom third of the league should be more stout up the middle. Schobel notched only 6.5 sacks in 2007 after compiling 26 the previous two seasons. If Stroud can return healthy from ankle surgery, his sack totals could return to double-digit mode. |
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| The Miami Dolphins have expressed interest in bringing in cornerback Nathan Jones for a visit according the Sun-Sentinel. But first, Jones, who has 78 tackles and two sacks in four seasons with Dallas, will have to make it out of his visit with Minnesota, where he'll likely receive a contract offer in the coming days. Jones, 25, has experience at both safety and cornerback – and has contributed 26 special teams tackles over his four NFL seasons. It’s no secret that Miami is attempting to upgrade their special team units, so if the Vikings fail to step up to the plate, then expect the Dolphins to get involved. |
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| The alleged shooter in the Miami slaying of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor told police he and the other suspects burned their clothes in an attempt to cover up the crime, according to CBS Sportsline. Eric Rivera Jr., 17, told investigators the group burned clothes, shirts and gloves after returning to the Fort Myers area following Taylor's Nov. 26 shooting. Another suspect, 20-year-old Jason Scott Mitchell, told police he attended a birthday party in September at Taylor's home and had seen large sums of cash there. Mitchell said he thought about turning himself in after learning Taylor had died. A judge's order prevented the release of large portions of the statements. |
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| Michael Vick's trial on state dogfighting charges in Virginia was set for April 2, but will be re-scheduled, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Per the Surry County prosecutor’s office a continuance has been granted, but a new date for the jury trial hasn’t been set. The Virginia indictment charges Vick with one count of torturing and killing dogs and one count of promoting dogfighting. Each carries a maximum five-year prison term. Vick is currently serving a 23-month sentence in federal prison after being convicted for dogfighting related charges. |
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| Derrick Pope is visiting the Minnesota Vikings over the next two days, according to scout.com. Current Vikings vice president of player personnel Rick Speilman drafted Pope in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft, when he was a member of the Miami front office. Pope started nine games at inside linebacker last season in Miami, compiling 57 tackles (38 solos) and two interceptions. He is also a solid special teams player, who made 27 tackles during his four seasons with the Dolphins. |
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| Jerome Carter has re-signed with the St. Louis Rams, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Carter, who was a fourth-round pick by the Rams in 2005, has appeared in 33 games, including three starts with the Rams, over the past three seasons. He will provide the Rams with depth at safety. |
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| Patrick Crayton is working out earlier than usual at Valley Ranch in preparation for the Dallas Cowboys offseason program that commences in late March, according to the Dallas Morning News. Crayton said he's still hearing criticism for his performance in the Cowboys' playoff loss to the Giants. He had a critical dropped pass and hesitated during a route in the end zone on another play. "My eight-year old brother was the first one to ask, 'Man what happened? Why you dropped that ball?' " Crayton said. "You go 'Wow'. That's when it hits home." Crayton, who has the inside track on the No. 2 receiver slot, started 13 games last season – compiling 50 receptions, 697 yards and seven scores. |
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| The Miami Dolphins recently signed kicker Dave Rayner, but he isn’t expected to replace incumbent Jay Feely, according to the Miami Herald. Rayner has been brought onboard for his ability to boot the ball deep into the end zone on kickoffs. Feely converted 21-of-23 field goal opportunities last year, good for a 91.3% clip. |
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| Yeremiah Bell is likely a lock to start at strong safety for the Miami Dolphins, according to the Miami Herald. Bell started 11 games in 2006 for the Dolphins, but missed 15 games last year due to a torn Achilles tendon. This type of injury is no walk-in-the-park to return from, so potential owners will want to monitor his progress during the offseason program and training camp. |
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| The National Football League is expected to review the DUI case of Carolina receiver Dale Jarrett and could place him in its substance abuse program, according to the Charlotte Observer. Jarrett was recently arrested for DUI after being pulled over and failing some roadside sobriety tests. The Panthers issued a tersely worded statement, saying their players know "these kinds of situations are unacceptable" and that they had talked to Jarrett and "expressed our feelings on this matter." Carolina general manager Marty Hurney said Jarrett had apologized to the team. "He understands this isn't going to be accepted," Hurney said. "This obviously was a situation that he wishes would not have happened. Hopefully, he handles this in a way where he can grow from it." If Jarrett lands in the league’s substance abuse program he will be subjected to random testing. Hopefully, this will be a wakeup call that provides the impetus for Jarrett to start taking his professional career more seriously. |
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| The current labor peace between NFL Owners and players could be threatened in 2011, according to ESPN. The two sides are reportedly disputing the agreement that the players and owners signed in March 2006 - a contract that provided significant increases for players in salaries and bonuses. Instead of 55.5 percent of NFL revenues, the players now are entitled to 60 percent. The salary cap has jumped from $85.5 million per team in 2005 to an expected $123 million per team in 2009, an increase of 43 percent. Although the owners agreed to those increases, they are not happy about their decision. A number of the Owners claim their profits have dropped from 10 percent each year to only 4 percent since the 2006 bargain was struck. The two sides have plenty of time to keep the cash cow moving in the right direction, besides we don’t even want to think about such unpleasant things with Spring in the air. |
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| The Seattle Seahawks are not ready to completely cut the cord with running back Shaun Alexander, according to Pro Football Weekly. The addition of running backs T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones is considered step one in Alexander being released, but the 2008 NFL Draft will likely tell the real story. If the Seahawks draft a running back such as Jonathan Stewart or Rashard Mendenhall, then it’s a virtual certainty that Alexander will be issued his walking papers. One other thing to keep in mind, when Jim Mora Jr. takes over in 2009, he is expected to implement a more conservative offensive scheme that leans heavy on the running game. This will make the Seattle rookie (if they draft one) a nice option going forward in dynasty leagues, because neither Jones or Duckett is considered franchise back material. |
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| The Green Bay Packers' brain trust believes that former first-round draft pick Aaron Rodgers is more than ready to step into the spotlight now that Brett Favre has finally retired, but there are concerns about his ability to withstand punishment, according to Pro Football Weekly. Despite only taking 59 career snaps, Rodgers has been sidelined on two different occasions with a broken foot and a pulled hamstring. With Craig Nall as the only other option under center, the team has been rumored to be looking at numerous options at backup quarterback including Quinn Gray, Mark Brunell and Gus Frerotte. It’s also possible that the organization might burn a first day draft pick on a quarterback to round out the depth chart. |
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| The Dallas Cowboys have lost cornerback Jacques Reeves and safety Keith Davis in free agency, making the defensive backfield a concern for the organization, according to Pro Football Weekly. As it stands now, the Cowboys are spending a lot of time looking into the draft’s solid allotment of cornerbacks and will be checking all sources for depth at safety. The team reportedly has visits planned with two top corners, Aqib Talib and Antoine Cason, and met with several others at the Senior Bowl and Scouting combine. |
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| The opinions on the offseason free agent haul of the New York Jets vary widely with some insiders suggesting head coach Eric Mangini is looking for a quick fix in order to save his job in 2008, according to Pro Football Weekly. Some within the organization view the moves as key transactions for a team on the rise, while others feel the Mangini-Mike Tannenbaum duo threw exorbitant dollars at players who were either past their prime (Alan Faneca, Damien Woody and Tony Richardson) or unproven (Calvin Pace). If these moves fail to provide a positive impact, the media in the Big Apple will have a field day on the Jets front office in 2008. |
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| The additions of Charlie Anderson, Reggie Torbor, David Kirkus, Dave Rayner and Boomer Grigsby are expected to significantly upgrade the Miami Dolphins’ special teams units, according to Pro Football Weekly. Last season, the team had problems covering kickoffs - ranking 32nd in kickoff-return differential. Of the previously mentioned players, only Torbor is expected to be a starter, but the others will play key roles on special teams, which provides proof that the front office intends to rebuild the team from the ground up. |
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| The Carolina Panthers have visited with Oakland cornerback Chris Carr, according to the Charlotte Observer. Carr, a restricted free agent, hasn’t received an offer sheet yet, but the Raiders would have the right to match any deal if he does. In Carolina, Carr would provide depth in the secondary and an alternative to Ryne Robinson as a returner. |
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| The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have scheduled a visit with free agent receiver D.J. Hackett tomorrow, according to the Tampa Tribune. After being in a deep freeze at the beginning of free agency, Hackett is suddenly in demand. He visits with Washington today, Tampa Bay tomorrow and is scheduled to be in Carolina on Friday. |
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| The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed free agent linebacker Keyaron Fox to a one-year contract, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The 6-3, 235-pound Fox played the previous four seasons for Kansas City, who selected him in the third round of the 2004 draft. Fox is expected to be a reserve linebacker and special teams performer in Pittsburgh. |
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| Kevin Carter is en route to Oakland for a meeting with the team, according to Pro Football Talk. Carter, 34, was recently released by Tampa Bay with expectations that he would re-sign with the team; however, the status of the negotiations with the Buccaneers is unclear. The Raiders are thin at defensive end after losing Tyler Brayton in free agency to the Carolina Panthers. |
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| The New York Jets will be hosting free agent cornerback Ty Law this week, according to the Daily News. Law, 34, who was recently a cap casualty in Kansas City, isn’t known as a good locker room guy, and his best days are behind him. This would make for a curious signing if New York decides to bring him onboard. |
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| The Arizona Cardinals will “take care of their own” instead of chasing free agents on the open market, according to the Arizona Republic. General manager Rod Graves made it clear yesterday that the Cardinals weren't going to go on a shopping spree in free agency now that Larry Fitzgerald’s deal is completed. Instead the organization will now turn to receiver Anquan Boldin, who makes far less now than Fitzgerald. Boldin is a highly valued team leader, who will likely be involved in trade rumors going forward, but the team is not expected to deal him. |
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| The Philadelphia Eagles could select a wide receiver with the 19th overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft, according to FanNation. DeSean Jackson, Limas Sweed, Malcolm Kelly, Early Doucet, and Devin Thomas all seem likely to be drafted somewhere from the middle of the first round to the end of the second. Philadelphia, who has been unsuccessful in their attempts to trade for Larry Fitzgerald and Roy Williams, will likely upgrade the position in the draft, either in the first or second round. |
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| The Minnesota Vikings’ best bet for a backup quarterback is J.P. Losman, according to FanNation. The Bills coaching staff recently professed their “love” for Losman, who is in the final year of a $1.9 million contract, but would likely trade him for a 2008 fourth-round pick. And Minnesota, who only has Brooks Bollinger in reserve, has a need to upgrade the position. |
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| Cleveland general manager Phil Savage, whose moves have brought the Browns back to respectability, is close to signing a long-term contract extension with the club, according to NFL.com. Savage has two years left on a deal he signed in 2005, when he took over a talent-deprived roster that went 4-12. The Browns won 10 games last season and barely missed the playoffs. Although nothing is imminent, owner Randy Lerner said Tuesday that he and Savage have had on-and-off discussions on an extension since December and should have one finalized "soon." |
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| Steve Gleason, a scrappy special teams favorite who cemented his place in Big Easy lore with a blocked punt during the Louisiana Superdome's reopening following Hurricane Katrina, has decided to retire, according to ESPN. "The time's right. I'm getting married. I can walk away with my health," said Gleason, who turns 31 this month. "I want to be active and adventurous when I'm 80 years old. If football was all I had in my life, I probably could play three or four more years. Who knows?" Gleason spent last season on injured reserve after having microfracture surgery on his right knee. |
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| Cornerback Aqib Talib ran an unofficial 4.48 on the soft artificial turf inside the Anschutz Pavilion at KU’s Pro Day, according to the Kansas City Star. This performance was in the same neighborhood as the 4.44 time he clocked at last month’s NFL combine. Talib appeared to enhance his status as a first-round selection in next month’s draft, displaying his ball skills and footwork during a series of exhaustive drills under the direction of secondary coaches David Gibbs of the Kansas City Chiefs and Chuck Pagano of the Baltimore Ravens. |
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| The New York Giants are bringing in free agent linebacker Danny Clark in for a visit, according to the New York Post. If signed, Clark would fill the roster spot that opened up after Reggie Torbor signed with Miami. Clark, an eight-year veteran, has played in 122 NFL games with 67 starts and would likely be a core special teams player for New York. |
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| Aaron Smith, who missed the final four games of last season after tearing his biceps muscle against New England in December, should be at full strength for the start of training camp, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Smith underwent surgery and is working out in Colorado, agent Peter Schaffer said Tuesday. "His biceps muscle has been fixed. Our timetable is for him to be 100 percent for training camp," Schaffer said. Smith, who has been a fixture in the Steelers’ starting lineup since 2000, posted 42 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries in 2007. |
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| Head coach Gary Kubiak and his assistants are very high on running back Chris Taylor, according to the Houston Chronicle. The coaches have watched Taylor work hard to return full speed from knee surgery that wrecked his 2007 season before it got off the ground. Taylor has added muscle and gotten stronger, and with Alex Gibbs in charge of the running game, Kubiak feels Taylor could be an ideal player in the zone-blocking scheme. We reported a similar report yesterday from a different source, keep an eye on this kid because the buzz is growing. |
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| The Oakland Raiders began their search for a potential No. 2 quarterback by bringing in Jacksonville free agent Quinn Gray last night, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The Raiders hoped to re-sign Josh McCown, who threw for 1,151 yards in nine starts last season, but he recently signed a two-year deal with the Miami Dolphins. Contract negotiations are expected to continue with Gray today. |
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| JaMarcus Russell does not weigh 300 pounds and he has worked out at team headquarters since season's end, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The article cites two team officials who were addressing rumors that Russell was pushing three bills and missing in action in Alameda this offseason. "Ridiculous," said a front-office employee, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak on the issue. "JaMarcus is nowhere near that. He's been here. He's been working out. He's in great shape. "That's something everyone's going to see at our first mini-camp." Russell will be under immense pressure in 2008 to start earning some of that $31 million in guaranteed money the Raiders are paying him. Hopefully, this report is more accurate than the previous ones suggesting he was in the neighborhood of 300 pounds. |
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| The Tampa Bay Buccaneers still have a shot at landing free agent wide receivers Bryant Johnson and Drew Carter, according to the Tampa Tribune. "We're going to take the next couple days and go over the offers we have and take it from there," said Joel Segal, the agent for Johnson and Carter, both of whom are considering Tampa Bay as a destination. The Buccaneers recently signed Antonio Bryant, but there are question marks surrounding him after sitting out an entire season last year. Johnson has competed in the shadow of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in Arizona, while Carter has been a career underachiever, who has the ability to stretch defenses with his speed. |
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| Seahawks beat writer, Frank Hughes, of The News Tribune reported on his blog Tuesday evening that Shaun Alexander is about to be let go. Hughes wrote that he ran into Mike Holmgren in the parking lot of the practice facility as he was leaving, and he confirmed that he did speak with the former MVP. He did not disclose what was said. But he said unequivocally that Shaun is not being released immediately. He said he could not be released right now anyway because of his injury. The sooner the Seahawks cut ties with Alexander, the quicker he can beat the college crop of running backs to an NFL job. |
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