The Cowboys have released WR Terrell Owens according to multiple reports and Rams WR Torry Holt is asking for his freedom. So where does Owens go from here? Retirement would be too kind to us and then no one would listen... unless he got his own reality series, Who loves T.O.? Anyway someone will sign him, but everyone knows he is not the same receiver he used to be, and his hands were never great, strike that good. Whoever takes a chance better be prepared because the same thing always happens.
Ok this is a horrible idea but where do players like him end up.... Oakland of course. They have a fragile team and a young QB meaning it is a horrible fit but can Al Davis stop himself from throwing money and attention at T.O.
Holt will have more options but he too is nearing the end of the line, but has a few good years left.He could be a good addition for a team not looking for a #1 receiver...
The 49ers quickly moved on after losing out on Kurt Warner and have signed former Chiefs QB Damon Huard to a one year deal. They only have Shaun Hill under contract for their upcoming workouts and needed another arm. Huard will compete for a backup spot at best if he makes the team. Alex Smith still needs to re-do his contract before he will work out with the team.
The 49ers also signed former Redskins DT Demetric Evans to a 2 year $3.8 million deal to play the left end spot in their 3-4 and gave safety Mark Roman permission to look for a trade. The team plans on him being a backup next year but will listen to offers...
So there is a new regime in Detroit but they are still after former Bucs... they have signed cornerback Phillip Buchanon to a 2 year $8.5 million deal to add more depth to the secondary. They signed Eric King from the Titans already and acquired Anthony Henry in the trade for Jon Kitna so the secondary will look much different next year. Henry will likely slide to safety and Buchanon will have one of the starting corner spots...
So Kurt Warner belonged in the desert, so Ray Lewis belongs in Baltimore and both finally happened. Ray has agreed to a 3 year deal worth just over $7 million per to stay with the Ravens, but they didn't stop there. They also replaced center Jason Brown who signed with the Rams earlier with former Vikings center Matt Birk. In Birk they get a solid but older center who also got a 3 year deal...
The BEngals didn't wait long to replace wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, today signing former Jets receiver Laveranues Coles to a 4 year $28 million deal. Houshmandzadeh got a 5 year $40 million deal from the Seahawks... on the surface if were the Bengals I would pay the extra million a year and have kept Houshmandzadeh. Coles is a very good receiver as well and brings a little more speed to the table, but doesn't have the familiarity with the offense or the rapport with Carson Palmer. Coles got away from the Jets and the $6 million they were set to pay this year... again if I were him I think I would prefer the Jets who despite their issues at quarterback should be the better team this year and in the next few to come...
The Arizona Cardinals have finally resigned QB Kurt Warner and paid a bigger price than they initially offered, the deal is for 2 years and $23 million but $19 million is guaranteed instead of the $10 million they originally offered. It is a $15 million signing bonus and $4 million per year so $19 mil in year one. Pathetic it took them this long to work this out and shows that even though they got it done they are still the same ole Cardinals.
Now as for the 49ers who offered more money, whether or not it was a formal offer or verbal discussions of the terms... does it matter? Jim Trotter of SI.com made an ass of himself dressing down the 49ers for showing interest. He criticizing them for over spending in past years in free agency and then complains they didn't sign anyone this year... odd. Complains about overpaying #1 pick Alex Smith... every #1 pick is overpaid, so... didn't sign a true #1 receiver, is there one out there they missed... This is by no means an endorsement of everything they have done certainly, but just pointing out a stupid article. The 49ers drove up the price on a division rival. They will be fine at quarterback and almost beat the Cardinals in Arizona last year. If they would have both teams would have been 8-8 and that was with Shaun Hill at QB for the 49ers and Warner for the Cards. The Seahawks will be better this year as well, and the Rams will likely too, afterall how much worse can they get? They will be last but improved, the division will be closer and in the end the 49ers didn't harm anything in looking into Warner despite with the so called expert says...
So Kurt Warner had a nice visit in San Francisco, but it didn't end with a signed contract. Warner is back in Arizona to decide what to do. Seems he still wants to stay with the Cardinals, but the 49ers certainly offered more money than the 2 year $20 million deal the Cards offered, or reports say it was really just a one year $10 million deal with an option for a second year at the same price, but no guarantees. Will the Cards up there offer, doubt if by much or they would have done it before he went. Will Warner take the money or take what he feels is an inferior offer? The wait begins and the intrigue builds...
And the Broncos sign another free agent... are there any left? This time they add a nose tackle.. defensive coordinator Mike Nolan brought one of his old players from the 49ers, Ron Fields who will compete at nose in the Broncos new 3-4. Fields is solid but has never been a starter, but a 2 year $5 million deal is a good one to add depth and a player that knows the system...
The Bucs have signed former Giants RB Derrick Ward to a 4 year $17 million deal. A great signing for the Bucs who are remaking their team. Ward should fit well and doesn't have a lot of tread on his tires. That said it won't be the same as when he was running in New York...
T.J. Houshmandzadeh had a hard time picking his new team but in the end.... he chose the Seahawks and a 5 year $40 million deal with $15 million guaranteed. Now the Seahawks have to he can help solve their receiver problems. They though the same thing when they got Deion Branch years back, oops. They thought that when they signed Nate Burleson... what were they thinking then? Houshmandzadeh on paper will help them, now will that be enough?
Cincinnati now will have to keep Chad Johnson and find a replacement for a solid contributor on offense for years. As if they didn't have other needs to fill...
The Rams took a chance by not getting Ron Bartell resigned before free agency. He visited with the Saints, but in the end returned to St Louis. He can thank the Ravens for setting the terms of the deal, though he is a better corner than who they signed... still they both got too much anyway... anyway Bartell got a 4 year $28 million deal with $13.5 million guaranteed...
The Titans have signed a pair of free agents... former Steelers WR Nate Washington to a 6 year $27 million deal with $9 million guaranteed. He will replace Brandon Jones who signed with the 49ers. They also signed former Bucs DT Jovan Haye to a 4 year $16 million to improve the defensive line that had a gaping hole. Haye is a solid player the man he takes over for won't be easy to replace...
The Broncos just keep on signing guys... this time it's Dolphins CB Andre Goodman to a 5 year $25 million deal with $10 million guaranteed. He will replace Dre' Bly who was released and start opposite Champ Bailey, meaning he will get his chances to earn his money. Goodman had a career high 5 interceptions last year...
The New York Giants wanted Albert Haynesworth who signed for $100 million with the Redskins... the Giants respond to their division rival was to land two defensive line for 2/3rd the money. Yesterday they signed Rocky Bernard for $25 million, today they add former Cowboys DE Chris Canty for $42 over 6 years with $17.25 million guaranteed. So Canty and Bernard for $67 million, when you look at it that way not too bad.
Haynesworth is dominant but there are questions about how hard he will work now with the new contract. The Giants will rotate their lineman to keep them fresh, but neither of them can dominate like Haynesworth. Canty was good as a 3-4 end, in New York he can play early downs at end from time to time but will be a tackle mostly. He isn't a great pass rusher but will help the Giants ends more effective, if that's possible. The Giants definitely have a formidable line with depth now, that is scary.
Canty got a lot of interest but it faded when teams heard his asking price, the Giants bit the bullet and paid the steep price. There are 3-4 teams out there that needed him but were wise not to pay it for an end in a 3-4. Free agency is all about overpaying and the Giants did... and opposing quarterbacks are not very happy...
The Seattle Seahawks have signed former Packers DT Colin Cole to a 5 year contract. Cole is a better fit in Seattle's defense than the Packers 3-4. While he has the size 6'1 330lbs he is a bit short for a nose tackle and is more of a penetrator than a nose tackle. In Seattle he will replace Rocky Bernard who signed with the Giants, but more depth is needed...
The Giants wanted to add a defensive tackle in free agency and after missing out on Big Albert, they have signed for Seahawks tackle Rocky Bernard. No terms were announced.
This is the second time Cowboys defensive end Chris Canty has had to cancel a visit because the team signed someone else before him, having lost to Big Albert in Washington too. Canty was to visit the Giants Sunday, he could land with Bernard's old team the Seahawks who were not interested in resigning Bernard, though the Packers may get in before he makes his way west. The 49ers have also shown interest but are meeting with Redskins DT Demetric Evans first on Monday...
The Dallas Cowboys said they would not pursue Ray Lewis, and they didn't lie. Today they signed former Falcons LB Keith Brooking to a 3 year deal. It's a good addition for the Cowboys, a good leader and locker room presence for a team in desperate need of that. For the Falcons just the opposite. They have lost Brooking and Michael Boley and will be retooling their defense...
The Lions getting up getting someone of value in return for QB Jon Kitna. Instead of a mid to late round pick the Cowboys sent corner Anthony Henry to the Lions. Henry should fit well with the new defense and can play safety as well. It was a good move for a team help in the secondary and needed to unload Kitna...
Continuing the overpaying of free agents, the Texans have signed former Cardinals DE Antonio Smith to a 5 year $35 million deal with $12.5 million guaranteed. Smith is solid and has good versatility to play end and tackle, but is not a $7 per million per year difference maker for the Texans. He will be a good contributor but in years to come the cost of the deal will affect the view of his play...
The New Orleans Saints have resigned right tackle Jon Stinchcomb to a 5 year deal. They had been looking at other free agents but decided to keep their own. Stinchcomb has been solid and durable on the right side and was cheaper than the other options the team considered. Not having seen the dollar amount of the deal it was likely a good choice on their part...
The Lions kept dealing Saturday... QB Jon Kitna has been traded to the Dallas Cowboys who have been looking for a backup to Tony Romo. No word on what the Lions get in return, but likely not much.
The Lions also announced the signing of former Titans CB Eric King to a 2 year deal...
The Lions have been targeting receivers in free agency, much focus has been on Steelers WR Nate Washington, but the team has signed former Cardinals and 49ers receiver Bryant Johnson to a 3 year $9 million deal. Johnson had some injury issues last year and didn't break out as he hoped for to earn a big contract...
The New York Jets had targeted Steelers guard Chris, but when the deal feel through and he resigned with the Steelers the Jets quickly resigned Brandon Moore who was cut Thursday. Moore returns with a lesser deal, getting a new 4 year contract worth $16 million...
The Broncos just won't quit.. they have now added former Browns LB Andra Davis with a 2 year deal and Colts DT Darrell Reid to a 3 year deal, he will play end in the Broncos 3-4 defense. They have also signed Texans restricted free agent WR David Anderson to a 3 year $4.5 million offer sheet. The Texans have a week to match it.
Former Eagles safety Brian Dawkins also signed his name on the dotted line to a 5 year deal worth $17 million that could go up to $27 million or void to a 2 year deal for $9 million according to Adam Schefter. What a start to free agency for the Mile High team...
SI's Peter King is reporting the trade for Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel was one deal, and the cost the Chiefs had to pay... their second round pick this year, #34 overall. If this is true then the Chiefs got an absolute steal. King says that was likely near the best offer and Bill Belichick was helping both Pioli and Cassel in the Bill Parcell's way. That would be awful nice of him, but a hugely one sided deal for the Chiefs. It does give the Patriots 3 second round picks this year which they can use to help retool their roster, but it is hard to imagine they couldn't have gotten much more...
New Chiefs GM Scott Pioli is making his mark on his new team, not only bringing the Patriot way... but the Patriot's players. For the second straight day he has completed a trade with his former team, this time acquiring QB Matt Cassel. Yesterday it was Mike Vrabel to help lead the new defense. Piolo knows Cassel obviously and didn't want to go fishing in the draft for the next Tom Brady.
Cassel is under the franchise tag and will be getting a new long term deal that will be costly, but now the team is starting to have a look to it, one of Pioli's making. No word on what the Chiefs gave up for either Vrabel or Cassel yet. It will be expensive but likely worth it as the Chiefs try to improve quickly...
The 49ers have signed former Titans WR Brandon Jones to a 5 year deal worth $16.5 million with $5.4 million guaranteed. The 4th year vet has deep speed and the 49ers hope he can help stretch he field to keep defenses honest against the run while still providing a physical presence. He won't have a starting job locked up but will compete with their young receivers and possibly Isaac Bruce if he doesn't retire...
The Bucs had the most cap room of any team.. they had money to spend, so why not just overpay average players since we have the cash? Seems that is just what the Bucs were thinking in retaining WR Michael Clayton with a 5 year deal worth $24 million, $10.5 guaranteed and $2 million more in incentives.
Clayton had a great rookie year with 80 catches for almost 1200 yards but since then had had 32, 33, 22, 38 receptions and never more than 484 yards in a season and in the four years combined only two touchdowns!!! That gets you nearly $5 mil a year? He doesn't have great speed, or great hands or always the greatest attitude so what made him special to get overpaid? The 49ers signed Brandon Jones to a 5 year $16.5 million deal. He is a 4 year guy with 112 catches overall. Clayton has 125 in the last 4 years, yardage is about the same and Jones has 9 TDs in the last 4 years and good deep speed as well. The Bucs will be happy to have kept Clayton and Antonio Bryant but they definitely made Clayton and his agent smile and a few eyes roll in front offices around the league...
The Giants have signed former Falcons LB Michael Boley to a 5 year $25 million deal. They are also pursuing Seahawks DT Rocky Bernard and Cowboys DE Chris Canty, who would play tackle for them. If they don't land one of them, Cardinals lineman Antonio Smith would be next. Their top priority is at defensive tackle as shown by their pursuit of Albert Haynesworth...
The rumors continue to circulate about Tampa acquiring Patriots QB Matt Cassel. Not sure about this one, they have the money to spend and could use a legit quarterback but something just doesn't seem right. The new administration is definitely making over the team and this would be another big step, but a very costly one. Wise? We're just not sure...
The Philadelphia Eagles have signed former Bengals tackle Stacy Andrews to a 6 year deal. He will now pair on the right side of the Eagles line with his younger brother Shawn. Both can play guard and tackle and give the Eagles a big powerful right side of the line to run behind. Not that they will run much... but they could if they wanted to. Andrews tore his ACL in the final game last season so he will be out until training camp at least, but in the meantime he can help his brother who has had issues with depression and reported late to camp last year...
So the 49ers are talking with Cardinals QB Kurt Warner.... would Kurt really leave the desert? The 49ers have the cap room and Kurt wants to play for one or two years so money won't be an issue, but is it a good move? We love the move! Shaun Hill did well to lead the team last year and certainly deserves more respect than he gets, but in stealing Warner the 49ers weaken the Cardinals chance in the division while strengthening theirs. The 49ers want to run the ball but to be able to pass when they need to and Warner is an improvement. Without Warner the Cardinals don't look so strong and the 49ers may over take them in the division. Remember the Cardinals before their playoff were the weakest playoff team and the 49ers nearly beat them in Arizona last year. The division is a tight race and this is the kind of move that could tilt the scales for the 49ers.
Now take away the stealing a rivals QB part and the move isn't as wise. Shaun Hill can lead the team and compete with the Cards as is and the 49ers could spend the $12-$15 million better elsewhere, but there are no free agents out there that are going to greatly affect their chances while throwing a dagger into the division winner at the same time. Either way it will amp up this young rivalry. In the end Warner likely stays in Arizona and Shaun Hill starts for the 49ers with Alex Smith as the backup, but it's a fun story...
It was no surprise the Packers stayed quiet on the first day of free agency, would you expect anything different from Ted Thompson? They will or at least should be a little more active this year than in years past. That isn't to say they will spend big, but they could use some well chosen veterans to come in and help with the new defense and a veteran who can play across the offensive line would be good as well.
A 3-4 can be defined by the nose tackle, the Packers have Ryan Pickett and there is no upgrade in free agency. The one in the draft is B.J. Raji, but will he be available at #9? There are some backups available in free agency and guys with potential later in the draft and the Packers need to find one. A rush linebacker would certainly help as well, someone familiar with the system too. Expect the Packers to target some players starting next week to ease the transition...
The Ravens have lost another... center Jason Brown landed a 5 year $37.5 million deal with the St Louis Rams that included $20 million guaranteed. Remember when his agent said Brown or Bart Scott would likely be back in Baltimore, guess that didn't work out. The Ravens are not looking so hot right now. Between the veterans who got released and free agent losses, they will be a different team next year, and desperately need to re-sign Ray Lewis
The Rams made Brown the top priority in free agency to help stabilize their shaky offensive line. More help is likely coming with the second pick in the draft at tackle. It's a lot of money for a center, but they were in bad need of help and that causes you to over spend. Don't thik anyone else was going to pay him $7 mil per year out there but the Rams had to pay to get it done...
The Redskins kept going on day one bring back a familiar face, guard Derrick Dockery who spent two years in Buffalo after signing a ridiculous 7 year $49 million deal. The Redskins gave him 5 years for $26 million. Add the $18.5 million he got in 2 years from Buffalo and it's 7 years for $44.5 million so still not bad for him...
The Jets quickly wrapped up the trade for Eagles CB Lito Sheppard, whose price came way down. The Eagles get a 5th round pick this year and a conditional pick next year ranging as high as a 2nd rounder or as low as a 4th according to the NFL Network. Last year the Eagles wanted a late first or early second for him. Oops...
With safety Gerald Sensabaugh leaving in free agency the Jaguars have signed former Eagles safety Sean Considine to a 2 year $3 million deal. It works out as a push for the Jaguars and saves a bit of money. They still need an upgrade but probably won't get one. The Eagles will be shopping at safety with Brian Dawkins heading to Denver and Considine gone as well. They may look at Jermaine Phillips or Sean Jones...
The Ravens are staying busy... and raiding Rex Ryan's former team. Saturday they will have safety Jim Leonhard in for a visit and they are also working on a trade for Eagles corner Lito Sheppard who has fallen out of favor in Philly but will still cost a 2nd round pick or possibly a 3rd this year with another pick in 2010. This would be a fast improvement for the defense if in one weekend they add Bart Scott to pair with David Harris at inside linebacker. Sheppard to pair with Darrelle Revis at the corner, Corey Ivy as the nickel back and Leonhard to go along with Kerry Rhodes at safety. Now if Ryan can work a miracle with LB Vernon Gholston this could be a huge make over. Looks like the Baltimore plan, not a great quarterback but a potentially dominating defense...
With the trade complete for QB Sage Rosenfels and a new contract done in Minnesota the Vikings have released QB Gus Frerotte who went 8-3 as a starter last year. Rosenfels had one year left on his deal and got an extension for 2 more years and $9 million in new money. Not sure how this is a great swap but time will tell. The Vikings have also resigned TE Kleinsasser to a deal worth $3 million per year...
The 49ers have resigned LB Takeo Spikes to a 2 year deal. Spikes was a late addition for the 49ers last summer, but was a great fit next to Patrick Willis. Both sides wanted him to stay and the deal got done easily enough...
After some interesting hours the Jets have landed former Ravens LB Bart Scott, signing hi to a report 6 year $48 million deal. It was first reported as a 5 year deal at $40 million but that wasn't enough and the Ravens stayed in the bidding to the end and got Scott another year and $8 mil from the Jets. Scott is a great addition but at too great a cost.
The cost for the Ravens could be worse, losing Scott, and corner Corey Ivy is also visiting the Jets and likely to sign. Ray Lewis is reportedly upset with the team and won't return, or that was a misunderstanding depending on who is doing the reporting. Lewis' real suitor would have been the Jets but they chose Scott over Ray and now with the Cowboys saying they are not interested there doesn't seem to be an immediate market for him. Lewis won't retire instead of returning to the Ravens who want him back and will likely pay more than everyone else. Safe bet is he returns... for the Ravens sake he'd better...
The Broncos are going heavy in day one... interesting source for this but the San Francisco Chronicle is reporting the Broncos have signed former Eagles safety Brian Dawkins. With him visiting there it wouldn't be a huge surprise though Dawkins leaving the Eagles at all is a bit of a surprise, but this isn't who you would have expected to break the story. Unless they are jumping the gun and thinking they are aggressive and Mike Nolan needs a Eagles safety. ESPN has picked up their report but no one is confirming the story yet...
The Jaguars opened free agency focusing on their own, resigning center Brad Meester and cornerback Scott Starks. This is a wise start after their bungled attempts in free agency last year...
The Broncos continue their opening day splash adding former Patriots WR Jabar Gaffney and Dolphins safety Renaldo Hill. Each got $10 million over 4 years. The Broncos are undergoing a major overhaul, switching to a 3-4 and the offensive will be opened up more providing the need for more depth at receiver.
Gaffney is an obvious choice coming from New England where he never made a big name for himself but got the job done very well. He is a good addition knowing the offense and his role in it...
The Saints are also looking at Jaguars tackle Khalif Barnes. He would replace Jon Stinchcomb who is a free agent and getting a look from the 49ers...
The New York Giants are familiar with Cowboys DE Chris Canty and are trying to bring him in for a visit. Canty is getting plenty of attention early in free agency...
The Lions have signed former Seahawks RB Maurice Morris to a 3 year $7 million deal. Morris will be an excellent compliment in the backfield. He isn't well know after playing in the great northwest but has been a solid contributor for the Seahawks for years...
It was surprising to see Saints LB Jonathan Vilma make it to free agency. The Saints should have locked him long ago after getting him from the Jets last year, but in the end they kept him. He got a 5 year deal worth $34 million with half of it guaranteed. So now they have retained their leading tackler and center piece of their defense. Next up is likely former Rams corner Ron Bartell...
The Detroit Lions need help at corner. First they are turned down in a trade attempt to get Ken Lucas from Carolina when he said he didn't want to go there. Other options are being signed as well. So they turn their attention to other positions receivers Nate Washington and Michael Clayton will visit as will guard Derrick Dockery...
The Denver Broncos are busy today. They have signed running backs Correll Buckhalter and J.J. Arrington to 4 year deals and signed former Patriots long snapper Lonie Paxton to a 5 year $5.3 million deal. Buckhalter and Arrington were backup for the Eagles and Cardinals last year but will be expected to combine to carry the load in Denver now...
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