03/06...Broncos Sign Lions Receiver...The Denver Broncos have signed Detroit Lions WR Edell Shepard.
Deleware Pro Day...QB Joe Flacco turned is a solid performance today displaying touch, arm strength and accuracy at the University of Deleware's pro day workout which was attended by representatives from over a dozen NFL teams. Scouts from the Dolphins, Jets, Ravens, Panthers, Jaguars and Texans were amoung the teams that sent representatives to the Deleware pro day.
Quick Hits...The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed Titans TE Ben Troupe to a 2 year contract...the Atlanta Falcons have signed Panthers DT Kendal Moorehead to a 2 year deal.
Quick Hits...The Patriots have signed former Falcons CB Lewis Sanders...the Rams have signed Bucs TE Anthony Becht and have re-signed G Adam Goldberg...and Cowboys HB Julius Jones paid a visit to the Seahawks today.
The Philadelphia Eagles released LB Takeo Spikes... but are reportedly planning on bringing him back at a reduced salary.
Three Division Rivals Competing for DeAngelo Hall...Back on 03/03 we reported that we heard the Dallas Cowboys were considering making a play for Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall...the Cowboys certainly have a need for Hall since they need to shore up their CB situation during this offseason, but we also pointed out that the Cowboys didn't want Hall landing with their hated divisional rival the Giants...now it came out today that the Cowboys other division rival (the Redskins) had also contacted the Falcons about acquiring the cornerbacks' services...it's obvious that all three Division Rivals want Hall to land on their team, not only to fill a need, but to deprive the other of the talented but moody Falcons cornerback...the Falcons asking price for Hall has just gone up!...a trade involving Hall and one of these NFC East teams will likely be stuck sometime closer to the Draft is not on Draft day itself.
Brett Favre Presser...In an emotional teary-eyed speech, Brett Favre said it was never about the money, fame or records for him...it was about his teammates...Favre thanked the entire Packers organization, the coaches that he played for in the past, his family and the fans...he stated it was hard to leave, but he gave everything he had to the Packers and the game...Favre also stated that and he knows that he could still play the game, but it's over...Favre also said that he knows that he will miss the game, but he doesn't feel he can give the total commitment necessary for him to continue...Favre was asked by a member of the media if he thinks he could have a change of heart...and Favre stated that he knows that he can still play, but he's just not up to the challenge of the game anymore.
The Baltimore Ravens have come to a contract agreement with Bears LB Brendon Ayanbadejo.
Indiana Pro Day...CB Tracy Porter ran a pair of blazing forty times being clocked at 4.29 and 4.32 which were both better than the 4.37 he ran at the Combine...he was also very impressive in the on field drills...Wide Receiver James Hardy improved his vertical jump by 6" on Wednesday when he recorded a 37" vertical...on the advice of his agent, Hardy declined to run the forty or participate in the bench press, but participated in the on field receiver drills.
Quick Hits...Cardinals WR Bryant Johnson will reportedly make a decision on where he will play in 2008 by the end of this week with the Bills being the frontrunner's to land the soon to be former Arizona Cardinal.
Andre Woodson...Kentucky QB Andre Woodson did his best to impress the scouts at Kentucky's pro day on Wednesday...Woodson reportedly looked sharp in the passing drills and recorded a 4.8 forty despite a slightly pulled hamstring...HB Rafael Little (a potential late second day pick) had surgery on Monday after suffering a knee injury at the Senior Bowl and wasn't present at the pro day...25 NFL teams attended the workout.
Quick Hits...The New York Jets have agreed to terms with Vikings FB Tony Richardson...the Oakland Raiders have re-signed OT Cornell Green to a 2 year deal and have restructured HB Dominic Rhodes contract...Jevon Kearse has hinted that he would like to retire as a member of the Tennessee Titans.
Penn State Courting Cowher?...Former Steelers Coach Bill Cowher reportedly paid a visit to the Penn State campus last month and was an overnight guest of PSU Athletic Director Tim Curly....this lead to speculation that Cowher is being considered for the Nittany Lions head coaching job since Joe Paterno has only one year left on his contract... Laschout.com was the first to report this news...Cowher has confirmed that he has already put his house in North Carolina up for sale (if you look closely at the pictures included in the listing of the house, you can see a replica of the Lombardi Trophy on a mantle and a Steelers helmet in another picture) but is reportedly moving to a house in the same vicinity...Penn State is reportedly looking for a big name hire to replace Paterno, and Cowher would be an instant hit in Happy Valley where the former Steelers coach is extremely popular....stay tuned!
03/05...Quick Hits...The Miami Dolphins have signed Chiefs FB Boomer Grigsby and re-signed CB Michael Lehan ...Tampa Bay CB Brian Kelly has a visit scheduled with the New York Giants on Thursday.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed Detroit Lions LB'er Teddy Lehman.
Quick Hits...The Detroit Lions have signed Tampa safety Kalvin Pearson to an offer sheet that the Bucs have 7 days to match...The Patriots have signed former Vikings S Tank Johnson...the Cardinals signed P Dirk Johnson.
Falcons Axe Harrington...The Atlanta Falcons have released QB Joey Harrington.
Carolina Panthers...The Carolina Panthers are closing in on a deal with former Raiders OT Barry Sims.
Visits...Colts DE Josh Thomas and DE Jevon Kearse are in Tennessee visiting the Titans today.
The New York Jets have offered Bears linebacker and special teams ace Brandon Ayanbadejo a multi year contract to sign with the team.
Al's Draft Scoop...San Diego QB Josh Johnson and San Diego State's QB Kevin O'Connell will be working out for the scouts at the end of this week. Johnson will be working out on Friday at San Diego's pro day, while O'Connell's pro day with San Diego State is scheduled for this Saturday. Both quarterbacks are considered to be sleeper-type prospects, but they also have the potential to become starting quarterbacks in the NFL. Schools with more NFL prospects like Ohio State, South Florida, Purdue and Arizona St will also be holding their pro day on Friday, but NFL teams with a quarterback need like the Dolphins, Falcons, Chiefs, Ravens, Panthers, and Bears will send at least one scout to watch Johnson's workout on Friday, since none of the other schools has a top quarterback prospect working out on Campus that day.
Houston Texans...The Houston Texans have re-signed FS Will Demps to a two year contract.
The Green Bay Packers will be looking to add a veteran QB to their roster now that Brett Favre has decided to retire...the Packers could have some interest in signing former Jaguars QB Quinn Gray an unrestricted free agent since they expressed some interest in him a few years ago...the Packers could also be intetested in acquiring Texans QB Sage Rosenfels through a trade with the Texans.
Rumors...Rumors that are floating around the league... Falcons owner Arthur Blank is said to covet Boston College QB Matt Ryan...the Dolphins will pass on Matt Ryan with the first pick in the Draft...Dolphins V.P. Bill Parcells is said to be interested in taking fellow New Jersey native Joe Flacco with one of the teams picks in the Draft...the Broncos are considering making a move up in the Draft to select either USC DT Sedric Ellis or LSU DT Glenn Dorsey...
Bills QB J.P. Losman's name has been linked in trades to Minnesota, Detroit, Atlanta and Green Bay.
Visits...The Cleveland Browns had Cardinals OLB Darryl Blackstock in for a visit on Tuesday and will reportedly put Blackstock through a workout today...the Texans have visits scheduled with Falcons S Chris Crocker and Bucs C John Wade.
Seattle Seahawks...The Seattle Seahawks have signed Texans TE Jeb Putzier to a one year contract.
Quick Hits...The Panthers have come to terms with Raiders DE Tyler Brayton...the Bucs have agreed to terms with ILB Teddy Lehman...the Raiders have agreed to terms with OT Kwame Harris...the Bears have agreed to terms with WR Marty Booker...the Patriots have re-signed WR Jabar Gaffney.
03/04...Quick Hits...The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed Saints LB Matt McCoy...The Browns have re-signed S Nick Sorenson...the Vikings have signed Niners HB Maurice Hicks...DT Jimmy Kennedy is officially a Jaguar since the the Bears declined to match the Jaguars offer sheet to DT Jimmy Kennedy... Pats S Eugene Wilson has a scheduled visit with the Steelers on Wednesday...Cardinals WR Bryant Johnson will visit with the Redskins on Wednesday.
BREAKING NEWS...Seattle Seahawks...The Seahawks have signed Lions HB T.J. Duckett to a 5 year deal.
The Lions have Seahawks DT Chuck Darby and Cowboys HB Julius Jones in for a visit today.
Andre Woodson...QB Andre Woodson needs to impress the NFL scouts that will be in attendance at Kentucky's pro day workout tomorrow...Woodson was considered to be a first round talent going into his senior season, but his stock has plummeted since the beginning of the year...Woodson was unimpressive during Senior Bowl week in Mobile and since he decided to skip the workout portion of the Combine, his workout at his pro day tomorrow will ultimately decide his fate...Woodson carries a 4th round grade at this time.
Brett Favre called Packers coach Mike McCarthy last night to tell McCarthy about his decision to retire.
The Packers will hold a News Conference at 4:00 pm est to formally announce Brett Favre's retirement.
Al's Draft Scoop...Georgia DE Marcus Howard's Draft stock is rising coming off of a dominating Sugar Bowl performance in which he recorded 3.5 sacks against Hawaii QB Colt Brennen and an even more impressive Combine. Howard ran the fastest time of all the DE's recording a 4.47 forty, did 27 reps at 225 on the bench and recorded a 34.5" vertical jump. Because of Howard's size (6-0.4 237) he will need to switch positions and play linebacker at the next level, but has the speed and athleticism to make the transition. Howard was considered to be a second day (4th to 5th round) pick before the post-season, but now carries a 3rd round grade as the Draft approaches. Howard will have one more chance to impress the scout at Georgia's pro day on Tuesday March 18th.
Fitzgerald...Despite reports and rumors that Larry Fitzgerald is on the block in Arizona, Cardianals GM Rod Graves has gone on record stating that Fitzgerald won't be traded and will remain in a Cardianals uniform for the 2008 season.
Quick Hits...The Seattle Seahawks are reportedly closing in on a deal with Lions HB T.J. Duckett...Cardinals WR Bryant Johnson has a visit scheduled with Tampa today and the Redskins and Bears are also showing interest.
Oakland Raiders...The Oakland Raiders have placed DT Warren Sapp on the reserved retired list.
Teams Visits...The Rams have a visit scheduled with QB Trent Green on Wednesday...the Texans have a visit scheduled with Niners HB Maurice Hicks on Wednesday...the Jets have visits scheduled this week with Vikings FB Tony Richardson, Patriots S Eugene Wilson, Dolphins HB Jesse Chatman, Eagles CB Will James...the Steelers have a visit scheduled with Pats S Eugene Wilson...Ben Utecht has a visit scheduled with the Bengals on Thursday.
03/03...The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly considering making a play for Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons...Hall has been linked to the Cowboys hated division rival the Giants in a possible trade between the two teams involving the Giants first round pick in the 2008 Draft, but the latest reports have the Giants backing away from any such trade...the Cowboys own two first round picks in the upcoming Draft and could trump the Giants offer of a first round pick in return for Hall, if the two got into a bidding war since either one of the Cowboys first round picks are slotted earlier than the Giants pick in the first round...one of the Cowboys biggest needs heading into the offseason was at the Cornerback position and that need became bigger on Sunday when the Texans signed CB Jacques Reeves in free agency...none of the cornerback prospects in the 2008 Draft can compare to Hall in ability and help the Cowboys right away from day one to represent the NFC in next year's Super Bowl...this situation bears watching over the next several weeks.
Quick Hits...The Rams have signed Titans G Jacob Bell...the Bengals have signed Titans DE Antwan Odom...
the Cardinals are on the verge of signing Titans DE Travis Laboy...the Giants have signed Jaguars S Sammy Knight.
Its Official...The Patriots have signed WR Randy Moss to a 3 year $27 million dollar deal with $15 million guaranteed.
Quick Hits...The Arizona Cardinals have signed Steelers TE Jerame Tuman...The Jaguars have released G Chris Neole...Warrick Dunn has a visit scheduled with Tampa...Chargers S Marlon McCree was in Buffalo on Monday visiting with the Bills.
Quick Hits...The Jets have signed Lions G/OT Damien Woody...the Panthers have signed Cardinals G Keydrick Vincent...the Saints are reportedly close to re-signing WR David Patten...the Vikings are reportedly interested in bringing DE Jevon Kearse in for a visit...the Texans are reportedly interested in former Falcons HB Warrick Dunn.
Falcons Land Hartsock...The Atlanta Falcons have signed Titans TE Ben Hartsock to a multi year contract.
Mock Update...Al Fronczak updated his first round mock today after the first wave of free agent signings.
Quick Hits...The Steelers have signed Vikings HB Mewelde Moore to a 3 year contract...the Dolphins have re-signed S Yeremiah Bell...the Lions have former Lions LB Dan Morgan in for a visit today.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted Vikings HB Melwelde Moore on Sunday and his signing appears imminent.
Trade...As reported earlier in the day the New York Jets have agreed to terms on a trade that will send DT Dwayne Robertson to Cincinnati for the Bengals 4th and 5th round picks (#114 and #151)...completion of the trade is contingent upon Robertson agreeing to an new contract and passing his physical.
The Denver Broncos have signed Seahawks Lb Niko Koutouvides to a 3 year $7.5 million dollar contract.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to an 8 year $102 million dollar contract extension with QB Ben Roethlisberger with $36 million guaranteed.
It's Official...The Tennessee Titans have signed TE Alge Crumpler to a two year $5.25 million dollar deal.
Patriots Visit...The New England Patriots have a visit scheduled with Bills CB Jason Webster today.
Quick Hits...The Saints contacted the Giants last week about the availability of TE Jeremy Shockey but were turned down by the Giants...the Broncos have visits scheduled this week with Lions OLB Boss Bailey and Chargers SS Marlon McCree on Wednesday and Panthers S Marquand Manuel on Friday.
The Jets and Dolphins are considered the frontrunners to sign Cardinals DE Calvin Pace with Pace expecting to make a decision between the two sometime this week.
The Buffalo Bills reportedly reached a tentative contract agreement with Cardinals WR Bryant Johnson on Sunday night ...the contract agreement is expected to be finalized by the two parties sometime this morning and is considered to be a done deal unless Johnson has a change of heart.
Johnson to Bills...The Buffalo Bills are on the verge of signing Cardinals WR Bryant Johnson.
Rumors are swirling that the New York Jets are on the verge of trading DT DeWayne Robertson to the Bengals for the Bengals 4th and 5th round picks in the 2008 Draft.
Quick Hits...The Jets are closing in on a deal with Lions OG Daimien Woody...Falcons HB Warrick Dunn has asked for his release...TE Bubba Franks is expected to sign with a team by the end of the week...Patriots S Eugene Wilson has visits scheduled with the Jets, Steelers and Titans this week...the Jets have a visit scheduled with Dolphins HB Jesse Chatman on Wednesday and the Lions will be hosting Cowboys HB Julius Jones later today.
03/02...HOT!...The New England Patriots have reportedly offered WR Randy Moss a multi year contract that will make him one of the highest paid receivers in the league.
The Tennessee Titans have reportedly come to an agreement with TE Alge Crumpler on a contract.
Titans TE Ben Troupe has a visit scheduled with the Saints after he's finished meeting with the Bills on Monday.
Texans Sign Bentley...The Houston Texans have signed Seahawks LB Kevin Bentley to a three year deal.
Quick Hits...The New York Jets are interested in bringing Vikings FB Tony Richardson in for a visit...the Bills are reportedly scheduling a visit with former Falcons TE Alge Crumpler and the Chiefs are reportedly interested in bringing Bills TE Michael Gaines in for a visit.
Saints Hook McCray...The New Orleans Saints have signed Jaguars DE Bobby McCray to a 5 year contract.
Quick Hits...The Falcons have signed Titans TE Ben Hartsock...Patriots CB Eugene Wilson is visiting with Tampa.
Denver Broncos...The Denver Broncos have re-signed DE Ebeneezer Ekubon to a one year contract.
Team Visits...The Arizona Cardinals have a visit scheduled with Rams LB Brandon Chillar...the St. Louis Rams have a visit scheduled with Titans G Jacob Bell...Raiders DE Tyler Brayton will be visiting the Colts today after visiting the Panthers on Saturday...and...the Houston Texans will be entertaining Seahawks LB Kevin Bentley today.
Bryant Johnson...Cardinals WR Bryant Johnson has a visit scheduled with the Bills today according to his agent Joel Segal...reports that Johnson was visiting the Bills on Saturday were false.
Team Visits...The Oakland Raiders have a visit scheduled with DE Ebeneezer Ekuban and Panthers WR Drew Carter on Monday...Arizona has a visit scheduled with Titans DE Antwan Odom today.
Quick Hits...The Tampa Bay Bucs have signed Bears TE John Gilmore...the Kansas City Chiefs have signed Falcons OLB Demorrio Williams to a 5 year 16.5 million dollar deal with 5.5 million guaranteed.
Team Visits...The Cleveland Browns have a visit scheduled with Miami OG Rex Hadnot...the Redskins have a visit scheduled with Texans S Will Demps and the Giants have scheduled a visit with Jaguars S Sammy Knight.
J.P. Losman/Green Bay Packers...One team to keep an eye on over the next week is the Green Bay Packers if Brett Favre unexpectedly decides to retire...Packers GM Ted Thompson was reportedly very high on Losman coming out of the 2004 Draft and had Losman targeted with the Packers pick in the first round...however the Bills completed a trade with the Cowboys to move up from their second round pick to the Cowboys first round pick and ahead of the Packers to select Losman...even though Aaron Rodgers played well against the Cowboys in relief of the injured Brett Favre, Ted Thompson might consider bringing in Losman as insurance and to compete and push Rodgers for the Packers starting quarterback position in training camp.
Rumors have been circulating over the last two days that the Bills are gauging other teams interest in Bills WR Lee Evans...ESPN's Chris Mortenson is now reporting that the Bills were rumored to have offered at least one team both Evans and QB J.P. Losman in a package deal...it's hard to believe that the Bills would part with their number one receiver when the team is targeting a receiver to start opposite of Evans at a very weak position for the team.
The Denver Broncos have signed Carolina Panther WR Keary Colbert to a multi year contract.
The Atlanta Falcons are reportedly on the verge of singing Chargers HB Michael Turner to a multi year deal.
The Miami Dolphins have reportedly told DE Jason Taylor that they will trade him before the NFL Draft in April.
The New York Jets have signed Steelers OG Alan Faneca to a 5 yr $40 mill deal with $21 mill guaranteed.
The Atlants Falcons...The Atlanta Falcons have signed Texans CB Von Hutchins.
The Vikings have signed WR Bernard Berrian to a 6 year $42 million dollar deal with $16 million guaranteed.
The Cleveland Browns have signed WR Donte Stallworth to a 7 year $35 million dollar deal with $10 million guaranteed and are hosting Titans DE Travis LaBoy.
Quick Hits...The New Orleans Saints have re-signed HB Aaron Stecker to a one year deal and re-signed WR Devery Henderson...they have also released Lb Brian Simmons.
Minnesota Vikings...Bears WR Bernard Berrian is still visiting with the Vikings despite earlier reports that he had left Minnesota without a contract and was on his way to Oakland for his next visit.
Quick Hits...The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed Chargers CB Drayton Florence to a multi year deal with $12 million guaranteed...the Atlanta Falcons signed Jets S Eric Coleman to a four year $10 million dollar contract and the Tampa Bay Bucs are bringing in Lions ILB Teddy Lehaman in for a visit on Monday.
The Carolina Panthers have signed Steelers CB Ricardo Colclough to a two year $4 million dollar contract.
Houston Texans...The Houston Texans have signed Cowboys CB Jacques Reeves to a multi year contract.
Randy Moss..According to John Clayton of ESPN, Patriots WR Randy Moss is fielding offers from teams other than the Patriots and is no longer considered a lock to return to New England.
Larry Fitzgerald...They say where their's smoke their's fire and Larry Fitzgerald's name has been popping up in trade rumors over the last 24 hours...in addition to earlier rumors that we posted involving Fitzgerald going to the Vikings, there were rumors circulating yesterday that the Eagles and Cardinals were involved in trade talks involving Fitzgerald as well...it's almost a foregone conclusion that the Cardinals are adamant about Fitzgerald restructuring his contract or they will be forced to deal him because of the enormous cap space he'd be taking up if he doesn't...
Fitzgerald would count a reported $16 million toward the Cardinals cap in '08 if he doesn't restructure his contract.
The Tampa Bay Bucaneers have signed Chiefs DE Jimmy Wilkerson and have contacted the agent for WR Javon Walker about bringing his client in for a visit.
The Detroit Lions are reportedly interested in bringing Chargers HB Michael Turner in for a visit.
Calvin Pace...The Cardinals DE/OLB is en route to New York to visit the Jets after leaving Miami without a contract despite a report that Pace had an agreement with the Dolphins...Pace is reportedly seeking a rich contract with at least $20 million dollars guaranteed.
Quick Hits...The Seattle Seahawks have waived OG Tom Ashworth...the Bills have contacted the agent for Cardinals WR Bryant Johnson to schedule a visit with his client...and Raiders DE Tyler Brayton is in Carolina today visiting with the Panthers.
Trade Rumors...Trade rumors are swirling this morning involving the Vikings and Cardinals...the Cardinals are reportedly dissapointed that they couldn't restructure Larry Fitzgerald's contract and are considering dealing him to the Minnesota Vikings for undisclosed draft picks...stay tuned!
Cornerback Ty Law is reportedly interested in returning to the Patriots and there are rumors out there that the two sides have already been in contract negotiations.
The Buffalo Bills are reportedly interested in Falcons RFA FB Corey McIntyre a special teams ace.
The New York Jets are reportedly interested in bringing former Chargers OT Shane Olivea in for a visit.
Quick Hits...The Philadelphia Eagles are shopping CB Lito Sheppard...the New York Jets are reportedly very interested in signing Patriots CB Randall Gay...Tampa has visits scheduled with Niners OT Kwame Harris and Titans TE Ben Troupe...the New York Giants are reportedly interested in Patriots S Eugene Wilson...the Saints have scheduled visits with Jaguars DE Bobby McCray and CB Aaron Glenn...Denver has re-signed S John Lynch.
The Cleveland Browns have acquired DT Shaun Rogers from Detroit for CB Leigh Bodden and a 3rd round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Bills Sign Johnson...The Buffalo Bills have reportedly signed Vikings DT Spencer Johnson.
Niners Sign Bruce...The San Francisco 49'ers have signed Rams WR Isaac Bruce to a 2 year deal.
The St. Louis Rams have signed Seahawks K Josh Brown to a 5 year $14.2 million dollar deal making him the highest paid kicker in the league.
Quick Hits...The Chargers have re-signed QB Billy Volek...The Dolphins have signed Texans ILB Charlie Anderson.
Quick Hits...The St. Louis Rams have released DE James Hall...The Patriots released TE Kyle Brady.
Trade Cancelled...The NFL has cancelled the trade between the Bengals and Lions involving DT Shaun Rogers.
