New Faces In New Places---NFL Transactions

QB Carr agrees to deal with Panthers

NFL.com wire reports



(April 6, 2007) -- A month after he was released by the Houston Texans, David Carr agreed to a two-year deal to play for the Carolina Panthers.

Carr, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 draft, will serve as Jake Delhomme's backup.

"It's a case where we were obviously looking for someone to come in back up Jake and the opportunity to get a quarterback the caliber of David in free agency is unique," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "We thought it was a good situation and a good opportunity for us."

Carr was a five-year starter for the expansion Texans. He completed 60 percent of his passes, but threw 65 interceptions and was sacked 249 times. Carr completed a career-high 68.3 percent of his passes last season, but was released by the Texans after they obtained Matt Schaub in a trade from Atlanta and anointed him as their starting quarterback.

The Panthers believe Carr's troubles stemmed from Houston's poor offensive line, and tried to sign him during his visit with the team early in the week. Carr left without a contract and visited Seattle, while Carolina brought in former Miami quarterback Joey Harrington for a visit.

But on Thursday Carr decided he wanted to sign with Carolina, and the two sides reached a deal over the phone early Friday morning, ending a nervous period for Hurney.

"He met everybody and met Jake and I think he felt comfortable," Hurney said. "You never know what happens when he leaves without a contract. But we felt good about him I think he felt good about us and he made the decision to come here."

The Panthers were looking for an experienced quarterback to back up Delhomme after releasing Chris Weinke last month. Weinke struggled in a relief role in three games last season when Delhomme had a sprained thumb, throwing two touchdown passes and four interceptions. The Panthers went 1-2 in those three games and the lone game they won came with Weinke throwing only seven passes.

The 6-foot-3 Carr may have had other opportunities to start with other teams, but Hurney insisted Carr will back up Delhomme, who struggled last season as the Panthers finished disappointing 8-8.

"We made it clear and he knows that Jake Delhomme is our starting quarterback," Hurney said. "I think it was important for him to come to a winning organization and a place where he thinks has a chance to win. He knows that Jake is our starter. Every player wants to play, but he knows the role he's coming into."

The move means the Panthers now have the top two picks from the 2002 draft. Carolina selected defensive end Julius Peppers with No. 2 pick.

Carr's signing is the biggest move the Panthers have made so far in free agency. Hurney has said they were content with 21 of 22 starters returning next season.
 
Atlanta signs QB Harrington

NFL.com wire reports



FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (April 9, 2007) -- Joey Harrington signed with the Atlanta Falcons to back up Michael Vick at quarterback.

Harrington, the third overall pick by Detroit in the 2002 draft, started 11 games with Miami last season after being obtained by the Dolphins in a trade with the Lions. He threw for 2,236 yards with 12 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

He was a disappointment in Detroit, in part because he was chosen so high in the draft. From 2002-05, he started 55 games with the Lions, throwing for 10,000 yards with 60 touchdowns and 62 interceptions.

Harrington will replace Matt Schaub, Vick's backup the past three seasons. Schaub was traded to Houston, where he will be the starter.

The Falcons also released cornerback Kevin Mathis, a 10-year veteran.
 
Might as well resurrect this thread

Jets trade linebacker Vilma to Saints for draft pick

Associated Press


NEW YORK -- The New York Jets have traded linebacker Jonathan Vilma to the New Orleans Saints on Friday for an undisclosed draft pick.

Vilma, who missed the last nine weeks of last season with an injured right knee, saw his production decline the last two seasons after coach Eric Mangini took over and installed a 3-4 defensive scheme. With rookie David Harris' emergence as a playmaker at inside linebacker, Vilma became expendable.

Vilma, 27, had 118 tackles as a rookie after being the No. 12 overall pick out of Miami in 2004 and was named defensive rookie of the year. He led the NFL the following season with 187 tackles, earning a Pro Bowl selection while establishing himself as one of the league's top young middle linebackers.

That changed in 2006, when the Jets switched defenses and Vilma had just 116 tackles. He played in seven games last season before injuring his knee at Cincinnati and had 39 tackles.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
 
Panthers send DT Jenkins to Jets for draft picks

Associated Press


CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers traded three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins to the New York Jets on Friday for third- and fifth-round draft picks.

The Jets then came to terms with Jenkins on a new five-year contract worth $35 million, including $20 million in guaranteed money.

The deal on Friday ends a tumultuous year for Jenkins. He was also placed on the trading block last year and had angered the coaching staff for being overweight and missing offseason workouts

Jenkins played in all 16 games last season, but had only 2½ sacks. Near the end of the season he said he wasn't sure if he wanted to return to Carolina.

At 6-foot-4 and listed at 349 pounds, Jenkins could move to nose tackle in the Jets' 3-4 defensive scheme.

"Kris is extremely excited to be going to New York," said Jenkins' agent, Tony Paige. "He leaves Carolina with no malice or anything like that and is grateful they drafted him and gave him a chance to play. He had a lot of great memories there."

The Panthers, looking to fill several needs after two straight seasons out of the playoffs, coveted extra draft picks. The Panthers had given up their fifth-round pick last summer when they acquired safety Chris Harris from the Chicago Bears.

The Panthers could turn to the draft or free agency to replace Jenkins, who was Carolina's second-round pick in 2001.

With free agency beginning Friday, the Panthers have shown interest in Atlanta defensive tackle Rod Coleman. Damione Lewis, who has been a backup defensive tackle with Carolina, recently re-signed and could move into the starting lineup.

The trade continues a busy offseason for the Panthers, who are retooling their roster after consecutive seasons out of the playoffs. Jenkins joins veterans Dan Morgan, DeShaun Foster, Mike Wahle and David Carr who have been let go in the past month.

By sending Jenkins to New York, the Panthers avoid paying a $1 million roster bonus and clear about $3 million in salary-cap space. Jenkins was scheduled to make about $6.7 million in base salary over the next two seasons under his old contract.

The Jets hope Jenkins can regain the form that made him one of the NFL's top defensive tackles before missing most of the 2004 and '05 seasons with injuries.

Jenkins came back in 2006 and made the Pro Bowl, but his constant weight problems disappointed the coaching staff.

After the Panthers failed to trade him during last year's draft, Jenkins was the only starter to miss June's voluntary workouts and his agent said he wanted a new contract.

The 28-year-old Jenkins didn't get a new deal, but he showed up at training camp and was the best player on a disappointing defensive line. Still, Jenkins irritated some in the organization when he questioned his teammates' passion after a loss to Tampa Bay early in the season.

Paige said he was allowed to try to broker a trade for Jenkins since the end of the season. He said Cincinnati, Buffalo and Denver also showed interest.

"We are glad to finally get it done," Paige said.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.
 
Eagles sign free-agent cornerback Samuel to six-year deal

NFL.com Wire Reports


PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles got the defensive playmaker they desperately needed, signing free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel to a six-year, $57 million contract on Friday.

The deal includes $20 million in guaranteed money and $32 million in the first three years of the contract, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

Samuel, an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection this past season, spent the last five seasons with the New England Patriots and had 16 interceptions the last two seasons. The Eagles wasted little time making an offer on the first day of free agency.

"We regarded Asante as the No. 1 available free agent in the NFL," Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said.

The Eagles badly needed a shutdown corner like Samuel. Philadelphia had only 11 interceptions last year and failed to score a defensive touchdown. Its defense had an NFL-worst 19 takeaways.

Samuel, a fourth-round draft pick in 2003, also tied the NFL career playoff record with three interceptions returned for touchdowns.

Samuel, who won two Super Bowl rings, has 22 career interceptions. He was protected by New England last year by the franchise player tag.

"I just want a chance to be able to win and get back to the Super Bowl," Samuel said.

Samuel tied Denver's Champ Bailey for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions in 2006 and returned two more picks for touchdowns in the postseason against the Jets and Colts. His 12 total interceptions in the 2006 regular season and playoffs were the highest combined single-season total in Patriots history.

The move means the Eagles will likely trade or shift positions for either Lito Sheppard or Sheldon Brown.

Sheppard, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, is reportedly unhappy with his contract. The Eagles denied a report earlier this month that Sheppard had asked for or been given permission to seek a trade. He signed a five-year extension in November 2004.

Eagles coach Andy Reid said Samuel will be the starting left cornerback, or, what was Sheppard's starting job.

"When you have an opportunity to get the best one in the business, then you need to look at that," Reid said.

Samuel hoped Sheppard and Brown would be on the roster and felt the trio could give the Eagles perhaps the best secondary in the NFL.

When asked if he felt underappreciated in New England, Samuel declined to comment.

He said the Eagles were on the top of a list of four teams he considered visiting. After the Eagles gave him a hard sell on the first day free agents could sign, Samuel decided to stay in Philly.

"When you come to one that makes you happy, why wait around?" Samuel said.

Samuel is the latest in a line of former New England Super Bowl winners who have moved on, joining Deion Branch, Adam Vinatieri, David Givens and Daniel Graham.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
 
Instead of Bengals, Browns land DT Shaun Rogers from Lions

Associated Press


DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions traded Shaun Rogers to the Cleveland Browns instead of dealing him to the Cincinnati Bengals, a person familiar with the moves told The Associated Press.

The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity Friday night because the Lions and Browns were not commenting on the trade, said Detroit acquired cornerback Leigh Bodden and a third-round pick from Cleveland after the deal with Cincinnati fell through.

Detroit previously was set to get Cincinnati's third- and fifth-round picks, a deal still posted on the Bengals' team Web site late Friday night.

The Lions were aggressively trying to move Rogers, a talented but inconsistent defensive tackle who was due to make a $1 million roster bonus at 12:01 a.m. EST Saturday.

In the deal with Cleveland, they landed a relatively high pick and a player who started for the Browns the past three seasons. The five-year veteran made a career-high six interceptions last season, giving him 11 in a three-year span.

Earlier in the day, the Browns traded their 2008 second-round pick to Green Bay for defensive tackle Corey Williams. Cleveland then signed Williams to a six-year contract that pays him $18 million in guaranteed money and $23 million in the first three years of the deal, according to NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

Williams had been tagged last week as Green Bay's franchise player. He played in all 16 games, including nine starts, in 2007 and set career highs with 51 tackles and 32 solo stops. He tied his career high with seven sacks.

Rogers is among the most dominant defensive players in the league when he is motivated. But he failed to live up to expectations at times because of weight and off-the-field problems.

He was at his best in November, when he lifted Detroit to a rout over Denver and a 6-2 record.

The 6-foot-4, 340-pound Rogers intercepted a pass and rumbled 66 yards for a score, broke up a pass, had four quarterback hits and 2 1/2 sacks, one of which he followed with a somersault. He had plenty of chances to display his signature celebration, gesturing as if he was ripping off his shirt, a la Superman.

"It's just his presence," Detroit coach Rod Marinelli said last season. "I called him the server, because he keeps serving sacks for everybody because he's so disruptive."

But Rogers faded from the spotlight in the second half of the season and the Lions did, too, finishing with only one win in eight games.

He did, however, have a career highs in sacks (seven) and forced fumbles (four) after playing in all 16 games for the fourth time in his seven-year career. He also showed his knack for blocking kicks, making him one of the best in league history. Rogers has blocked 11 kicks, four more than any other player since 1991 -- a decade before his debut.

The two-time Pro Bowl player has 29 sacks and 253 tackles in his career.

Whether teams tried to block Rogers with one lineman or two, he often got where he wanted to go with a rare combination of size, speed, strength and nimble footwork.

But he struggled to stay on the field in 2006, getting suspended by the NFL for four games for taking a banned substance to control his weight. He had knee surgery while he was away from the team, didn't play after becoming eligible, then was put on injured reserve with four games left.

Rogers missed just four games over his first five seasons in the league after the Lions drafted him in the second round in 2001, overlooking injury concerns some teams had about him coming out of Texas.

Detroit signed him to a six-year contract in 2005, keeping one of the few players to excel consistently for the struggling franchise.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved
 
Jaguars agree to terms with Porter, complete trade for Williamson

Associated Press


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars believe they improved their receiving corps with two guys eager for a fresh start.

The Jaguars signed free agent Jerry Porter to a six-year, $30 million deal Friday and completed a trade for former first-round draft pick Troy Williamson.

They also agreed to terms with backup quarterback Cleo Lemon.

The moves are part of a makeover for Jacksonville, which finished 11-5 last season and beat Pittsburgh in the first round of the playoffs.

The Jaguars changed four assistant coaches and expect even more personnel moves in hopes of closing the gap on AFC powers Indianapolis and New England. Jacksonville opened free agency about $30 million under the salary cap.

That number could grow, too, since the team gave three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud permission to seek a trade.

"Everything we're doing is geared toward putting a better product on the field next year and contending for a championship," coach Jack Del Rio said.

It starts with the offensive changes.

The Jaguars decided not to re-sign receiver Ernest Wilford and backup quarterback Quinn Gray, opting to try to improve both positions.

They gave Porter $10 million guaranteed and expect him to step into the No. 1 role.

Porter caught 44 passes for 705 yards and six touchdowns last season in Oakland. He had just one reception in 2006, the year he demanded a trade in training camp, was suspended two weeks for conduct detrimental to the team and was inactive for nine games.

"We're satisfied that those are things that we believe will stay in his past," Del Rio said.

Jacksonville gave Minnesota a sixth-round draft pick for Williamson, the seventh overall selection in 2005. It equates to a low-risk deal that could give the Jaguars a deep threat they haven't had since Jimmy Smith retired following the 2005 season.

Williamson will need to start hanging onto the ball, though. He had 79 receptions for 1,067 yards and three touchdowns in three disappointing, drop-filled seasons.

Williamson has two years remaining on his contract. He's scheduled to make $910,000 in 2008 and $1.4 million in 2009.

"We're giving Troy a chance, an opportunity for him to come down here and rejuvenate himself, have fun, don't worry about the high expectations that were associated with his selection and his place there," Del Rio said.

Lemon started seven games last season in Miami, but wasn't part of the team's future under new football operations head Bill Parcells.

He will serve as David Garrard's backup in Jacksonville.

Although the Jaguars started making moves on the offensive side of the ball, they also plan to address defensive holes.

The team let defensive end Bobby McCray, safety Sammy Knight and cornerback Terry Cousin leave via free agency. Stroud could be gone, too.

Stroud missed eight games the last two seasons because of a nagging ankle injury. He also was suspended four games last year for violating the league's steroid and related substances policy. Del Rio has said the former first-round draft pick probably won't return to full speed.

"Obviously, this is a production-based business," Del Rio said. "Right now, he's a Jaguar. His agent has permission to look for an opportunity, but there's not a fire sale."

There might be a signing frenzy, though. Del Rio said the team was looking to make more deals - just not at receiver, where Jacksonville has drafted four players the last four years, signed two free agents and traded for Williamson.

"We feel like we've adequately addressed that position from a standpoint of adding one proven guy and adding one guy that's got a lot of promise and potential," Del Rio said.
 
49ers sign former Bengal Smith to six-year deal

NFL.com Wire Reports


The San Francisco 49ers signed free-agent defensive end Justin Smith on Saturday in a move they hope will bolster their pass rush.

The contract is worth $45 million over six years, including $20 million in guaranteed money, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

Smith, the No. 4 overall pick by Cincinnati in 2001, had 43.5 sacks in seven seasons with the Bengals and was one of the top pass rushers available on the free agent market this season.

After meeting with the 49ers coaching staff and taking a helicopter tour of San Francisco, Smith decided to cancel planned visits to Minnesota and Jacksonville and sign with the 49ers instead.

"The reason I decided to cancel my other visits is meeting with the coaching staff here," Smith said. "From top to bottom it's a first-class organization and when you get in a situation like that it's a no-brainer. I think I'll be a great fit."

The Niners were tied for 21st in the NFL last season with only 31 sacks. Bryant Young, who led the team with 6.5 sacks, retired after the season leaving a big void at defensive end.

Smith had at least five sacks in each of his first six seasons with the Bengals before recording only two last season. He has led the Bengals defensive line in tackles in each of the past six seasons and was designated as the team's franchise player in 2007.

The Niners have been busy so far in the free agency season after going 5-11 last season, signing receiver Isaac Bruce and kick returner Allen Rossum.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
 
Faneca agrees to record contract with Jets

By Adam Schefter | NFL Network



The New York Jets are laying it on the line, bolstering their offensive and defensive lines.

One day after trading for defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, the Jets reached agreement with former Pittsburgh Pro-Bowl free-agent guard Alan Faneca on a five-year, $40 million contract that includes $21 million in guaranteed money.

The record deal includes the highest average per year ever given to an offensive lineman, as well as the highest amount of guaranteed money. It is a deal that came together quickly between Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum and agent Rick Smith, and it fills New York's most gaping need.

Ever since the Jets traded left guard Pete Kendall to Washington last summer, they have struggled to find a replacement. Now they have one, a 10-year veteran who has been voted to seven straight Pro Bowls.

But the Jets aren’t finished in free agency just yet. They are in the process of arranging a visit for Detroit free-agent offensive lineman Damien Woody, who could man the right tackle position for the Jets. Woody played in New England in 1999, when the Patriots quality control coach was Eric Mangini, now the New York Jets head coach.

The Jets are also planning to welcome Arizona free-agent linebacker Calvin Pace to New York after he wrapped up his Saturday visit with the Miami Dolphins.

Woody and Pace would be superb additions in New York. But the acquistion of the 31-year-old Faneca, arguably the top available offensive free agent, provides the Jets with a tremendous boost.

Faneca considered signing with the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals, where he would have been reunited with his former coaches in Pittsburgh, Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm. But Arizona could not squeeze in Faneca's contract at a time wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is scheduled to count $16.5 million against the Cardinals' salary cap.

Ultimately, Faneca decided that playing in New York, between left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold, for a franchise that made it clear to him how badly he was wanted, was too enticing. Faneca is a Jet all the way.
 
Vikings reach agreement with free agent receiver Berrian

NFL.com Wire Reports


The Minnesota Vikings reached an agreement with free agent wide receiver Bernard Berrian on Saturday, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter. Berrian signed a six-year, $42 million contract, with $16 million guaranteed.

Berrian, the former Chicago Bears wide receiver, was spotted at the Vikings training facility on Saturday morning. He peeked his head inside the facility with a Vikings hat on while media gathered for a news conference to introduce new safety Madieu Williams.

Coach Brad Childress joked that Berrian was "not here against his will."

It has been a busy first two days in free agency for the Vikings, who also signed fullback Thomas Tapeh on Friday.

Williams is touted as a hybrid safety big enough to tackle and capable of man-to-man coverage against receivers. He got a six-year deal worth $33 million, with almost $13 million guaranteed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
 
Browns agree to deal with wide receiver Stallworth

By Adam Schefter | NFL Network



The Cleveland Browns added another prime target for newly re-signed quarterback Derek Anderson on Saturday, agreeing with New England veteran Donte' Stallworth on a seven-year contract worth $35 million, including $10 million guaranteed.

The contract numbers are not final, but the two sides were discussing a deal that would average $5 million per year and pay $10 million in guaranteed money.

Cleveland does not have any draft picks in the first three rounds of April's NFL Draft, so it is stockpiling players through free agency.

In addition to Stallworth, the Browns have also traded for defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams and re-signed Anderson and running back Jamal Lewis.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Stallworth has played six years and 84 games in the NFL with New Orleans, Philadelphia and the Patriots. He has 279 receptions for 4,213 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Last season with New England, Stallworth had 46 receptions for 697 yards and three touchdowns. He had a career-high 70 receptions and 945 yards with New Orleans in 2005.

"Donte' will be the major addition to our offense this year," Browns GM and senior vice president Phil Savage said. "He will bring legitimate speed, quickness and playmaking ability to the receiving corps and add a different dimension to the skill players we already have in place."

Stallworth was taken in the first round, 13th overall, by New Orleans in the 2002 draft. In his rookie season with the Saints, he had a career-best eight touchdown receptions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
 
Rams all-time leading scorer Wilkins retires; Brown signed as replacement

Associated Press


ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams replaced retiring kicker Jeff Wilkins almost immediately, signing Seattle Seahawks kicker Josh Brown to a five-year deal late Friday night.

Wilkins, the St. Louis Rams' career leading scorer and the best active long-range kicker in the NFL, announced his retirement Friday after 14 seasons. Shortly afterward, Brown was on the move.

Brown, who spent the last five seasons with Seattle, was seventh in the league in scoring in 2007 with a career-high 127 points, including 28 of 34 field goals. In 2006, Brown kicked a pair of field goals to defeat the Rams. He was a top priority for the Seahawks to re-sign last month and Seattle was believed to have offered him $14 million to stay.

Apparently the Rams gave him more, reportedly including a $4 million signing bonus. That would be the league's largest for a kicker.

Wilkins' departure leaves the Rams with three players from their Super Bowl victory in 2000: offensive tackle Orlando Pace, wide receiver Torry Holt and defensive end Leonard Little.

Isaac Bruce, who caught a touchdown pass in that game, was released in a salary cap move on Thursday.

The 35-year-old Wilkins had 1,223 points and 265 field goals with the Rams, finding a home after playing one season for the Eagles and two for the 49ers. He also leads the franchise in field goal attempts (328) and a success rate of 80.8 percent.

"Throughout my 11 years with the Rams, everybody in the organization has been fantastic from top to bottom," Wilkins said. "But my retirement is the best for me, my family and the Rams."

Wilkins was so accurate, former coach Mike Martz nicknamed him "Money."

"Jeff has been one of the best kickers that I have ever seen," Rams coach Scott Linehan said. "We will miss him here, but we also wish him well in retirement."

From 49 yards or longer, Wilkins was 39-for-50 for his career and 38-for-49 with the Rams. Among active kickers with 20 or more attempts, his 78 percent success rate from 49 yards or longer is the best in the NFL and his 25 field goals most in league history.

Wilkins hit a franchise-record 57-yard field goal in 1998 against the Falcons, and was perfect on 17 field goals in 2000, tying Tony Zendejas' franchise record for field goal percentage in a season.

He retires having hit 371 consecutive extra-point kicks, a franchise record and tied for the best in NFL history with Jason Elam (1993-2002).

Wilkins went to the Pro Bowl in 2003 after leading the NFL in scoring with 163 points, going 39-for-42 on field goal attempts that season. He's the only kicker in NFL history to make a field goal as time expired in the first half, second half and to end an overtime.

Brown's departure leaves the Seahawks in somewhat of a scramble for a key scorer. They have used most of their available money under the 2008 salary cap on placing their franchise-tag designation on Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Trufant, signing free agent Mike Wahle to start at left guard, and re-signing right tackle Sean Locklear.

Denver's Elam is the most highly regarded kicker remaining on the free-agent market.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
 
Bills acquire DT Stroud in trade with Jaguars

Associated Press


ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Bills acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud in a trade with Jacksonville on Saturday in Buffalo's latest and most significant move to revamp its porous defense.

In exchange, the Bills gave up an undisclosed number of draft picks.

Stroud, listed at 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds, immediately solidifies a defensive line that also features pass-rushing end Aaron Schobel. And the seven-year veteran improves a defense that finished 31st in the NFL in yards allowed last season.

The move was completed after the Bills began revamping their defense on Friday, the first day of NFL free agency. That's when Buffalo signed linebacker Kawika Mitchell to a five-year deal and released veteran defensive tackle Larry Tripplett.

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

"It's certainly been an exhilarating 36 hours," Bills chief operating officer Russ Brandon said, introducing both Stroud and Spencer at a press conference. "We're certainly excited about what's transpired. ... We feel this is a significant day in Buffalo Bills history."

The Bills are coming off their second consecutive 7-9 season and have missed the playoffs for eight straight years -- the longest drought in franchise history.

Stroud is scheduled to make $16.5 million in base salary over the final three years of his contract. He had the Jaguars' permission to seek a trade and arrived in Buffalo on Friday to meet with team executives and take a physical.

It's not clear whether Stroud's contract will be restructured as part of the deal.

Stroud is coming off a troubled season in which he finished on injured reserve. He missed the final three games after re-injuring his surgically repaired right ankle, an injury that hobbled him at the end of the 2006 season.

Stroud also served a four-game NFL suspension for violating the league's steroids and related substances policy. The player acknowledged he took supplements to help recover from the ankle operation.

"That's all last year, it's already in the past," Stroud said. "I want to show the guys I've got a lot left in the tank."

At his best, Stroud is the type of dominating presence the Bills could use to shore up the middle of their defense, which struggled against the run and had difficulty applying pressure.

Jacksonville's 2001 first-round draft pick out of Georgia, Stroud played an integral role in helping the Jaguars defense become one of the stingiest -- especially against the run -- over the past few years. Stroud had three sacks last season and 22 overall in 100 games.

Johnson's signing was overshadowed by Stroud's arrival.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 286 pounds, Johnson has spent the past four seasons with the Vikings. He played in all 16 games this past season, finishing with 24 tackles and three sacks. In 49 career NFL games, Johnson has 108 tackles and four sacks.

The Bills might not be done adding players, yet.

Free-agent receiver Bryant Johnson and tight end Ben Troupe are both scheduled to visit with the Bills on Sunday, according to their agent, Joel Segal.

Buffalo is looking to upgrade both positions, and the 6-foot-3 Johnson is regarded as the type of tall and fast receiver the Bills hope to land to take pressure off Lee Evans.

Troupe played sparingly for Tennessee in 2007, catching only five balls for 47 yards. He had a career-high 55 receptions in 2005 for the Titans.

The Bills have just one veteran tight end, Robert Royal, on their roster.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
 
Agent: Titans agree to deal with Pro Bowl TE Crumpler
March 3, 2008

CBSSports.com wire reports



NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The agent for former Atlanta tight end Alge Crumpler says the Pro Bowl tight end has agreed to a two-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.

Crumpler had been courted by two other teams, but agent James Williams said Monday morning that Crumpler and his wife liked Nashville when they visited last week.

The Titans also have offered the plus of playing with quarterback Vince Young, whose style is similar to Atlanta's Michael Vick.

Crumpler, a four-time Pro Bowler, was released Feb. 15 by the Atlanta Falcons. He was plagued by knee problems in 2007 and had only 44 catches. He was cut because he was due to count $5.1 million against the cap in 2008, too much for the rebuilding Falcons to spend.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2007-2008, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
 
Bears trade backup QB Griese to Buccaneers

NFL.com Wire Reports


The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who never seem to have enough quarterbacks, traded an undisclosed 2009 draft pick to the Chicago Bears for quarterback Brian Griese.

Last week, the Bears re-signed Rex Grossman to a one-year, $3 million deal and then extended the contract of Kyle Orton. Griese, owed a $300,000 roster bonus on Tuesday, was expected to be cut before Tampa Bay stepped forward with a trade proposal.

Griese joins a cluttered quarterback situation in Tampa Bay, where Jeff Garcia, Luke McCown, Bruce Gradkowski and Chris Simms are already on the roster. The Bucs also own the rights to quarterback Jake Plummer.

Griese, an 11-year veteran who played with Bucs coach Jon Gruden in Tampa in 2004-05, started six games for the Bears last season and had a 3-3 record. He took over for an ineffective Grossman in Week 4 and helped lead a comeback victory at Philadelphia. Griese suffered a left shoulder injury in November and never saw the field again.

Griese passed for 3,768 yards, 27 touchdowns and 19 interceptions in his two seasons in Tampa. His 97.5 quarterback rating in 2004 is the best single-season mark in Bucs' history.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
 
Giants sign veteran Knight to replace departed Wilson

NFL.com Wire Reports


EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Giants filled a void in their secondary on Monday when they signed veteran safety Sammy Knight.

Knight effectively takes the place on the Giants roster of Gibril Wilson, the starting free safety who joined the Oakland Raiders with a $39 million contract on the first day of the free agency signing period last week.

"We’re excited to have a veteran of Sammy’s caliber joining our secondary," general manager Jerry Reese said in a statement. "We were attracted to how smart he plays and how productive and physical he plays. We think he will thrive in our defensive schemes. He brings a lot of leadership to the team, especially to the secondary, and he is a real pro."

Knight has played mostly strong safety, which means he or returning starter James Butler could move to free safety.

"I think this is a great situation for me," Knight said. "This is a great staff, first and foremost, and a great organization. They won the Super Bowl, and they have a lot of people coming back, so the opportunity to win again was definitely one of the determining factors in me coming here."

The Giants did not comment on the contract, but it is worth $5.1 million over three years, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

A 12-year veteran who will turn 33 in September, Knight has played for New Orleans, Miami, Kansas City and Jacksonville. He has started 168 of his 174 career regular season games and all five postseason games in which he’s appeared. Knight has played in 156 consecutive regular season games, the NFL’s 14th-longest current streak.

Knight led the Jacksonville Jaguars with 93 tackles last season. He also had four interceptions and a forced fumble.

Knight has 1,199 career tackles (831 solo), 9.0 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries, in addition to his 42 interceptions. He has recorded more than 100 tackles in eight of the last nine years and at least one interception in each of his 11 seasons, including a career-high total of six in both 1998 and 2001. Knight was a Pro Bowler in 2001 with the Saints.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
 
Saints agree to terms with G@y, McCray; re-sign veteran Stecker

NFL.com Wire Reports


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

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

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

The Saints also re-signed running back Aaron Stecker.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
 
Wow, bad choice Javon (except for the $$). You have no chance of winning in Oakland!


Raiders give receiver Walker six-year, $55 million deal

NFL.com Wire Reports


The Oakland Raiders reached agreement with free-agent wide receiver Javon Walker on a stunning six-year, $55 million deal that includes $27 million in the first three years, including $16 million guaranteed, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

The deal is staggering when you consider the contract the record-setting Randy Moss received from the New England Patriots on Monday: $27 million over three years.

Since last Thursday, the Raiders have doled out more than $144 million in contracts to defensive tackle Tommy Kelly ($50.1 million), safety Gibril Wilson ($39 million), and Walker ($55 million).

The final one came Tuesday night, when the Raiders and Walker's agent, Kennard McGuire, agreed to a deal that instantly became the talk of the league as the single-most stunning free-agent contract this off-season -- maybe ever.

Denver severed ties with Walker late last week. The Broncos tried to trade Walker, but couldn't find any takers and released him to avoid having to pay him a $5.4 million option bonus on Tuesday.

Upset with his contract in Green Bay and Brett Favre's public criticism of his threatened holdout, Walker came to Denver from the Packers in a draft day trade in 2006.

Walker bounced back from a torn knee ligament that wiped out most of his 2005 season, piling up 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns on 69 catches in 2006. But hours after the season ended, teammate Darrent Williams was slain in a drive-by shooting and slumped into Walker's arms in the back of a stretch Hummer.

Walker started out last season with two 100-yard games but missed two months after a third operation on his right knee. He was supplanted by Brandon Marshall as the team's top receiver.

Also on Tuesday, the Raiders reached agreement with former San Francisco offensive tackle Kwame Harris on a three-year, $16 million deal.
 
Seahawks add veteran RB Duckett

Associated Press


DETROIT -- T.J. Duckett is heading to play for the Seattle Seahawks with a 5-year contract, the free agent running back told The Associated Press on Tuesday night.

Duckett, who played for the Detroit Lions last season, has 2,642 career rushing yards and 36 TDs.

He previously played for the Redskins and the Falcons, who selected him 18th overall in the 2002 NFL draft after running for 3,379 yard at Michigan State.

When he wasn't slowed by injuries, Duckett was productive in limited opportunities in Detroit's pass-happy offense. Last season he carried the ball 65 times for 335 yards.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
 


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