Free Agency Begins.....

[Chree]

BILLS ADD COURTNEY ANDERSON by Michael David Smith

The Buffalo Bills have signed free agent tight end Courtney Anderson, the team announced on its web site.

"It's a great organization and a great coaching staff," Anderson said. "There are a lot of great players here. I just look forward to coming in and working hard and trying to get us over the hump in terms of competing in our division."

The 27-year-old Anderson played for the Raiders from 2004 to 2006 and started 28 games. But he spent the 2007 season moving from team to team, playing two games for the Lions and two for the Falcons without ever starting a game or catching a pass.

Despite bouncing around the league in 2007, the 6-foot-6, 270-pound Anderson could get substantial playing time for the Bills in 2008, as new offensive coordinator Turk Schonert has said he'll improve the Bills' red zone offense by getting the tight end more involved in the passing game. The other tight ends on the Bills' roster are Teyo Johnson, Robert Royal and Derek Schouman.

^ lol collecting former raider TEs

 

[Chree]

TATUM BELL STAYS WITH LIONS by Michael David Smith

Tatum Bell was unhappy in Detroit last year, but he's returning for another season.

Nicholas J. Cotsonika of the Detroit Free Press reports that Bell, a free agent running back, has agreed to a one-year, $1.6 million contract to stay with the Lions for the 2008 season.

Bell spent the final 11 games of the 2007 season watching the Lions from the sidelines, and he said publicly during the season that he was hoping to get traded. But when Jim Colletto replaced Mike Martz as the Lions' offensive coordinator, and when free agent running back T.J. Duckett left to sign with the Seahawks, coach Rod Marinelli said Bell's chances of returning had improved.

"Our offensive staff sat down and said, 'He fits what we're trying to do,'" Marinelli said. "It's not as much coming out of the backfield for him and maybe as many different runs, just a few basic runs. I think he's got a chance to fit some of that."

Bell ran 44 times for 182 yards in 2007. In his best NFL season, 2006, he carried 233 times for 1,025 yards for the Denver Broncos.

 

[Chree]

Free agent S Keith Davis, the Cowboys' special teams captain last year, will visit with the Dolphins today.

Says new Dolphins QB Josh McCown, "I plan to win the job."

The Eagles have been told that the Cardinals have no interest in trading WR Larry Fitzgerald.

When new Bears WR Brandon Lloyd said Rex Grossman would be the starter in 2008, he was just assuming that because Kyle Orton has never started a game when Grossman was 100 percent healthy.

Ravens director of player development O.J. Brigance says of living with Lou Gehrig's disease, "To be totally honest, I'm not always upbeat. It's tough. But I've always believed that we're able to overcome more than we think."

The Lions' Super Bowl odds are listed at 65/1.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis attended Indiana's pro day Wednesday and appears to be interested in CB Tracy Porter as a second-round pick.

A Steelers spokesman said the team is gathering information on the arrest of LB James Harrison but considers it a personal matter.

When Texans DT Amobi Okoye approached teammates about a trip to Nigeria to help aid people in his native country, RB Ahman Green was the first to accept.

Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams says he's working on long distance running because he doesn't want to be "the fastest guy in the 40 but the slowest in the 90."

Says the agent for free agent WR Justin McCareins, "We are definitely in no hurry to do anything. I wouldn't mind waiting a month."

The Broncos are showing interest in free agent DT Orpheus Roye.

 

[Chree]

TITANS SNAG SCOTT

After an all-too-quiet start to free agency, the Tennessee Titans have helped fill a hole on their offensive line by creating one for a division rival.

According to the Tennessean, the Titans have agreed to terms with starting Colts guard Jake Scott. The contract will average just under $5 million per year.

Scott, a fifth-round draft pick of the Colts in 2004, started 55 games in Indy over the past three seasons. He fills the vacancy created by Jacob Bell, who left for the Rams last week.

 

[Chree]

CHATMAN LANDS WITH JETS

The New York Jets have made yet another move.

According to the Palm Beach Post, the Jets have signed running back Jesse Chatman, formerly of the Dolphins.

Chatman has signed a one-year deal to play with the Jets. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

In 2007, Chatman had a career-high 515 yards in 14 games. He had six starts -- the only starts of his career.

 

[Chree]

On Friday, Bills owner Ralph Wilson got an award from the Maxwell Club for his contributions to the game; on Saturday, Wilson won the first Lamar Hunt award.

Former Bills S Coy Wire was shocked by the team's decision to cut him.

Dave Hyde of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel wants the '72 Dolphins to finally get their trip to the White House.

Gary Myers of the New York Daily News thinks that the recent New York spending spree puts extra pressure on Jets coach Eric Mangini and G.M. Mike Tannenbaum.

Here's a look at where the Bengals stand after nine days of free agency.

The Bengals might pursue DT Dewayne Robertson if/when he is cut by the Jets.

Agent Kennard McGuire says that DT Shaun Rogers didn't refuse to delay his $1 million roster bonus if doing so meant being traded to Cincinnati.

Next up for the Steelers is an extension for tackle Marvel Smith.

Texans DT Amobi Okoye and five other NFL players are trying to spread hope in Nigeria.

It's spring break at the Titans' facility (maybe Pacman will install a pole there, too).

The mother of Champ and Boss Bailey no longer has to pick a son's game to watch.

Chiefs coach Dick Curl (must . . . resist . . . urge . . . to snicker) says that QB Brodie Croyle "needs to win."

Hopefully when David Tyree's twin girls were born the doctor was able to catch them without pinning either one against his head. (And hopefully Rodney Harrison wasn't hanging on the doctor's arm.)

Eagles CB Lito Sheppard is keeping a low profile while on the trading block.

Is Marty Booker an upgrade over Muhsin Muhammad?

Brett Favre handed the ball to a bunch of different guys.

The Vikings are still looking for players. (Psst . . . quarterback.)

The Saints are beefing up on defense.

 

[Chree]

BRONCOS ADD SAFETIES

With few solid safeties available in the draft and veteran John Lynch much closer to the end of his career than the beginning, the Broncos snagged a couple of last-line-of-defense free agents on Saturday.

Joining the team are former Chargers safety Marlon McCree and former Panthers safety Marquand Manuel (or is it Manuel Marquand?).

Per the Rocky Mountain News, Manuel's package has a base value of $4.5 million over three years, with $500,000 guaranteed. Up to $1.5 million can be earned in incentives.

 

[MooreBlock530]

even though i was furious we lost bell i think scott is as good or slightly better.....bell was my boy though......hope scott comes in and makes an impact....there almost cloned body wise and i know scott has learned a lot playin for one of the best Os ever...

 

[Chree]

CARR PARKS IN NEW YORK

The Giants now have two No. 1 overall draft picks on the roster.

According to Adam Schefter of NFL Network, quarterback David Carr has agreed to terms on a one-year, $1 million deal. He can earn more in incentives.

Carr was the first overall selection of the Texans in 2002. He'll work behind quarterback Eli Manning, the first overall selection of the Chargers in 2004, who then was promptly traded to New York.

The former Texan spent five years in Houston before being released in 2007. He signed as a backup with the Panthers, but was cut again after only one year there.

 

[Chree]

TENNESSEE REUNION CONTINUES

Though it's unclear whether the development will help to remove the stick from defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth's personal sausage factory, the Tennessee Titans have spent a little more of their salary-cap bulge.

Specifically, the Titans have brought back receiver Justin McCareins.

McCareins is the second former Titan to return since the start of the 2008 league year. Last week, defensive end Jevon Kearse came back to Nashville after a four-year detour to Philly.

The Titans selected McCareins in the 2001 draft, and traded him to the Jets in 2004. He generally was a disappointment there, and was released earlier in the year.

McCareins' deal reportedly is for one year, with a base salary of $730,000 and incentives that could push it to $1 million.

 

[Chree]

FINS SIGN A KICKER

Here's a certain sign that the flow of the free-agent signings has slowed.

We're mentioning the signing of a kicker.

The Miami Dolphins have announced that they have added Dave Rayner, a three-year NFL veteran who spent 2007 with the Chiefs and Chargers and all of 2006 with the Packers.

Rayner was a sixth-round draft pick of the Colts in 2005.

 

[Chree]

HACKETT GETTING AROUND

Free-agent receiver D.J. Hackett, who played through 2007 with the Seahawks and who is still on the shelf nearly two weeks after the 2008 marketplace opened, might be getting closer to a new deal.

Or maybe not.

According to Adam Caplan of Scout.com, Hackett is scheduled to meet with three teams in three days.

First up are the Redskins, on Wednesday. Tomorrow, the Bucs. Friday, the Panthers.

Carolina's interest in Hackett could be bad news for Dwayne Jarrett, a second-round bust a year ago who was busted on Tuesday for driving while impaired.

 

[Chree]

BILLS HOLDING ON TO LOSMAN? by Michael David Smith

The conventional wisdom around the NFL has been that Bills quarterback J.P. Losman, who lost his starting job to rookie Trent Edwards last season, will not return to Buffalo in 2008.

But the Bills are saying publicly that they want to keep Losman around.

"I know he's frustrated," Bills quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt said in a story on the team's official web site. "I know he wants to go somewhere where he feels like he could be the starter. But we love him and we'd love to have him."

The Bills' coaching staff has made clear that Edwards is the starter for 2008, but Losman may be the best option available as a backup. Or it could be that the Bills simply want to make it look like they want to hold on to Losman in an attempt to gain leverage with potential trading partners.

Losman started seven games in 2007, completing 63.4 percent of his passes, with four touchdowns and six interceptions.

 

[Chree]

WEDNESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS by Michael David Smith

The Bills have agreed to a new contract on their local radio rights.

Said former Cowboys WR Michael Irvin of being inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in the Tom Landry Theatre Tuesday, "The first thing I saw when I walked in was the picture of Coach Landry. When you see that, you know what kind of an honor it is."

Former Titans TE Frank Wycheck, who now serves as the team's radio analyst, is surprised the Dolphins gave so much money to free agent DT Randy Starks, who "has never been consistent" in Tennessee.

The Giants are meeting with free agent LB Danny Clark.

Says Patriots S Tank Williams of attending Stanford with Chelsea Clinton, "She'd be riding her bike back to the dorm and the secret service would be riding like 20 yards behind her. That was neat to see."

The Eagles might be looking at the draft to get a starting wide receiver.

Free agent CB Ty Law will visit with the Jets today.

At least one "expert" thinks the Lions will finish with their first winning record of the Matt Millen era this year.

Free agent QB Quinn Gray visited the Packers on Tuesday.

The Raiders are also interested in Gray.

The Wisconsin legislature passed a resolution honoring Brett Favre.

Free agent OLB Keyaron Fox visited the Steelers Tuesday; the team says the visit had nothing to do with Sunday's arrest of OLB James Harrison.

Said TE Mark Bruener after signing with the Texans Tuesday, "We are a team on the rise, and we are a team on the cusp of doing something special."

The Titans had two free agent visitors on Tuesday.

Saints special teams standout Steve Gleason is retiring after a seven-year career; he missed all of 2007 after microfracture knee surgery.

Says new Broncos LB Boss Bailey, "I talked to coach [Mike] Shanahan personally, and he was telling me we had some players around that weren't willing to work for success and now those players are gone and they're bringing in players who are willing to work."

The Buccaneers are still shopping for a free agent wide receiver.

The Chiefs have signed free agent WR Devard Darling to a three-year contract.

An unnamed Raiders front-office employee said of QB JaMarcus Russell, "He's been working out. He's in great shape."

The Seahawks have hired Kasey Dunn as their new running backs coach.

The Chargers' team chaplain was released from the hospital after suffering bleeding on his brain.

 

[Chree]

DOUGLAS TO BUCS
Posted by Mike Florio on March 13, 2008, 2:18 p.m.

With Kevin Carter released and likely not coming back, the Bucs have filled that hole by signing free-agent defensive end Marques Douglas.

Various media reports indicate that the Bucs and Douglas have agreed to a four-year deal.

“I enjoyed my time with the 49ers,” Douglas said, according to Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat. “I played with Bryant Young and Manny Lawson and Derek Smith and Jeff Ulbrich. Those guys love the game the way I love the game. And now I’m going to a team that has Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber and a bunch of other great players who I’m sure love the game, too.”

Douglas spent three years with the 49ers, jumping to San Francisco from Baltimore not long after the Niners hired Mike Nolan, who had been the defensive coordinator of the Ravens. Douglas started in 47 of 48 games with San Fran.

The nine-year veteran also has spent time with the Saints. He also visited with the Titans during free agency, and the Niners never made a serious effort to keep him.

 

[Chree]

HACKETT GETS OFFER FROM ‘SKINS
Posted by Mike Florio on March 13, 2008, 4:50 p.m.

Seahawks receiver D.J. Hackett visited the Redskins, got an offer, and didn’t accept it.

According to the Washington Times, Hackett will explore other options before making a decision.

“This will all be up to him,” coach Jim Zorn told David Elfin of the Washington Times. ”We’re not going to risk it all to try to pay him. The financial package has to work. But if we have a chance to get him, we’d like to have him. He’s got two other teams plus Seattle that wants to match [his contract offers].”

It’s a dramatic change in approach by the Redskins to free agency. In the past, the ‘Skins would close the deal quickly and decisively, usually by overpaying via a multi-year contract that was destined to be terminated in a couple of years.

Indeed, Hackett was the first free-agent that the ‘Skins hosted this year. They previously have re-signed two of their own free agents — quarterback Todd Collins and running back Rock Cartwright . . . Cartwright!

Hackett will visit the Panthers and the Buccaneers. The Seahawks also have an interest in bringing him back.

 

[Chree]

WALKER LANDS IN BALTIMORE
Posted by Mike Florio on March 13, 2008, 5:15 p.m.

Cornerback Frank Walker has agreed to terms with the Ravens on a two-year deal, according to Adam Schefter of NFL Network.

Walker spent four years with the Giants before jumping to Green Bay in 2007. He appeared in 12 games last year, starting none.

Terms are not yet available.

 

[Chree]

DILFER OUT IN SAN FRAN
Posted by Mike Florio on March 13, 2008, 5:25 p.m.

With quarterback Alex Smith’s contract option picked up, potential free agent Shaun Hill re-signed, and Mike Martz student J.T. O’Sullivan in the fold, there was no room for veteran Trent Dilfer.

And so he was cut.

The 49ers announced the move on Thursday. “Trent Dilfer is a true professional in every meaning of the word,” said coach Mike Nolan. “He is one of the most respected players in the league for good reason. Trent has provided great value to our team over the past two years in terms of his leadership, knowledge of the game and play on the field.”

Dilfer was a first-round pick of the Buccaneers in 1994. He also has played for the Ravens, Seahawks, and Browns, and he was Baltimore’s starting quarterback in 2000, which ended with a Super Bowl victory.

 

[Chree]

LIONS ANNOUNCE RELEASE OF EDWARDS, JONES
Posted by Mike Florio on March 13, 2008, 5:38 p.m.

The Detroit Lions have formally announced their decision to part ways with defensive end Kalimba Edwards and running back Kevin Jones.

“With the off-season program beginning next week and with our draft preparation intensifying, we decided this was the right time to make these two roster moves,” coach Rod Marinelli said in a release. “While there are always a number of factors that go into this type of decision, we do believe these moves bring clarity to our roster and also eliminate some uncertainty heading into the draft that would have otherwise existed.”

As to the release of Jones, however, the move potentially jeopardizes the team’s ability to land a running back in the draft, especially if it prompts a team picked below the Lions in round one to trade up in front of them to get a guy who might otherwise have been on the board when the Lions picked.

Then again, maybe the Lions wants other teams to think they’re going running back in round one. Of course, it’s hard for us to infer that the Lions are attempting to pull off a Vulcan mind trick, given that their recent history has essentially been a Klingon clusterf–k.

Edwards previously suggested that he wouldn’t be upset if he were eventually released. “We men, man,” Edwards said on December 31, according to the Detroit Free Press. “Ain’t no hostility. You sign a contract. If you produce, you keep that contract. If you don’t, you don’t. Me and Rod, we men.”

 

[Chree]

BAXTER STILL A BROWN
Posted by Mike Florio on March 13, 2008, 8:16 p.m.

The Cleveland Browns announced on Thursday that cornerback Gary Baxter has re-signed with the team.

James Walker of the Columbus Dispatch reports that it’s a one-year deal with a $720,000 base salary. Baxter also can earn up to $1.6 million more in incentives.

Baxter tore both patellar tendons in 2006, and has not played since.

In fact, he has played in only eight games during three seasons with the Browns after joining Cleveland after spending his first four years with Baltimore.