Post by prossman on Feb 27, 2009 15:02:42 GMT -7
Adam Schefter
Ward will visit Bengals on Saturday
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Rank | Tags: Cincinnati Bengals, Derrick Ward
Giants free agent running back Derrick Ward is scheduled to visit the Bengals on Saturday. Ward rushed for 1,025 yards and two touchdowns and along with Brandon Jacobs (1,089) became only the fifth pair of teammates to rush for more than 1,000 yards in the same season.
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Adam Schefter
Lewis open to going back to Baltimore
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Balitmore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, DeMarcus Ware, Free Agency 2009, Ray Lewis, Rod Woodson
When Ray Lewis‘ future in Baltimore was questioned, his former teammate Rod Woodson reached out to him.
After speaking with Lewis, Woodson reported that Lewis never said he wouldn’t return to the Ravens. He is open to go back to Baltimore. Lewis never told DeMarcus Ware that his dream was to play for the Cowboys despite published reports.
Lewis is in Florida with his kids relaxing and does not expect to make any decisions on his future until Monday.
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Adam Schefter
DE Smith will visit Houston
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Antonio Smith, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans
Arizona free-agent defensive end Antonio Smith is scheduled to arrive in Houston tonight for a visit with the Texans on Sunday. Smith is a player the Texans have eyed from afar, and they have visions of pairing him with defensive end Mario Williams.
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Adam Schefter
Kemoeatu re-signs with Steelers
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Chris Keomoetu, Pittsburgh Steelers
Guard Chris Kemoeatu re-signed with Pittsburgh, a five-year, $2O million deal that includes a signing bonus of about $4 million.
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Adam Schefter
Long snapper Paxton signs with Broncos
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Denver Broncos, Lonnie Paxton, New England Patriots
The change that has swept through this country is blowing through New England, too.
On the day the Patriots were completing a trade of veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel to Kansas City, New England’s veteran long snapper Lonnie Paxton signed a five-year, $5.5 deal with the Broncos that includes a $1 million signing bonus. The deal makes Paxton the second-highest paid long snapper in the NFL, slightly behind Cleveland’s Ryan Pontbriand.
An eight-year veteran in New England, Paxton will best be remembered for the snow angels he made after Adam Vinatieri kicked a 23-yard field goal that beat the Raiders and propelled them into the 2001 AFC Championship Game.
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Adam Schefter
Bengals sign S Crocker
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Chris Crocker, Cincinnati Bengals, Free Agency 2009
And Cincinnati is on the scoreboard: Free Agent S Chris Crocker resigns with Bengals four-years $10 million, $3.5 guaranteed.
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Adam Schefter
Chiefs, Patriots nearing trade for Vrabel
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Free Agency 2009, Kansas City Chiefs, Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots
New England’s Pro Bowl linebacker Mike Vrabel is in Kansas City undergoing a physical so that he can then be traded to the Chiefs. General manager Scott Pioli is reaching out to bring in a player familiar with his system, and New England is a willing trade partner.
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Adam Schefter
Dawkins will visit Broncos
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Brian Dawkins, Denver Broncos, Free Agency 2009
Safety Brian Dawkins is on his way to Denver for a visit. Dawkins has played 13 seasons in the NFL, all with the Eagles. The Broncos ranked 29th in the NFL in total defense in 2009.
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Adam Schefter
Ravens sign CB Foxworth
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Domonique Foxworth
Baltimore continues to be one of the busiest teams on the first day of free agency. The Ravens signed cornerback Domonique Foxworth to a four-year, $28 million deal that includes $16.5 million guaranteed.
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Adam Schefter
Bucs trade for TE Winslow
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Cleveland Browns, Kellen Winslow, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay just completed a trade for tight end Kellen Winslow, sending undisclosed draft picks to Cleveland in the deal.
“The Cleveland Browns thank Kellen for his contributions to this organization over the past five years,” said Browns general manager George Kokinis. “We appreciate his passion for the game and wish him success in Tampa Bay. The draft picks we have obtained through this deal will give us greater flexibility as we look to infuse more talent and create competition and depth on this football team.”
The Buccaneers, who cut five players this week, needed to create a stir. Bringing in Winslow will create some excitement in Tampa Bay.
Now the Browns have to make a decision on wide receiver Braylon Edwards, who also wanted a new contract. Now the Browns must decide whether to extend Edwards’ contract or trade him.
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Adam Schefter
Ravens cut DE Douglas
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Marques Douglas
It’s a busy day for the Baltimore Ravens. They are voluntarily and involuntarily losing players. This time, Baltimore cut defensive end Marques Douglas, who now becomes a free agent.
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Adam Schefter
Wilson will remain with Texans
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Eugene Wilson, Free Agency 2009, Houston Texans
Last year, defensive back Eugene Wilson sat on the free-agent market for weeks. This year, he sat on the market for hours. Wilson reached agreement on a three-year, $11.3 million deal with the Houston Texans. Wilson played well this season, Houston did not want to lose him, and it kept its man.
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Adam Schefter
Patriots reach agreement with ex-Jet Baker
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Chris Baker, New England Patriots
One of football’s top rivalries got a little spicier Friday when New England reached agreement with former New York Jets tight end Chris Baker.
Earlier this month, the Jets released Baker rather than pay him the $9 million option bonus payment that was due to him in early March. At the time, the 29-year-old Baker said he was open to re-signing with the Jets and would like to return. But when New England called, and Baker heard the Patriots’ offer, he liked that idea better.
New England believes it is getting a player who had a career-high 41 catches in 2007, more than the player who caught only 21 passes for 194 yards and no touchdowns last season, when Baker lost some of his playing time to rookie first-round pick Dustin Keller.
Now, another player in a long line of them — Curtis Martin, Ty Law, Vinny Testaverde to name a few — has changed teams in this heated rivalry. Baker is going to be a Patriot.
And as one Jets fan just texted me when he heard the news, “Whenever Pats pick up a former Jet, I get a pit in my stomach.”
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Adam Schefter
Ravens could lose Scott to Jets; Lewis gone, too?
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Bart Scott, New York Jets, Ray Lewis
As if it weren’t bad enough to lose linebacker Bart Scott, now the Ravens are in serious jeopardy of losing free-agent linebacker Ray Lewis, too.
The Jets are expected to sign Scott to a contract worth about $8 million per year that could land in the range of $40 million total. He traveled to visit with the Jets this morning. The Jets also are hosting a visit for Baltimore free-agent CB Corey Ivy. He could be yet another former player of Ryan’s in New York that comes in, helps the Jets learn the new defensive system and contribute on the field as well.
Meanwhile, sources close to Lewis were adamant Friday that one of the game’s greatest defensive players will not return to Baltimore and his career with the team is over. For some reason, Lewis has been rubbed the wrong way in the lengthy negotiations that have occurred between he and the Ravens. Now, Lewis is determined to move on, even if there is no obvious suitor.
The Dallas Cowboys have insisted they will not be signing any high-profile free agents, and there are no other teams that, at the moment, jump out as potential landing spots for Lewis.
Thus, one of Lewis’ confidants was asked if it were possible that the Ravens now could change their linebacker’s mind.
“Not if you knew Ray like I knew Ray,” was his response. He even mentioned retirement as a possibility ahead of returning to Baltimore and insisted it was not a negotiationg ploy. “That’s Ray,” the source said.
For now, Lewis plans to take a couple of days, ponder his plans and then come up with his gameplan. But his gameplan now does not include the Ravens, according to those who know him. Thus Baltimore could wind up losing Lewis to another team or retirement, Scott to the Jets, center Jason Brown to the Rams (Brown is scheduled to visit St. Louis) and Ivy to the Jets.
Change came to this country in January and it looks like it’s coming to Baltimore as well.
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Ward will visit Bengals on Saturday
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Rank | Tags: Cincinnati Bengals, Derrick Ward
Giants free agent running back Derrick Ward is scheduled to visit the Bengals on Saturday. Ward rushed for 1,025 yards and two touchdowns and along with Brandon Jacobs (1,089) became only the fifth pair of teammates to rush for more than 1,000 yards in the same season.
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Adam Schefter
Lewis open to going back to Baltimore
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Balitmore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, DeMarcus Ware, Free Agency 2009, Ray Lewis, Rod Woodson
When Ray Lewis‘ future in Baltimore was questioned, his former teammate Rod Woodson reached out to him.
After speaking with Lewis, Woodson reported that Lewis never said he wouldn’t return to the Ravens. He is open to go back to Baltimore. Lewis never told DeMarcus Ware that his dream was to play for the Cowboys despite published reports.
Lewis is in Florida with his kids relaxing and does not expect to make any decisions on his future until Monday.
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Adam Schefter
DE Smith will visit Houston
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Antonio Smith, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans
Arizona free-agent defensive end Antonio Smith is scheduled to arrive in Houston tonight for a visit with the Texans on Sunday. Smith is a player the Texans have eyed from afar, and they have visions of pairing him with defensive end Mario Williams.
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Adam Schefter
Kemoeatu re-signs with Steelers
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Chris Keomoetu, Pittsburgh Steelers
Guard Chris Kemoeatu re-signed with Pittsburgh, a five-year, $2O million deal that includes a signing bonus of about $4 million.
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Adam Schefter
Long snapper Paxton signs with Broncos
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Denver Broncos, Lonnie Paxton, New England Patriots
The change that has swept through this country is blowing through New England, too.
On the day the Patriots were completing a trade of veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel to Kansas City, New England’s veteran long snapper Lonnie Paxton signed a five-year, $5.5 deal with the Broncos that includes a $1 million signing bonus. The deal makes Paxton the second-highest paid long snapper in the NFL, slightly behind Cleveland’s Ryan Pontbriand.
An eight-year veteran in New England, Paxton will best be remembered for the snow angels he made after Adam Vinatieri kicked a 23-yard field goal that beat the Raiders and propelled them into the 2001 AFC Championship Game.
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Adam Schefter
Bengals sign S Crocker
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Chris Crocker, Cincinnati Bengals, Free Agency 2009
And Cincinnati is on the scoreboard: Free Agent S Chris Crocker resigns with Bengals four-years $10 million, $3.5 guaranteed.
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Adam Schefter
Chiefs, Patriots nearing trade for Vrabel
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Free Agency 2009, Kansas City Chiefs, Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots
New England’s Pro Bowl linebacker Mike Vrabel is in Kansas City undergoing a physical so that he can then be traded to the Chiefs. General manager Scott Pioli is reaching out to bring in a player familiar with his system, and New England is a willing trade partner.
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Adam Schefter
Dawkins will visit Broncos
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Brian Dawkins, Denver Broncos, Free Agency 2009
Safety Brian Dawkins is on his way to Denver for a visit. Dawkins has played 13 seasons in the NFL, all with the Eagles. The Broncos ranked 29th in the NFL in total defense in 2009.
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Adam Schefter
Ravens sign CB Foxworth
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Domonique Foxworth
Baltimore continues to be one of the busiest teams on the first day of free agency. The Ravens signed cornerback Domonique Foxworth to a four-year, $28 million deal that includes $16.5 million guaranteed.
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Adam Schefter
Bucs trade for TE Winslow
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Cleveland Browns, Kellen Winslow, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay just completed a trade for tight end Kellen Winslow, sending undisclosed draft picks to Cleveland in the deal.
“The Cleveland Browns thank Kellen for his contributions to this organization over the past five years,” said Browns general manager George Kokinis. “We appreciate his passion for the game and wish him success in Tampa Bay. The draft picks we have obtained through this deal will give us greater flexibility as we look to infuse more talent and create competition and depth on this football team.”
The Buccaneers, who cut five players this week, needed to create a stir. Bringing in Winslow will create some excitement in Tampa Bay.
Now the Browns have to make a decision on wide receiver Braylon Edwards, who also wanted a new contract. Now the Browns must decide whether to extend Edwards’ contract or trade him.
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Adam Schefter
Ravens cut DE Douglas
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Marques Douglas
It’s a busy day for the Baltimore Ravens. They are voluntarily and involuntarily losing players. This time, Baltimore cut defensive end Marques Douglas, who now becomes a free agent.
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Adam Schefter
Wilson will remain with Texans
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Eugene Wilson, Free Agency 2009, Houston Texans
Last year, defensive back Eugene Wilson sat on the free-agent market for weeks. This year, he sat on the market for hours. Wilson reached agreement on a three-year, $11.3 million deal with the Houston Texans. Wilson played well this season, Houston did not want to lose him, and it kept its man.
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Adam Schefter
Patriots reach agreement with ex-Jet Baker
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Chris Baker, New England Patriots
One of football’s top rivalries got a little spicier Friday when New England reached agreement with former New York Jets tight end Chris Baker.
Earlier this month, the Jets released Baker rather than pay him the $9 million option bonus payment that was due to him in early March. At the time, the 29-year-old Baker said he was open to re-signing with the Jets and would like to return. But when New England called, and Baker heard the Patriots’ offer, he liked that idea better.
New England believes it is getting a player who had a career-high 41 catches in 2007, more than the player who caught only 21 passes for 194 yards and no touchdowns last season, when Baker lost some of his playing time to rookie first-round pick Dustin Keller.
Now, another player in a long line of them — Curtis Martin, Ty Law, Vinny Testaverde to name a few — has changed teams in this heated rivalry. Baker is going to be a Patriot.
And as one Jets fan just texted me when he heard the news, “Whenever Pats pick up a former Jet, I get a pit in my stomach.”
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Adam Schefter
Ravens could lose Scott to Jets; Lewis gone, too?
Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Bart Scott, New York Jets, Ray Lewis
As if it weren’t bad enough to lose linebacker Bart Scott, now the Ravens are in serious jeopardy of losing free-agent linebacker Ray Lewis, too.
The Jets are expected to sign Scott to a contract worth about $8 million per year that could land in the range of $40 million total. He traveled to visit with the Jets this morning. The Jets also are hosting a visit for Baltimore free-agent CB Corey Ivy. He could be yet another former player of Ryan’s in New York that comes in, helps the Jets learn the new defensive system and contribute on the field as well.
Meanwhile, sources close to Lewis were adamant Friday that one of the game’s greatest defensive players will not return to Baltimore and his career with the team is over. For some reason, Lewis has been rubbed the wrong way in the lengthy negotiations that have occurred between he and the Ravens. Now, Lewis is determined to move on, even if there is no obvious suitor.
The Dallas Cowboys have insisted they will not be signing any high-profile free agents, and there are no other teams that, at the moment, jump out as potential landing spots for Lewis.
Thus, one of Lewis’ confidants was asked if it were possible that the Ravens now could change their linebacker’s mind.
“Not if you knew Ray like I knew Ray,” was his response. He even mentioned retirement as a possibility ahead of returning to Baltimore and insisted it was not a negotiationg ploy. “That’s Ray,” the source said.
For now, Lewis plans to take a couple of days, ponder his plans and then come up with his gameplan. But his gameplan now does not include the Ravens, according to those who know him. Thus Baltimore could wind up losing Lewis to another team or retirement, Scott to the Jets, center Jason Brown to the Rams (Brown is scheduled to visit St. Louis) and Ivy to the Jets.
Change came to this country in January and it looks like it’s coming to Baltimore as well.
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