OnTheRocks Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 If interested here is a link to benmaller.com I thought the notes on Jay Fiedler and Brad Johnson are interesting. Jerome Bettis may be leaning toward returning to play for the Steelers next season, provided the sides can work out a new contract. The Steelers have exchanged proposals with Bettis' agent. Bettis is contemplating whether he wants to retire. In the meantime, the Steelers would have to reduce his salary of $4.484 million by March 2 or possibly release him because they will be above the NFL's salary cap. Lamont Smith, Bettis' agent, said last night that he hopes a contract could be worked and that the Steelers would not release Bettis. "To release him would change the dynamics of this whole thing," Smith said. If the Steelers and Bettis can reach a new contract agreement, Bettis is expected to play in 2005. The Raiders are expected to leverage their bets and put a costly franchise tag on cornerback Charles Woodson today, rather than let him walk away as a free agent on March 2. In exchange for that $10.529 million non-exclusive tender -- one that still allows Woodson to negotiate with other teams -- the Raiders likely will actively shop their most expensive player to the highest bidder, NFL sources said late Monday. The Seahawks reached an agreement last night with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck on a long-term deal, according to sources close to contract negotiations. Details of the deal were not immediately known, and Hasselbeck has to sign the contract to make it official. Assuming he does so by 1 p.m. today, the Seahawks will turn their attention to running back Shaun Alexander and designate him as their franchise player. The Patriots franchise kicker is on the verge of receiving the franchise tag. Unless Adam Vinatieri and the Patriots come to terms on a multi-year deal, which as of last night did not appear imminent, the Pats are expected to lock up the rights to the three-time Pro Bowler by franchising him by today's 4 p.m. deadline. To secure the tag, the Pats must give Vinatieri a one-year contract worth 120 percent of his 2004 value, which was $2.09 million by franchise calculations. That puts the cost of Vinatieri's tag at roughly $2.5 million. The Pats are expected to designate Vinatieri, 32, as a ``non-exclusive'' franchise player, which means they have the right to match any offer he receives as a free agent. Such an offer would be unlikely since the Pats would be due two first-round picks as compensation if they declined to match. The Jets have had cursory talks with the Redskins about reacquiring disgruntled wide receiver Laveranues Coles from Washington, but substantive trade discussions won't take place until at least the NFL scouting combine later this week, a person familiar with the situation said last night. One NFL source told the Post yesterday that it would be "almost impossible" for the Redskins to trade Coles because of the huge salary-cap hit. But Coles would count for $5.7 million -- still steep, but more affordable -- under the cap if he's allowed to forfeit the bonus payment. Even though Coles took parting shots at Herman Edwards after leaving the Jets -- saying the coach promised him he would remain with the Jets for as long as Edwards -- the receiver might be welcomed back if the price is right. If Reggie Fowler's agreement to buy the Vikings isn't approved by NFL owners, and if a re-bidding process doesn't result in a price that satisfies owner Red McCombs, there's a decent chance McCombs will keep the team through next season. If McCombs retains ownership, chances are probable that controversial wideout Randy Moss will be traded. Dolphins QB Jay Fiedler, a Long Island native expected to be released, has told friends he is interested in joining the Jets as Chad Pennington's backup. A multi-year deal remains possible for offensive tackle Orlando Pace, who counts more than $8.4 million against the cap. A long-term contract could save the team $3 million to $4 million in cap space in 2005. But if the team is unable to reach a multi-year deal with Pace before mid-March, at which point a four-month negotiating blackout period begins, the Rams might be inclined to seek a trade for Pace. Two prominent Indianapolis players who could be released to free up room under the 2005 salary cap, projected to be $86 million, are tight end Marcus Pollard and place-kicker Mike Vanderjagt. Each is entering the final year of his contract, with Pollard due to count approximately $4.8 million against the cap and Vanderjagt $2.9 million. Jeff Garcia, who made the Pro Bowl three times in San Francisco under Lions coach Steve Mariucci, is certain to look at Detroit as a possible new home when he is officially released by the Cleveland Browns at 4 this afternoon. Brian Griese under contract with the Bucs, but he is due a roster bonus of $6 million in March. If Griese, who played at Michigan, hits the market, the Lions could be interested. The NFL-imposed deadline for teams to use the "franchise" tag, and involve Colts running back Edgerrin James. Owner Jim Irsay repeatedly has said the Colts would give serious consideration to designating James their franchise player. "We haven't heard anything," Pierre Rutledge, one of James' advisers, said Monday. James has not replaced Jeffrey Moorad, his previous agent. Moorad was named the chief executive officer of the Arizona Diamondbacks. At least six teams are interested in Buffalo running back Travis Henry and plan to discuss the possibility of a contract extension with his agent at the NFL scouting combine, which begins on Wednesday in Indianapolis The Jaguars remained undecided Monday night on whether to tag Donovin Darius again in advance of the league's 4 p.m. deadline today. The tag would guarantee Darius a salary of $4.97 million this fall with no signing bonus. Indications from the Jaguars in the past week pointed to them tagging Darius for the third year in a row, in part because the team has plenty of room under the cap to cushion Darius' hit. Even if the Jaguars tag Darius, they could negotiate until March 15 on a long-term contract that would include a signing bonus and enable them to lift the tag. But talks on an extended deal with Darius and his agent, Tom Condon, have gone nowhere the past three years. A team source said Monday that the Jaguars would take a keen interest in several of the players to be cut by their AFC South counterparts, particularly Kevin Carter because he plays a position of glaring need for Jacksonville. The Jaguars also are in position to make a run at some of the league's top veterans when free agency opens March 2 because they currently are more than $20 million under the cap -- one of the highest figures in the NFL. The Drew Henson question is causing a divide in the Cowboys' organization. Of all of the questions surrounding the Cowboys, this is probably the most asked. What do the Cowboys think of Drew Henson? Cowboys owner Jerry Jones obviously liked him or he would not have been standing in the locker room after the Thanksgiving game against Chicago talking about how he wished the Cowboys would have won with Henson instead of Vinny Testaverde. Parcells obviously sees something he doesn't like or doesn't quite trust or he would have played him already. None of this, however, means that Jones has Parcells in his cross hairs. Or vice versa. They are debating what to do at quarterback, but Jones has sounded very much like somebody who could be talked into continuing to bring Henson along slowly. The Cowboys are interested in receiver Laveranues Coles, if the Redskins cut him? It is no secret that the Cowboys need another receiver, a speed receiver. It is also no secret that Parcells likes bringing in players he has a history with (see Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Richie Anderson). All of which makes Coles a logical fit, because he is a good, fast, young receiver whom Parcells drafted while with the New York Jets. QB Rich Gannon. Last season's neck fracture means his playing days are over -- doctors have told Gannon this, and he has come to accept the truth. Though Gannon's $8 million salary is a big hit against the 2005 cap, the Raiders, league sources say, are prepared to give the quarterback all the time he needs to call it quits. A failed physical will allow him to collect additional benefits from the NFL. In the meantime, the Raiders, sources say, will take Gannon down to the NFL minimum ($755,000, only $455,00 of which counts against the cap) and will postpone any decision on his future until after June 1, when the cap hit from his bonus acceleration (about $5.4 million) moves to the '06 books. The Raiders, meanwhile, continue to have "positive" negotiations with wide receiver Jerry Porter, a team source said, and hope to convince their leading pass catcher to sign a five-year contract worth more than $20 million before the March 2 start of free agency. The Raiders, sources say, already have accommodated his cap value in their short-term planning. A player who has flourished in the Bucs' system is defensive end Simeon Rice. He has led the team in sacks since arriving as a free agent in 2001, and he's being paid accordingly. Rice's cap figure for the 2005 season is a team-high $10.7 million, but Allen denied a suggestion by Rice's agent, Tom Condon, that Rice could be among the players cut. ``Simeon Rice has a $10 million-and-change cap number on him,'' Condon told Kansas City's KCSP radio. ``They [the Bucs] can't handle that number. They're going to have to release him; [or] they're going to have to redo his contract. ``They definitely have to do something with him. His cap number is so large now that it's really difficult for Tampa to handle him and they have a lot of other needs.'' Though the Bucs could create about $4.5 million in cap space by cutting Brad Johnson, they may not make that move until after they have completed contract negotiations with projected starter Brian Griese. Negotiations aimed at reworking Griese's contract have made little progress. As a result, it's possible Griese will be cut March 1. By doing that the Bucs would avoid having to pay Griese a $6 million roster bonus and create $8.33 million in cap space. It also would allow Griese to enter the free agent market, but the Bucs may be thinking that a soft market will eventually force Griese to come back to them on their terms. The Dolphins are expected to restructure wide receiver Chris Chambers' contract later this week for salary-cap relief and will guarantee at least a portion of a $5 million roster bonus Chambers is set to receive as part of the five-year, $30 million contract extension signed last August. The guaranteed portion of the roster bonus will then be prorated over the final four years of the contract. A source Monday said college assistants Kevin Steele (Florida State) and Mike Archer (Kentucky) were never offered the coordinator position when recently contacted by Dolphins coach Nick Saban. The source said Saban instead discussed defensive staff positions with both coaches. The source also said Saban did the same last month with NFL assistant coaches Dave Campo (Jacksonville) and Mike Tomlin (Tampa Bay), who also were linked to the defensive coordinator position after interviewing. Barring an unexpected hire at the combine, Saban appears likely to promote from his current staff. It's believed Saban is seeking a coordinator with experience running his defensive system rather than someone trying to install a different scheme. With an usually high amount of NFL players on the market - including Broncos defensive end Trevor Pryce - there are bound to be trade discussions later this week at the NFL combine, where college prospects will be joined by team officials and agents. While deals can be agreed upon, trades cannot become official until March 2. Ruben Droughns, who gained 1,240 yards last season as an injury replacement at tailback, does not want the fullback role. But if he isn't traded, Droughns doesn't see himself holding out from the Broncos' training camp. "If I have to be a fullback, this is where I want to be," Droughns said. "But moving on is what I want at this point." The Broncos also will entertain offers for Pryce at the combine. About eight teams are interested in him. The Chargers have informed Tim Dwight that they will release him before March 15, the date on which the veteran wide receiver/returner is scheduled to receive a $100,000 roster bonus. Dwight, part of the 2001 predraft trade that brought running back LaDainian Tomlinson to San Diego and landed quarterback Michael Vick in Atlanta, was slowed by injuries in three of his four seasons with the Chargers. He appeared in all 16 games only once, and missed a total of 17 games over the three other seasons. Although it may not happen today, the Rams are expected to release quarterback Chris Chandler in the near future, freeing up $650,000 of cap room. The Rams are trying to restructure the contract of running back Marshall Faulk, who counts about $7.5 million against the cap. The Packers' strategy might be to allow Bubba Franks to test the market to see if he can do better than what Thompson deems a reasonable salary. If Franks gets a better offer, the Packers probably won't match and will chase one of the other free agents as a stopgap until they can develop another starter. The Jets also may be interested in former Titans wide receiver Derrick Mason, who was released yesterday in a salary-cap crunch. Mason, 31, played under new Jets offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger in Tennessee, where the wideout led all NFL receivers in 2004 with a career-high 96 catches for 1,168 yards and seven TDs. He was the first player in franchise history to have four consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. The Steelers have until 4 p.m. today to pony up for Plaxico Burress or take their chances on losing the wide receiver and first-round pick in 2000 to free agency. According to figures compiled by the NFL Players Association, it'll cost the Steelers $7.768 million against the 2005 salary cap to put a "franchise player" tag on Burress. A source within the organization Monday night did not anticipate the Steelers making such a commitment. Without such a designation, Burress would become a free agent March 2. The Washington Redskins are trying to trade disgruntled wide receiver Laveranues Coles to avoid having to release him without receiving anything in return, according to NFL sources. But any move is contingent on Coles agreeing to restructure his contract. One possibility, according to a source, involves Coles forfeiting a $5 million deferred signing bonus payment he is scheduled to receive April 1 in exchange for being sent to a team of his choice. Such a move would limit the amount of money that Coles would account for under the Redskins' salary cap. According to NFL sources, Coles must give back roughly $6 million for the Redskins to break even under the cap. If Coles is released after June 1, the cap hit becomes more bearable this season, with the overwhelming majority going into next year: About $2 million this year and $7 million in 2006. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmac17 Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 Maller is pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stussy109 Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 I wouldn't mind getting Mike Vanderjagt, and Brian Griese in here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsGuyInMalta Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 Vinateiri was, and still is, a pipe dream. What I think the significance of that report that came out a few days ago with the Bills looking to make him their "#1 priority free agent" simply meant that TD is looking for a huge upgrade at kicker. I dont blame him. Getting Vandy in here, with all of his drunken Canadian goodness might be a gamble though, considering he is used to kicking indoors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snorom Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 I wouldn't mind getting Mike Vanderjagt, and Brian Griese in here... 248223[/snapback] The reality is Brian Griese is not going to sign with any team as a backup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 Now there are six teams interested in Henry. I'd love to know what teams round out that grouping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyT Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 KFFL reported that Vanderjadt will likely be asked to restructure. Also of note, the Lions are apparantly not interested in Bledsoe and are looking at Griese as a possibility. The fact that the Lions already know that they don't want Drew is very telling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsGuyInMalta Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 KFFL reported that Vanderjadt will likely be asked to restructure. Also of note, the Lions are apparantly not interested in Bledsoe and are looking at Griese as a possibility. The fact that the Lions already know that they don't want Drew is very telling. 248237[/snapback] The Lions and The Cards both dont want to have anything to do with Drew...all he needs is the Niners to reject him before we have to put him on a suicide watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
col_forbin Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 The reality is Brian Griese is not going to sign with any team as a backup. 248229[/snapback] What team is going to sign him as a starter??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyT Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 The Lions and The Cards both dont want to have anything to do with Drew...all he needs is the Niners to reject him before we have to put him on a suicide watch. 248242[/snapback] Yikes. The Lions AND the Cards don't want him for their crappy teams? That is bad. The kicker here is that it was mentioned that the top off-season priority for the Lions is getting a top-flight WR either through the draft or FA. Who's running the ship over there? They've already got Roy Williams and Charles Rogers. Wonder if we'll see one of those guys move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Realist Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 I wouldn't mind getting Mike Vanderjagt, and Brian Griese in here... 248223[/snapback] No way do you pay Griese that kind of money to be a backup. MV will be too much of a risk at the Ralph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartshan-83 Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 Yikes. The Lions AND the Cards don't want him for their crappy teams? That is bad. The kicker here is that it was mentioned that the top off-season priority for the Lions is getting a top-flight WR either through the draft or FA. Who's running the ship over there? They've already got Roy Williams and Charles Rogers. Wonder if we'll see one of those guys move. 248248[/snapback] Charles Rogers' career may be over, or at least that was speculated. This could be the reason they are looking for another WR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obie_wan Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 What team is going to sign him as a starter??? 248247[/snapback] Bills situation could be pretty appealing to Griese since there is good chance that Losman will not stay on the field, either to performance or injury. Don't see any teams declaring him the outright starter and paying him as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 Charles Rogers' career may be over, or at least that was speculated. This could be the reason they are looking for another WR. 248277[/snapback] And just think of the bling the Lionesses threw at Rogers. If I was a fan of that sorry-arsed team, I'd be sick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zamboni Man Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 The only reason I'd be a little wary of Mike Vanderjadt is he plays a majority of his games indoors. Kicking in the RCA Dome and kicking at the Ralph are two totally different beasts. That being said, the Earl of Bud would be a better kicker than Lindell, so if we can get Vanderjadt, I'm all for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerJ Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 Considering that Vinatieri is one of the best kickers in the game the Patriots really don't end up overpaying him by using the franchise tag. Griese would indeed be worthwhile to explore as a backup, but first he would have to be willing to accept back-up dollars and second, he would have to find no market for his services as a starter. If the Buccaneers really do want him as a starter, even if he were released, he would probably go back to them rather than sign with the Bills as a backup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairweather fan Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 I wouldn't mind getting Mike Vanderjagt, and Brian Griese in here... 248223[/snapback] Mike Vanderjagt is a dome kicker. Look at the kick that would have tied the Patriots in the first game of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 The Lions and The Cards both dont want to have anything to do with Drew...all he needs is the Niners to reject him before we have to put him on a suicide watch. 248242[/snapback] Do we put him on a suicide watch? Or do we sign him as a backup? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts