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[Happy Days Lois & Clark]

Free-agent news & rumors

 

Coles-Moss trade is set; Cardinals corral Warner; Browns add Baxter, Dilfer

 

By PFW staff

March 5, 2005

 

 

Updated at 8:05 p.m. EST, March 6, 2005

 

The rumored trade between the Jets and the Redskins involving WRs Laveranues Coles and Santana Moss is nearly complete. The deal, which has been in various stages of discussion for more than a week, got back on track when Coles and the Jets agreed on a restructuring of Coles' contract. Although a few details have yet to be worked out, the only real hurdle left before the trade is made official is for the two players to pass physicals Monday. Both receivers have battled injuries during their careers. This will apparently be a one-for-one trade involving both teams' No. 1 receivers, a rare occurrence in the NFL.

 

NFC West

 

The Cardinals reached agreement with UFA QB Kurt Warner on a one-year contract Sunday. Warner had visited the Bears and was scheduled to stop in Detroit in the next few days, but he decided that Arizona presented the best chance of being a starting quarterback again. Josh McCown finished the season as the Cardinals' starting signalcaller, but head coach Dennis Green hardly showed the utmost confidence in McCown. … On Friday night the Cardinals agreed to a five-year, $17.5 million contract with Steelers OT Oliver Ross — their first free-agent signing this offseason. The 6-5, 322-pound Ross fills a critical need at right tackle. … Two safeties, Steve Gleason (formerly of the Saints) and Robert Griffith (formerly of the Browns) visited the Cardinals Friday. Saturday visits are expected from Seahawks DE Chike Okeafor and Ravens MLB Edgerton Hartwell.

 

The Rams have visits planned with two "tweener" defensive backs this week — Michael Hawthorne, who was cut by the Packers Friday, and Cardinals UFA Michael Stone. Most importantly, though, they are scheduled to talk with franchise OLT Orlando Pace’s new agents about a multiyear contract. … Rams UFA DE Bryce Fisher plans on a trip to his hometown of Seattle Wednesday to visit the Seahawks.

 

The Niners re-signed DL Chris Cooper Saturday night. Cooper, who left the Raiders under a cloud last season when he was fined for reportedly testing positive for the designer steroid THG, appeared in 10 games for the Niners after being picked up in early November. He started two games and registered one sack.

 

The Seahawks traded veteran QB Trent Dilfer to Cleveland over the weekend in exchange for a fourth-round pick in next month's draft. Dilfer will be missed in Seattle because he provided a shoulder to lean on for starting QB Matt Hasselbeck and accepted his backup role with great class. He also was very well-respected because of the way he dealt with the death of his 5-year-old son two years ago. That said, the Hawks need Hasselbeck to take on a stronger leadership role, and that process may be easier with a player Dilfer no longer casting a shadown over Hasselbeck. … In a pair of expected moves Friday, the Seahawks released LB Anthony Simmons and S Damien Robinson, clearing $1.625 million in salary cap space. Simmons played in only six games last season as a result of undergoing shoulder surgery and then breaking a wrist. Just two years ago Simmons had signed a five-year contract worth $23.75 million, but he has missed 21 games in the past three seasons. Meanwhile, Robinson sat out the entire 2004 season with a shoulder injury. … RFA Rocky Bernard visited with the Texans Friday. The Jets are also interested in Bernard, but Seattle has the right to match any offer for him or get draft-pick compensation. … The Seahawks are expected to look into the availability of Ravens ILB Edgerton Hartwell and Steelers ILB Kendrell Bell before the weekend runs out.

 

AFC North

 

In a stunning turn of events, Ravens CB Gary Baxter signed with the Browns on Friday. According to reports, Baxter was prepared to re-sign with Baltimore. But when he looked at the contract, he saw he was receiving a signing bonus of $7 million, not the $11 million he thought he would get, according to The Baltimore Sun. At that point, negotiations apparently stalled, and Baxter ended up with the Browns, who needed another starting-caliber cornerback after Anthony Henry signed with Dallas earlier in the week. The loss of Baxter weakens Baltimore's secondary. While not regarded as a shutdown cornerback, Baxter was serviceable enough playing opposite Pro Bowl CB Chris McAlister. Now, the Ravens must go find another starting cornerback, as a capable replacement is unlikely to come from the current roster

 

While the Browns gained Baxter, they lost QB Kelly Holcomb to Buffalo late Friday. That left the Browns temporarily in great need of a capable veteran to compete with young QBs Luke McCown and Josh Harris. Over the weekend, though, Cleveland moved quickly to replace Holcomb, acquiring Seahawks veteran QB Trent Dilfer in exchange for a 2005 fourth-round draft choice. With two inexperienced quarterbacks as his competition, Dilfer figures to have a good opportunity to open the 2005 season as the Browns' starting quarterback, even if the team drafts another signalcaller. Dilfer is being reunited with GM Phil Savage, who brought the QB to Baltimore in 2000, when he led the Ravens to a Super Bowl win. … Late Friday the Browns signed former Bengals P Kyle Richardson to a one-year contract Friday. Richardson will challenge Derrick Frost for Cleveland's punting job. Richardson spent last season on injured reserve with a torn biceps muscle. Browns general manager Phil Savage is familiar with Richardson from their time together in Baltimore; Richardson was the punter for the Ravens' Super Bowl run in 2000.

 

AFC East

 

The Dolphins reached a contract agreement with former Chiefs UFA DE Vonnie Holliday late Friday night. The deal is for two years. There is some speculation that the signing of the 6-foot-5, 290-pound Holliday, who is more of a run stuffer than a pass rusher, may signal a shift to a 3-4 defense by Miami. It was not immediately apparent how the signing of Holliday would affect Miami’s pursuit of other defensive linemen. The team had former Titans DT-DE Kevin Carter and Saints UFA DE Tony Bryant in for visits this past week, and Eagles UFA DE Derrick Burgess reportedly was scheduled to visit Tuesday.

 

Not wanting to go into next season without an experienced backup quarterback, the Bills signed former Browns QB Kelly Holcomb late Friday. Holcomb will provide insurance behind young J.P. Losman, who was given the starting job when the team released veteran QB Drew Bledsoe last month. During his eight-year career in which he has started 12 games, Holcomb has had some impressive performances, including a five-TD, 413-yard game vs. Cincinnati last season.

 

NFC South

 

The Falcons re-signed return specialist Allen Rossum to a four-year contract over the weekend, and they inked UFA PK Todd Peterson to a one-year deal. Rossum has been a key contributor for the Falcons as a returner of punts and kickoffs and as a nickel defensive back. The signing of Peterson, who spent the past two seasons in San Francisco, likely means the end of UFA PK Jay Feely's tenure in Atlanta.

 

The Saints have found a replacement for ORT Victor Riley, whom they expect to lose in free agency. On Saturday, New Orleans signed former Eagle Jermane Mayberry, who can play either guard or tackle, to a four-year contract.

 

The Buccaneers re-signed TE-LS Dave Moore on Friday. Moore had only three receptions last season, but he also serves as the club’s long-snapper.

 

AFC West

 

The Raiders re-signed UFA DE Bobby Hamilton late Friday to a three-year, $6 million contract. Hamilton played in all 16 games last season, his first as a Raider after four years in New England.

 

AFC South

 

The Texans re-signed a pair of their unrestricted free agents Friday — FB Moran Norris and CB Jason Bell. Norris is the lead blocker for Houston’s ground game, and Bell is a major contributor on special teams.