GSRelyea
02-27-2009, 07:24 AM
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Friday, February 27
Broncos emerge as candidate for LewisRay Lewis | Ravens | Interested: Broncos? Cowboys? Jets?
While the Baltimore Ravens have feverishly tried to retain linebacker Ray Lewis over the last few weeks, his name has been linked in various sources to both the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys. Amid the smoldering chaos as the league has finally entered the opening day of free agency, a darkhorse candidate out west has emerged according to the Baltimore Sun: the Denver Broncos.
Lewis and nascent Broncos defensive coordinator Mike Nolan worked together when Nolan had the same position with the Ravens, and according to the Sun, the two would meet one-on-one on a weekly basis to work on game-plans. In addition, the Broncos have been cutting dead weight since the promotion of general manager Brian Xanders, and the team is expected to be around $30 million under the salary cap. Lewis would be a solid tackling machine in the middle of the field as well as a vocal leader as the team installs Nolan's schemes.
Scott could be a member of Gang Green by today
Bart Scott | Ravens | Interested: Dolphins? Broncos? Buccaneers? Browns? Chiefs? Giants? Jets?
According to the Sporting News, Bart Scott is set to visit with the New York Jets on Friday morning. The Jets are expected to make Scott a strong offer to reunite with his former coach Rex Ryan, and sources have told Albert Breer of the Sporting News that Scott could sign with the team as early as today.
The Ravens made an effort late into Thursday night to re-sign Scott, but it appears that the Jets are now the front-runners for the linebacker's services. The New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins have all previously been rumored as possible destinations for Scott.
Will Redskins grab Canty too?Chris Canty | Cowboys | Interested: Seahawks? 49ers? Titans? Redskins?
After the Albert Haynesworth signing made the front page of nearly every sports website in the land on Friday morning, the Washington Redskins may be ready to make another splash, reports the Sporting News.
Chris Canty is scheduled to meet with the Redskins on Friday, and the team was believed to have expressed a great deal of interest in the 300-pound defensive lineman prior to the start of free agency. After visiting with the 'Skins, Canty is scheduled to meet with the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, and the San Francisco 49ers at some point thereafter. The Titans would certainly show a great deal of interest in Canty given that they've just lost their main man in the middle.
Housh likes the VikesT.J. Houshmandzadeh | Bengals | Interested: Titans? Seahawks? Eagles? Buccaneers? Giants? Vikings?
Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh caused quite a stir during an appearance on ESPN early Friday morning. Although the Minnesota Vikings were not initially thought to be a likely destination for the veteran, Housh remarked on how nice it would be to play for a team against whom opposing defenses could not focus on him, saying, "I'm looking at teams I think have good coaches and good offensive lines and good running games. I have no idea if those teams are interested in me. If I can play with Adrian Peterson, can you imagine what I would do getting one-on-one coverage with Adrian Peterson? I am going to win 98.6 percent of the time with one-on-one coverage with him in the backfield."
Regarding the second sentence of Housh's quote, the Minneapolis Star Tribune was unable to confirm that the Vikings were interested in pursuing the wideout, especially considering the monster contract they laid out for Bernard Berrian last offseason. The other teams believed to be in the running for Houshmandzadeh are the New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans.
Ward's appeal knows no geographic boundariesDerrick Ward | Giants | Interested: Buccaneers? Bengals? Lions? Broncos? Rams?
Considered to be the top free agent running back available this offseason, Pro Football Talk has put the Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers into the pile of teams that are interested in signing Derrick Ward.
It's expected that the Bengals, Bucs and Lions will have a strong package lined up for Ward, as their needs are the most glaring at running back. A report early on Friday morning by Alex Marvez of FOX Sports indicated that the Broncos would first bring Correll Buckhalter and J.J. Arrington to Denver for contract discussions, and Ward is unlikely to sign there as well if those two are acquired. This leaves the Rams, who have an established yet injury-prone starter in Steven Jackson, and who are entering the initial campaign of the Steve Spagnuolo era. Spags and Ward were both part of the New York Giants organization through 2008.
Dolphins back off Brown
Jason Brown | Ravens | Interested: Vikings? Redskins? Rams?
The Miami Herald reports that while Bill Parcells and the "Tuna Helpers" are fond of bringing in players who fit a certain archetype, they're not going to break the bank to do it. Therefore, one player who has been priced out of their range is center Jason Brown.
Although the team is unhappy with the development of Samson Satele, Brown's expected $7 to $8 million per-season price tag was considered a little too high. Veteran Matt Birk is still a possibility for the 'Phins, and both Alex Mack and Max Unger will likely still be on the board when Miami makes its first draft selection at No. 25 overall.
As for Brown, he will visit with the St. Louis Rams on Friday, and has also been linked to the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings.
Smith mulling his options
Antonio Smith | Cardinals | Interested: Buccaneers? Eagles? Giants? Texans? Falcons?
A league source has told Pro Football Talk that Antonio Smith is currently ranking the teams who've expressed interest in him, and he will be devising his visitation schedule soon.
The list of teams who are believed to be in the running for Smith are the Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith's former defensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals, Clancy Pendergast, has been brought to the Kansas City Chiefs as part of Todd Haley's "we don't need no stinkin' job titles" coaching regime, but there have not been rumors linking Smith to the Chiefs as of yet.
Smith had 41 tackles and 3.5 sacks for the NFC champions during 2008, but the team has youngster Calais Campbell chomping at the bit to get more playing time.
Nate has a date with the Lions
Nate Washington | Steelers | Interested: Buccaneers? Titans? Vikings? Lions?
Nate Washington is set to visit with the Detroit Lions on Friday, and could be the first big-name wide receiver to sign this offseason if all goes well. The Minneapolis Star Tribune also confirms that the Minnesota Vikings are interested in the free agent, who had 40 catches in 2008 for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also rumored to be in the running.Collins priced out of range for Titans
Kerry Collins | Titans
With Albert Haynesworth headed to the Washington Redskins, it now appears likely that the other big-name free agent for the Tennessee Titans will be playing elsewhere in 2009 as well. The Nashville City Paper reports that Kerry Collins has priced himself out of a new contract with the team, as the veteran quarterback is believed to be seeking a deal in the neighborhood of $8 million per season, and the team does not feel confident making such a pact.
With Collins out of the picture, the Titans will be engaging Chris Simms more heavily, and could enter the offseason with Simms and former No. 3 overall pick Vince Young in a duel for the role of starting quarterback. The free agent Simms has also been linked to the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears in recent weeks.
Friday, February 27
Broncos emerge as candidate for LewisRay Lewis | Ravens | Interested: Broncos? Cowboys? Jets?
While the Baltimore Ravens have feverishly tried to retain linebacker Ray Lewis over the last few weeks, his name has been linked in various sources to both the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys. Amid the smoldering chaos as the league has finally entered the opening day of free agency, a darkhorse candidate out west has emerged according to the Baltimore Sun: the Denver Broncos.
Lewis and nascent Broncos defensive coordinator Mike Nolan worked together when Nolan had the same position with the Ravens, and according to the Sun, the two would meet one-on-one on a weekly basis to work on game-plans. In addition, the Broncos have been cutting dead weight since the promotion of general manager Brian Xanders, and the team is expected to be around $30 million under the salary cap. Lewis would be a solid tackling machine in the middle of the field as well as a vocal leader as the team installs Nolan's schemes.
Scott could be a member of Gang Green by today
Bart Scott | Ravens | Interested: Dolphins? Broncos? Buccaneers? Browns? Chiefs? Giants? Jets?
According to the Sporting News, Bart Scott is set to visit with the New York Jets on Friday morning. The Jets are expected to make Scott a strong offer to reunite with his former coach Rex Ryan, and sources have told Albert Breer of the Sporting News that Scott could sign with the team as early as today.
The Ravens made an effort late into Thursday night to re-sign Scott, but it appears that the Jets are now the front-runners for the linebacker's services. The New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins have all previously been rumored as possible destinations for Scott.
Will Redskins grab Canty too?Chris Canty | Cowboys | Interested: Seahawks? 49ers? Titans? Redskins?
After the Albert Haynesworth signing made the front page of nearly every sports website in the land on Friday morning, the Washington Redskins may be ready to make another splash, reports the Sporting News.
Chris Canty is scheduled to meet with the Redskins on Friday, and the team was believed to have expressed a great deal of interest in the 300-pound defensive lineman prior to the start of free agency. After visiting with the 'Skins, Canty is scheduled to meet with the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, and the San Francisco 49ers at some point thereafter. The Titans would certainly show a great deal of interest in Canty given that they've just lost their main man in the middle.
Housh likes the VikesT.J. Houshmandzadeh | Bengals | Interested: Titans? Seahawks? Eagles? Buccaneers? Giants? Vikings?
Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh caused quite a stir during an appearance on ESPN early Friday morning. Although the Minnesota Vikings were not initially thought to be a likely destination for the veteran, Housh remarked on how nice it would be to play for a team against whom opposing defenses could not focus on him, saying, "I'm looking at teams I think have good coaches and good offensive lines and good running games. I have no idea if those teams are interested in me. If I can play with Adrian Peterson, can you imagine what I would do getting one-on-one coverage with Adrian Peterson? I am going to win 98.6 percent of the time with one-on-one coverage with him in the backfield."
Regarding the second sentence of Housh's quote, the Minneapolis Star Tribune was unable to confirm that the Vikings were interested in pursuing the wideout, especially considering the monster contract they laid out for Bernard Berrian last offseason. The other teams believed to be in the running for Houshmandzadeh are the New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans.
Ward's appeal knows no geographic boundariesDerrick Ward | Giants | Interested: Buccaneers? Bengals? Lions? Broncos? Rams?
Considered to be the top free agent running back available this offseason, Pro Football Talk has put the Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers into the pile of teams that are interested in signing Derrick Ward.
It's expected that the Bengals, Bucs and Lions will have a strong package lined up for Ward, as their needs are the most glaring at running back. A report early on Friday morning by Alex Marvez of FOX Sports indicated that the Broncos would first bring Correll Buckhalter and J.J. Arrington to Denver for contract discussions, and Ward is unlikely to sign there as well if those two are acquired. This leaves the Rams, who have an established yet injury-prone starter in Steven Jackson, and who are entering the initial campaign of the Steve Spagnuolo era. Spags and Ward were both part of the New York Giants organization through 2008.
Dolphins back off Brown
Jason Brown | Ravens | Interested: Vikings? Redskins? Rams?
The Miami Herald reports that while Bill Parcells and the "Tuna Helpers" are fond of bringing in players who fit a certain archetype, they're not going to break the bank to do it. Therefore, one player who has been priced out of their range is center Jason Brown.
Although the team is unhappy with the development of Samson Satele, Brown's expected $7 to $8 million per-season price tag was considered a little too high. Veteran Matt Birk is still a possibility for the 'Phins, and both Alex Mack and Max Unger will likely still be on the board when Miami makes its first draft selection at No. 25 overall.
As for Brown, he will visit with the St. Louis Rams on Friday, and has also been linked to the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings.
Smith mulling his options
Antonio Smith | Cardinals | Interested: Buccaneers? Eagles? Giants? Texans? Falcons?
A league source has told Pro Football Talk that Antonio Smith is currently ranking the teams who've expressed interest in him, and he will be devising his visitation schedule soon.
The list of teams who are believed to be in the running for Smith are the Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith's former defensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals, Clancy Pendergast, has been brought to the Kansas City Chiefs as part of Todd Haley's "we don't need no stinkin' job titles" coaching regime, but there have not been rumors linking Smith to the Chiefs as of yet.
Smith had 41 tackles and 3.5 sacks for the NFC champions during 2008, but the team has youngster Calais Campbell chomping at the bit to get more playing time.
Nate has a date with the Lions
Nate Washington | Steelers | Interested: Buccaneers? Titans? Vikings? Lions?
Nate Washington is set to visit with the Detroit Lions on Friday, and could be the first big-name wide receiver to sign this offseason if all goes well. The Minneapolis Star Tribune also confirms that the Minnesota Vikings are interested in the free agent, who had 40 catches in 2008 for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also rumored to be in the running.Collins priced out of range for Titans
Kerry Collins | Titans
With Albert Haynesworth headed to the Washington Redskins, it now appears likely that the other big-name free agent for the Tennessee Titans will be playing elsewhere in 2009 as well. The Nashville City Paper reports that Kerry Collins has priced himself out of a new contract with the team, as the veteran quarterback is believed to be seeking a deal in the neighborhood of $8 million per season, and the team does not feel confident making such a pact.
With Collins out of the picture, the Titans will be engaging Chris Simms more heavily, and could enter the offseason with Simms and former No. 3 overall pick Vince Young in a duel for the role of starting quarterback. The free agent Simms has also been linked to the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears in recent weeks.