Latest FA news from KFFL

[Dirtbag59]

Colvin, Culpepper among notables still available

By John Clayton
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: March 17, 2008

As free agency moves into its third week, 91 players have switched teams and 54 re-signed with their 2007 clubs. That leaves a thin list of 166 players, including more than a half-dozen who are expected to retire.

The hardest thing to find is young players. A little less than half of the players on the unrestricted list -- 78 to be exact -- are in their 30s. Who are the best of the remaining players?

Brandon Chillar


1. Brandon Chillar, LB, St. Louis Rams
At 25, Chillar has all the right numbers to help out as a strongside linebacker. He's 242 pounds. He's young. He has 41 starts in four seasons. Though he's not a spectacular player, he does everything well.

The Cardinals and Packers are among the teams interested in Chillar. He's among a handful of linebackers who still have a chance to get a nice multiyear contract (Ian Gold is another). Chillar is big enough and strong enough to thrive in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.

2. Rosevelt Colvin, LB, New England Patriots
Cut by the Patriots, Colvin is having a difficult time generating interest. That's a surprise. He's only 30 and could play outside linebacker or defensive end. During his final four years with the Patriots, he averaged six sacks a season and still has the potential for 10.

The market for 3-4 outside linebackers has slowed since the signings of Calvin Pace (Jets), Travis LaBoy (Arizona) and Antwan Odom (Cincinnati). Colvin is slightly more attractive than Clark Haggans (Pittsburgh), who is expected to visit the Browns this week.

3. Grady Jackson, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars
Run-stopping defensive tackles are hard to find, which maintains Jackson's market value. He's 35, but he's still good enough to start. Not only is Jackson immovable on running downs, he can push the pocket on passing downs. He got out of Atlanta early last season and ended up playing well for the Jaguars down the stretch.

Teams had to give up multiple draft choices for Marcus Stroud, Kris Jenkins and Shaun Rogers. Jackson is available for a phone call and the right money.

4. Daunte Culpepper, QB, Oakland Raiders
His knee is healthy and he still has the strong arm. Culpepper started six games for the Raiders last season, posting a strong 7.2 yards per attempt and completing 58.1 percent of his passes. Culpepper and Byron Leftwich are the best quarterbacks available in a market in which teams are looking for more backups than starters.
It's not out of the question for Culpepper to go back to the Raiders. The backup quarterback market is closing quickly. The Rams, Saints, Falcons and Giants made deals with backups last week. The Packers and a few other teams are still looking.

5. Kris Wilson, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs loved the versatility of Wilson, a former second-round choice. Drafted as a tight end, he's helped out as an H-back, a fullback and a blocking tight end. What's valuable for interested teams is his ability to catch passes. He caught 15 passes in 10 starts in 2006 and had 24 catches last season. A team needing a tight end can use him exclusively as a pass-catcher, but he's also valuable as a blocker. Plus, at 26, he's just entering his prime.

Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

[That Guy]

that's a pretty junky list for best remaining FAs.

[redskinsfanatic]

first time ever the skins have signed nobody during the modern FA era?

[That Guy]

Falcons | Georgia Dome damaged
Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:40:40 -0700

J. Michael Moore, of AtlantaFalcons.com, reports strong storms and a rare downtown-centered tornado damaged the Georgia Dome, the home of the Atlanta Falcons, Friday, March 14. Planned renovations to the stadium, which include Falcons-themed color additions, new seats and exterior paint, have been put on hold.

Broncos | Team trades Myers
Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:49:24 -0700

Jeff Legwold, of the Rocky Mountain News, reports the Denver Broncos worked a sign-and-trade deal with the Houston Texans for Broncos OG Chris Myers. Myers, who was a restricted free agent with the Broncos, signed a four-year deal worth $11 million that includes $3 million guaranteed, and then both Myers and the deal were traded to the Texans for a sixth-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Vikings | Team signs Sartz
Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:14:42 -0700

Kevin Seifert, of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, reports the Minnesota Vikings signed free-agent LB Dallas Sartz (Redskins) Monday, March 17. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Vikings | Team signs Wyms
Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:11:31 -0700

Sean Jensen, of the Pioneer Press, reports the Minnesota Vikings signed free-agent DL Ellis Wyms (Seahawks) to a one-year deal Monday, March 17. It is believed the deal could be worth more than $1 million.

Lions | Marinelli says there is zero chance Williams will be traded
Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:08:30 -0700

Mike O'Hara, of the Detroit News, reports Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli said there is zero chance the team will trade WR Roy Williams. Marinelli said, "None, zero -- he is here."

Buccaneers | K. Carter agrees to terms on one-year deal
Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:27:55 -0700

Stephen F. Holder, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports free-agent DE Kevin Carter (Buccaneers) has agreed to a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Exact financial terms were not disclosed, but he will earn significantly less than the more than $5 million he earned in 2007.

[That Guy]

Broncos | D. Robertson undergoes physical
Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:52:14 -0700

Mike Klis, of The Denver Post, reports New York Jets DL Dewayne Robertson was in Denver last week to take a physical for the Denver Broncos. The Broncos remain interested in acquiring Robertson in a possible trade with the Jets.

Bengals | C. Johnson denies punching Lewis
Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:42:30 -0700

Mark Curnutte, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Bengals WR Chad Johnson denied punching head coach Marvin Lewis in a playoff loss in 2006. "It was an incident that did happen," Johnson said. "Of course, there were no punches thrown. I was unhappy about the first half. We were winning, so my frustration was out of place. Coach Lewis and (former Bengals wide receivers coach) Hue Jackson had to restrain me."


CJ thing is an OOOOLLLDDD story, but keeps popping up every now and then.

[SmootSmack]

Steelers have signed Justin Hartwig to a 2 year deal

[That Guy]

Bengals | Team signs Andrews
Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:46:01 -0700

The Cincinnati Bengals announced Wednesday, March 19, that the team signed OT Stacy Andrews (Bengals) to a one-year deal equal to the average of the top five offensive linemen in the NFL in 2007. The Bengals designated Andrews as the team's franchise player in February.

Bengals | C. Johnson to skip team workouts
Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:22:48 -0700

The Sporting News reports Cincinnati Bengals WR Chad Johnson says he will not participate in the Bengals offseason strength and conditioning program, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer. The team workouts are not mandatory, however Johnson can earn a $250,000 bonus by attending.

Bills | Team signs W. James
Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:07:36 -0700

The Associated Press reports the Buffalo Bills signed free-agent CB William James (Eagles) to a two-year deal Tuesday, March 18. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Lions | T. Bell hopes to gain 1,300 yards in 2008
Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:09:00 -0700

Mike O'Hara, of The Detroit News, reports Detroit Lions RB Tatum Bell thinks he can gain 1,300 yards in 2008. "I think I can get 1,300 yards," Bell said. "That's my goal, at least 1,300 (and) 15 touchdowns. I know it's reachable. I think our O-line started gelling toward the end of the season."

Jaguars | Team close to new contract with Garrard
Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:17:49 -0700

Adam Schefter, of the NFL Network, reports the Jacksonville Jaguars are closing in on a new contract with QB David Garrard. The new contract could make Garrard the richest in franchise history and could be finalized as early as this week.

Packers | Team agrees to terms with Chillar
Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:15:45 -0700

Jim Thomas, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports the Green Bay Packers agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth $5.2 million with free-agent LB Brandon Chillar (Rams) Wednesday, March 19.

NFL | Sharpton to ask league to cancel HOF game
Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:07:00 -0700

The Associated Press reports Reverend Al Sharpton plans to ask the NFL to cancel the Hall of Fame game over allegations of police misconduct in Canton, Ohio. The National Action Network, founded by Sharpton, said the group is taking action because of police officers' aggressiveness and unnecessary attitude toward the citizens of the city, especially the black citizens. The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins are scheduled to play in the Hall of Fame game Sunday, August 3.

NFL | Mawae elected as new NFLPA president
Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:57:55 -0700

The Associated Press reports Tennessee Titans C Kevin Mawae was elected as the new president of the NFL Players Association Wednesday, March 19. Mawae replaces former NFL FS Troy Vincent as president.

[That Guy]

Steelers | C. Wilson charged with assault
Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:45:39 -0700

The Associated Press reports Pittsburgh Steelers WR Cedrick Wilson has been charged with assaulting his estranged girlfriend at a Pittsburgh restaurant. A police criminal complaint said Wilson entered the restaurant and saw Lindsey Paulat sitting at the bar. Authorities allege that he pushed her on the shoulder and then punched her in the face.

[SmootSmack]

Patriots have signed Fernando Bryant

[MTK]

Tatum Bell shooting for 1300 yards and 15 scores huh?

That's pretty hilarious.

[T.O.Killa]

I am not sure if this has already been posted, but the Redskins are interviewing Jamaal Charles. Interesting, I am guessing it would probably take a first rounder to get him.
*Jamaal*Charles, RB, Texas - 2008 NFL Draft Scout Profile, Powered by The SportsXchange

[SmootSmack]

Vikings sign Michael Boulware

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

I am not sure if this has already been posted, but the Redskins are interviewing Jamaal Charles. Interesting, I am guessing it would probably take a first rounder to get him.
*Jamaal*Charles, RB, Texas - 2008 NFL Draft Scout Profile, Powered by The SportsXchange

I dont think it would take a first rounder to get him, maybe a second

[Stuck in TX]

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

I am not sure if this has already been posted, but the Redskins are interviewing Jamaal Charles. Interesting, I am guessing it would probably take a first rounder to get him.
*Jamaal*Charles, RB, Texas - 2008 NFL Draft Scout Profile, Powered by The SportsXchange

I mentioned this in a previous post but the Skins worked out Jamarcus Russel last season too, so the fact that we work out a high profile player doesnt mean anything untill we actually draft them.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Jamaal Charles isnt high profile