Category: NFL (Page 794 of 1282)

      NFL offseason link dump: Suggs tagged, long-term contract for Asomugha coming?

      February 19, 2009 /

      Terrell Suggs– The Ravens officially assigned the franchise tag to defensive end/linebacker Terrell Suggs. The team will now turn its attention to signing Suggs long term, as well as figuring out what to do with pending free agents Ray Lewis, Jason Brown and Bart Scott.

      – The Sacramento Bee is reporting that the Raiders could be close to re-signing top free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha to a long-term contract.

      – Speaking of the Raiders, the National Football Post reports that Oakland is actively shopping defensive end Derrick Burgess.

      – The Colts re-signed cornerback Kelvin Hayden to a five-year, $43 million contract, which includes $22.5 million in guarantees.

      – Rams assigned the franchise tag to free safety O.J. Atogwe, who has been the team’s best defensive back over the past couple years. If Atogwe signs the tender, he’ll be paid $6.34 million guaranteed this season.

      – The Buccaneers placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Antonio Bryant, who emerged as a true playmaker last year. He’ll get $9.88 million for one season if he signs the tender.

      NFL, Rumors & Gossip

      Chiefs switching to 3-4 – is it a mistake?

      February 18, 2009 /

      Derrick JohnsonUnder new defensive coaches Gary Gibbs and Clancy Pendergast, the Chiefs are planning to move to a 3-4 defense, which is a scheme new GM Scott Pioli is used to coming over from New England.

      But considering the Chiefs’ personnel on defense, is the move wise?

      Kansas City’s best linebacker is Derrick Johnson, who operates best in space and when given the opportunity to run around and make plays. In a 3-4, he’s more likely to stay put and allow the action to come to him, which may or may not be something he can excel at.

      The Chiefs also drafted defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey with their first round pick last year and it’s uncertain at this point how he fits into a 3-4 front. He’s probably not big enough to play nose in a 3-4 and lacks ideal size to be an end in the scheme as well. At LSU, he excelled as a three-technique pass rusher and someone that is better when he reads and reacts. By implementing a 3-4 scheme, KC is really playing away from Dorsey’s strengths.

      There is no arguing that the 3-4 can be an effective scheme. Baltimore, New England and Pittsburgh have been running the front for years and have been incredibly successful in doing so, but they also have the personnel to pull it off. Granted, Pioli has an entire offseason to get players that fit his scheme, but it’s unclear at this point how some of the better KC defenders will fit in.

      NFL

      Haynesworth won’t re-sign with Titans, will test free agent market

      February 18, 2009 /

      The best free agent defensive tackle available this offseason is set to hit the open market after Albert Haynesworth and the Tennessee Titans were unable to negotiate a new contract over the past couple weeks.

      Albert HaynesworthAfter weeks of negotiations, after hours of discussions, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has decided not to re-sign with Tennessee until he first gets to test the free-agent market, a source said Wednesday.

      Thus, other teams will have the opportunity to bid for Haynesworth, who will be one of the most coveted free agents on the open market.

      Haynesworth still could return to Tennessee, but it will not be anytime before free agency begins Friday, Feb. 27.

      A host of teams are expected to bid on Haynesworth, who is hoping to become the highest paid defensive player in NFL history. Haynesworth’s deal could turn out to average about $12 million per year with guaranteed money north of $30 million.

      It might be Tennessee that lands him. But other teams will get their chance.

      Haynesworth is easily the best defensive tackle prospect on the market and will command big bucks for any team willing to shell out for his services. He can be a dominating inside presence and is coming off two highly productive seasons. But questions remain about his character (ask Andre Gurode) and whether or not his production will drop after he receives his big contract.

      Still, similar question marks surrounded Shaun Rogers, but he proved to be a vital addition to the Browns’ defensive line after they acquired him from Detroit last offseason. Some team will pay big to have a disruptive player like Haynesworth on their defensive line.

      NFL

      Jerry Jones hints that T.O. will be a Cowboy next year

      February 18, 2009 /

      All of the speculation that Terrell Owens won’t be a Cowboy next season might be a moot point after Dallas owner Jerry Jones recently suggested that his wideout will be back in Dallas in 2009.

      Jerry Jones“You and I both know that the one [player] you’re asking about all the time, if I gave you the answer that you want to hear, then you would have already had it,” Jones said. “So the fact you don’t have it ought to tell you something.”

      Jones assumes most of the media members want Owens gone. With some, it’s pretty obvious. So is there any way to interpret Jones’ answer as meaning the Cowboys plan to cut Owens any time soon?
      I don’t think so.

      And does the optimism that bubbled out of Jones at different times Tuesday afternoon suggest this is a man about to take a $9.6 million salary cap hit to get rid of his best receiver?
      I don’t think so.

      Jones isn’t going to change his ways now. He’s always been an owner that marches to the beat of his own drummer and that means chemistry always takes a backseat to talent in terms of teams he runs. Jones knows he has a ton of talent, but it just needs to come together. He’s waited for that talent to come together for two years now and he might have to wait longer if he continues to ignore the internal problems that are going on in the Cowboys locker room.

      NFL

      Browns taking a risk by not placing franchise tag on Jones?

      February 18, 2009 /

      Sean JonesAccording to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns are not expected to use their franchise tag on safety Sean Jones, who is set to hit the free agent market at the end of the month.

      Jones had an injury-plagued season and didn’t live up to his outstanding 2007 campaign, but then again, few Browns did. He finished with just 48 tackles, four interceptions and one forced fumble, compared to the 69 tackle, five-interception season he had the year before.

      The Browns must assume that Jones is already returning (he did say back in December that he wants to stay in Cleveland) and therefore don’t want to spend the $6.34 million that comes with tagging a safety. Plus, given his small injury concerns, they no doubt want his yearly figure to be significantly less than $6 million. (After all, his current salary is $2.145 million.)

      Generally, players don’t want to be tagged anyway. They prefer to work out long term contracts and avoid the risk that is associated with not having a contract in place after the season. But Cleveland is taking a risk by not placing at least a non-exclusive tag (which would cost them $4.3 mil for one year) on Jones because he could walk at any time. And 26-year old safeties that are assets in run support and decent ball skills don’t fall off trees in the NFL. Safety is one of the most sought after positions in the league and if Jones is allowed to hit the open market, another team might be willing to throw a decent amount of money at him for his services.

      The Browns can’t lose this guy. Even after an up and down season, he’s vital to their secondary. We’ll see if their risk pays off and he isn’t tempted to fly the coop.

      NFL

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