Eagles Trade For LB Spikes

The Philadelphia Eagles acquired Pro Bowl linebacker Takeo Spikes and quarterback Kelly Holcomb from the Buffalo Bills on Monday night for defensive tackle Darwin Walker and a conditional draft pick in 2008.

A nine-year NFL veteran, Spikes was slow recovering last year from a right Achilles' tendon tear he suffered in Week 3 of the 2005 season. He's scheduled to make $9.5 million ($4.5 million this season) over the final two years of the six-year contract he signed after joining the team as a free agent.

Spikes played his first five seasons with Cincinnati and had been seeking a contract extension with Buffalo. But he grew increasingly frustrated playing for a team that's constantly shuffling its roster and coaching staff, and has gone seven seasons since last making the playoffs.

Spikes, a former first-round pick, could be a big upgrade at linebacker for the Eagles, who have struggled at that spot the past few seasons.

Dhani Jones has never been the playmaker the Eagles needed and Matt McCoy struggled last season before losing his job to Omar Gaither. The Eagles also lost free agent Shawn Barber to Houston.

Spikes had 11 starts in 12 games last season, while missing four with a hamstring injury after he was hurt in Buffalo's season-opener at New England. He finished with 76 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble, modest numbers for a two-time Pro Bowl selection.

He's the second high-profile Bills player to be traded this offseason and also the second starting linebacker the team has lost. Buffalo dealt running back Willis McGahee to Baltimore and linebacker London Fletcher signed with Washington earlier this month.

Walker started 15 games and was tied for second on the Eagles with six sacks, and had 56 tackles. Three of his sacks came Oct. 8 against Dallas, and he tied an Eagles postseason record with two sacks in a loss at New Orleans.

With the addition of Walker, the Bills bolster what had been an inexperienced defensive tackle position last season.

Besides veteran Larry Tripplett, Buffalo went with a young rotation led by rookie fifth-round pick Kyle Williams and second-year veteran Tim Anderson. The line also experienced a setback when defensive tackle John McCargo, the second of Buffalo's two first-round picks, was lost for the season after he broke his left foot in Week 5.

Holcomb has made 21 starts over an 11-year career. He joins A.J. Feeley on the quarterback depth chart behind Donovan McNabb. Holcomb did not play last season, but completed 155 of 230 passes for 1,509 yards with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2005.

Holcomb proved expendable in Buffalo after J.P. Losman won the starting job in training camp following an off-season long three-way competition between Holcomb and third-stringer Craig Nall. That was a considerable step for Losman, who was twice benched in 2005 in favor of Holcomb.

Losman then showed gradual progress last season, leading the Bills to a better than expected 7-9 finish. Losman showed particular improvement over the last half of the season, when the Bills won four of their last seven games.

NFL News and Notes

It appears Bills LB Takeo Spikes, who had asked to be traded or released months ago, will get his wish very soon.

Buffalo has opened up trade discussions and the Eagles and Giants are very interested in acquiring the 30-year old linebacker. The frontrunner appears to be Philadelphia - who would move him to the outside in its defense.

Spikes bounced back from a torn Achilles tendon in 2005 to register 70 tackles and one sack last season.

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It seems the Dolphins are passing on getting Kansas City QB Trent Green because the price the Chiefs are asking for is too steep.

Miami is offering a sixth rounder, while Carl Peterson and company want a second rounder and maybe another late round pick as well.

Also, Olindo Mare is fuming that the Dolphins are not moving fast enough to trade him. Miami signed kicker Jay Feely in the offense, pretty much sending a message to Mare that his time in a Dolphin uniform was over.

Mare wants out so bad, he's offered to give back his $250,000 roster bonus if it will expedite his move out of Miami faster.

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Joe Theismann is out as a "Monday Night Football" analyst after one season, a person familiar with the decision said yesterday.

Reached on his cellphone, Theismann declined to comment on the Newsday report "until I fully understand what has taken place." But he did not deny the news and hinted that it came as a shock.

Theismann is believed to have been informed Friday. An ESPN spokesman said only "we have nothing to announce."

The likely replacement alongside Mike Tirico and Tony Kornheiser will be Ron Jaworski. He worked one end of a Monday night doubleheader last year and is calling Arena Football League games.

Many critics noted a lack of chemistry between Kornheiser and Theismann in their first season together, but the two believed it improved as the season went on. When Kornheiser said in January he would return to the booth, it was assumed the trio would remain intact.

Theismann, 57, has been an analyst for ESPN since 1988, beginning on the network's Sunday night NFL package.

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State officials and the New Orleans Saints have agreed to toss out contract exit clauses that would have let the NFL team leave Louisiana within the next four seasons.

"For the forseeable future, Louisiana's team will keep marching to victory right here," Gov. Kathleen Blanco said at the Governor's Mansion on Monday, announcing the latest developments in ongoing negotiations to keep the Saints in New Orleans.

The contract had allowed the Saints to opt out of its current deal with the state by repaying about $70 million the state has provided in inducements to the team. But the Saints will drop that termination clause, and the state will eliminate its ability to opt out of the contract.

Those changes to the contract keep the team in Louisiana through the 2010 football season, Blanco and Saints officials said.

Both sides agreed to continue negotiating on a long-term agreement that could keep the Saints in New Orleans beyond the current contract.

Saints owner Tom Benson "is committed over the next four years to get a long-term deal done here and to stay here forever," said team spokesman Greg Bensel.

Faulk to Announce Retirement

Marshall Faulk sat out last season with a knee injury that threatened to end his career. He'll officially close the door on his playing days on Monday when he announces his retirement at the NFL owners meetings.

Faulk was the NFL MVP in 2000 and offensive player of the year three years running from 1999-2001. The 34-year-old helped the Rams win their only Super Bowl after the '99 season. He is ninth on the career rushing list with 12,279 yards and tied for sixth with 100 rushing touchdowns.

Faulk began working for the NFL Network as an analyst last year when wear and tear began to get to his knees. He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection with seven 1,000-yard rushing seasons and 38 100-yard games, and was the first player in league history to gain 2,000 yards rushing and receiving combined in four consecutive seasons from 1998-2001.

His last 1,000-yard rushing season was in 2001, though, and he lost his starting job in 2004 when the Rams drafted Steven Jackson in the first round. Last year, Jackson began the Rams' first player since Faulk to accumulate 2,000 yards from scrimmage and broke Faulk's single-season reception mark with 88 catches.

"It has been an honor and pleasure to play in the National Football League," Faulk said in a statement. "I'd like to thank all my teammates and coaches with whom I've been associated over the past 13 seasons as well as the fans who supported me throughout the years.

"I gave the game my passion, and it gave me a wonderful career and memories that I will always be thankful for."

Faulk set an NFL record, since broken, with 26 touchdowns in his 2000 MVP season. He played his first five seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and the Rams acquired him for second- and fifth-round draft picks.

Faulk had a career-low 292 yards rushing in 2005, his final season.

Texans Taking Big Gamble With Trade

Matt Schaub will finally get his chance to be a starting quarterback, while former first overall pick David Carr needs to pick up the pieces of his shattered football career.

The Houston Texans swung a deal with the Atlanta Falcons yesterday to pick up Schaub, a quarterback with that dreaded word potential hanging around him, but who's only started two games in his three-year career.

The Falcons and Texans swapped first round picks this season and Atlanta will get Houston's second round pick this year and next.

Schaub signed a six-year, $48 million contract with the Texans, a move that officially consummates the trade. As part of the deal, Schaub -- who played golf with Houston coach Gary Kubiak on Monday in a get-acquainted session, the Houston Chronicle reported -- will receive $7 million in guarantees.

Schaub, 25, will earn roughly $20 million in the first three years of the contract.

This is definitely a high-stakes gamble for the Houston organization. Giving that kind of money and handing a starting job to an unproven quarterback could be franchise suicide. Did Bob McNair forget that he's done this once before with a man named Carr?

And in all fairness to Carr, the Texans surrounded him with mediocre talent and an incredibly bad offensive line for five years. Will Schaub be productive if the franchise leaves him out to dry, talent-wise, like it did Carr?

There's no doubt that Schaub has talent and many teams in the league coveted his services. But to give that kind of money to a guy who has yet to win a regular-season start and who barely completed 50 percent of his pass attempts in three seasons with the Falcons, is a little absurd in my book.

Just more proof of the overspending being done in free agency this season.

The deal benefits Atlanta the most. the trade allows the cap-strapped team to essentially recoup the $2.3 million qualifying offer it made to Schaub and invest that money elsewhere. And the haul the team received in the trade -- a swap of first-round choices in 2007 and second-round picks in the 2007 and 2008 drafts -- provides Atlanta with considerable flexibility.

The Falcons now own three selections among the top 44 picks in this year's draft: the eighth choice in the first round and the seventh and 12th selections in the second round. Armed with that kind of ammunition, the Falcons could parlay those three choices to move up the draft board in the first round, perhaps to nab hometown hero Calvin Johnson, the former Georgia Tech wide receiver. Or the Falcons could combine the two second-round picks to acquire another choice near the middle of the first round.

As for Carr, his once promising future looks a little bleak right now. Cleveland, Minnesota and Miami (provided the Trent Green deal falls through) appear to have some interest but are willing to play a wait and see strategy.

The Texans want a first day pick for Carr, but if no takers are found, he'll be released outright. There's no way Houston will pay $6 million to a backup QB. The above mentioned teams are willing to play the waiting game, leaving Carr in football limbo for now.

Bob McNair and head coach Gary Kubiak are putting their faith in a young, unproven quarterback to get them over the hump and into the playoffs. Only time will tell if this huge gamble will make or break the Texans fortunes.

Porter Accused of Hitting Jones

Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter was accused of punching Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Levi Jones after police said the players exchanged trash talk at a casino blackjack table.

Porter was issued a summons on a misdemeanor battery charge after the Sunday altercation that began inside the Palms hotel-casino, Las Vegas police Officer Martin Wright said.

"They went outside. In the valet area, one struck the other, causing a small laceration above the eye," Wright said Monday, calling the injury minor.

Porter could face up to a year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine, Wright said, but no court date was immediately available.

Porter, 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, left the Pittsburgh Steelers after eight years and signed a five-year, $32 million deal with the Dolphins earlier this month. Jones, 6-5 and 307 pounds, missed much of last season with a knee injury.

"It seems they go against each other on the field, and here they take it into the public," Wright said.

Wright cited an initial report from a Las Vegas police lieutenant who said the two players had a history of on-field trash talking with each other. The Steelers and Bengals both are in the AFC North, and play each other twice each season.

Dolphins coach Cam Cameron said Porter, a three-time Pro Bowl pick, told him about the incident Monday morning.

"We will monitor the situation and refrain from making any further comment until we gather more information," Cameron said in a statement issued by the Dolphins.

Wright said a written police investigation and report won't be complete until at least the end of the week.

Russell Locks Up Top Spot After Workout

LSU QB JaMarcus Russell all but locked up the number one slot in the 2007 NFL Draft after an impressive performance at LSU's Pro Day workouts.

Russell had the contingent of Oakland Raiders officials drooling over his size, athleticism, arm strength and speed.

Russell, listed at 6-6 and 260 pounds, has a cannon for an arm and ran the 40 in 4.83. He is considered remarkably strong for a quarterback, with great balance, quickness, agility - all the skills that make him the overwhelming favorite and near cinch to the first overall pick on in the draft.

The Raiders are enamored not just with Russell's ability to throw the long ball, but to make every type of throw -- short ones, midrange ones and especially the deep ones.

If he wasn't a bona fide lock at No.1 pick before his Pro Day - he is now. Does that make him the best QB in the draft? Maybe.

Does it guarantee Russell future superstar status? No. He has all the physical tools, there's no questioning that. But he does have weaknesses.

He still needs to improve his decision-making process. He has a tendency to lock onto his primary target at times and will throw into double-coverage too frequently. He has a tendency to just flick his wrist instead of stepping into his throws, and that's when his accuracy suffers.

Russell played in a pretty simple offensive scheme at LSU and some question whether he'll be able to pick up a complicated NFL offense right away.

He has all the tools, but in the NFL Draft nothing is a 100 percent assured. He could become a great player or he could be a huge bust. Only time will tell. But one thing is certain - Russell will be the first name called by NFL commish Roger Goodall on April 28.

NFL Free Agency Buzz

It seems that Kevin Curtis, one of the top remaining free agents on the market, is ready to make a decision soon on where he'll be playing in 2007.

The Rams wideout, who fired his agent Tom Condon last week, has narrowed his choices down to the Vikings, Eagles and Titans according to reports. Curtis visited the Giants and Lions as well.

Detroit was thought to be his destination, considering the man who drafted him, former St. Louis head coach Mike Martz, is in charge of the Lion offense. But with Detroit signing Shaun McDonald yesterday, it appears that Curtis is adamant on his stance of being a starting receiver.

His decision seems to have eliminated Detroit (who have Roy Williams and Mike Furrey) and New York (Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer) from the list. That leaves the Vikings, Eagles and Titans.

It's not known if Tennessee made him an offer yesterday, but Philadelphia and Minnesota have offered contracts. The decision is now up to Curtis. He could be a number one with either the Vikings or the Titans, who lost top receiver Drew Bennett to the Rams. He would be a number two in Philly (Reggie Brown is the top guy), but he'd get to play with Donovan McNabb, who likes to throw the deep ball, and be on a consistent playoff team.

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Another receiver getting some heat is Colts wideout Brandon Stokely. After missing most of last season with a ruptured Achilles Tendon, the world champs released him hoping they could re-sign him at a cheaper price. And while the Colts are still interested in retaining his services, others have stepped up.

New Orleans is looking for someone to replace the departed Joe Horn and Stokely is an ideal candidate to do just that. He's always been a reliable No.3 receiver and his veteran leadership could really help a very young Saints receiving corp. New Orleans also had Bobby Engram and Keenan McCardell in for visits.

The Saints aren't the only team after Stokley. The Broncos, looking to fill out the back end of their receiving corps, met with him on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.

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Green Bay's leadership is expected to discuss a potential trade for Moss when it meets today. A trade sending Moss from Oakland to Green Bay is already in the discussion stages, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported.

According to the newspaper's sources, the teams have discussed the trade for a month and the Packers have been given permission to talk to Moss' agent about restructuring his contract. The only things that could hold up the deal is what the Raiders might demand in return and if Moss is willing to re-negotiate his contract with the Packers.

Briggs Says He'll Set Out 2007

The glow of a Super Bowl appearance can't extinguish the shadows that are creeping up on the Chicago Bears.

Top running back Thomas Jones was shipped to the New York Jets last week and now this week, Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs took his war of words to the next level.

"I am now prepared to sit out the year if the Bears don't trade me or release me," Briggs told FoxSports.com on Monday night. "I've played my last snap for them. I'll never play another down for Chicago again."

Frustrated that he couldn't work out an extension with the Bears and angered that the team slapped the franchise designation on him, Briggs told ESPN.com a week ago that a trade would be in the best interest of all parties.

Bears general manager Jerry Angelo countered that he felt the $7.2 million the team would pay Briggs next season was very fair. The linebacker reportedly turned down a seven-year, $33 million deal in March 2006. Now, he's ready to gamble again.

"People think I can't afford to sit out the year -- I can take out loans to get me through that year just fine because eventually I'll have a deal somewhere," Briggs told FoxSports.com. "There are things I can do to make sure I'm fine financially if I sit out. I can also decide what other course of action I can take as the season gets closer. The Bears have shown I'm not in their long-term plans so if that's the case, I don't want to be here."

Money might not be the only reason Briggs wants out of Chicago. He said he wants to be the leader of a team and knows he'll never overtake Brian Urlacher in Chicago.

"I've talked to Brian about it," Briggs told the Web site. "I'm a competitor and I want the same thing he has. I've learned a lot from Brian as a player and a leader and I eventually want to be 'the man' somewhere. I want to be like him and have everything put on me too. Obviously I'll never be able to do that there.

"Still, had the Bears made me a long-term offer that I found acceptable, I probably would have sacrificed this desire and stayed. I don't want to be somewhere I'm not wanted long-term."

All-Time Rushing Leader Joins ESPN

Emmitt Smith is the latest former member of the Cowboys orgaznization to join ESPN.

The former Dallas Cowboys running back has been hired by ESPN as a studio analyst for its NFL pregame coverage. Earlier this month, former Cowboys coach Bill Parcells also joined ESPN.

Smith, the National Football League's all-time leading rusher, will appear on the network's NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown shows. He will also appear as an analyst on ESPN Radio and ESPN.com.

"I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge and insight of football with the fans of the NFL," Smith said in a statement. "I am excited to be joining the ESPN family, particularly the highly respected Countdown crews."

Smith will join Chris Berman, analysts Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Ron Jaworski, and reporter Chris Mortensen on NFL countdown. He, Berman, Jackson, Mortensen and analyst Steve Young will do the Monday Night Countdown show each week from the site of the Monday Night Football game.

Parcells also will be part of the Monday night broadcast and will appear on other programs, contribute weekly columns to ESPN.com and co-host a radio show with Mortensen on Friday evenings.

Ravens Trade for McGahee; Lewis to Browns

Running back Willis McGahee was traded to the Baltimore Ravens by Buffalo for three draft choices Thursday, a day after Jamal Lewis signed with Cleveland.

The Bills will get third- and seventh-round picks this year and a third next year.

McGahee, with whom the Bills had become dissatisfied, is to travel to Baltimore to meet with team officials later in the day. The Ravens expected him to take a physical either late Thursday or on Friday.


McGahee had one year left on his five-year contract with Buffalo, and had been seeking an extension.

"This is a runner who can make people miss and has the explosion and speed to take it the distance," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "He also has the power and size to run inside. He's a viable receiver out of the backfield and is a good pass blocker, not something every back can do.

"He also plays physical and with toughness, which are things we pride ourselves on here."

Lewis, whose productivity had been declining, was released last week by the Ravens.

McGahee will take over as the No. 1, ahead of sparingly used backup Mike Anderson and Musa Smith, who has primarily been used on special teams.

The Bills were not immediately available for comment.

Buffalo's first-round pick out of Miami in 2003, McGahee is coming off a down season in which he finished with a career-low 990 yards rushing, but led the team with six touchdowns rushing in 14 starts.

In 2005, he had 1,247 yards rushing and five touchdowns in 15 starts. He established himself as the Bills starter in 2004 with 1,128 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns in 11 starts. That performance led the team to trade former starter Travis Henry to Tennessee the following summer.


McGahee sat out his rookie season recovering from major knee surgery.

The Bills are now left searching for a starting running back to play in front of a revamped offensive line that features two new starters — guard Derrick Dockery and tackle Langston Walker — signed on the first day of free agency last week.

Third-stringer Shaud Williams is the only experienced running back currently on the team's depth chart.

The Bills have expressed interest in at least two free agents, meeting this week with Chris Brown, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, and Dominic Rhodes, a member of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts.

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Jamal Lewis will have to find another team for his personal patsy. The former 2,000-yard rusher joined the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday night, agreeing to a one-year deal with the club he set an NFL single-game rushing record against.

In 2003, Lewis torched the Browns for 295 yards on the ground. He rushed for 2,066 yards, the second-highest total in league history, that year, and was the league's offensive player of the year.

The free agent was released last week in a salary-cap move by Baltimore, which elected not to pay its career rushing leader a $5 million roster bonus. He'll now try to boost the Browns, who were last in the league in rushing in 2006.

With the 27-year-old Lewis on board, the Browns must decide what to do with incumbent Reuben Droughns. They owe Droughns a $1.75 million roster bonus later this month.

Slowed by injuries, Droughns rushed for just 758 yards last season after gaining 1,232 yards in 2005 — the first Cleveland back to eclipse 1,000 yards since 1985.

In other moves:

_Green Bay released 36-year-old fullback William Henderson, leaving Brett Favre as the only member of the 1996 Super Bowl championship team still playing for the Packers.

_New Orleans agreed to terms on a one-year contract with tight end Eric Johnson, and veteran cornerback Fred Thomas agreed to a pay cut.

Johnson, with the San Francisco 49ers the last six years, missed three games in 2006 because of a strained knee and finished with 34 catches for 292 yards and two touchdowns. He also missed two of the last four seasons with a broken collarbone in 2003 and a torn foot muscle in 2005. In 2004, however, Johnson had a team-leading 82 catches for 825 yards, including a pair of touchdowns.

_Houston signed journeyman linebacker Danny Clark, who has played with Jacksonville, Oakland and New Orleans.

_Baltimore released 350-pound guard Edwin Mulitalo, who missed most of last season with a torn triceps. "When you release a player like Edwin, it gives you pause," coach Brian Billick said of the 32-year-old eight-year starter. "This is the cold side of the business. All he did was everything we asked him to do and more. He was always an example to his teammates as to how a professional should conduct himself."

_Washington released kicker John Hall, a 10-year veteran who missed most of last season with a leg injury.

_Pittsburgh re-signed running back Najeh Davenport, who backed up Willie Parker after being signed last September. The former Packer rushed for 220 yards on 80 carries.

_Atlanta signed cornerback Lewis Sanders, who started seven games for Houston last season.

_Jean-Phillipe Darche, a long snapper who spent seven years in Seattle, signed with Kansas City.

_Denver was looking for a tight end to boost its offense, and got the best available in Daniel Graham. He agreed to a five-year, $30 million deal that includes $15 million in guaranteed money.

New England drafted Graham 21st overall in 2002. He caught 120 passes for 1,393 yards and 17 touchdowns with the Patriots, but recently was primarily a blocker.

_St. Louis signed former Miami Dolphins TE Randy McMichael to a 3-year contract.

NFL News and Notes

Free agent tailback Travis Henry agreed to a five-year contract yesterday with the Denver Broncos.

Henry replaces Tatum Bell, whom Denver traded last week in order to obtain cornerback Dre Bly from the Detroit Lions.

The Tennessee Titans released Henry to avoid paying him an $8.3 million roster bonus. He's a two-time 1,300-yard rusher for the Buffalo Bills who ran for 1,211 yards for the Titans last season.

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The New York Jets obtained tailback Thomas Jones in a trade with the Chicago Bears. The Bears sent Jones and a second-round draft pick, No. 63 overall, to the Jets for a higher second-round selection, the 37th overall choice. Jones ran for more than 1,200 yards in each of the past two seasons, but the Bears have Cedric Benson ready to start.

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Tennessee re-signed free agent quarterback Kerry Collins. The former Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants and Oakland Raiders starter was signed by the Titans just before last season. He opened the season as the Titans' starter but gave way to Vince Young, who went on to become the NFL's offensive rookie of the year. Now Collins returns as Young's backup.

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New England traded undisclosed draft choices to the Miami Dolphins for wide receiver Wes Welker. The Patriots had been prepared to sign Welker, a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet and would have owed the Dolphins a second-round pick as compensation. Instead, the Patriots sweetened the pot and avoided having to wait a week to see if the Dolphins would match the offer sheet.

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Quarterback Brad Johnson agreed to a contract with Dallas to back up Tony Romo. Johnson was released by the Minnesota Vikings. He replaces the departed Drew Bledsoe in Dallas. The Cowboys also re-signed place kicker Martin Gramatica.

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Seattle signed defensive end Patrick Kerney, late of the Falcons, to a six-year deal.

Free Agent Scorecard

2007 AFC free-agent signings

Baltimore
Jarret Johnson, DE Baltimore Unrestricted 3 years
Departures: Aubrayo Franklin, DT (SF); Jamal Lewis, RB; Tony Pashos, OT (JAC); Adalius Thomas, LB (NE)

Buffalo
Derrick Dockery, G Washington Unrestricted 7 years
Langston Walker, T Oakland Unrestricted Undisclosed
Jason Whittle, OT Minnesota Unrestricted 1 year
Departures: Matt Bowen, S; Chris Villarrial, G

Cincinnati
Kenny Watson, RB Cincinnati Unrestricted 3 years
Departures: Eric Steinbach, OL (CLE); Brian Simmons, LB; Marcus Wilkins, LB (ATL)

Cleveland
Hank Fraley, C Cleveland Unrestricted 4 years
Antwan Peek, LB Houston Unrestricted 3 years
Eric Steinbach, OL Cincinnati Unrestricted 7 years
Kenny Wright, DB Washington Unrestricted 3 years
Departures: Dennis Northcutt, WR (JAC)

Denver
Dre' Bly, CB Detroit Trade Undisclosed
Travis Henry, RB Tennessee Released 5 years
Montrae Holland, G New Orleans Unrestricted 1 year
Dan Wilkinson, DT Miami Trade Undisclosed
Departures: Tatum Bell, RB (DET); Patrick Chukwurah, LB (TB); George Foster, OT (DET); Jake Plummer, QB (TB)

Houston
Ahman Green, RB Green Bay Unrestricted Undisclosed
Departures: Antwan Peek, LB (CLE)

Indianapolis
Rob Morris, LB Indianapolis Unrestricted Undisclosed
Departures: Montae Reagor, DT; Brandon Stokley, WR

Jacksonville
Dennis Northcutt, WR Cleveland Unrestricted 5 years
Tony Pashos, OT Baltimore Unrestricted 5 years
Josh Scobee, K Jacksonville Restricted 5 years
Departures: Kyle Brady, TE (NE)

Kansas City
Damion McIntosh, T Miami Unrestricted 6 years
Departures: None

Miami
None
Departures: Bennie Anderson, OL; Kevin Carter, DE; Jeno James, G; Eric Kimble, WR; Damion McIntosh, T (KC); Seth McKinney, OL; Sammy Morris, RB (NE); Dan Wilkinson, DT (DEN); Joey Harrington QB, Randy McMichael TE

New England
Kyle Brady, TE Jacksonville Unrestricted Undisclosed
Heath Evans, FB New England Unrestricted Undisclosed
Sammy Morris, RB Miami Unrestricted Undisclosed
Adalius Thomas, LB Baltimore Unrestricted Undisclosed
Departures: Corey Dillon, NE

New York
None
Departures: B.J. Askew, FB (TB); Kevan Barlow, RB; Derrick Blaylock, RB; Bobby Hamilton, DE; Patrick Ramsey, QB; Trey Teague, T

Oakland
None
Departures: Aaron Brooks, QB

Pittsburgh
Najeh Davenport, RB Pittsburgh Unrestricted 2 years
Departures: Ulish Booker, T; Verron Haynes, RB; Joey Porter, LB

San Diego
Greg Camarillo, WR San Diego Exclusive rights 1 year
Kris Dielman, G San Diego Unrestricted 6 years
Cory Lekkerkerker, T San Diego Exclusive rights 1 year
Departures: Steve Foley, LB; Terrence Kiel, S; Keenan McCardell, WR

Tennessee
Player, Pos. 2006 Team Designation Contract Length
Rien Long, DT Tennessee Unrestricted Undisclosed
Seth Wand, OT Tennessee Unrestricted Undisclosed
LeVar Woods, LB Tennessee Unrestricted Undisclosed
Departures: Drew Bennett, WR (STL); Travis Henry, RB; Erron Kinney, TE; Zach Piller, G

2007 NFC free-agent signings

Arizona
Hanik Milligan, DB Arizona Unrestricted 3 years
Marcel Shipp, RB Arizona Unrestricted 3 years
Departures: Leonard Davis, T (DAL)

Atlanta
Ovie Mughelli, FB Baltimore Unrestricted 6 years
Marcus Wilkins, LB Cincinnati Unrestricted Undisclosed
Departures: Edgerton Hartwell, LB; Ike Reese, LB

Carolina
Na'il Diggs, LB Carolina Unrestricted 1 year
Departures: Vinny Ciurciu, LB (MIN); Karl Hankton, WR; Kris Mangum, TE; Kevin McCadam, S; Al Wallace, DE

Chicago
None
Departures: None

Dallas
Leonard Davis, T Arizona Unrestricted 7 years
Departures: Drew Bledsoe, QB; Ryan Hannam, TE; E.J. Whitley, G

Detroit
Tatum Bell, RB Denver Trade Undisclosed
George Foster, T Denver Trade Undisclosed
Dewayne White, DE Tampa Bay Unrestricted 5 years
Departures: Marcus Bell, DT; Dre' Bly, CB (DEN); James Hall, DE (STL); Tyoka Jackson, DT; Marcus Pollard, TE; Ross Verba, G

Green Bay
None
Departures: Ahman Green, RB (HOU)

Minnesota
Vinny Ciurciu, LB Carolina Unrestricted Undisclosed
Visanthe Shiancoe, TE N.Y. Giants Unrestricted Undisclosed
Departures: Brad Johnson, QB; Mike Rosenthal, T; Fred Smoot, CB (WAS); Jason Whittle, C (BUF); Jermaine Wiggins, TE

New Orleans
Jon Stinchcomb, T New Orleans Unrestricted 2 years
Departures: Ernie Conwell, TE; Montrae Holland, G (DEN); Joe Horn, WR

New York
None
Departures: LaVar Arrington, LB; Carlos Emmons, LB; Chad Morton, KR; Luke Petitgout, T; Visanthe Shiancoe, TE (MIN); Bob Whitfield, T

Philadelphia
Juqua Thomas, DE Philadelphia Unrestricted 2 years
Departures: Michael Lewis, S (SF)

San Francisco
Nate Clements, CB Buffalo Unrestricted 8 years
Aubrayo Franklin, DT Baltimore Unrestricted Undisclosed
Bryan Gilmore, WR San Francisco Unrestricted Undisclosed
Michael Lewis, S Philadelphia Unrestricted Undisclosed
Departures: Antonio Bryant, WR

Seattle
None
Departures: None

St. Louis
Drew Bennett, WR Tennessee Unrestricted 6 years
James Hall, DE Detroit Trade Undisclosed
Departures: Adam Timmerman, G

Tampa Bay
B.J. Askew, FB N.Y. Jets Unrestricted Undisclosed
Phillip Buchanon, CB Tampa Bay Unrestricted Undisclosed
Patrick Chukwurah, LB Denver Unrestricted 5 years
Torrie Cox, CB Tampa Bay Unrestricted Undisclosed
Jeff Garcia, QB Philadelphia Unrestricted Undisclosed
Jake Plummer, QB Denver Trade Undisclosed
Departures: Kenyatta Walker, T; Dewayne White, DE (DET)

Washington
London Fletcher, LB Buffalo Unrestricted 5 years
Vernon Fox, S Washington Unrestricted Undisclosed
Fred Smoot, CB Minnesota Other* Undisclosed
Departures: Christian Fauria, TE; Troy Vincent, CB; Kenny Wright, DB (CLE)

Top Free Agents 2007

Here's the Fanatics look at the top free agents, by position, for 2007. The top talent is thin, so look for teams to sign the top guns quickly.

QUARTERBACKS

1. Jeff Garcia, Philadelphia

Scrappy leader. Guided Eagles to playoffs, but may be best suited as No. 2 at this stage of career.

2. Brad Johnson, Minnesota

Accurate passer who can manage a game, but interception totals were way up in '06.

3. Kerry Collins, Tennessee

Not much film to evaluate from '06; started three games before giving way to Vince Young.

4. Aaron Brooks, Oakland

Teases with potential, but didn't show much with awful Raiders.

5. Drew Bledsoe, Dallas

He can't dodge defenders anymore, but he still has a strong arm and leadership ability. On the right team with a decent offensive line, he could be this years Jeff Garcia.

Worth a look: Anthony Wright (Cincinnati)


RUNNING BACKS

1. Dominic Rhodes, Indianapolis

A poor man's Emmitt Smith; not very fast, not very flashy, but moves the chains. The DUI arrest didn't help either.

2. Ahman Green, Green Bay

Age and injury concerns, but still productive; posted sixth 1,000-yard rushing season in '06.

3. Jamal Lewis, Baltimore

Lots of wear and tear on his body, but did gain 1,132 yards with nine TDs last season.

4. Correll Buckhalter, Philadelphia

Missed three of last five seasons because of injury problems, but did fine job backing up Westbrook in '06.

5. Marcel Shipp, Arizona

Physically and mentally tough; good inside running skills; above average blocker.

Worth a look: Sammy Morris (Miami), LaBrandon Toefield (Jacksonville)


WIDE RECEIVERS

1. Drew Bennett, Tennessee

Tall and lanky, but deceptively fast; good route runner who will go across the middle.

2. Donte' Stallworth, Philadelphia

If you want to go vertical, here's your guy; averaged 19.1 yards per catch in '06.

3. Kevin Curtis, Rams

Not a great route runner, but a speed threat with big-play potential.

4. Ashley Lelie, Atlanta

Good downfield target; tougher than people think; will go up and get the ball.

5. Bobby Engram, Seattle

Still effective in the slot; can find holes in zones; health issues (thyroid condition.

Worth at look: Travis Taylor (Minnesota), Joe Horn (New Orleans)


TIGHT ENDS/FULLBACKS

1. Daniel Graham (TE), New England

Very good blocker, good hands, was under utilized as receiver by Patriots.

2. Reggie Kelly (TE), Cincinnati

Not much of a receiver, but an excellent blocker, also plays H-back.

3. Kyle Brady (TE), Jacksonville

Still a good-blocking TE after 12 seasons as an NFL starter.

4. Jerramy Stevens (TE), Seattle

Lots of talent and playmaking ability, but has yet to live up to his potential.

5. Justin Griffith (FB), Atlanta

Not a hammer, but a good blocker who can catch the ball and run a little.

Worth a look: Eric Johnson, TE, (San Francisco); Cory Schlesinger, FB, (Detroit), Ovie Mughhelli, FB, (Baltimore)


OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

1. Eric Steinbach, (G), Cincinnati

Naturally athletic, smart, physical; excellent pulling either way; also can play tackle.

2. Kris Dielman (G), San Diego

Former undrafted rookie is tough, aggressive and brings a nasty attitude to the field.

3. Leonard Davis (T), Arizona

Best position may be G; big, strong, but not a hard worker.

4. Luke Petitgout (T), NY Giants

Mentally tough, may not be quick enough to play LT anymore; coming off broken leg.

5. Ruben Brown (G), Chicago

Playing lighter, relying more on quickness than during his heyday.

Worth a look: Tony Pashos (T, Baltimore); Shaun O'Hara (C, NY Giants); Al Johnson (C, Dallas)


DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

1. Patrick Kerney (DE), Atlanta

Coming off pectoral muscle surgery; plays with effort and energy; gets by on technique and strength.

2. DeWayne White (DE), Tampa Bay

Good upfield ability as pass rusher; plays with leverage; good at working hands inside.

3. Robaire Smith (DT/DE), Tennessee

Solid starter on a bad defensive line; mainly a run defender.

4. Ian Scott (DT), Chicago

Underrated nose tackle played well in place of Tank Johnson; has some penetration skills.

5. Anthony Adams (DT), San Francisco

Fairly athletic with some penetration skills; 33 starts in past 3 seasons with 49ers.

Worth a look: Ron Edwards, DT, (Kansas City), Kenyon Coleman (DE, Dallas).


LINEBACKERS

1. Adalius Thomas, Baltimore

Can cover and play on line, decent vs. run but pass rushing is his forte in the 3-4.

2. Joey Porter, Pittsburgh

Brings size and attitude to the 3-4; pass rusher still good for 7-10 sacks a year at age 29.

3. Cato June, Indianapolis

Weakside 'backer led Colts in tackles (162; strong in coverage — eight INTs in past two seasons.

4. London Fletcher, Buffalo

Durable, tough, so-so in coverage; turns 32 in May, but still a tackling machine.

5. Tully Banta-Cain, New England

Good pass rusher in 3-4 whose forte is speed; might excel playing on artificial turf.

Worth a look: Napoleon Harris (Minnesota), Kawika Mitchell (Kansas City); Donnie Edwards (San Diego)


DEFENSIVE BACKS

1. Nate Clements (CB), Buffalo

Great athlete, excellent corner with elite speed; physical against the run; headed for big payday. The gem of free agency.

2. Nick Harper (CB), Indianapolis

Four-year starter will attract lots of interest in weak corner market; three INTs, 11 breakups in '06.

3. Ken Hamlin (S), Seattle

Very athletic, big hitter at FS hasn't lived up to his potential; overcame serious head injury in '05.

4. Deon Grant (S), Jacksonville

Free safety has started 96 straight games; not flashy but can play the run and defend the pass.

5. Michael Lewis (S), Philadelphia

Physical player, '04 Pro Bowler; a liability in coverage was benched midway through '06.

Worth a look: Todd Johnson, S, (Chicago), Brian Russell, S, (Cleveland)


PUNTERS/KICKERS

1. Todd Sauerbrun (P), New England

End-of-season pickup performed well in postseason for Patriots.

2. Matt Turk (P), Rams

Revived career with strong season ; turns 37 in June.

3. Jay Feely (K), NY Giants

Good, not great kicker topped 100 points for fourth time in career in '06.

4. Martin Gramatica (K), Dallas

Late season pickup kicked well enough that Cowboys want to re-sign.

5. Chad Stanley (P), Houston

Averaged only 41.6 yards per punt, but had a good net average (36.7.

Worth a look: Morten Andersen, K, (Atlanta), Billy Cundiff, K, (New Orleans)

Bears Sign Lovie to Extension

The Chicago Bears decided Lovie Smith was the right coach to lead the team into the next decade — with hopefully a few more Super Bowl appearances.

A week after Smith's agent said negotiations were so stalled the coach would probably leave after the 2007 season, the Bears signed Smith to a four-year contract extension through 2011 on Wednesday.

The lowest-paid coach in the NFL last season at $1.35 million when he led the Bears to the Super Bowl, Smith's deal will average about $4.7 million per season over five years. He'll make $22 million in new money and the total value of the five years is $23.45 million, the Chicago Tribune reported. Smith was scheduled to make $1.45 million this season in the final year of his initial four-year contract.


The deal was announced by the team Wednesday night, as was an extension through 2013 for general manager Jerry Angelo.

Smith, the 2005 NFL coach of the year, led the Bears to a 15-4 record and their first NFC championship in more than two decades last season before they lost 29-17 to Indianapolis in the Super Bowl.

In Baltimore, Jamal Lewis, whose 2,066 yards rushing in 2003 were second most in NFL history, was cut by the Ravens.

He was one of several players released as teams maneuvered to find salary cap space before the free-agent period starts Friday. However, the Ravens said they are still attempting to re-sign Lewis.

Among the other players cut were Cincinnati linebacker Brian Simmons; Minnesota quarterback Brad Johnson, a 15-year veteran; and wide receiver Eric Moulds, who played for Houston last season after 10 years as a standout with Buffalo.

Washington finished restructuring Mark Brunell's contract, creating more space under the salary cap while ensuring he will return to the team next season.

Dallas re-signed Pro Bowl punter Mat McBriar to a five-year, $8.5 million contract that includes a $2.5 million signing bonus. He led the NFL with a 48.2-yard average, the best in the NFL since 1963. He was also the first Cowboys punter to make the Pro Bowl since Ron Widby in 1971.

Buffalo re-signed running back Shaud Williams and secured the rights to defensive linemen Anthony Hargrove and Tim Anderson by tendering both one-year contract offers.


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Ravens Waive Jamal Lewis

Running back Jamal Lewis, the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2003, was cut by the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday.

General manager Ozzie Newsome said the team still hoped to re-sign him.

Lewis ran for 2,066 yards in 2003, the second-highest total in NFL history. His numbers slipped after that -- his 1,132 yards last season were his most since then, although he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry.

Lewis, 27, spent the 2005 offseason serving time in prison after a guilty plea to using a cell phone to set up a drug buy. He also has had ankle problems.

The Ravens' first pick in the 2000 draft, Lewis was due a $5 million roster bonus on March 3 along with a $5 million base salary for the 2007 season. The Ravens have spent the last week negotiating with Mitch Frankel, his agent for a deal that would be more cap friendly.

Still, releasing Lewis, who carried a salary-cap figure of $11.6 million, creates $8.3 million in cap room. Baltimore is now roughly $11.3 million under the league salary cap limit of $109 million. Lewis was paid $6 million last season, including a $5 million signing bonus.

Last week, the Ravens decided not to assign a $7.2 million franchise tag to Pro Bowl linebacker Adalius Thomas, ensuring his eventual departure as a high-priced free agent.

If the Ravens part ways with Lewis, it would leave them with only veteran Mike Anderson, who carried just 39 times for 183 yards last season. Also on the roster is P.J. Daniels, a fourth-round draft pick from Georgia Tech who didn't get into a game as a rookie last season.


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McGahee Available for the Right Price

Calling no player "untouchable," Buffalo Bills coach Dick Jauron said the team would consider trade offers for starting running back Willis McGahee.

"It's in our best interest to listen to everybody, and no people are untouchable," Jauron told The Associated Press at the NFL's annual scouting combine at Indianapolis on Monday. "He's a good back. He's our starting running back right now. It's no surprise to me at all that people are interested."

Asked specifically if McGahee is on the trading block, Jauron said: "Well, people talk. People talk in the league all the time."

It's unusual for trade discussions to be made public, or for a coach to acknowledge any talk that involves players -- particularly a player of McGahee's caliber. The three-year starter has one year left on his contract and had expressed interest in seeking an extension with Buffalo.

News that the Bills would shop McGahee first came up last weekend, when New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese expressed interest in the player as a potential replacement for Tiki Barber, who retired after last season.

"There is some Willis McGahee talk," Reese had said. "We'll investigate Willis, we'll investigate everybody with trade talk. We'll leave no stone unturned."

Reese's comments created a stir in Buffalo, where the Bills had previously sidestepped questions about McGahee's long-term status with the team.

McGahee was unavailable for comment and his phone number is not listed. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not immediately return calls.

Buffalo's first-round pick out of Miami in 2003, McGahee is coming off a down season in which he finished with a career-low 990 yards rushing, but led the team with six touchdowns rushing in 14 starts.

In 2005, he had 1,247 yards rushing and five touchdowns in 15 starts. He established himself as the Bills starter in 2004 with 1,128 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns in 11 starts. That performance led the team to trade former starter Travis Henry to Tennessee the following summer.

McGahee sat out his rookie season recovering from major knee surgery.

The Bills have been disappointed in McGahee for conducting most of his offseason workouts in his native Miami, rather than traveling to the team's Orchard Park headquarters. McGahee also created a stir last month, when he was quoted in a magazine article suggesting the NFL consider moving the Bills to Toronto.

McGahee later released a statement saying his comments were taken out of context and that he would never suggest such a move.

Chiefs Allen Wants Traded

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen has yet to be offered a long-term contract and has requested to be traded.

Allen told the Kansas City Star on Saturday that he wanted to finish his career with the Chiefs, but the club hasn't offered the restricted free agent a contract.

"I feel shocked and hurt." Allen told the Star. "Requesting a trade was probably the toughest thing I've had to do. It's nothing personal against the town of Kansas City and the fans. It's been great. [But] it doesn't look like my future is going to be there, and I have to accept that. That's why this is so hard. All the hard work I've put in, the blood, sweat and tears … I wanted to finish my career there. I was led to believe I was going to."

The Chiefs turned down Allen's request for a trade and president/general manager Carl Peterson said the club plans to tender Allen on Thursday, according to the report. Thursday is the deadline for teams to submit qualifying offers to restricted free agents.

Allen has 27½ sacks in his three NFL season and led the league with six fumble recoveries in 2006.

Allen's agent, Ken Harris, told the Star that the Chiefs plan to high tender Allen. Kansas City would receive a first and third round draft choice if another team signed him to an offer sheet. If that happens, Allen, would earn $2.35 million as a high tender in 2007 according to the Star.

Peterson also noted that even though Allen's two DUI convictions -- the second earlier this month in Leawood, Kan. -- factored into the contract process, he still wanted Allen on the team.

Anchor of Fearsome Foursome Dies at 71

Lamar Lundy, a member of the Fearsome Foursome defensive line for the Los Angeles Rams in the 1960s, died Saturday. He was 71.

He died after a long illness in his hometown.

Lundy spent his entire 13-year career with the Rams (1957-69). He teamed with Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones -- both future Pro Football Hall of Famers -- and Roosevelt Grier to form a mighty defensive line. In 1968, the defense featuring the four set an NFL record for the fewest yards allowed during a 14-game season.

"He was a tremendous performer and a better person," Olsen said in Saturday's Palladium-Item newspaper.

Olsen called Lundy, 6-foot-7 and 250 pounds, the anchor of the line.

"He really was the stabilizing force, Mr. Consistency," Olsen said. "He was an incredibly important part of that equation."

Unlike his other three linemates, though, Lundy started out on the other side of the ball.

He spent his first three NFL seasons playing primarily as a tight end and caught 35 passes for 584 yards and six touchdowns -- three in each of his first two seasons -- before moving to defense.

Lundy was the first black football player to receive a scholarship at Purdue, the school said. He led Richmond High School to unbeaten football seasons in 1952 and 1953 and to the state's Final Four in basketball in 1953.

He was such a good athlete that he also started on the Purdue basketball team and was selected the Boilermakers team MVP in both football and basketball as a senior.

Lundy earned all-state honors in both football and basketball during his high-school career and was a member of Indiana's prestigious basketball All-Star team.

He was selected to the 1959 Pro Bowl team and led the Rams in sacks, an unofficial statistic in those days, in 1961.

A knee injury he sustained in 1967 led to his retirement from football.

Funeral arrangements were pending.


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Browns Win Coin Flip; Dillon to Retire?

Cleveland won a coin flip with Tampa Bay on Friday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and will pick third overall in April's draft. The Buccaneers will select fourth.

The teams finished with identical 4-12 records last season and their opponents had the same winning percentage, making the coin toss necessary.

Browns general manager Phil Savage and Tampa Bay GM Bruce Allen represented their clubs at the coin toss. Allen called heads and the coin landed tails, giving the Browns the No. 3 overall pick for the fifth time in club history.

In 2005, the Browns selected wide receiver Braylon Edwards with the third choice.

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New England Patriots tailback Corey Dillon told the Boston Globe he wants to be released from the Patriots.

Dillon's agent, Steve Feldman, said Friday that his client will ask the Patriots for his release and that the team is likely to grant it by March 2, the start of free agency.

Dillon told The Boston Globe that he would probably retire, but Feldman, while acknowledging that retirement is a possibility, said it is unlikely.

Dillon, 32, ran for 812 yards this past season and ranks 14th on the NFL's career rushing list with 11,241 rushing yards.

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The knee surgery that Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow underwent on Jan. 30 apparently was more extensive than was believed at the time.

According to several reports, Winslow underwent microfracture surgery on his knee. Initially, it was thought he merely was having damaged cartilage repaired and scar tissue cleaned out.

This surgery, instead, apparently was designed to grow new cartilage. Players can take up to a year to recover fully from microfracture surgery and some never get back on the playing field.

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The Oakland Raiders announced today they are declining to pick up an option in the contract of quarterback Aaron Brooks, making him a free agent.

The move reportedly keeps the team from having to pay Brooks a $5 million bonus.

The Raiders went winless in Brooks's eight starts this past season and he missed time with a strained pectoral muscle. Brooks's departure leaves Andrew Walter as the top quarterback on the club's roster but the Raiders could use the first overall selection in the draft in April on JaMarcus Russell of LSU.


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Billick Gets New Deal; Lovie In Limbo

Baltimore Ravens head coach Brian Billick reached a contract extension with the club, according to Baltimore-area media outlets.

The contract, first reported by WBAL in Baltimore, is reportedly a four-year deal that will keep the coach in Charm City until 2010. In January, the Baltimore Sun reported Billick got a one-year, $5.4 million extension.

Last season Billick led the Ravens to a 13-3 regular-season record. Baltimore won the AFC North by five games. Billick also led the Ravens to a victory in Super Bowl XXXV over the New York Giants.

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Barring what Lovie Smith's agent calls an "unforseen breakthrough," the Chicago Bears coach expects to return for the 2007 season without a new contract.
Smith has one year remaining on his original contract. He was the league's lowest-paid coach at $1.35 million in 2006 and will remain No. 32 on the paylist at $1.45 million in '07.

Smith suspended contract talks shortly before the playoffs when he led the Bears to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1985 after a 13-3 regular season. Negotiations picked up shortly after the Bears lost to the Colts in the championship game, but Bauer said there were significant gaps on the contract terms between management and the coach.

Coaches that have taken their teams to the Super Bowl, even in a losing effort, are making at least $5 million per year, such as Carolina's John Fox.


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