Archives for March 2006

‘2005 Team: Denver Broncos.’

‘2005 Team: Minnesota Vikings.’

‘2005 Team: Seattle Seahawks.’

‘The Arizona Cardinals Football Club today announced that the team has matched the Buffalo Bills offer sheet with restricted free agent guard Reggie Wells. By matching the offer sheet, the Cardinals have agreed with Wells on a five-year contract. In accordance with club policy, terms were not disclosed.’

‘Maurice Morris, a fourth-year free-agent running back from Seattle, came to Buffalo Monday to make a visit with the Bills.’

‘It’s not clear where Nall fits into Buffalo’s thinking with incumbents J.P. Losman and Kelly Holcomb, but his mere signing with the Bills is a strong indication that he has been assured of a shot at the starting job.’

‘”Buffalo’s a great situation,” he said. “They use the same defence we do in Chicago, and I have an opportunity to go in there and … they’re not guaranteeing me a starting spot, but I have an opportunity to go in there and earn a starting position.”‘

‘”J.P. and Kelly were both in the weight room when I toured the facilities, and just from the looks of things, I know they have a good work ethic,” said Nall, who also said he is looking forward to being reuinited with former LSU teammates, wide receiver Josh Reed and tight end Robert Royal, along with former NSU teammate, cornerback Terrence McGee.’

‘Running back Fred Jackson turned in the most notable performance among the six allocated Bills players, gaining 88 all-purpose yards (48 rushing, 40 receiving) to help lead the Rhein Fire to a 10-6 victory over the Frankfurt Galaxy.’

‘But there’s no denying the Buffalo Bills have been encouragingly active during the NFL’s just-opened free agency period. Their acquisitions might not be household names, but it’s likely three of them could be starters next season and it will be four if Arizona refuses to match the Bills’ offer for guard Reggie Wells.’

‘Agent Robb Nelson said Monday he is completing terms of the deal that his client agreed to Sunday. Nall, an unrestricted free agent, also was being pursued by Green Bay and Minnesota, Nelson said.’

‘”The Bills, they want me to be there and be part of that organization. They’ve got a great organization and they’re going in the right direction. It’s a great situation. They’re young and they’re right there. Chicago, everybody knows how I feel about that city. It’s a great place, the fans are great. I’ve been there for three years. The ball is in their court for them to match, so we’ll see what happens.”‘

“I feel it was a very positive meeting,” concluded Graves (Cardinals Vice President of Football Operations). “We’ll evaluate our decision today and expect to have an announcement soon in respect to us matching the offer he received in Buffalo.”

‘The Seahawks might try to argue that such guarantees are no longer allowed under a 1994 CBA revision sparked by Wolford’s move from Buffalo to Indianapolis. Wolford, the Bills’ transition player, signed a three-year, $7.65 million offer sheet with the Colts. The deal included a clause that Wolford must be the team’s highest-paid offensive player. He qualified for that distinction in Indianapolis, but in Buffalo, quarterback Jim Kelly was earning more. In order to match, Buffalo would have had to raise the overall value of Wolford’s offer sheet. The Bills lost the case in arbitration and did not match Wolford’s contract. Afterward, the NFL and the union agreed that offer sheets for transition players no longer could require the matching team to raise the overall value.’

‘The departure of the free agent fuels speculation about Brett Favre’s future. Nall recently went on a fishing trip with Favre and if he thought the team’s star No. 1 quarterback was going to retire, he might have been reluctant to find another job.’