Free agency news & Rumors

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Free-agent news & rumors

 

Griffith is Cardinals' fourth free-agent acquisition; Falcons switch punters

 

By PFW staff

March 9, 2005

 

 

Updated at 6:20 p.m. EST, March 9, 2005

 

NFC West

 

The Cardinals’ Free-Agent Express is suddenly in high gear with Browns UFA veteran S Robert Griffith becoming the latest passenger booking passage to the Valley. The 34-year old Griffith, who is coming off a solid season in Cleveland, is the Cardinals’ fourth free-agent acquisition this offseason, following in the footsteps of OT Oliver Ross (Steelers), QB Kurt Warner (Giants) and DE Chike Okeafor (Seahawks). Griffith led the Browns in tackles in 10 of 16 games. … As predicted in this space Monday, the Cardinals released veteran QB Shaun King on Wednesday. With the weekend signing of Warner and the presence of Josh McCown and John Navarre, King became the odd man out.

 

After losing UFA WR Cedrick Wilson to the Steelers Tuesday, the Niners are considering WR David Boston, who was cut by the Dolphins Monday. Boston missed all of last season with a torn knee ligament suffered in Miami’s training camp and also was suspended for testing positive for steroids. Boston’s agent, Mitch Frankel, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the receiver should be fully recovered from the injury in four weeks. If Boston were to be signed, he would be reunited with new Niners WR coach Jerry Sullivan, under whom Boston enjoyed his greatest success in Arizona. … The Niners are also considering veteran quarterbacks, with Bucs QB Brad Johnson at the top of the list. An NFL source told the Chronicle that if the team did sign a veteran QB, they likely would trade starter Tim Rattay, take a quarterback in the draft and let Ken Dorsey and Cody Pickett battle for the third QB slot. … Veteran Niners ORT Scott Gragg has been given permission to seek a trade. If no deal is worked out, Gragg is expected to be released by the Niners after June 1, at which time the team could save $3 million against the salary cap.

 

QB Jeff Garcia, released last month by the Browns, is scheduled to meet with the Seahawks in the next couple of days. Garcia could conceivably replace the departed Trent Dilfer as the team’s backup QB behind Matt Hasselbeck. … The Seahawks are among three teams (along with Minnesota and Cleveland) that have expressed an interest in trading for WR Rod Gardner, who has been given permission to seek a trade from the Redskins. It’s believed the Redskins are looking for a third- or fourth-round pick in exchange for Gardner, who could be a possible replacement for troubled Seahawks WR Koren Robinson, who missed six of the final seven games last season for violating league policy or team rules. … Seattle UFA OL Floyd “Pork Chop” Womack has free-agent visits scheduled for Buffalo Wednesday and Green Bay tomorrow.

 

The Rams signed former Raiders TE Roland Williams to a one-year contract Wednesday. Williams has played seven seasons in the NFL, including last season with Oakland, when he started three games. He last had a reception in 2002. … The Rams have made contract offers to DBs Michael Hawthorne, who was released by the Packers, and Cardinals UFA Michael Stone. They continue to negotiate with the new agents of Pro Bowl OLT Orlando Pace but remain very tight-lipped regarding the talks.

 

NFC South

 

The Buccaneers added some depth to their WR corps by re-signing veteran UFA Joey Galloway to a five-year deal. Galloway was a disappointment last season, missing nearly half the year with a groin injury, but he remains one of the fastest receivers in football. Even with the Galloway signing, the Bucs still will be looking to add to their WR depth via the draft. … The Bucs will talk to TE Anthony Becht later this week and have been in contact with the agent for TE Freddie Jones, despite their continuing interest in bringing veteran Ken Dilger back for another season.

 

The Falcons signed former Eagles LB and Pro Bowl special-teamer Ike Reese on Wednesday. Reese wants an opportunity to play linebacker, which he'll more likely get in Atlanta than he would have in Philadelphia. … The Falcons released P Chris Mohr Tuesday and signed former Jets P Toby Gowin to a one-year deal. The team wasn’t pleased with Mohr’s production during the second half of the year and the playoffs, while Gowin is coming off the worst season of his career. Gowin will help with kickoff duties as well.

 

The Saints played host to former Titans TE Shad Meier and RB Antowain Smith yesterday, but no decisions were made on either player. Smith, who won Super Bowls with the Patriots, continues a trend of the Saints bringing in players who have championship experience.

 

The Panthers are said to be interested in former Texans S Marlon McCree, although no visit has been scheduled as of yet. NFC North. … Veteran WR Ricky Proehl has decided to return for his 16th NFL season rather than retire, as he had contemplated.

 

NFC North

 

Minnesota remains some $21 million under the 2005 salary cap after signing DT Pat Williams (March 3) and CB Fred Smoot, who bolted the Redskins late Tuesday for a $10.8 million signing bonus and six-year deal with the Vikings. Head coach Mike Tice canceled a college scouting trip to the West Coast in order to continue meeting with free agents. TE Jermaine Wiggins chose to stay with the team and agreed to a five-year deal worth $7.3 million with a $1 million bonus.

 

The Bears set up a meeting with ex-Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson for this afternoon. Johnson is the third veteran quarterback trotted out by the Bears, following Kurt Warner and Jey Fiedler. Warner signed with Arizona a day after leaving Chicago, and Fiedler will meet with the Jets on Thursday.

 

OG Rick DeMulling, a starter with the Colts each of the last three years, is a candidate to fill one of two open spots on the Lions' offensive line. DeMulling met with team president Matt Millen, who has made the O-line a priority. The Lions also chatted with Brad Johnson about their No. 2 QB job.

 

AFC South

 

The latest in the trade-demand saga of Jaguars SS Donovin Darius, three-time franchisee, involves the Dolphins and a possible deal from Jacksonville involving CB Patrick Surtain. If the Jaguars can work out the contract numbers and Darius' new salary would fit beneath the cap in Miami, a deal could get done by the weekend. … Jacksonville signed Terry Cousin to compete as a nickel cornerback.

 

Titans RB Antowain Smith, Chris Brown’s backup last season, visited with the Saints yesterday. Smith, an unrestricted free agent, had a solid season, rushing for 509 yards and four touchdowns. He will not return to the Titans. … Former Titans TE Shad Meier also visited with the Saints yesterday and is expected to meet with the Steelers and Dolphins. … The market has been a little slow for Titans CB Andre Dyson, but he reportedly had a successful visit with Seattle.

 

Texans UFA WR Corey Bradford visited the Lions on Tuesday.

 

AFC North

 

The Ravens released veteran DB Corey Fuller and special-teams player Harold Morrow on Wednesday. Fuller played in 14 games, with two starts, last season and made 14 tackles. Morrow led the club in special-teams tackles with 21. … The Ravens have expressed interest in Colts UFA OG Rick DeMulling, according to The Baltimore Sun. Steelers UFA OG Keydrick Vincent is also on the team’s radar screen. The team is looking to upgrade at right guard. Bennie Anderson, the team’s starter at that position in 2004, will be allowed to leave in free agency.

 

The Bengals have interest in Ravens UFA LB Ed Hartwell, The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Hartwell, who stayed on the market longer than expected, would upgrade an already deep LB corps. The paper also reports that the team is interested in former Falcons NT Ed Jasper.

 

Browns RFA LB Andra Davis signed the team’s one-year tender. Davis is expected to be one of the starters at inside linebacker as the team moves to a 3-4 defense. … The Browns also re-signed UFA CB Lewis Sanders.

 

AFC West

 

LB Keith Burns, a locker-room favorite and special-teams standout, could return to Denver after one season in Tampa Bay. He visited yesterday and could serve in an assistant-coaching role as well. Part of the reason for his meeting has to do with OLB Donnie Spragan, a starter last year on the strong side, who signed a two-year deal with Miami on Wednesday. … PFW’s calls to TE Jeb Putzier’s representatives went unreturned, but it has been reported that the Broncos will match the Jets’ $12.5 million offer before Friday’s deadline. … Restricted free-agent CB Kelly Herndon left Atlanta last night and is in Kansas City today. He is unlikely to be retained by the Broncos because of their depth in the secondary. … Denver could lose out on valuable backup OL Cooper Carlisle, who could be on the receiving end of an offer from the Falcons. Tampa Bay is also interested.

 

The Chiefs are hosting Broncos RFA CB Kelly Herndon today, a day after signing former Steelers Rookie of the Year Kendrell Bell to fill one of their LB vacancies. The contract was reportedly for seven years and approximately $35 million, with a $3.5 million signing bonus and $10 million in guaranteed money. Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson said he had no concerns about Bell’s injury history after the linebacker earned a clean bill of health from team doctors. The team is unsure of which spot they’ll use the versatile and fast Bell in as of yet.

 

Restructuring the contract of Randy Moss has created approximately $3.75 million of cap space for the Raiders. Since February, the team has reworked the contracts of at least 10 players, which could allow them to sign a free agent or two in the coming weeks.

 

AFC East

 

The Dolphins visited with Lions OT Stockar McDougle, a Miami native, in addition to QB Gus Frerotte and LB Donnie Spragan on Tuesday. They signed Spragan to a two-year contract Wednesday and are reportedly close to signing Frerotte as well. Spragan, a 6-3, 240-pounder, gives the Dolphins the size at linebacker that head coach Nick Saban desires. Frerotte is desirable as a backup to A.J. Feeley since he’s experienced and knows offensive coordinator Scott Linehan’s offense. … Word is that WR David Boston could still return to Miami if he doesn’t find a better situation and more money elsewhere.

 

The Patriots reportedly welcomed WR-KR Tim Dwight for a visit Tuesday, leading to speculation that Dwight may be part of a contingency plan if the recently released Troy Brown signs elsewhere.

 

QB Jay Fiedler is due for a visit after meeting with the Bears’ staff in Chicago Tuesday. Fiedler is expected to choose between the Jets and the Bears for his destination in 2005.

 

NFC East

 

Eagles LB and special-teams ace Ike Reese will not return to Philadelphia, having signed a contract with Atlanta on Wednesday. The biggest issue for Reese, a Pro Bowl selection for his special-teams prowess, was getting a chance to play linebacker on a regular basis — something the Eagles couldn’t guarantee.