2008 Off Season (Official Thread)

[MD Buckeye]

Figured I would make a thread to keep track of off season "big name" transactions/news/notes for teams that don't have an Official Thread. If mods don't like it, feel free to move/delete it.


ESPN - Vikings to deal WR Williamson to Jags for draft pick - NFL

Vikings to deal WR Williamson to Jags for draft pick

Minnesota Vikings' last link to the Randy Moss trade reportedly will be jettisoned from their roster later this week.

Though nothing may be officially announced until Friday at midnight ET when the NFL's new league year starts, the Jaguars have all but agreed on a trade with the Vikings for wide receiver Troy Williamson.

Williamson was given permission last week by coach Brad Childress to find a new home via a trade. The Vikings are expected to receive a sixth-round pick for Williamson.

Contd.....

 

[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - Pats release veteran linebacker Colvin, youngster Lua - NFL

Pats release veteran linebacker Colvin, youngster Lua

It was a big coup when the Patriots signed Rosevelt Colvin, but that era has come to a close.

New England released the linebacker on Tuesday. Drafted by the Bears out of Purdue in 1999, Colvin spent his first four seasons in Chicago and established himself as a pass-rushing threat from his outside linebacker position. He registered 10? sacks in both 2001 and 2002.

The Patriots signed the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Colvin as an unrestricted free agent in 2003. He had two sacks in his first two games that season before suffering a hip injury. While he never returned to his original form, Colvin did bounce back to lead the Patriots with seven sacks in 2005 and 8? sacks in 2006.

Contd....

 

[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - Agent, GM: Panthers close to deal to bring Muhammad back to Carolina - NFL

Agent, GM: Panthers close to deal to bring Muhammad back to Carolina

In their latest effort to secure a proven, complementary pass catcher to pair with star wide receiver Steve Smith, the Carolina Panthers have turned to a familiar face, making significant progress toward reaching a contract agreement with veteran free agent Muhsin Muhammad.

Released by the Bears last week, Muhammad played the first nine seasons of his career (1996-2004) with the Panthers before signing with Chicago in 2005. After his release, the 12-year veteran generated interest from four teams, but quickly focused on rejoining the Panthers, given his familiarity with the franchise and the fact he still owns a home in the Charlotte area.

Contd....

 

[jwinslow]

Top-10 pick (reach or not) potential for a 6th round pick... what a bargain. Only owed 435,000 next season also.

 

[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - Chiefs cut loose former top starting wideout Kennison - NFL

Chiefs cut loose former top starting wideout Kennison

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs released veteran wide receiver Eddie Kennison on Tuesday.

Kennison, 35, played for the Chiefs for seven seasons and was their top wide receiver for most of that time. But last season, he was limited by hamstring and shoulder injuries to only eight games, catching 13 passes for 101 yards.

Contd....

 

[MD Buckeye]

Redskins release wide receiver Lloyd

Redskins release wide receiver Lloyd

ASHBURN, Va. -- Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd was released by the Washington Redskins, ending his disappointing stay with the team.

He caught only 25 passes with no touchdowns in two seasons with the Redskins. His totals were two catches for 14 yards last season, when he broke his collarbone in November.

Lloyd already had fallen out of favor with the team because of his work ethic and lack of productivity.

The Redskins traded two draft picks to the San Francisco 49ers to acquire Lloyd before the 2006 season. They then signed him to a long-term contract that included $10 million in guaranteed money.

 

[MD Buckeye]

Strahan still undecided on return for 2008 season

Strahan still undecided on return for 2008 season

NEW YORK -- Now that he has his championship, money no longer matters to Michael Strahan.

Well, maybe it matters a little bit.

Not enough, though, that it will be the deciding factor as Strahan mulls retirement or returning to the Super Bowl champion Giants for a 16th season.

Contd....

 

[MD Buckeye]

New York Jets, Adrien Clarke, Andre Dyson, Brad Smith, National Football League - CBSSports.com

Jets cut WR McCareins, CB Dyson; waive starting guard Clarke

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Wide receiver Justin McCareins and cornerback Andre Dyson were released, and starting left guard Adrien Clarke was waived by the New York Jets on Tuesday.

The veterans were cut three days before the start of the NFL's free agent period as the Jets attempt to create additional salary cap room.

McCareins, acquired in 2004 in a trade with Tennessee, never developed into the impact receiver the Jets hoped he'd become. In four seasons in New York, he had 141 catches for 2,062 and seven touchdowns. He saw limited action last season, catching just 19 passes for 232 yards.

Contd....

 

[MD Buckeye]

Detroit Lions, National Football League - CBSSports.com

Lions release CB Fernando Bryant

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -Veteran cornerback Fernando Bryant was released by the Detroit Lions on Monday after four seasons with the team.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder signed with Detroit as an unrestricted free agent in 2004 after five seasons with Jacksonville, who took him in the first round of the 1999 draft, 26th overall. He had seven interceptions and started 109 games.

Bryant started in 38 games for the Lions, including all 16 games last season. He was due to make $3.35 million next season.

 

[MD Buckeye]

San Diego Chargers, National Football League - CBSSports.com

LB Smith agrees with Chargers 5 days after 49ers released him

SAN DIEGO (AP) -Derek Smith, released Tuesday by the San Francisco 49ers, agreed to a two-year deal with the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.

Smith, whose role with the 49ers was assumed last season by rookie Patrick Willis, will bolster San Diego's inside linebackers group.

He spent seven seasons with the 49ers, and was their leading tackler from 2001-05. He's spent the last three years playing in a 3-4 defense, which is what the Chargers play.

Contd...

 

[MD Buckeye]

Update on my previous post.....

ESPN - Agent, GM: Panthers close to deal to bring Muhammad back to Carolina - NFL

ESPN - Panthers, needing receiver to pair with Smith, sign Muhammad - NFL

Muhammad, 34, will sign a two-year contract, the financial details of which were not immediately available.

 

[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - Panthers, needing receiver to pair with Smith, sign Muhammad - NFL

Panthers cut Carr, sign Muhammad - Yahoo! News

Panthers cut Carr, sign Muhammad

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Carolina Panthers released disappointing quarterback David Carr on Wednesday and came to terms with receiver Muhsin Muhammad on a two-year contract.

Carr was let go a year after he signed a $6 million, two-year deal with the Panthers following a five-year stint as a starter in Houston. But Carr struggled so badly when he took over for the injured Jake Delhomme last season that he was eventually demoted to third-string.

Contd...

 

[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - Veteran safety Smith joins Lions' secondary on 2-year deal - NFL

Veteran safety Smith joins Lions' secondary on 2-year deal

Seven-year veteran safety Dwight Smith, released by the Minnesota Vikings last week, on Wednesday found a new home in the division, reaching agreement with the Detroit Lions on a two-year, $5 million contract.

The deal reunites Smith with Lions' head coach Rod Marinelli and defensive coordinator Joe Barry, both of whom were assistants on the Tampa Bay staff when the veteran safety spent the first four seasons of his NFL career as a standout Bucs' defender.

Contd...

 

[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - Report: Chiefs to release Bell, Dunn, Law, Reed - NFL

Report: Chiefs to release Bell, Dunn, Law, Reed


The Chiefs have told four players -- including cornerback Ty Law -- that they would be released, sources told The Kansas City Star on Wednesday.
Law was a starter last season. Linebacker Kendrell Bell and defensive tackle James Reed are former starters, and tight end Jason Dunn was a key reserve. Law, Reed and Dunn are over 30; Bell will turn 30 in July. The moves come following the release of offensive tackle John Welbourn and wide receiver Eddie Kennison, who are both over 30 and had contracts for the 2008 season.

 

[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - Titans re-sign wide receiver Gage, interview tight end Crumpler - NFL

Titans re-sign wide receiver Gage, interview tight end Crumpler


NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans receiver Justin Gage agreed to a multiyear contract Wednesday.


He was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent Feb. 29.
In 2007, Gage's fifth NFL season and first with the Titans, he led the team with 750 receiving yards and tied Roydell Williams for most receptions with 55.


In 65 career games, Gage has 119 receptions for 1,658 yards and six touchdowns. He formerly played for Chicago.
Meanwhile, free agent Alge Crumpler visited Wednesday in Nashville with Titans' officials. Crumpler and his agent had met earlier with team officials at the NFL combine.


Crumpler, cut by the Falcons on Feb. 15, made the Pro Bowl from 2003-06. He was plagued by knee problems last season.