Thursday, March 14, 2013

Exclusive: Jaguars signed former Patriots, Texans CB Antwaun Molden

Per source, the Jaguars have re-signed former Texans 3rd round pick CB Antwaun Molden.

Molden spent the 2011 season with the Patriots and played an extended role in the Superbowl against the Giants. After signing and been released by the Giants last season, he signed with the mid-season Jaguars but only saw action in 3 games.

The 6-,1 198 pound CB fits into Gus Bradley's defense who likes tall CB who can press.

Exclusive: Falcons have re-signed TE Tony Gonzalez

The Falcons have re-signed TE Tony Gonzalez to a 1-year deal, per source, the transaction has already filed to the league.

15-year veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez didn't waste a lot of time to say he likely just played his last NFL game after the Falcons lost to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game. During the post-game interviews Gonzalez said he is "97%" certain his NFL career ended.

 However, the Falcons organization didn't quit on their Pro-Bowl TE and after talks between the two sides, Gonzalez decided to come back to play in the 2013 season.

Gonzalez reporedly was looking to return a 1-year deal that is worth $7 million and in addition wants an added clause that will allow him to decide if he will show up to the entire off-season training camp or even a part of it.

The 13 time Pro-Bowler is the NFL's all-time leader in catches (1,242) and yards (14,268) by a tight end.



Patriots sign former Seahawks RB Leon Washington

The Patriots have signed Seahawks and Jets RB/Returner Leon Washington.

Washington has recently been released by the Seahawks, he was due to $1.5 million in base salary in 2013. The Seahawks have tried to shop him around the league with little success as the Buccaneers was the only team interested.

After the trade to bring former Vikings WR Percy Harvin to Seattle, the Seahawks had no more use of Washington and also had to save cap space.

Washington was never used much as a running back with the Seahawks since arriving via trade from the Jets during the 2010 draft for a fifth round pick but has been one of the better return man in the league.

Washington recorded 4,398 return yards [both kick and punt returns] during his 3-years with the Seahawks and also scored 4 TDs.

Chiefs release QB Matt Cassel

The Chiefs have finally cut ties with their former starter, the team announced the release of QB Matt Cassel.

In 2009 the Chiefs traded their 2nd round pick to the Patriots for Cassel and LB Mike Vrabel after Cassel led the 2008 Patriots to an 11-5 record. Then signed him to a 6-year, $63 million contract. After an up and down 2009 season, Cassel played very well in 2010 and after a 27 TDs-7 INTs he took the Chiefs to the playoffs only to lose in the wildcard round to the Ravens.

It was nothing but decline for Cassel since, he committed 30 turnovers over his past 18 starts.

The Chiefs tried to shop Cassel this off-season with the Vikings reportedly showing the most interest but they couldn't work out the deal. [Probably because Cassel wasn't willing to re-do his deal]

The Patriots and Vikings will probably now try to sign him as a free-agent, which could mean that the Ryan Mallett trade talk will receive a spark as the Patriots can now have a capable back-up to Tom Brady, the Browns are still very interested in Mallett but the move will probably only happen in April if it does.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Bears release TE Kellen Davis

The Kellen Davis experiment is over in Chicago.

According to Pro Football Talk, Davis has been released.

Coming into the 2012 season it was thought that Davis had a lot of talent but never reached his potential because of Mike Martz's untightend friendly offense, which landed him a 2-year, $6 million contract with the Bears in the off-season. However, it turns out that it was Davis who simply couldn't play, in 16 games in 2012 Davis caught just 19 passes and scored only two TDs while also struggling with drops.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Raiders release WR Heyward-Bay, Safety Huff, DE Tollefson

Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie joined the team last season an imminently started a process to clear the Raiders awful cap space situation. Two seasons in, the Raiders are still making surprising move to save cap space.

The Raiders have released two former top 10 picks, Safety Michael Huff and  WR Darrius Heyward-Bey and in addition also released last year's free-agent acquisition DE David Tollefson who they signed to a two years, $2.5 million deal.

Huff played both Safety and CB last season although he was a Safety throughout most of his career, he was originally selected 7th overall out of Texans in the 2006 draft and recorded 11 INTs and 5.5 sacks in his career. In 2010, the Raiders gave Huff a $32 million extension.

Heyward-Bey was the 7th overall pick in the 2009 draft out of Maryland but never managed to develop into a big time playmaker, in his 4-year career Hayward-Bey caught 140 passes for 2,071 yards and 11 TDs.

Tollefson came over from the Giants after a 5 sack season during their 2011 Superbowl run but busted out with the Raiders with only half a sack in 15 games.

The team also re-signed CB Phillip Adams.

Steelers re-sign FB/TE David Johnson to a 1-year deal

The Steelers have announced that FB/TE David Johnson will return to a 1-year deal.

The 2009 7th round pick started all 16 games in 2011 and recorded career high 12 catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.

Fellow TE Heath Miller had his entire knee explode late last season and will need time to recover, while Johnson can't replace his receiving abilities, Johnson is a great run blocker who can play TE or FB for the Steelers.

Seahawks part ways with RB/Returner Leon Washington

RB/Return man Leon Washington has been released by the Seahawks according to a source, Washington was due to $1.5 million in base salary in 2013, The Seahawks have tried to shop him around the league.

After the trade to bring former Vikings WR Percy Harvin to Seattle, the Seahawks had no more use of Washington and also had to save cap space.

Washington was never used much as a running back with the Seahawks since arriving via trade from the Jets during the 2010 draft for a fifth round pick but has been one of the better return man in the league.

Washington recorded 4,398 return yards [both kick and punt returns] during his 3-years with the Seahawks and also scored 4 TDs.

TE Tony Gonzalez wants to return to play in 2013, Tells agent to work a deal with Falcons

15-year veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez didn't waste a lot of time to say he likely just played his last NFL game after the Falcons lost to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game. During the post-game interviews Gonzalez said he is "97%" certain his NFL career ended.

However, the Falcons organization didn't quit on their Pro-Bowl TE and after talks between the two sides, Gonzalez decided to come back to play in the 2013 season. Gonzalez has given a "green light" to his agent to work a deal with the Falcons according to Jim Corbett of US Today.

Gonzalez is looking to return for a 1-year deal that is worth $7 million and in addition wants an added clause that will allow him to decide if he will show up to the entire off-season training camp or even a part of it.

The 13 time Pro-Bowler is the NFL's all-time leader in catches (1,242) and yards (14,268) by a tight end.

Steelers re-sign former Raiders CB DeMarcus Van Dyke


The Steelers re-signed  exclusive rights free agent CB DeMarcus Van Dyke to a 1-year deal.

Van Dyke joined the Streelers last season after been released by the Raiders one year after been drafted, he surprisingly went unclaimed in the waiver wire and was signed as a free-agent by Pittsburgh.

The 6-1, 187 pound CB ran 4.27 in the NFL combine in 2011 and was drafted by the Raiders in the 3rd round out of Miami.

In 2 seasons in the NFL, Van Dyke recorded 16 tackles and an INT, mostly playing on special teams.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Seahawks shopping RB/Returner Leon Washington

Despite early success with the Jets as both a return man and a runner, Leon Washington was never used much as a running back with the Seahawks since arriving via trade during the 2010 draft for a fifth round pick but has been one of the better return man in the league.

According to CBS's Jason La Canfora, following the Seahawks trade for Vikings WR Percy Harvin, the Seahawks are now shopping Washington around the league. He is due to make $1.5 million in 2013 and is signed through 2014.

Washington recorded 4,398 return yards [both kick and punt returns] during his 3-years with the Seahawks and also scored 4 TDs.

Patriots showed interest in possibly giving up a first round pick for Giants WR Victor Cruz

The Giants placed a 1st round tender on WR Victor Cruz, which means that any team who wishes to sign he wide receiver will need to sign him to an offer sheet and if the Giants don't match it, that team will send the Giants a first round pick.

The New England Patriots showed interest in possibly giving up a first round pick for Cruz prior to him switching agents to Tom Condon according to CBS Jason La Canfora.


Cruz was originally represented by Abu Toppin but switched [the second time this year] to Tom Condon of CAA Football.

During the past two seasons Cruz recorded 168 catches for 2,628 yards and 19 TDs.

Jets sign former Jaguars, Dolphins QB David Garrard

The New York Jets announced they signed QB David Garrard, the veteran worked out for the team two weeks ago.

Garrard hasn't played since starting 14 games in 2010, he struggled to overcome back and knee injuries the past couple of seasons.

In his career Garrard passed for 89 TDs and 54 INTs and also added 17 rushing TDs, he also took the Jaguars to the playoffs.

Garrard should be able to easily beat out Mark Sanchez for the starting job if he's healthy.

Ravens trade WR Anquan Boldin to 49ers for 6th round pick

The 49ers must believe in the old saying "If you can't beat them, join them", a few months ago Anquan Boldin destroyed the 49ers in Superbowl 47 for 6 catches, 104 yards and a touchdown, the 49ers have acquired his services.

The Ravens have been tried to get Boldin to take a $2 million pay-cut but the veteran receiver refused to do, which forced the team to either release him or trade him, they decided to trade him.

Boldin was amazing during the Ravens playoff run last season, recording 22 catches for 380 yards and 4 TDs including one in the Superbowl.

He finished the 2012 regular season with 65 catches for 921 yards and 4 TDs.

Boldin will make $6 million in base salary in 2013.

Cardinals release former first round pick RB Beanie Wells

After 4 seasons of a lack of production the Cardinals are moving on from RB Beanie Wells. Wells tweeted himself that he was released by the team.

The 2009 first round pick never became the star the Cardinals expected him to become, in his career Wells ran for 2,471 yards on 625 carries [4.0 average] and struggled with injuries and in the passing game.

The new coaching staff decided it was time to move on.

The Cardinals also released  RB Fozzy Whitakker.

Redskins, Colts make their kick returns free-agents

The Redskins have decided not to tender restricted free-agent WR/Returner Brandon Banks and the Colts decided to do the same with their RB/Returner Deji Karim who is an exclusive rights free-agent.

Neither player contributes much outside of the return game, the 5-7, 153 pound Banks recorded just 11 catches in his 3-year career with the Redskins but added 3,793 return yards [on both kick and punt returns] and 2 TDs.

Karim had the longest kickoff return touchdown in Colts franchise history against the Texans last season. But only returned 9 kicks last season and averaged only 3.0 per carry on 98 career rushers.

Ravens QB Joe Flacoo found Ray Lewis's pre-game speeches funny

According to USA Today, Ravens QB Joe Flacco said that the pre-game speeches that LB Ray Lewis gave made him "chuckle".

 Ray Lewis is famous for his inspiring pre-game speeches, part of the reason he is considered an NFL legend, but Joe Flacco wasn't inspired as much as he was laughing.

"Oh, it's funny," Ravens quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco told USA TODAY Sports at a charity event Saturday. "His speeches come from the heart, but there's definitely times where I'm sitting there kind of chuckling to myself. It's all good. There's nobody that's more passionate about what he does than that guy.

"So you just sit back and take it all in, but there's times where he says some stuff and you're like, 'Man I don't know what that meant, but I like how he said it.'"  

 Flacco added about himself:

"I don't do what Ray does, but I'm the leader of the football team," he said. "I do it in my way. There are people that do it different ways and obviously we're able to do it pretty well."

Giants place first round pick tender on WR Victor Cruz, Place 2 more tenders

The tender is worth $2.879 million, Cruz played for $540,000 in 2012.

 The Giants also placed a 2nd round pick tender on Safety Stevie Brown who had 8 INTs in 2012 and RB Andre Brown who had 8 TDs in 2012.

Cruz played well above exceptions for an undrafted free-agent, the past two seasons Cruz recorded 168 catches for 2,628 yards and 19 TDs.

The Vikings might spend one of their two first round picks in the 2013 draft on Cruz.

Giants John Mara added on Cruz: "if someone is willing to pay more than we are, then we'll have to say goodbye."

Cowboys release LB Dan Connor

The Cowboys signed former Panthers LB Dan Connor to a 2-year, $6.5 million contract last season, he is now released according to Pro Football Talk, saving $3M in cap space.

The former 3rd round pick Connor started 8 games last season recording 56 tackles, he is nothing more than a run stopper having recorded no INTs and only one sack in his 5-year career.

The Cowboys are shifting to a 4-3 defense but Connor could of had a role if he was counting for less against the salary cap.

Redskins release veteran CB DeAngelo Hall

After 5 seasons and 19 INT's with the Redskins, DeAngelo Hall has been released.

Releasing Hall will clear $8 million in cap space for the Redskins who are $3 million over the cap, so it was a no brainier.

Hall recorded 95 tackles and 4 INTs for the Skins in 2012, but was burnt often for big plays and touchdowns.

Vikings trade WR Percy Harvin to the Seahawks

As was rumored all off-season, Harvin got his wish and was traded away from the Minnosta Vikings to the Seattle Seahawks pending a physical according to FOX Sports's Jay Glazer.

The Vikings are expected to receive a first round pick. The Seahawks have ten picks in the 2013 draft, one each round and two 5th rounders and three 7th rounders.

Percy Harvin is reportedly looking for a deal that will pay him Calvin Johnson type money, something in the range of $16.5 million a year which puts him second in the league as the highest paid wide receiver behind Johnson.

Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is making $18.8 million a year, Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is making $16.06 million a year.

Harvin doesn't believe the Vikings will pay him that amount and he wanted them to trade him to a new team that will give him a new contract.

Harvin is currently due to make $2.755 million in 2013.

The 2009 first round pick has been contributing all over the field for the Vikings since he entered the league, catching 280 passes for 3,302 yards and 20 TDs, in addition Harvin added 107 carries for 683 yards and 4 TDs and also 3,183 kick return yards and 5 additional TDs.

6 NFL Stars taking part of USO tour to the Middle East

Texans DE J.J. Watt, Broncos CB Champ Bailey, Browns LB D'Qwell Jackson, Panthers WR Steve Smith, Buccaneers OG Davin Joseph and Broncos LB Von Miller will continue an NFL-USO tradition initiated more than 45 years ago as they prepare to take part in a weeklong visit to U.S. troops at military bases throughout the Middle East.

This tour marks the first NFL-USO tour abroad for all the players.

Last year, the NFL and USO deployed players Panthers Jason Baker, former Giants, Eagles and Bengals LB Dhani Jones, Browns Center Alex Mack, Chargers LB Takeo Spikes and Chiefs OT Eric Winston overseas to boost the morale of service men and women. During the tour, the group visited more than five military bases in multiple countries throughout Southwest Asia.

In addition, current and former NFL coaches Bill Cowher, Leslie Frazier, Ben Kotwica and Eric Mangini spent July 4th in Afghanistan last year as part of the fourth annual NFL-USO Coaches tour to show their appreciation to service members.

Former Steelers WR Mike Wallace to Dolphins is reportedly a "done deal"

The Dolphins are looking to upgrade their wide receiver situation and after locking up impending free-agent WR Brian Hartline to a 5-year, $30.775 million contract with $12.5 million guaranteed, they now focus on former Steelers WR Mike Wallace.

After ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the league-wide expectation is that WR Mike Wallace will end up signing with the Dolphins, the The Palm Beach Post reported that Wallace to the Dolphins is a "done deal."

Wallace is expected to get something in the range of a 5-year, $60 million deal.

One of the league's best deep threats held out last season in order to get his big pay-day but couldn't come to terms with the Steelers on a reasonable price. The Steelers instead locked fellow receiver Antonio Brown to a 6-year, $43.04 million contract.

Wallace recorded just 64 catches for 836 yards in 2012 but scored 8 TDs, his average of 13.1 per catch was the worst of his 4-year career.

Wallace did top 1,000 yards receiving during both the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Chargers re-signed WR/Returner Richard Goodman

The new Chargers coaching staff liked one of the teams incumbent special teams players enough to bring him back in 2013.

WR/Return-man Richard Goodman agreed to terms on a 1-year, $630,000 contract with the Chargers according to Union-Tribune San Diego.

The former undrafted free-agent out of Florida State recorded one catch for 25 yards and added 1,433 return yards in his 3-year career. He also added 13 tackles on special teams.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Rams releasing Safety Quintin Mikell

The Rams will release vetrean Safety Quintin Mikell on Monday according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The move saves the Rams about $3 million this season.

Mikell signed a 4-year, $27 million contract with the Rams in 2011, The deal included $14 million guaranteed.

The former Eagles safety has some skills as in-the-box safety and a knack for creating turnovers, Mikell recorded 2 INTs and 9 FFs in two seasons with the Rams.

He shouldn't have much trouble finding a new team as a veteran presence in the secondary.

Bengals re-sign DE Wallace Gilberry to a 3-year deal

The former Chiefs defensive end joined the Bengals after originally signing with the Buccaneers last off-season and ended up playing 14 games as both DE and nickel DT and recorded 6.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a touchdown.

Gilberry signed a 3-year, $6.75 million deal according to Pro Football Talk.

During his 5-year career the former undrafted free-agent recorded 20.5 sacks and forced 5 fumbles.

Former Steelers LB James Harrison would like to play for at least 6 teams

Since been released by the Steelers, James Harrison and his agent have mentioned a number of teams that Harrison would like to play for.

Harrison said following his release: "Of course it would be nice to play with Tom Brady. I mean who wouldn't want to. At the same time I'm not opposed to playing with anyone. Tom Brady, Peyton Manning--anybody would want to play with them. Who wouldn't?"

In addition to the Patriots and Broncos,  Harrison's agent said that his client will like to play for the Browns, Ravens, Saints or Eagles if they are interested in him.

The Saints and Browns are switching from 4-3 defenses to 3-4 base defenses, both of them could use an experienced veteran like Harrison to help them make the transition.

Chargers, Bills, Colts, Titans chasing OG Louis Vasquez

The Chargers are dedicating their off-season into improving their poor offensive line play, part of their plan is to bring back 2012 16-game starter Guard Louis Vasquez.

The 6-5, 335 pound former 3rd round pick started 54 games in his career, after struggling with injuries through his first 3 season, he finally was able to start every game in 2012.

A good pass blocker who's average in the run game, Vasquez is considered the second best available guard after Bills free-agent OG Andy Levitre.

The Chargers have yet to make Vasquez a contract offer according to Union-Tribune San Diego but are expected to soon.

Giants Sign former Packers, Eagles DT Cullen Jenkins to 3-year, $8M deal

The Giants usually stack up on a number of capable defensive tackles each season, they have now added a former Superbowl champion into the mix.

In 2011 Cullen Jenkins signed a 5-year, $30 million contract with the Eagles, After starting all 32 games the past 2 seasons, he's now signing with the Giants for a 3-year, $8 million deal according to Kimberly Jones of NFL.com.

 Jenkins recorded only 9.5 sacks during those 32 games but he's still a solid interior pass-rusher.

 The Giants released veteran DL Chris Canty during the off-season so they had a need for a veteran in the position to play along side of young players such as Marvin Austin.

Report: Harvin doesn't want to play with Vikings, asks to be traded

Percy Harvin is reportedly looking for a deal that will pay him Calvin Johnson type money, something in the range of $16.5 million a year which puts him second in the league as the highest paid wide receiver behind Johnson.

Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is making $18.8 million a year, Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is making $16.06 million a year.

Harvin doesn't believe the Vikings will pay him that amount and he wants them to trade him to a new team that will give him a new contract. Per a report by Sid Harman of the Star Tribune, Harvin has actully told the team he wants to be traded.

Harvin is currently due to make $2.755 million in 2013.

The 2009 first round pick has been contributing all over the field for the Vikings since he entered the league, catching 280 passes for 3,302 yards and 20 TDs, in addition Harvin added 107 carries for 683 yards and 4 TDs and also 3,183 kick return yards and 5 additional TDs.

Redskins Bring Back 5 Starters

The 2012 Redskins reached the playoffs for the first time since 2007 and won the NFC East for the first time since 1999. The organization decided to keep several core players from that playoff team for years to come.

The Redskins re-signed 5 players the past couple of days:

* OG Kory Lichtensteige to a 5-year undisclosed contract.
* FB Darrel Young to a 3-year, $6.2M contract.
* LB Rob Jackson to an undisclosed contract.
* TE Logan Paulsen to a 3-year, $4.1M contract.
* LS Nick Sundberg to a 4-year undisclosed contract.

Young is one of the best FBs in the league and a big part to rookie Alfred Morris success last season, he is also a capable pass receiver.

Paulsen filled in a 10-game starter once TE Fred Davis suffered an season ending injury, he is a strong blocking TE that has a limited skill set in the passing game.

Jackson was expected to be pursued by several teams as a "plan B" in case those teams can't land one of the top free-agents in the position, the outside linebacker recorded 4.5 sacks, 4 INT's and 2 FF's in 2012.

 Lichtensteige suffered a season ending ACL injury that cost him the 2011 season and he still wasn't at full strength in 2012 but head coach Mike Shanahan called him the team's best run blocker last season.

Tony Gonzalez expected to return to Falcons for 2013

15-year veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez didn't waste a lot of time to say he likely just played his last NFL game after the Falcons lost to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game. During the post-game interviews Gonzalez said he is "97%" certain his NFL career ended.

However, the Falcons organization didn't quit on their Pro-Bowl TE and reportedly were able to reach an agreement with Gonzalez  where he will return to play in the 2013 season according to Jim Corbett of US Today.

Gonzalez is looking to return for a 1-year deal that is worth $7 million and in addition wants an added clause that will allow him to decide if he will show up to the entire off-season training camp or even a part of it.

The 13 time Pro-Bowler is the NFL's all-time leader in catches (1,242) and yards (14,268) by a tight end.