NFL Update - 3/12/2009

QUICK HITS

• LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers have restructured the RBs contract, allowing him to stay with the team for at least one more season. It had been widely speculated that Tomlinson would be released before the end of the month if he did not renegotiate his current contract, which had three years remaining.
• What is going on with Jay Cutler and the Broncos? The Denver QB has been vocal about his displeasure with the trade rumors and proposals. However things seem to be getting worse. A conference call between the two parties was held earlier this week and, according to a source in the meeting, things may have gotten worse. The team maintains that it only breached the subject of trading Cutler because they were approached by a team (like the Buccaneers or Lions); they didn't initiate talks. They also say that Cutler has asked for a trade. Cutker and his agent deny asking for a trade but are upset that talks have occurred. This one could get interesting, folks.
• The Cleveland Browns continue to alienate the fan base and show their true colors. The team has cut veteran WR Joe Jurevicious, a Cleveland native and seen somewhat as a prodigal son. Though Jurevicious didn't play a down in 2008 due to a staph infection, he was on track to return this season. Jurevicious says he will play one more season in the NFL before retiring. He has been a part of three Super Bowls (Giants - XXXV, Buccaneers - XXXVI, and Seahawks - XL).
• Former Utah QB Alex Smith has reworked his contract to stay with the 49ers for at least another season. The #1 pick in the 2005 draft has been a complete buts thus far, starting only 30 games in four years and throwing for 19 TDs and 31 INTs.
• Terrell Owens found a new home this week, signing a 1-year, $6.5 million deal with Buffalo. He is now trying to finagle the only number he has ever worn in the NFL, 81, from second year player James Hardy.
• St. Louis terminated the contract of former LT icon Orlando Pace. Up next could be WR Torry Holt. The Rams have also added former Giants SS James Butler and Saints FB Mike Karney.
• The Minnesota Vikings resigned DT Jimmy Kennedy. Kennedy, a former Penn State standout, was a first round pick of the Rams in 2003. He has since shuffled around the league before landing with the Vikings for the final two regular season games in 2008. He was a free agent starting February 27th but has now inked a new deal with Minnesota. Kennedy is the top backup for the "Williams Wall", Pat and Kevin.
• Despite having few bodies to fill out an offensive line, the Bears released seven year veteran OG Terrence Metcalf. The former third round pick had been with the Bears for the last seven seasons. They did add a new safety, signing Josh Bullocks to a 1-year deal. Bullocks was not resigned by the Saints after four years with the team.
  
• The Panthers have dropped CB Ken Lucas. Lucas was signed as a free agent prior to the 2005 season. He was halfway through his 6-year deal.
• The Patriots have added another veteran CB to their roster. Leigh Bodden, once deemed the most physical corner in the game by Bengals WR Chad Johnson, has signed a 1-year deal for $2.25 million. Bodden had a dismal year in the Lions zone scheme but excelled in the Browns man-to-man scheme that is similar to the Patriots defense.
• For some reason, Saints TE Jeremy Shockey thought he deserved a new contract. Shockey is scheduled to earn $2.725 million this season. The Saints have denied his request.
• The Packers signed former Steelers safety Anthony "Guarantee" Smith.
• The Redskins resigned safety Reed Doughty.

• There is actually very little news out of Miami of late. They have been looking at CBs and had Eric Green in for a workout but a contract was not offered to him. They were one of four teams in the running for the services of Bryant McFadden, who ultimately signed with the Cardinals. UPDATE: According to the Dolphins website, the team has signed CB Eric Green.
  
• My Two Cents: The Dolphins have been relatively quiet during free agency. After resigning the core trio of Channing Crowder, Vernon Carey, and Yeremiah Bell, the team added Gibril Wilson, Joe Berger, and Jake Grove. That's pretty much it. They didn't go hard after Shawn Springs or Leigh Bodden and both ended up in New England, much to the chagrin of Dolfans. A minimum of two CBs are needed and all signs point to Miami drafting at least one and signing a veteran free agent or two in the next few weeks. The team has no solid starter opposite Will Allen. With Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Terrell Owens, and Lee Evans in the division, the secondary is a bit of a concern.

• Veteran DE Marques Douglas - who has played for the 49ers, Buccaneers, and Ravens - is drawing interest from the Jets, as well as Broncos and 49ers. New York had him in for a visit this week and would be a nice addition to a defense getting better and better.
• The Jets, who are still searching for the right veteran QB, will workout and interview USC QB Mark Sanchez. Sanchez may be available with the Jets first round pick (#17).
• The Jets - in desperate need of bodies at WR - will not be players for Torry Holt if he is cut by the Rams.
• Former Jets head coach Eric Mangini is grabbing former Jets left and right. Mangini has signed four of his former players to the Browns roster since the start of Free Agency. NT C.J. Mosley, CB Hank Poteat, OLB David Bowens, and safety Abram Elam have been signed to contracts by Cleveland. Elam is a RFA so the Jets have some time to match the offer. A fifth former Jets player could be bound for the Browns - LB Eric Barton has been meeting with Cleveland personnel.
• The Jets signed veteran special teams ace Larry Izzo this week. Izzo played the last eight season with New England, winning three Super Bowls with the team. He also spent the first five seasons of his career with the Dolphins. Perhaps he'll be in Buffalo in 2010?
• To fill the void created by the departure of backup NT C.J. Mosley, the Jets have signed former Seahawks DT Howard Green. Green is expected to back up Kris Jenkins.
• My Two Cents: The Jets search for a QB continues. Without a doubt they'll check out Matt Stafford and Sanchez. It is curious and raises some eyebrows that they weren't player for Kurt Warner or Kerry Collins, nor have they gone after Rex Grossman, Jeff Garcia, or Byron Leftwich. This could be a smokescreen. They may want a veteran and are waiting until prices fall. Or they truly like what they have. Or they want one of the soon-to-be rookies. It's a mystery. Once thing I know for sure, the defense is going to be good next year.

• The Steelers were unable to resign CB Bryant McFadden, losing him to Super Bowl opponent Arizona.
• After losing Nate Washington to Tennessee, the Steelers are kicking the tires on veteran WR Joey Galloway, released by Tampa Bay earlier this month.
• OT Willie Colon has signed his restricted free agent tender and will be back with the team in 2009.
• To ease some of the pain of losing McFadden, Pittsburgh may attempt to sign CB Chris Carr. Carr played for Tennessee last season and was a Raider from 2005 through 2007. Carr has mediocre coverage skills but is an explosive return man.
• My Two Cents: Quiet as usual. In the coming weeks talks will heat up with veteran wideouts and cornerbacks, two of the bigger areas of need for the defending Super Bowl champions. They seem to be content with the o-line they have, though depth is an issue. The team will still try to resign Byron Leftwich, too.

• Terrell Owens is a goner. He has signed with Buffalo and is taking his reality TV show with him.
• The departure of Chris Canty hurt the depth and talent along the Dallas d-line. Rectifying that situation is the free agent addition of former Chargers DE Igor Olshansky. The former Oregon DT has played in a 3-4 his entire professional career and will compete with Marcus Spears and Jay Ratliff - if he is shifted from NT to DE - for a starting DE spot. In other Cowboys/Chargers news, San Diego signed Cowboys reserve LB Kevin Burnett.
• Dallas has a vacancy at the SS position after Roy Williams was cut and Keith Davis wasn't resigned. Ken Hamlin, currently starting at FS, could be moved down to fill the role. However this creates a void at FS. With the trade of Anthony Henry - long thought as the heir to the FS role - to Detroit for Jon Kitna no one could take Hamlin's place. Until now. Dallas has signed former Jaguars FS Gerald Sensabaugh.
• My Two Cents: Olshansky and Canty are comparable players so Dallas should not see much of a drop, if any, along the line. The secondary becomes more of a concern each week. CB Terrence Newman has struggled to stay healthy and, in my opinion, is a tad overrated. Henry is now gone meaning second year men Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick are the new second starter and nickelback. Perhaps Dallas should consider drafting a CB and safety in rounds two and four. You can never have too many defensive backs.
  

• The Eagles filled the departure of Brian Dawkins with former Browns safety Sean Jones. Jones is seen as a big hitter, kind of like former Cowboys SS Roy Williams, but with better coverage skills. He should replace Dawkins nicely... at least on the field.
• The Eagles were expected to make an attempt to resign OT Tra Thomas. Well, Thomas is now a Jaguar. So much for that. Philadelphia has shown no interest in resigning their other free agent OT, Jon Runyan. Stacy Andrews fills one spot - most likely RT - but who protects Donovan's blind side? Interesting.
• The Eagles are closing in on a deal with former Seahawks FB Leonard Weaver. The fullback position was the home of many roster battles last season, with the Eagles trying many options. It was never really settled. Weaver would be a great answer.
  
• To help with the departure of Dawkins and Sean Considine, the Eagles have signed another safety. This time the man is Rashad Baker, previously of the Raiders. Baker won't be considered for a starting spot but will provide depth and some special teams expertise. Baker inked a 1-year deal.
• The Eagles are not interested in Orlando Pace but may look into signing WR Torry Holt should he be cut by St. Louis.
• My Two Cents: The Eagles continue to look for help at CB. After trading Lito Sheppard there is little available after Sheldon Brown and Asante Samuel. Joselio Hanson was resigned but is more of a dimeback and special teams ace. Someone for the nickel role is a necessity. The Eagles sniffed around Shawn Springs and Jabari Greer but didn't land either of them. With the safety position filled through free agency, OT and CB are the two biggest needs with WR and RB right behind them. Unless the Eagles add another OT, one of their first round picks will be a tackle. The other could be used to fill any of the aforementioned positions. Late in the first there will be a run on WRs and RBs. Look for Philly to grab one then.