NFL Free Agency

[Lord Avalon]

I don't know that the Lions will be worse on D because of losing Bly - he didn't have a great year. I guess because he's not a fit for the new system. If they're worse on D, it just might be because they're the Lions, and they're just gonna suck. The William Clay Ford Curse.

Kevin Jones has a lisfranc (sp?) foot injury, so the Lions needed a RB because they don't know when he will be back - it may be at the beginning of the season, it may not.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by snoopy369
Yet it's perhaps the best blocking team in the league.

Interesting.

Well, the Alex Gibbs system can indeed be highly effective. Atlanta's run blocking has been great as well (the pass blocking is something else entirely). Though it requires smaller linemen who are agile. Most traditional OL teams like the big bruising blockers, like a Steven Hutchinson or Jonathan Ogden.

Furthermore, the Gibbs system looks at OL as the Broncs also look at RB. They are interchangeable and since they are looking for different criteria than other teams, they can usually get someone they like in later rounds.

[-Jrabbit]

Plummer Retires

Yahoo! Sports reports Denver Broncos QB Jake Plummer has opted to retire instead of going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers via trade.

Boy, that really screws Denver. Hard.

[reismark]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Yep, like Simeon Rice getting on IR last year . That traitor to the Cards had it coming for a while .

Much different situation, Imran. When Rice held out in 2000, he wasn't free-agency eligible yet, had no contract, and he ended the holdout prior to the season and stayed with the Cardinals, before leaving for the Bucs legitimately as a free agent the next season. McCardell had an existing contract with the Bucs, broke it because he's a greedy son of a *****, and sabotaged our entire season (Galloway got hurt in the first game, forcing us to use Clayton in his rookie as the primary target all year) by sitting out until we were left with no choice but to trade him for peanuts. We would have done much better than 5-11 that year if the traitor had honored his contract, of that I have no doubt. **** McCardell. He deserves every bit of ill he gets.

And as far as Plummer goes... you know I'm no Plummer fan, Imran, so I'm kinda glad that one didn't work out. I'd rather have Garcia, of the vets out there.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

The Pats reportedly have a deal with Adalius Thomas. That's not horrible for a front seven:

Warren - Wilfork - Seymour
Vrabel - Bruschi - Thomas - Colvin

Now let's see if the secondary can make it to the end of the year with the same starters they have coming out of training camp...

[-Jrabbit]

That's a pretty formidable front 7. Is Bruschi coming back?

Nate Clement -- the only great DB in the free agent field, just signed with the 49ers... 8 year, $80MM. $22MM guaranteed. Highest paid defensive player in history.

[Zopperoni]

Originally posted by Koyaanisqatsi
The Pats reportedly have a deal with Adalius Thomas.

That'd be one of the few times that Belichick and Pioli sign someone early... Good move tho

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Originally posted by -Jrabbit
That's a pretty formidable front 7. Is Bruschi coming back?

That's the belief. One of the reasons they wanted Thomas so badly was so they'd have a cover linebacker to help hide Bruschi's declining speed.

[reismark]

Originally posted by reismark
And as far as Plummer goes... you know I'm no Plummer fan, Imran, so I'm kinda glad that one didn't work out. I'd rather have Garcia, of the vets out there.

Well, I can't say I'm not surprised...

I just didn't think it would be this quick.

[-Jrabbit]

Guess again. They did the deal anyway.

Tampa Bay acquires quarterback Jake Plummer from the Broncos in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. The conditions of the pick are likely based on if and how much Plummer plays for the Bucs this year.

The Bucs will sit on Plummer's rights and hope he changes his mind about retirement, then possibly trade him to Houston closer to the draft.

Tampa currently has six QBs under contract: Jeff Garcia, Plummer, Luke McCown, Bruce Eugene, Bruce Gradkowski, and Chris Simms, and is in a comfortable place to make a move if he decides to come back.

[Lord Avalon]

Source: Pats to sign Miami's Welker to offer sheet

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

Already more active than usual in the early stages of free agency, as evidenced by their agreement with standout unrestricted linebacker Adalius Thomas, the New England Patriots are poised to make another bold move.

A team source told ESPN.com on Saturday that the Patriots plan to sign Miami wide receiver Wes Welker, a three-year veteran and an explosive all-around performer, to a restricted free agent offer sheet in an attempt to pirate him away from the Dolphins.

The Dolphins earlier this week made Welker a qualifying offer of $1.3 million.

When the Patriots officially execute the offer sheet to Welker, the Dolphins will have seven days to either match it or pass on it. If Miami matches the offer sheet, it will retain Welker at the terms of the deal New England negotiated with him. If the Dolphins do not match the offer sheet, they will receive a second-round pick in the 2007 draft from the Patriots as compensation.

Surrendering a second-round choice for a player of Welker's abilities would be viewed in most quarters, but especially in New England, as a steal. Welker would dramatically upgrade the New England wide receiver corps and the Pats would also benefit by taking him away from a division opponent.

Plus, the Patriots own a pair of first-round choices in the 2007 draft, and can afford to part with a second-round selection for a player of Welker's skills.

Welker, 25, is a terrific, if unheralded playmaker who has earned a spot on the ESPN.com "all unsung" team each of the past two seasons. Used principally as a return specialist in his first two seasons in the league, Welker emerged as a viable receiving threat in 2006, with 67 catches for 687 yards and a touchdown.

The former Texas Tech standout originally entered the NFL with San Diego in 2004 as an undrafted college free agent. He was waived by the Chargers early in the 2004 season and signed with the Dolphins shortly thereafter.

In 47 appearances, including three starts, Welker has 96 receptions for 1,121 yards and one touchdown. He has returned 170 kickoffs for an average of 22.7 yards and one touchdown and has 127 punt returns for a 9.7-yard average and one score.

Securing the services of restricted free agents historically has proved to be a difficult undertaking with the current system. In the 14 previous years of free agency, only 55 restricted free agents changed teams. Four restricted free agents changed teams in 2006.

In another move aimed at bolstering their offense, the Patriots on Saturday reached agreement with unrestricted free agent tailback Sammy Morris, who played the last three seasons for the Miami Dolphins. Morris will provide an experienced backup to youngster Laurence Maroney and could compensate for the release of Corey Dillon earlier this week.

A seven-year veteran, Morris has carried 374 times for 1,469 yards and 14 touchdowns and has 112 catches for 792 yards and one score. Morris, 29, also is an excellent special teams performer.

Lions agree to deal with DE White

ESPN.com news services

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions agreed to terms on a $29 million, five-year contract with free agent defensive end Dewayne White on Sunday, filling one of their offseason needs.

White arrived in the Detroit area on Friday and met with the coaches and front-office personnel on Saturday.

He played for Detroit coach Rod Marinelli when he was the defensive line coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 6-foot-2, 273-pound White made 14 sacks the last three seasons, playing in 16 games each year for the Buccaneers, and has 114 career tackles over four seasons.

The former Louisville standout is viewed around the NFL as a young pass rusher ready to make a big jump in terms of production. White started only five games in his first three seasons, but logged eight starts at right end in 2006 after an injury sidelined Bucs star Simeon Rice, and had his best all-around season. In those eight starts, White had 43 tackles, five sacks, seven passes defensed and three forced fumbles. He is also a standout special teams performer.

The Lions traded defensive end James Hall to St. Louis for a fifth-round pick on Friday.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2786731

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2787463

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by reismark
Much different situation, Imran. When Rice held out in 2000, he wasn't free-agency eligible yet, had no contract, and he ended the holdout prior to the season and stayed with the Cardinals, before leaving for the Bucs legitimately as a free agent the next season. McCardell had an existing contract with the Bucs, broke it because he's a greedy son of a *****, and sabotaged our entire season (Galloway got hurt in the first game, forcing us to use Clayton in his rookie as the primary target all year) by sitting out until we were left with no choice but to trade him for peanuts. We would have done much better than 5-11 that year if the traitor had honored his contract, of that I have no doubt. **** McCardell. He deserves every bit of ill he gets.

Can we say 'homer'? Sorry, Rice is just as much of a traitor. No "much different" about it. Good thing Rice had those injury problems last year . It's what traitors get, right?

[Zopperoni]

Ahman Green just signed with the Houston Texans.

[-Jrabbit]

Shockingly, Green got a 4-yr, $22MM deal, with $6.5 guaranteed. I guess Mike Sherman put in a good word for him...

Also today, Dallas signed G/T Leonard Davis to a huge deal.

[-Jrabbit]

Johnson goes long-term with Houston

Len Pasquarelli, of ESPN.com, reports Houston Texans WR Andre Johnson has signed a six-year contract extension with the team. The deal is worth $60 million and includes $15 million in guarantees. It is believed the new contract created more than $6 million in new 2007 cap room.

Rams sign Bennett

Paul Kuharsky, of the Tennessean, reports the St. Louis Rams signed free agent WR Drew Bennett (Titans) to a six-year, $30 million deal with $10 million guaranteed, including a $7.5 million signing bonus.

49ers sign Lelie

Sean Jensen, of the Pioneer Press, reports free agent WR Ashley Lelie (Falcons) has signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. He will make $3.2 million in the first year and a maximum of $6 million over both years of the contract.