2012 Free Agency News

First topic message reminder :

Thought i'd start a free agency thread, since it's not that far away now, for news relating to franchise tags and tenders, cuts, signings, etc.

FRANCHISE TAGS:
DeSean Jackson (Eagles)
Tyvon Branch (Raiders)
Fred Davis (Redskins)
Dashon Goldson (49ers)
Calais Campbell (Cardinals)
Brent Grimes (Falcons)
Ray Rice (Ravens)
Mike Nugent (Bengals)
Phil Dawson (Browns)
Matt Forte (Bears)
Drew Brees (Saints)
Josh Scobee (Jaguars)
Matt Prater (Broncos)
Cliff Avril (Lions)
Michael Griffin (Titans)
Anthony Spencer (Cowboys)
Wes Welker (Patriots)
Dwayne Bowe (Chiefs)
Steve Weatherford (Giants)
Robert Mathis (Colts)
Connor Barth (Buccaneers)


TENDERS:
Bengals
Dan Skuta, LB (Original Pick Tender)

Bills
Chad Rinehart, OG (Original Pick Tender)
Kraig Urbik, OG (Original Pick Tender)

Broncos
Matt Willis, WR (Original Pick Tender)
Ryan McBean, DL (Original Pick Tender)
Lance Ball, RB (ERFA Tender)
Britton Colquitt, P (ERFA Tender)
Chris Clark, OT (ERFA Tender)

Buccaneers
Demar Dotson, OT (Original Pick Tender)
LeGarrette Blount, RB (Exclusive Rights Tender)
Preston Parker, WR (Exclusive Rights Tender)
Michael Bennett, DL (1st round Tender

Cardinals
La'Rod Stephens-Howling, RB (2nd round Tender)
Greg Toler, CB (Original Pick Tender)
Rashad Johnson, S (Original Pick Tender)

Chargers
Richard Goodman, KR (ERFA Tender)
Mike Windt, LS (ERFA Tender)

Chiefs
Jovan Belcher, LB (2nd round Tender)

Cowboys
Tony Fiammetta, FB (3rd round Tender)

Eagles
Antonio Dixon, DT (2nd round Tender)

Giants
Jake Ballard, TE (Exclusive Rights Tender)
Bruce Johnson, CB, (Exclusive Rights Tender)

Lions
DeAndre Levy, OLB (2nd round Tender)
Sammie Lee Hill, DT (Original Pick Tender)
Corey Hilliard, OT (Original Pick Tender)

Patriots
Brian Hoyer, QB (2nd round Tender)
Kyle Love, DT (ERFA Tender)

Rams
Danny Amendola, WR (2nd round Tender)
Tom Brandstater, QB (ERFA Tender)
Jermelle Cudjo, DT (ERFA Tender)
Dominique Curry, WR (ERFA Tender)
Bryan Mattison, OG (ERFA Tender)
Brit Miller, FB (ERFA Tender)
Darian Stewart, SS (ERFA Tender)

Raiders
Marcel Reece, FB (ERFA Tender)
Mason Brodine, DE (ERFA Tender)
Bryan McCann, CB (ERFA Tender)

Ravens
Dannell Ellerbe, LB (2nd round Tender)
Ladarius Webb, CB (1st round Tender)
Cary Williams, DB (2nd round Tender)

Redskins
Graham Gano, PK (Exclusive Rights Tender)
Kory Lichtensteiger, OL (Original Pick Tender)

Saints
Brian De La Puente, OC (Exclusive Rights Tender)
Jonatahan Casillas, LB (Original Pick Tender)

Seahawks
Steven Hauschka, PK (ROFR Tender)

Steelers
Mike Wallace, WR (1st round Tender)

49ers
Larry Grant, LB (Original Pick Tender)



SIGNINGS:
Bears
Eric Weems, WR
Kellen Davis, TE
Tim Jennings, CB
Josh McCowan, QB
Brandon Marshall, WR (trade)
Jason Campbell, QB
Blake Costanzo, LB

Bengals
Chris Pressley, FB (re-signed)
Nick Hayden, DT

Bills
Rian Lindell, PK (re-signed)
Stevie Johnson, WR (re-signed)
Ruvell Martin, WR (re-signed)
Scott Chandler, TE (re-signed)
Kirk Morrison, LB (re-signed)

Browns
D'Qwell Jackson, LB (re-signed)
Frostee Rucker, DE
Marcus Benard, DE
John Grecco, OL
Dimitri Patterson, CB
Alex Smith, TE

Buccaneers
Jeremy Zuttah (re-signed)
Eric Wright, CB
Carl Nicks, OG
Vincent Jackson, WR

Cardinals
Adam Snyder, OL

Chargers
Demorrio Williams, LB
Jarret Johnson, LB
Le'Ron McClain, FB
Robert Meachem, WR
Jared Gaither, OT
Nick Hardwick, OC

Chiefs
Brandon Siler, LB (re-signed)
Stanford Routt, CB
Amon Gordon, DT
Peyton Hillis, RB

Colts
Robert Mathis, DE (re-signed)
Cory Redding, DL
Reggie Wayne, WR
Winston Justice, OT (trade)

Cowboys
Gerald Sensabaugh, DB (re-signed)
Mackenzy Bernadeau, OG
Lawrence Vickers, FB
Brandon Carr, CB
Kyle Orton, QB

Dolphins
Richard Marshall, CB
Phillip Merling, DE
Paul Soliai, DL

Eagles
Cullen Jenkins, DL (re-signed)
Trent Edwards, QB
Mardy Gilyard, WR
DeSean Jackson, WR
Antonio Dixon, DT

Falcons
Thomas DeCoud, FS (re-signed)
Kroy Biermann, DE (re-signed)
Jason Snelling, RB (re-signed)
Lofa Tatupu, LB
Vince Manuwai, OL
Harry Douglas, WR (re-signed)
Chris Redman, QB (re-signed)
Vance Walker, DT (re-signed)

Giants
Domenik Hixon, WR (re-signed)
Terrell Thomas, CB (re-signed)
Martellus Bennett, TE
Justin Tryon, CB

Jaguars
Rashean Mathis, CB (re-signed)
Guy Whimper, OT (re-signed)
Laurent Robinson, WR
Dwight Lowery, S
Jeremy Mincey, DE
C.J. Mosley, DT
Chad Henne, QB

Jets
Sione Pouha, DT (re-signed)

Packers
Jermichael Finley, TE (re-signed)

Panthers
Justin Medlock, PK
Derek Anderson, QB (re-signed)

Patriots
Jonathan Fanene, DT
Matt Slater, WR/ST
Tracy White, LB/ST
Niko Koutouvides, LB/ST

Raiders
Marcel Reece, FB

Rams
Cortland Finnegan, CB

Redskins
Will Montgomery, OL (re-signed)
Pierre Garcon, WR
Josh Morgan, WR
Adam Carriker, DE

Saints
Chase Daniel, QB (re-signed)
Ben Grubbs, OG
Marques Colston, WR

Seahawks
Marshawn Lynch (re-signed)
Breno Giacomini, OL (re-signed)
Red Bryant, DL
Paul McQuistan, OL

Texans
Arian Foster, RB (re-signed)
Jon Weeks, LS (re-signed)

Titans
Craig Stevens, TE (re-signed)
Jordan Babineaux, S

Vikings
Sage Rosenfels, QB
Letroy Guion, DT
Tyrell Johnson, S

49ers
Ahmad Brooks, LB (re-signed)
Will Tukuafu, DL (re-signed)
Randy Moss, WR (signed)
Carlos Rogers, CB



CUTS:
Bears
Frank Omiyale, OL
Anthony Adams, DT

Browns
Tony Pashos, OT
Eric Steinbach, OG

Buccaneers
Albert Haynesworth, DL
Jeff Faine, OC

Cardinals
Levi Brown, OT

Chargers
Luis Castillo, DL
Marcus McNeill, OT

Chiefs
Demorrio Williams, LB

Colts
Peyton Manning, QB
Dallas Clark, TE
Gary Brackett, LB
Jo Addai, RB
Melvin Bullitt, S
Curtis Painter, QB

Cowboys
Terence Newman, CB
David Buehler, PK

Eagles
Jamaal Jackson, OC

Giants
Brandon Jacobs, RB

Jaguars
Kassim Osgood, KR

Jets
Gerald Alexander, S

Lions
Will Heller, TE

Panthers
Adi Kunalic, PK
Travelle Wharton, OG

Patriots
Mike Wright, DL

Raiders
Chris Johnson, CB
Kevin Boss, TE
Cooper Carlisle, OG
John Henderson, DL
Hiram Eugene, S

Rams
James Hall, DE
Ron Bartell, CB
Fred Robbins, DT
Justin Bannan, DT
Jason Bown, OL

Ravens
Lee Evans, WR
Chris Carr, CB
Domonique Foxworth, CB

Redskins
OJ Otogwe, FS
Mike Sellers, FB

Seahawks
Marcus Trufant, CB
Robert Gallery, OG

Steelers
Aaron Smith, DL
James Farrior, LB
Chris Kemoeatu, OL
Hines Ward, WR
Bryant McFadden, CB

Texans
Darius Morris, OL
Matt Leinart, QB
Eric Winston, OT

Vikings
Cedric Griffin, CB
Anthony Herrera, OG
Steve Hutchinson, OG


RETIREMENTS:
Kris Dielman, OL (Chargers)
Al Harris, CB (Rams)
Derrick Mason, WR (Texans)
Ricky Williams, RB (Ravens) Reserve/Retired List

Very surprised by letting go Dallas Clark, he is still a very good TE who is probably top 10 at the position. Andrew Luck may well be the best QB since Elway but even he will need someone to throw the ball to, and a good TE has always been a young QBs best friend. Not sure what Irsay/Pagano are planning to do here, Luck is not stepping into an ideal situation thats for sure

Tamme is a pretty solid TE as he demonstated 2nd half of 2010, WR depth would concern me more with Wayne and Garson likely leaving.

With Jacobs being let go I'd like to see us have a look at Mike Tolbert to back up Bradshaw.

The Colts still have Tamme at TE nad he played quite well in 2010 when Clark was out, there are a few TE in FA somebody like Shockey will be useful to the Colts, and Bennett of the Cowboys has pretty much indicated he will not be back in Dallas in 2012, he is a good receving TE and is looking to be utilised more.

Leedscowboys wrote:The Colts still have Tamme at TE

Well they'll still have him if he decides to resign as I'm pretty sure he's an unrestricted free agent.

Vikings have cut O-linemen Steve Hutchinson and Anthony Herrera and cornerback Cedric Griffin.

Derbyblue wrote:Vikings have cut O-linemen Steve Hutchinson and Anthony Herrera and cornerback Cedric Griffin.

No surprises there, although it would have been nice if they'd been able to resign Hutchinson at a lower price.

"Ex-Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu has agreed to terms on a deal with the Falcons and there’s a very good chance he will replace Curtis Lofton, league sources said Saturday." http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/03/10/tatupu-agrees-to-deal-with-falcons-lofton-on-way-out/

Salary cap is $120.6million.

How far each team is under/over the $120.6million figure:
Bengals: $49.9 million under.
Broncos: $44.7 million under.
Buccaneers: $42.7 million under.
Jaguars: $40.6 million under.
Chiefs: $32.5 million under.
Redskins: $31.1 million under.
Bills: $30.8 million under.
Seahawks: $29.8 million under.
Titans: $28.1 million under.
Bears: $22.6 million under.
49ers: $21.8 million under.
Browns: $17.4 million under.
Patriots: $16.2 million under.
Chargers: $14.9 million under.
Ravens: $14.45 million under.
Dolphins: $11.8 million under.
Colts: $11.6 million under.
Steelers: $10.5 million under.
Eagles: $9.6 million under.
Vikings: $7.9 million under.
Jets: $7.1 million under.
Falcons: $5.8 million under.
Packers: $5.4 million under.
Saints: $5.2 million under.
Cowboys: $4.7 million under.
Rams: $1.2 million under.
Giants: $3.8 million over.
Texans: $4.7 million over.
Panthers: $5.3 million over.
Raiders: $7.4 million over.
Lions: $11.5 million over.
Cardinals: $16.4 million over.

Transactions after 4pm ET on March 9th aren't included in those figures. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/11/team-by-team-cap-space-as-of-march-11/

A nice update on the cap numbers

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7677375/sources-dallas-cowboys-washington-redskins-lose-millions-cap-space

I imagine Fat Al had something to do with this

Ouch!!! That takes the shine off the trade with the Rams to get whichever QB Indy doesn't take! You have to wonder if the Skins knew about that before they made that trade. I need to more about this before debating the rights and wrongs of it but what I think is really unfair is waiting until the day before free agency begins to hit them with this.

They probably had to wait untill they knew what the salary cap would be.

Stafford, Suh and Burleson have all restructured their deals with the Lions, likely they've converted some of the base salary into signing bonuses with Suh and Stafford, Burleson may have just taken a pay cut.

Redskins are being docked $36 million! They must have abused the uncapped year badly, due to the docking of $46 million from the Cowboys and Redskins everyone but Saints and Raiders get a bit extra in cap space, pushing the Bengals to having over $50million to spend.

The Skins have already started trying to get themselves back under the limit by releasing Safety Oshiomogho Atogwe and fullback Mike Sellers, which apparently saves $4.5million.

The Jets have signed Sione Pouha to a new 3-year deal so he won't be testing the open market.

Number-25 wrote:Ouch!!! That takes the shine off the trade with the Rams to get whichever QB Indy doesn't take! You have to wonder if the Skins knew about that before they made that trade. I need to more about this before debating the rights and wrongs of it but what I think is really unfair is waiting until the day before free agency begins to hit them with this.

Apparently teams were warned several times to not use the uncapped year as a way of dumping salaries to make players sign contracts. Saw somewhere that Miles Austin had a base salary of $17million in the uncapped year.

washington just don't seem to have a very smart front office though, unfair though i agree

Cleveland will cut RT Tony Pashos. Apparently he's rather annoyed by that decision after playing the 2011 season with a ruptured tendon he suffered in preseason, when part of the reason for the release is apparently the failure of a medical because he underwent surgery to repair the tendon.

Oakland will cut TE Kevin Boss just 8 months after signing a four year $16million deal.

Arizona will release LT Levi Brown, a move which will save $17million.

Might be interesting to see if the Redskins and Cowboys take any action over this. Apparently even the Players Union has backed them up and said they did nothing wrong in the uncapped year but they agreed to the cap hits cos the league threatened to lower the cap for all teams this year. It does smack of collusion by the league and the owners against the two teams. Redskins have declined to comment so far. I find it hard to believe the Skins would have risked putting themselves on the hook for 36m this year if they really thought they were going against any rules. Sounds to me like some of the smaller teams have taken umbrage with these two wealthier teams for being able to do this and have decided to get one over on them.

This must be why the Redskins were so desperate to get RG3 in the draft after their free agency hands had been tied.

49ers have agreed a 1 year deal with Randy Moss, per Adam Schefter

Number-25 wrote:Might be interesting to see if the Redskins and Cowboys take any action over this. Apparently even the Players Union has backed them up and said they did nothing wrong in the uncapped year but they agreed to the cap hits cos the league threatened to lower the cap for all teams this year. It does smack of collusion by the league and the owners against the two teams. Redskins have declined to comment so far. I find it hard to believe the Skins would have risked putting themselves on the hook for 36m this year if they really thought they were going against any rules. Sounds to me like some of the smaller teams have taken umbrage with these two wealthier teams for being able to do this and have decided to get one over on them.

could be argued there is collusion with the smaller teams keeping the cap low, look at the teams that have the most to spend all in small markets.

One thing that is over looked is that the NFL has to ok all the contracts.

happy with moss signing, get royal/meachem to replace ginn who looks like he is gone, draft stephen hill to learn under a hopefully motivated moss and resign morgan and there is some good wr weapons, rumours williiams could be cut so draft wylie in the 5th if thats the case

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/12/cowboys-redskins-say-they-complied-with-salary-cap-in-2010/

Sounds like the Redskins and Cowboys are getting punished by the NFL for not agreeing to break the rules along with all the other owners in the uncapped year. It seems that they all wanted everyone to agree to keep players salaries artificially low back then. No rules were broken by the Redskins and Cowboys and all contracts were approved by the Commissioner's Office. They may have been warned 6 times not to do what they did but they were being warned not to break a rule that didn't exist!!! The other owners were colluding to keep salaries low and obviously they got annoyed at the Skins and Cowboys for not joining that gang - this is their revenge.

I don't see anyway this doesn't end up in court and it could all get very messy for the NFL. Snyder and Jones don't strike me as the type of guys that will take this type of thing lying down. Both teams have already issued statements within minutes of each other (which in itself suggests they may have talked tactics over how to proceed with this) that hint that they may proceed with any plans for FA that they had before having this dumped on them. That would put Commish Goodell an awkward spot!! Can't imagine it will be fun having to defend why you've just punished two teams for breaking a rule that didn't exist!

Out of interest, anyone heard any rumours regarding Laurent Robinson? He was very good last season and I can't imagine he'd cost the earth to get. I'd see him as an ideal WR the Titans should target to play opposite Britt (until be Britt gets injured early on as per).

Obviously with such depth at the WR position he's kind of a sleeper at the moment but could potentially be better than some of the stars.

Anyone else got players they think should be getting more focus?

Texans have cut Eric Winston and Matt Leinart.

Number-25 - agree that I can't see the Skins or Cowboys taking this lying down. Problem is I cant see it being resolved in time to make a difference with this years cap, at least not before the draft. That then impacts our ability to sign picks and FA's until its resolved, and even then if it goes against us. To me this is more about other teams giving us the bird because they didn't take advantage, than it is about us being punished because we did.

T&L - Must admit I like the idea of the Skins picking up Jackson, but now Colston's re-signed with the Saints, I can see us maybe competing for Robinson if there's no deal for Jackson. He seems to me to have a lot of upside, though I agree with pundits saying no more than $6M.

Marques Colston has reportedly agreed a 5 year deal with the Saints.
Still no news on Brees, has a chance to get ugly between the two

Latest news: Cowboys cut CB Terence Newman, Jaguars cut KR Kassim Osgood, Chargers cut LT Marcus McNeill.

niners have signed perrish cox, haven't seen a lot of him but seems as though he is a good return man so could be replacing ginn

getting news that the Fins have traded Brandon Marshall to the Bears for the 2012 3rd round and 2013 3rd round.

Not free agency, but it looks like the Bears have traded for Brandon Marshall.

two 3rds apparently, what are Miami doing

niner wrote:two 3rds apparently, what are Miami doing

My thoughts exactly... shocked at this. What happened to either going after Manning and dangling the carrot of Marshall as a number 1 receiver or alternative going to Matt Flynn and giving him a nice target to develop with.

Free agent S Brandon Meriweather will reportedly visit with the Broncos.
Free agent WR Robert Meachem will reportedly visit the Bills.
Free agent DE Mario Williams will reportedly visit with the Bills.
Free agent CB Brandon Carr will reportedly visit with the Cowboys.

i know he is unreliable but thats nothing.


On another note, really enjoying fa already. My dream scenario would be for the niners to now resign rogers and morgan and maybe get a guard like grubbs, maybe even mike wallace if they dont want to draft a wr in the first, if not a mid tier guy like meachem or garcon. Can't have enough good wr's, morgan, crabs, williams, moss, another fa and a high draft pick seems like a lot but look at last year, what if there is an injury or if a player doesn't work out.

The titans have plenty cap room so manning, wayne and saturday/myers is easily possible with the pass rush being addressed in the draft

The vikes should go for landry, carr/finnegan, a wr like garcon and a half decent guard

Free agent WR Pierre Garcon is reportedly "talking contract" with the Redskins and Rams.
The Broncos have reportedly "reached out" to free agent NT Paul Soliai.
Free agent CB Cortland Finnegan will reportedly visit with the Rams.

Leedscowboys wrote:getting news that the Fins have traded Brandon Marshall to the Bears for the 2012 3rd round and 2013 3rd round.

What kind of stupidity is that! They must have thrown the towel in on getting Peyton then. Its not a bad deal I guess but for one of the top receivers in the league its a bargain. The Bears will have the connection between Cutler and Marshall once again

Marshall has a lot of baggage also Manning not to enamored with Marshall

WR Laurent Robinson will reportedly visit the Jaguars.
QB Chad Henne also expected to visit with the Jaguars.

Rumours that the Buccaneers are about to wrap up the signings of LB Curtis Lofton and WR Vincent Jackson.

TE Martellus Bennettwill reportedly visit the Giants.
QB Kyle Orton to visit the Cowboys.

*SIGNING* Pierre Garcon to the Washington Redskins.https://www.facebook.com/PierreGarcon/posts/613370633837

I'm amazed at the Brandon Marshall trade! I really did not see that one coming at all. They gave up a 1st rounder at least to get him if I remember rightly so by my money they've let him go kinda cheaply.

Not so enamoured by the Pierre Garçon to the Skins chat. He's not a No1 WR and it's a No.1 we need. Having said that, after being shafted by Commish Goodell and the other teams, we're probably going to have to content ourselves with shopping in the second tier bin!

Number-25 wrote:I'm amazed at the Brandon Marshall trade! I really did not see that one coming at all. They gave up a 1st rounder at least to get him if I remember rightly so by my money they've let him go kinda cheaply.

Two 2nd rounders I think the Dolphins gave up for him. It's a good deal for the Bears.

Cowboys and CB Brandon Carr reportedly talking contract.
Redskins reportedly looking at WR Josh Morgan.

morgan close to joining skins, bad idea for him, niners should try to keep him

Ah, two 2nd rounders? Well remembered! Still a lot though eh?

Yeah, a good deal for the Bears potentially.

two third rounder according to this article
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82791ddb/article/dolphins-shipping-wr-marshall-to-bears-in-blockbuster-trade?module=HP11_headline_stack

*SIGNING*Adam Carriker returns to the Washington Redskins.

Pierre Garcon reportedly signed a 5 year contract worth $42.5m with $21m guaranteed. Works out to $8.5m per year.

Marques Colston signed a 5 year deal worth $40m with $19m guaranteed.

DL Jason Jones will reportedly visit with the Rams and Seahawks.
TE John Carlson will reportedly visit the Chiefs.
OG Ben Grubbs will reportedly visit the Saints.

eric wright and brandon carr linked with niners, carr would ease the pain if rogers walks, well done niners fo, best in the league right now

imagine if we got carr and wright to replace spencer and rogers, a secondary of whitner, goldson, culliver, brown, wright, cox and other back ups, wow

twelve283 wrote:Pierre Garcon reportedly signed a 5 year contract worth $42.5m with $21m guaranteed. Works out to $8.5m per year.

Marques Colston signed a 5 year deal worth $40m with $19m guaranteed.

Hmmm, looks like the Skins have given No.1 money to a No.2. Still, at least Garçon is young.