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

redskins got morgan, good for rg3 but not a no 1


abraham visiting titans, hopefully isn't asking for too much

*SIGNING* LB Bryan Thomas re-signed with the NY Jets.

*SIGNING* DL Red Bryant will return to the Seattle Seahawks.


WR Chaz Schilens is reportedly visiting the Cardinals.
QB Drew Stanton to visit Jets this week.
DE Cory Redding is reportedly visiting the Colts.
The Redskins have reportedly agreed to terms with WR/KR Eddie Royal.

COME ON PATS SIGN SOMEONE!!!!!!!!

Merged the threads.

If the Redskins have signed Royal and Garcon, they haven't really signed a clear #1 guy and could probably have used that money to get Jackson in stead.

*SIGNING* WR Josh Morgan has signed a deal with the Washington Redskins. Reportedly a 5 year $12m contract.

ollyrules wrote:COME ON PATS SIGN SOMEONE!!!!!!!!

It's rare for the Patriots to come out firing at the start of FA, was rumours we might make a play for Red Bryant but he re-signed with the Seahawks, 5 year $35m deal ($7m per year, prob too steep for the Pats).

I suspect that WR/ST Matt Slater will be our first signing.

Derbyblue wrote:Merged the threads.

If the Redskins have signed Royal and Garcon, they haven't really signed a clear #1 guy and could probably have used that money to get Jackson in stead.

If 5 years $42.5m given to Garcon is the benchmark then Jackson is likely to make a killing.


OT Eric Winston will reportedly visit the Dolphins.
G/T Geoff Schwartz will reportedly visit the Lions.
CB Aaron Ross will visit the Bengals on Thursday.

Hope we sign a WR and a pass rusher tbh. CB and safety can be adressed in the draft

*SIGNING* OL Geoff Hangartner will return to the Carolina Panthers.

ollyrules wrote:Hope we sign a WR and a pass rusher tbh. CB and safety can be adressed in the draft

Brandon Lloyd is painted as the most obvious target. Not sure about a pass rusher, unless we look to bring back Mark Anderson(price might be prohibitive). Weak safety class in the draft IMO and not much in FA either. FA corners get paid.

If Mark Barron fell to us I'd take him at safety. I'd definately get Anderson back. Lloyd would be good but I'd rather have Jackson (money permitting). Cornerback (Stephen Gilmore if he fell that far)

Number-25 wrote:Ah, two 2nd rounders? Well remembered! Still a lot though eh?

Yeah, a good deal for the Bears potentially.

Reunites Cutler and Marshall which should be intriguing. Nice fit from that perspective. Gives the Bears more of a possession receiver to complement there two speed guys in Hester and Knox.

Wide receiver Josh Morgan signed by the Redskins, $12m, $7.5m guaranteed .. not sure on contract length?

ollyrules wrote:If Mark Barron fell to us I'd take him at safety. I'd definately get Anderson back. Lloyd would be good but I'd rather have Jackson (money permitting). Cornerback (Stephen Gilmore if he fell that far)

Jackson is about to make $$$$$$$ reportedly from the Bucs, so no chance there.

bambamwillis wrote:Wide receiver Josh Morgan signed by the Redskins, $12m, $7.5m guaranteed .. not sure on contract length?

2 Years

twelve283 wrote:

ollyrules wrote:If Mark Barron fell to us I'd take him at safety. I'd definately get Anderson back. Lloyd would be good but I'd rather have Jackson (money permitting). Cornerback (Stephen Gilmore if he fell that far)

Jackson is about to make $$$$$$$ reportedly from the Bucs, so no chance there.

As they have over $40million you probably missed a few $ signs off. Will the Pats be chasing a RB seeing as Green-Ellis hasn't resigned.

crazy_dave23 wrote:

Reunites Cutler and Marshall which should be intriguing. Nice fit from that perspective. Gives the Bears more of a possession receiver to complement there two speed guys in Hester and Knox.

It might be just me but I consider Marshall in the elite category, if you ignore the fact he's not right in the head. Two 3rd round picks is a good deal for the Bears IMO. I think Marshall has a pretty big cap number though.

Bills rumoured to be in the process of signing DE Mario Williams.

Derbyblue wrote:Will the Pats be chasing a RB seeing as Green-Ellis hasn't resigned.

Doubt we'll be chasing a RB, plus Green-Ellis may still be back depending on what the market is for him.

Really hoping Mario Williams doesn't go to the Bills. Always been a fan of his and if he is to leave the Texans, want him to go to a similar team talent wise. Hopefully he thinks of winning and not just the money. Don't know if they had the cap space, but with Avril possibly leaving the Lions, would have liked to see them make a run at Williams. Suh and Williams on one line would have been insane!

Despite everything they said the Browns are apparently offering Matt Flynn a contract. http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/03/report_cleveland_browns_making.html

The Bills want to make Williams the highest-paid defensive player in the league, with a deal better than the six-year, $91.5 million contract that Julius Peppers signed with the Bears in 2010. The Bills’ offer to Williams will apparently include more than $91.5 million in total money, more than the $40.5 million in the first three years that the Bears gave Peppers, and more than the $42 million guaranteed that the Bears gave Peppers.

Michael David Smith, PFT.

*SIGNING* QB Jason Campbell has signed a 1 year deal with the Chicago Bears.

RB Peyton Hillis will visit the Chiefs.

twelve283 wrote:*SIGNING* QB Jason Campbell has signed a 1 year deal with the Chicago Bears.

RB Peyton Hillis will visit the Chiefs.

Does this mean no more Jackie Battle

League source tells me that the #Bills fully expect to sign both Mario Williams and Robert Meachem within the next 24 hours.

Joe Buscaglia via twitter:https://twitter.com/#!/JoeB_WGR/status/179721251005284353

*SIGNING* WR Vincent Jackson to the TB Buccaneers deal is complete.

Vincent Jackson deal in Tampa: 5 yrs, $55.55 million, including $26 million guaranteed, $36 million in 1st 3 yrs, $26 million in 1st 2 yrs.

Adam Schefter via twitter. ~$11.1m per year deal.

twelve283 wrote:RB Peyton Hillis will visit the Chiefs.

Dang.... I was hoping he would return to Cleveland, maybe he'll realise nobody will give him the money he was reportedly asking for, then again the offer the Browns gave him was poor it was something like $1.5 million for the next two seasons then $10million in the third year, effectively was saying we're only signing you for two years.

*SIGNING* WR Harry Douglas signed a 4 year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

*SIGNING* CB Cortland Finnegan has agreed to a deal with the St. Louis Rams. It's reportedly a five-year, $50 million contract, including $26.5 million in guarantees.

*SIGNING* WR Reggie Wayne has re-signed with the Indianapolis Colts.

CB Carlos Rogers is reportedly on the verge of re-signing with the 49ers according to Jason Cole via twitter.

*SIGNING* CB Carlos Rogers signed a 4 year deal with the SF 49ers reportedly worth $29.3m. ($7.9m per year)

*SIGNING* FS Dwight Lowery returned to the Jacksonville Jaguars on a four-year contract.

*SIGNING* LB Blake Costanzo signed a two year, $2m deal with the Chicago Bears.

*SIGNING* DE Jeremy Mincey has re-signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

*SIGNING* WR Robert Meachem has signed with the SD Chargers. The deal is reportedly worth $25.9m over 4 years ($6.5m per year).

Mario Williams not expected to sign in BUF tonight. Will take time with the visit and has at least one other visit scheduled

Jason La Canfora via twitter.

Bills missed out on Robert Meachem, might be a case of using the Bills to set the market. Sucks for the Bills but it happens every year.

Cowboys reportedly pushing hard for CB Brandon Carr and the Saints are doing the same with OG Ben Grubbs.

CB Richard Marshall has scheduled a visit with the Dolphins.
QB Shaun Hill will visit the Rams on Thursday.
LG Carl Nicks reportedly arrived in Tampa Bay for a visit late Tuesday evening.
WR Brandon Lloyd will visit the 49ers.

Reggie Wayne's deal with the Colts was reportedly $17.5m over 3 years.

lloyd and schilens visiting niners, moss, lloyd an a 1st rounder added to the wr group would be great

Dear Seattle Seahawks

SIGN SOMEONE B4 THERE ALL GONE!

also dont like finnegan to the rams

m,aking me orried

hawks resign Big Red teh run stuffing, kick blocking, pass intercepting line- man
and
league leading special teams tackler heath farwell

now lets go get super mario and matt Flynn

oh sorry scrap flynn,
lets get
CHAD HENNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

myers talking to titans, great hopefully amano will never start again, heres hoping for manning, myers, decent guard and wr in fa for titans

Word is Skins have signed Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan, and re-signed Adam Carriker.

With Colston, Bowe and now Jackson off the market, I think this is a pretty good move. Just need to concentrate on OL, CB and S in the draft/remainder of FA.

if the titans can get hutchinson, myers and manning, that is a really good offense, they have the best tackle tandem in the league and to add one of the better centers and a good guard with manning under center and a better o-line to help cj2k

i know the Packers are a draft-first team but c'mon guys, surely there's a few bargains out there.. or at least re-sign some of our own (scott wells would be a good start!)

quite like the idea of grabbing Tolbert from the Chargers, esp if Grant goes

The Packers will do basically nothing in Free Agency... its not exciting but you cant say it hasn't worked the past few years!

The buccaneers have agreed to a five year deal with CB Eric Wright.

wouldn't have minded wright wit the niners but didn't expect rogers to return and rogers a lot better.


Do you guys think the niners passing attack could be very good if they got lloyd, considering they most likely will also use their 1st on a passing weapon, crabtree, moss, williams, davis, walker, lloyd and fleener/hill/wright etc looks good on paper

Titans will also win their division with manning, hutchinson and myers and a pass rush heavy draft

The vikes are doing nothing, I'd hope they would go after landry and maybe grubbs

If we were to get Lloyd, I don't think we would draft a receiver in the first couple of rounds. Lloyd, Crabtree and Moss would give us 3 decent receivers, not including Vernon Davis. I still find it hard to see Lloyd being anywhere other than the Patriots, it just makes too much sense. Think I would prefer to take a first round receiver rather than overpay Lloyd to get him away from the Patriots.

From Mr La Canfora...

"Bucs land Carl Nicks, as expected. Agrees to terms for 5 yrs, $47.5M. #freeagency"

So Tampa making a splash and hit of their top 3 targets for FA. In doing so they weaken the Saints a bit too

Buccs got the top WR and top OL in this years free agent crop. Not bad going, especially as they have a top 5 draft pick coming too

for the recordim scard of the bucs

*SIGNING* WR/KR Eric Weems has agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears on a 3 year deal.

TE John Carlson will reportedly visit with the Vikings.
OG Anthony Herrera will reportedly visit the Bears.
CB Kelvin Hayden will reportedly visit with the Bears.
S Brandon Meriweather will reportedly visit with the Redskins.
CB Terence Newman will reportedly visit the Bengals.
QB Matt Flynn will visit with the Seahawks Thursday night.
DT Paul Soliai will reportedly visit with the Broncos.

yes cmon flynn com to seattle!

Calvin Johnson just signed a 7 year $132m extension through 2019.

Carl Nicks is now the highest paid guard in the NFL with a deal that works out to $9.5m per year.

WR's getting (over) paid.

*TRADE* The Indianapolis Colts have aquired OT Winston Justice from the Eagles for a 6th round pick.

All I want now is Curtis lofton...

Pr4wn wrote:All I want now is Curtis lofton...

Latest news on Lofton;

Bucs fans should pump the brakes on Curtis Lofton, we are told.<Yup. Lofton interest didn't pan out like source told me.

Alex Marvez via twitter.

Be happy with Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks, all my Patriots did yesterday was re-sign Niko Koutouvides.

TE John Carlson will reportedly sign with the Vikings.

BYE jOHN YOU WERE A GREAT TE WOULD LOVE U TO STAY BUT GOOD LUCK IN mINNESOTA