On one side, free agent quarterback Jake Delhomme is still looking for a new job in the NFL after being released by the Carolina Panthers, on the other side, the Cleveland Browns have been actively shopping for a quarterback. So unsurprisingly, there was a meeting between the released quarterback and the quarterback-wanting team.
Since their NFL expansion return in 1999, the Browns have not been able to have enough quarterback to improve their passing game. Finishing the 2009 season as one of the worst teams again, the Browns are determined to do something with the quarterbacks. They rleased Derek Anderson and acquired backup quarterback Seneca Wallace in a trade from the Seattle Seahawks. They seem interested in getting a better starting quarterback than Brady Quinn, who is just 3-9 in 12 career starts in Browns jerseys.
The problem with Delhomme is that he is 35 years old now. He went 58-40 in seven seasons as the Panthers’ starter and led them to their only Super Bowl appearance, but he also threw 18 interceptions last season and lost the starting job to Matt Moore in late last season. With 11 draft picks in hand, the Browns are most likely to draft a quarterback out of 2010 draft.
Showing posts with label free agent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free agent. Show all posts
Friday, March 12, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Chargers placed the maximum tender on RB Sproles
Until the last day before March 5 deadline for free agency, the San Diego Chargers finally took action to retain running back Darren Sproles: they placed the maximum first- and third-round tender on the running back on Thursday, releasing tackle Jamal Williams instead.
It has been long guessed that the Sproles would finally join LaDainian Tomlinson to enter the free agent market, and Chargers’ final move was really a surprise. Being offered a contract for $7,283,000, the five-year veteran Sproles can still make his own choices to sign with another team, but the Chargers would also have the right to match offers from other teams or receiver first- and third-round draft picks as compensation for losing Sproles. With Tomlinson being released, the Chargers are very likely to name Sproles the starting running back for 2010 season if he chooses to continue wearing Chargers jersey. So staying could be the best choice for Sproles.
Releasing 12-year veteran tackle Williams was the other surprise. Being picked by former general manager Bobby Beathard in the second round of the 1998 supplemental draft, Williams has spent all his 12 seasons with the Chargers and has been the run-stuffing anchor of the defensive line. The most likely reason for his being released could be the arm injury he sustained in the 2009 season opener and caused him to miss the rest of the year. It could also be his age and history of knee injuries.
It has been long guessed that the Sproles would finally join LaDainian Tomlinson to enter the free agent market, and Chargers’ final move was really a surprise. Being offered a contract for $7,283,000, the five-year veteran Sproles can still make his own choices to sign with another team, but the Chargers would also have the right to match offers from other teams or receiver first- and third-round draft picks as compensation for losing Sproles. With Tomlinson being released, the Chargers are very likely to name Sproles the starting running back for 2010 season if he chooses to continue wearing Chargers jersey. So staying could be the best choice for Sproles.
Releasing 12-year veteran tackle Williams was the other surprise. Being picked by former general manager Bobby Beathard in the second round of the 1998 supplemental draft, Williams has spent all his 12 seasons with the Chargers and has been the run-stuffing anchor of the defensive line. The most likely reason for his being released could be the arm injury he sustained in the 2009 season opener and caused him to miss the rest of the year. It could also be his age and history of knee injuries.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Ravens offered first-round tender to LT Gaither
With only two days left before the March 5 deadline, the Baltimore Ravens are among the several teams who began to take actions to retain free agents. Their action was to assign their starting offensive left tackle Jared Gaither the first-round tender.
As a former supplemental draft pick out of the University of Maryland, 6-foot-9, 340-pound Gaither has formed a strong young tackle tandem with Michael Oher, who put on Ravens jersey last year as a first-round draft pick. When Gaither was taking care of his neck injury last season, Oher filled in at left tackle.
Gaither’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has expressed that he wants to get a long-term contract for his client from the Ravens, but by so far nothing has been worked out. But at least it still good news that Gaither can still play for the Ravens and tries to prove that he deserves a long-term deal. It’s really hard to say whether the three-year veteran could fine better NFL home in open market.
As a former supplemental draft pick out of the University of Maryland, 6-foot-9, 340-pound Gaither has formed a strong young tackle tandem with Michael Oher, who put on Ravens jersey last year as a first-round draft pick. When Gaither was taking care of his neck injury last season, Oher filled in at left tackle.
Gaither’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has expressed that he wants to get a long-term contract for his client from the Ravens, but by so far nothing has been worked out. But at least it still good news that Gaither can still play for the Ravens and tries to prove that he deserves a long-term deal. It’s really hard to say whether the three-year veteran could fine better NFL home in open market.
Redskins are trying to retain QB Campbell with highest possible tender
According to latest reports, the Washington Redskins have offered restricted free agent quarterback Jason Campbell a first-round tender of about $3.1 million, that will most likely cause other teams to think more carefully about signing away the quarterback and thus the Redskins will have the chance to keep him in Redskins jersey.
Campbell has started 52 games in his five seasons with the Redskins. He has his best statistical season last year, but the team struggled and finished 4-12. New Redskins coach Mike Shanahan had said that the team would like to retain Campbell but would not guarantee him with the starting job, indicating that Campbell would have to compete for the starting job with other quarterbacks after playing as starting quarterback in Redskins jersey for the past 3 1/2 seasons.
The Redskins are expected to announce their full slate of tender offers Thursday, one day before the March 5 deadline for free agency. And Campbell, who has said that he only wants to stay as starter, still has the right to negotiate with another team but it’s unlikely that there is any team who is willing to give up a first-round pick for him.
Campbell has started 52 games in his five seasons with the Redskins. He has his best statistical season last year, but the team struggled and finished 4-12. New Redskins coach Mike Shanahan had said that the team would like to retain Campbell but would not guarantee him with the starting job, indicating that Campbell would have to compete for the starting job with other quarterbacks after playing as starting quarterback in Redskins jersey for the past 3 1/2 seasons.
The Redskins are expected to announce their full slate of tender offers Thursday, one day before the March 5 deadline for free agency. And Campbell, who has said that he only wants to stay as starter, still has the right to negotiate with another team but it’s unlikely that there is any team who is willing to give up a first-round pick for him.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Lions released DE DeVries as he has expected
The Detroit Lions defensive end Jared DeVries may feel better now as the team finally decided to release him and let him to join free agent market as he has wished since the beginning of offseason. But bad news was that the Lions may also make efforts to get him back.
DeVries missed all of last season with an Achilles injury but he was due a roster bonus in a couple of weeks. Perhaps the Lions just released him in time to avoid paying that bonus. DeVries’ base salary for 2010 season is set to be $1.3 million.
The Lions have said that DeVries’ rehab has gone well. That may be why they keep alive the idea of having him wear back the Lions jersey. But as he now is part of the free agent market and has the right to choose teams, the Lions should feel concerns if they are still interest in retaining the defensive end.
DeVries missed all of last season with an Achilles injury but he was due a roster bonus in a couple of weeks. Perhaps the Lions just released him in time to avoid paying that bonus. DeVries’ base salary for 2010 season is set to be $1.3 million.
The Lions have said that DeVries’ rehab has gone well. That may be why they keep alive the idea of having him wear back the Lions jersey. But as he now is part of the free agent market and has the right to choose teams, the Lions should feel concerns if they are still interest in retaining the defensive end.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Julius Peppers will be no more Panthers DE?
According the Julius Peppers’ agent, Carl Carey, the Carolina Panthers may lose Peppers for the 2010 season because of their silent treatment to one of the best defensive ends. To be an unrestricted free agent soon, Peppers will enter the free agent market looking for a better team for him.
Carey said he talked with Panthers team officials on the day of the regular-season finale against New Orleans on Jan. 3, then initiated contact with the team shortly thereafter. Being told that they would make contact the following week, however, Carey and Peppers have not heard from the Panthers since.
Carey acknowledged that the situation is a bit complex between the Panthers and Peppers. The Panthers used the restrictive franchise tag and paid Peppers an NFL-high $18.2 million, counting a $1.5 million bonus for making the Pro Bowl after he recorded 10 1/2 sacks. If they use the tag again next season, they will have to pay him about $20.1 million, plus another $1.5 million for the Pro Bowl and $250,000 for each playoff win. And signing a long-term contract will mean that they have to pay the 30-year-old player up to $15 million a year. Even if Peppers has spent his entire eight-year career with the Panthers and have the third most sacks in NFL during the span, the Panthers just have to reconsider about the deal. Carey understands that but just thinks it unacceptable for the Panthers to give them silent treatment.
With tremendous speed and agility for his size, Peppers was always disruptive on field. Actually he was so disruptive while playing against the Minnesota Vikings in a December game that Vikings Coach Brad Childress wanted to take out Brett Favre to avoid injury. Furthermore, he is not picky with what defense he plays in. According to Carey, Peppers is willing to play in any type of defense next season. So I guess Peppers would put on a new team’s NFL jersey soon once the Panthers let him go.
Carey said he talked with Panthers team officials on the day of the regular-season finale against New Orleans on Jan. 3, then initiated contact with the team shortly thereafter. Being told that they would make contact the following week, however, Carey and Peppers have not heard from the Panthers since.
Carey acknowledged that the situation is a bit complex between the Panthers and Peppers. The Panthers used the restrictive franchise tag and paid Peppers an NFL-high $18.2 million, counting a $1.5 million bonus for making the Pro Bowl after he recorded 10 1/2 sacks. If they use the tag again next season, they will have to pay him about $20.1 million, plus another $1.5 million for the Pro Bowl and $250,000 for each playoff win. And signing a long-term contract will mean that they have to pay the 30-year-old player up to $15 million a year. Even if Peppers has spent his entire eight-year career with the Panthers and have the third most sacks in NFL during the span, the Panthers just have to reconsider about the deal. Carey understands that but just thinks it unacceptable for the Panthers to give them silent treatment.
With tremendous speed and agility for his size, Peppers was always disruptive on field. Actually he was so disruptive while playing against the Minnesota Vikings in a December game that Vikings Coach Brad Childress wanted to take out Brett Favre to avoid injury. Furthermore, he is not picky with what defense he plays in. According to Carey, Peppers is willing to play in any type of defense next season. So I guess Peppers would put on a new team’s NFL jersey soon once the Panthers let him go.
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