Jets sign David Harris to a new contract

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 2, 2011, 6:38 PM EDT

AP

Jets linebacker David Harris has signed a contract extension that gives him the biggest guarantee for an inside linebacker in NFL history.

Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that Harris signed a four-year, $36 million deal, with $29.5 million of that guaranteed.

Harris signing an extension to stay with the Jets had been expected, although the guaranteed money is an eye-opener.

The 27-year-old Harris was the Jets’ second-round draft pick in 2007 and has emerged as one of their defensive leaders. He started all 16 games each of the last two years.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Seahawks land one of the leagues top young tight ends

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 2, 2011, 5:16 PM EDT

Getty Images

Zach Miller is heading to Seattle.

Miller, the tight end who was one of the best remaining NFL free agents available, has made a surprising decision to sign with the Seahawks after it looked like he would stay with the Raiders, ESPN is reporting.

The Raiders took Miller in the second round of the 2007 draft, and he’s been their starting tight end since. Last year he led the Raiders in catches (60), receiving yards (685) and receiving touchdowns (five).

Miller will be the Seahawks’ starter at tight end, and perhaps Tarvaris Jackson’s most important receiver.

Playing in the figurative and literal black hole that is Oakland, has hidden a lot of the talent that Zach Miller has.  But make no mistake about it, Miller is one of the most promising complete tight ends in the league.  He may not exactly escape the status of a relative unknown by heading to the Northwest, but the Seahawks did just land a huge upgrade at the tight end position.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Aubrayo Franklin on his way to New Orleans

Posted by Mike Florio on August 2, 2011, 5:00 PM EDT

Getty Images

In a move that is destined to make San Fran fans (like our friend Sam Francisco from San Francisco) even happier about the team’s one-way free-agency door, nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin has bolted for the Bayou.

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Franklin has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Saints.

As the free-agency market goes softer than a stick of butter on the dashboard of a car in Hell, look for more of these veteran players to sign one-year deals.  Guys who aren’t getting paid what they want to get paid will want to get back on the market in 2012, when perhaps the benefit of a full offseason will result in more money coming their way.

Franklin was the Niners’ franchise player in 2010.  The eight-year veteran started 60 games in four seasons with the 49ers.  He spent his first four seasons as a backup in Baltimore.

A nose tackle in the 3-4, Franklin will now move to defensive tackle in the Saints’ 4-3 defense.

Aubrayo Franklin is one of the more talented DTs in the league, and now he will be paired up with Shaun Rogers and Anthony Hargrove, which should prove to be one of the best interior line rotations in the entire league.  I look for the Saints defense to really surprise a lot of people this year.  I expect them to be a Top 10 defense this year, you heard it here first.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Jerious Norwood winds up in St Louis

Posted by Mike Florio on August 2, 2011, 5:49 PM EDT

Getty Images

Running back Jerious Norwood, one of many veteran tailbacks who hadn’t gotten much attention in free agency, visited the Rams today.

And he’s not leaving.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Norwood has agreed to terms with the Rams, where he’ll serve as an understudy to Steven Jackson.

In an April appearance on PFT Live, Rams G.M. Billy Devaney admitted that the team hasn’t done a very good job of getting help for Jackson.  Norwood provides that help.

The departure of Norwood could put the Falcons in play for keeping Jason Snelling in Atlanta.

Then again, the Falcons may not miss Norwood.  Injuries limited him to two games — and two carries — in 2010.

On that note, we wonder how much help he’ll really provide in St. Louis.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Cam Newton Wowing as he outperforms Clausen

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 2, 2011, 3:41 PM EDT

AP

Jimmy Clausen is taking snaps as the starting quarterback in Panthers training camp.  For now.

Coach Ron Rivera isn’t trying to play favorites, but Rivera found it hard to contain his excitement when asked of his early impressions of Newton.

“Wow,” Rivera said.

Yep. That was the answer.  Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer says Newton has “clearly out-performed” Clausen early.

“I mean, he does some things that really light you up and get you excited — as Jimmy did. Jimmy made some good throws and some good decisions. But when you look at what Cam does, some of those things. His running ability is special. That’s one of the things he brings to the table,” Rivera said.

The Panthers  plan to use Newton’s running ability.  We know it’s very early, but we’d be surprised if Newton wasn’t the Week One starter barring a total faceplant in the preseason.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Martz excited to have "Elite" wide receiver Roy Williams

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 2, 2011, 2:18 PM EDT

AP

If there was any doubt that Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz was the driving force behind wide receiver Roy Williams coming to Chicago, Martz himself erased that doubt in his comments to the media on Tuesday.

Martz, who coached Williams in Detroit in 2006 and 2007, gushed about what Williams can do in the Bears’ offense. Williams, according to Martz, is “an elite player” who should get 70 or 80 catches this season.

That might sound ridiculous considering that Williams had just 37 catches last season, but it’s easy to see why Martz thinks Williams can get that kind of production: He had 82 catches for 1,310 yards and seven touchdowns in 2006 and 64 catches for 838 yards and five touchdowns despite missing four games in 2007. Williams and Martz have a track record of working well together.

The Bears’ No. 1 receiver last year, Johnny Knox, had 51 catches for 980 yards. So if Williams is capable of playing for Martz in Chicago the way he played for Martz in Detroit, he’d instantly be a huge upgrade to the Bears’ passing game.

But that’s an awfully big “if.” If Martz really thinks, after the way Williams played in Dallas, that Williams is an elite player, then Martz may be the only one.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Ernie Sims on his way to Indianapolis

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 2, 2011, 3:44 PM EDT

Ernie Sims is heading to Indianapolis.

Sims, the ninth overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft, has signed with the Colts.

The Lions drafted Sims and thought he had the potential to become a superstar. But while he started all 16 games in each of his first three seasons, he never became quite the player they thought he would in Detroit.

In 2010 Sims signed with the Eagles and started 15 games. Now he’s expected to earn a starting job with the Colts.

I really, really like Big Ern when the Lions drafted him, and even into his second and third year.  But it gets old watching him fly past the play in over pursuit time and time again.  In Detroit he was surround by such inadequate support, he tried to make every play by himself.  Ernie was undisciplined and reckless, and was always over compensating.  I think he has the desire and will to be a good, or even great player, but I think his time in Detroit on those awful teams helped him develop too many bad habits.   The Eagles had big hopes for him last year, and he just never showed up.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Rookie RB Jacquizz Rodgers expected to be Falcons 3rd down back

Source RotoWorld

Matt Ryan singled out rookie Jacquizz Rodgers as a player who has caught his eye so far in Falcons camp.

"His knowledge of protections is really good," said Ryan. "He's gonna be the third-down back for us." Despite being a fifth-round rookie with no offseason, Rodgers will be thrust into a prominent role. Michael Turner adds nothing in the passing game, and the Falcons don't appear to be interested in retaining free agent Jason Snelling. Rodgers will be draftable in PPR leagues.

Rodgers is a shifty and explosive player would can take it the distance.  Look for him to add an element to the Falcons 3rd down packages that we have not seen much before.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Raiders hang onto OLB Kamerion Wimbley

Raiders signed franchise player OLB Kamerion Wimbley to a five-year, $48 million contract extension.

The Raiders didn't want Wimbley's $11.3 million franchise tag applied to the 2011 salary cap. The team's top pass rusher will receive an eye-popping $29 million in guarantees, though FOX Sports' Adam Caplan suggests a decent portion of that is tied up in option and signing bonuses. Wimbley did a commendable job of turning his career around last year, but that's a lot of money committed to a player with two quality seasons in five.

Source: Adam Caplan on Twitter

Aug 1, 7:34 PM

Source RotoWorld

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Zach Miller being courted by the Raiders and Seahawks

Source NFL.com

Zach Miller is being heavily courted by the Seattle Seahawks, a source with knowledge of the situation said Monday, but the Oakland Raiders remain in the running to re-sign the free-agent tight end.

"Zach was a Raider last year, we want him to be a Raider now," Oakland coach Hue Jackson said Monday at training camp in Napa, Calif., according to The Associated Press. "That thing is going to come to a head here soon. It has to. I feel good about where we are and, hopefully, he'll get back to us, we'll get back to him, and we'll try to get something resolved."

Miller, 25, went to his first Pro Bowl last season after catching 60 passes for 685 yards and five touchdowns in Oakland. Former Raiders coach Tom Cable, now the Seahawks' offensive line coach, is a factor in Miller's recruitment to Seattle.

The Seahawks have been busy during free agency. After letting veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck go in free agency, they released fan-favorite linebacker Lofa Tatupu.

But the team did sign former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, hoping the 28-year-old signal-caller can become the starter. The Seahawks followed that up by nabbing one of the most coveted receivers on the market inSidney Rice, who played with Jackson on the Vikings, and added offensive lineman Robert Gallery, who played for Cable in Oakland.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Nick Fairley leaves practice with minor foot injury

Source NFL.com

Rookie defensive tackle Nick Fairley, whom the Detroit Lions selected 13th overall in April's draft, left practice Monday with what appeared to be a left foot injury, the Detroit Free Press reported.

X-rays were normal, but coach Jim Schwartz would not say when Fairley, who is expected to pair with last season's defensive rookie of the year, Ndamukong Suh, is expected to return.

"Nick sort of tweaked his foot during pass-rush, or individual (drills), one of those things," Schwartz said. "They sent him in to get it X-rayed, just to make sure there was nothing, no broken bone in there, because he wanted to keep on practicing. So we sent him in, and that was negative.

"He's sore. We'll probably do a few more tests and things like that, but the X-rays were negative, so hopefully, we'll get him back soon."

Fairley didn't seem concerned.

"Probably tweaked it a little bit," Fairley said. "It's OK."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Emmanuel Sanders foot injury to take 3-4 weeks to heal

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 2, 2011, 11:21 AM EDT

Getty Images

A popular breakout pick for 2011, Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders will miss most of August.

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazettereports Sanders will be out three weeks following complications after two foot surgeries this offseason.  Sanders sat out the start of training camp, but it was believed to be precautionary.

Instead, we’ve learned Sanders didn’t recover as expected from surgery on his heel.  Sanders took an injection in his left foot that took bone marrow from his heel tospeed healing process.  That doesn’t sound good.

Pittsburgh’s interest in Plaxico Burress makes more sense now.  Hines Wardisn’t yet back on the field and Sanders had surgery on each of his feet during the offseason.  (One in February, one in April.)

Still, the Steelers have decent depth with Mike Wallace and Antonio Brownable to take starter snaps for now.  When everyone is healthy, Sanders was expected to challenge Ward for No. 2 duties behind Wallace.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Five or more teams interested in Osi Umenyiora

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 2, 2011, 10:43 AM EDT

AP

Do the Giants really want to trade Osi Umenyiora?

They reportedly started trade negotiations on Monday by letting teams know they wanted a first-round pick in return.  Any interested team will also have to give Umenyiora a new contract, so that trade price seems prohibitive.

Two things could be at play here:

1. The Giants don’t really want to deal Umenyiora.

2. They are just starting the negotiating off on their terms, and will be willing to accept a lesser offer.

Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News says there’s no fewer than five teamsinterested: St. Louis, San Diego, Seattle, Denver, and Baltimore. The level of interest for each team is unclear, although St. Louis could reportedly be a team to watch.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter says it has become clear no one will give up a first-round pick for Umenyiora, who has been watching training camp from the sidelines. Vacchiano says the Giants won’t come off their first-round pick asking price (at least for now) and Umenyiora is unlikely to play for the Giants at his current salary.

Yep, this could take a while.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Ryan Matthews starting the season off on the wrong foot

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 2, 2011, 8:34 AM EDT

AP

After a disappointing rookie year, the Chargers were hoping that 2010 top-15 pick Ryan Mathews would turn the corner this year and take hold of the primary running back job in San Diego.

Perhaps that will happen, but the kid is off to a rough start.

Mathews failed his conditioning test to start camp. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that invited a lock of mocking and “some incredulity” by his teammates.  His teammates describe the conditioning test as fairly easy.

“I haven’t been doing much speed work like that. There’s a couple things I probably should have done differently in the offseason, conditioning my legs,” Mathews said.

Once Mathews passed the test and got back on the field, he didn’t stay there for long.  He’s missed the last few days of work due to “soreness” or a toe injury, depending which San Diego paper you read.  Coach Norv Turner hopes Mathews returns in the next few days.

It’s one thing to see a defensive tackle struggle with conditioning, but it’s a little eye-opening when it happens to a running back. It’s a good thing the Chargers still have Mike Tolbert on the roster to share the load with Mathews.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Manny Lawson joins the Bengals

Posted by Mike Florio on August 2, 2011, 12:26 AM EDT

Getty Images

Linebacker Manny Lawson, the 22nd overall pick in the 2006 draft, spent five years with the 49ers.  He’ll now spend at least one with the Bengals.

Per a league source, the Bengals have agreed to terms with the unrestricted free agent.  It’s a one-year deal worth $3 million.

Lawson started every game for San Francisco in each of the last two seasons.  He has 14.5 career sacks.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Bernard Berrian redoes deal to stay with Vikings

Posted by Mike Florio on August 1, 2011, 11:23 PM EDT

AP

It was widely believed that the Vikings would cut receiver Bernard Berrian, who entered 2011 with a salary of $3.9 million and a cap charge of $6 million.

But it appears that Berrian will return, after restructuring his contract.  And it doesn’t appear to be a restructuring that merely moves money around.  Berrian, whose contract now covers two more seasons instead of three, likely took a pay cut.

“No, not at all,” Berrian said regarding the new deal, per Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.  “It was kind of up in the air.  I knew in meetings they were talking about it, but when I got word from them that’s when we went in and met.”

Coach Leslie Frazier met with Berrian to discuss his role in new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave’s offense.

“I’m convinced that he knows this is the best place for him,” Frazier said.  “He knows we have some things around him, we have his best interest at heart.  And he has a chance to really thrive in our offense.”

Thrive is something Berrian hasn’t done much lately.  But with Sidney Rice gone and only Michael Jenkins and Devin Aromashadu added via free agency, Berrian has a chance to be the primary complement to Percy Harvin.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Rob Ryan says Cowboys will beat the "all-hype team"

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 1, 2011, 10:26 PM EDT

AP

After becoming one of the Eagles’ many high-profile acquisitions over the last week, Vince Young proclaimed Philadelphia the “Dream Team.” Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan may have given the Eagles a different nickname today.

Speaking to reporters at Cowboys camp, Ryan said that he was happy with the Cowboys’ relative lack of big-name free-agent signings because he thinks the players the Cowboys already have are good enough. And then he said he’s looking forward to playing a certain other team that has received more attention in free agency.

“These are proven players, and that’s what we need,” Ryan said. “I don’t know if we win the all-hype team, I think that might have gone to somebody else, but we’re going to beat their ass when we play them.”

Ryan didn’t mention the Eagles by name, but I think it’s safe to say that’s who he was referencing. And with that, Rob Ryan has given us a brash statement that even his brother Rex will find it tough to top.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Braylon Edwards has a brush with the law

Posted by Mike Florio on August 1, 2011, 10:24 PM EDT

Getty Images

Free-agent receiver Braylon Edwards, not far removed from pleading guilty to DUI andhaving his probation in Cleveland for an assault charge extended, nearly got himself into another jam in Michigan early Monday.

According to FOX 2 in Detroit, two people in Edwards’ entourage were arrested after allegedly assaulting employees at a Birmingham bar.

Per the report, Edwards’ friends got into an argument with the employees.  The dispute made its way into the kitchen, and one employee was “sliced with a knife.”  The wound required 14 stitches to close.  Another employee allegedly was attacked with a fork.  (Alas, the Placesetting Trifecta was not completed, possibly because Braylon dropped the spoon.)

Edwards reportedly posted the following on Twitter at about the same time:  “Damn. Get ya knuckles ready” and “Don’t fight if.  You don’t know how.”

Curiously, Edwards recently posted the following message:  “Yo…Lost my phone last night someone sent tweets.  Deleted them and changed my password.  Sorry for the mishap hopefully never happens again!”  (We’d like to think that, if someone found Edwards’ phone and realized they had access to his Twitter page, they would have been a lot more creative than “Damn. Get ya knuckles ready” and “Don’t fight if.  You don’t know how.”)

Edwards wasn’t arrested and he faces no charges.  However, the fact that he was present when the incident went down possibly could become an issue regarding his probation in Cleveland.

It also could take any remaining air out of the market for Edwards’ services.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!

Miami fans chanting, "we want Orton"

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 1, 2011, 9:46 PM EDT

Getty Images

It’s not quite as bad as 49ers fans chanting forDavid Carr during last season, but the Dolphins organization had a rather embarrassing moment at training camp Monday night.

The fans started booing every underthrown Chad Henne pass, then chanted, “We want Orton!”

Somewhere, Orton’s agent is smiling.   Broncos VP John Elway should be smiling too, except he may be leaning towards keeping Orton at this point.

SI.com’s Jim Trotter writes that Orton has “clearly separated” himself at Broncos practices from Tim Tebow, who has struggled in the early going.  Orton has looked better by a “wide margin.”

The Broncos staff and players seem to appreciate Orton, but the fans want to get rid of him. The fans in Miami would gladly take Orton off their hands.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We encourage you to leave your thoughts and opinions on each article. This will not only let us know what you think about our work, but it will also help create an active community!