Patriots work out Shaun Ellis

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 4, 2011, 6:16 PM EDT

AP

We wrote Wednesday how longtime Jet Shaun Ellis was in limbo, hoping the Jets would improve their one-year offer for the veteran’s minimum salary.  To conclude the post, we half joked: “This is usually the time when the Patriots would become interested.”

Well, the Patriots are now interested.

Ellis worked out for the Patriots Thursday, according to Mike Rodrak of ESPNBoston.com. That doesn’t mean a deal is imminent; the Patriots also worked out Raheem Brock,Quentin Moses, and Matt Roth in recent days. No one has signed.

Still, Ellis fits the Belichick M.O. perfectly.  He’s a veteran of 3-4 defenses and is hungry for a title.  Signing him would tweak the Jets.  Belichick also loves to sign guys who play well against the Pats, and Ellis destroyed New England last January.

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Braylon Edwards on his way to the Niners

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 4, 2011, 7:17 PM EDT

Braylon Edwards says he’s going to San Francisco to join the 49ers.

Edwards wrote on Twitter Thursday that the deal is done.

“It’s official #Team17 we have moved to the bay. I’m a proud member of the San Fransisco 49ers,” Edwards wrote.

Edwards is a talented but troubled player whose off-field issues never seem to end. Just today he had a P.R. firm release a statement on his behalf, denying reports that he was involved in a bar fight that saw two people get stabbed and two of Edwards’ cousins get arrested. Edwards is already on probation because of a drunk driving conviction.

In 2010 Edwards caught 53 passes for 904 yards and seven touchdowns. In San Francisco he’ll immediately become the team’s No. 1 receiver — if he can stay away from off-field trouble.

UPDATE: Adam Schefter reports that Edwards agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract. To put that in perspective with other NFL wide receivers, that’s $200,000 less than Mike Sims-Walker got for his one-year deal with the Rams, and $483,000 more than Plaxico Burress got for his one-year deal with the Jets.

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Jets cut ties with Jerricho Cotchery

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 4, 2011, 4:57 PM EDT

AP

Jerricho Cotchery was right.  His days as a New York Jet are over.

With Derrick Mason in town for a physical, the Jets officially let go of the veteran wide receiver on Thursday.

Cotchery was a team leader in New York, getting a sizable extension back in 2007 to remain with the team.  His production fell dramatically along with his health in 2011, and the Jets didn’t seem confident that he was the same guy following back surgery this offseason.

Still only 29, Cotchery should get another opportunity somewhere.  He averaged 73 catches for 942 yards from 2006-2009, exhibiting as much toughness and intelligence as any wideout in the league.  We’ll always remember his ridiculous catch against the Browns last year.

Derrick Mason is expected to replace him in New York, but nothing has been announced on that front.

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Jason La Canfora: Donte Whitner signed with the 49ers, not the Bengals

Jason La Canfora, via NFL Network, cleared the air.  Donte Whitner is going to San Francisco and is not a Bengal.

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Salary Cap snapshot

Posted by Mike Florio on August 4, 2011, 3:57 PM EDT

We previously obtained the salary cap room (or lack thereof) for each team as of Tuesday.  Several of you have asked for something more current.

Your wish is our command.

Here’s the info as of Thursday.

The teams with cap space, a day before all teams must be in compliance, are as follows:  Buccaneers ($ 29,560,000); Chiefs ($ 28,431,000); Jaguars ($ 28,000,000); Browns ($ 27,620,000); Bengals ($ 27,164,000); Broncos ($26,542,000); Bills ($ 23,460,000); 49ers ($ 22,570,000); Bears ($ 19,300,000); Seahawks ($ 16,387,000); Cardinals ($ 14,603,000); Redskins ($ 11,450,000); Packers ($ 11,106,000); Jets ($ 8,920,000); Dolphins ($ 8,446,000); Colts ($7,925,000); Titans ($ 7,127,000); Saints ($ 7,027,000); Patriots ($ 5,264,000); Chargers ($ 5,031,000); Eagles ($4,604,000); Ravens ($ 3,558,000); Panthers ($ 1,915,000); Vikings ($ 938,000); Falcons ($811,000); Giants ($623,000); Rams ($621,000).

The teams in the red are: Raiders ($15,246,000); Steelers ($8,597,000); Lions ($7,793,000); Cowboys ($6,671,000); and Texans ($3,358,000).

By tomorrow at 4:00 p.m., there should be no teams in the red.

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Brett Favre...not again...really, not again...please?!

Posted by Mike Florio on August 4, 2011, 2:16 PM EDT

AP

After swinging and missing on Kyle Ortonand settling for Matt Moore and with a possible win-now-or-else mandate, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano apparently is thinking about trying to lure Brett Favre to Miami.

Sparano isn’t saying whether he is or isn’t, or whether he will or won’t.  Per Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Sparano said simply that he can’t say that it won’t happen.

“I can’t rule anything out,” Sparano said.  “I’m giving you the only answer I can give you.”

In other words:  Gentlemen, start your tractors.  Favre Watch IV has officially begun.

Inspection of Kelly’s timeline on Twitter hints that Kelly and others at the Sun-Sentinel aren’t just shooting spitballs.  This is the trial balloon phase of the courtship of Brett Favre, and if the reaction in Miami isn’t overwhelmingly negative (or if it’s remotely positive) the thing will move to the next level.

The news comes only a couple of weeks after the Eagles briefly were linked to Favre.  Somehow, the Eagles will now have an even bigger circus than they would have had with Favre.

And if Favre to Miami happens, he’ll play the Eagles.

And he’ll play the Jets twice.

And he’ll play twice in two weeks in the Meadowlands.

Just when it seemed that this season couldn’t get more interesting, it’s getting more interesting.

Oh nooes, more feelings getting hurt.

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Cincy continues to bolster defense, add safety Whitner

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 4, 2011, 2:52 PM EDT

Getty Images

I got a few angry emails and tweets last week after leaving Donte Whitner after the PFT top-80 free agents.  The former top ten player just didn’t seem like a guy who would attract a lot of interest.

After spending a week on the market, Whitner was able to find an interested team.  He agreed to a two-year contract with the Bengals, according to Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Whitner figures to start opposite Chris Crocker. While Whitner isn’t a huge difference maker, he can be a good tackler and he upgrades one of the Bengals’ worst positions.  It’s a nice spot for Whitner to turn his career around.

The Bengals have added Nate Clements, Manny Lawson, Thomas Howard, and Whitner to their defense in the last week.  Now Mike Zimmer just has to work his magic.

Update: Jason La Canfora confirmed that the early reports were incorrect, and Donte Whitner actually has signed with the San Francisco 49ers.

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Dear Chad: So your feelings are hurt. . .

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 4, 2011, 12:24 PM EDT

AP

When Dolphins fans chanted “We want Orton” at training camp, coach Tony Sporano said it made him sick.

Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne said it made him sad.

Henne acknowledged today that it hurt his feelings that Dolphins fans would rather see the team trade for Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton than support the quarterback they have.

“I’m human,” Henne said of the Orton chants, per Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel. “Deep down inside it does hurt.”

Henne said he understands that criticism is part of the job — “It’s tough to be a quarterback,” he said — but he’d prefer that Dolphins fans give him a positive reception.

“You want the respect of your fans. You want them to have your back,” Henne said. “But obviously if I’m doing bad they will critique me.”

Henne’s comments are refreshingly honest — most players would claim they can just brush the criticism off. But the comments won’t do anything to make Dolphins fans like him more. In fact, Henne may have ensured with his words that the “We want Orton” chants will get louder.

Dear Chad,

I like you.  I like human beings, mostly.  And to steal a line from Vince Vaughn, "I can appreciate that" it sucks when people don't like you.  Especially if you have not given them a reason.    But let's get this straight, you have given them a reason, your performance has not been good.  It has been mediocre or worse at times.  Chad, you need to man up and grow a pair.  On top of that, you need to be thankful that you are playing in Miami and not in Philly, New York, Dallas, or Chicago.  All of those cities and fans would eat you alive.

Chad, I believe you can become a good quarterback, maybe even a Pro-Bowl caliber one.  But if you can't handle the pressure, or you let others opinions negatively affect you, then you have no chance to succeed in any environment.  This is a great opportunity to take it as motivation and perform up to your potential, proving everyone (but me) wrong.  

Sincerely,

-Tiger

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Mike Patterson seizure revealed existing brain condition

Posted by Mike Florio on August 4, 2011, 9:17 AM EDT

AP

After suffering a seizure at practice on Wednesday, Eagles defensive tackle Mike Patterson sent out word via text that he’s fine.

While that message indicated that he was stable and showing no further signs of distress, subsequent tests revealed a potentially serious condition in his brain.

Sal Paolantonio of ESPN reports that Patterson has a “brain AVM,” a congenital tangle of blood vessels in his skull.  Patterson will need surgery or radiation to repair the situation.  Per Paolantonio, the Eagles are consulting with specialists before deciding on a course of treatment.

Here’s hoping that “the Eagles” include Patterson in that decision-making process.

We also hope that Patterson authorized trainer Rick Burkholder to share Patterson’s condition with ESPN, and thus with the world.

And finally we hope that the Eagles and every NFL team will have ambulances present at every practice.  The fact that it took 15 minutes for an ambulance to arrive doesn’t exactly mesh with the league’s new obsession with safety.  In cases of serious injury or illness, those 15 minutes could have a huge impact on the outcome of the situation.

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Questionable decision by cowboys brass to bring back Newman

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 4, 2011, 8:58 AM EDT

Getty Images

The Cowboys reportedly went after Nnamdi Asomugha, but couldn’t close the deal. They didn’t show interest in Johnathan Joseph.

Instead, the team made the decision to retain cornerback 32-year-old cornerback Terence Newman for $8 million despite the fact he was coming off a rough 2010 season.   He had to to take painkilling injections before every game just to get on the field last year.

The decision to keep Newman looked suspect at the time and it looks even worse following the news Newman will miss the next 4-6 weeks with a groin injury.

Perhaps the most underrated skill a front office must have is the ability to self scout.  The Cowboys routinely keep veteran players one or two years too long, and they hand out contract extensions to guys on the roster that don’t deserve it. (Ken Hamlin.)

It’s too easy to say the Cowboys were simply unlucky here. The best teams make the necessary moves before luck gets involved.

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Raiders lost Zach Miller, now pursue Kevin Boss

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 4, 2011, 8:03 AM EDT

Getty Images

The loss of tight end Zach Miller to the Seahawks undoubtedly stung the Raiders.

To quickly make themselves feel better, they may try to sign the next best tight end on the market.  The Raiders worked out Kevin Boss on Wednesday according to Paul Gutierrez of CSNCalifornia.com, with coach Hue Jackson and quarterback Jason Campbell moving on.

Boss isn’t as big a receiving weapon as Miller, but he’s a superior blocker. The Giants want to keep him, but they are relatively tight to the salary cap like the Raiders.  (Last we checked, the Raiders were way over.)

Boss would probably have been signed already in free agency, but he had surgery on his hip in January.  It appears he’s recovered from that procedure.

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Thursday morning one liners

Posted by Evan Silva on August 4, 2011, 8:00 AM EDT

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Bills LB Shawne Merriman has shown explosiveness in training camp.

The Palm Beach Post breaks down the latest Dolphins news.

Patriots OT Matt Light is delighted to have re-signed with New England.

Jets consultant Tom Moore is already making an impact.

Ravens OT Michael Oher wants to be an elite left tackle.

Bengals.com describes the team’s talks with free agent S Donte Whitner as “casual.”

The Browns are counting on DE Jayme Mitchell to break out this season.

Steelers WR Limas Sweed made a diving catch in Wednesday’s practice.

The Texans are high on rookie QB T.J. Yates.

Second-round pick Drake Nevis is working as a starting defensive tackle at Colts camp.

Rookie QB Blaine Gabbert has flashed “special things” early in training camp.

Rookie DT Jurrell Casey is off to a fast start at Titans training camp.

The Broncos are making the right call picking Kyle Orton over Tim Tebow.

Here’s a Wednesday practice report from Chiefs training camp.

Raiders WR Darrius Heyward-Bey has just now begun practicing in camp.

The Chargers are maintaining continuity along the offensive line.

Cowboys CB Terence Newman is out 4-6 weeks with a groin injury.

The Giants are in danger of losing free agent TE Kevin Boss.

Worrisome rumors about Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin have surfaced on message boards.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan is taking a hands-on approach at training camp.

The Bears insist they have Super Bowl-caliber wide receivers.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford is forming an impressive bond with WR Calvin Johnson.

Packers.com’s Vic Ketchman discusses the NFL’s new third quarterback rule.

Vikings WR Percy Harvin is migraine-free and on a mission this season.

Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez has the most receptions ever at his position.

Rookie QB Cam Newton is showing a fondness for contact in Panthers camp.

The Saints have re-signed free agent TE David Thomas.

The Bucs are holding a competition to replace Cadillac Williams as a third-down back.

Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald isn’t talking anymore about his contract situation.

49ers WR Michael Crabtree’s value is sinking in fantasy football.

The Seahawks announced a flurry of roster moves on Wednesday.

TurfShowTimes.com analyzes the Rams’ signing of RB Cadillac Williams.

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Tamba Hali inks 5yr/$60 million contract with Chiefs

Posted by Mike Florio on August 3, 2011, 11:28 PM EDT

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Earlier this year, the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on linebacker Tamba Hali.  He hadn’t signed it.

He’ll now be signing a five-year contract with the team, per a league source.

Hali, a first-round pick in 2006, has started all but one game since entering the league.  He had 14.5 sacks in 2010, and he has 41.5 for his career.

UPDATE:  According to ESPN, it’s a five-year, $60 million contract, with $35 million guaranteed.  That’s a bigger guarantee with one less year than the Charles Johnson deal, and it’s more guaranteed money than Nnamdi Asomugha with an identical five-year total.

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