Titans convinced they have great chance to land Manning

Posted by Evan Silva on March 14, 2012, 9:12 PM EDT

AP

The Tennessee Titans aren’t a “sleeper” in the Peyton Manning derby. They’re right in the thick of it.

According to NFL Network’s Albert Breer, Titans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer has already constructed a “book” designed to show Manning how Tennessee’s offense would operate with him calling signals.

The team also reportedly believes it has assumed a more “buttoned-down, professional approach” under second-year head coach Mike Munchak.

Jaguars bring Henne in to push Gabbert

Posted by Evan Silva on March 14, 2012, 8:18 PM EDT

Getty Images

Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times Unionreports that the Jaguars have signed quarterback Chad Henne to a two-year contract.

The Jaguars claim publicly that 2011 first-round pick Blaine Gabbert is their signal caller of the future, but based on Gabbert’s rookie-year performance, it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising if Henne outplayed him in preseason games.

Henne is hardly without drawbacks, of course. He struggles to complete passes downfield and is limited athletically. Both quarterbacks possess plenty of arm strength, but Gabbert’s pocket presence and awareness were brutal last season and Henne is a tentative passer.

The Jags are hoping that the light will flip on for at least one of them this year.

Henne was the No. 52 overall player on the PFT Hot 100.

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Peyton Hillis gets one year deal with the Chiefs

Posted by Evan Silva on March 14, 2012, 7:13 PM EDT

AP

The Kansas City Chiefs announced Wednesday that they have signed running back Peyton Hillis, formerly of the Browns.

Hillis has a coaching staff connection in K.C. New Chiefs offensive coordinator Brian Daboll ran the offense in Cleveland during Hillis’ breakout 2010 season. Hillis’ 2011 campaign was marred by injuries and a distracting contract situation, but he’s only 26 years old and one of the top power runners in football when healthy.

Jaguars ink Laurent Robinson to 5 year deal

Posted by Evan Silva on March 14, 2012, 6:49 PM EDT

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Jaguars have signed wide receiver Laurent Robinson to a five-year, $32.5 millioncontract.

Per Sirius NFL Radio’s Adam Caplan, the deal contains $14 million guaranteed.

Robinson has always been long on ability, but incredibly short on durability and consistency. He enjoyed a breakout season during his fifth year in the league in 2011, catching 54 passes for 858 yards and 11 touchdowns. Robinson fully capitalized on the opportunity to start when Miles Austin and Dez Bryant went down with various injuries in Dallas.

But Robinson had never cleared 500 receiving yards entering 2011, and he’s now going to a team that very arguably has the NFL’s worst quarterback play.

You’re probably not going to want Robinson back on your fantasy team this year.

Caplan also reports that the Jaguars have re-signed defensive lineman C.J. Mosley to a three-year, $7.5 million contract with $2 million guaranteed.

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Mario Manningham to visit San Francisco

Posted by Mike Florio on March 14, 2012, 5:12 PM EDT

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It was widely believed that the Redskins would target Giants receiver Mario Manningham once free agency opened.

They didn’t.

And so, with the Redskins signing (for now)Josh Morgan and Pierre Garçon, Manningham had to look elsewhere.

DeSean Jackson agrees to 5 year deal with Eagles

Posted by Mike Florio on March 14, 2012, 4:37 PM EDT

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It was believed that Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson would soon sign a one-year contract with the team.  He will sign a contract, but it won’t cover one year.  It will cover five.

A source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that Jackson has agreed to a five-year deal with a base value of $47 million.  Jackson also gets $15 million fully guaranteed.

Cowboys sign Brandon Carr to $50.1 million contract

Posted by Evan Silva on March 14, 2012, 4:12 PM EDT

AP

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Cowboys have signed cornerback Brandon Carr to a five-year, $50.1 million contract.

The contract is worth $100,000 more than Cortland Finnegan’s reported deal with St. Louis.

Just moments after longtime Cowboys reporter Charean Williams wrote on Twitter that Carr was “close” to signing with Dallas, Schefter broke the news that the contract has been finalized.

Carr, who turns 26 in May, is a big, physical press cornerback with playmaking ability. He has safety size at 6-foot, 207 and set a career high with four interceptions last season.

In Dallas, Carr will book end Mike Jenkins on the perimeter of the Cowboys’ secondary.

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Trent Cole receives 4 year extension from Eagles

Posted March 14, 2012 @ 9:33 a.m. ET

By PFW staff

The Eagles announced Wednesday that they have agreed on a four-year contract extension with DE Trent Cole. The new deal keeps him in Philadelphia through 2017.

Financial terms have not been announced.

A two-time Pro Bowler, Cole is one of the top pass rushers in the NFL. He has recorded double-digit sacks in four of his seven seasons in the league, including each of the past three. In 2011, he had 11 sacks in just 14 games.
"We are excited to be able to sign Trent to a new contract," Eagles head coach Andy Reid said in a statement. "Trent plays the game with a level of tenacity that's hard to replicate. He's one of the premier defensive ends in the league. We have always said that when you watch the tape of him, it's hard to tell the difference between his first play and his last play. He has an unbelievable motor that does not stop. And as good as he is rushing the passer, he is equally as good against the run. His energy is contagious on the field."

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Buccaneers land their 3rd big signing with Eric Wright

Joe Fortenbaugh - National Football Post

It hasn’t even been 24 hours since the 2012 free agent market opened for business, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are already doing everything in their power to spend a big chunk of that $44 million worth of cap space they’re sitting on.

After locking down wide receiver Vincent Jackson to a $55 million contract on Tuesday and somewhere in between their pursuit of offensive guard Carl Nicks, the Buccaneers reached an agreement on a five-year deal with free agent cornerback Eric Wright, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Seahawks to look at Matt Flynn and Chad Henne

Posted by Evan Silva on March 14, 2012, 10:30 AM EDT

AP

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Seahawks will host quarterback Matt Flynn for a free agent visit on Thursday night and into Friday.

Seattle has been expected to bid on Flynn, though the club’s level of interest is unclear. As NFL Network’s Jeff Darlington has reported, Chad Henne will be the Seahawks’ first quarterback visit.

Seahawks G.M. John Schneider was in the Packers’ front office when Green Bay stole Flynn in the seventh round of the 2008 draft. Schneider should have extensive knowledge of Flynn’s strength and weaknesses, so he won’t be fooled by a quarterback who’s started only two career NFL games.

Flynn is the No. 16 overall player on PFT’s Hot 100. Henne is No. 52.

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Bucs snag Carl Nicks

Posted by Evan Silva on March 14, 2012, 10:10 AM EDT

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Buccaneers have reached an agreement with offensive guard Carl Nicks on a five-year, $47.5 million contract with $31 million guaranteed.

Assuming the numbers are accurate, Nicks has surpassed Logan Mankins as the NFL’s highest paid guard, both in terms of annual pay and guaranteed money. Nicks is getting $9.5 million a year. Mankins got $8.5 million annually with $30 million guaranteed.

Lions make Calvin Johnson the highest paid player in NFL history

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 14, 2012, 11:13 AM EDT

AP

The Lions were willing to spend whatever it took to lock up wide receiver Calvin Johnson for years to come.

Johnson and the Lions are scheduled to announce a long-term contract extension this afternoon, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that it’s a seven-year deal worth $132 million, with $60 million guaranteed. That makes it the biggest contract in NFL history, surpassingLarry Fitzgerald’s contract with the Cardinals.

Chris Cook says he slapped ex-girlfriend in self defense

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 14, 2012, 7:00 AM EDT

AP

Vikings cornerback Chris Cook admitted on the stand at his assault trial Tuesday that he slapped and pushed his ex-girlfriend, but he says it was self defense.

Cook said that his ex-girlfriend punched him during an argument, and that he pushed her onto a bed. He said he then turned his back and she threw a shoe at him, which “hurt bad,” and that’s when he claims he defended himself.

“I spun around and slapped her in the face,” Cook said, via the Pioneer Press.

Prosecutors say that slap ruptured the woman’s eardrum. Cook said on the stand that she also had a bloody nose.

Cook faces charges of domestic assault by strangulation and third-degree assault. The jury will begin deliberating today.

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Brandon Marshall accused of "slugging" a woman in New York

Posted by Mike Florio on March 14, 2012, 3:38 AM EDT

Getty Images

Annnnnnnnd now we know why Brandon Marshall was available for two third-round picks.

The New York Post reports that Marshall isaccused of “slugging” a woman outside a New York City nightclub on Sunday.

The woman claims that she was punched in the eye by Marshall as a group of her friends were arguing with Marshall and another football player, both of whom allegedly had been thrown out of the club for fighting.

Saints pursuing G Ben Grubbs

Posted by Evan Silva on March 14, 2012, 1:26 AM EDT

Getty Images

The New Orleans Saints seem resigned to the fact that they are losing free agent guard Carl Nicks. Nicks was in Tampa Bay as of late Tuesday, and it’s considered likely that he’ll sign on to join the Buccaneers.

The Saints aren’t without a fallback option, though.

Per NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora, the Saints are “making a push” to sign free agent Ben Grubbs. Nicks is the top offensive guard on the market. Grubbs is No. 2. Both players have been left guards throughout their careers, so the transition would likely be natural for Grubbs to go to the Saints.

Jahri Evans is New Orleans’ right guard.

Bang it here for the rest of this year’s top-100 free agents.

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Brandon Lloyd to visit the 49ers

Posted by Evan Silva on March 14, 2012, 1:08 AM EDT

Getty Images

NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reports that free agent wide receiver Brandon Lloyd is currently en route to the Bay Area for a visit to the 49ers’ facility.

The Niners signed Randy Moss earlier in the week. Lloyd, like Moss, is a vertical wide receiver who makes his money playing on the perimeter. However, Moss’ contract containedno guaranteed money, and San Francisco apparently isn’t satisfied with its receiver group after the move.

The 49ers also hosted free agent wideout Chaz Schilens on Tuesday evening. They appear to be interested in overhauling a receiver corps that got consistent production from only one player last season — former first-round pick Michael Crabtree.

Lloyd is the No. 9 overall player on the PFT Hot 100.

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Chargers sign Robert Meachem for $25.9 million

Posted by Evan Silva on March 14, 2012, 12:34 AM EDT

AP

The Chargers lost free agent Vincent Jackson to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday evening, but G.M. A.J. Smith countered with a move early Wednesday morning that will keep his team competitive at wide receiver.

The club announced that it has signed deep threat receiver Robert Meachem, formerly of the Saints.

Per Michael Gehlken of the Union-Tribune San Diego, Meachem’s deal is for four years and $25.9 million, with $14 million guaranteed.

A rotational receiver in New Orleans, Meachem should become an every-down wideout with San Diego. He is a downfield threat with sub-4.4 speed, fitting coach Norv Turner’s vertical offense.

Meachem figures to start opposite Malcom Floyd, with 2011 third-round pickVincent Brown manning the slot.

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Adam Carriker re-signs with Skins for $20 million

Posted by Mike Florio on March 13, 2012, 11:43 PM EDT

Now that several new contracts have been negotiated, we’re starting to get our hands on some of the official numbers.

On Tuesday, defensive end Adam Carriker re-signed a four-year deal with the Redskins.  It has a base value of $20 million, with 3.7 million in fully guaranteed money and another $2 million that is guaranteed for injury only.

Carlos Rogers staying with the Niners

Posted by Mike Florio on March 13, 2012, 10:43 PM EDT

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When cornerback Carlos Rogers finally became an unrestricted free agent in 2011, after being restricted in 2010 with five years of service, he signed a one-year deal in the hopes of getting another crack at a bigger payday in 2012.

He got one.

Per a league source, Rogers has agreed to terms on a four-year deal with a base value of $29.3 million.  The contract can be worth as much as $31.3 million.

The overall package for Rogers, 31, is slightly above the contract signed in 2011 by Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor.

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Rams sign Cortland Finnegan to $50 million deal

Posted by Evan Silva on March 13, 2012, 9:59 PM EDT

Reuters

FOX Sports’ Alex Marvez reports that the St. Louis Rams “have a deal in place” with cornerback Cortland Finnegan worth roughly $50 million over five years. It sounds like Finnegan will sign the contract, officially,during his Friday visit to Rams headquarters.

One of the most versatile cornerbacks in football, Finnegan played right corner in Tennessee’s base defense and kicked inside to cover the slot in the nickel. Though not blessed with prototypical size — Finnegan is generously listed at 5-foot-10, 188 — he is a physical defensive back with playmaking ability.

Reggie Wayne takes $17.5 million to stay in Indy

Posted by Mike Florio on March 13, 2012, 10:07 PM EDT

For the past few years, receiver Reggie Wayne’s discontent with his contract created the impression that he would leave as soon as his deal expired.  As recently as last week, there was no evidence of any effort by the Colts to keep him.   It seemed to be a foregone conclusion that Wayne would be gone.

And, of course, he re-signed with the Colts only hours after becoming an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his 11-year career.