Bills bolster their defense with Mario Williams signing

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 15, 2012, 12:33 PM EDT

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The Bills have scheduled a press conference to make it official: Mario Williams won’t be leaving Buffalo without a contract in place.

Williams has signed a six-year contract and will join Bills officials to formally announce that his deal with the Bills is done, as ESPN’s Chris Mortensen first reported.

The deal will make Williams the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, and it fulfills the Bills’ promise to make a big splash at the outset of free agency. For the first time in a long time, it’s beginning to look like the Bills are building a winner in Buffalo.

Williams arrived in Buffalo on the first day of free agency, and although there were reports that he had other visits scheduled, the Bills were able to keep him in town and keep the hard sell on him for nearly 48 hours, and it worked: Buffalo fans can celebrate, as Mario Williams is a Bill.

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Bills getting closer to landing Mario Williams

Posted by Mike Florio on March 15, 2012, 10:48 AM EDT

In Buffalo, there will be white smoke at some point on Thursday.  The question is whether it will be coming from the chimney at the team’s facility (if, you know, it has a chimney) or from the jet that will be carrying Mario Williamsto his next destination.

For now, the smart money is on the chimney.

A source with knowledge of the negotiations tells PFT that Williams and the Bills are “getting closer to a deal.”

Stay tuned.

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Saints sign Grubbs to replace Nicks

Posted by Mike Florio on March 15, 2012, 10:30 AM EDT

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On Wednesday, the Saints lost guard Carl Nicks.  They replaced him quickly.

A league source tells PFT that Ravens guard Ben Grubbs has agreed to terms with the Saints.

The five-year, $36 million contract includes a $10 million signing bonus and $6 million more in fully guaranteed money.

In the end, Grubbs will cost far less than what the Bucs paid for Nicks.  And Grubbs will fill a hole in the interior line that will make life easier for quarterback Drew Brees.  If/when Brees signs a contract and shows up.

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Patriots to look at LaRon Landry and Anthony Gonzalez

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 15, 2012, 9:41 AM EDT

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The Patriots have been relatively quiet in free agency, but they have a couple of visits lined up.

We noted this week that the Patriots are one of four suitorsfor safety LaRon Landry, and today Ian R. Rapoport of theBoston Herald reports that the Patriots are planning to bring him to Foxboro on Friday night for a weekend visit.

And receiver Anthony Gonzalez, a free agent whom the Colts are not interested in re-signing, is also expected to make the trip to New England on Friday.

Titans offer Peyton Manning a contract "for life"

Posted by Mike Florio on March 15, 2012, 10:17 AM EDT

To the extent that Peyton Manning is looking to parlay a contract for his services as a player into acontract for his services as an executive, it’s working.

Titans owner Bud Adams told KHOU radio in Houston on Wednesday that he has offered Peyton a contract “for life.”

Adams also said he “feels great” about the team’s chances of landing Manning.

War of words between Toomer and Shockey heats up

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 15, 2012, 10:40 AM EDT

AP

We have a full-blown war of words between two former Giants teammates.

It started with this morning’s report thatJeremy Shockey wants to return to the Giants. That led former Giants receiver Amani Toomer to say the team should absolutely not bring Shockey back, calling Shockey a bad teammate and a worse person.

That led to Shockey going to town on Toomer on Twitter, going way beyond their time on the field as teammates and dragging in Toomer’s personal life.

“Yes remember when his ex divorced him and he urinated on a her cloths I guess he’s the good person,” Shockey wrote.

McNeil, Lacey, Ginn Jr, and Winston to visit Lions

Posted by ttwentyman on March 14, 2012 – 10:53 pm - DetroitLions.com Blog

Former Chargers left tackle Marcus McNeill is flying to Detroit Thursday and will visit the Lions’ practice facility in Allen Park Friday, according to a league source.

McNeill was released by the Chargers earlier this week due to his history with neck injuries and to clear cap space. He was a second-round draft pick in 2006 and has played in two Pro Bowls.

He spent last season on injured-reserve with a neck issue.

The Lions will also host former Colts cornerback Jacob Lacey, according to sources.

Lacey has started 27 games for the Colts over the last three seasons. Lacey, 24, had 72 tackles and one interception in 15 games with the Colts last season. He started 10 games at left corner in 2011.

Lacey was not offered a restricted free agent tender by the Colts.

The Lions will host wide receiver/return specialist Ted Ginn at the facility Thursday.

Ginn caught 19 passes in 14 games with the 49ers last season but excelled as a returner, scoring on both kick and punt returns.

Ginn missed the end of the season with an ankle injury and the 49ers felt his absence in a loss to the Giants in the NFC Championship Game when the 49ers committed two special teams turnovers.

Offensive lineman Eric Winston, 28, who was released by the Houston Texans on Monday, also is planning a visit to the Lions, according to Ravens Insider Aaron Wilson.

Winston, a right tackle, started every game the last five years for the Texans. He’s also scheduled to visit the Chiefs, Rams and Ravens.

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Jarrett Johnson lands in San Diego

Joe Fortenbaugh - National Football Post

The San Diego Chargers have reached an agreement on a four-year deal with free agent linebacker Jarrett Johnson, the team announced on Wednesday.

Johnson—who spent the first nine years of his career in Baltimore—has started every game over the last five seasons for the Ravens. The 30-year-old’s best campaign came in 2009, when Johnson racked up six sacks, 50 tackles and two interceptions for a Baltimore team that went 9-7.

In San Diego, Johnson will likely play opposite Pro Bowler Shaun Phillips in the Chargers’ 3-4 defense.

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Richard Marshall signs 3 year deal with Miami

Posted by Evan Silva on March 14, 2012, 10:01 PM EDT

Reuters

Free agent defensive back Richard Marshall revealed on Twitter late Wednesday that he has agreed to terms with the Miami Dolphins on a three-year deal.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has the numbers on Marshall’s deal: It’s worth $16 million, with $6 million guaranteed.

We mentioned Marshall’s visit to the Dolphinson Tuesday night. The Fins closed the deal, convincing Marshall he wouldn’t need to meet with any other teams.

Marshall was a top-35 player on the PFT Hot 100 because he is versatile, young, and an efficient tackler. The 27-year-old secured three interceptions and racked up 78 tackles last season, starting 9-of-16 games for the Cardinals.

He is probably ticketed for nickel back in Miami, but also could emerge as a starter at free safety.

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