Matt Forte upset with Michael Bush signing

Posted by Evan Silva on March 22, 2012, 2:45 PM EDT

AP

The Bears’ Wednesday signing of running backMichael Bush was at first perceived as a sort of insurance policy for unsigned franchise player Matt Forte. Bush could be Forte’s backup, giving Chicago a starting-capable runner in the event of another Forte injury, and also provide the Bears with some negotiating leverage in long-term contract talks with Forte.

But perhaps there’s more to it. Perhaps the Bears don’t want to sign Forte long term, at all.

PFT's first Mock Draft of 2012

Posted by Evan Silva on March 22, 2012, 1:35 PM EDT

AP

1. Colts: Robert Griffin III, quarterback, Baylor.

In an upset, the Colts opt for the most gifted quarterback in the draft.

2. Redskins: Andrew Luck, quarterback, Stanford.

Mike Shanahan settles for a still-elite prospect at the game’s premier position.

3. Vikings: Matt Kalil, tackle, USC.

Left tackle is Minnesota’s biggest need, and Kalil is a top-three talent.

4. Browns: Morris Claiborne, cornerback, LSU.

The Browns may reach for offense, but Claiborne is the best player left.

5. Bucs: Trent Richardson, running back, Alabama.

LeGarrette Blount alone won’t cut it for Greg Schiano’s run-first approach.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis winds up in Cincinnati

Terry McCormick - National Football Post

The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to a deal with New England Patriots free agent running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, according to NFL.com.

The Bengals were in the market for a running back, having turned the page on free agent Cedric Benson after the 2011 season.

Green-Ellis, a former undrafted free agent, rushed for 667 yards for the Pats last season.

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Coming soon, TTR's 2nd Annual Mock Draft Contest!

Mark Anderson's impact on Buffalo's defense

Greg Gabrial - National Football Post

Earlier today free agent defensive end Mark Anderson signed a 4-year deal with the Buffalo Bills. While it won’t be publicized like the Mario Williams deal last week, this deal is important for both the Bills and Anderson.

Anderson was a 5th-round pick of the Bears in 2006. As a role player he had 12 sacks in helping lead the Bears to an NFC Championship. Because of that great rookie season, a lot was expected from Anderson and he didn’t deliver. Yes, he had some injury concerns but his play just didn’t live up to what he did in 2006.

Mike Tannenbaum and Tebow's role

Posted by Josh Alper on March 22, 2012, 12:11 PM EDT

Getty Images

On his conference call with the media Wednesday night, Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum was insistent that Tim Tebow’s role with the Jets was going to be that of a backup quarterback who can run the Wildcat.

The mantra Tannenbaum kept repeating was that every team in the league needs a backup quarterback and that’s what they were going after when they made the deal for Tebow. In an appearance on ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike Thursday morning, however, Tannenbaum sang a slightly different tune when it came to Mark Sanchez’s job security. Tannenbaum was asked about his vision for how much the team will use Tebow packages.

Michael Bush signs with the Bears

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 22, 2012, 11:56 AM EDT

AP

Michael Bush is heading to Chicago.

Bush, a free agent running back who has played his entire career with the Raiders, has agreed to terms on a deal with the Bears. A league source tells PFT’s Mike Florio that the deal is a four-year, $14 million contract with $7 million guaranteed. At an average of $3.5 million a year, that’s the best deal a free-agent running back has received this year.

Mike Wallace wants more money than Fitzgerald

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 22, 2012, 9:52 AM EDT

AP

Mike Wallace is the best free agent availableright now, but it appears that he’s going to need to lower his asking price significantly if he wants to do anything other than play for the Steelers on the one-year restricted free agent tender this season.

That’s the word out of San Francisco, where the 49ers had interest in signing Wallace until they found out how much money he wanted. Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reports that Wallace wants a contract that surpasses the eight-year, $120 million deal that Larry Fitzgerald signed with the Cardinals.

Report: Jets promised Drew Stanton they would not add another QB

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 22, 2012, 6:16 AM EDT

AP

When free agent quarterback Drew Stantonsigned with the Jets, he was penciled in as No. 2 on the depth chart. That lasted less than a week.

When the Jets traded for Tim Tebow, General Manager Mike Tannenbaumproclaimed Tebow the No. 2 quarterback. And according to Jason La Canfora of NFL Network, that directly contradicts what Tannenbaum promised Stanton — and that promise to Stanton was the primary reason he agreed to sign with the Jets.