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I agree. I don't have really have any problems with Fraser, outside of that stupid head-butt. He always gave an honest effort and worked hard for us.

The fact that we're not going to tender him means that we're upgrading our talent to where he's the one left out. That's a good thing.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d806e7927&template=without-video&confirm=true

Patriots release LBs Colvin, Lua
Associated Press

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots have released linebacker Rosevelt Colvin, who was a member of two Super Bowl winning teams but also missed significant time with injuries.

Colvin signed with the Patriots as an unrestricted free agent in March 2003.

In his first season in New England, he started the first two games before suffering a season-ending hip injury at Philadelphia on Sept. 14.

He played in the first 11 games last season before missing the remainder of the season and the playoffs with a foot injury suffered Nov. 25.

He has 414 tackles, 52.5 sacks, three interceptions, 13 forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries in nine seasons with the Patriots and Bears.

The Patriots on Tuesday also released linebacker Oscar Lua, the team's seventh-round draft pick in 2007 who missed the entire season with a knee injury.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d806e7bea&template=without-video&confirm=true

Chiefs release veteran wide receiver Kennison
Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs released veteran wide receiver Eddie Kennison on Tuesday.

Kennison, 35, played for the Chiefs for seven seasons and was their top wide receiver for most of that time. But last season, he was limited by hamstring and shoulder injuries to only eight games, catching 13 passes for 101 yards.

The 6-1, 201-pound receiver played in 91 games for the Chiefs, catching 321 passes for 5,230 yards and 25 touchdowns. He had 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2004 and 2005, joining Carlos Carson as the only players in Chiefs history to accomplish that feat.

Besides the Chiefs, Kennison has played for St. Louis, New Orleans, Chicago and Denver during his 12-year career.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

Panthers cut disappointing QB Carr, bring back WR Muhammad
Feb. 27, 2008
CBSSports.com wire reports

http://sportsline.com/nfl/story/10671961

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers have released disappointing quarterback David Carr and have come to terms with receiver Muhsin Muhammad.

Carr was let go a year after he signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the Panthers following a five-year stint as a starter in Houston. Carr struggled so badly when he took over for the injured Jake Delhomme last season that he was eventually demoted to third-string.

Carr leaves Carolina as Muhammad prepares for his second stint with the franchise.

Muhammad was expected to sign his contract later Wednesday, a week after he was released by the Chicago Bears.

Muhammad spent nine seasons with Carolina before being released in a salary-cap move after the 2004 season.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2007-2008, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved

Just Clickin,

Saw this on GBN report:

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No rest for NFL execs… There won’t be much of a break for NFL personnel people after this week’s scouting combine as the league’s free agent signing and trading periods open up at 12:01 AM on Friday. All teams also have to be down to this year’s salary cap limit by that time prompting a number of releases of veteran players in the past day or so including LBs Roosevelt Colvin and Oscar Lua by New England, WR Justin McCareins, CB Andre Dyson and OG Adrien Clarke by the Jets, WR Eddie Kennison by Kansas City and WR Brandon Lloyd by Washington. In fact, expect the Jets to be one of the movers and shakers in the next few weeks as the team is reportedly shopping both MLB Jonathan Vilma and DT Darrell Robertson. Other players believed to be on the market include DT Shaun Rogers of Detroit, Buffalo QB J.P. Losman, and Carolina DT Kris Jenkins. And if that wasn’t enough the annual month-long pro day circuit kicks off early next week.

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I wouldn't mind seeing what the Jets want for Robertson. I think he would be a pretty good 3-4 DE. He's young only 25 or 26 i believe and he's 6' 1" 310 lbs.

I wouldn't mind picking up Kris Jenkins AND/ or Shaun Rogers....

I don't want Robertson or Vilma. The Jets run the 3-4 just like us, so if they don't fit in that defense why would they fit in ours?

The Jets just switched to the 3-4 and they have Robertson playing NT on their team because they have no one else even though he would probably be better suited as a DE.

I think we should look at Anthony McFarland, he had many good years in Tampa, and I believe if he could make a decent end in the 3-4.

jc
I am wondering what of our own are we going to re-sign.
I am guessing big Ted won't be back.
I think Dorsey will be gone.
With Ethan Kelley having knee surgery I can not see him coming back.
Baxter made a good effort to come back but I don't see it being with the Browns.
I would like to see Friedman and McKinney re-signed.

How old is Booger now?

Just a general question, do guys in Tampa 2 defenses generally translate well into the 3-4. I know that Sapp tried and failed.

He's 30, I believe he could make the switch to a DE in a 3-4, due to his size (300 pounds) and his ability to stop the run and rush the passer. I'm not positive, but I think sapp was not used as an end but instead as a tackle on passing downs and was taken out on running downs where they used the base 3-4.

when does FA signing period start, is it tonight at 12:01 pm, or is it Friday night Feb 29th at 12:01 which is technically Saturday March 1st.



Also 2nd point....Take a look at some of the DL players being cut....compared to the ones which are FA...dont be surprised if two or three cut DL players are brought in for a look and one or two are signed, there Booger, Spiers, Carter...just a thought....and they will be cheaper than FA, which we might sign one or two for the DL...

I'm not overly enthused with our prospects in this free agency. I don't think some of our major needs (stud DE, ILB) are out there. Wouldn't be surprised to see Phil trade for what he wants.

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Wouldn't be surprised to see Phil trade for what he wants.

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I thought about that too, i'm sure if one is made it will be for young back-up players that Phil thinks theres a upside to, I really dont see him giving up anything of valuve for a solid def. starr, to get value you have to give value and I really dont see us giving up any of our young core players, which is what teams will want, so Phl will take a chance & trade a Tim Carter or Wilson for a back-up Def. player.


With saying that tomorrow Phil will announce he has traded our 2009 & 2010 first round picks for 3 def. Players....

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when does FA signing period start, is it tonight at 12:01 pm

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TONIGHT at Midnight...

I wonder who'll be the first to sign. Briggs? Samuel?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d806ebbbd&template=with-video&confirm=true

Vikings release QB Holcomb
Minnesota Vikings

Holcomb was 0-3 as a starter last season while Jackson was hurt. In his 11th year in the NFL, Holcomb completed only 50.6 percent of his passes (42-for-83) for 515 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

After spot duty for Indianapolis, Cleveland and Buffalo, Holcomb was traded to Philadelphia last March and then dealt to Minnesota during the last week of training camp when the Vikings were concerned about their depth at the position.

Jackson showed clear improvement down the stretch, but his erratic performances were a big reason why Minnesota missed the playoffs at 8-8. Coach Brad Childress has maintained that Jackson is still the starter, but has also left open the possibility of competition for the job.

Holcomb's departure means the Vikings will surely pursue another option through free agency or a trade, when the market opens early Friday.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d806eb5fb&template=with-video&confirm=true

Ravens terminate contract of veteran running back Anderson
Associated Press

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens terminated the contract of veteran running back Mike Anderson on Wednesday, freeing up his $1.8 million salary.

Anderson spent two seasons with the Ravens, gaining 245 yards rushing and scoring one touchdown. He also had 13 catches for 80 yards.

The former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year rushed for 3,822 yards and 36 touchdowns during six seasons with the Denver Broncos. He signed a four-year, $8 million contract with Baltimore in 2006 that included a $2 million signing bonus.

Anderson was under contract through 2009.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

Hmmm... maybe the Vikes are making room for another soon-to-be ex-Browns QB.

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Vikings release QB Holcomb
Minnesota Vikings

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NO WE DONT NEED HIM

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TONIGHT at Midnight

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THANKS...I'M probebly not gonna stay up & see who we sign, unless Phil call and wants my input......so with that i'll be in bed around 10:00

Speaking of Berrian:

www.KFFL.com

Bears | Berrian turns down $25 million offer
Thu, 28 Feb 2008 05:50:22 -0800

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears WR Bernard Berrian, who is soon-to-be an unrestricted free agent, was offered a five-year deal from the Bears worth $25 million. The deal included $8 million in the form of a signing bonus. Berrian, however, turned the proposal down and will test the free-agent water.

Interesting...That's a bit LESS than I thought he'd get...

Nah, just first overall.

I have a feeling we'll probably get a guy day one or two, nothing to make a huge splash like last year, but something to get our D's front seven in better shape.

Goodbye Fraiser..you work hard but you're not strong enough.

I don't think we'll pursue Pace heavily although you'd think we would.

This kind of says it all.....



Free agent class lacks excitement
By Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports
Feb 27, 6:57 am EST

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More From Jason ColeSamuel set for massive free agent deal Feb 27, 2008 McFadden's quick recovery Feb 25, 2008
Here’s a small bit of advice for those fans who are intrigued by free agency in the NFL this time every year.

Don’t blink, you might miss it all.

The NFL free agency Class of 2008 reads more like the attendance roll from the school in “Little House on the Prairie.” Sure, there’s some intrigue to go with the likes of wide receiver Randy Moss, guard Alan Faneca and cornerback Asante Samuel.

But to put all of this in perspective, of the top 10 free agents as rated by a group of 10 NFL general managers and/or coaches, two are kickers and one is a fullback.

Not exactly the types of players who change a team.

ADVERTISEMENT

“No, there just isn’t much out there,” Kansas City Chiefs President Carl Peterson said. “Teams have done a really good job of keeping their own players, signing guys to longer contracts earlier. Everybody has become a lot smarter about handling the (salary) cap.”

While that’s true to an extent, the drop in top-flight free agents has a lot more to do with the explosion in the salary cap over the past three years. Now at $116 million per team, the league is so flush with cash that the hard decisions of years ago are gone.

As the contracts of star players start to rise, teams have an easier time keeping those players. For instance, aging Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Taylor isn’t a problem for Miami this year (at least for now) despite his $7.5 million base salary.

Teams are more judicious about letting veterans go because they don’t have to. In past years, many teams scrambled at this time of the year to get under the salary cap, either restructuring contracts or simply cutting good players.

“It’s just not an issue,” veteran agent Gary Wichard said. “Yeah, a team might have a guy or two who’s making a little more than they really think he’s worth, but the question they face if they let him go is, ‘Do you really want to dump him and risk having somebody else take him?’–”

Here’s the proof: With a week remaining before the start of free agency, only three teams were over the salary cap for next season. In the past, teams were regularly well over the cap. In fact, Indianapolis, a team regularly at or over the cap, was able to re-sign tight end Dallas Clark (six years, $36 million) and guard Ryan Lilja (five years, $20 million) last week.

“Our plan is always to keep our own players, so this has been successful for us,” Indianapolis President Bill Polian said. “I’m not interested in what free agency has to offer.”

No one really is this year. After Moss, Samuel, Faneca and linebacker Lance Briggs, other top players just aren’t very impressive. For instance, defensive end Justin Smith, who had only two sacks last season and has never had more than 8½ in his seven-year career with Cincinnati, is expected to strike it rich.

“Yeah, that’s really what I want to pay for,” a NFC general manager said, his voice full of sarcasm. “The stuff you’re seeing in the market is really just awful, for the most part. But somebody is going to pay. The money is there and very few teams ever resist.”

At the high end, Samuel is hoping to get a contract that will feature $26 million in guaranteed money and an average of probably more than $10 million per year. Despite being 31 years old, Faneca could get a contract in excess of $8 million per year, only a year after three lesser guards got an average of $7 million.

In fact, look for the structure of Faneca’s deal to surpass the cash flow Dallas gave guard Leonard Davis last season. As part of a seven-year, $49.5 million deal, Davis received $24 million in the first three years of the deal. Faneca has spent the past two years complaining about his contract with Pittsburgh, and one of several teams, including the New York Jets, Miami, Atlanta and Arizona could make a run at him with a lot of cash up front.

In the case of Samuel and Faneca, the contracts have been earned through years of productive play. For others, there’s little more than flashes of production. Smith is a prime example. His career high in sacks came as a rookie in 2001. Despite playing on the right end for most of his career, he has never been a dominant pass rusher.

But he’s the best of a mediocre lot of pass rushers. Aside from Smith, Tommy Kelly, Antwan Odom and Bobby McCray are the only players with any significant pass rush skills. All of them are flawed. Kelly has some inside pass rushing ability, which makes him intriguing, but he’s coming off a season with only one sack.

Odom had eight sacks last season, but he did that playing opposite Pro Bowl end Kyle Vanden Bosch and tackle Albert Haynesworth. McCray had 10 sacks in 2006, but had only 11½ in his other three seasons combined.

Likewise, the only offensive tackle of great note is 34-year-old Flozell Adams, who is expected to re-sign with Dallas. The next best offensive lineman could be former first rounder Kwame Harris, who was used as a backup last year with San Francisco.

Of the positions with depth, safety leads the way. But that’s hardly amazing as it’s considered one of the easiest positions to fill.

Bottom line …

“There’s not much to get excited about,” Arizona general manager Rod Graves said.

Here's a general article on FA. Something to read and pass the time til the signings start. I bet time would pass quicker if I got to work.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=3267228

Consider this: Nearly 80 of this year's unrestricted free agents started eight games or more. That's 2½ starters per team, meaning some pretty big holes may need to be filled.

On the flip side, approximately 170 of the 320 or so free agents expected to hit the market will have played less than 20 percent of their team's plays. That means teams may be reaching -- and paying significant bucks -- to unproven players.

Let the panic begin.

Thus, the key for teams this offseason won't be which free agents they sign, but which ones they keep. It's not surprising that the Bengals (guard Stacy Andrews), Steelers (tackle Max Starks) and Packers (defensive tackle Corey Williams) franchised or transitioned players who in some circles might be considered backups. In fact, a dozen teams preferred to keep the players they knew with those tags instead of taking chances on free agents they don't know.

In the grand scheme of things, the success or failures of 32 teams may be determined by the decisions they make during the next week. With so few top free agents available, teams better have, well, a Plan B (or even a Plan C) if they are forced to replace a key player. But it won't be easy -- the dropoff at several positions is incredibly steep.

On a plane heading to a game last fall, I went through depth charts of every team and came up with the rough number of 132 new starters teams acquired through free agency, street signings, trades and the draft. That's roughly four new starters a team. Any team trying to find four new starters in this market is in trouble.

The smart teams, as noted, will focus on keeping their own guys. A year ago, the Packers signed only backup cornerback Frank Walker in free agency and won 13 games. The Colts signed three minimum-salary free agents (none made the team) and also won 13 games. The Chargers didn't sign a single free agent and won 11.

Perhaps the most fascinating team in free agency will be the New England Patriots. They "won" the offseason last year by signing wide receivers Donte' Stallworth and Kelley Washington and linebacker Adalius Thomas, and trading for Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Moss, Stallworth and Washington are now free agents, with the Patriots scrambling to re-sign one or two of them. Meanwhile, cornerback Asante Samuel is expected to get $10 million a year from another team in free agency.

The Bears will also provide some intrigue, and not just because they're bringing back Rex Grossman. It was surprising that Chicago didn't put the franchise tag on wide receiver Bernard Berrian, because the Bears may not find a receiver as good as him -- unless they can get Moss, of course. The next options with deep speed are Drew Carter of the Panthers, D.J. Hackett of the Seahawks, Devery Henderson of the Saints and Stallworth, and each one will come in at $4 million to $5 million a year. The Texans' Andre Davis is also going to make $5 million a year, and no one is 100 percent certain he's a starter.

Now add the fact that the Bears cut Muhsin Muhammad, and it may be impossible to maintain -- much less upgrade -- that position by trying to find two starting receivers.

This market will be fast and dangerous. By the end of the weekend, most of the top free agents will be with new teams.

Of course, as history has shown, the top signings usually do pay off. Linebackers Lance Briggs and Calvin Pace, guard Alan Faneca, defensive end Justin Smith, running back Michael Turner, safety Madieu Williams and Moss, Berrian and Samuel will improve the teams that sign them.

Still, you can expect a flurry of re-signings to deplete the list of available players. The $116 million salary cap has afforded teams the luxury of re-signing their own. Going outside the organization is getting scarier and scarier.

Plan A in 2008 free agency, you see, is not having to use a Plan B approach. The focus is simple.

Keep your own.

Key Positions In Free Agency

Defensive tackle: This is a particularly thin market. The franchise tags given to Albert Haynesworth of the Titans and Corey Williams of the Packers wiped out the position. That leaves only three defensive tackles who played 40 percent of the defensive snaps -- the Vikings' Spencer Johnson, the Saints' Brian Young and the Titans' Randy Starks. That doesn't include Raiders defensive lineman Tommy Kelly, an end who could convert to tackle, although there's a good chance he could re-sign with the Raiders.

Cornerback: This is one of the priciest positions on the market, thanks to Nate Clements' eight-year, $80 million contract last year. Asante Samuel will get his big deal. The Chargers' Drayton Florence is next. Brian Kelly of the Bucs might go to Detroit to reunite with former Bucs coach Rod Marinelli. After that, there's the Lions' Travis Fisher, the Cowboys' Jacques Reeves, the Pats' Randall Gay and the Jags' Terry Cousins. No wonder trade interest is heating up around the Falcons' DeAngelo Hall, the Eagles' Lito Sheppard and the Raiders' Fabian Washington.

Running back: The re-signings of Jamal Lewis (Browns) and Justin Fargas (Raiders) leave the Chargers' Michael Turner and the Cowboys' Julius Jones as the top backs available. After that, the only halfback on the field for more than 40 percent of the snaps last year is the Texans' Ron Dayne.

Quarterback: The Bears looked at free agency, trades and the draft and decided to take one more chance on Rex Grossman. Daunte Culpepper tops the list of quarterbacks, but if Josh McCown of the Raiders and Todd Collins of the Redskins re-sign, where does a team go? The Dolphins' Cleo Lemon and the Jags' Quinn Gray are the only other QBs who played more than 30 percent of the snaps.

John Clayton, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame writers' wing, is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

Eagles | Kearse released
Thu, 28 Feb 2008 08:30:35 -0800

The Philadelphia Eagles have announced they have released DE Jevon Kearse.

49ers | Sopoaga extension update
Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:57:12 -0800

Updating a previous report, Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers signed DL Isaac Sopoaga to a five-year deal worth $20 million.

Titans | Givens released
Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:40:39 -0800

Pete Prisco, of CBSSports.com, reports the Tennessee Titans released WR David Givens Wednesday, Feb. 27

Colts | Team releases McFarland
Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:36:24 -0800

Pete Prisco, of CBSSports.com, reports the Indianapolis Colts released DL Anthony McFarland Wednesday, Feb. 27, because he failed a physical.

http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl

49ers | Team to sign Briggs?
Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:35:40 -0800

Sean Jensen, of the Pioneer Press, reporting for AOL Sports, reports unrestricted free-agent LB Lance Briggs (Bears) is expected to sign with the San Francisco 49ers.

Buccaneers | Team releases Spires
Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:42:10 -0800

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced they released DL Greg Spires.

Buccaneers | Team releases Carter
Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:38:27 -0800

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced they released DL Kevin Carter.

Buccaneers | Team could re-sign Carter
Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:24:36 -0800

The St. Petersburg Times reports free agent DE Kevin Carter (Buccaneers) is expected to sign a new contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team released Carter Wednesday, Feb. 27, to avoid paying him a $2 million roster bonus.

http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl

I'm not expecting much tonight. Hopefully we will hear who we want to bring in.

I'm not expecting much, either. The list of candidates isn't impressive. The last couple years started with a bang. I hope we catch some big names, but there's not many out there, and they aren't all coming to Cleveland.

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Wuss! You're worse than my wife!

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LOL.....I really need my beauty sleep....

I doubt Kearse could do anything for us since 3-4 is something he prob never played in (may be Titans though?). Could be a guy with his hand down on third down though...........

But how about McFarland or Givens (if Bryant Johnson looks to be a no-go). McFarland could be good enough to be in the rotation at a vet min salary. Givens was good for NE, I remember a bunch of us wanted him. He could be our number 2.

I also read on PFT that Marcus Stroud will be put on the trade block. He's a great DT and is only 30 years old, even if it says he's been injured the past two seasons only playing 9 and then 11 games. If we could get him for a next-year 2nd or 3rd round pick, may be even this year's 2nd---he'd be a steal.

I don't know how he might transfer to 3-4, as that technical aspect I have issues with and only get a chance to see the Jags so much.....But the guy is able to plug the holes and can make his way toward the QB. He might not be as good as John Henderson, but he certainly is a very good player. May be he could play DE or NT for us next year?

Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports unrestricted free-agent QB Trent Green has been cleared to play football in 2008. During an exclusive interview with FOXSports.com, Green said he was cleared to play last week by Dr. Cantu, one of the most known neurosurgeon doctors in the country. Dr. Cantu said Green did not show any symptoms after tests taken by Cantu and said there is no reason that Green shouldn't play. Green said the reason he wants to come back is because you only have a small window of opportunity in your career and once the window closes, your career is over. Trent said his family supports his decision to return to football and said a few teams have talked to him about signing him as the No. 2 quarterback, while other teams have spoken with him about competing for the starting job. He also said he has not had any symptoms of the concussion he suffered in the 2007 season.


www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl


Well there's another QB on the market. Don't think he'll be very intimidating at this point.

Someone's gonna have to be really desperate to pull the trigger on him. But I bet he goes before some of the other names on the list.