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He's certainly a serviceable backup, and I have to think he'd do a great job as a mentor for a younger QB.

http://beta.profootballtalk.com/2008/02/28/raiders-sign-kelly-to-huge-deal/

there goes that option

Wow....Sorry but that is one hugh waste of money on thier part, Sure Kelly is good but to recieve that type of contract is nuts on thier part, glad it's them & not us, his contract will be haunting them for a few years.

RAIDERS SIGN KELLY TO HUGE DEAL
Posted by Michael David Smith on February 28, 2008, 2:46 p.m.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network and John Clayton of ESPN are reporting that the Oakland Raiders have reached an agreement on a huge new contract with defensive tackle Tommy Kelly.

The reports indicate that it’s a seven-year deal worth just over $50 million, with just over $18 million guaranteed. The deal makes Kelly the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history.

The 27-year-old Kelly has played both end and tackle for the Raiders and is expected to replace the retiring Warren Sapp as the Raiders’ three-technique defensive tackle this season. Kelly was scheduled to become a free agent at midnight and was thought to be one of the league’s most sought-after free agents because he has the versatility to play either end or tackle, and in either a 4-3 or a 3-4 defense.

Kelly started all 16 games for the Raiders in 2006 but missed nine games in 2007 after suffering a torn ACL. He joined the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2004.

That's flippen INSANE...The dude won't even hit the field till at least August...

Damn I'm glad they signed him cause NO WAY I wanted us to at that BS figure...

Quote:

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Calvin Pace

---

Cardinals DL-turned-LB Calvin Pace ended 2007 with 98 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, an interception and six passes defensed -- all career-highs. Pace had previously played as a defensive end but was moved to linebacker in the Cardinals' new 3-4 scheme and obviously thrived. He is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/396172

the resemblance is uncanny

NFL | Salisbury parts ways with ESPN
Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:02:40 -0800

Larry Stewart, of the Los Angeles Times, reports ESPN NFL studio analyst Sean Salisbury parted ways with ESPN Tuesday, Feb. 26. Salisbury feels he was unappreciated and underpaid, but the result was a mutual parting. "I'm a free agent," he said. "I've been liberated. I knew this was coming, but I couldn't be happier."

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

He should go into acting full time. He has been pretty good acting as a knowledgeable analyst for some time.

he has a future in photography from what i hear

Cardinals | Team tenders A. Smith
Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:27:46 -0800

The Arizona Cardinals announced Thursday, Feb. 28, that the team tendered a one-year qualifying contract to restricted free-agent DL Antonio D. Smith. Smith has until April 18 to sign the qualifying offer. During that time, he may negotiate with another team but the Cardinals have the right to match any offer or receive a draft selection as compensation.

That sucked. I wanted us to make a run at him.

Jaguars | Team gives Stroud permission to seek trade
Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:10:41 -0800

The Detroit Free Press reports the Jacksonville Jaguars gave DL Marcus Stroud permission to seek a trade Thursday, Feb. 28, according to Stroud's agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

Cardinals | Team tenders A. Smith
Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:27:46 -0800

The Arizona Cardinals announced Thursday, Feb. 28, that the team tendered a one-year qualifying contract to restricted free-agent DL Antonio D. Smith. Smith has until April 18 to sign the qualifying offer. During that time, he may negotiate with another team but the Cardinals have the right to match any offer or receive a draft selection as compensation.

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

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3269531&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines

SAN DIEGO -- All-Pro fullback Lorenzo Neal was released Thursday by the San Diego Chargers, who also parted with safety Marlon McCree and right tackle Shane Olivea in the hours before free agency opened.

General manager A.J. Smith said all three requested their release so they can quickly jump into free agency.

Olivea had four years left on his contract while McCree and Neal each had three years remaining.

Olivea lost his starting job to Jeromy Clary midway through the season. McCree was released in part to allow safety Eric Weddle to move into the starting lineup. Neal's role was expected to decrease in 2008. Neal also was a Pro Bowler.

McCree is probably best remembered for fumbling a fourth-down interception in the fourth quarter that gave the New England Patriots new life in a playoff win over the top-seeded Chargers after the 2006 season.

Still, there could be a demand for his services.

Smith also said kicker Dave Rayner, a restricted free agent, will not be tendered a contract. He was signed as a kickoff specialist after Nate Kaeding fractured his plant leg in a win over Denver on Dec. 24. Kaeding continued to kick field goals and PATs.

The Chargers expect unrestricted free agents Michael Turner and Drayton Florence to get big money elsewhere.

Turner is expected to get a starting job elsewhere after backing up LaDainian Tomlinson for three seasons. Smith shopped Turner last offseason but didn't get an offer he liked. So he kept the bruising back under a $2.35 million, one-year contract.

The Chargers tried for three years to work out an extension with Florence, whose went from starter to nickel back after the emergence of Antonio Cromartie. Cromartie led the NFL with 10 interceptions and was named All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl.

The Chargers said 11 players have either had surgery or are scheduled to.

The three players scheduled to have surgery in the next few weeks were all chosen for the Pro Bowl. They are linebacker Shawne Merriman (knee), left tackle Marcus McNeill (shoulder) and defensive tackle Jamal Williams (knees). Williams pulled out of the Pro Bowl because of his injuries and McNeill, originally a second alternate, was added to the roster when two players pulled out.

Smith declined to be specific about the nature of their injuries.

Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates had surgery this week on his dislocated left big toe and is expected to have a rehab of four to six months.

Ten smart-shopper free agents beyond big names, prices
Feb. 28, 2008
By Pete Prisco

It's really a simple equation. NFL teams have plenty of money to spend, and there simply aren't many top-flight players on the free-agent market. That will equal plenty of overpaying.

NFL teams just can't help themselves. When the free-agent period begins Thursday at midnight, there will be more than 20 teams with $20 million in cap room. And there aren't a lot of big-time players on the market.

So-so players are about to get paid. Teams are about to go nuts.

Fiscal restraint is not something we will see. The general managers and coaches will all say they aren't diving in right away, but want to bet there will be plenty of action in the pool come Friday morning?

"Hold back?" said one NFC coach. "A lot of these teams will have deals in place when it begins, for huge money."

That's called tampering. But it's the most unreported crime in the league, next to spying on the opposition. Why? Everybody does it. It's like going 85 on the highway. Don't we all speed? The unfortunate ones are those who get caught.

NFL tampering is the same way. They all do it. It's just nobody gets caught.

The smart teams won't rush to spend. They are the free-agent sharks in the pool, those who know all the angles.

Angle 1 for any shark: Never jump into free agency right away. Look for bargains.

So that's what we've done, scanning the free-agent list in search of potential bargains. None of the players on my list are from my top 32 free agents from a few weeks ago.

All are relatively young and all might come for a pretty good price.

So while some team is laying out $10 million a year for Patriots corner Asante Samuel or $9 million for Bengals defensive end Justin Smith on Friday or Saturday, just remember fiscal restraint might actually end up being the smart way to do.

Bargains can be had. Here are 10 of them:

Ernest Wilford, WR, Jaguars: He had a career-high 45 catches last season in 14 starts. He is a big, strong receiver, but his speed is a concern. He can be a quality second starter for a team with a speed option on the other side, which the Jaguars did not have. He could be gone early in the period.

Benny Sapp, CB, Kansas City Chiefs: He's a small corner at 5-9 who plays with a feisty attitude. He's had some off-field issues in college, which some teams might still hold against him. But he's worth a look as a nickel corner.

Yeremiah Bell, S, Miami Dolphins: He suffered an Achilles tendon injury last season that forced him out for all but the opener. But in 2006 he was a player who showed the ability to be an above-average safety. If he can show he's recovered, he could be a heck of a bargain.

Josh Thomas, DE, Indianapolis Colts: He has played behind Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, but at 26 he might be worth a look. He had 13 tackles in his last two games of 2007, playing for the injured Freeney. He's a try-hard guy who has good size at 6-4, 270 pounds.

Randy Starks, DT, Tennessee Titans: He was the Titans' third tackle behind Albert Haynesworth and Tony Brown. At 6-3, 312, he's 24 years old and has a lot of good football in front of him. He had six tackles in a start for Haynesworth against the Jaguars last season.

Boss Bailey, LB, Detroit Lions: The brother of Broncos corner Champ Bailey has started 35 games the past three seasons, including 12 last season, when had 51 tackles and 3½ sacks. He is a run-and-chase linebacker who doesn't have great size. But in the right defense he can be an effective starter.

Victor Hobson, LB, New York Jets: He's started 48 games the past three seasons and been solid. He tailed off some last season, his tackle total dropping from 100 to 48 and sacks from six to two. But he's 28 and has good football left in that body. Would be a better fit in a 4-3 defense.

Kevin Bentley, LB, Seattle Seahawks: He was a good special-teams player for the Seahawks and started two games. For a team looking for a good backup and a good specials teams player, Bentley would be a good choice. He's 28.

Byron Leftwich, QB, Atlanta Falcons: Yes, he has been let go by two teams in the past year. But at this time a year ago he was the starter for a good Jaguars team. He needs to get with the right team, one that has speed outside, likes the deep passing game and has a good offensive line. It won't cost much, so why not give him a look?

Kris Wilson, TE, Kansas City Chiefs: He was overshadowed by Tony Gonzalez in Kansas City, but still caught 24 passes last season. He has some pass-catching ability. At 26, he's still young enough to become a starter somewhere. He is more like an H-back than a tight end, which might make fitting him in tough.

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Randy Starks or Boss Bailey I suppose.

Free Agent Update

Todd Collins is set to hit the free agent market and will draw heavy interest from Jacksonville and St. Louis among others. He will likely let the Skins match any offer, and we'll see where the money goes. Coach Jim Zorn flew to Quincy, Mass. today Todd's home, to meet with him today, league sources said, but the sides have no deal and he's ready to test the waters.

Skins have talked recently to agents for Reche Caldwell, Jason Fabini and Derrick Frost as well. All will hit the market (Skins did not budge on their offer to Frost, he's rejected it and the Skins will monitor him through free agency). Not many other free agent punters out there, but don't see Frost garnering much interest. Pierson Prioleau and Randall Godfrey could be moving on.

Around the league, the trade market is cooking and those D Tackles are moving fast. Sources say Stroud and Rogers could be swapped and Jacksonville looking for at least a second rounder for Stroud and would retain him unless value is offered. Corey Williams has been traded to Cleveland - it will be announced come midnight, sources said, and another name player, Jon Vilma, is very very close to beaing dealt to the Saints (Sources said the Skins nosed around on him but nothing serious).

DeAngelo Hall is still out there but I would be surprised if the Skins stepped up to the point of getting that done, but you never know in this wacky business.

By Jason La Canfora | February 28, 2008; 8:38 PM ET

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2008/02/free_agent_update_1.html?nav=rss_blog

Very interesting. I heard the Packers wanted a 2nd rounder for him. Guess we'll have to wait and see if its true and, if it is, what we gave up.

Interesting....... wonder how they find this stuff out. I'm not real familiar with the guy, but I know at least he's not an aging guy on the downslide, and he'll be serviceable for some years. He's got the size.

But, I wonder what we're "trading?"

Patriots | Bruschi signs multi-year contract
Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:44:09 -0800

Karen Guregian, of the Boston Herald, reports the New England Patriots have re-signed LB Tedy Bruschi to a multi-year contract, according to a league source. Exact terms of the deal were not disclosed


Texans | Contract update: A. Davis
Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:39:43 -0800

Updating a previous item, Adam Schefter, of the NFL Network, reports Houston Texans WR Andre' Davis signed a four-year deal worth $16 million with almost $8 million guaranteed.


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Cowboys | Adams signed for six years
Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:17:34 -0800

Updating a previous item, ESPN's Ed Werder reports Dallas Cowboys OT Flozell Adams signed a six-year contract with the team.


Do I gotta put the damn link up for all of these?

www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl

Well, the DT market is quite dry this year (Heck, its a dry market overall). I think that's the best "top 10" he could write about. Which isn't saying a lot.

Everyone's been talking defense.

Yes, we know that is our focus, but it wouldn't hurt bringing someone off of this list:

WRs:
Bryant Johnson (I'd like to see Phil reel in this guy)
Jabar Gaffney
Drew Carter
Earnest Wilford

I could care less if we even TOUCHED offense..

You're not the least bit interested in a WR???

JJ was banged up off and on all season. If he stays healthy, we have him and Edwards. That's it.

Wilson is garbage. Carter is gone. Is Cribbs ready?

Get me Bryant Johnson. Braylon Edwards, JJ, Bryant Johnson, and Kellen Winslow, Jr. That is a nice receiving corp.