bubba9497
February-20th-2005, 03:01 PM
Burress searching for big payday
http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/rumorcentral?sport=nfl
Plaxico Burress
Steelers
Ravens?
Buccaneers?
Falcons?
Bears?
Cowboys?
Feb. 20 - As an unrestricted free agent, Burress will test the market and likely be offered a lucrative contract that's too high for the Steelers to match, the Beaver County Times reports.
The Ravens, Buccaneers, Falcons, Bears and Cowboys need help at wide receiver, and one of those teams just might make Burress an offer he can't refuse March 2, when all franchises must adjust to the 2005 salary cap.
The Steelers could franchise Burress, but historically, the team doesn't advocate franchising players and they would have to pay him $7.8 million this season if they did. Since they won't pay Burress more than fellow wideout Hines Ward, who's due to make $1.668 million this season, retaining him is a longshot.
The Steelers probably will sign one of the NFL free agent wide receivers or select a wideout in the early rounds of the April 23-24 draft. "The free agent group of wide receivers as it as stands right now isn't a real deep group," director of football operations Kevin Colbert told the newspaper. "But in the draft, at this point in time, we think it's a good group."
Donovin Darius
Jaguars
Franchise tag or free agent?
Feb. 20 - According the Florida Times-Union, the Jaguars have until Tuesday to decide whether to franchise their seven-year safety or let him become a free agent.
The dilemma is whether to guarantee Donovin Darius a $4.97 million salary by franchising him – or gamble that backup Deke Cooper can fill the secondary spot for $660,000, the low tender offer the Jaguars are likely to give the restricted free agent.
Owner Wayne Weaver said last week that he felt $5 million was too much to pay a safety, and it was thought the Jaguars would only retain Darius if he agreed to a long-term deal, probably at about $4 million per year. But with the deadline approaching and the Jaguars having $20-plus million in salary cap room, the odds of the team retaining Darius may be improving.
Since some of the most attractive potential free agents already are off the market (as a result of being franchised), paying top dollar for Darius won't squeeze the Jaguars' cap as much than if they intended to make some big splashes in free agency.
Dolphins
Offensive line
Feb. 20 - According to the Miami Herald, Dolphins coach Nick Saban doesn't plan to make wholesale changes to improve the team's offensive line.
"We feel like with maybe the addition of one player, and continue to develop the players we have, that we can actually have a very good offensive line. I think it could be an asset for us next year,'' Saban told the newspaper. "The offensive line is probably the one position you can really develop and improve your players. It was critical we hired … Hudson Houck, who probably is one of the two or three best offensive line coaches in the league.''
Saban previously identified left tackle as a need, and Buffalo's Jonas Jennings is considered a top free-agent option. The team is likely to stick with restricted free agent Seth McKinney at center. Jeno James and John St. Clair are expected to return, and the Dolphins are looking at Vernon Carey as a potential starter. Rex Hadnot also figures to be in the mix.
Brian Westbrook
Eagles
Long-term deal
Feb. 20 - Brian Westbrook, a restricted free agent, would like a long-term deal, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The Eagles have until March 1 to tender him a qualifying offer at one of three salaries and have the right to match any offer by another team. If they make him the lowest offer, they would get a third-round draft choice if Westbrook signed elsewhere. The middle tender would give them a first-round pick, and the highest tender would give them first- and third-round picks.
It's a safe bet Westbrook will remain in Philadelphia. Only one restricted free agent changed teams a year ago, with defensive end Rodney Bailey going from Pittsburgh to New England.
John Abraham
Jets
Vikings?
Feb. 20 - Defensive end John Abraham was designated the Jets' franchise player on Feb. 18 with a one-year deal worth $6.7 million. The franchise tag, the average of the salary for the NFL's top five defensive ends, allows the Jets to get two first-round draft choices for Abraham if he signs with another team. They also could negotiate a long-term deal with him or trade him – some reports have Minnesota interested in obtaining Abraham for wide receiver Randy Moss, who is on the market.
Reggie Hayward
Broncos
Broncos
Cardinals?
Cowboys?
Jaguars?
Dolphins?
Feb. 20 - Re-signing unrestricted free agent defensive end Reggie Hayward is a priority for the Broncos, but it might not be easy because he plays a position where players are routinely overpaid in free agency, the Denver Post reports. Hayward is the premier rush end in free agency, and what makes him more attractive is that it is not a great year for pure pass rushers in the draft. The Broncos will try to keep Hayward, but like any other player, they will not break their budget to retain him.
Jeremiah Trotter
Eagles
Feb. 20 - According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Jeremiah Trotter, who settled for the veteran's minimum of $535,000 to rejoin the Eagles last season, will get more than that next season. While the Eagles are still apprehensive about his knees – both of which have been surgically repaired – the most likely scenario is that he'll sign a two- or three-year deal to remain in Philly.
Samari Rolle
Titans
Cap casualty
Feb. 20 - According to the The Tennessean, the Titans decided to repair their salary cap dilemma by releasing some of the team's best and most popular players. Barring last-minute changes, cornerback Samari Rolle – along with wide receiver Derrick Mason, defensive tackle Kevin Carter, tackle Fred Miller, fullback Robert Holcombe and kicker Joe Nedney – will be cut as early as Monday.
The moves are part of the team's efforts to get below the NFL's salary cap by the league's March 2 deadline. The Titans entered the offseason $27 million over the cap, the highest figure in the league.
The decision to release Rolle, drafted by the Titans in 1998 and considered one of the NFL's top cover corners, had nothing to do with Rolle's arrest on domestic assault charges last week and everything to do with his salary cap figure for 2005 ($9.81M). Rolle is scheduled to make a base salary of $5.5 million and a roster bonus of $500,000 this year.
Joe Nedney
Titans
Titans?
Feb. 20 - There's a chance the Titans will try to re-sign cap casualty Joe Nedney, who has mised the last two seasons with injuries, and let him compete for the job against another kicker in training camp, The Tennessean reports.
Nedney's current contract calls for him to earn a $1.4 million base salary, and the Titans aren't willing to pay it. Already this offseason, the team has worked out six kickers and could sign one of them.
http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/rumorcentral?sport=nfl
Plaxico Burress
Steelers
Ravens?
Buccaneers?
Falcons?
Bears?
Cowboys?
Feb. 20 - As an unrestricted free agent, Burress will test the market and likely be offered a lucrative contract that's too high for the Steelers to match, the Beaver County Times reports.
The Ravens, Buccaneers, Falcons, Bears and Cowboys need help at wide receiver, and one of those teams just might make Burress an offer he can't refuse March 2, when all franchises must adjust to the 2005 salary cap.
The Steelers could franchise Burress, but historically, the team doesn't advocate franchising players and they would have to pay him $7.8 million this season if they did. Since they won't pay Burress more than fellow wideout Hines Ward, who's due to make $1.668 million this season, retaining him is a longshot.
The Steelers probably will sign one of the NFL free agent wide receivers or select a wideout in the early rounds of the April 23-24 draft. "The free agent group of wide receivers as it as stands right now isn't a real deep group," director of football operations Kevin Colbert told the newspaper. "But in the draft, at this point in time, we think it's a good group."
Donovin Darius
Jaguars
Franchise tag or free agent?
Feb. 20 - According the Florida Times-Union, the Jaguars have until Tuesday to decide whether to franchise their seven-year safety or let him become a free agent.
The dilemma is whether to guarantee Donovin Darius a $4.97 million salary by franchising him – or gamble that backup Deke Cooper can fill the secondary spot for $660,000, the low tender offer the Jaguars are likely to give the restricted free agent.
Owner Wayne Weaver said last week that he felt $5 million was too much to pay a safety, and it was thought the Jaguars would only retain Darius if he agreed to a long-term deal, probably at about $4 million per year. But with the deadline approaching and the Jaguars having $20-plus million in salary cap room, the odds of the team retaining Darius may be improving.
Since some of the most attractive potential free agents already are off the market (as a result of being franchised), paying top dollar for Darius won't squeeze the Jaguars' cap as much than if they intended to make some big splashes in free agency.
Dolphins
Offensive line
Feb. 20 - According to the Miami Herald, Dolphins coach Nick Saban doesn't plan to make wholesale changes to improve the team's offensive line.
"We feel like with maybe the addition of one player, and continue to develop the players we have, that we can actually have a very good offensive line. I think it could be an asset for us next year,'' Saban told the newspaper. "The offensive line is probably the one position you can really develop and improve your players. It was critical we hired … Hudson Houck, who probably is one of the two or three best offensive line coaches in the league.''
Saban previously identified left tackle as a need, and Buffalo's Jonas Jennings is considered a top free-agent option. The team is likely to stick with restricted free agent Seth McKinney at center. Jeno James and John St. Clair are expected to return, and the Dolphins are looking at Vernon Carey as a potential starter. Rex Hadnot also figures to be in the mix.
Brian Westbrook
Eagles
Long-term deal
Feb. 20 - Brian Westbrook, a restricted free agent, would like a long-term deal, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The Eagles have until March 1 to tender him a qualifying offer at one of three salaries and have the right to match any offer by another team. If they make him the lowest offer, they would get a third-round draft choice if Westbrook signed elsewhere. The middle tender would give them a first-round pick, and the highest tender would give them first- and third-round picks.
It's a safe bet Westbrook will remain in Philadelphia. Only one restricted free agent changed teams a year ago, with defensive end Rodney Bailey going from Pittsburgh to New England.
John Abraham
Jets
Vikings?
Feb. 20 - Defensive end John Abraham was designated the Jets' franchise player on Feb. 18 with a one-year deal worth $6.7 million. The franchise tag, the average of the salary for the NFL's top five defensive ends, allows the Jets to get two first-round draft choices for Abraham if he signs with another team. They also could negotiate a long-term deal with him or trade him – some reports have Minnesota interested in obtaining Abraham for wide receiver Randy Moss, who is on the market.
Reggie Hayward
Broncos
Broncos
Cardinals?
Cowboys?
Jaguars?
Dolphins?
Feb. 20 - Re-signing unrestricted free agent defensive end Reggie Hayward is a priority for the Broncos, but it might not be easy because he plays a position where players are routinely overpaid in free agency, the Denver Post reports. Hayward is the premier rush end in free agency, and what makes him more attractive is that it is not a great year for pure pass rushers in the draft. The Broncos will try to keep Hayward, but like any other player, they will not break their budget to retain him.
Jeremiah Trotter
Eagles
Feb. 20 - According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Jeremiah Trotter, who settled for the veteran's minimum of $535,000 to rejoin the Eagles last season, will get more than that next season. While the Eagles are still apprehensive about his knees – both of which have been surgically repaired – the most likely scenario is that he'll sign a two- or three-year deal to remain in Philly.
Samari Rolle
Titans
Cap casualty
Feb. 20 - According to the The Tennessean, the Titans decided to repair their salary cap dilemma by releasing some of the team's best and most popular players. Barring last-minute changes, cornerback Samari Rolle – along with wide receiver Derrick Mason, defensive tackle Kevin Carter, tackle Fred Miller, fullback Robert Holcombe and kicker Joe Nedney – will be cut as early as Monday.
The moves are part of the team's efforts to get below the NFL's salary cap by the league's March 2 deadline. The Titans entered the offseason $27 million over the cap, the highest figure in the league.
The decision to release Rolle, drafted by the Titans in 1998 and considered one of the NFL's top cover corners, had nothing to do with Rolle's arrest on domestic assault charges last week and everything to do with his salary cap figure for 2005 ($9.81M). Rolle is scheduled to make a base salary of $5.5 million and a roster bonus of $500,000 this year.
Joe Nedney
Titans
Titans?
Feb. 20 - There's a chance the Titans will try to re-sign cap casualty Joe Nedney, who has mised the last two seasons with injuries, and let him compete for the job against another kicker in training camp, The Tennessean reports.
Nedney's current contract calls for him to earn a $1.4 million base salary, and the Titans aren't willing to pay it. Already this offseason, the team has worked out six kickers and could sign one of them.