May

7

Raiders Continue Defensive Overhaul with LB Hartwell

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Hartwell

The Raiders offseason of looking to upgrade their defense continued on Tuesday, as the team came to terms with free-agent linebacker Edgerton Hartwell. The 30-year-old hasn’t been much of a factor, as he has been hurt most of the last three years, and didn’t play at all last season after being cut by the Bengals before the start of the season.

In 2005 and 2006 with the Falcons, he played in just a total of 13 games due to injuries to his knee and Achilles tendon. If healthy, he will add some depth to the Raiders linebacker core of Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard. Getting the Raiders defense has been a priority this offseason, as last year they allowed a league-worst 4.8 yards per carry.

Apr

28

Raiders Say So Long to Rhodes Two Days After Drafting McFadden

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Rhodes

Two years ago Dominic Rhodes rushed for over 100 yards vs the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl for the eventual champion Colts. Now, he’s out of a job.  After just one lackluster season in Oakland, the Raiders dumped Rhodes just two days after drafting Arkansas stud back Darren McFadden.

The Raiders are more than stacked at the RB spot, as they have McFadden, re-signed Justin Fargas, and often unhappy but still on the roster anyway LaMont Jordan.  Rhodes ran into trouble right away in Oakland after signing his free agent deal, as he was suspended the first four games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

He then didn’t do much once he was able to make it on the field, as he ran for just 302 yards in 10 games.  He did show a spark the last two games of the year though as he ran for 237 yards, but it was not enough to keep a roster spot with Oakland.  In 2001 with the Colts he had his best season, which was also his rookie year, rushing for 1,104 yards.

There are a couple of teams that are likely to take a look at Rhodes, such as the Bengals, Eagles, Lions, Jets and Cardinals.

Apr

21

Drew Rosenhaus Talks About Chad Johnson, Jeremy Shockey And Marion Barber

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Apr

4

The Musa Smith Story: Waiting to Exhale

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Smith

It has been over a full month since former Ravens RB Musa Smith hit the free agency. Personally, I expected him to make a big splash. I expected owners to look past his injuries that have come off from serious hits and falls, and not Donovanesque-run-out-of-bounds injuries. I expected owners to check the stats (2007: 16 games played, one game started, 75 rushing attempts, 264 total yards, 3.5 yards per carry, two touchdowns, 27 receptions, 192 yards, 7.1 yards per reception) and sign the bulldozing, hard-to-tackle back. But nope; Smith is still waiting for that call.

“I wasn’t on the market this long last time in free agency, so this is different for me,” Smith said after reflecting his $1, one-year contract signed with his former team, the Ravens. “I’m just staying busy, working out and just praying for a call to come through. Hopefully, some good things will happen.” Smith’s five seasons of injuries culminated with 2004’s broken leg and 2006’s neck injury. Both surgeries took at least 25 games away from Smith’s NFL career from 2004-2006.

And now that Smith’s healthy, he hasn’t had the chance to prove it. “It is frustrating and disappointing to be on the market this long because I finished the season healthy,” Smith said. “I got a full year under my belt, post-surgery, and played a lot of football. That was important to prove that I could do that. Some teams don’t want to take a chance, but I’m healthy and I’m staying in good shape. I don’t know what the problem is.”

In early March, Jack Reale, Smith’s agent, told the Carroll County Times that “We’re in a wait-and-see mode with Musa. Musa’s a good football player and he would love to be back with Baltimore. Hopefully, something can be worked out.”

Smith finished the 2007 season with a career-high 83 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith would like to re-sign with Baltimore, but their team officials have yet to contact him on business terms. Smith, if you’re reading, you’re prayers will be answered. Change venues and prove to the NFL you’re a future elite, feature back waiting for the right chance to show them all the truth.

Mar

26

Free Agent Linebacker Haggans Signs with the Cardinals

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Haggans 

The Cardinals have made a move on the free agent market, as they have inked former Steelers LB Clark Haggans. Adam Schefter of NFL Network is reporting that Haggans has come to terms with the Cards, but that you can assume it was for not that much money, considering it was being reported that the Cards only had about $100,000 under the cap after the extension of Larry Fitzgerald.

Haggans is a classic case of a player thinking he was worth more than he really was. He was getting little to no interest on the open market, and the only team that had him in for a visit was the Browns. There were some rumors that he might have to return back to the Steelers as a backup just to have a job in the league. With Ken Whisenhunt, the former Steeler coordinator knows all about Haggans, making it a good fit for the club.

Last season in 16 games with the Steelers, Haggans had 58 tackles and four sacks. In his career, he has 322 career tackles with 32.5 sacks. He was a 5th round pick of the Steelers back in 2000, with his best season coming in the teams Super Bowl year of 2005 when he had 9 sacks and 61 tackles.

Mar

25

Inside the Huddle with John Clayton

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Mar

23

Quinn Gray to become a Texan

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Quinn Gray

According to reports in the Houston Chronicle free agent quarterback Quinn Gray will sign with the Texans. The deal could be announced as early as Monday.”My agent has an agreement in place. It’s a one-year deal.” That agent is none other than super agent Drew Rosenhaus.

Quinn will be the third quarterback in camp for the Texans behind Matt Schaub and Sage Rosenfels.

The signal caller out of Florida A&M has already visited Green Bay and Oakland and had another visit lined up in Buffalo which he says he doesn’t plan on taking.

“I don’t plan on leaving here,” Gray said today. “I’m ready to sign. We’ve been talking on the phone, and now I’m going to meet face to face with Coach (Gary) Kubiak and coach (offensive coordinator) Kyle Shanahan.” The reported deal is for one year at $645,000 and $40,000 to sign.

Texans GM Rick Smith said he wanted to have three quarterbacks they can count on going into camp and apparently have found their player. Quinn Gray was very complimentary Sunday about his new teammates and the city, “The Texans have two good quarterbacks, and if everything goes like I hope it does, I’ll be added to the mix,” Gray said.

“I think that I can fit in here. I love Houston. I like the organization and where the Texans are headed.”

Mar

22

NFL Free Agent Tracker: the Best and Worst Moves

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Mar

21

Panthers Sign Safety Terrence Holt

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Holt

The Panthers have signed safety Terrence Holt.  Terms of the deal were not released.  The former North Carolina State standout was released from the Cardinals last month after struggling through the 2007 season.  Panthers general manager Marty Hurney told the Charlotte Observer the team was fortunate to add Holt to the roster.  The Gibsonville native spent four years with Detroit before his abbreviated stint with Arizona.

Mar

21

Pats Sign Free Agent Corner Fernando Bryant

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Bryant

The Patriots signed free agent cornerback Fernando Bryant to an undisclosed contract on Thursday.  The former first-round draft pick was with Detroit last season, where he started all 16 games and collected 76 tackles and two interceptions.  Bryant was drafted by the Jaguars with the 26th overall pick in 1999.  The 30-year-old has 509 career tackles, seven picks, three forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.

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