FREE AGENCY HAS BEGUN, KANSAS CITY TENDERS 4 VETS & A TRADE OF NOTE
The free agent signing period began about two hours ago & even tho there hasn't been a notable signing, there has been a lot of activity.
The Bears have lined up three visits with prominent free agents Julius Peppers, Aaron Kampman & Viking RB Chester Taylor. Pepper's agent said a few minutes ago Chicago was the first choice of his client & "it's their deal to lose." Peppers & Taylor will be in Chicago early this morning.
The Broncos, who don't a center on their roster currently, have scheduled former Brown center, Rex Hadnot, for a visit on Friday.
It is expected there will be a deal within the hour between Atlanta & former Houston cornerback, Dunta Robinson.
The Carolina Panthers just released nose tackle candidate Ma'ake Kemoeatu. The 31-year old run-stuffer missed the entire season last year when he tore his achilles tendon in training camp. He has played for both Baltimore & Carolina. The 6' 5" 345-pound Utah grad, originally from the island nation of Tonga, claims to be completely recovered from the achilles surgery. With other nose tackle guys tied up with franchise tags or new contracts, Kemoeatu is really the only prospect with the experience to play on the nose. He is a load in the middle.
Arizona linebacker Karlos Dansby is flying to Miami, as I write this, for an early morning meeting. Dansby said last week he was interested in only 4 teams in free agency, Miami was one of them.
No word as of yet regarding Arizona safety Antrel Rolle. If he's fielding offers, it's been kept very quiet.
The Lions just signed Nate Burleson, former Seahawk wide receiver to a 5-year deal with $11 million in guaranteed money. This is a very risky move by the Lions, Burleson has had an extremely erratic career and never two consecutive really productive years in a row. He's had injuries & often he just hasn't given a great effort. At one time, Burleson was a top notch punt returner, bringing back 3 punts over 90-yards. Detroit is desperate to add a veteran receiver to start opposite Pro Bowler Calvin Johnson. This is truly a desperate move in my eyes.
The Chiefs tendered 4 restricted free agents late yesterday. Linebacker Derrick Johnson was tendered as 1st round free agent. What this means is Johnson can listen to offers from any team & whatever deal he is offered, Kansas City has 7 days to match the offer. If they don't match the offer, the team signing Johnson will be required to give the Chiefs their 1st round draft pick. Don't look for Johnson to go anywhere unless he is traded. If they keep him, they are required by the tender to pay Johnson a guaranteed $2,621,000 in 2010. Other restricted free agents, tackle Ryan O'Callaghan, safety Jarrad Page & center Rudy Niswanger all received 2nd round tender, a guaranteed $1,759,000 versus a 2nd round draft pick if they're signed by another team & K.C. declines to match it.
Kansas City also signed veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel, who was an unrestricted free agent. I told you it was doubtful he could return to New England after he slammed owner Robert Kraft in the newspapers.
San Diego traded cornerback Antonio Cromatie to the New York Jets for a 2011 3rd round pick. This will be interesting to watch Cromartie in the Big Apple. He's had nothing but trouble out west. The talented Cromartie picked 10 interceptions during the 2007 season, his second in the league. He's yet to play to that level since despite his talent level being near the top at his position. He began having off-field issues & by late last season it was apparent Cromartie had worn out his welcome in San Diego. The Chargers had already drafted Antoine Cason in the 1st round of the 2008 draft anticipating the time would Cromartie would be shown the door. That time came about two hours ago & now Cromartie can take his off-field baggage & move to New York. He has 7 children with 5 different women all over the country. In December all 5 had filed suit against him for failure to pay child support. Maybe Rex Ryan can kick this kid squarely in the ass & he'll see the light, it wasn't going to happen in San Diego.
I'm heading for bed now, it's going on 2AM, I'll give you an update this morning, as well as later this afternoon & possibly late this evening. So stop back, I'll keep you as up to date as I can. Chiefs' fans keep your fingers crossed.
The Bears have lined up three visits with prominent free agents Julius Peppers, Aaron Kampman & Viking RB Chester Taylor. Pepper's agent said a few minutes ago Chicago was the first choice of his client & "it's their deal to lose." Peppers & Taylor will be in Chicago early this morning.
The Broncos, who don't a center on their roster currently, have scheduled former Brown center, Rex Hadnot, for a visit on Friday.
It is expected there will be a deal within the hour between Atlanta & former Houston cornerback, Dunta Robinson.
The Carolina Panthers just released nose tackle candidate Ma'ake Kemoeatu. The 31-year old run-stuffer missed the entire season last year when he tore his achilles tendon in training camp. He has played for both Baltimore & Carolina. The 6' 5" 345-pound Utah grad, originally from the island nation of Tonga, claims to be completely recovered from the achilles surgery. With other nose tackle guys tied up with franchise tags or new contracts, Kemoeatu is really the only prospect with the experience to play on the nose. He is a load in the middle.
Arizona linebacker Karlos Dansby is flying to Miami, as I write this, for an early morning meeting. Dansby said last week he was interested in only 4 teams in free agency, Miami was one of them.
No word as of yet regarding Arizona safety Antrel Rolle. If he's fielding offers, it's been kept very quiet.
The Lions just signed Nate Burleson, former Seahawk wide receiver to a 5-year deal with $11 million in guaranteed money. This is a very risky move by the Lions, Burleson has had an extremely erratic career and never two consecutive really productive years in a row. He's had injuries & often he just hasn't given a great effort. At one time, Burleson was a top notch punt returner, bringing back 3 punts over 90-yards. Detroit is desperate to add a veteran receiver to start opposite Pro Bowler Calvin Johnson. This is truly a desperate move in my eyes.
The Chiefs tendered 4 restricted free agents late yesterday. Linebacker Derrick Johnson was tendered as 1st round free agent. What this means is Johnson can listen to offers from any team & whatever deal he is offered, Kansas City has 7 days to match the offer. If they don't match the offer, the team signing Johnson will be required to give the Chiefs their 1st round draft pick. Don't look for Johnson to go anywhere unless he is traded. If they keep him, they are required by the tender to pay Johnson a guaranteed $2,621,000 in 2010. Other restricted free agents, tackle Ryan O'Callaghan, safety Jarrad Page & center Rudy Niswanger all received 2nd round tender, a guaranteed $1,759,000 versus a 2nd round draft pick if they're signed by another team & K.C. declines to match it.
Kansas City also signed veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel, who was an unrestricted free agent. I told you it was doubtful he could return to New England after he slammed owner Robert Kraft in the newspapers.
San Diego traded cornerback Antonio Cromatie to the New York Jets for a 2011 3rd round pick. This will be interesting to watch Cromartie in the Big Apple. He's had nothing but trouble out west. The talented Cromartie picked 10 interceptions during the 2007 season, his second in the league. He's yet to play to that level since despite his talent level being near the top at his position. He began having off-field issues & by late last season it was apparent Cromartie had worn out his welcome in San Diego. The Chargers had already drafted Antoine Cason in the 1st round of the 2008 draft anticipating the time would Cromartie would be shown the door. That time came about two hours ago & now Cromartie can take his off-field baggage & move to New York. He has 7 children with 5 different women all over the country. In December all 5 had filed suit against him for failure to pay child support. Maybe Rex Ryan can kick this kid squarely in the ass & he'll see the light, it wasn't going to happen in San Diego.
I'm heading for bed now, it's going on 2AM, I'll give you an update this morning, as well as later this afternoon & possibly late this evening. So stop back, I'll keep you as up to date as I can. Chiefs' fans keep your fingers crossed.
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