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Ben Troupe Ben Troupe Ben Troupe!

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle confirms that the "wheels are turning" on a trade that would send DT Marcus Stroud to the Bills.

Stroud, who's been permitted to seek a trade, visited Buffalo Friday. The Bills have been searching for a nose tackle for years, but Stroud carries big injury risk. He shouldn't cost them what the Browns paid for Shaun Rogers.


The Jets have inquired about free agent OL Shane Olivea.

The team has its new left guard (when Alan Faneca officially signs on the dotted line), and could use an upgrade at right tackle. Olivea is a NY native.


The Ravens extended restricted free agent LS Matt Katula a low tender.

It's for $927,000. The Ravens did not tender FB Justin Green, which isn't a surprise. Le'Ron McClain will be Baltimore's starting fullback this season.



Mike Flynn, recently cut by the Ravens, thinks Jonathan Ogden will retire.

Ogden and Flynn were close. "I know last year when they released Edwin (Mulitalo) it was tough on me, and I know Jonathan felt that way about Edwin, too," Flynn said. "For Jonathan with a new coaching staff and a new system... Sometimes, that’s when the gas tank goes on ‘E.’ He’s going to be the best tackle to ever play the game. What else is there for him to accomplish?"


The Dolphins and Bengals are interested in free agent OLB Darryl Blackstock.

Both are moving to base 3-4 alignments in 2008. Blackstock was a highly touted pass rusher coming out of UVA, but hasn't done much of it in the pros.


The agent for Alan Faneca says Larry Fitzgerald's drawn-out contract talks with the Cardinals cost the team a shot at his client.

"They would 100 percent be in this thing if Larry had redone his deal," said the agent. "Larry is going to cost them Alan Faneca. It’s a fact." This isn't going to make Fitz popular in Arizona. The Cards have already offered to make him the richest receiver in the NFL.


Free agent TE Ben Hartsock will visit with the Falcons today.

With Alge Crumpler gone, Atlanta has a gaping hole at tight end. Still, don't expect Hartsock to be much of a fantasy factor even if the Falcons scoop him up.


49ers signed DE Justin Smith to a six-year, $45 million contract. The deal includes $20 million in guarantees.

He never made it to Minneapolis. Smith, the No. 4 pick in 2001, will be used often with his hand up in San Francisco's 3-4, allowing Tully Banta-Cain to be a nickel rusher. He'll also see a good amount of action at end in the Niners' 4-3 fronts. Smith hasn't played linebacker as a pro, but has the motor and athleticism to be effective there. He's a good player who is getting paid to be great.


NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports the Eagles are shopping Lito Sheppard.

Sheppard, 26, has made more Pro Bowls than his usurper, Asante Samuel. The Patriots ironically were earlier rumored to be interested. There are rumors in Arizona and Philly of a possible Lito-for-Larry Fitzgerald swap.



Browns acquired DT Shaun Rogers from the Lions in exchange for CB Leigh Bodden and a 2008 third-round draft choice.

The Browns have now given up their top three draft picks, but have added about 700 pounds to their defensive line. Rogers will have ups and downs, but adds talent and beef to their defense. Their line can be solid. The Lions should be happy the NFL canceled their deal with the Bengals. Bodden immediately becomes their top corner, not that it would've taken much.



The Broncos are expected to meet with free agent LB Boss Bailey next week.

Champ is likely pulling for his younger brother to join him in Denver. Boss can play all three linebacker positions. He should be relatively cheap.


Rams signed PK Josh Brown to a five-year, $14.2 million contract. The deal included a $4 million signing bonus, according to NFL Net's Adam Schefter.

The deal one-ups Adam Vinatieri's five-year, $12 million contract and makes Brown the NFL's highest paid kicker. The cap-strapped Rams have been quiet so far in free agency, but this is a great pickup. They take a clutch weapon from an intradivision rival and put him in a dome. Brown should be a top fantasy kicker in 2008.


The Giants have been in contact with free agent S Eugene Wilson.

Wilson hasn't been courted for a visit by any teams, but he's also thought to be on the Dolphins' radar. Wilson is a true cover safety, which the Giants could've used even before they lost Gibril Wilson to Oakland on Friday.


With Alan Faneca likely headed to the Jets, the Rams have turned their efforts toward free agent G Jacob Bell.

They're currently trying to set up a visit. Faneca will announce where he's signing by Saturday at 6PM ET. Bell is undersized, but only 26 and was valued by the Titans. They tried to re-sign him before he hit the market.


The Falcons extended a second-round tender to restricted free agent P Michael Koenen.

Just tying up some loose ends. Koenen is no longer considered a viable placekicking option, but has a huge leg for punting. He was undrafted, so he likely would've been long gone without a high tender.


The Falcons extended restricted free agent SLB Mike Boley a first-round tender. FB Corey McIntyre and DE Chauncey Davis got low tenders.

Davis, a run-stopping reserve, was originally a fourth-round pick and should be safe. The Falcons will try to sign Boley long term by the summer.


The Browns will meet with free agent LB Nick Greisen on Saturday.

As mentioned previously, they're also talking to free agent Clark Haggans. Greisen would be a special teamer/reserve ILB in Cleveland's scheme.


The Bucs have shown interest in free agent OT Kwame Harris.

The Bucs have shown interest in almost everyone. They'd only offer Harris a "swing tackle" job. He'd compete to start in Oakland, where he was Friday.

[Fritz]

Thanks for getting the thread back on track.

By the way, I heard from a friend that an analysis of cap space shows the Packers to have more than about 25 teams. The team in the worst straits appears to be the Detroit Lions.

[MJZiggy]

Is that why they seem to be offloading their entire defensive line?

[Tyrone Bigguns]

Tyrone called the Bruce signing.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

A third of the league is interested in WR Javon Walker.

At least 10 teams, including all four NFC East clubs, have been in contact with Walker. The 49ers, Bills, Bucs, Panthers, Raiders, and Vikings are also interested, but no visits have been scheduled yet.


Cowboys WR Terry Glenn has opted against having microfracture surgery on his knee.

He's going to need the surgery in the near future, but doctors have told him he can continue to play without it. Glenn's days as a fantasy factor are likely over, especially if the Cowboys land Javon Walker.


Add the Cardinals to the teams interested in DE Antwan Odom.

Odom is scheduled to visit Arizona on Tuesday after visiting with Cincinnati this weekend. Odom may well be the best defensive end on the market now that Justin Smith has signed with San Francisco.


Jaguars signed CB Drayton Florence. He will receive $12 million in guarantees.

He's only a league-average cornerback, but he was the most experienced starter on the market. Jacksonville did well signing Brian Williams to a similar deal, and now has one of the deepest backfields in the NFL. Florence will probably be a nickel back.


Donte Stallworth is expected to visit the Raiders.

He visited Cleveland Friday. Stallworth would help both times as a rotation receiver who could stretch the field.

[b bulldog]

I thought Stallworth would end up in Minnesota

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

FoxSports.com reports that the Bills acquired former Jaguars DT Marcus Stroud for third- and fifth-round picks.

Buffalo's run defense just got more stout. Stroud, 30, hasn't been the same since undergoing ankle surgery in 2006, but he's a premier tackle when healthy. That isn't often. Profootballtalk reports that Stroud will receiver more upfront money on his current deal, but won't get a significant raise from the Bills.


Calvin Pace will visit the Jets Saturday.

Sports Illustrated incorrectly reported Friday that Pace was signing with Miami. He is going to make a lot of money for some 3-4 team.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports the Browns have reached agreement with Donte' Stallworth.

Terms aren't known, but it's a great fit for both sides. Cleveland gets depth and speed at wideout, while Stallworth fits best supporting player. He'll make the Browns tough to defend lining up with Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow, and Joe Jurevicius. His fantasy numbers should uptick because he'll see the field more than in New England, but don't expect his first 1,000-yard season. 850 is a better target.


The Vikings signed Bernard Berrian to an undisclosed six-year contract.

Berrian could be overmatched if expected to be a true "number one" receiver, but he adds production and talent to a woeful passing game. Tarvaris Jackson now has two burners in Berrian and Sidney Rice, with Bobby Wade still likely to be active underneath. Expect Berrian's numbers to take a slight hit in Minnesota, where Jackson is still a major question mark.


NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports that the Jets have reached agreement with Alan Faneca on a four-year contract.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I like Sidney Rice as a prospect, but I'd hardly call him a burner. In fact, I think his speed is part of the reason he dropped to the second round.

[b bulldog]

Not a burner but he seems to have that knack of being able to get open.

[Charles Woodson]

Jets | Faneca signs five-year deal
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 14:43:11 -0800

Alex Marvez, of FOXSports.com, reports the New York Jets have agreed to terms with free-agent OG Alan Faneca (Steelers) on a five-year contract worth $40 million with $21 million guaranteed. It is the largest free-agent contract ever signed by an offensive lineman.

[Charles Woodson]

Dolphins | Team close to signing Pace
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 15:41:01 -0800

Bob McManaman, of the Arizona Republic, reports the Miami Dolphins are close to signing free-agent LB Calvin Pace (Cardinals).

Texans | Reeves agrees to five-year deal
Sat, 1 Mar 2008 15:31:06 -0800

John McClain, of the Houston Chronicle, reports the Houston Texans have agreed to terms on a five-year, $20 million contract with free-agent CB Jacques Reeves (Cowboys).

[Rastak]

I like Sidney Rice as a prospect, but I'd hardly call him a burner. In fact, I think his speed is part of the reason he dropped to the second round.

Yup....he's got decent speed and great hands. He isn't a burner.

[RashanGary]

John McClain, of the Houston Chronicle, reports the Houston Texans have agreed to terms on a five-year, $20 million contract with free-agent CB Jacques Reeves (Cowboys).

Wasn't this the really, really shitty guy who couldn't cover worth a lick that the Cowboys were constantly trying to cover up for. Now he gets 4 mil per year. OK, I'm pretty sure you can find a 400,000 per year scrap heap guy like Tramon Williams who can do the same thing, maybe even do it better. Maybe I'm thinking of a different guy, but I'm pretty sure Reeves was a big problem in Dallas.