NFL News

[KYPack]

Panthers released C Justin Hartwig.

The move clears the way for Ryan Kalil to start at center. The Panthers had planned on having Hartwig slide over to the guard, but he was never keen on the idea so they cut him. Keydrick Vincent and Geoff Hangartner will compete for the job.


Dolphins signed K Dave Rayner to a one-year deal.

Incumbent Jay Feely struggled on kickoffs last season, but the Dolphins hope P Brandon Fields can takeover those duties. Rayner will have to outperform Feely to win the job, but could get a boost if Fields proves unreliable on kickoffs.

Rayner may have a shot to play for all 32 teams!

There was talk that he was kind of a jerk when he was cut last season.

May be true, eh?

[Tyrone Bigguns]

Panthers released C Justin Hartwig.

The move clears the way for Ryan Kalil to start at center. The Panthers had planned on having Hartwig slide over to the guard, but he was never keen on the idea so they cut him. Keydrick Vincent and Geoff Hangartner will compete for the job.


Dolphins signed K Dave Rayner to a one-year deal.

Incumbent Jay Feely struggled on kickoffs last season, but the Dolphins hope P Brandon Fields can takeover those duties. Rayner will have to outperform Feely to win the job, but could get a boost if Fields proves unreliable on kickoffs.

But, he is way better than Crosby. Just ask merlin.

Merlin will be saying that when Rayner is on his 8th team.

Rayner may have a shot to play for all 32 teams!

There was talk that he was kind of a jerk when he was cut last season.

May be true, eh?

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

ANQUAN BOLTIN'?

Now that the Cardinals have locked up receiver Larry Fitzgerald at a more affordable (or, as the case may be, less unaffordable) price over the next four seasons, they might have to deal with another thorny issue at the position.

According to Adam Schefter of NFL Network, Anquan Boldin could want more money and/or a trade in the wake of Fitzgerald's $10 million-per-year contract.

Per Schefter, some in the Cardinals organization actually regard Boldin as the better wideout. But Boldin will make far, far less than Fitzgerald over the next three seasons -- he's due to earn base salaries of $2.5 million, $2.75 million, $3 million.

In our view, Fitzgerald and Boldin together is a luxury that the Cardinals don't need, especially with coach Ken Whisenhunt presumably trying to bring a Pittsburgh-style power running vibe to the desert.

Assuming that the Cardinals have a plan (which could be a dangerous assumption because we're talking about, you know, the Cardinals), the huge deal given to Fitzgerald should be regarded as evidence that they've opted to keep Fitzgerald over the long haul, and to get what they can for Boldin.

Throw in the fact that Boldin is represented by Drew Rosenhaus, and the stage is set for Boldin to start making noise about moving on.

Possible destinations are Philly, Dallas, and the Redskins.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

KJR 950 in Seattle reports the Seahawks are close to releasing Shaun Alexander.

Reporters met with coach Mike Holmgren at the team's practice facility on Tuesday and he acknowledged he was speaking to Alexander. However, Holmgren said no move is imminent because Alexander is injured. When asked outright if Alexander will be cut, Holmgren deferred to GM Tim Ruskell. Mar. 11 - 9:11 pm et


Chargers special teamer Kassim Osgood plans to skip pre-training camp workouts to protest his minimal use as a receiver.

"I'm not happy," he said. "Another year of special teams is going to kick my (butt)." The two-time Pro Bowler has requested a trade. "I'm getting typecast into being a special-teams guy," Osgood said. "That's not what I am." Mar. 11 - 10:21 am et



Falcons re-signed Joey Harrington to a one-year, $1 million contract, according to NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

Getting cut in a salary cap move, then re-signing days later for $1.5 million less is a sign your NFL juice is gone. Harrington made the right move to return, because he still has a legitimate chance at starting over Chris Redman or a rookie to be named later. He can be a capable backup, but tends to fade when he starts for long stretches. Mar. 11 - 5:47 pm et

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

Packers MLB Nick Barnett pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct charges stemming from an incident at an Appleton nightclub last summer.

Barnett allegedly hit drinks out of two women's hands, then knocked one to the floor. He won't have a criminal record, but may still face NFL discipline.


The 49ers have decided against issuing Isaac Bruce the No. 80.

Bruce never asked for Jerry Rice's old number, but the 49ers decided it wasn't a good idea to even offer it. They'll probably retire the number after Rice is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He'll be eligible in 2010.



Titans agreed to terms with WR Justin McCareins on a one-year, $1 million contract.

McCareins knows OC Mike Heimerdinger's offense and adds another deep threat to the Titans' middling receiver corps. But his signing bonus is small and he won't be guaranteed a roster spot. The Titans figure to keep rotating WRs in 2008, leaving McCareins to battle Brandon Jones, Roydell Williams, Justin Gage, Mike and Paul Williams, Chris Davis, and Biren Ealy for snaps.


Bengals re-signed LB Roy Manning to a one-year contract.

The 6'2/245-pound 'backer will compete for a spot on special teams.

[falco]

i liked manning when he was here

[Lurker64]

Hmm... interesting, could he fall into our laps?

NFL Network's Mike Mayock reports that Oregon RB Jonathan Stewart may need surgery on his big toe. The procedure would keep him out four to six months.

Source

[Lurker64]

Ravens signed CB Frank Walker to a two-year, $3.5 million contract.

If we don't sign anybody at all, I wonder if we can get a 7th round compensatory out of this.

[Brohm]

Ravens signed CB Frank Walker to a two-year, $3.5 million contract.

If we don't sign anybody at all, I wonder if we can get a 7th round compensatory out of this.

Wow...all hell has broken loose in FA.

[DannoMac21]

Lions released RB Kevin Jones

Texans signed RB Chris Brown

[GoPackGo]

The Lions released Kevin "bumfoot" Jones today

[GrnBay007]

LB Chillar to Cards or Packers?

Linebacker Brandon Chillar ? a two-year starter for the Rams ? continues to mull his options. Chillar has made free-agent trips to Arizona and Green Bay. But the Rams are still believed to be in the picture. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch

[GrnBay007]

Poll
Should the Vikes go with Tarvaris Jackson at QB?

38% Yes: He's good enough

62% No: He's not the answer


Total Votes: 4029

~CBS Sports

[packrulz]

The Lions released Kevin "bumfoot" Jones today

They also released DE Kalimba Edwards, maybe they're washed up but I thought both of them used to be pretty good.

[run pMc]

If Jones could stay healthy, I could see him being a decent back. He gained over 1100 yds his rookie season. He has some talent, I don't know how good the OL's were for him. Maybe a good player to have as a backup...
As for Edwards, I thought he was touted as a great athlete. His stats don't really suggest he's a great pass rusher though...never had more than 7 sacks in a season. Makes me wonder if he falls into the "looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane" category.

The Frank Walker signing doesn't faze me much. I didn't think he got much playing time, and $3M for a seldom used CB is a bit pricey. Like GB, BAL has aging CB's, but I wonder if they have less depth. Seems like the remaining backups (Blackmon, Bush, Williams) saw a good chunk of playing time last year...hopefully they will "make the leap" to be more consistent and improved players. I think TT will replace Walker with a draft pick.