2012 Free Agent Watch

[woodbuck27]

Titans owner offers Peyton a contract “for life”

Posted by Mike Florio on March 15, 2012, 10:17 AM EDT


To the extent that Peyton Manning is looking to parlay a contract for his services as a player into a contract for his services as an executive, it’s working.

Titans owner Bud Adams told KHOU radio in Houston on Wednesday that he has offered Peyton a contract “for life.”

Adams also said he “feels great” about the team’s chances of landing Manning.

As previously mentioned, the idea of welcoming Peyton into the front office upon retirement could make for more than a little awkwardness, given that the jobs and the duties
Peyton may be eyeballing already are spoken for. (Including giving the opposition a double-barreled middle finger during games.)

Then there’s the question of how a contract that contains financial promises beyond the expiration of the playing career impacts the salary cap. A post-playing-career maneuver once made by Broncos owner Pat Bowlen regarding quarterback John Elway contributed to a finding that the team had violated the salary-cap rules.

And so, before any contract “for life” becomes effective, the league office will have to approve it.

In the end, it’s possible that the playing part of the lifetime contract will be addressed in writing, and that the balance of the business will be accomplished via a series of winks and nods.

[woodbuck27]

Bills, Mario “getting closer to a deal”

Posted by Mike Florio on March 15, 2012, 10:48 AM EDT

In Buffalo, there will be white smoke at some point on Thursday. The question is whether it will be coming from the chimney at the team’s facility (if, you know, it has a chimney) or from the jet that will be carrying Mario Williams to his next destination.

For now, the smart money is on the chimney.

A source with knowledge of the negotiations tells PFT that Williams and the Bills are “getting closer to a deal.”

Stay tuned.

[woodbuck27]

Buccaneers sign Dan Orlovsky to two-year, $2.5 million deal

Posted by Evan Silva on March 15, 2012, 10:32 AM EDT
Getty Images
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced Thursday morning that they’ve signed quarterback Dan Orlovsky to a two-year, $2.5 million deal.

(Yes, the Bucs are into the rare practice of putting monetary details in press releases, in order to prove to fans they’re willing to spend.)

Orlovsky, 28, is expected to replace Josh Johnson as Josh Freeman’s backup.

Orlovsky’s career record in spot starts is 2-10, though he did help engineer the Indianapolis Colts’ only two wins of the 2011 season. Orlovsky holds a career touchdown-to-interception ratio of 14:12, and he’s completed 58.5 percent of his passes.

[woodbuck27]

Saints grab Grubbs

Posted by Mike Florio on March 15, 2012, 10:30 AM EDT
Getty Images

On Wednesday, the Saints lost guard Carl Nicks. They replaced him quickly.

A league source tells PFT that Ravens guard Ben Grubbs has agreed to terms with the Saints.
The five-year, $36 million contract includes a $10 million signing bonus and $6 million more in fully guaranteed money.

In the end, Grubbs will cost far less than what the Bucs paid for Nicks. And Grubbs will fill a hole in the interior line that will make life easier for quarterback Drew Brees. If/when Brees signs a contract and shows up.

[TheRaven]

Jeremy Shockey wants to return to the Giants

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 15, 2012, 8:53 AM EDT
AP

Four years after he left town, Jeremy Shockey wants to return to the Giants.

The 31-year-old Shockey is a free agent who hasn’t drawn much interest so far, but he’d like to play for the Giants again, Gary Myers of the New York Daily News reports.

Shockey was the Giants’ first-round draft pick in 2002 and had a solid six-season stay with the team, but he grew increasingly unhappy and was traded to the Saints in 2008, played three years there and then played for the Panthers last year. It’s not clear whether hard feelings remain with Giants General Manager Jerry Reese or coach Tom Coughlin, but Shockey would like to return.

Tight end was a need position for the Giants at the outset of free agency, after Travis Beckum and Jake Ballard suffered torn ACLs in the Super Bowl. But that need was lessened when they signed Martellus Bennett, so the Giants aren’t desperate to sign Shockey.

Still, he’s a tight end who’s good enough to start and wants to sign. Unless he’s completely burned his bridges with the Giants, this is a move the team should consider.

I don't see this happening. I think the Giants would rather bring back another TE, Kevin Boss, rather than Shockey.

I also like the Saints signing of Grubbs..while he grades as a slight downgrade, the difference is small enough that it makes the difference in contract look like a win for NO.

[woodbuck27]

I don't see this happening. I think the Giants would rather bring back another TE, Kevin Boss, rather than Shockey.

I also like the Saints signing of Grubbs..while he grades as a slight downgrade, the difference is small enough that it makes the difference in contract look like a win for NO.

Yes. Jeremy Shockey is now on record as saying he never said he wanted back with the New York Giants. He blames this 'by the report' false rumor, on the NY sports media.

** Shockey suggested that the report about him wanting to return to the Giants is untrue.

“It’s funny how the Ny media still try’s to make money off me!” Shockey wrote. “Can anyone find a quote from me on me wanting to play for the GAINTS?” **

** From:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/15/shockey-shoots-back-at-toomer-dredges-up-his-divorce/

[woodbuck27]

Browns re-sign cornerback Patterson for three years, $16 million

Posted by Evan Silva on March 15, 2012, 11:12 AM EDT
Reuters

Florio is reporting that the Browns have re-signed cornerback Dimitri Patterson to a three-year, $16 million contract.

The deal guarantees Patterson $6 million.

Patterson, 29 in June, operated as the Browns’ nickel corner last season, covering the slot on passing downs. Joe Haden and Sheldon Brown were the outside cornerbacks, though Brown may move to safety this year depending on the team’s acquisitions in the draft and rest of free agency.

Patterson finished last season with 28 tackles and 12 pass breakups. He had four interceptions as a nine-game starter in Philadelphia the year before.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Dmitri Patterson got over $5M/year? Really?

[HarveyWallbangers]

Evidently the Detroit Lions are in LOVE with it's Calvin Johnson ' hood ornament '.

I think Calvin Johnson is one of the few exceptions to this rule. He's more than a hood ornament for that team. I tend to agree with the rest. Same goes for RB.

[TheRaven]

Dmitri Patterson got over $5M/year? Really?

I could justify it if they do indeed move Brown to safety. That is a lot of money for a nickel, though Patterson is a solid nickel and should be a decent enough 2nd corner opposite Haden if they move Brown. Then the deal makes a little more sense. If he can't hack it, they aren't on the line for an obscene amount of guarenteed money.

[Freak Out]

Is TT looking at any of the FA Safety's out there?

[Fritz]

Wow. This is one active free agent period. Thanks for the updates, Woody!

[Freak Out]

Jennings is going to be a happy man considering the money that's been thrown around at WRs.

[woodbuck27]

Wow. This is one active free agent period. Thanks for the updates, Woody!

Thanks Fritz. (-:

Yes ... alot happening at this early FA stage. We're into day three. PFT.COM has smashed it's fans interest numbers the past two days.

I thought it would be good for the forum to have the most imprtant signings on our own thread for referral.

I have to see what's gone down since my break. I'm expecting to learn that the Bills inked Mario Williams.

[woodbuck27]

Jennings is going to be a happy man considering the money that's been thrown around at WRs.

There's a real concern.