2012 Free Agent Watch

[woodbuck27]

RE: Peyton Manning. Soon we should learn that the Arizona Cardinals have been informed by Peyton Manning that that organization is out of the mix.

Leaving just Tennessee and Denver.

Thats if he has enough strength left after working out **for two teams (Rumour) to use his cellular key pad.

** It's being reported that the DENVER BRONCOS are just getting set to work our PM this afternoon.

[woodbuck27]

Redskins reel in defensive back Cedric Griffin

Posted by Evan Silva on March 16, 2012, 1:41 PM EDT
AP
ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports that the Washington Redskins have agreed to terms with defensive back Cedric Griffin on a one-year contract with a max value of $2.5 million.

Griffin spent his first six NFL seasons with the Vikings as a Cover-2 cornerback.

Some NFL teams liked him as a safety prospect coming out of Texas in 2006, however, and Minnesota had considered moving Griffin from corner to safety, before his release last week.

Griffin goes 6-foot and 203 pounds. He could play either cornerback or free safety in D.C.

The Redskins are expected to hold a training camp competition at strong safety, involving Reed Doughty and newly acquired Brandon Meriweather.

Griffin was the No. 78 overall player on PFT’s Hot 100.

[woodbuck27]

Cowboys snatch Nate Livings from Bengals

Posted by Mike Florio on March 16, 2012, 1:47 PM EDT
Getty Images

The Bengals entered free agency with nearly $50 million in cap space. They haven’t spent much, if any, on other team’s players.

Or on their own.

The Cowboys, despite having at least $5 million in cap space stripped by the league on Monday, have signed Cincinnati guard Nate Livings to a five-year deal, according to a league source.

The contract, we’re told, has a base value of $19 million, with $6.2 million guaranteed.

Livings started every game for the Bengals in 2010 and 2011.

[woodbuck27]

Last Updated 1:47 PM, March 16, 2012 EDT

[woodbuck27]

49ers jump into the Peyton Manning sweepstakes

Posted by Evan Silva on March 16, 2012, 2:18 PM EDT
Getty Images
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the San Francisco 49ers have emerged as one of the three finalists to sign free agent quarterback Peyton Manning.

The other two teams are the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans. According to Schefter, the Arizona Cardinals “have been advised that they are to proceed as if they will not get Peyton Manning.”

We already knew the Dolphins were out.

Schefter, who broke the 49ers news on SportsCenter early Friday afternoon, reported that San Francisco secretly sent club officials to watch Manning throw at Duke University last Tuesday night.

The 49ers’ representatives were said to be “very impressed with what they saw.”

The Niners have already given Manning a physical.

And this explains whey they haven’t re-signed free agent quarterback Alex Smith yet.

[woodbuck27]

Seahawks re-sign Michael Robinson to two-year, $5 million deal

Posted by Evan Silva on March 16, 2012, 2:09 PM EDT
Getty Images
Brian McIntyre of Mac’s Football Blog reports that the Seahawks have re-signed fullback Michael Robinson to a two-year contract worth $5 million.

Per McIntyre, the deal contains no signing bonus. Robinson will receive a $1.5 million base salary in 2012, as well as a first-year roster bonus of $1 million. His 2013 salary will be $2.5 million.

He can earn another $250,000 via incentives based on Pro Bowl berths.

Robinson went to the Pro Bowl last season as an alternate for Packers fullback John Kuhn.

[woodbuck27]

John Abraham stays in Atlanta on three-year agreement

Posted by Evan Silva on March 16, 2012, 2:33 PM EDT
AP

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Falcons have reached a three-year agreement with defensive end John Abraham.

During a short stay on the free agent market, Abraham received interest from the Titans and Broncos.

Abraham has 54.5 sacks over the past five seasons and remains one of the game’s top pass rushers despite his age (34 in May) and declining role. Abraham rarely plays on running downs anymore.

While keeping Abraham is a plus for Atlanta, the Falcons’ defensive end depth chart is shaping up similar to last year’s. Kroy Biermann will also return, and starting left end Ray Edwards is coming back after flopping as a 2011 free agent signing.

The Falcons must keep adding talent to the position.

Abraham was the No. 14 overall player on the PFT Hot 100.

[woodbuck27]

Peyton parameters in range of $60 million over five years

Posted by Mike Florio on March 16, 2012, 2:31 PM EDT

Getty Images

Now that Peyton Manning seems to be getting closer to a decision (which may or may not be televised by ESPN), the numbers are coming into focus.

Mike Klis of the Denver Post reports that the parameters of a potential contract fall in the range of $60 million over five years, with $30 million guaranteed.

That seems a little light. Yes, he has the neck thing and the arm strength thing. But this is Peyton F. Manning.

Peyton F. Manning doesn’t average $12 million a year, not when he was averaging $18 million under his last deal, the same average that Tom Brady still has.

And now we may know why it’s taken so long to get this done.

The teams at the table, though supposedly willing to do whatever it takes to get Peyton, have not yet offered him a contract that reflects the zeal with which they are pursuing him.

With the rest of the league on notice regarding the parameters, the pool could once again expand.

Jed York, it’s your move.

[Freak Out]

Woody.....now mixing Red Bull, Bourbon and Cocaine to keep up the pace.

[sharpe1027]

Woody.....now mixing Red Bull, Bourbon and Cocaine to keep up the pace.

An energy drink in need of only a catchy new name and advertising campaign.

[woodbuck27]

Browns release defensive end Jayme Mitchell

Posted by Evan Silva on March 16, 2012, 1:55 PM EDT
Getty Images

The Cleveland Browns had hoped Jayme Mitchell would solidify one of the team’s starting defensive end spots in 2011. Mitchell did start 13 games, but managed just 1.5 sacks and was eventually benched in favor of practice squad-type Emmanuel Stephens.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns are now releasing Mitchell.

The move saves roughly $2 million in cap space and clears $2.4 million worth of base salary off the books.

The Browns are hopeful that newly acquired Frostee Rucker will become a stronger presence at right end. The team’s left end is impressive 2011 second-round pick Jabaal Sheard.



** Cleveland also signed ex-Eagle Juqua Parker to play in nickel packages. **

[woodbuck27]

Woody.....now mixing Red Bull, Bourbon and Cocaine to keep up the pace.

Freak out, since it's it's St Paddy's Day tomorrow. I'm getting an early start.

It's ... one bourbon, one scotch and ... one beer.

Funny. I was outside early this morning and I heard that song on a neighbours radio.

I thought of you Freak out. (-;

[gbgary]

Freak out, since it's it's St Paddy's Day tomorrow. I'm getting an early start.

It's ... one bourbon, one scotch and ... one beer.

Funny. I was outside early this morning and I heard that song on a neighbours radio. i thought of you Freak out. (-;

a little john lee hooker never hurt anyone.

[woodbuck27]

Jets agree to deal with Drew Stanton

Posted by Evan Silva on March 16, 2012, 3:23 PM EDT
AP

Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that the Jets have agreed on a one-year contract with quarterback Drew Stanton.

Per Mehta, the deal is worth $1.25 million.

The Jets showed immediate interest in Stanton at the outset of free agency, pursuing him harder than any other team. (By a lot.) They closed the deal on Friday afternoon.

Stanton, 28 in May, has appeared on 13 career games. He’s completed just 55.6 percent of his 187 career pass attempts with a 5:9 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

The Jets will apparently place him at No. 2 on the depth chart, behind Mark Sanchez. Greg McElroy is currently No. 3.

[woodbuck27]

a little john lee hooker never hurt anyone.

Cool with 'the BLUES'. the GREAT John Lee Hooker.

I believe the cover of that song that I heard this morning might have been by George Thorogood.