Bucs acquire Sims from KC
May 1st, 2007
Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued to reshape their defense on Tuesday, acquiring defensive tackle Ryan Sims from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for an undisclosed future draft pick.
After using the fourth pick in this past weekend's draft to select defensive lineman Gaines Adams, the Buccaneers picked up Sims, who was the sixth overall selection of the 2002 draft.
Sims played 59 games, starting 36, in five seasons with the Chiefs. He recorded 149 tackles -- including 79 solo -- with five sacks, an interception and one fumble recovery.
Injuries have played a part in Sims' NFL career. He dislocated his elbow six games into his rookie season of 2002, while a sprained foot cost him all but six games of the 2005 campaign.
Last year, the North Carolina product had just 11 tackles in a reserve role on the Kansas City line.
Panthers cut Keyshawn
May 1st, 2007
Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - The Carolina Panthers parted ways with wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson after just one year, as the team announced that they have released him on Tuesday.
Johnson had signed a four-year deal with the team last season after spending the previous two season in Dallas.
Last season as the No. 2 receiver behind Steve Smith, he totaled 70 catches for 815 yards and four touchdowns in all 16 games.
An 11-year veteran, Johnson has 814 receptions for 10,571 yards and 64 touchdowns in 167 games for the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cowboys and Panthers.
The former USC product was selected with the first overall pick of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Jets.
Johnson joined Tampa Bay in 2000 and helped the Bucs win the Super Bowl after the 2002 season, but wore out his welcome in 2003 after run-ins with head coach Jon Gruden and sat out the latter part of the season.
A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Johnson has caught at least one pass in every game he has played. Also, he has surpassed the 800-yard mark in every season but one and has 70-plus receptions in all but two seasons.
Bucs release CB Bolden
May 1st, 2007
Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released veteran cornerback Juran Bolden on Tuesday.
Over the last two seasons, Bolden has appeared in 32 games (13 starts) and has registered 116 tackles, three interceptions and one sack for Tampa.
Bolden, who primarily played nickel back, became expendable after the Buccaneers added cornerback Sammy Davis in free agency.
Tampa Bay also released safety Tra Boger, long-snapper Adam Johnson and defensive tackle Kenny Smith.
Bears sign Florida QB Leak
April 30th, 2007
Lake Forest, IL (Sports Network) - The Chicago Bears signed seven rookie free agents on Monday, most notably Florida quarterback Chris Leak.
Leak led the Gators to the National Championship in his senior season, completing 63.6 percent of his passes for 2,942 yards with 23 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
In Florida's decisive 41-14 win over Ohio State in the BCS title game, Leak completed 25-of-36 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown and was named the game's co-MVP.
Chicago also signed wide receivers David Ball, Drisan James and Jayson Swain, defensive end Chris Frome, safety Jay Staggs and linebacker Danny Verdun-Wheeler.
Dolphins release WR Vick, others
Tue, May 1, 2007
By Associated Press
DAVIE, Fla. -- Marcus Vick's stint with the Miami Dolphins is over.
Vick, signed last season as a free agent receiver after a troubled career as Virginia Tech's quarterback, was among three players waived by the Dolphins on Tuesday.
The Dolphins also released defensive tackle Manny Wright and linebacker Bobby Iwuchukwu.
Vick appeared in one game with the Dolphins after spending some of the year on practice squad.
Vick was kicked off Virginia Tech's team following his junior year after repeated brushes with the law and other misbehavior. Last December, a 17-year-old girl who claimed she had a two-year sexual relationship with Vick filed a $6.3 million lawsuit against him, alleging sexual battery upon a minor, infliction of emotional distress, fraud and other charges.
Wright was reduced to tears on the practice field during the 2005 season when scolded by then-coach Nick Saban, and asked to be released or traded away last season. He did not play in the 2006 season, and was with the Dolphins for their first minicamp under new coach Cam Cameron last month.
Iwuchukwu spent last year on practice squads in San Francisco and Baltimore and signed with the Dolphins earlier this offseason.
Browns set to release OG Joe Andruzzi
Wed, May 2, 2007
By Associated Press
CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Browns opened a hole for Joe Andruzzi.
The club informed the offensive guard and his agent on Wednesday they plan to release the 10-year-veteran later this week.
Andruzzi's impending departure is the lastest move on Cleveland's rebuilt offensive line. In March, the Browns signed free agent guard Eric Steinbach to a seven-year $49.5 million contract and on Saturday they drafted Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas with the No. 3 overall pick.
The Browns also added veteran Seth McKinney during free agency.
Andruzzi started 27 games the past two seasons for the Browns, who signed him as a free agent in 2005. He has two more years left on his contract. He was scheduled to make $1.5 million next season and $2.5 million in 2008.
In releasing Andruzzi, the Browns are not likely to have either of their starting guards from last season. Cosey Coleman, who started at right guard, is a free agent and Cleveland doesn't appear interested in re-signing him.
A member of three Super Bowl winners with New England, the 31-year-old Andruzzi was signed by the Browns to stabilize their line and bring leadership to their young team. He had played under Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel with the Patriots.
Andruzzi, who battled a knee injury last season, spent three years with Green Bay before joining the Patriots in 2000. He has made 103 career starts.
With Thomas coming on at left tackle, the Browns have to decide what to do with Kevin Shaffer. He joined Cleveland before last season as a free agent, signing a six-year, $36 million deal.
Shaffer's agent has asked the Browns for permission to seek a trade.
If he doesn't get moved, there's a chance Shaffer could slide over into one of the guard spots previously held by Andruzzi or Coleman.
Eagles sign DT Scott
May 3rd, 2007
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Eagles continued to reshape their defensive line on Thursday, signing defensive tackle Ian Scott to a one-year contract.
The 25-year-old Scott had 41 tackles in 18 games last year, including the playoffs, for the NFC Champion Chicago Bears. Scott, who started the Super Bowl for Chicago, is the second defensive tackle signed by Philadelphia this offseason, joining former Colt Montae Reagor.
The Eagles also traded starting defensive tackle Darwin Walker to Buffalo this offseason.
Bills ink RB Scobey
May 3rd, 2007
Orchard Park, NY (Sports Network) - The Buffalo Bills signed free agent running back Josh Scobey to an undisclosed contract on Thursday.
Scobey, a four-year veteran, was a reserve back for Seattle last season. He has just 27 lifetime carries, all coming in 2004 with Arizona, and is mainly used as a special teams player.
Bengals ink LB Hartwell
May 3rd, 2007
Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - The Cincinnati Bengals agreed to terms on a one-year contract with veteran linebacker Ed Hartwell, according to his agent, Harold Lewis, on Thursday.
According to the club's website, Hartwell has a chance to become the starter at the right outside position, with Brian Simmons having been released.
Hartwell has appeared in 77 NFL games, almost twice as many as any other linebacker on the Bengals, logging 400 total tackles and seven sacks. He notched 142 tackles in 2002 for Baltimore, which drafted him the previous year in the fourth round out of Western Illinois.
Hartwell blew out his Achilles early in the 2005 season and got his knees cleaned out prior to last year.
Saints sign P Hanson
May 4th, 2007
New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - The New Orleans Saints signed free- agent punter Chris Hanson to a one-year contract on Friday.
Hanson has spent the last six seasons with Jacksonville Jaguars, averaging 42.9 yards per punt with a career net average of 35.9 yards.
In 2002, Hanson averaged 44.2 yards per punt and 37.6 net yards while being named to the Pro Bowl.
Running Back Blaylock Agrees to Deal
By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
The Washington Redskins and free agent running back Derrick Blaylock agreed to a deal last night, following his participation in the weekend rookie minicamp, and the team offered a contract to free agent tight end Zach Hilton.
A veteran of 51 NFL games and a return specialist as well, Blaylock, 27,worked out this weekend without a contract, but reached a verbal agreement with the team last night, according to his agent Michael Huyghue. Terms of the deal were not available.
Hilton, a native of Silver Spring who attended Good Counsel, was offered a deal last night, according to his father, Thomas.
Blaylock, who missed most of last season with injuries, has been healthy since January. He played for associate head coach-offense Al Saunders for four years in Kansas City and Saunders recommended that the Redskins bring him in. In 2004, he started five games and scored eight touchdowns. He was with the New York Jets in 2005 and '06 .
"It's always a pleasure to catch back up with Coach Saunders," Blaylock said after minicamp yesterday.
Hilton, 26, has been in the NFL since 2003, playing regularly only in 2005, when he started six games for New Orleans. He also was on the Jets' roster last season, but did not appear in a game. At 6 feet 8, 268 pounds, Hilton is an intriguing prospect and, like Blaylock, plays a position at which the Redskins could use some depth. Hilton is scheduled to take a physical and finalize some paperwork at Redskins Park today, according to his father.
Jaguars cut CB Carroll
May 7th, 2007
Jacksonville, FL (Sports Network) - The Jacksonville Jaguars waived cornerback Ahmad Carroll on Monday, two days after he was arrested on weapons and drug charges.
Carroll signed with the Jaguars in October of last season after he was cut by the Green Bay Packers. The 23-year old Carroll played in five games last year and had one sack and three passes defended.
In 35 career games -- with Green Bay and Jacksonville -- Carroll has three interceptions and 17 passed defended.
Panthers ink Smith to three-year extension
May 8th, 2007
Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - The Carolina Panthers have signed wide receiver Steve Smith to a three-year contract extension through the 2012 season.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Smith led the Panthers last season with 83 receptions for 1,166 yards and eight touchdowns, despite missing the first two games with a hamstring injury.
In six seasons with the club, the Utah product has 344 catches for 4,925 yards with 30 touchdowns. He led the NFL with 103 receptions during the 2005 campaign, a year after missing all but one game with a broken leg.
The Panthers selected Smith in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
Colts release former starting linebacker
Tue, May 8, 2007
By Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS -- Gilbert Gardner, a starting linebacker for most of last season, was released Tuesday by the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts also cut ties with linebackers Mike Labinjo and Brandon Hoyte and defensive back Trevis Coley and signed tight end Mike Seidman.
Gardner was drafted out of Purdue in the third round in 2004 and was expected to be a good fit in coach Tony Dungy's defensive scheme. Instead, two injury-prone years relegated Gardner primarily to special teams and backup duty. When David Thornton left after the 2005 season, the Colts plugged him into a starting job.
Gardner never quite fit into that role, either. With the Colts' run defense ranked last in the NFL, Dungy benched Gardner in mid-December and he was inactive for all three playoff games and the Super Bowl.
Still, the Colts saw enough promise in Gardner to offer the restricted free agent a one-year tender worth $850,000, which he signed. But he never made it to training camp.
Gardner finished his Colts career with 97 career tackles, including 66 last year.
Alexander's foot may still be broken
By Associated Press
KIRKLAND, Wash. -- Shaun Alexander might still have a broken foot, something he doesn't want confirmed just yet.
The Seattle Seahawks' star running back said Monday his left foot, broken for the final four months of last season, may still be cracked as he begins the 2007 preseason.
The 2005 NFL MVP doesn't want to know for sure until after his team's veteran minicamp ends Thursday.
''I don't even want to get another X-ray until after this camp,'' a smiling Alexander said after his fourth consecutive day of occasionally carrying the ball during no-contact, no-pads drills. ''If the X-ray shows it's still cracked, it's like, 'OK. What does that mean?'''
Last winter, it meant team doctors finally clearing him to play because they deemed remote the risk of completely breaking through a crack in the fourth metatarsal. He sat out seven weeks because of an injury that began as a severe bruise sustained when a Detroit Lions tackler fell on it during the season opener.
In his second game back, Alexander plowed through the snow for 201 yards on a Seattle-record 40 carries against Green Bay. He averaged 112 yards per game over the final six weeks of the regular season, and finished the year with 896 yards rushing and seven touchdowns in 10 games.