NFL Free Agent Tracker (Offensive Players)

[PhillyGirl]

Seahawks | Jones Agrees to Lucrative Long-Term Deal - from www.KFFL.com
Wed, 16 Feb 2005 07:54:14 -0800

Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports the Seattle Seahawks agreed to terms with OT Walter Jones on a seven-year deal that includes a signing bonus exceeding $15 million and includes additional roster bonuses over the first three years. Jones' new deal averages more than $7 million annually, putting the veteran tackle on par with the highest paid linemen in the league. Jones is expected to officially sign his new contract Wednesday, Feb. 16.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3400460

[Diomedes]

Good move for Seattle.

[BigEd76]

Now they can use the tag on someone else for once.... 

I'm guessing Hasselbeck gets tagged....

[rjs246]

Now they can use the tag on someone else for once.... 

I'm guessing Hasselbeck gets tagged....

That's definitely the real news here from our point of view. You think Hasselbeck and not Alexander?

[Diomedes]

I would think they'd tag Alexander, too.  He's the super star, not Hasselbeck.  Besides, with Jones coming back long term, it makes keeping Hasselbeck easier.  Of course, same could be said for the effect Jones' signing would have on Alexander's decision, so maybe that's not such a hot idea afterall..

[PhillyPhreak54]

Now they can use the tag on someone else for once.... 

I'm guessing Hasselbeck gets tagged....

That's definitely the real news here from our point of view. You think Hasselbeck and not Alexander?

I'd say that Hasselbeck gets the tag as well. Mike Holmgren has invested a lot in him in terms of offensive scheme and such. It would be much easier, I'd think, to bring in another RB versus another QB.

With a heavy draft and FA class at the RB position, I'd tag the QB and go looking for another RB. They still have Maurice Morris and he'd team well with a guy like LaMont Jordan or a rookie like Cadillac Williams.

As for Walter Jones...he's the 2nd best LT in the game. He's amazing. Keeping him off the market was huge. With Orlando Pace being tagged the quality of LT's available dropped big time.

The Giants needed a LT so they could move Petitgout back to RT and there's slim pickins out there now. They have no #1 pick either...

[JTrotterFan]

sounds like Drew Brees has been franchised

Now it's official.  Drew Brees

[Catapult]

Now they can use the tag on someone else for once.... 

I'm guessing Hasselbeck gets tagged....

That's definitely the real news here from our point of view. You think Hasselbeck and not Alexander?

I'd say that Hasselbeck gets the tag as well. Mike Holmgren has invested a lot in him in terms of offensive scheme and such. It would be much easier, I'd think, to bring in another RB versus another QB.

With a heavy draft and FA class at the RB position, I'd tag the QB and go looking for another RB. They still have Maurice Morris and he'd team well with a guy like LaMont Jordan or a rookie like Cadillac Williams.

As for Walter Jones...he's the 2nd best LT in the game. He's amazing. Keeping him off the market was huge. With Orlando Pace being tagged the quality of LT's available dropped big time.

The Giants needed a LT so they could move Petitgout back to RT and there's slim pickins out there now. They have no #1 pick either...

Eli, say hello once again to Jevon Kearse.  And Derrick Burgess.  While you're at it, Darth would like a few words with you.

Hold on...The Woodchoppa has an axe to grind on you, too.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Panthers | Ross Contract Update - from www.KFFL.com
Thu, 17 Feb 2005 11:23:51 -0800

Stan Olson and Pat Yasinskas, of the Charlotte Observer, report the Carolina Panthers signed WR Micah Ross to a contract extension at least through the 2006 season. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Panthers | Hampton Contract Update - from www.KFFL.com
Thu, 17 Feb 2005 10:26:25 -0800

Stan Olson and Pat Yasinskas, of the Charlotte Observer, report the Carolina Panthers signed DB William Hampton to a contract extension at least through the 2006 season. Financial terms were not disclosed.

[PhillyGirl]

Willie!! I loved that guy!

[PhillyPhreak54]

Panthers | Kadela Inks Extension - from www.KFFL.com
Thu, 17 Feb 2005 21:36:23 -0800

The Carolina Panthers have signed OT Dave Kadela to a contract extension, reports Panthers.com. Terms of the deal were not released. Kadela was scheduled to become a restricted free agent March 2.

[PhillyGirl]

Collins restructures to help out Raiders

QB gives Raiders cap relief
By Steve Corkran, CONTRA COSTA TIMES

Quarterback Kerry Collins proved the consummate team player in 2004 by saying and doing all the things on and off the field that the Raiders asked of him. On Wednesday, he put his money where his mouth is.

Collins restructured his contract in such a way that lowered his base salary from $4.7 million in 2005 to $1.2 million and helped the Raiders get under the salary cap limit, according to a person familiar with the negotiation.

The Raiders now are approximately $2 million under the projected salary cap figure of $85 million. The cap was $80,582,000 in 2004. All teams must be under the limit March 1 and remain there the rest of the season. Free agency starts March 2.

Still, the Raiders have plenty of work to do before the cap takes effect. They would have to clear upwards of $6 million more of cap space should they elect to designate cornerback Charles Woodson or wide receiver Jerry Porter their franchise player by Tuesday's deadline. Both will be unrestricted free agents if they aren't re-signed by March 2.

The franchise tag is a one-year tender from a team to a player on the verge of free agency. The tender guarantees the player the average of the top five salaries at his position from the previous season. In exchange, the team gets the right to match an offer from any other team or two first-round draft picks if another team signs that player.

The franchise tender for Woodson stands at $8,816,000, and $7,768,000 for Porter. The Raiders used the exclusive franchise tag on Woodson last season and wound up paying him $8,781,000.

Raiders senior personnel executive Mike Lombardi said it is team policy not to discuss contract negotiations.

However, it is no secret that the Raiders aren't inclined to pay quarterback Rich Gannon the $8 million he is scheduled to earn in 2005. He restructured his contract from $7 million to $4.5 million before last season.

Now, Gannon is recovering from a broken vertebra in his neck sustained Sept. 26 and unsure whether he wants to attempt a comeback. The Raiders could save as much as $7 million or so by getting Gannon to accept a restructured contract that would pay him the veteran minimum. They would save less by releasing Gannon before June 1 because the unaccounted portion of Gannon's signing bonus would be accelerated and count toward the 2005 cap.

Raiders coach Norv Turner has said he won't comment on Gannon's future until Gannon's doctors provide enough information on his long-term outlook. That makes Collins the No. 1 quarterback until further notice.

Collins earned $660,000 last season. He is scheduled to make $6 million in 2006.

The Raiders also have several prime candidates for restructuring or release: left offensive tackle Barry Sims ($3.1 million in 2005), backup defensive tackle John Parrella ($3 million), right guard Ron Stone ($2.2 million), left guard Frank Middleton ($2 million), backup running back Zack Crockett ($2 million), defensive tackle Ted Washington ($2 million) and defensive end Warren Sapp ($2 million).

Updated on Friday, Feb 18, 2005 6:42 am EST

[BigEd76]

Light bulb head was on ESPN last night and thinks that Seattle is trying to resign Hasselbeck before March 2 so they can tag Alexander and keep all 3.  He thinks that if Alexander leaves Seattle, it'll be for Miami....

[mcnabbfan788]

If I was Saban, I would want Henry, not Alexander.  They both fumble, but Henry was above average with a sub par O-Line.

[BigEd76]

My biggest question with that:  why would Buffalo want to help Miami like that?