NFL Free Agent News

[Mr. Scot]

So with the opening of the negotiating period only about three says away, it's probably a good time to start a 'catch all' thread for free agent tidbits from around the league culled from various sources (PFT, Rotoworld, KFFL, various Twitter accounts).

 

Visits and other news that we know of to date...

 

Former Rams DT Kendall Langford has visited the Lions and is set to visit the Jets and Saints.

 

DT Darnell Dockett is reportedly choosing between going back to the Cardinals on a reduced salary or joining the rival 49ers.

 

Return specialst Ted Ginn has received interest from the Browns (and Panthers, of course) and has visited so far with the Titans and the (now Harbaugh free) 49ers.

 

Other return specialist Jacoby Jones has visited the Bengals and Titans and is set to visit the Chargers next.

 

Ex Eagles CB Cary Williams has reportedly been contacted by a dozen teams since his release (no word if the Panthers are one).  He has expressed a willingness to return to his prior team (Ravens).

 

Recently released Raiders S Tyvon Branch will be visiting the Colts and Redskins, probably others too.  He's apparently in demand.

 

OLB-DE Jonathan Massaquoi was claimed by the Titans after being waived by the Falcons.

 

Lots of speculation going around that the Giants will go heavy after Ndamukong Suh when he hits free agency.  Colts, Dolphins and Redskins also expected to be interested.

 

In number news, Bills RB C J Spiller had reportedly turned down a deal for 4.5 million from the Bills (prompting the trade for LeSean McCoy) while a reporter for ESPN thinks Rams OT Joe Barksdale will be looking for a contract around 7 million a year or so.  And in Green Bay, WR Randall Cobb reportedly turned down an offer for a five year deal that would have paid hem between 8 and 9 million per year.

 

Regarding the trade, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians has said that he was aware that McCoy was on the block, but didn't feel like he would be 'the right fit' for his team.

 

As to Spiller,  he's expressed an interest in joining the Eagles, but the Eagles might be more interested in Saints RB Mark Ingram.

 

 

 

More to come later with traffic and weather together on the tens

[Mr. Scot]

Obligatory Greg Hardy news...

 

There is some speculation that Greg Hardy will make a deal with the NFL where he will accept having a suspension imposed on him without appeal in exchange for the league reinstating him from the Commissioner's Exempt list so that he can pursue free agent contracts when the negotiating period opens on March 7th.

 

If this goes through, the expected penalty could be two games (per the old rules) but the league might shoot for longer given that a two game penalty on Ray Rice raised the ire of women and domestic violence conscious folks across the nation.

[t96]

We can pencil in about 3 FAs that we've met with we just don't know who because our beat writers are trash.

[Mr. Scot]

We can pencil in about 3 FAs that we've met with we just don't know who because our beat writers are trash.

 

We know about Oher and reported interest in Ginn.  And of course we signed back a couple of our own (Chris Scott and Colin Cole) and are working on another (Dwan Edwards).

 

I'm concentrating mainly on other teams in this thread though because I figure any Panther news will get it's own thread.

 

[Mr. Scot]

Word that the Texans will release starting C Chris Myers.

 

(I wonder how he manages to be in games while also doing play by play for Fox Sports)

[t96]

Peyton Manning just took $4M paycut this year, reducing his salary to $15M.

[Mr. Scot]

Our old buddy Jon Beason is expected to take a pay cut from the Giants as well.

[philw5289]

A Cincinnati beat writer named coley Harvey expects hardy to sign with the bengals for some reason

[Mr. Scot]

Ian Rapoport says the Colts are trying to trade LB Curtis Lofton.

 

(and here we'd been told he was supposed to be the best thing in New Orleans since the Dome Patrol)

[Mr. Scot]

Couple of quick items...

 

Former Ravens DL Chris Canty is visiting with the Jets this weekend.

 

Also word that the 49ers are offering LB Michael Wilhoite as a trade (filled in okay last year when some starters were hurt but would be a backup there this season).

[Mr. Scot]

The release of Trent Cole by the Eagles is apparently now official.

 

Chip Kelly said they wanted Cole to take a pay cut and he declined.

[michaelj]

hi guys-

I couldn't remember if it was discussed what people thought of Harry Douglass for a signing. I think he would be pretty good for a slot guy and help stretch the field for the right price.

[Mr. Scot]

hi guys-

I couldn't remember if it was discussed what people thought of Harry Douglass for a signing. I think he would be pretty good for a slot guy and help stretch the field for the right price.

 

Most folks here honestly aren't that high on the idea.

 

[DeeJay]

Andre Johnson Plz