Official 2008 NFL Thread

[BGMaverick9]

1 for 1 so far!!!

Come on Ravens!

Seriously, whoever the opponent is, you STILL can't count out the Cardinals. Gutsy drive there for the TD. All their work in the 1st half was taken away and they needed to set it straight with a score and they did it.

[Windmill360]

So many people doubted this football team, including Jthig, Flaco and I.

[Flacolaco]

That's cool. That's a great sight to see, I'm happy for all of those folks there. I can't think of anyone on the Cardinals roster I dislike either.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by Windmill360

So many people doubted this football team, including Jthig, Flaco and I.

And chum.

[BGMaverick9]

Adrian Wilison's post game interview with Pam Oliver was awesome, just awesome.

[Darth Ape]

Nope.

[MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs]

Fitz is hands down the best WR in the league, it shouldnt even be a question. And Boldin is a top 5 receiver. They the best receiving core in years.

[GermanDunk]

Haha...

[GermanDunk]

LEt´s see, what the momentum does.

[alexamenos]

brutal

[u2sarajevo]

Me thinks Pittsburgh is going to be the first to 6.

But for the first time in my life I will be rooting for the Cardinals. That is going to be strange.

[Underdog]

Larry Fitzgerald = Super Bowl MVP

[GermanDunk]

Any news how the injured Raven does ? I hope it´s not that bad and wish him well.

[nikeball]

Originally Posted by GermanDunk

Any news how the injured Raven does ? I hope it´s not that bad and wish him well.

The Ravens said he (Willis McGahee) had "significant neck pain" but movement in his arms and legs.

[alby]

The Steelers better not get 6 before Dallas.

[BGMaverick9]

That's going to be a close Cardinal victory or a total beatdown by Pittsburgh.

Gotta look at things some more before I decide.

[ty]

Originally Posted by ty

I'm going with Arizona because

* Fitz is a beast.

* Kurt is throwing back the Greatest Show on Turf.

* Edgerrin is fresh.

Holler.

[Caseman]

Originally Posted by alby

The Steelers better not get 6 before Dallas.

Does that really matter to Cowboys fans?

[alexamenos]

my respect for Kurt Warner has gone up 3 or 4 notches. Getting to the super bowl once is a lucky one-shot wonder on a hot streak, twice is studly, and three is no-brainer hall-of-fame stuff. he's had some wheels off years in between, but regardless three trips is three trips.

[left texas]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Larry Fitzgerald = Super Bowl MVP

After 40 years of being a Cardinal fan, I am still in total disbelief this morning.

I am wondering Fitz or Warner, I cannot seperate the two. Warner finding ways to get it to him and then the catches, amazing catches. MVP Warner and Fitzgerald.

Can you have co-mvp's?

[ty]

Originally Posted by Caseman

Does that really matter to Cowboys fans?

Of course.

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by left texas

Can you have co-mvp's?

The Cowboys did it once.

[alby]

Originally Posted by Caseman

Does that really matter to Cowboys fans?

It's hard for a Skins fan to truly understand.

[left texas]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

The Cowboys did it once.

Hope the Cards can match that!

[92bDad]

I'm just glad to wake-up this morning and find out that McScabb screwed the pooch and lost yet another Meaningful game!!! Further proof that Limbaugh was CORRECT!!!

However, it may be another sign of how poor our local NFL franchise truly is...

If McScabb is overrated...what are the Cowboys?

Regardless, I love watching the Eagles LOSE!!! couldn't happen to better pieces of S**T...there is no franchise in any sport that I dislike more than the Eagles...sure the Lakers run a close 2nd...but given the choice, I kind of enjoy watching the Eagles LOSE!!!

[Underdog]

Fitzgerald: I will tweak my contract to keep Boldin

link


TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Larry Fitzgerald would look at restructuring his contract if it would help keep fellow Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin on the team.

"Someone asked me a question if I would be willing to do something to help the team, and I said, 'No problem,' " Fitzgerald said Wednesday. "This opportunity right here to be playing deep in the postseason, this is an amazing feeling. I'll do whatever it takes to get back to this point going forward in my career."

The question came up as the Cardinals prepared for Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with Pittsburgh.

Fitzgerald and Boldin form arguably the best receiving tandem in the NFL. Fitzgerald caught 96 passes for 1,431 yards and 12 touchdowns in the regular season. Boldin, despite missing four games with injuries, caught 89 passes for 1,038 yards and 11 scores. Both players made the Pro Bowl.

Boldin said he appreciated Fitzgerald's offer.

"Fitz and I have been together for five years, and we've been through a lot together," Boldin said. "I think the relationship that we have, neither of us want to see broken up. There's mutual respect, not only as receivers but as friends, and we realize that we make each other's jobs easier."

Boldin said in training camp that he would never re-sign with Arizona and would like to be traded because he feels management lied to him by not following through on a promise for a new contract. His latest comments indicate his position had softened.

Fitzgerald signed a four-year, $40 million contract after the 2007 season, with $30 million guaranteed.

Boldin has two years left on the four-year, $22.75 million contract he signed after the 2005 season. The deal paid him about $4 million this season.

General manager Rod Graves said he hoped to reopen contract talks with Boldin's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, after the title game.

[BGMaverick9]

It'd definitely put the issue on the Cardinals FO then. I think they would be content with letting Boldin go or trading him away, especially with the emergence of Breaston. There would be teams that would call to try to trade for Boldin and they can get a good deal just as long as they're not be super demanding on the compensation.

Boldin and Fitzgerald work well together and Boldin has done enough to get the money he should get. He's grossly underpaid for what he's done for the past few years.

[Flacolaco]

But how soon does their QB situation turn back into crap like it had been for years? Then they're right back to where they used to be.

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

But how soon does their QB situation turn back into crap like it had been for years? Then they're right back to where they used to be.

That's another reason why I don't think they're overly excited at bringing Boldin back, they'll want to make Warner priority #1. I think he's still got 2-3 years left in him and they'll do something with Leinart. They can draft a QB this draft or next and start the process. It makes much more sense to get Warner locked up over Boldin.

[Underdog]

Terry Glenn naked, drunk, with pot
Ex-Cowboys WR faces charges of public intoxication, marijuana possession

link

IRVING, Texas - Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terry Glenn was arrested last week on charges of public intoxication and possession of marijuana, the Dallas Observer reported Thursday.

According to the newspaper, Glenn was arrested on January 25 and posted bond the following morning.

Citing a source, the Dallas Observer reported that Glenn, the Cowboys' leading receiver in 2005, was seen roaming the halls of the Extended Stay Deluxe Hotel naked. Irving police, however, have been unable to confirm that report.

The troubled Glenn had two previous arrests. In 2001, he was arrested for assaulting the mother of his then-five-year-old son. Four years later, he was arrested on a public intoxication charge after he was found urinating behind a dumpster.

In 2007, Glenn needed two surgeries and missed the first 15 games of the season, then was released on July 25, 2008 when he refused to sign an injury waiver before the start of training camp.

Glenn, 34, sat out all of the 2008 season and remains a free agent.

[u2sarajevo]

[Windmill360]

wow, he's still around these parts?

[Underdog]

Haynesworth, Redskins reach deal

link

Maybe the biggest prize of the free agency period -- defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth -- has agreed to a monster deal with the Washington Redskins.

The seven-year, $100 million deal has $41 million in guaranteed money and would make him the highest-paid defensive player, according to The Tennessean, which reported the story first. The total value of the contract reportedly could climb to as much as $115 million.

"He will visit today and, assuming all goes well and he passes the physical, (have) a press conference this afternoon," agent Chad Speck said in an e-mail confirming the signing.

Haynesworth led the Titans with a career-high 8 1/2 sacks this season. He also had 75 tackles, 22 quarterback pressures, seven tackles for loss and forced a team-high four fumbles.

The Redskins also achieved one of their major offseason goals around the midnight stroke that signaled the start of free agency, agreeing to terms for a six-year, $54 million contract with DeAngelo Hall.

The deal includes $22.5 million in guaranteed money, giving the 25-year-old cornerback his second big payday in as many years. Hall was guaranteed around $24 million in a seven-year, $70 million contract he signed a year ago with Oakland, but he struggled to adjust to the Raiders' man-to-man defense and was waived after eight games.



CB Hall, Redskins agree to 6-year, $54M deal

link

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Washington Redskins achieved one of their major offseason goals around the midnight stroke that signaled the start of free agency, agreeing to terms for a six-year, $54 million contract with DeAngelo Hall.

The deal Friday includes $22.5 million in guaranteed money, giving the 25-year-old cornerback his second big payday in as many years. Hall was guaranteed around $24 million in a seven-year, $70 million contract he signed a year ago with Oakland, but he struggled to adjust to the Raiders' man-to-man defense and was waived after eight games.

The Redskins picked him up less than a week later, and he provided a needed boost to a secondary beset by too many injuries and not enough big plays. Hall played in seven games and started the last four, eventually moving ahead of Carlos Rogers on the depth chart.

Hall's five interceptions for the season - three with Oakland, two with Washington - were three more than any other cornerback on the Redskins roster. He has a model citizen during his short time in the nation's capital, avoiding the type of temperamental outbursts that prompted the Atlanta Falcons to trade him to Oakland in 2008.

Hall therefore became a top offseason priority, with owner Dan Snyder wanting to work a deal before the cornerback had a chance to test the free agent market. The negotiations with Hall's agents, Alvin Keels and Joel Segal, went to the last minute - and maybe a little beyond.

With Hall's signing done, the Redskins were expected to focus on free agents from other teams, including Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and Buffalo Bills guard - and former Redskins draft pick - Derrick Dockery. Coach Jim Zorn has said the team will be active in free agency this year, a change from 2008, when Washington uncharacteristically made no major signings.




Denver expected to acquire Buckhalter

link

New Denver head coach Josh McDaniels must have thought running back was his team's most pressing free-agent need.

The Broncos are strongly courting two of them by setting up visits with Correll Buckhalter (Philadelphia) and J.J. Arrington (Arizona) at the start of the signing period, a source told FOXSports.com. Both players are expected to sign Friday after passing physical exams.

Buckhalter can be considered a frontrunner for a starting spot, while Arrington is likely to fill a niche as a third-down specialist and kickoff returner.

A backup behind Brian Westbrook for most of his eight seasons in Philadelphia, the 30-year-old Buckhalter has battled back from knee injuries that forced him to miss the 2002, 2004 and 2005 campaigns. Buckhalter started two games in 2008 and finished the season with 369 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 76 attempts. He also is an effective receiver coming out of the backfield.

Arrington never fulfilled the expectations that came with being Arizona's second-round draft pick in 2005. But he did start three games for the 2008 Cardinals team that reached Super Bowl XLIII. Arrington tallied 432 combined yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving) and averaged 25.6 yards on kickoff returns with one touchdown.

Denver finished last season with seven running backs on injured reserve.




Vikings trade for Rosenfels, sign him to deal

link

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Vikings have acquired quarterback Sage Rosenfels from the Houston Texans and signed him to a two-year, $9 million contract.

Rosenfels' agent, Rick Smith, says his client "is extremely excited for this opportunity."

The 31-year-old Rosenfels will compete with incumbent Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job.

It's the second season in a row that the Vikings have tried to trade for Rosenfels. Last year, the two teams could not agree on compensation, so Minnesota brought in veteran Gus Frerotte as a backup.

Rosenfels went 2-3 in five starts for the injured Matt Schaub last season. He threw for 1,431 yards with six touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 66.7 completion percentage.




Bucs deal for Browns' talented TE Winslow

link

CLEVELAND (AP) - The Cleveland Browns have traded talented and troublesome tight end Kellen Winslow to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for undisclosed draft picks.

Winslow's five years in Cleveland were marked by injuries and controversy. He missed most of his first two seasons with injuries, but made the Pro Bowl in 2007 after making 82 catches for 1,106 yards. He demanded a new contract after the '07 season.

Last season, he was briefly suspended by the Browns after being hospitalized with a staph infection.

Winslow was the sixth overall pick in the NFL 2004 Draft. The son of Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow Sr., he had 219 receptions for 2,459 yards and 11 touchdowns in 44 games.

[TheMaverick]

Brian Dawkins joining the Broncos

[Underdog]

Titans bring back QB for two years, $15M

link

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Quarterback Kerry Collins agreed to a two-year, $15 million contract with the Tennessee Titans on Friday after leading them to an NFL-best 13-3 regular season record.

Coach Jeff Fisher had said he wanted the 36-year-old veteran back, and Collins had said he wanted to play again in Tennessee.

"Kerry did a great job for us last year stepping back into the starting role," Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt said in a statement. "He has veteran leadership, tons of game experience and we expect him to continue to play at a high level for us."

Collins has spent the past three seasons with the Titans. He started the final 15 games of 2008 and won 12. That doesn't include winning the season opener when he came off the bench to relieve an injured Vince Young.

Collins threw for 2,676 yards with 12 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. He led three game-winning drives in helping the Titans land the AFC's No. 1 seed and was sacked only eight times.

Collins tied Steve McNair's franchise record with his 12 wins, matching his personal best set in 2000 when he helped the New York Giants reach the Super Bowl. He ranks 14th and was second to only Peyton Manning among active quarterbacks with 37,393 yards passing. He was 11th all-time with 3,160 career completions.

Collins was the fifth overall pick in the 1995 draft by Carolina and signed as a free agent with Tennessee in 2006.




Patriots sign RB Fred Taylor

link

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - Running back Fred Taylor has signed with the New England Patriots after spending 11 seasons with Jacksonville.

Taylor was cut by the Jaguars in a salary-cup move. On Friday, he joined a team in which running back Laurence Maroney has been bothered by injuries for most of his career.

The 33-year-old Taylor ran for more than 11,000 yards with Jaguars and is 16th on the career rushing list. He has averaged 4.64 yards a carry, fifth among backs with more than 10,000 yards rushing. .

Taylor made his first Pro Bowl in 2007. Last season, he averaged a career-low 3.9 yards a carry behind an injury-riddled offensive line as Maurice Jones-Drew took over more of the load.




Denver Reaches Deals With Five Players

link

The Denver Broncos have made a big splash in free agency on Friday by completing five deals.

They agreed on deals with RBs Correll Buckhalter (Philadelphia Eagles) and J.J. Arrington (Arizona Cardinals). Both agreed to four-year deals. Denver now has six backs under contract, but three of the holdovers were coming off of injuries suffered last season.

WR Jabar Gaffney (New England Patriots) agreed to a four-year, $10 million deal with a $1.5 million signing bonus. Gaffney will provide depth to a talent receiver corps.

S Renaldo Hill (Miami Dolphins) also agreed to a four-year, $10 million deal with a $1.5 million signing bonus. Hill will compete for a starting job immediately.

LS Lonnie Paxton agreed to a five-year, $5.14 million deal with a signing bonus of just over $900,000.

[Big Boy Laroux]

bye Big Al - we knew we couldn't keep you here in TN. Looks like Snyder just backed up the Brinks truck and said, "hey, take what you want". 41 Mil Guaranteed!

[Underdog]

Chiefs acquire Cassel, Vrabel in trade with Pats

link


Scott Pioli left the New England Patriots to become Kansas City's general manager.

Quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel are now coming with him.

After putting the franchise tag on Cassel as insurance for their two-time Super Bowl MVP, the Patriots shipped Cassel and linebacker Vrabel to Kansas City on Saturday. The Chiefs gave up shockingly little — the 34th overall pick in the April draft for both players.

The Chiefs have the third overall selection following a franchise-worst 2-14 season. In yielding their second-round draft choice, they acquire a reliable 12-year veteran linebacker and a proven young quarterback who could immediately fill one of their most urgent needs.

Starting quarterback Tom Brady's rehab of a severe knee injury was set back when an infection forced a second operation. By putting the franchise tag on Cassel, New England would have had to pay him $14.5 million to keep him as a backup.

Cassel hadn't started a game since high school but stepped in when Brady was hurt less than eight minutes into the season opener against Kansas City. He went on to throw for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns in 15 starts.

"It is very easy to root for guys like Matt Cassel, who do everything the right way and flourish as a result," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. "As much as we would have loved to continue working with Matt, we wish him nothing but the best as he takes this next step forward in his career."

Financial compensation on a new contract with Cassel has not been reached yet, a source told FOXSports.com.

The Patriots' 11-5 record kept them out of the playoffs, but Belichick and personnel director Scott Pioli were again hailed for their ability to reach deep into the draft and uncover a gem at quarterback. Brady was the 199th player drafted in 2000 and Cassel was a seventh-round pick in 2005.

Pioli was hired as general manager of the Chiefs in January. About a month later, the housecleaning began — he fired coach Herm Edwards and hired Arizona offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

Now comes this latest move, which will depend on Vrabel and Cassel passing their physicals.

"I have a long history with both players," Pioli said in a statement. "Mike and Matt are men that I respect both personally and professionally. I look forward to having them as new members of the Chiefs family."

The 33-year-old Vrabel was part of three Super Bowl-winning teams in his eight years with New England, primarily as an outside linebacker. He joins a team whose linebackers were devastated by injury and played poorly. The Chiefs are now counting on Vrabel's experience and leadership.

"Mike Vrabel epitomizes everything a coach could seek in a professional football player: toughness, intelligence, playmaking, leadership, versatility and consistency at the highest level," Belichick said. "Behind the scenes, Mike's wit and personality is one of the things we have all enjoyed about coming to work every day."

Tyler Thigpen, the first player from tiny Coastal Carolina to be drafted by the NFL, took over at quarterback last year after Kansas City's No. 1 and No. 2 went out with season-ending injuries. He proved so ineffective at managing the power running game, the Chiefs switched offenses and went to a college-type spread attack.

Occasionally, he was effective. Still, Thigpen lost 10 of the 11 games he started, throwing for 21 touchdowns and 2,994 yards.




Jets acquire CB Sheppard from Eagles

link

NEW YORK (AP) - The New York Jets shored up their shaky secondary Saturday, acquiring two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard from the Philadelphia Eagles for undisclosed draft picks.

Sheppard, who spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Eagles, could immediately start in a Jets secondary that ranked 29th against the pass last year despite having Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis and playmaking safety Kerry Rhodes.

"We acquired a veteran corner with Pro Bowl ability," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "This young man has already gone to two Pro Bowls. He is a great athlete with the top-end speed that we look for to play that position. We think he can match up with some of the best receivers in the game."

Neither the Jets nor the Eagles announced terms of the deal, but Philadelphia will reportedly receive a fifth-round pick in April and a conditional pick in next year's draft.

Sheppard, 27, is a former first-round pick out of Florida in 2004 and '06, but saw his role reduced last season as he started only three games with Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown in the starting lineup.

"I am excited to be joining the Jets organization," Sheppard in a statement issued by the team. "It is a fresh new start, a new coach and a new system. I am looking forward to getting back to playing top-notch football and bringing a winning attitude with me."

When the Eagles acquired Samuel from New England last offseason, it appeared to pave the way for Sheppard to be traded. He also wanted a new contract, but Philadelphia didn't want to redo it - and found no suitable trade offers.

After giving up three touchdowns against Arizona on Thanksgiving, Sheppard was dropped from No. 3 to No. 5 on the depth chart. He then played mostly on special teams the rest of the season.

Still, Sheppard has a knack for making big plays. He has returned three of his 18 career interceptions for touchdowns and was the first player in NFL history with two such returns of more than 100 yards.

The deal was completed Saturday after New York re-signed guard Brandon Moore earlier in the day and signed former Baltimore linebacker Bart Scott on Friday.

The Jets could add a few more former Ravens after meeting with cornerback Corey Ivy on Friday and safety Jim Leonhard on Saturday.

New York re-signed Moore to a four-year, $16 million deal a day after Pittsburgh left guard Chris Kemoeatu turned down an offer from New York and returned to the Steelers.

"At the end of the day, when it was said and done, who did they come back to and who ended up there?" Moore said. "I ended up back with the team I wanted to be with. ... We worked it out at the end."

The 28-year-old Moore agreed to terms Friday after being cut Thursday by the Jets, who were due to pay the seven-year veteran a $7 million roster bonus under his former contract.

"When it happened, I wasn't bitter," Moore said. "I've played long enough and I've seen people come and go and I've listened to people's stories and I understand the business side of it."

Moore, considered the team's best run blocker, helped pave the way for Thomas Jones to lead the AFC in rushing last season. The Jets' entire offensive line will return this year, with Moore, center Nick Mangold, left guard Alan Faneca and tackles D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Damien Woody.

"You don't find that too often," Moore said. "Since I've been here, I've never followed a season where the whole line starts 16 games and it's the same guys returning the next season. ... That stuff goes a long way when it gets down to playing football."

Moore was signed by New York as an undrafted free agent defensive lineman out of Illinois in 2002 and was converted to an offensive lineman during training camp. He made his regular-season debut for the Jets in 2003, and has started 73 consecutive regular-season games at right guard since missing three games in the middle of the 2004 season because of an injury.




Broncos sign 7-time Pro Bowl safety Dawkins

link

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - Seven-time Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins had a hard time not looking back Saturday after signing with the Denver Broncos following a 13-year run with the Philadelphia Eagles.

So raw were his emotions over leaving Philly that he only wanted to talk about Denver, yet it was obvious from his puffy eyes that he'd spent plenty of time and emotions pondering about what he had left behind.

To the Eagles' fans who relished his hard hits and big plays while he helped lead the team to five NFC championship games and a Super Bowl, Dawkins couldn't bring himself to say farewell.

"I'll have a time to really sit down and have a conversation with them, but they know it. I've absolutely enjoyed my time there, and this was a very, very, very emotional decision for me. Very emotional. I've been crying," Dawkins told The Associated Press on Saturday after signing what is essentially a two-year, $9 million deal. "I believe they know how I feel about them because I feel the same way about them."

Dawkins acknowledged his sadness was sparring with his joy.

"It's a day that kind of goes both ways," he said. "I don't really want to get into that too much. I'll handle that down the road in talking about the Philadelphia Eagles. Right now, I want to celebrate this."

Dawkins, who turns 36 next season, said he felt blessed to be going from one storied franchise to another.

"You can feel it. You can absolutely feel it," Dawkins said. "When I walk through the halls, you see the guys who have gone before us to Super Bowls and I see T.D. (Terrell Davis) on the wall. It makes me want to get back there. It makes me want to get back there in a hurry."

Although Dawkins is clearly on the downside of his career, he brings a hard-hitting style and leadership qualities coveted by new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, who was the New England Patriots offensive coordinator before replacing Mike Shanahan.

Dawkins said McDaniels told him he envisions his new savvy safety playing a role similar to what Rodney Harrison did in New England.

Dawkins said McDaniels, 32, was a terrific recruiter.

"Very bright, very enthusiastic of what the vision is for this team: not winning later, not building anything, but starting and winning right away," Dawkins said. "I bought into it. I drunk the orange Kool-Aid."

The Broncos also signed former Indianapolis Colts special teams standout Darrell Reid to a three-year, $6.8 million contract, agent Blake Baratz said.

McDaniels, who has signed a bevy of other free agents, including Miami safety Renaldo Hill, targeted Dawkins as the big fish in his first free agent class.

"He's exactly what the Denver Broncos are looking for," McDaniels said.

The Eagles praised Dawkins and thanked him for all he gave the organization.

"Brian Dawkins has been one of the pillars of this franchise for 13 years," Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie said. "Brian embodies everything you look for in a professional athlete and human being. I have been fortunate to witness his impeccable character, his passion for the game of football and his commitment to being the best player he could be.

"I look forward to continuing a close relationship with him once his playing days are over. His legacy as an Eagle will last forever and will ultimately land him in Canton as a Hall of Famer."

Although Dawkins has had just two interceptions in his last 32 games, his passionate play helped the Eagles salvage a teetering season last year and reach the conference title game for the fifth time in eight seasons.

"Brian is one of the best players in franchise history and one of the most popular players to ever play in the city of Philadelphia," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "... He gave this city 13 years of emotional, energetic football. We wish Brian and his family nothing but the best as he continues his career in Denver."

Dawkins said his big move dawned on him when he arrived at Dove Valley Saturday morning to put his signature on a five-year, $17 million contract and saw his bright orange jersey on the table.

"I've worn the green so long that a lot of people didn't know how I was going to react to this orange," Dawkins said. "Well, I went to Clemson, so I've worn this orange with pride already."

Dawkins figures he has at least a couple more good seasons in him. He started all 16 games last season for the third time in four years and had 75 tackles, three sacks, six forced fumbles and an interception.

The Broncos, who gave up 448 points last season while ranking at or near the bottom in every major defensive category, ran through six free safeties after signing Marlon McCree and Marquand Manuel last offseason.

McCree was allowed to become a free agent and Manuel was jettisoned along with four other defensive starters in a massive spring cleaning that freed up $37 million in cap space.

In addition to bringing in the two veteran safeties, McDaniels has tapped the New England pipeline, luring wide receiver Jabar Gaffney and long-snapper Lonie Paxton from the Patriots. Hill and Gaffney both signed four-year deals worth $10 million with $3 million in guarantees, their agent, Drew Rosenhaus confirmed Saturday.

Reid, 26, has started just twice at defensive tackle in his four seasons in Indy, but emerged as an elite special teamer, leading the Colts in special teams tackles with 18 last season.

The Broncos hope the versatile unrestricted free agent can fill many needs in Denver. His contract contains incentives that could push the value to $9.6 million based on playing time and sacks, Baratz said.

"I really don't know what their plan is, but I know he's in a unique role in that he can play multiple positions and is a jack of all trades," Baratz told The Associated Press.

[BGMaverick9]

Cassel to the Chiefs is a pretty big move for both teams. It's sending the signal that Brady will be ready at full force and they have money/flexibility to take care of their own guys and maybe do some things in the draft.

KC has got their QB, hopefully...haha

The more interesting thing that Denver was apparently making a big play for Cassel and offering to send Cutler away in the process.

All of the moves make me think of one thing...

FANTASY!!! I miss it a lot.

[Dtownsfinest]

Bronco's would've sent Cutler away? They're franchise qb? I find that hard to believe but i've seen stranger things happen. I think you have to be careful about guys with one good year under their belts at qb. See Derek Anderson. I think we got lucky that we didn't have to resign Romo until two seasons after his breakout year. With Cassel I thought he had a pretty good season but i'm not sure if he's a franchise qb. I like what the Chiefs are doing though. I'd watch out for them being a Cinderella team next season.

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by Dtownsfinest

Bronco's would've sent Cutler away? They're franchise qb? I find that hard to believe but i've seen stranger things happen. I think you have to be careful about guys with one good year under their belts at qb. See Derek Anderson. I think we got lucky that we didn't have to resign Romo until two seasons after his breakout year. With Cassel I thought he had a pretty good season but i'm not sure if he's a franchise qb. I like what the Chiefs are doing though. I'd watch out for them being a Cinderella team next season.

They definitely can address a bigger issue via the draft now with the #3 pick.

The connection with Denver was Josh McDaniels, former Pats Offensive Coordinator. He obviously knows what Cassel can do and can work well with him. Cutler isn't "his guy" he may be a really great QB but he is more familiar with Cassel. Apparently they were looking at teams like Tampa or Minnesota to send Cutler off to.