Post by TheShadow on Mar 3, 2007 0:40:00 GMT -5
www.washingtonpost.com/
By Mark Maske
Washington Post Staff Writer
Teams were spending big money once the NFL's free agent market opened yesterday. Three of the best players available picked teams last night as cornerback Nate Clements agreed to a record-setting contract with the San Francisco 49ers, guard Eric Steinbach chose the Cleveland Browns and linebacker Adalius Thomas reportedly settled on the New England Patriots.
Clements agreed to what an NFL source said was an eight-year, $80 million deal with the 49ers that included $22 million in guaranteed money. It's the heftiest contract in league history for a defensive player, and it confirmed the predictions in recent weeks that teams, given abundant salary cap space by the sport's labor agreement completed last year, were prepared to throw around cash in free agency this year.
Clements, Thomas and Steinbach widely were regarded as three of the four best players available in free agency along with San Diego Chargers guard Kris Dielman.
Steinbach, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals, agreed to a seven-year, $49.5 million deal with the Browns. The contract includes $17 million in guaranteed money.
Thomas picked the Patriots over the 49ers, according to a Boston Herald report. He leaves the Baltimore Ravens, who opted against using their franchise player tag last month to retain him.
Plummer to Retire?
It also was the first day that teams could make trades, and the day's other major development was a deal that wasn't completed. A proposed trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer considering retirement.
The Broncos agreed to trade Plummer to the Buccaneers for a fourth-round draft choice, a source familiar with the deliberations said. But the 32-year-old quarterback informed the clubs he would retire rather than accept the deal, said the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because Plummer's status remained unresolved.
Plummer lost the starting job in Denver to rookie Jay Cutler this past season but probably would have entered next season as the starter in Tampa ahead of Chris Simms. According to a source, Plummer might reconsider his retirement decision if he has a chance to play for the Houston Texans. The Texans' head coach is former Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak.
With the Plummer trade on hold, it's possible the Buccaneers will look elsewhere at quarterback. They appear interested in free agent Jeff Garcia, who's poised to leave the Philadelphia Eagles after taking them to the playoffs this past season. Garcia also has the Oakland Raiders under consideration.
Patriots Release Dillon
Tailback Corey Dillon was released by the Patriots. He had asked to be cut and has talked about possibly retiring, but apparently will see what opportunities are available to him with other teams before deciding. . . .
The New York Jets released quarterback Patrick Ramsey. The Jets tried but failed to trade Ramsey and avoided paying him a $1.4 million roster bonus due today. . . .
The Ravens lost two other free agents, right tackle Tony Pashos and fullback Ovie Mughelli. Pashos agreed to a five-year, $24 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Mughelli got a six-year, $18 million deal from the Atlanta Falcons. . . .
The Falcons released linebackers Ed Hartwell and Ike Reese. . . .
The 49ers, in addition to handing out the huge contract to Clements, struck a deal with free agent safety Michael Lewis, formerly of the Eagles. . . .
Defensive end Patrick Chukwurah left the Broncos by agreeing to a five-year, $5.5 million deal with the Buccaneers. The Buccaneers also re-signed cornerback Phillip Buchanon. . . .
The Tennessee Titans re-signed defensive tackle Rien Long, offensive tackle Seth Wand and linebacker LeVar Woods. . . .
The Buffalo Bills signed guard Jason Whittle, most recently of the Minnesota Vikings, to a one-year, $760,000 contract that includes a $40,000 signing bonus. Buffalo also signed free agent offensive tackle Langston Walker, formerly of the Raiders. . . .
The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed running back Najeh Davenport to a two-year, $2 million contract. The deal included a $405,000 signing bonus. . . .
The Eagles re-signed defensive end Juqua Thomas to provide depth behind Jevon Kearse, Darren Howard and Trent Cole. . . .
The Detroit Lions traded defensive end James Hall to the St. Louis Rams for a fifth-round draft choice. . . .
The Carolina Panthers re-signed linebacker Na'il Diggs to a one-year contract. The Panthers also released safety Kevin McCadam. . . .
The Miami Dolphins released defensive end Kevin Carter after failing to rework his contract. The Dolphins also cut guard Jeno James.
By Mark Maske
Washington Post Staff Writer
Teams were spending big money once the NFL's free agent market opened yesterday. Three of the best players available picked teams last night as cornerback Nate Clements agreed to a record-setting contract with the San Francisco 49ers, guard Eric Steinbach chose the Cleveland Browns and linebacker Adalius Thomas reportedly settled on the New England Patriots.
Clements agreed to what an NFL source said was an eight-year, $80 million deal with the 49ers that included $22 million in guaranteed money. It's the heftiest contract in league history for a defensive player, and it confirmed the predictions in recent weeks that teams, given abundant salary cap space by the sport's labor agreement completed last year, were prepared to throw around cash in free agency this year.
Clements, Thomas and Steinbach widely were regarded as three of the four best players available in free agency along with San Diego Chargers guard Kris Dielman.
Steinbach, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals, agreed to a seven-year, $49.5 million deal with the Browns. The contract includes $17 million in guaranteed money.
Thomas picked the Patriots over the 49ers, according to a Boston Herald report. He leaves the Baltimore Ravens, who opted against using their franchise player tag last month to retain him.
Plummer to Retire?
It also was the first day that teams could make trades, and the day's other major development was a deal that wasn't completed. A proposed trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer considering retirement.
The Broncos agreed to trade Plummer to the Buccaneers for a fourth-round draft choice, a source familiar with the deliberations said. But the 32-year-old quarterback informed the clubs he would retire rather than accept the deal, said the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because Plummer's status remained unresolved.
Plummer lost the starting job in Denver to rookie Jay Cutler this past season but probably would have entered next season as the starter in Tampa ahead of Chris Simms. According to a source, Plummer might reconsider his retirement decision if he has a chance to play for the Houston Texans. The Texans' head coach is former Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak.
With the Plummer trade on hold, it's possible the Buccaneers will look elsewhere at quarterback. They appear interested in free agent Jeff Garcia, who's poised to leave the Philadelphia Eagles after taking them to the playoffs this past season. Garcia also has the Oakland Raiders under consideration.
Patriots Release Dillon
Tailback Corey Dillon was released by the Patriots. He had asked to be cut and has talked about possibly retiring, but apparently will see what opportunities are available to him with other teams before deciding. . . .
The New York Jets released quarterback Patrick Ramsey. The Jets tried but failed to trade Ramsey and avoided paying him a $1.4 million roster bonus due today. . . .
The Ravens lost two other free agents, right tackle Tony Pashos and fullback Ovie Mughelli. Pashos agreed to a five-year, $24 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Mughelli got a six-year, $18 million deal from the Atlanta Falcons. . . .
The Falcons released linebackers Ed Hartwell and Ike Reese. . . .
The 49ers, in addition to handing out the huge contract to Clements, struck a deal with free agent safety Michael Lewis, formerly of the Eagles. . . .
Defensive end Patrick Chukwurah left the Broncos by agreeing to a five-year, $5.5 million deal with the Buccaneers. The Buccaneers also re-signed cornerback Phillip Buchanon. . . .
The Tennessee Titans re-signed defensive tackle Rien Long, offensive tackle Seth Wand and linebacker LeVar Woods. . . .
The Buffalo Bills signed guard Jason Whittle, most recently of the Minnesota Vikings, to a one-year, $760,000 contract that includes a $40,000 signing bonus. Buffalo also signed free agent offensive tackle Langston Walker, formerly of the Raiders. . . .
The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed running back Najeh Davenport to a two-year, $2 million contract. The deal included a $405,000 signing bonus. . . .
The Eagles re-signed defensive end Juqua Thomas to provide depth behind Jevon Kearse, Darren Howard and Trent Cole. . . .
The Detroit Lions traded defensive end James Hall to the St. Louis Rams for a fifth-round draft choice. . . .
The Carolina Panthers re-signed linebacker Na'il Diggs to a one-year contract. The Panthers also released safety Kevin McCadam. . . .
The Miami Dolphins released defensive end Kevin Carter after failing to rework his contract. The Dolphins also cut guard Jeno James.