Movers and shakers - Free Agency 2008

Vikings

Free Agents by position:

Offense
QB:

Derek Anderson, RFA, Cleveland Browns
Rex Grossman, UFA, Chicago Bears
Daunte Culpepper, UFA, Oakland Raiders
Josh McCown, UFA, Oakland Raiders
Quinn Gray, UFA, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ken Dorsey UFA Cleveland Browns
Ryan Fitzpatrick RFA Cincinnati Bengals
Drew Henson UFA Minnesota Vikings
Cleo Lemon UFA Miami Dolphins
Jared Lorenzen UFA New York Giants
Jamie Martin UFA New Orleans Saints

RB:

Michael Turner, UFA, San Diego Chargers
Marion Barber, RFA, Dallas Cowboys
Julius Jones, UFA, Dallas Cowboys
Justin Fargas UFA Oakland Raiders
Derrick Ward, RFA, New York Giants
Vernand Morency, RFA, Green Bay Packers
Chris Brown, UFA, Tennessee Titans
Cedric Cobbs RFA Denver Broncos
T.J. Duckett UFA Detroit Lions
Noah Herron RFA Green Bay Packers
Maurice Hicks UFA San Francisco 49ers
Travis Minor UFA St. Louis Rams
Mewelde Moore UFA Minnesota Vikings
Artose Pinner UFA Minnesota Vikings
Musa Smith UFA Baltimore Ravens
Tyson Thompson RFA Dallas Cowboys
LaBrandon Toefield UFA Jacksonville Jaguars

FB:

Mike Alstott UFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brad Hoover UFA Carolina Panthers
Tony Richardson UFA Minnesota Vikings
Derrick Wimbush RFA Jacksonville Jaguars

WR:

Randy Moss, UFA, New England Patriots
Bernard Berrian, UFA, Chicago Bears
Patrick Crayton, UFA, Dallas Cowboys
Bryant Johnson, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Drew Carter, UFA, Carolina Panthers
Andre' Davis UFA Houston Texans
Justin Gage UFA Tennessee Titans
Devery Henderson, UFA, New Orleans Saints
L.J. Smith, TE, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles - Franchise Tag
Eric Johnson, TE, UFA, New Orleans Saints
Antonio Chatman UFA Cincinnati Bengals
Keary Colbert UFA Carolina Panthers
Terrance Copper UFA New Orleans Saints
Malcom Floyd RFA San Diego Chargers
Doug Gabriel UFA Oakland Raiders
D.J. Hackett UFA Seattle Seahawks
Az-Zahir Hakim UFA Miami Dolphins
Taylor Jacobs UFA Washington Redskins
Jerome Mathis RFA Houston Texans
Samie Parker UFA Kansas City Chiefs
David Patten UFA New Orleans Saints
Marcus Robinson UFA Detroit Lions
Stephen Alexander UFA Denver Broncos
Bryan Fletcher UFA Indianapolis Colts
John Gilmore UFA Chicago Bears
Marcus Pollard UFA Seattle Seahawks
Ben Troupe UFA Tennessee Titans
Jermaine Wiggins UFA Jacksonville Jaguars
Kris Wilson UFA Kansas City Chiefs

OL:

Ruben Brown, UFA, Chicago Bears
Alan Faneca, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers
Flozell Adams, UFA, Dallas Cowboys
Jordan Gross, UFA, Carolina Panthers - Franchise Tag
Ryan Lilja, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
Floyd Womack, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
Jake Scott, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
Todd Steussie UFA St. Louis Rams
Travelle Wharton UFA Carolina Panthers
OG P.J. Alexander UFA Atlanta Falcons
OT Nat Dorsey UFA Cleveland Browns
OT Trai Essex RFA Pittsburgh Steelers
OG Chris Kemoeatu RFA Pittsburgh Steelers
OT Cory Lekkerkerker RFA Miami Dolphins
OT Sean Locklear UFA Seattle Seahawks
OG Brian Rimpf RFA Baltimore Ravens
OG Keydrick Vincent UFA Baltimore Ravens
OG Fred Weary UFA Houston Texans

Vikings

Defense
DL:

Jared Allen, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs - Franchise Tag
Albert Haynesworth, UFA, Tennessee Titans - Franchise Tag
Justin Smith, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals
Terrell Suggs, UFA, Baltimore Ravens - Franchise Tag
Mike Rucker, UFA, Carolina Panthers
Tommy Kelly UFA Oakland Raiders
Corey Williams, UFA, Green Bay Packers - Franchise Tag
Jordan Carstens UFA Carolina Panthers
Ebenezer Ekuban UFA Denver Broncos
Sam Rayburn UFA San Francisco 49ers
Paul Spicer UFA Jacksonville Jaguars
Randy Starks UFA Tennessee Titans
Renaldo Wynn UFA Washington Redskins

LB:

Lance Briggs, UFA, Chicago Bears
Tedy Bruschi, UFA, New England Patriots
Karlos Dansby, UFA, Arizona Cardinals - Franchise Tag
Demorrio Williams, UFA, Atlanta Falcons
Boss Bailey, UFA, Detroit Lions
Danny Clark UFA Houston Texans
Kawika Mitchell UFA New York Giants
Mark Simoneau UFA New Orleans Saints
Jordan Beck RFA Atlanta Falcons
Kevin Bentley UFA Seattle Seahawks
Darryl Blackstock RFA Arizona Cardinals
Brandon Chillar UFA St. Louis Rams
Na'il Diggs UFA Carolina Panthers
Landon Johnson UFA Cincinnati Bengals
Teddy Lehman UFA Detroit Lions
Lemar Marshall UFA Washington Redskins
Sam Williams UFA Oakland Raiders

DB:

Asante Samuel, UFA, New England Patriots
Mike Doss, UFA, Minnesota Vikings
Domonique Foxworth, RFA, Denver Broncos
Drayton Florence, UFA, San Diego Chargers
Randall Gay UFA New England Patriots
Marcus Trufant, UFA, Seattle Seahawks - Franchise Tag
Ken Hamlin, UFA, Dallas Cowboys - Franchise Tag
Chris Carr RFA Oakland Raiders
Tory James UFA New England Patriots
Karl Paymah RFA Denver Broncos
B.J. Sams UFA Baltimore Ravens
Chad Scott UFA New England Patriots
William Bartee UFA Kansas City Chiefs
Jay Bellamy UFA New Orleans Saints
Omar Stoutmire UFA Washington Redskins
Derrick Strait UFA Carolina Panthers
Gibril Wilson UFA New York Giants

Special teams:

Rob Bironas, RFA, Tennessee Titans
Josh Brown UFA Seattle Seahawks
Dave Rayner UFA Kansas City Chiefs
Lawrence Tynes UFA New York Giants
Jeff Feagles UFA New York Giants
Scott Player UFA Arizona Cardinals
Todd Sauerbrun UFA Denver Broncos

Vikings

Not even to mention some of the cuts already taken place:

Indianapolis Colts 2/11 Brandon Archer (LB) cut.
Cincinnati Bengals 2/11 Roy Manning (LB) cut.
Denver Broncos 2/11 Warrick Holdman (LB) cut.
Carolina Panthers 2/11 Mike Wahle (G) cut.
Carolina Panthers 2/12 Dan Morgan (LB) cut.

Miami Dolphins 2/12:
Keith Traylor (DT) cut.
Trent Green (QB) cut.
L.J. Shelton (T) cut.
Marty Booker (WR) cut.
Anthony Alabi (T) cut.
Anthony Bryant (DT) cut.
Joe Toledo (T) cut.
Marquay Love (DT) cut.
Marion Dukes (T) cut.
Zach Thomas (LB) cut.

Buffalo Bills 2/14:
Peerless Price (WR) cut.
Kevin Harrison (LB) cut.
E.J. Underwood (CB) cut.

Kansas City Chiefs 2/15 John Welbourn (T) cut.

Atlanta Falcons 2/15:

Wayne Gandy (T) cut.
Rod Coleman (DT) cut.
Lewis Sanders (CB) cut.
Alge Crumpler (TE) cut.
Jamin Elliott (WR) cut.
Marcus Wilkins (LB) cut.
Byron Leftwich (QB) cut.

Chicago Bears 2/18 Muhsin Muhammad (WR) cut.
San Francisco 49ers 2/19 Derek Smith (LB) cut.
Minnesota Vikings 2/20 Dwight Smith (S) cut.
Green Bay Packers 2/20 Bubba Franks (TE) cut.

Houston Texans 2/20:

Mike Flanagan (C) cut.
Shawn Barber (LB) cut.
Jeb Putzier (TE) cut.
Drew Hodgdon (C) cut.

Carolina Panthers 2/21 DeShaun Foster (RB) cut.

Arizona Cardinals 2/21:

Oliver Ross (T) cut.
Chris Cooper (DE) cut.
Terrence Holt (S) cut.

Vikings

Okay thats most of them.. i'm sure there are a few more but thats the bulk of them!

Some cuts that surprised me were Crumpler and Coleman from the Falcons, Thomas from the Dolphins, Foster from the Panters and word at the moment is that the Seahawks are going to cut Alexander!


So with free agency just around the corner (Feb 29th!) It's going to be an interesting few weeks. I wonder how the combine this week will affect team needs going into free agency, then its time for the draft!

Season may be over but still lots of news

Xavi6

Thomas is a massive surprise, as for me is Muhammad from the Bears. He was their best receiver in 2006.

If Jared Allen leaves the Chiefs it'll be a big loss. I'd say Grossman and Leftwich will be snapped up as backups fairly sharpish.

Vikings

I can't see Allen leaving the Chiefs to be honest. They have stuck the franchise tag on him which means if anybody wants to try and make a play for him they first have to hand out a huge contract to him and then give 2 first round picks to the Chiefs as well. It's a tall order and i'm not sure there is any team that needs a top quality DE that badly. (maybe the Vikings)

Yeah there has been a fair few surprises out there already. I'm interested to see what happens to Randy Moss... will he go play for the highest bidder or take a reasonable contract to stick with the Patriots?

Manny7

Vikings wrote: »

I'm interested to see what happens to Randy Moss... will he go play for the highest bidder or take a reasonable contract to stick with the Patriots?

This is interesting alright, there's rumours that there's a verbal agreement in place as he can't sign a new contract until next week, but if another team comes in with a massive offer it could be very tempting for him. I'm not sure why the Pats didn't franchise him and then renegoiate a longer contract, it seems a bit strange to leave him open even for only a week, especially as they weren't going to use the tag on anyone else.

Vikings

I have a feeling the Pats will let him go. Can you imagine the type of money Moss would be looking for after the season he has just had? I'm guessing whenever and wherever he does sign that deal that he will become the highest paid WR in the NFL.

And I just don't see the Patriots going down that route at all. Not to mention the Patriots being interested in WR Marty Booker. Could possibly bump Stallworth and Welker up on the depth and bring in one or two others to strengthen the lower end of it and let Moss go?

jdivision

Some of that list is out of date. Fargas has already resigned as has Patrick Crayton while Alstott retired

Oliver Ross is worth a punt from somebody as is Mike Flanagan. Gibril Wilson will get a lot of attention. The real prizes, aside from Moss, are Alan Faneca despite his age and Lance Briggs who's not on the list above I'd be looking at Lilja too (despite the fact he can be overpowered by massive tackles) and if you need deep speed Berrian's definitely worth pursuing. Not sure Samuel would be as effective with a line that's not as good as the Patriots.

Vikings, Brady has lobbied for Moss to stay as you know but they showed what they thought of his opinion when they let other WRs go. I think this time he'll stay though. Two years at $7 per will be enough I think. Randy made a lot of money off last contract, even if he took the pay cut last year.

Manny7

Vikings wrote: »

I have a feeling the Pats will let him go. Can you imagine the type of money Moss would be looking for after the season he has just had? I'm guessing whenever and wherever he does sign that deal that he will become the highest paid WR in the NFL.

And I just don't see the Patriots going down that route at all. Not to mention the Patriots being interested in WR Marty Booker. Could possibly bump Stallworth and Welker up on the depth and bring in one or two others to strengthen the lower end of it and let Moss go?

Moss did make the right noises before the Superbowl, something along the lines of any other will have to break the bank to get him while the Pats just have to give him decent money. But I really don't know if that would last long if a big money deal comes in from say the Jags.

As for Stallworth, I think they've declined his option so he could well be gone unless he signs a new deal. Welker won't move anywhere on the depth chart, he's the slot and he'll stay there. Don't know much about Booker but they seem to be interested in him.

As for the rest of the list, I'm sure Turner will get some big offers from teams as will Briggs.

jdivision

I'm not including Marion Barber on list above by the way cos he's a RFA and they'll resign him

Vikings

jdivision wrote: »

Some of that list is out of date. Fargas has already resigned as has Patrick Crayton while Alstott retired

....

Vikings, Brady has lobbied for Moss to stay as you know but they showed what they thought of his opinion when they let other WRs go. I think this time he'll stay though. Two years at $7 per will be enough I think. Randy made a lot of money off last contract, even if he took the pay cut last year.

Yeah I noticed that while plucking the names out of the site I used.. too much work going through it all to double check though!!

I know what youre saying about Moss I just don't think he will hang around. Moss is 31 years old! The days when he was the young receiver behind Cris Carter are long gone but seem strangely close looking back. This will be Moss' last chance to land a huge contract and I think he will take it.

Last year he wanted success and he came so close to it, I think if the Patriots won the Superbowl last year then Randy would have signed a reasonable deal to stick with them but now that they have not won it, I havn't heard a peep out of Randy. He will be back focussed on the money again this year... will find out next Friday anyway! I bet his agent is getting some business at the combine right now.

FlutterinBantam

:eek::eek::eek:

The Packers cut Bubba Franks!!!!

I called my cat after him!!!!

bad day. bad day

:(:(:(:(

Xavi6

Mike Alstott retired? Shame. He was quality.

Vikings

Xavi6 wrote: »

Mike Alstott retired? Shame. He was quality.

Yeah not surprised by that one though. He kind of retired last year after the season but the Bucs kept him on and placed him on IR so that he was paid his salary for the year, kind of a tribute to him for his years of service! Not a bad way to go out.

jdivision

Xavi6 wrote: »

Mike Alstott retired? Shame. He was quality.

Alstott's neck gave up. He was a battering ram for too long. Great short yardage player though

FlutterinBantam

Not as good as Gerald Riggs.

Chucky the tree

Raiders tagged the best CB in the league. Woot!! We better get him resigned though. He'd be a massive lose too us.

Rented Mule

jdivision wrote: »

Alstott's neck gave up. He was a battering ram for too long. Great short yardage player though

A Joliet Catholic man.

We used to see them at the start of every season when I was in high school.

Many, many, many years ago.

bobby wade

Rex is back

Vikings

Boy where do I start!!!

Jevon Kearse - CUT!
Gus Frerotte - CUT!
Mike Anderson - CUT!
Isaac Bruce - CUT!
Lorenzo Neal -CUT!

Muhsin Muhammad - Signed by the Panthers.
Corey Williams - traded from the Packers to the Browns.
Jonathan Vilma - Signed by Saints.
Justin Smiley - Signed by Dolphins.
Jeff Faine - Signed by the Bucs.
David Kircus - Signed by Dolphins.

Thats only some of the past 48 hours developments!! Lot's of rumours flying round the place too.

The Vikings are bringing in Justin Smith (DE) and Bernard Berrian (WR) today for talks which is a good sign for us, two decent players at positions we need.

Though the biggest surprise to me is that it looks like the Browns are trying to get rid of Derek Anderson. They have him tagged at the highest level meaning they would need to receive a 1st and 3rd round pick for anybody else to sign him. Thing is, the Browns have already traded away their 1st round pick and the trade for Corey Williams is meant to have been for their 2nd round pick leaving them with no picks on the 1st day of the draft. If they let Anderson get away they will get a 1st round pick back and still have Brady Quinn and another 3rd round pick... today will be a busy day in the NFL!

death1234567

flozell adams resigns with cowboys

RuggieBear

wow. lorenzo neal is cut. bloody chargers.

death1234567

RuggieBear wrote: »

wow. lorenzo neal is cut. bloody chargers.

I think he requested to be realeased.

RuggieBear

fair enough. brilliant servant to the game

Manny7

Rosevelt Colvin - cut.

Would be a good pick-up for someone, unless his injury is the reason the Pats let him go.

Vikings

RuggieBear wrote: »

wow. lorenzo neal is cut. bloody chargers.

Yeah surprised by that one too, though the Vikings are also meant to be letting Tony Richardson go... he blocked like a maniac for Adrian Peterson last year it would be crazy to let him slide but full backs just don't seem to be in demand much these days.

Pherekydes

Looks like Anderson signed a 3-year deal with the Browns.

Moss to Miami*









*May not be true.

jdivision

Smiley's a good pick up for Miami. Very underrated and could play tackle at a push. The fact Oakland is apparently offering same money to Kwame Harris as Smiley signed for is crazy.

Chucky the tree

Tommy kelly. highest paid DT ever.


Wow al, you've outdone yourself this time.

heyjude

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Tommy kelly. highest paid DT ever.


Wow al, you've outdone yourself this time.

Yea, gotta wonder about that decision ! :eek:

Sure, keep the guy, but given his injury problems and the fact that he has never been that dominant a player, it makes you wonder why they paid so much(unless the rumour that Denver were interested in Kelly, is true).

Makes you wonder now where they'll go in the draft, they don't need a QB, they've re-signed Fargas and have Bush, Rhodes and Jordan at RB and it was thought that they'd go for Chris Long or Glen Dorsey to strengthen the D-Line, but having paid so much to Kelly, do they want to tie up another $15m on a first round pick for another D lineman. Maybe having cut Barry Simms, they plan to take OT Jake Long instead.

With Jerry Porter having signed for the Jags, they need a WR but none of the receivers in the draft seem worth the 4th pick.

Me thinks that the Raiders will be very busy in the free agent market over the next few weeks.

Interesting times.

jdivision

I don't think Jake Long will still be there when they pick. He'll go 1 or 2 I think. People have fallen for the idea of Chris Long as Number 1 but Parcells needs to build a line, Satele at centre is a keeper but beyond that they haven't much. The fact they haven't gone after an OT or OG (given Adams resigned in dallas) suggests they're going to build it through the draft. OT has some good depth this year but to me you pick the tackle for the next 10 years rather than the edge rusher.

Chucky the tree

With us using a ZBS though we dont really need too got OT with our 4th. I'd either prefer us too drop down, If DMC is available when we pick 4th the cowboys could be definitly interest. We could trade our 4, for there 2 firsts and a player or another few picks.

If we stay at 4th i'd like us too take Chris long. We are not too deep at pass rushing DE with Burgess being our only one. Unfortunalty i have a really bad feeling we will take DMC if he is available.

Getting Wilson was a good boost too us, i just hope the rumours of us trading Huff arent true. A Secondary of Nnamdi, huff, wilson and routt would be excellent.

kev_s88

nice productive day for the Jags. after signing WR Jerry Porter to a 6 year, $30 million deal.

also signed QB Cleo Lemmon from the Dolphins in a 3 year, $9 million deal.

traded a 6th round pick for WR Troy Williamson from the Vikings.a young player and full of promise.hopefully he can become the new deep threat for the Jags.*









*providing he can hold on to the ball

Vikings

kev_s88 wrote: »

*providing he can hold on to the ball

Holding on to the ball aint his problem, he can do that no problem... it's catching it that he can't do! Trust me, i've felt the pains already.

kev_s88

Vikings wrote: »

Holding on to the ball aint his problem, he can do that no problem... it's catching it that he can't do! Trust me, i've felt the pains already.

lol.i do feel bad for the Vikings that he never materialised as a great player.although what can you expect when he is instantly expected to fill the boots of Randy Moss.ah well

at least your lot now has Bernard Berrian to rely on as a good WR

jdivision

I don't know about that. He was only a deep threat in Chicago. Surprised they didn't go for Stallworth given his rumoured deal with the Browns. Not saying that Berrian isn't gonna be very good, just don't know if he's $33m good.

RuggieBear

turner becomes a falcon. Nice having him as back up when LT was hurt but good to see he is going to make some real money

jdivision

Raiders sign Gibril Wilson for stupid money, Bills trading for Marcus Stroud a good move if he'll play at 100 per cent this year

kev_s88

jdivision wrote: »

Raiders sign Gibril Wilson for stupid money, Bills trading for Marcus Stroud a good move if he'll play at 100 per cent this year

Really doubt Stroud will be 100% this season.only just coming back from a career threatening injury and surgery.also relying on him staying off the steroids.as a Jags fan im happy to see the back of him

i say bring in Jason Taylor to Jaguars.god knows they need a good DE

heyjude

jdivision wrote: »

Raiders sign Gibril Wilson for stupid money

The money may be stupid but in a limited market that happens, but if it allows them to move Michael Huff to Free Safety where he can become the playmaker they thought they had drafted, then it could turn out okay.

The Raiders still have a bit of cap room and can cut/trade Lamont Jordan or Dominic Rhodes to make more room.

I'm also interested to see what sort of deal Randy Moss gets, bearing in mind that Bernard Berrian got a 6 year deal worth $42 million, with $23 million in the first three years and a $16 million signing bonus. Now Berrian is younger, but he's no Randy Moss!

Manny7

heyjude wrote: »

I'm also interested to see what sort of deal Randy Moss gets, bearing in mind that Bernard Berrian got a 6 year deal worth $42 million, with $23 million in the first three years and a $16 million signing bonus. Now Berrian is younger, but he's no Randy Moss!

I'd say Moss will be 3 years/30 mill, don't know how much guaranteed though. Still hoping he re-signs with the Pats.

Turner to Atlanta is interesting, him and Norwood could be good together.

davyjose

Manny7 wrote: »

I'd say Moss will be 3 years/30 mill, don't know how much guaranteed though. Still hoping he re-signs with the Pats.

I think if the Pats don't offer him something like that, someone else will.

When does the draft start BTW?

RuggieBear

middle of april for the draft i believe

Vikings

April 26-27th is when it is on.

Micheal Turner signed with the Falcons... expect Warrick Dunn to be traded in the next few days.

I'm still hoping that the Vikings will bring Randy Moss back to a purple jersey

jdivision

Big Ben gets new eight year deal at $102 million. It takes up too much of their cap space every year I think but I suppose Ben wants the cash rather than be a perennial contender. He should have looked at Brady

Rumour of a deal where the Cardinals trade Fitzgerald to the Eagles, not sure what they'd get back but doubt it'd be enough. And there was I hoping they'd make the playoffs.

Vikings

And Warrick Dunn has now been released by the Falcons.

Yeah Big Ben's contract has something ridiculous like $36million in guarantee's alone!! That's crazy money no matter what way you look at it. Only consistent MVP play should be bringing in that money and no offence to Steeler's fans but Roethlisberger is just not that good.

kev_s88

Big Ben being given an 8 year contract at $102million?? hes not worth anything near that.

Moss re-signs with the Patriots for 3 years $27 million.shame they managed to keep him but what can you do.

Alge Crumpler signs a 2 year deal with the Titans

tbh i cant see the Cardinals letting Larry Fitzgerald go anywhere.he is way too big a player for them to let go of.plus they've said repeatedly that hes not going anywhere this season

jdivision

kev_s88 wrote: »

tbh i cant see the Cardinals letting Larry Fitzgerald go anywhere.he is way too big a player for them to let go of.plus they've said repeatedly that hes not going anywhere this season

He's $16-$17m on the salary cap, if he won't restructure they'll have to do something.

Vikings

Oooh PFT is reporting that Favre has let slip he is going to retire....

kev_s88

jdivision wrote: »

He's $16-$17m on the salary cap, if he won't restructure they'll have to do something.

well he himself has reiterated that he wants to stay in Arizona for the forseeable future so id imagine if he wants to stay that much then he will restructure