By PFW staff
March 2, 2008

Updated at 10:25 p.m. EST Sunday, March 2

Following is a summary of the news involving free agents and other contract-related news around the league:

Sunday, March 2

RB Michael Turner

Adding more depth to their secondary on the heels of the Saturday signing of ex-Jets FS Erik Coleman, the Falcons inked UFA CB-S Von Hutchins to a multiyear contract, the terms of which weren’t disclosed. Hutchins played the past two seasons with the Texans, and his presence provides the Falcons with more options should they choose to trade disgruntled CB DeAngelo Hall.

The active Falcons also signed UFA TE Ben Hartsock, who had 12 catches for 138 yards as a Titan last season.

 The Titans reached agreement on a two-year contract with TE Alge Crumpler on Sunday. Crumpler had been released by the Falcons on Feb. 19 after knee injuries limited his production last season, and his $5.1 million cap figure for 2008 was too big a burden for Atlanta. The Titans needed TE help with Ben Troupe an unrestricted free agent and Ben Hartsock already having signed with Atlanta. Their top tight end, Bo Scaife, is a restricted free agent.

 The Saints moved to revamp their defense Sunday, signing UFA DE Bobby McCray and UFA CB Randall Gay. McCray will reportedly receive a $5 million signing bonus, and the value of his five-year deal is $20 million. McCray is expected to be used in a rotation, playing mostly in passing situations. Gay will sign a four-year contract that will pay him $17.8 million, including $6.9 million in guaranteed money. Gay started three games for the Patriots last season, intercepting three passes and making 38 tackles.

In other Saints moves, the team re-signed RB Aaron Stecker and terminated the contract of 10-year veteran LB Brian Simmons, who recorded 27 tackles last season in a backup role.

Saturday, March 1

Lance Briggs

 Having searched for a No. 1 wide receiver for years, the Vikings hope they’ve finally landed one in Bernard Berrian. The former Bears unrestricted free agent reached agreement on contract terms — six years, $42 million, including $16 million guaranteed, according to NFL.com — and was expected to be introduced to the media Saturday evening at team headquarters. The Vikings had used the seventh overall pick in the 2005 draft on Troy Williamson, but he failed to live up to expectations and was traded to Jacksonville earlier in the week.

 The Chiefs agreed to terms with UFA LB Demorrio Williams on Saturday night. The deal will pay the former Falcon $16 million over five years, with $5.5 million guaranteed. It is speculated that Williams will bump disappointing MLB Napoleon Harris from the starting lineup, with Williams lining up outside along with Derrick Johnson and Donnie Edwards moving to the middle.

 The Broncos re-signed UFA DE Ebenezer Ekuban to a one-year contract Saturday. Ekuban, who had visited the Raiders on Saturday, missed the entire 2007 season due to injury.

 The Browns continued their flurry of free-agent signings Saturday, coming to terms with UFA WR Donté Stallworth on a seven-year contract. After beginning his NFL career with the Saints, Stallworth has had one-year stopovers in Philadelphia and New England, catching 46 passes for 697 yards and three touchdowns last season in a talent-laden Patriots WR corps. Stallworth joins a Browns depth chart featuring Braylon Edwards and Joe Jurevicius at wideout.

 The Broncos signed UFA WR Keary Colbert to a three-year contract totaling $7.2 million. Drafted by Carolina, Colbert had a decent rookie season but has been unable to duplicate that production in the subsequent three seasons. The Broncos expect Colbert to challenge Brandon Stokley for their No. 2 WR spot across from Brandon Marshall, now that Javon Walker has been released.

 The Saints re-signed UFA WR Devery Henderson to a one-year deal worth $2 million.

 The Buccaneers picked up UFA DE Jimmy Wilkerson, who had spent the past five years as a Chief. He registered 23 tackles and one-half sack in 16 games last season, with two starts.

 John Lynch will remain with the Broncos for at least one more season, after the 36-year-old safety agreed to a pay cut. Lynch had been scheduled to earn $2 million in 2008 and was due to be paid a $1.12 million bonus on March 4.

 The Dolphins have signed UFA LB Charlie Anderson to a three-year contract reportedly worth a $7.5 million, with a $2.5 million signing bonus.

 The Jets landed one of the bigger prizes on the free-agent market Saturday, signing OG Alan Faneca to a blockbuster deal. Rated by PFW as the third-best unrestricted free agent at the start of free agency, behind Randy Moss and Asante Samuel, Faneca, 31, reportedly will receive $40 million over five years, with approximately $21 million guaranteed. The annual average of $8 million and the sum of guaranteed money are both records for an offensive lineman, according to NFL.com

 The Bills continued the revamping of their defense Saturday, acquiring Jaguars DT Marcus Stroud for undisclosed draft choices. Stroud was a Pro Bowl starter for three consecutive seasons (2003-05), but ankle injuries the past two seasons and a four-game suspension in ’07 for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy reduced his effectiveness. Stroud, 29, has three years remaining on his contract.

Also on Saturday, the Bills signed UFA DT Spencer Johnson to a five-year deal. Johnson is a solid rotational player who’ll likely fill the roster spot that had opened up with the release of DT Larry Tripplett.

 The Eagles signed UFA DE Chris Clemons to a five-year contract Saturday. Clemons had a career-high eight sacks for the Raiders last season. The release of Jevon Kearse opened a spot in the DE rotation for Clemons.

 The Falcons signed S Erik Coleman to a four-year contract valued at $10 million, with $3 million guaranteed. He started four games for the Jets last season.

 The Texans reached agreement with UFA CB Jacques Reeves, who started 13 games for the Cowboys last season, recording 60 tackles.

 The Panthers inked Browns UFA CB Ricardo Colclough to a two-year, $4 million contract, according to NFL.com.

 The Seahawks released veteran OL Tom Ashworth, who started six games in two seasons for Seattle after being signed as a free agent in 2006.

 The Jaguars picked up a solid veteran cornerback Saturday, signing UFA Drayton Florence. The former Charger started 10 games last season, intercepting two passes. He could be used as a nickel back in new coordinator Gregg Williams’ defense.

 The 49ers have signed arguably the top defensive end available in unrestricted free agency, Justin Smith. The former Bengal agreed to a six-year contract, according to multiple sources, with approximately $20 million in guaranteed money.

Friday, Feb. 29

 The Rams moved quickly to replace their retired placekicker, Jeff Wilkins, signing UFA Josh Brown to a five-year contract late Friday night. A year ago the Seahawks had placed the franchise tag on Brown, and they wanted to re-sign him this time, too. However, after the Hawks used their tag on CB Marcus Trufant this year, Brown reportedly turned down a $14 million offer to return to Seattle. Although the full terms of the contract weren’t immediately available, according to The Associated Press, the Rams gave Brown a $4 million signing bonus, the largest ever for a kicker.

Packers DT Corey Williams (left) and Panthers DT Kris Jenkins were traded Friday

The day’s events involving Rogers began with reports that the Bengals had traded third- and fifth-round picks in the 2008 draft for Rogers. The Lions had announced the deal to the local media, and the Bengals’ Web site had trumpeted the trade, as well. However, the deal was never sent to the league office.

The Lions had been shopping the 6-4, 340-pound Rogers in recent days, but Cincinnati was not thought to be one of the teams actively trying to acquire him. At his best, Rogers is a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive tackle, but a lack of conditioning, durability and commitment have all been knocks on Rogers, 28, at various points in his career.

 The 49ers continued their flurry of activity Friday, signing veteran WR Isaac Bruce to a two-year contract. Bruce, who had been released by the Rams on Thursday in a cost-cutting move, is being reunited with new Niners offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who coached Bruce for a time in St. Louis.

 Continuing to add to their opening-day bounty, the Dolphins signed Jets UFA TE Sean Ryan to a one-year contract. Ryan was drafted by Miami executive V.P. of football operations Bill Parcells.

  Rams PK Jeff Wilkins announced his retirement after 14 years in the league, the last 11 with St. Louis. The Rams brought in Seahawks free-agent PK Josh Brown for a visit.

 The Patriots re-signed UFA LS Lonie Paxton to a one-year deal.

 Giants S Gibril Wilson is headed to the Raiders, according to various reports, as Oakland continues to binge on high-priced defenders. Wilson has agreed to a six-year, $39 million offer with $16 million guaranteed.

 Reports indicate the Broncos and DE John Engelberger have agreed on a two-year, $4 million deal. Engelberger, an eight-year veteran, spent the last three seasons in Denver and had 41 tackles and one sack in 2007.

 The Bengals re-signed veteran LB Dhani Jones to a three-year contract, the team's Web site reported Friday.

 The Broncos announced they have released WR Javon Walker and LB Ian Gold. Both began last season as starters, but suffered through knee injuries that caused them to miss time.

 The Dolphins continued their free-agent signing spree, agreeing to terms with Raiders QB Josh McCown on Friday. The NFL Network reports that the two-year deal is worth $6.25 million. McCown started nine games for Oakland in 2007 and threw 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

 The Vikings have replaced Tony Richardson with a younger version: former Eagles FB Thomas Tapeh, who played running back collegiately at Minnesota. A good receiver, Tapeh also played for Vikings head coach Brad Childress in Philadelphia and will be a quick study of the Vikings’ offense.

Free-agent WR Bernard Berrian remains in Minnesota, reports say, and could reach a deal either later tonight or early Saturday morning with the Vikings, who apparently are prepared to pay him as a No. 1 receiver.

 In a surprise move, the Bills released DT Larry Tripplett, the team announced Friday. He served in a three man defensive tackle rotation last season with Kyle Williams and John McCargo, a unit that improved as the year went on.

 Asante Samuel, perhaps the highest-profile free agent who is expected to switch teams, and the Eagles have come to an agreement on what’s believed to be a five- or six-year deal that will pay him close to $10 million per season. The deal is expected to be the second-highest ever given to a cornerback, behind the 49ers’ Nate Clements last season.

Samuel joins an Eagles secondary that accounted for only 11 interceptions last season. The entire defense did not record a touchdown. Samuel is among the game’s better corners, and one of his specialties is goading quarterbacks into throwing passes. In five seasons, he has 22 interceptions — including 10 in 2006 — three of which he ran back for touchdowns. In the playoffs, he had two more interceptions returned for touchdowns.

With the Patriots, Samuel won two Super Bowls — including XXXIX over the Eagles — before losing to the Giants in XLII.

This move could prompt the team to trade disgruntled and injury-prone CB Lito Sheppard — and one of the teams that could be interested include the suddenly CB-needy Patriots.

 The Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins, one of the most active teams early in free agency, reached agreements with Jaguars WR Ernest Wilford. Titans DT Randy Starks is headed to Miami, having signed a five-year contract worth $21 million, with $7 million guaranteed. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel is reporting that the team will sign former Giants LB Reggie Torbor.

 The Bucs followed up their blockbuster deal for C Jeff Faine with a far lower-profile move, agreeing to terms with Bears TE John Gilmore. Gilmore, who is known for his skills as a blocker, was the third-string tight end in Chicago last season, backing up Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen.

 The Packers have made a second-round tender offer to NT Colin Cole, who is a restricted free agent. The team gave RB Vernand Morency a low tender, which will cost a team a third-round pick, should they sign him away from Green Bay.

 Riding the high of a Super Bowl win, OLB Kawika Mitchell cashed in and has agreed with the Bills on a five-year, $17.5 million deal, with $5 million guaranteed. Mitchell will likely take over as a starting weak-side linebacker for Buffalo, which is looking to shore up its run defense this offseason.

 QB Cleo Lemon inked a three-year, $9 million deal with the Jaguars. Lemon was a part-time starter during the Dolphins’ trying 2007 season, and was at the helm when the team won its only game, against the Ravens. He’s expected to step into the backup role behind David Garrard.

 The Jaguars took a big step in ensuring a more prolific passing attack in 2008 and beyond, inking former Raiders WR Jerry Porter to a reported six-year, $30 million deal on Friday. Unlike the acquisition of Troy Williamson, which is also scheduled to become official Friday, Porter has proven he has the goods to become a frontline receiver. In his eight-year career, Porter has 284 receptions for 3,939 yards and 30 touchdowns. He’s likely to step into the No. 1 WR role, with his only real challenger expected to be Reggie Williams.

 The Vikings are investing heavily in a pass defense that was ranked last in 2007. They have closed in on a deal with Bengals S Madieu Williams — perhaps the best safety on the market — for six years and $33 million. The team recently released starting S Dwight Smith, who played well but was a distraction off the field, and had a big hole at free safety.

No longer. Williams pairs with Pro Bowl SS Darren Sharper in what could be one of the league’s best tandems. Williams, a former corner, has excellent coverage skills, and though health has been an issue, he’s considered a top-flight player when he’s on the field. Translating his game to the Vikings’ Tampa-2 system might take a little adjustment, but by season’s end the team was blitzing more and using cover-3 schemes as well that would suit him just fine.

The Vikings will continue to try to improve their defense. They were told they won’t get to visit with DE Justin Smith before the 49ers get an audience with him, but they are expected to land at least one free-agent end this offseason.

 The 49ers signed CB Allen Rossum, who was waived by the Steelers Feb. 26, on Friday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Rossum is second all-time in career return yards (13,269) and will likely become San Francisco's No. 1 return specialist.

 Jason Ferguson officially qualifies as a “Bill Parcells guy” now. For the third time, Ferguson will follow Parcells to a new team. This time, various reports say, he’ll be dealt to the Dolphins for two sixth-round picks — one in April and one next year.

Ferguson missed all of 2007 with a torn biceps, giving way to Jay Ratliff, who emerged as a perfect fit in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense. Ferguson has fit well in Parcells’ version of the 3-4, which the Dolphins are expected to run in some form this season.

Ferguson will turn 34 in November. His starting days in Dallas were over, but he could be an effective two-down gap-plugger if he’s healthy.

 A few hours after he became a free agent, Browns QB Derek Anderson re-upped with Cleveland, agreeing to a multiyear deal, The Associated Press reports. The Browns are believed to have offered a contract in the three-year, $20 million range. Anderson was a Pro Bowl alternate last season when he threw 29 touchdown passes after becoming the team’s starter in Week Two.

 In an effort to upgrade their defensive line, the Browns gave a second-round pick to the Packers for DT Corey Williams. The NFL Network is reporting that Williams will receive $23 million during the first three years of his contract with $18 million guaranteed.

 The Panthers sent DT Kris Jenkins to the Jets for a third- and fifth-round pick. Jenkins had been seeking a trade for more than a year and said he wished to be closer to Maryland, where he attended college. He will likely serve as the nose tackle in the Jets' 3-4 defense next season.

 The Falcons re-signed QB Chris Redman, who started in Atlanta’s final four games last season, on Friday. He led the team in touchdown passes, throwing 10, which was a career-high for the five-year veteran. “I’d like to thank (Falcons owner) Mr. (Arthur) Blank, head coach Mike Smith and (GM) Thomas Dimitroff for giving me the opportunity to return,” Redman said in a statement.

 According to Newsday, the Saints and Jets have made a deal that will send MLB Jonathan Vilma to New Orleans for a conditional pick in the 2009 draft.

 Free-agent WR Bernard Berrian is scheduled to visit with the Vikings Friday.

 The Dolphins agreed to terms with OG Justin Smiley, formerly of the 49ers, on a five-year, $25 million deal with $9 million guaranteed.

 The Bucs opened the free-agent signing period with a coup, striking a deal with C Jeff Faine, formerly of the division-rival Saints, that will make him the highest-paid center in the league, according to the St. Petersburg Times.

 The Saints will keep two of their free agents in the Big Easy, inking DT Brian Young and MLB Mark Simoneau to new contracts. Scout.com reports that Young has a three-year, $12 million deal in place.

 The 49ers were one the of the busiest teams early Friday morning, agreeing with Vikings LB Dontarrius Thomas on a two-year deal and securing Panthers RB DeShaun Foster with a two-year, $1.8 million contract. Lions QB J.T. O'Sullivan appears to be following offensive coordinator Mike Martz to San Francisco, signing a one-year, $645,000 contract, according to various reports.

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