By PFW staff
March 9, 2008

Updated at 11:40 p.m. EST Sunday, March 9

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

 The Jets continued to stay aggressive during free agency and signed UFA RB Jesse Chatman to a one-year deal, according to the Palm Beach Post. Chatman had a career-high 515 yards in 14 games, including six starts, for the Dolphins last season.

 Though the league nixed a trade that would have sent Jets DT Dewayne Robertson to the Bengals for a fourth- and fifth-round pick, there is still a chance Robertson could end up in Cincinnati before next season, PFW correspondent and Bengals beat writer Mark Curnette reports in The Enquirer. The Jets, who acquired Panthers DT Kris Jenkins in a trade, appear destined to cut ties with Robertson, now that they have a replacement nose tackle that head coach Eric Mangini thinks will be a better fit for his 3-4 scheme. Robertson could become a post-June 1 salary cap casualty and the Bengals could get him without giving up any draft picks.

Saturday, March 8

 The Broncos continued to revamp their defense Saturday, inking UFA S Marquand Manuel to a three-year, $4.5 million deal, according to an ESPN.com report. Manuel, a backup for the Panthers last season, received a $500,000 signing bonus.

 UFA CB Brian Kelly agreed to terms with the Lions on a three-year deal, according to an ESPN.com report. The 10-year veteran voided his contract with the Bucs earlier this offseason after an injury-plagued year in Tampa. Kelly played under Lions coach Rod Marinelli when he was a defensive assistant with the Bucs. Kelly is the fourth ex-Buc to join the Lions this offseason.

 FA QB Joey Harrington could be headed back to the team that released him March 5. PFW correspondent Steve Wyche, a Falcons beat reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports that a deal with Atlanta could be done as soon as this week to re-sign Harrington. He was signed to a two-year, $6 million contract last spring and was scheduled to earn $2.5 million in 2008 plus a $1 million deferred signing bonus. When Atlanta released Harrington, it was absolved of the base salary. The only quarterbacks under contract with the club are Chris Redman and D.J. Shockley.

 The Saints re-signed eight-year veteran TE Billy Miller late Friday. In the past two seasons with New Orleans, Miller has 41 catches for 457 yards and two touchdowns.

 One week after not tendering him an offer, the Steelers re-signed FA OLB Andre Frazier to a one-year contract. Frazier played in eight games last season and recorded 12 special teams tackles.

 The Redskins re-signed UFA RB Rock Cartwright late Friday. Cartwright, who serves primarily as a special teams ace, agreed to a three-year, $3.55 million deal.

 The Panthers finished off a busy day of free-agent acquisitions by signing UFA RB LaBrandon Toefield to a one-year contract worth $640,000, according to the Carolina Growl. Toefield, who spent the past five seasons with the Jaguars, will share time in the backfield with RB DeAngelo Williams. Carolina signed UFA LB Landon Johnson to a three-year, $10 million deal earlier in the day.

 The Seahawks continued to revamp their offensive backfield late Friday night when they agreed to a four-year contract worth nearly $3 million per season with ex-Cowboys RB Julius Jones. That comes on the heels of Seattle signing ex-Lions RB T.J. Duckett earlier in the week. Jones, who rushed for 588 yards and two touchdowns and caught 23 passes for 203 yards last season, is expected to take over the starting role with Duckett filling a short-yardage and goal-line role. The moves also mean that Shaun Alexander's time with the team likely is coming to an end.

Friday, March 7

 UFA WR Brandon Lloyd agreed to terms with the Bears on a one-year contract Friday. Lloyd was released by the Redskins Feb. 26 — he played in eight games last season and had only two receptions for 14 yards. The five-year veteran was coach by Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner at the University of Illinois.

 In an effort to fill the gaping hole left by DT Shaun Rogers, who was traded to the Browns last week, the Lions agreed to terms on a three-year deal with UFA DT Chuck Darby on Friday.

 The Falcons announced they signed three defensive linemen, UFA DTs Kindal Moorehead and Rashad Moore and UFA DE Simon Fraser, on Friday. Moorehead was a Panthers backup the last five seasons, Moore spent last season with the Patriots and Fraser, a three-year veteran, had 4½ sacks in 2006.

 The Panthers agreed to terms with UFA LB Landon Johnson on a three-year, $10 million deal. Johnson had 112 and 109 tackles in each of the past two seasons with the Bengals and started all 16 games both years. The four-year veteran will compete with Na'il Diggs and Thomas Davis for a starting spot on the weak or strong side.

 The Bills re-signed ORG Jason Whittle on Friday and he's expected to compete for a starting job next season. Whittle played in three games last season before he injured his hamstring and landed on I.R.

Thursday, March 6

 The Baileys are taking over the Broncos defense. Denver signed UFA LB Boss Bailey, the younger brother of CB Champ, to a five-year deal worth $17.5 million with $8 million guaranteed on Thursday. Boss Bailey spent the last five seasons with the Lions and made 51 starts during that span.

 The Bucs have agreed to terms with UFA TE Ben Troupe on a two-year deal. Tampa moved swiftly to replace UFA TE Anthony Becht, who signed with the Rams Thursday. The team will likely have a tight end rotation of Alex Smith, the recently-signed ex-Bear John Gilmore and Troupe next season.

 The Carolina Growl reports that the Saints have agreed to terms with UFA LB Dan Morgan on a one-year deal. Morgan, who has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career, spent most of last season on I.R. with a partially torn Achilles tendon and was released by the Panthers earlier this offseason.

 The Rams re-signed OG Adam Goldberg on Thursday and also agreed to terms with UFA TE Anthony Becht. Goldberg suffered a knee injury last season which landed him on I.R. four games into the campaign. Becht spent the last three seasons with the Bucs.

 Three days after the Jaguars cut OG Chris Naeole, OG Maurice Williams agreed
to terms to remain in Jacksonville. According to ESPN, the deal is four years and $16 million, $4 million of which are guaranteed. A converted tackle, Williams will man the right guard spot that he played so well through the second half of the season after Naeole tore a quadriceps tendon.

 The Jets signed veteran UFA FB Tony Richardson to bolster their backfield Thursday. “With nearly 200 games of NFL experience, (Richardson) is a consummate professional who will serve as a great resource for our younger players,” Jets head coach Eric Mangini said in a statement. Richardson was the lead blocker for Vikings RBs Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor in Minnesota last season.

 The Patriots continued to fill gaps in their secondary, signing UFAs CB Lewis Sanders and S Tank Williams. New England lost UFA CB Asante Samuel to the Eagles and UFA CB Randall Gay to the Saints after the free-agent signing period began Feb. 29. Sanders started in six games for the Falcons last season and was released Feb. 15. Williams, a six-year veteran, had 18 tackles on defense and seven on special teams for the Vikings last season.

 DE Jevon Kearse is heading back to the Titans, according to the Nashville Tennessean. Kearse was released by the Eagles earlier this offseason and will return to the club that drafted him in 1999. 

 Not surprisingly, the Eagles released LB Takeo Spikes, who was second on the team in tackles last season. Spikes played one season in Philadelphia after arriving via trade from Buffalo last summer. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson is excited about the potential of his young LB corps, which likely will feature Omar Gaither on the weak side, Chris Gocong on the strong side and Stewart Bradley in the middle.

“Takeo did a really good job for us last year,” said Eagles head coach Andy Reid. “But we are excited about the young linebackers that have developed over the last year. We wish Takeo all the best. He’s a true team player on and off the field.”

 The Ravens have agreed to terms with UFA LB Brendon Ayanbadejo, according to reports. A special teams ace and 2007 Pro Bowler, Ayanbadejo spent the last three seasons with the Bears. Baltimore will give him a four-year, $4.9 million contract.

Wednesday, March 5

 The Lions re-signed RB Aveion Cason to a one-year deal Wednesday. Cason will be used primarily on Detroit's special teams units.

 The Panthers re-signed LB Donte' Curry to a two-year contract on Wednesday. He appeared in seven games last season and should see time mostly as a special teams contributor.

 The Falcons released QB Joey Harrington, the third overall pick in the 2002 Draft, on Wednesday. Harrington spent less than a year in Atlanta and made 10 starts in 2007, throwing seven touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Falcons are left with the recently-re-signed Chris Redman and D.J. Shockley, who spent last season on I.R., as the only signal-callers on the roster.

 Just three days after trading for him, the Browns locked up DT Shaun Rogers with a long-term deal. Cleveland sent a third-round pick and CB Leigh Bodden to the Lions for Rogers and signed him to a new six-year, $42 million contract on Wednesday. 

 The Bucs reeled in a pair of linebackers Wednesday, signing Teddy Lehman and Matt McCoy. Both will likely see time as backups and could contribute on special teams units. Lehman spent the last four seasons with the Lions and McCoy joined the Saints last season after playing for the Eagles in the previous two campaigns.

 The Jaguars announced a collection of signings Wednesday, inking UFA DT Jimmy Kennedy, FA OTs Pete McMahon and Ryan Gibbons, and LS Brett Goode to new deals. Kennedy, the 12th overall pick in the 2003 Draft, spent the last three games of 2007 with the Bears and had three tackles.

 The Patriots have re-signed UFA WR Jabar Gaffney to a one-year, $2 million deal, according to the NFL Network.

Tuesday, March 4

 The Raiders continued their big-money spending binge Tuesday, agreeing to terms with WR Javon Walker on a six-year, $55 million contract with $16 million guaranteed, according to an NFL Network report. Walker was released by the Broncos Feb. 29 before he was due a roster bonus. Oakland also signed UFA OT Kwame Harris, formerly of the 49ers, to a three-year, $16 million deal.

 UFA WR Marty Booker will return to Chicago after agreeing to a two-year deal with the Bears. Booker spent five seasons with the Bears before he was traded to the Dolphins in 2004. Chicago is in need of depth at receiver following the release of Muhsin Muhammad and the Vikings' signing of Bernard Berrian.

 The Panthers signed UFA DE Tyler Brayton to a two-year deal on Tuesday. Brayton will likely compete with Charles Johnson for a starting spot opposite Julius Peppers if UFA Mike Rucker is not re-signed.

 RB T.J. Duckett is headed to Seattle, agreeing to a five-year contract with the Seahawks. The NFC West champs will be Duckett's fourth team in the last four years. He spent last season with the Lions and rushed for 355 yards and three touchdowns. Duckett will backup RB Shaun Alexander next season, unless the 2005 MVP is released, as has been rumored in recent weeks.

 With two significant contributors from last season's secondary gone to other teams, the Patriots tried to re-establish some depth Tuesday, signing CB Jason Webster. Webster, an eight-year veteran, will attempt to fill the void left by CB Asante Samuel, who signed with the Eagles, and CB Randall Gay, who agreed to a deal with the Saints March 2.

 The Bucs signed veteran LB Leon Joe on Tuesday. It marks Joe's second stint with the team in less than a year — he was claimed off waivers by the Bucs on Aug. 28, but was released Sept. 2.

 The Bills re-signed OT Matt Murphy, the team announced on Tuesday. Murphy has a new deal as he prepares for his third season in the league.

 With the revamping of their offensive line in full swing, the Jets released OT Anthony Clement on Tuesday. Clement, a right tackle, started all 33 games in his two seasons with New York. The team continued to dip into the free-agent pool as well, signing CB Andre Woolfork, who was out of the league last season.

 The Cardinals boosted their defensive line on Tuesday, signing UFA DE Travis LaBoy to a five-year contract. LaBoy, a four-year veteran, had six sacks, 20 tackles and four forced fumbles last season in 13 games with the Titans.

 Packers QB Brett Favre has decided to retire, according to early Tuesday morning reports. He leaves with a Hall of Fame resumé including the NFL records for passing touchdowns (442), passing yards (61,655), wins by a starting quarterback (160) and interceptions (288).

Monday, March 3

 The Rams filled in one of the their biggest gaps Monday, signing UFA OG Jacob Bell to a six-year contract. Bell spent the first four years of his career with the Titans and made 31 starts in the last two seasons.

 The Bengals signed the best UFA defensive end remaining Monday, inking Antwan Odom to a five-year, $29.5 million contract. Odam had a career-high eight sacks with the Titans last season and will receive $11.5 million guaranteed.

 Carolina continued to retool its offensive line Monday, signing UFA OG Keydrick Vincent to a two-year, $2 million contract. Vincent was released by the Ravens before the start of the 2007 season, but was signed by the Cardinals and appeared in eight games. The Panthers released veteran OG Mike Wahle before the free agent signing period and needed to add depth at the position.

 UFA LB Kevin Bentley agreed to terms with the Texans on Monday. Bentley, a six-year veteran, played in 43 games and started five times while spending the last three seasons with the Seahawks.

 The Saints worked to keep their receiving corps intact Monday, re-signing UFA WR David Patten to a two-year contract. Patten had 54 receptions for 792 yards and three touchdowns last season. New Orleans hosted free agent QB Trent Green on Monday and may have interest in signing the 37-year-old to upgrade at backup quarterback.

 The Patriots have finalized a deal with WR Randy Moss, keeping him in New England with a three-year, $27 million contract. There were reports that an agreement was near earlier Monday, but it didn't become official until early this evening.

 Through the early part of free agency, the Giants have stuck to the principles that helped earn them a Super Bowl title — namely, not overpaying for free-agent talent. When Gibril Wilson left to sign a monster deal with the Raiders, the Giants didn’t panic. And today, they signed a possible replacement: 12-year veteran Sammy Knight, who could compete with a rookie or another free agent to play in Wilson’s vacated FS spot.

 After wrapping up negotiations and signing QB Ben Roethlisberger to the largest contract in franchise history, the Steelers added a weapon to the backfield, inking UFA RB Mewelde Moore to a three-year contract. Moore had 1,285 rushing yards in four seasons with the Vikings.

 The Cardinals signed UFA TE Jerame Tuman to a two-year contract on Monday. Tuman appeared in six games with the Steelers in 2007 before he was placed on injured reserve and served primarily as a blocking tight end.

 Mere hours after inking OLB Calvin Pace to a lucrative deal, the Jets signed OL Damien Woody to a five-year, $25.5 million contract, ESPN reported. Of that, $11 million is guaranteed. After finishing the 2007 season with the Lions at tackle, Woody, who has played the majority of his enigmatic career inside, is expected to be plugged in at right tackle. After signing Woody and OG Alan Faneca, the Jets have invested $65.5 million into their O-line this offseason.

 The Dolphins re-signed SS Yeremiah Bell to a one-year deal worth $1.4 million
Monday afternoon. Bell is coming off a torn Achilles that limited him to one game in 2007, but was nonetheless considered the most important free agent for the rebuilding Fins to bring back.

 OG Chris Naeole was released by the Jaguars on Monday after six seasons with the team. The 11-year veteran missed the final eight regular-season games last year after suffering a torn quadriceps tendon.

 The Lions signed UFA TE Michael Gaines to a four-year contract, the team announced Monday. Gaines, a four-year veteran, had a career-high 25 receptions for 215 yards last season with the Bills. Detroit also announced it has re-signed TE John Owens to a one-year deal.

 The Jets continued to revamp their defense Monday, inking UFA OLB Calvin Pace to a six-year, $42 million contract, according to Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com. The team acquired DT Kris Jenkins in a trade with the Panthers and dealt MLB Jonathan Vilma to the Saints last week.

 The Bears sent QB Brian Griese to the Bucs for an undisclosed 2009 draft pick Monday, according to a Bucs press release. Griese played for Tampa two seasons ago before he signed with Chicago and will compete with Luke McCown to be the primary backup to Jeff Garcia.

 Various reports say the Patriots are in talks to finalize a deal with UFA WR Randy Moss on a three-year contract worth $27 million. Before free-agency began Feb. 29, rumors circulated that Moss and New England already had an agreement in place to keep him with the club, but it appears those reports were inaccurate, since negotiations have gone on for more than three days. Moss reportedly took offers from other teams during the process and ESPN.com reported Sunday that he and former teammate QB Daunte Culpepper discussed reuniting to finish what they started with the Vikings.

 The Chiefs announced Monday that they claimed FB Oliver Hoyte off waivers from the Cowboys. Hoyte started 15 games in his two seasons with Dallas and will be used primarily as blocking back.

 The Jets and Bengals have agreed to a deal that would send DT Dewayne Robertson to Cincinnati for fourth- and fifth-round picks in April's draft, according to report on ESPN.com. The trade will be made official once Robertson signs a new contract — he has two years remaining on his current one — and passes a physical.

 The Steelers gave QB Ben Roethlisberger the largest contract in franchise history late Sunday night, signing him to a new eight-year, $102 million deal with $36 million guaranteed. Roethlisberger, 26, made the Pro Bowl last season and is one of just six quarterbacks in NFL history to receive a contract worth $100 million.

 The Broncos and UFA LB Niko Koutouvides have reportedly agreed to terms on a three-year deal. The ex-Seahawk will contribute on special teams and could bolster Denver's linebacker corps.

 Warrick Dunn hit the market Monday after being released by the Falcons following their Sunday signing of UFA RB Michael Turner. Dunn, an 11-year veteran spent the last six seasons with Atlanta and is third all-time in rushing yards with the franchise. "Warrick Dunn holds himself to the highest standards of the National Football League," said Falcons owner Arthur Blank in a statement. "His contributions, not only to the Falcons but to the entire NFL both on and off the field, have been well documented."

Related Articles:

Free-agent news: Active Falcons land Turner, Hutchins; Saints beef up 'D' with Gay, McCray
By PFW staff, Feb. 29 through March 2, 2008