By PFW staff
April 13, 2008

Updated at 3:40 p.m. EDT Sunday, April 13

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

Saturday, April 12

 The Cardinals added quality depth to their defensive line by signing 12-year veteran Bryan Robinson, who spent the past three seasons with the Bengals. Terms were not disclosed. Robinson, who turns 34 in late June, is mostly an end, although he also has experience playing tackle. 

Friday, April 11

 The Lions re-signed RFA CB Stanley Wilson to a one-year contract Friday. A third-round pick of the Lions in 2005, Wilson has appeared in 32 games during his three-year NFL career. He was the team's starting right corner last season but was lost for the year with a knee injury in Week 11. Also on Friday, the Lions added P Paul Ernster, who appeared in one game each for the Broncos and Browns a year ago.

 The Colts re-signed RFA S Matt Giordano on Friday. The 2005 fourth-round draft pick has three interceptions to his credit in 39 career NFL games.

Thursday, April 10

 The Jets gave S Kerry Rhodes a five-year, $33.5 million contract extension Thursday, according to reports. Rhodes, entering his fourth season, will receive $20 million guaranteed. He would have become an unrestricted free agent after the 2008 season, but the big-spending Jets moved to lock up one of their biggest playmakers on defense.

 The Falcons announced late Wednesday that RFA SLB Michael Boley signed his one-year tender. Boley was tendered at the first-round level, which meant that the Falcons would receive a first-round pick in this month's draft as compensation if another team made an offer to Boley that was not matched by Atlanta. The signing takes Boley, who had a career-high 125 tackles last season, off the market.

Tuesday, April 8

 WR Doug Gabriel, who was out of the league last season, has signed a one-year contract with the Bengals. Following the release of troubled WR Chris Henry, Cincinnati needed to add depth to the receiving corps. Gabriel was released by the Raiders last August.

 The Jaguars announced RFA S Gerald Sensabaugh has signed his one-year tender, which is worth $1.47 million. Sensabaugh, who spent most of last season on I.R. with a shoulder injury, is expected to compete for the starting strong safety spot.

 The Chargers agreed to terms with SS Clinton Hart on a new five-year deal that will keep him with the club through the 2012 season, according to various reports. Hart became a fulltime starter last season and was third on the team in tackles, getting 109.

 The Seahawks signed UFA CB Omare Lowe to a one-year, $605,000 contract. This will be Lowe's second stint with Seattle — he was signed in April 2005, but was released at the end of training camp that year. Lowe, who spent the last three seasons with the Falcons, will contribute to special teams and he adds depth to the secondary.

 The Saints announced they signed UFA CB Aaron Glenn on Monday. Glenn, 35, will compete with Jason David and another New Orleans free-agent signee, Randall Gay, for a spot in the secondary. Glenn started four games for the Jaguars last season.

 David Garrard's contract extension was formally announced by the Jaguars Monday afternoon. He received a six-year, $60 million deal with $20 million guaranteed, according to reports. It's the richest contract in franchise history.

Monday, April 7

 The Patriots have agreed to terms with UFA OLB Victor Hobson on a one-year deal, according to an NFL Network report. Hobson has spent all five years of his career with the Jets. If he wins a starting job, Hobson could bump Adalius Thomas back inside, where he started out last season before moving outside when Rosevelt Colvin went down with an injury.

 The Jaguars and QB David Garrard have agreed on a contract extension, according to various reports. Terms of the deal are not yet known, though Garrard reportedly entered negotiations looking for something similar to the one Cowboys QB Tony Romo received last year, which was for six years and $67.5 million. Garrard, who is coming off the best season of his six-year career, was entering the final year of his contract.

Saturday, April 5

 CB-RS Chris Carr has officially become a Titan after the Raiders declined to match Tennessee’s offer sheet to the restricted free agent. Carr is expected to compete for the Titans’ job as return specialist. Oakland had until Friday night to match, but in opting not to do so, it will receive no compensation for Carr, who went undrafted. Last season Carr was the Raiders’ primary kickoff returner, ranking 14th in the AFC with a 22.5-yard average. He also started two games at cornerback, making 28 tackles, and averaged 6.5 yards on eight punt returns.

 The Redskins dipped their toe into the free-agent market Friday, signing WR-KR Jerome Mathis. Mathis had been scheduled to become a restricted free agent Feb. 29, but the Texans chose not to make a qualifying offer to him, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent. As a rookie in 2005, Mathis ranked second in the NFL in kickoff-return average with a 28.6-yard mark, going the distance with two returns. Largely because of injuries, Mathis has played in only five games over the past two seasons. He has had two run-ins with authorities recently, receiving a misdemeanor citation in December after his pit bull acted aggressively, and in February being charged with assaulting his pregnant common-law wife, a charge that was later dropped at his wife’s request.

Thursday, April 3

 The Cardinals announced RFAs CB Eric Green and DE Antonio Smith signed their one-year tenders which were each reportedly worth $2.017 million. Green had a career high 56 tackles and started each of the 11 games played in last season. Smith started 13 games in 2007 and set career bests in tackles (60) and sacks (5½).

 The Bengals released WR Chris Henry Thursday, one day after he was charged with assault. Henry, who was suspended for the first half of last season after a series of run-ins with police, has been accused of punching a man in the face and breaking his car window with a beer bottle, according to reports. He was charged with misdemeanor assault and criminal damaging and a warrant for his arrest was issued on Wednesday. Henry surrendered to authorities and is being held in a Hamilton County jail. The 24-year-old is due in court today.

Wednesday, April 2

 The Vikings and FA QB Gus Frerotte have agreed in principle on a contract, according to an ESPN.com report. The deal is reportedly for more than one year, though it won't be finalized until after the NFL owners meeting wraps up late Wednesday. Frerotte, 36, will back up Tarvaris Jackson in Minnesota.

 Eagles FFA TE L.J. Smith has signed his one-year tender, according to an NFL Network report. Smith, who was the first player in the league to receive the franchise tag this offseason, will be paid a guaranteed salary of $4.522 million in 2008. Per league rules, Smith can no longer receiver offers from any other clubs and must report to mandatory team activities.

Tuesday, April 1

 The Raiders signed UFA C John Wade on Monday, filling a major need on the offensive line. Oakland's starter at center last season, Jeremy Newberry is also a free agent, but remains unsigned. Wade, who started every game for the Bucs in the last three seasons, is a 10-year veteran.

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By PFW staff, March 24-30, 2008