Quick Hits, Dec. 27 edition

The Jets handed Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts their first loss the season, 29-15, thanks in part to the Jets 26 second-half points. Manning sat out most of the second half.

With a 23-20 win over the Ravens (8-7), the Steelers (8-7) are still alive in the AFC playoff hunt. If both the Ravens and Steelers win next week, the Ravens would hold the tie-breaker due to their division records (3-3 vs. 2-4). Other AFC teams in the hunt at 8-7: Broncos, Texans, Jets. NFL.com has a handy Playoff Picture 2009, “if the season ended today.”

The Packers clinched a playoff birth with a win over the Seahawks. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers became the first player in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards in his first two seasons as a starter (at least that’s what I remember hearing during today’s broadcast… if that’s off, someone tell me… redzonereport@msn.com).

Donavan McNabb and the Eagles set a franchise record, scoring 429 points this season, in a win over the Broncos. Their previous points record was 416 in a season, per KFFL. After starting the season 6-0, in a great position entering the bye week, the Broncos have dropped seven of their last nine, now sitting at 8-7.

When searching for interesting news & notes from Week 16, we happened upon this, um, nice feature on KFFL: High Res Photos of NFL Cheerleaders through Week 17.

Bill’s wide receiver Terrell Owens notched the 1,000th catch of his career Sunday in a 31-3 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. He becomes only the sixth player in league history to reach the 1,000-catch milestone (currently 1,002 catches). Others to accomplish the feat include: Jerry Rice (1,549); Marvin Harrison (1,102); Chris Carter (1,101); Tim Brown (1,094); Isaac Bruce (1,024). Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez currently stands at 996 career receptions. Randy Moss has 921 in his 12th season.

Source: NFL.com, Profootballtalk.com, KFFL

Quick Hits – March 17

The Kansas City Chiefs have called a 5:30 p.m. ET press conference to announce a signing, but the player’s identity has not been released. Ooohhh the suspense. Those tricky Chiefs. The Kansas City Star is betting on Orlando Pace.

Update: The Chiefs have announced the addition of three players: WR Bobby Engram, LB Monty Beisel and WR Terrance Copper.

The Baltimore Sun is reporting the Ravens have will visit with free-agent TE L.J. Smith (Eagles). Profootballtalk has learned that Smith is already signed– a reported one-year, $1.5 million deal.

PFT has also reported that the Ravens have signed CB/KR Chris Carr.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network is reporting that the Panthers will not trade DE Julius Peppers to the Patriots.

The Cardinals have re-signed LB Clark Haggans, the team has announced.

Running back Marshawn Lynch is meeting with Commissioner Roger Goodell Tuesday to discuss Lynch’s arrest and pending suspension. Clark Judge of CBSSports.com is reporting the suspension will be “one but no more than two” regular-season games.

Profootballtalk has been exploring the options for the Broncos and trading QB Jay Cutler.

The Saints have agreed to terms with DL Paul Spicer, Rotoworld has learned from the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Source: Rotoworld, Kansas City Star, azcardinals.com, Profootballtalk, CBSSports.com, kcchiefs.com - 5:15 p.m. et

Quick Hits – March 16

We’ve dropped the “NFL” in “NFL Quick Hits,” since, you know that’s what we cover (for the most part).

Profootballtalk is reporting that it’s now a  matter of “when” and not “if” charges will be filed against Browns WR Dante Stallworth for his alleged involvement in the traffic accident that led to the death of a 59-year-old man.

The Jaguars have released WR Matt Jones, two days after he was released from jail, ESPN is reporting (Editor’s Note: This is actually an AP Report on ESPN.com…).

Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler has made a formal request to be traded, per ESPN (Editor’s Note: This one is actually from ESPN– well, Chris Mortenson anyway).

Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle has been informed of his release, which will take place next week, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Source: Profootballtalk.com, ESPN.com, Rotoworld.com, BaltimoreSun.com - 1:20 p.m. et

NFL Quick Hits – March 15

Since we’ve been away for the last day and a half, we’ll highlight some of the biggest moves in free agency, the NFL Draft, and other NFL News:

Michigan defensive tackle Will Johnson put on a show at his campus Pro Day workout, bench pressing 225 pounds a mind-blowing 47 times, PFT has reported.

According to The Boston Globe, the Patriots have retained defensive lineman Mike Wright, after both sides agreed to a four-year deal worth about $7.5 million. The deal also reportedly contains approximately $10 million in  play-time escalators.

Jaguars receiver Matt Jones was released from jail Saturday, a day earlier than expected after Jones was serving a week-long stay after violating his plea agreement.

The Oakland Raiders have come to terms with free agent Khalif Barnes after weeks of hot-and-cold talks between the team and the former Jaguars offensive tackle, John Clayton of ESPN.com is reporting. The deal was believed to be dead when the Raiders said they were no longer interested. Either Barnes or the Raiders gave in — likely Barnes after receiving very little interest from other teams. But financial terms have not yet been released.

Free-agent WR Joey Galloway has signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots, Profootballtalk has reported.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Dante Stallworth was detained but not yet charged after his alleged involvement Saturday  in a car accident that led to the death of a 49-year old pedestrian. However, per PFT, the charges are expected. I’ll leave the verbiage up to legal-team Florio:

As authorities in South Florida wait for the results of a blood draw performed on Browns receiver Donte’ Stallworth, a source with knowledge of the investigation tells us that prosecutors are preparing an indictment for DUI manslaughter, under the assumption that the results will show that Stallworth’s blood alcohol content exceeded the legal limit of 0.08 percent when he collided with a pedestrian…

Former Raiders defensive back and kick-return specialist Chris Carr has inked a two-year, $5 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. Carr spent last season with the Titans.

 The St. Louis Rams have bid adieu to wide receiver Torry Holt. The 11-year veteran was due a $1.25 million signing bonus on March 17, and per Rotoworld the move saves the team $8 million in cap space. Holt’s release was expected – especially after the team chose not to invite Holt to their off-season conditioning program.

The Detroit Lions completed a blockbuster trade Saturday, sending defensive tackle Cory Redding and a fifth-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for five-time Pro Bowl linebacker Julian Peterson.

Adam Caplan of scout.com is reporting the Denver Broncos have reached a deal with TE Jeb Putzier, who spent last season with the Donkeys.

Sourc: Profootballtalk.com, Boston.com, APNews, ESPN.com, Scout.com, Rotoworld.com, mLive.com - 8:41 a.m. et

Free Agency Quick Hits – March 6

Terrell Owen’s agent Drew Rosenhaus is expecting the veteran wideout to have a deal in place with a team by the end of next week - if not sooner, Profootballtalk has learned.

The Raiders have restructered three players contracts in the last two days, first with WR Javon Walker, and now RB Justin Fargas and OT Robert Gallery have reworked their deals.

ContraCostaTimes also reported the Raiders are interested in bringing in free-agent QB Kyle Boller. Boller has reportedly visited with the team.

The Denver Broncos are scheduled to meet with DB Travis Daniels next Monday, Rotoworld has reported.

The Patriots have agreed to terms with CB Shawn Springs (Redskins), according to NFL.com.

Per the Tampa Tribune, the Buccaneers have re-signed SS Jermaine Phillips and TE Jerramy Stevens.

The Patriots have completed a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles – swapping a fifth-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft for WR Greg Lewis and the Eagles seventh-round pick in 2010.

Update: KFFL has learned that the Raiders are expected to sign OT Khalif Barnes (Jaguars) to a reported multi-year deal.

Source: Profootballtalk, Rotoworld, ContraCostaTimes, NFL.com, Tampa Tribune, Boston Herald - 9:45 a.m. et – Updated 2:57 p.m. et

Free Agency Quick Hits – Day 6

Profootballtalk has reported that free agent TE Robert Royal has landed in Cleveland. (And by landed we mean signed.) They’ll look for him to fill the void left by Kellen Winslow, who was traded to the Bucs.

Defensive end Demetric Evans has agreed to terms with the 49ers, according to PFT. It was reported earlier Wednesday that Evans was deciding between the 49ers and Redskins.

Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby signed his franchise tender, and he’ll receive $9.678 million base salary fully guaranteed, per Profootballtalk.

The San Francisco 49ers have signed LB Takeo Spikes and QB Damon Huard, the team has announced. Terms of the contracts were not announced.

The New York Daily News posted a “Hot Rumor” that WR Braylon Edwards is on the trade block.

KFFL has learned from the Detroit Free Press that the Detroit Lions have signed CB Phillip Buchanon (Buccaneers). The deal is for $8.5 million over two years.

Rams wide receiver Torry Holt is reportedly asking to be released, according to multiple media outlets.

Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com has reported the Denver Broncos are close to signing QB Chris Simms.

The Associated Press has reported that the Baltimore Ravens have reached a three-year, $22 million deal with LB Ray Lewis.

Source: Profootballtalk, 49ers.com, New York Daily News, Detroit Free Press, KFFL.com – 10:45 p.m. et

Broncos add Arrington

The Denver Broncos have signed free-agent RB J.J. Arrington to a four-year, $10 million deal, multiple outlets are reporting.

The deal was supposed to close last week, but potential problems with Arrington’s knee put a hold on things. PFT says the knee passed inspection and cleared the way for another running back in Denver’s backfield.

Arrington is the third back  added by the Broncos this free agency period, joining Correll Buckhalter and LaMont Jordan. As we suspected last week, the Broncos are either planning a running-back-by-committee approach… or they’re staging “Survivor: Running Back Island.”

Source: Profootballtalk, KFFL, Rotoworld – 6:05 p.m. et