Madden retires, Raiders in future?

Sirius NFL Radio has reported that Hall-of-Fame coach and NFL announcer John Madden is retiring from broadcasting.

Raiders owner Al Davis hinted months ago about a prominent NFL name  joining the organization, on a high level.

There has been some speculation that Madden may be that person.

Could this be a further indication that Madden will be re-joining the Raiders? And at what capacity?

NFL to Lengthen Season?

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is proposing to extend the football regular season from 16 games to 17 or 18 games. This announcement came Wednesday, when Goodell proposed the idea of making some of the pre-season games counting towards the regular season. Networks that carry the games seem to be all for the expansion, the only question is will the players union be for the proposal?

According to ESPN News, Goodell stated, “It’s possible that we could vote in May, but we want to have core discussions on this,” he said Wednesday. “Anytime you have change, there is some reluctance. But it’s clear we don’t need four preseason games anymore.”

Source: Espn.com – 10:12 a.m. et

Monday Night Football (notes)

Jaguars wide receiver Matt Jonesis being held in a Washington County, Arkansas jail on a probation violation, Rotoworld has learned.

Free-agent OT Khalif Barnes (Jaguars) reportedly visited the Buccaneeers Monday. Earliler Monday, the Raiders removed their name from the list of team’s interested in Barnes.

The Atlanta Falcons have reached an agreement with free-agent C Brett Romberg, the team has announced.

The Patriots signed cornerback Shawn Springs Monday, ESPN has reported.

We’re still trying to wrap our brain around this whole UFL thing, which will be broadcast on the Versus Network. Per PFT, the league has announced four coaches thus far: Jim Haslett, Ted Cottrell, Jim Fassel, and Dennis Green.

KFFL has learned that the Philadelphia Eagles fired employee Dan Leone after he criticised the decision to let S Brian Dawkins sign with the Denver Broncos…in a facebook post. Leone was reportedly a stadium operations worker.

Like a true journalist, I’m investigating this story further. I’ve already completed a facebook search for Leone. My friend request is pending.

Source: ESPN, Profootballtalk, Rotoworld, KFFL, AtlantaFalcons.com – 9:08 p.m. et

Bucs, Raiders say no to T.O.

Just say no. That’s what the D.A.R.E program taught me back in middle school. And that’s what the Bucs and Raiders have said– as well as more than a dozen other teams– to the possibility of adding free-agent receiver Terrell Owens to their rosters.

The Bucaneers and Raiders join the Titans, Vikings, 49ers, Giants, Dolphins, Redskins, Ravens, Falcons, Browns, Chargers, Eagles, Jets, Rams, Saints, Texans and Jags as teams who’ve denied interest in Owens.

And all this after the wideout’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said “several teams” were interested in TO and that a deal should be expected within the next week.  

Source: Rotoworld.com, Profootballtalk.com – 4:10 p.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

Cowboys Release Owens

ESPN is reporting that the Dallas Cowboys have released wide receiver Terrell Owens.  The move again comes as little surprise, given Owens’ penchant for constantly whining about not getting the ball and jealousy over others.

In our view, possible suitors for Owens include the Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and of course, the Oakland Raiders.  The New York Jets may also be a darkhorse candidate.

Washington is always looking to get splashy free agents in and have them flop (see Deion Sanders, Jason Taylor).  They also seem to have swung and missed in a big way with last year’s draft picks Devin Thomas and Malcom Kelly at wide receiver.

The Bucs are in desperate need of a number 1 receiver.  Michael Clayton was/is a flop, Joey Galloway is about 100-years old and Antonio Bryant needs to prove he can be reliable for more than one season.

The Raiders are still looking for a dependable receiver to team up with young quarterback Jamarcus Russell.  Ronald Curry is gone and the only worthwhile receiver on the roster is the diminutive Johnny Lee Higgins. Javon Walker and Ashley Lelie are worthless.

The Jets have released Laverneus Coles and could look for a legitimate #1 guy to put opposite Jerricho Cotchery or Brad Smith.  Jets GM Mike Tannebaum also is known for bringing in high profile free agents and New York may be the only place that’s “bigger” than Owens.

Keep checking back for updates.

By the way, I apologize about the apparant disappearance of NFL Draft content on the site.  Life got in the way (specifically Aunt Sallie Mae)–I promise I’ll start back soon. (Hey, if you keep reading the site, maybe we can make money off of this, then I can quit my jobs!)

Update: The Cowboys have also released SS Roy Williams, per Rotoworld.

Source: ESPN.com, Rotoworld - 7:44 a.m. et – Update 10:52 a.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