In the papers – March 18

Jets RB Thomas Jones was a no-show for the third straight day, which, as The Newark Star-Ledger writes, could affect the team’s draft plans if his absence continues through April.

The Cleveland Browns have issued a statement from Dante Stallworth, the Cleveland Plain Dealer has reported.

The Steelers signed two veterans Tuesday, lineman Trai Essex and cornerback Fernando Bryant, writes the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

New executive director of the NFL Players Associations DeMaurice Smith plans to meet with commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday, according to the Houston Chronicle.

The Tennessean has learned that the Titans and return man Mark Joneshave agreed to terms on a multiyear deal. Jones will help fill the void left by Chris Carr. The Titans also received a visit Wednesday from free-agent CB Donald Strickland.

The Raiders re-signed return man Justin Miller and defensive tackle William Joseph, though most of the sports world only found out when the players showed up for offseason workouts, writes David White of the San Francisco Chronicle.

According to the Detroit Free Press, teammates of Daunte Culpepper say the Lions signal caller has lost weight. 

The Packers have re-signed DE Michael Montgomery, according to Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Free-agent safety Darren Sharper has agreed to terms with the Saints, per StarTribune.com. 

Cardinals QB Kurt Warner underwent hip surgeryon Tuesday, writes The Arizona Republic’s Bob McManaman.

Free-agent tackle Marvel Smith met with the 49ers Wednesday, according to John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Source: nj.com, Cleveland.com, post-gazette.com, chron.com,  tennessean.com, sfgate.com, freep.com, greenbaypressgazette.com, StarTribune.com, sfgate.com- 9:37 p.m. et

Free Agency Quick Hits – March 10

Pittsburgh Steelers OT Willie Colon signed his restricted free-agent tenderTuesday, PFT has reported.

The St. Louis Rams have released OT Orlando Pace. Per PFT, the team was attempting to trade the former No. 1 overall draft pick. The Rams will reportedly save around $5.97 million on the move.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that the Rams had “uninvited” Pace and receiver Torry Holt from the team’s off-season strength and conditioning program.

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed cornerback Travis Daniels.

According to The Boston Globe, the Patriots have agreed to terms with free-agent cornerback Leigh Bodden.

Per PFT, the 49ers have restructured the contract of QB Alexa Alex Smith [Editor's Note: I don't know why I typed Alexa Smith. But it's a much prettier name].

The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with veteran LB Mike Peterson, the Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting.

Source: Profootballtalk, Boston.com, Rotoworld.com, ajc.com - 7:18 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

Cardinals increase offer to Warner

Rotoworld has reported, per NFL Network, that the Arizona Cardinals have increased their contract offer to free-agent QB Kurt Warner, from $20 to $23 million over two years. Warner’s left San Francisco Monday without a contract, and with a better offer on the table in Arizona, as Rotoworld points out, it seems likely he’ll re-sign.

The Cardinals have also re-signed punter Ben Graham and quarterback Brian St. Peirre, according to PFT. The team has also added safety Keith Lewis.

Source: Rotoworld.com, Profootballtalk.com – 8:12 a.m. et

Free Agency Quick Hits – Day 4

Free agent RB LaMont Jordan and FB John Kuhn are visiting the Cardinals today, Rotoworld has reported.

Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (I’m never going to be able to spell that name on my own…kinda like Mississippi) left Minnesota last night without a contract, and headed home to Los Angeles, StarTribune.com has reported. 

Phillip Buchanon will reportedly visit the Lions Monday night, per PFT. Buchanon started his career with the Raiders, where he showed signs of being a play-maker, but became a much better cover man with the Bucs.

The Saints have made an offer to CB Ron Bartell, per PFT.

With some room to move in terms of cap space, the Patriots are rumored to be making a move for Panthers DE Julius Peppers.

The Dolphins are reportedly not interested in free-agent wide receiver Laveranues Coles, even though it would reunite him with former teammate Chad Pennington.

KFFL has reported that the Raiders may be interesting in acquiring Rams OT Orlando Pace.

Free-agent QB Kurt Waner is expected to visit the 49ers today, KFFL has posted.  

Source: Rotoworld.com, StarTribune.com, Profootballtalk.com, KFFL.com- 12:05 p.m. et

Warner would stay in Arizona, in contact with 49ers

Free agent quarterback Warner says he would like to return to the Cardinals, but his agent has reportedly had contract talks with San Francisco, Sirius NFL Radio announced during the Two-Minute Drill.

Notable free agents still available include quarterbacks Byron Leftwich and Jeff Garcia; running backs Deuce McAalister and Cedric Benson receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Marvin Harrison; linebackers Keith Brooking and Ray Lewis; as well as linemen Pete Kendall and Chris Canty.

Source: Sirius NFL Radio – 12:49 p.m. et

Free Agency Quick Hits

Per Adam Schefter, the Washington Redskins have signed FA defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth to a seven-year, $100 million dollar deal!

Running back Fred Taylor and the New England Patriots are said to have struck a deal, Adam Schefer has reported.

The Jaguars have re-signed Brian Iwuh, PFT has posted.

Running back Kevin Jones is reportedly drawing interest from several teams, including the Bills, Jets, Rams and Bucs.

The Colts have let linebacker Freddie Keiaho walk, after declining to issue a restricted free-agent tender.

Cornerback Bryant McFadden is reportedly “leaning toward” signing with the Lions, according to SI’s Peter King, per Rotoworld.

The 49ers have asked quarterback Alex Smith to take a pay cut, per PFT’s Josh Alper.

Cornerback Leigh Bodden will visit the Patriots today, Profootballtalk has reported.

Source: Profootballtalk, Rotoworld, NFL.com – 7:55 a.m. et