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

Seahawks snag Houshmandzadeh

ESPN’s John Clayson is reporting the Seattle Seahawks have signed WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh to a reported five-year, $40 million deal with $15 million guaranteed.

Source: ESPN.com – 6:57 p.m. et

Free Agency Quick Hits – Day 3

The New York Giants have added DL Chris Canty on a six-year, $42 million contract with $17.25 guaranteed, NFL.com has reported.

The Giants turned down running back Derrick Ward’s offer to remain with the team for $3 million a year, per Rotoworld.

NFL Network’s Adam Schefter has reported the Seattle Seahawks have added DT Colin Cole – with a five-year, $21 million contract.

Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree will undergo surgery Wednesday on his left foot, and will be forced to miss his Pro Day workout.

Rotoworld has learned that the Vikings are intent on signing free-agent WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh before he leaves their facility.

More details on the Raiders re-signing of LB Isaiah Ekejiuba: the deal is over three years and worth $5.4 million, including $1.25 in a signing bonus KFFL has reported.

Source: Rotoworld.com, NFL.com, KFFL.com – 5:45 p.m. et

RZR introduces “Team Links”

If you didn’t notice yet, we’ve added a new page, “Team Links.” It’s at the top of the main page, on the right…under the Page listings.

The page provides a team-by-team listing of every NFL franchise, separated by division, with official team pages and top fan sites.  To check it out now, click here and you’ll be re-directed.

Oh, and if you have any sites for consideration, send them to redzonereport@gmail.com.

Thanks- RZR

Anderson, Lewis carry Browns to victory

Five days ago the Cleveland Browns traded starting quarterback Charlie Frye to the Seattle Seahawks. Frye would be replaced by No. 2 QB Derek Anderson until Brady Quinn was ready to take the field.

After Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Quinn may be waiting a while. 

Derek Anderson led the Browns to a 51-45 win by throwing for 328 yards and five touchdowns.

Browns running back Jamal Lewis carried 28 times for 215 yards, thanks in part to a 66-yard scoring run in the third quarter that put the team up 41-31.

Wide receiver Braylon Edwards and TE Kellen Winslow each hit the 100-yard receiving mark. Edwards hauled in eight passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns while Winslow caught six passes for 100 yards and one touchdown.

Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer had a big day, too. But it wasn’t enough to overcome the Browns (wow, I never thought I’d write that) in the offensive shootout. Palmer compiled 401 yards on 33-of-50 attempts with six touchdowns and two interceptions.

Johnson & Johnson topped the Benglas stat sheet with RB Rhudi Johnson totaling 118 yards on the ground and WR Chad Johnson hauling in 11 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns.

The Bengals travel to Seattle next Sunday to take on the Seahawks, while the Browns head to the Black Hole to face the Oakland Raiders.

Source: NFL.com. Sept. 16 – 5:17 p.m. et

Browns trade Frye to Seahawks

ESPN has reported that the Cleveland Browns have traded starting quarterback Charlie Frye to the Seattle Seahawks. Terms of the deal are not yet available.

The Browns have yet to announce their starting quarterback, but it seems Brady Quinn will take over the starting spot sooner than expected. Frye’s backup, Derek Anderson will likely start until Quinn gets the nod.

It seems Seattle had planned all along to pick up another signal caller. Behind starter Matt Hasselbeck, the Seahawks have only one other quarterback listed on their roster: fifth-year QB Seneca Wallace.

Update: According to NFL.com, Anderson will be the Browns starting quarterback.  

Source: ESPN.com. Sept. 11 – 1:40 p.m. et. Updated Sept. 13 – 12:06 a.m. et

NFL cuts: NFC West

Saturday cuts: NFC West 

Arizona Cardinals- CB Michael Adams, RB Steve Baylark, QB Shane Boyd, QB Lang Campbell, LB Buster Davis, T Brandon Gorin, LB David Holloway, CB Darrell Hunter, G Brian Johnson, S Brandon Keeler, DT Jonathan Lewis, WR Leron McCoy, T Qasim Mitchell, C Scott Peters, TE Alex Shor, WR Michael Spurlock, LB Pago Togafau, WR Matt Trannon, T Elliot Vallejo, FB Roshon Vercher and CB Justin Wyatt.

San Francisco 49ers- S Darnell Bing, LB Colby Bockwoldt, T Harvey Dahl, T Damane Duckett, WR Bryan Gilmore, TE Zachery Hilton, DE Sam Rayburn, S Vickiel Vaughn, FB Zak Keasey, T Tavares Washington, RB Thomas Clayton, TE Zack Herold and LB Mark Washington.

Seattle Seahawks- CB Omowale Dada, QB Derek Devine, WR Joe Fernandez, DE Brandon Green, DT Marcus Green, CB DeJuan Groce, CB Kevin Hobbs, CB Pete Hunter, LB Cameron Jensen, WR Jordan Kent, FB David Kirtman, TE Joe Newton, FB Josh Parry, WR Logan Payne, C Pat Ross, TE Leonard Stephens, DE Nu’u Tafisi, DT Eric Taylor, G Steve Vallos, RB Marquis Weeks, T Kyle Williams and QB David Greene. 

St. Louis Rams- LB John Alston, QB Brock Berlin, C Dustin Fry, DT Keith Jackson, S Andre Kirkland, T Jeremy Parquet, WR Derek Stanley, WR Dominique Thompson and CB Darius Vinnett.

Source: NFL.com, Team pages. Sept. 2 – 4:09 a.m. et. Updated 11:56 a.m. et