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 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

Rams retain Bartell

The St. Louis Rams have re-signed CB Ron Bartell to a four-year, $28 million contract, Rotoworld has reported. The deal includes $13.6 guaranteed.

Source: Rotoworld.com – 5:35 p.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

Free Agency Quick Hits – Day 2

Offensive lineman Jason Brown (Ravens) has agreed to a five-year deal with the St. Louis Rams, John Clayton has confirmed, per Rotoworld.

Per KFFL, the Rams are still in negotiation with CB Ron Bartell.

The Redskins have signed OG Derrick Dockery (Bills) to a five-year, $26 million deal that includes $8.5 M guranteed, according to NFL Network’s Adam Schefter.

The Raiders have tendered RFA center Jon Condo, LB Ricky Brown and LB Jon Alston.

The Jets and Eagles have completed a trade that will send CB Lito Shepard to the Jets in exchange for a 2009 fifth-round pick and a conditional 2010 pick.

After first reporting Bart Scott had signed with the Jets, it was reported that the Ravens were still in the mix. Scott finally settled on the Jets aftet they upped the ante with a six-year, $48 million contract offer. Per KFFL, the decision to go with Scott over free-agent linebacker Ray Lewis was mostly due to age.

The Lions have agreed to terms with RB Maurice Morris on a three-year deal worth about $7 million, NFL Network has reported.

Kerry Collins will stay with the Titans, on a two-year, $15 million deal with $8.5 M guaranteed.

Profootballtalk has posted an item on the rumors of a Matt-Cassel-to-the-Bucs trade. Anyway, check it out here.

NFL.com has a complete “FREE AGENT TRACKER,” with an alphabetized listing of every NFL Free agent, their stats, experience, ‘08 team and ‘09 team. Check that out here.

Source: Rotoworld.com, NFL.com, KFFL.com – 10:45 a.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