In the papers – April 5

The Sun Sentinal’s Omar Kelly says the Dolphins haven’t ruled out re-signing DE Jason Taylor, but the team is concerned about Taylor’s age and previous injuries.  

After missing out on a trade for Broncos QB Jay Cutler, the Jets may look at wide receiver in the draft to aid QB Kellen Clemens, the New York Post is reporting.

The Ravens have added two coaches to the staff, the Baltimore Sun has learned. The team has promoted Roy Anderson to defensive assistant and hired Matt Weiss as head coaching assistant.

The Cincinnait Enquirer has reportedly “debunked” the rumors linking Bengals WR Chad Ocho Cinco to the Oakland Raiders.

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Cleveland Browns teammates are supporting Dante Stallworth despite his recent charge of DUI manslaughter.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ed Bouchette has reported that quarterback Byron Leftwich spent the day with the Washington Redskins Friday and the two sides are discussing a contract.

The Steelers, on the other hand, hosted UNLV fullback Fank Summers Friday, writes Mike Prisuta of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Summers becomes the eighth draft-prospect brought in by Pittsburgh.

The Texans have agreed to terms with FA linebackers Cato June and Buster Davis, the Houston Chronicle is reporting.

The Raiders are reportedly close to signing FA quarterback Jeff Garcia, per the Oakland Tribune.

Steve Corkran has reported the Raiders have also re-signed LB Sam Williams and added veteran DT Ryan Boschetti.

Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press predicts the Lions focus will again be on Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford now that Jay Cutler is out of the picture.

Source: SunSentinal.com, nypost.com, baltimoresun.com, cincinnati.com, post-gazette.com, pittsburghlive.com, chron.com, insidebayarea.com, freep.com- 10:39 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

Free Agency Quick Hits – Day 6

The Baltimore Ravens are close to re-signing LB Ray Lewis, NFL.com is reporting.

Adam Schefter has also learned that the Saints have re-signed WR Devery Henderson.

As our very own Sheila McCarthy posted this afternoon, free-agent QB Kurt Warner has re-signed with the Arizona Cardinals, on a two-year, $23 million deal with $19 million guaranteed.

The Giants have added safety C.C. Brown (must be Italian…), Adam Schefter is reporting. The deal is for one year.

 Jacksonville Jaguars OT Khalif Barnes is reportedly visiting with the Oakland Raiders Wednesday, per the SportingNews.

Free-agent DE Demetric Evans is said to be in negotiations with both his former team, the Redskins, and the 49ers. According to Schefter, he is expected to make a decision by Friday.

Profootballtalk has learned that the Atlanta Falcons have re-signed DE Chauncey Davis to a four-year deal believed to be in the range of $14 million.

Source: NFL.com, Rotoworld.com, SportingNews.com, Profootballtalk - 4:05 p.m. et

Free Agency Quick Hits – Day 6

Running back LaMont Jordan has signed a two-year, $2.5 million contract with the Denver Broncos, Rotoworld has reported.

The Denver Post is confirming that Broncos TE Tony Sheffler is on the trade block.

A resolution to the Kurt Warner“situation” is expected Wednesday, Rotoworld has learned from the Arizona Republic.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed free-agent PK Mike Nugent (Jets).

KFFL has learned, thanks to Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times, that the Buccaneers are close to signing TE Jeremy Stevens.

The Washington Redskins, per KFFL, are interested in re-signing OG Pete Kendall.

[Editor's Note: just for clarification..."resign" vs. "re-sign." In the event that a player "resigns," that means he has retired from the NFL (unless we're talking about Brett Favre). When a player "re-signs" he has rejoined his old team. The hyphen is a powerful thing. Case in point: "man eating plant" versus "man-eating plant."]

Jags RB Maurice Jones-Drew wants a new deal before next season, Dave Richard of CBSSports.com has reported.

Source: Rotoworld.com, DenverPost.com, KFFL.com, CBSSports.com - 12:28 p.m. et

Redskins release Jason Taylor

The St. Louis Rams Washington Redskins today released DE Jason Taylor. The two sides attempted to restructure his $8 million salary but were unable to reach a deal.

(Editor’s Note: When posting this story, like I often do, I had at least a dozen other things on my mind, one such thing was the more recent news that the St. Louis Rams had retained CB Ron Bartell, which you will read about in a minute. And that is why I incorrectly began this post with “The St. Louis Rams…”)

“Jason Taylor was a real professional during his time with the Redskins,” coach Jim Zorn was quoted on PFT.  “He played hurt, but still gave his best effort to be prepared and play hard every week.  We wish him and his family the very best.”

Taylor had a drop off in production last season with the Redskins, totaling only 3.5 sacks — his lowest since ‘99. The 12-year vet also started in the fewest games of his career (8).

Rotoworld has learned from the Tampa Tribune that the Buccaneers are expected to “heavily persue” the former AP Defensive Player of the Year (2006).

Source: Rotoworld.com, Tampa Tribune, Profootballtalk.com, NFL.com - 5:26 p.m. et