2012 Free Agency News

First topic message reminder :

Thought i'd start a free agency thread, since it's not that far away now, for news relating to franchise tags and tenders, cuts, signings, etc.

FRANCHISE TAGS:
DeSean Jackson (Eagles)
Tyvon Branch (Raiders)
Fred Davis (Redskins)
Dashon Goldson (49ers)
Calais Campbell (Cardinals)
Brent Grimes (Falcons)
Ray Rice (Ravens)
Mike Nugent (Bengals)
Phil Dawson (Browns)
Matt Forte (Bears)
Drew Brees (Saints)
Josh Scobee (Jaguars)
Matt Prater (Broncos)
Cliff Avril (Lions)
Michael Griffin (Titans)
Anthony Spencer (Cowboys)
Wes Welker (Patriots)
Dwayne Bowe (Chiefs)
Steve Weatherford (Giants)
Robert Mathis (Colts)
Connor Barth (Buccaneers)


TENDERS:
Bengals
Dan Skuta, LB (Original Pick Tender)

Bills
Chad Rinehart, OG (Original Pick Tender)
Kraig Urbik, OG (Original Pick Tender)

Broncos
Matt Willis, WR (Original Pick Tender)
Ryan McBean, DL (Original Pick Tender)
Lance Ball, RB (ERFA Tender)
Britton Colquitt, P (ERFA Tender)
Chris Clark, OT (ERFA Tender)

Buccaneers
Demar Dotson, OT (Original Pick Tender)
LeGarrette Blount, RB (Exclusive Rights Tender)
Preston Parker, WR (Exclusive Rights Tender)
Michael Bennett, DL (1st round Tender

Cardinals
La'Rod Stephens-Howling, RB (2nd round Tender)
Greg Toler, CB (Original Pick Tender)
Rashad Johnson, S (Original Pick Tender)

Chargers
Richard Goodman, KR (ERFA Tender)
Mike Windt, LS (ERFA Tender)

Chiefs
Jovan Belcher, LB (2nd round Tender)

Cowboys
Tony Fiammetta, FB (3rd round Tender)

Eagles
Antonio Dixon, DT (2nd round Tender)

Giants
Jake Ballard, TE (Exclusive Rights Tender)
Bruce Johnson, CB, (Exclusive Rights Tender)

Lions
DeAndre Levy, OLB (2nd round Tender)
Sammie Lee Hill, DT (Original Pick Tender)
Corey Hilliard, OT (Original Pick Tender)

Patriots
Brian Hoyer, QB (2nd round Tender)
Kyle Love, DT (ERFA Tender)

Rams
Danny Amendola, WR (2nd round Tender)
Tom Brandstater, QB (ERFA Tender)
Jermelle Cudjo, DT (ERFA Tender)
Dominique Curry, WR (ERFA Tender)
Bryan Mattison, OG (ERFA Tender)
Brit Miller, FB (ERFA Tender)
Darian Stewart, SS (ERFA Tender)

Raiders
Marcel Reece, FB (ERFA Tender)
Mason Brodine, DE (ERFA Tender)
Bryan McCann, CB (ERFA Tender)

Ravens
Dannell Ellerbe, LB (2nd round Tender)
Ladarius Webb, CB (1st round Tender)
Cary Williams, DB (2nd round Tender)

Redskins
Graham Gano, PK (Exclusive Rights Tender)
Kory Lichtensteiger, OL (Original Pick Tender)

Saints
Brian De La Puente, OC (Exclusive Rights Tender)
Jonatahan Casillas, LB (Original Pick Tender)

Seahawks
Steven Hauschka, PK (ROFR Tender)

Steelers
Mike Wallace, WR (1st round Tender)

49ers
Larry Grant, LB (Original Pick Tender)



SIGNINGS:
Bears
Eric Weems, WR
Kellen Davis, TE
Tim Jennings, CB
Josh McCowan, QB
Brandon Marshall, WR (trade)
Jason Campbell, QB
Blake Costanzo, LB

Bengals
Chris Pressley, FB (re-signed)
Nick Hayden, DT

Bills
Rian Lindell, PK (re-signed)
Stevie Johnson, WR (re-signed)
Ruvell Martin, WR (re-signed)
Scott Chandler, TE (re-signed)
Kirk Morrison, LB (re-signed)

Browns
D'Qwell Jackson, LB (re-signed)
Frostee Rucker, DE
Marcus Benard, DE
John Grecco, OL
Dimitri Patterson, CB
Alex Smith, TE

Buccaneers
Jeremy Zuttah (re-signed)
Eric Wright, CB
Carl Nicks, OG
Vincent Jackson, WR

Cardinals
Adam Snyder, OL

Chargers
Demorrio Williams, LB
Jarret Johnson, LB
Le'Ron McClain, FB
Robert Meachem, WR
Jared Gaither, OT
Nick Hardwick, OC

Chiefs
Brandon Siler, LB (re-signed)
Stanford Routt, CB
Amon Gordon, DT
Peyton Hillis, RB

Colts
Robert Mathis, DE (re-signed)
Cory Redding, DL
Reggie Wayne, WR
Winston Justice, OT (trade)

Cowboys
Gerald Sensabaugh, DB (re-signed)
Mackenzy Bernadeau, OG
Lawrence Vickers, FB
Brandon Carr, CB
Kyle Orton, QB

Dolphins
Richard Marshall, CB
Phillip Merling, DE
Paul Soliai, DL

Eagles
Cullen Jenkins, DL (re-signed)
Trent Edwards, QB
Mardy Gilyard, WR
DeSean Jackson, WR
Antonio Dixon, DT

Falcons
Thomas DeCoud, FS (re-signed)
Kroy Biermann, DE (re-signed)
Jason Snelling, RB (re-signed)
Lofa Tatupu, LB
Vince Manuwai, OL
Harry Douglas, WR (re-signed)
Chris Redman, QB (re-signed)
Vance Walker, DT (re-signed)

Giants
Domenik Hixon, WR (re-signed)
Terrell Thomas, CB (re-signed)
Martellus Bennett, TE
Justin Tryon, CB

Jaguars
Rashean Mathis, CB (re-signed)
Guy Whimper, OT (re-signed)
Laurent Robinson, WR
Dwight Lowery, S
Jeremy Mincey, DE
C.J. Mosley, DT
Chad Henne, QB

Jets
Sione Pouha, DT (re-signed)

Packers
Jermichael Finley, TE (re-signed)

Panthers
Justin Medlock, PK
Derek Anderson, QB (re-signed)

Patriots
Jonathan Fanene, DT
Matt Slater, WR/ST
Tracy White, LB/ST
Niko Koutouvides, LB/ST

Raiders
Marcel Reece, FB

Rams
Cortland Finnegan, CB

Redskins
Will Montgomery, OL (re-signed)
Pierre Garcon, WR
Josh Morgan, WR
Adam Carriker, DE

Saints
Chase Daniel, QB (re-signed)
Ben Grubbs, OG
Marques Colston, WR

Seahawks
Marshawn Lynch (re-signed)
Breno Giacomini, OL (re-signed)
Red Bryant, DL
Paul McQuistan, OL

Texans
Arian Foster, RB (re-signed)
Jon Weeks, LS (re-signed)

Titans
Craig Stevens, TE (re-signed)
Jordan Babineaux, S

Vikings
Sage Rosenfels, QB
Letroy Guion, DT
Tyrell Johnson, S

49ers
Ahmad Brooks, LB (re-signed)
Will Tukuafu, DL (re-signed)
Randy Moss, WR (signed)
Carlos Rogers, CB



CUTS:
Bears
Frank Omiyale, OL
Anthony Adams, DT

Browns
Tony Pashos, OT
Eric Steinbach, OG

Buccaneers
Albert Haynesworth, DL
Jeff Faine, OC

Cardinals
Levi Brown, OT

Chargers
Luis Castillo, DL
Marcus McNeill, OT

Chiefs
Demorrio Williams, LB

Colts
Peyton Manning, QB
Dallas Clark, TE
Gary Brackett, LB
Jo Addai, RB
Melvin Bullitt, S
Curtis Painter, QB

Cowboys
Terence Newman, CB
David Buehler, PK

Eagles
Jamaal Jackson, OC

Giants
Brandon Jacobs, RB

Jaguars
Kassim Osgood, KR

Jets
Gerald Alexander, S

Lions
Will Heller, TE

Panthers
Adi Kunalic, PK
Travelle Wharton, OG

Patriots
Mike Wright, DL

Raiders
Chris Johnson, CB
Kevin Boss, TE
Cooper Carlisle, OG
John Henderson, DL
Hiram Eugene, S

Rams
James Hall, DE
Ron Bartell, CB
Fred Robbins, DT
Justin Bannan, DT
Jason Bown, OL

Ravens
Lee Evans, WR
Chris Carr, CB
Domonique Foxworth, CB

Redskins
OJ Otogwe, FS
Mike Sellers, FB

Seahawks
Marcus Trufant, CB
Robert Gallery, OG

Steelers
Aaron Smith, DL
James Farrior, LB
Chris Kemoeatu, OL
Hines Ward, WR
Bryant McFadden, CB

Texans
Darius Morris, OL
Matt Leinart, QB
Eric Winston, OT

Vikings
Cedric Griffin, CB
Anthony Herrera, OG
Steve Hutchinson, OG


RETIREMENTS:
Kris Dielman, OL (Chargers)
Al Harris, CB (Rams)
Derrick Mason, WR (Texans)
Ricky Williams, RB (Ravens) Reserve/Retired List

I mean Konz... I typed it in a bit of a rush

Patriots and Niners have made offers to Brandon Lloyd.

- Pats also picked up Anthony Gonzalez off Indy
- Jason Jones has signed with Seattle off the Titans (only one year is surprising, they were hyping him as an underrated guy to watch in FA)
- Charlie Whitehurst has returned to San Diego, who released Billy Volek as backup to Rivers.
- Drew Stanton will back up Sanchez in New York
- Atari Bigby has joined San Diego after a year in Seattle.
- Chaz Shillens has signed with the Jets
- Evan Mathis has resigned with the Eagles

*SIGNING* OT Eric Winston has agreed to terms with the KC Chiefs.

vikings have signed cornerback and former FIU point guard, Nicholas Taylor, runs in the 4.2's, always find these sort of prospects interesting

It has been confirmed that Brandon Lloyd is to sign for the New England Patriots.

Mario Manningham has agreed terms on a two year deal with the 49ers.

Glad the Nike jerseys are out soon, I was going to retire my Manningham jersey anyway.

Yes Llyod to the Pats!!!!!
Just need a safety, pass rusher and maybe another offensive lineman in the draft!!

The deal for Lloyd (not Llyod!) is worth $12 million over 3 years!

baalke and harbaugh have some very good poker faces, I never know what they are going to pull off

alex smith visiting the dolphins, i honestly have no clue what is going on, im pretty sure the titans will sign manning but this is making me doubt it a little. Alex is supposedly annoyed at his agent and its not as though he is doing this to force the fo's hand, an offer is already on the table. Does this mean Manning is coming? or that Smith is p'd off or that kaep is ready

flynn to seahawks, good for the rest of the NFC west imo. He could end up being good but without the same offensive talent at Green Bay, how will a career back up do

niner wrote:flynn to seahawks, good for the rest of the NFC west imo. He could end up being good but without the same offensive talent at Green Bay, how will a career back up do

I disagree, the Seahawks were quite good last year with TJax at QB and I'd see Flynn as an upgrade to TJax so this could make the Seahawks really quite competative if he's receiving targets can all stay healthy they actually do have a good group. Don't know what Miami are up to, but they are turning into the biggest losers by far this offseason.

If Peyton Manning signs for the Broncos or Titans and Alex Smith goes to Miama the 49ers could be left with just Kaepernick.

Good news for Matt Flynn. Hopefully he can make a success of things in Seattle. The last Packers backup to go there did okay!

CAW CAW
HEAR DAT!
U HEAR DAT
THAT A DIVISION TITLE
CAW CAW
2012 HAWKS
CAW CAW
OH YEAH CMON U FEEL IT BADY 2012 SUPERBOWL CHAMPS CAW CAW
CAW CAW

Seattle are a really good team but TJax wasn't great. I'm not sold on Flynn because there was the exact same hype of Kevin Kolb last year and I predicted he wouldn't pan out, even before injury struck

Latest reports suggest Alex Smith is in negotiations with Miami which, as they both have the same agent, Peyton Manning could be about to sign for the 49ers.

cherriesfan wrote:CAW CAW
HEAR DAT!
U HEAR DAT
THAT A DIVISION TITLE
CAW CAW
2012 HAWKS
CAW CAW
OH YEAH CMON U FEEL IT BADY 2012 SUPERBOWL CHAMPS CAW CAW
CAW CAW

You must have been smoking something when you posted this

Joe Mays has signed with the qBroncos.

Re Flynn to Seattle - Will be interesting to see how this pans out. I don't share cherriesfan's understated optimism that this turns them into contenders! He's only played 2 more NFL games than Andrew Luck and RG3 so comes with similar question marks to me but without the outstanding college pedigree. He only started one year in college I think I'm right in saying... albeit, he won a National Championship that year! Might have been different had he been stepping into a starting role at Green Bay as it would have been the same system but this is a different city, different coach, different players and obviously, a different system.

Re the 49ers and Miami QB shenanigans - No idea what to make of all this! Sounds to me like Smith is quite rightly p'd off with San Fran. They've said all along that he's their guy and then the next thing you know, they're flirting with P Manning like some skanky old tart! He must have zero trust in Harbaugh and the FO now. If there's an opening in Miami and they're desperate enough to throw some cash at him now then he should take that deal. He definitely can't stay in San Fran now regardless. He's too far into his career to sit behind Manning and waiting for him to retire and if Manning does end up elsewhere then Harbaugh has clearly shown that Smith isn't actually his guy and will be happy to flirt with the next half decent QB who catches his gaze. If he waits to see what Manning does then Miami could lowball him. He's got to go now while they're desperate enough to throw a little more cash at him to tempt him to pre-empt any decision that Manning makes.

Bomani Jones (SBnation, around the horn etc) just said on his radio show manning presser due half nine pacific time, going to niners, not sure how reliable he is

His twitter feed is denying all knowledge of this.

Would the Bucs sing an MLB FFS. David Hawthorne would be cheap, heck even Ruud is available. Tulloch or Lofton if you have to.

Mike Tolbert has signed with the Panthers. That's the end of Stewart in Charlotte.

MANNING TO THE BRONCOS!!! YES!!!!! Reported by Mortensen and Schefter!

Well bugger me with a pointy stick, that was not what I was expecting, poor Tebow

If I was Manning with the 49ers in the race to sign me I would have snapped up my chance to play with them in an instant. They were a QB away from winning this year IMO. The Broncos however I'm not so sure about

worst choice imo

niner wrote:worst choice imo

I totally agree with you hear

You're all just jealous No but seriously the division is more winnable than the NFC West and AFC South, and to make it to the playoffs with Tebow is no mean feat

he wont be winning a superbowl anytime soon though, I thought that is what he wanted

The 49ers are a Superbowl ready team and they made it to the NFC Championship game this year on the back of some great coaching and amazing defence. If they had Manning considering the WR's they have signed as well there offence would be very powerful. Imagine Manning at QB, Gore at RB, Davis at TE and Moss, Manningham and Crabtree at WR. That's a powerful offence

i didn't expect him to go to the niners but thought the titans were such a good option, im disappointed because i think money has played a bigger part than people thought, its not going to be an incentive based contact where he gets much less than he used to

bronco fans should be worried about what happens when manning gets hurt, titans were already set with hasselbeck and locker and the niners see kaepernick as the future possibly but with tebow likely gone, what happens

The 49ers are undoubtedly more ready for a superbowl but I'd argue the Broncos are more ready than the Titans

i dont think either would win it all even with manning but I'd say the titans looked more talented as a team, roos and stewart form the best tackle tandem in the nfl, hutchinson just signed as well and as long as amano is replaced, its one of the top o-lines in the nfl. Britt, Washington, Williams, Hawkins and an early draft pick forms a good WR core and Jared Cook should do well soon. Add to that the fact that mcourty is one of the most underated corners and verner is pretty good, only the pass rush needs addressed and I reckon one could be taken in both the 1st and 2nd round of the draft, oh and cj2k with decent interior line again

ollyrules wrote:The 49ers are a Superbowl ready team and they made it to the NFC Championship game this year on the back of some great coaching and amazing defence. If they had Manning considering the WR's they have signed as well there offence would be very powerful. Imagine Manning at QB, Gore at RB, Davis at TE and Moss, Manningham and Crabtree at WR. That's a powerful offence

Don't forget Kendall Hunter backing up Gore as well.

I'm quite annoyed the Giants didn't show interest in Tolbert, I really hope TC isn't planning on DJ Ware being 2nd RB.

stewart can be had now though, most likely for a 2nd/3rd

I can make pretty similar arguments for the broncos. Most rushing yards in the league (not just cos of Tebow), good young receivers, nice o-line with an elite LT and on defense one of the best pass rushes in the league and some other nice pieces. Also the Broncos got to the divisional round with bad QB whereas the Titans got nowhere but with good QB play, Manning will improves the Broncos more than he would improve the Titans

Clady is not an elite LT, he looked good his first 2 years but ive saw a lot of reports slating him of late, plus anyone could thrive in the broncos run blocking scheme, thats why they are smarter than a lot of teams who spend big on rb's. I wouldn't say Hasselbeck was good, he was pretty average plus the titans had no pass rush whatsoever and a harder schedule arguably

A bit disappointed Peyton isn't coming to the 49ers, but I can understand his reasons for choosing Denver.

Main one that might have swung it is the chance to implement his own offence, I can't see that Jim Harbaugh would have given over control of one side of the ball, even if it is to Peyton Manning.

Denver will be dangerous, Demaryius Thomas and Decker on the outside, with the possibility of Dallas Clark as the tight end. I can definitely see them drafting a top RB, or trading for Jonathan Stewart, who for me is one of the top 10 running backs in the league on pure talent. Not too sure on the OL, they are a good run blocking unit but Tebow seemed to get sacked a lot last year, not sure if that was more on him though. Defensively they are solid, but definitely need to improve in the secondary.

49ers will go back to Alex Smith now, I still think he can improve with another full off season in the Harbaugh offence, and we have already improved our receivers with Manningham, and whatever is left of Randy Moss. I would still like to see us take a receiver in the first round, so still more improvement possible.

TheBrownTown wrote:I can make pretty similar arguments for the broncos. Most rushing yards in the league (not just cos of Tebow), good young receivers, nice o-line with an elite LT and on defense one of the best pass rushes in the league and some other nice pieces. Also the Broncos got to the divisional round with bad QB whereas the Titans got nowhere but with good QB play, Manning will improves the Broncos more than he would improve the Titans

Titans won more games last year than the Broncos, divisional stregth is argueable due to the extremes of the Titans divison vs the overall mediocrity of the Broncos. I'd put my bottom dollar on the Broncos running attempts last year being a lot higher than the Titans, so that arguement is quite a weak one. Overall I think the Broncos do benefit more than the Titans do, and I'd be surprised if they don't make the playoffs this year as a result, mostly because Tebow is not a good QB (although I am quite a big Tebow fan and think he's a good football player, just not at the QB position), whereas the Titans are in a decent position at QB.
Not too sure about the quality of the Broncos receivers - TE is terrible, though Dallas Clark I suspect will come in, Thomas drops too many, Decker is good and I think will flourish with Manning, not quite sure on other Broncos receivers now Royal has gone but not too strong looking to me.

The Broncos with Manning have the potential to get to a Championship game but I still can't see them getting past the Pats next year, Manning or no Manning.

Also, I'm quite looking forward to seeing Manning vs Rivers twice a year now

ollyrules wrote:If I was Manning with the 49ers in the race to sign me I would have snapped up my chance to play with them in an instant. They were a QB away from winning this year IMO. The Broncos however I'm not so sure about

More a punt returner away from winning this year... Or some Luck???

Peyton Manning was always the obvious choice once they were interested (49ers may have been too late but more possibly the Manning/ Smith agent has been playing the 49ers to get a better deal for Smith).

Denver reached the play offs last year and are in a very winnable division. This moves also keeps the possibility of a Manning v Manning Super Bowl in their home town of New Orleans or Eli's manor in New York.

It will be interesting to see what the 49ers do now? Smith will probably still sign but will it be an improved contract? Will they say no thanks and go with Kaepernick? Will they think Moss, Manningham and Crabtree are good enough receivers and go all in for Andrew Luck (more in hope than anything else)?

Waiting now for the Jaguars to make a move for Tim Tebow. How about a possible trade with Blaine Gabbert?

Denver = altitude = thinner air = makes his noodle arm look stronger..... gotta be the only reason, right??

mikeygnfl wrote:Waiting now for the Jaguars to make a move for Tim Tebow. How about a possible trade with Blaine Gabbert?

If that trade were to come about that'd be great for both players imo, Tebow would be great at the Jags as its not like he needs WRs to play anyhow, and Gabbert could learn from watching a great up close - clearly he could use a break from having 6ft 5 300lb monsters running at him.

Patriots have signed Donte Stallworth to a one year deal.

Adam Schefter on twitter just now.

With the Lloyd signing does this mean goodbye for Ocho and Branch?

Patriots have also signed Robert Gallery.

The Jets have signed Laron Landry to a one year $4m deal.

MockingJay33 wrote:Patriots have signed Donte Stallworth to a one year deal.

Adam Schefter on twitter just now.

With the Lloyd signing does this mean goodbye for Ocho and Branch?

Think Branch may stay as he's still quite productive and has good chemistry with Brady and could be used still in 3 WR sets, but I imagine it's byebye for Ocho, I hate to say it but I could see him coming to the Titans, hope not though, don't need his circus.

niners holding 'pro day' for 40 free agents