2006 Free Agent Tracker - Offense

[PhillyPhanInDC]

By using the franchise tag, the Lions severely limit Backus' potential mobility in free agency. It also means the team has made him a one-year qualifying offer of $6.983 million for 2006. If Backus opts to sign the one-year offer, that salary is guaranteed. The two sides can also negotiate a long-term contract.

Seven million.......wow.

[Feva]

Broncos | Team has decision to make with Putzier
Thu, 23 Feb 2006 06:17:36 -0800

Bill Williamson, of the Denver Post, reports Denver Broncos TE Jeb Putzier is due a $1.5 million roster bonus in early March and a base salary of $1.5 million for the 2006 season. His agent, Joe Linta, said he has not heard whether Denver will exercise the option. The Broncos could attempt to restructure the deal. If no agreement is reached, they could release Putzier. Last season Putzier split time with TE Stephen Alexander. "If Denver does exercise the option, I would hope they'd give him the chance to catch 60, 70 balls and become a Pro Bowl-caliber tight end I know he can be," Linta said. Putzier's contract is likely to be addressed next week.

[The BIGSTUD]

I'd take Putzier on this team.

[PhillyPhanInDC]

Well, so much for adding this fragile back to the Eagles stable of fragile backs.....

Panthers' Foster named transition player, to get $5M next year
Feb. 23, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports     


CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers protected running back DeShaun Foster from free agency Thursday by naming him their transition player.

Foster is now guaranteed $5.13 million next season if he doesn't sign a long-term contract. Foster can still talk to other teams when the NFL's free agent period starts next Thursday, but the transition tag gives Carolina the right to match any offer.

If the Panthers choose not to match any offer Foster might receive, they would not receive any compensation if Foster signed elsewhere.

Carolina has until March 17 to reach a long-term deal with Foster. If no deal is reached at that point, they will have to wait until July before beginning negotiations with Foster again.

David Dunn, Foster's agent, was not immediately available for comment.

Foster led the Panthers this year with 879 yards and two touchdowns on 205 attempts in 2005 and ranked second on the team with 34 catches for 372 yards and one touchdown. He had hit his stride during the playoffs, but broke his leg in the second half of Carolina's win over Chicago and missed the NFC championship.

A second-round draft choice from UCLA in 2002, he has played in 33 games with 10 starts in four NFL seasons and has rushed for 1,563 yards and four touchdowns on 377 carries.

The Panthers will likely release running back Stephen Davis in the coming weeks. Davis had major knee surgery last year and lost his starting job to Foster.

Another bust....(Little info on Moulds at the bottom too)

Former first-round pick Williams released by Bills
Feb. 23, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports     

 

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Offensive lineman Mike Williams was released by the Bills on Thursday, ending an disappointing four-year tenure in Buffalo for the former No. 4 draft pick.

The move allows the Bills to save more than $3 million in salary cap space for next season. Williams had two years left on his contract, was due a $3 million roster bonus in July and was scheduled to count about $10.8 million against the cap next season.

"Salary cap issues certainly fit into that," general manager Marv Levy told Buffalo's WIVB-TV, while attending the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. "There's some difficult decisions that have to be made and we would like to address them early if we can. ... It's never fun to release a player."

Williams' agent, David Dunn, declined comment.

Williams' release did not come as a surprise because of his hefty salary and his history of sporadic performances. Last year was his worst. He lost his starting job at right tackle to undrafted free agent Jason Peters midway through the season.

Attempts to convert Williams into a left guard failed when he hurt his back, an injury that forced him to miss the final five games of the season.

In four seasons, Williams started 47 games.

His future was in question in Buffalo even before team president Tom Donahoe was fired in January and coach Mike Mularkey resigned a week later.

Levy, who replaced Donahoe, also questioned Williams' ability and work ethic as recently as last week.

A former star at Texas, Williams was the first offensive lineman selected in the 2002 draft.

The solid run blocker struggled in pass situations, a knock that prevented the team from using him at left tackle -- a more demanding position.

Williams' off-field problems led to further questions.

He was fined by the team after being unexcused for a training camp session in 2004. Williams, who also missed numerous optional minicamps earlier that spring, cited undisclosed personal reasons for missing practice.

On his way to a home game against Houston in 2003, Williams flipped his truck and hurt his shoulder, forcing him to miss the game.

Williams' release comes a day after the Bills designated cornerback Nate Clements their franchise player, retaining his rights by offering him a $5.89 million contract.

The Bills also must determine whether to retain veteran receiver Eric Moulds, who is scheduled to make $10.8 million in the final year of his contract next season. Levy has expressed interest in attempting to restructure Moulds' contract.

Moulds' adviser, Greg Johnson, said this week that Moulds, who completed his 10th season with the Bills, would like to stay in Buffalo but only if a fair deal can be achieved.

"I think Eric would like to stay. He's big on loyalty," Johnson said. "But it's got to make good sense for both parties. It's got to be truly, truly a win-win situation."

[BigEd76]

The 49ers released Johnnie Morton.

[rjs246]

Get Cuba Gooding, Jr!

[MDS]

If that idiot Moulds wants to stay and lose with JP Losman and Kelly Holcumb, then all the power to him.

[PhillyPhanInDC]

I seriously doubt he sticks around. He's probably just trying to repair his rep a bit. 10+ Mil is a serious cap hit, and I don't think the Bills have in the plans.

[ice grillin you]

bye bye hutchinson too...why even have free agency this year

[PhillyPhanInDC]

CBS Sportsline

Boo Williams, TE NO

News: According to reports, the New Orleans Saints have released Boo Williams.

[PhillyPhreak54]

49ers | Dorsey will be given low tender
Mon, 27 Feb 2006 19:01:28 -0800

Matt Maiocco, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers will give restricted free agent QB Ken Dorsey the lower tender. The 49ers would receive a seventh-round pick if another team signs Dorsey or Dorsey could sign the one-year contract worth $720,000.


49ers | Team intends to keep Lloyd
Mon, 27 Feb 2006 19:00:41 -0800

Matt Maiocco, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers are intending to keep restricted free agent WR Brandon Lloyd. The team will tender Lloyd at a first-round level, making it unlikely any other team will sign him. He will receive close to $1.6 million if he signs the one-year deal with the team.

[PhillyGirl]

Moulds rejects Bills' offer to restructure deal    
NFL.com wire reports

BUFFALO, N.Y. (Feb. 27, 2006) -- Eric Moulds rejected the Buffalo Bills' offer for restructuring his hefty contract, a decision that could lead the team to release its veteran star receiver by as early as this week.

"Based on what they're proposing, I guess it's not encouraging," Moulds' agent Harry Henderson told The Associated Press by telephone following a meeting with team officials. "We're way off. ... Our attitude has been optimistic, but realistically it may not happen."

Moulds, a 10-year veteran and the team's senior player, has two years left on his contract, scheduled to count $10.85 million against the salary cap next season. His salary would represent about one-ninth of the projected cap, a figure the Bills deem far too expensive.

Unless a new deal can be reached, the Bills would have little choice but to cut Moulds, which would save the team about $5.5 million in cap room. His release could come as early as this week, prior to the NFL's free-agency period, which is scheduled to open March 3. The Bills declined comment except to confirm that a meeting took place between the team and Moulds' representatives.

Buffalo's first-round pick in the 1996 draft, Moulds is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and ranks second on the team in several career receiving categories.

Henderson said no further talks are scheduled but added he is open to negotiations and would like to cooperate with the team in an attempt to keep Moulds in Buffalo. Henderson wouldn't provide details of the Bills' offer or what his client would be willing to accept.

"We're open," he said. "Good football teams find ways to keep their best players."

Henderson wouldn't entirely rule out Moulds accepting a pay cut, but said: "Eric is under contract so we have a deal. It's the Bills that want to change."

Moulds is coming off a down season but still led the team with 81 catches for 816 yards in 15 games. He was suspended for one game by former coach Mike Mularkey for conduct detrimental to the team after an apparent sideline dispute with an assistant coach.

The suspension, which came in Week 14, didn't affect Moulds' performance down the stretch. He returned in top form, finishing with 27 catches for 305 yards and a touchdown in the final three games.

Dick Jauron has taken over as coach following Mularkey's sudden resignation last month, while Marv Levy is the Bills' new general manager replacing Tom Donahoe. Both previously expressed hope the team could reach a deal to keep Moulds.

Moulds has been a full-time starter since his third season in Buffalo. In 154 games, he has 675 catches for 9,096 yards and 48 touchdowns. Only Andre Reed has more catches (941) and yards (13,095) among Bills receivers.

The Bills offense struggled last season, contributing to the team's 5-11 finish.

Buffalo gained 4,122 yards, a franchise low in a 16-game season. The team's six touchdowns rushing, 1,607 yards rushing and 2,515 yards passing were all the second fewest for a 16-game season.

[BigEd76]

Giants | Iorio released
Tue, 28 Feb 2006 09:18:53 -0800

Michael Eisen, of Giants.com, reports the New York Giants have released C Joe Iorio.

Ravens | Team re-signs Wilcox to three-year extension
Tue, 28 Feb 2006 15:38:47 -0800

Jamison Hensley, of the Baltimore Sun, reports the Baltimore Ravens have re-signed TE Daniel Wilcox to a three-year extension. Wilcox was eligible to become a restricted free agent on March 3. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Texans | T. Banks released
Tue, 28 Feb 2006 17:00:08 -0800

HoustonTexans.com reports the Houston Texans have released QB Tony Banks and RB Tony Hollings from the team.

Vikings | Team eyeing Bentley
Tue, 28 Feb 2006 21:28:43 -0800

Judd Zulgad, of the Star Tribune, reports the Minnesota Vikings have their eye on soon-to-be unrestricted free agent OL LeCharles Bentley (Saints). Bentley is considered one of the top linemen available and would give the Vikings valuable versatility. The Vikings, who are expected to have the most salary cap room of any NFL team (about $24 million), likely would use Bentley at right guard but also would have him as an insurance policy should center Matt Birk (hip), have any trouble after missing last season because of surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. One source familiar with the situation said the Vikings are "extremely interested" in Bentley.

Falcons | Team re-signs McCrary
Tue, 28 Feb 2006 21:55:24 -0800

Steve Wyche and D. Orlando Ledbetter, of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports the Atlanta Falcons have re-signed potential free agent FB Fred McCrary to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Dolphins | Team not interested in Couch
Wed, 1 Mar 2006 05:31:59 -0800

Jason Cole, of the Miami Herald, reports the Miami Dolphins do not appear to be interested in signing free agent QB Tim Couch (Packers).

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Man, the big stars are dropping left and right!

[DH]

Screamin A had Kevin Mawae's agent on the air an hour ago on ESPN Radio in NY, and he said that the Jets are probably gonna cut Kevin tommorrow.

Get Mawae. Seriously.