Guard Williams wear back Bengals jersey on new contract

Eleven-year veteran offensive guard Bobbie Williams ended his free agency on Monday as the Cincinnati Bengals made an official announcement that they re-signed the free agent with a new contract that will keep Williams in Bengals jersey through the 2011 season.

The two-year contract will pay Williams nearly $3 million and the Bengals does consider that he deserves it. Just as Coach Marvin Lewis said, Williams is a guy that every coach would like to have on his team. He can be counted on to be on the field every day at practice and on Sundays and always make great effort to have increasing production; he is one of the most respected guys in our locker room and his existence with the team is essential to the Bengals, who are coming off a division championship and looking forward a better season in 2010.

Williams was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles as a second-round pick in 2000 and spent his first four seasons all with the Eagles. Leaving the Eagles to put on the Bengals jersey in 2004, Williams started 95 of 98 games he played for the Bengals, missing only three games in 2006 season.

Titans QB Young is confident of his future in Tennessee

Taking the starting job halfway of last season and leading the Tennessee Titans away from consecutive losses to winning streak, quarterback Vince Young is now full of confidence with his future and does not seem worried about the high expectation on him at all. Actually, he is enjoying it.

“A lot is expected of me, I know that. I embrace it," Young said. “I’ve faced some things in my four years that passed, and now I feel like I am more at home. I paid my dues and now I feel I can say a little bit more, do a little bit more."

Passing for 1,879 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season, Young resurrected his career after regaining starting job from disappointing Kerry Collins, who replaced Young as a starter after Young disappointed the club in 2008 season. Increasing winning rate to 26-13, Young now feels like he has a lot more to accomplish and aims at leading the Titans to the playoffs. He also wants to make it to the Hall of Fame one day by accomplishing what people do not believe him to be able to accomplish. Well, at age 27 and having just spent four seasons in NFL jersey, Young has many reasons to be that optimistic. He simply has the time and strength to prove himself.

Rams Coach Spagnuolo believes that McNabb won’t come to St. Louis

As there have been all kinds of speculations on whether the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb will join the St. Louis Rams, the Rams Coach Steve Spagnuolo feels that he has to come out to make things clear, and he said on Thursday that the Rams have no intension to bring McNabb into the Rams jersey.

While visiting the Arizona Cardinals spring training camp, Spagnuolo said that there is nothing to that trade.

“At this time of the year, there are going to be all kinds of things. But no, there’s nothing there.” The coach said, ruling out the possibility of the Rams to trade for McNabb with a second-round pick and safety O.J. Atogwe.

Spagnuolo was at Cardinals camp in Jupiter, Fla., following the NFL owners meetings in Orlando. He visited manager Tony La Russa and will watch some spring training games. He just does not believe that the Rams would like to trade Atogwe for McNabb, and with a he first pick of the draft in hand, the Rams can just get a much younger quarterback from the draft.

Giants Coach Coughlin expressed regret for former WR Burress

It’s been a few months since former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress pleaded guilty and was sent to jail to serve two years of imprisonment, and his former coach Tom Coughlin still remembers him and recently expressed that he felt sad for what happened to the ex-NFL receiver.

“It’s very sad," Coughlin said today at the NFL annual league meetings. "I’m hoping that he has an opportunity to come home quickly. I hope he’s paid his dues and I hope all of those things have been … he does have a young boy and a young daughter. He’s needed. I just think that’s a real sad event that took place, not that it isn’t deserved, but when you think about a young guy with a young family been away this long, I’m hoping he comes out a better person and has the ability to see all that you have to in terms of doing the right things and making the right choices.”

Coughlin also said that he has considered corresponding with Burress, but actually it was Burress’ former teammate, defensive end Michael Strahan has ever visited him in prison. Whatsoever, Coughlin did said something good of the prisoner- he believes that Burress will be able to wear back the NFL jersey of a team but it is not necessarily to be the Giants.

Saints free agent RB Bell is to join Eagles

Former New Orleans Saints free agent running back Mike Bell is to put on the Philadelphia Eagles jersey soon as he has received a one-year deal from the Eagles. According to the latest reports, Saints are likely not to match the offer and thus the Eagles will not have to compensate the Saints for signing away Bell.

Bell is turning 27 years old next month, at the right age to reach career goals as a running back. His main role in the Eagles will be backup to LeSean McCoy, who became the leading role in backfield after former All-Pro Brian Westbrook was released last month.

After being signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2006, Bell ran for 677 yards and eight TDs as a rookie. However, he was switched to fullback the next season and had less playing time. He was released by the Broncos in July 2008 and was soon invited to join the Houston Texans’ training camp but unfortunately suffered a hamstring injury that caused him to be waived a few weeks later. He joined the Saints during the 2008 regular season but could hardly give much impression among other star running backs including Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas and Deuce McAllister. His best time came in last season’s opener when he ran for a career-high 143 yards as backup to starter Bush while playing against the Detroit Lions. During the remaining games of the season, he ran for 75 or more yards for only three more times.

RFA LB Jordan singed one-year tender offer to return to Eagles

Finally, three-year pro Akeem Jordan, a restricted free agent linebacker, decided to wear back his No. 56 Philadelphia Eagles jersey for the 2010 season by signing a one-year tender offer that will at least ensure him a starting job at the defensive line.

Jordan started 10 games for the Eagles last season, recording 82 tackles and two interceptions. He took a role on the starting defense midway through the 2008 season and held it until being sidelined for four weeks with a knee injury last season.

Being drafted by the Eagles as a rookie free agent out of James Madison in 2007, the 6-foot-1, 230-pound Jordan has established his reliable role on the defensive line, especially after the release of Will Witherspoon. By deciding to return with the Eagles, Jordan is very likely to resume his starting role as a weakside linebacker.

LB John joined Lions with one-year contract

Linebacker Landon Johnson ended his free agency with a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions, according to what his agent Andy Simms announced on his Twitter page Friday. Whether he could continue wearing the Lions jersey following the 2010 season will depend on how he performs during the season.

Johnson, an unrestricted free agent, spent the last two seasons with the Carolina Panthers and had 36 tackles in 25 games. Before that, Johnson played for the Cincinnati Bengals -- who drafted him in the third round in 2004 -- and started all 16 games in 2006 and 2007, compiling more than 100 tackles each season.

While starting 53 games in four seasons with the Bengals from 2004 to 2007, Johnson only started three of the 25 games he played with the Panthers during the last two seasons. But he is still expected to help the Lions a lot as the team has lost Larry Foote to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the free agency.

Lions WR Johnson is confident with his team

The Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson could be the most faithful person among those wearing the Lions jerseys, simply because of his confidence in the lowly team, which finished the last season 2-14 after going winless in the previous season.

As the first NFL team that had a winless season in 2008, the Lions won seven games in 2007 after making Johnson the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft. Johnson was regarded as one the league’s best receivers after he had caught 12 touchdown passes and had 1,300-plus yards receiving two years ago, but he just did not help much in improving the Lions’ passing game, and possibly for that reason, he has not been invited to play in any Pro Bowl game yet.

Whatsoever, the receiver is confident that the Lions are just going to be better. And he says he will improve his chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford and try his best to avoid injuries that slowed him a lot last season. Well, he is reasonable to be so confident as the team is no way to be worse. With Johnson’s confidence and addition of veteran receiver Nate Burleson, the team is very likely to rebound in the new season.

RB Tomlinson enjoyed his visit to Jets

Free agent running back LaDainian Tomlinson arrived at New York late on Thursday night and stayed there for another whole day on Friday, having not decided when to leave or where to go next. Will he stay there with Jets? Possibly yes, but nothing about a deal has been released yet.

After meeting with team officials at the Jets’ training facility in Florham Park, N.J., on Friday, Tomlinson had dinner with Coach Rex Ryan, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and others in New Jersey. He was scheduled to fly back home to San Diego, but changed his flight after arriving so late Thursday night. Then the Jets extended the visit Friday to include a dinner. And then, no late-night flights to the West Coast were available on Friday night, so Tomlinson had to spend another night in New York. According to Jets spokesman Bruce Speight, the running back has not decided on the next stop of his itinerary.

The Jets could be happy to have more time with Tomlinson as they are trying to persuade him to put on the Jets jersey as an important part of the team’s offense that ranked No. 1 in rushing last season. Turning 31 in 2010, Tomlinson could be expected to back up Shonn Greene if he decides to stay with the Jets.

Cardinals signed veteran free agent OL Hadnot to three-year contract

The Arizona Cardinals have signed a three-year contract with veteran free agent offensive lineman Rex Hadnot, who formerly played for the Cleveland Browns but eventually was induced to the Cardinals because of the multi-year contract that will allow him to earn at least $9 million in his tenure.

The contract carries a maximum value of $12 million depending on incentives reached. And Hadnot is considered to deserve that big deal. While playing in Browns jerseys in the last two seasons, Hadnot started 15 games, allowing only 1.5 sacks. Before joining the Browns, he spent all of his first three seasons with the Miami Dolphins, who drafted him as a sixth-round pick out of the University of Houston. He started 55 games for the Dolphins and allowed only eight sacks.

Besides the deal with Hadnot, the Cardinals also signed offensive tackle Jeremy Bridges to a three-year contract extension with the expectation to solidify the depth along their offensive line. Center Ben Claxon was also signed back to the Cardinals.

Safety Clark re-signed with Steelers

One day after safety Ryan Clark visited the Miami Dolphins, he decided to sign a contract with, not the Dolphins, but the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yeah, his final decision is to wear back the Steelers jersey, and it was reported that he will get a four-year deal.

"My plan was to retire a Steeler. It took a little longer than I wanted it to get this deal done," Clark said. "But I think in the end, both sides got what they wanted."

Clark was expected to sign with the Dolphins; he sounded enthusiastic about that prospect when he spoke with the Miami Herald on Sunday during his visit. I guess the Steelers made some attractive offer to the safety who helped them win the Super Bowl in 2009.

The Steelers also plan to sign free agent wide receiver Antwaan Randle EI, who was with the Steelers for his first four seasons but spent the last four seasons with the Washington Redskins. When he was with the Steelers, Randle El was a key contributor to the team’s 2005 Super Bowl championship. Having 50 receptions for 530 yards and no touchdowns last year, he was released by the Redskins this offseason although there are still three years left on his seven-year contract.

Jaguars signed free agent WR Osgood with a three-year contract

On the second day of his free agency, unrestricted free agent wide receiver Kassim Osgood had a new deal done with the Jacksonville Jaguars, proving that the seven-year veteran is still valuable to some NFL teams although his former team, the San Diego Chargers did not take action to keep him from being a free agent.

The Jaguars offered Osgood a three-year contract worth $6.675 million, with $2.975 million guaranteed. And Osgood could earn at most $11 million if he manages to reach all incentives. By offering such a big deal, the Jaguars hope the proven special-teams players could contribute his help to the team’s wide receiver corps.

Since putting on Chargers jersey in 2003, Osgood has been selected to Pro Bowl as a special-teams gunner for three times and recorded 96 tackles in that capacity during his career, missing only four games in seven years. However, his production was mostly achieved during the first two seasons with the Chargers, with 28 passes for 586 yards and four touchdowns. And during the past five years, he had only five receptions. Besides, he has always expected to play wide receiver, which the Chargers do not lack. Contrarily, the Jaguars have been in need of wide receivers in recent years, especially after they released veteran starter Torry Holt last month. Thus, Osgood made his decision to join the Jaguars after becoming a free agent.

Bears added DE Peppers to roster with a six-year contract

Just as many have expected, the Chicago Bears are the very team who picked free agent defensive end Julius Peppers from the free-agent market. They really made fast decision and signed a six-year deal worth potentially $91.5 million with Peppers on the first day of free agency.

According to agent Carl Carey, the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end was offered a record $42 million of guaranteed money and $20 million of salary for his first year in Bears jersey. The deal includes incentives for sacks, making the Pro Bowl and winning Defensive Player of the Year.

Seemingly with the determination to contend for the NFC title after missing the playoffs the past three years, the Bears were also reported to have lured running back Chester Taylor from NFC North champion the Minnesota Vikings with a four-year contract and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna from the San Diego Chargers with a five-year contract.

Browns are attempting to acquire a quarterback

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports, the Cleveland Browns are trying to acquire a quarterback through a trade with another team instead of having a free agent quarterback on the open market put on Browns jersey.

Per the reports, Browns team president Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert are interested to acquire a quarterback from their former teams, and Seattle Seahawks’ Matt Hasselbeck and Philadelphia Eagles’ Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb are obviously on the list.

What about their current quarterbacks Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn?

According to the Plain Dealer, the Browns are very likely to release Anderson to avoid paying him the $2 million roster bonus on March 19. And Quinn, who is still being evaluated by the Browns, could be within the price Browns offer to acquire a new quarterback from another team.

Falcons offered tenders to two RFAs

With only two days left before the March 5 deadline, the Atlanta Falcons are among the several teams who began to take actions to retain free agents. On Wednesday, they offered tenders to two of their restricted free agents: tackle Tyson Clabo and punter Michael Koenen.

Having been a starter for the Falcons since the start of ’08 season, Clabo was tendered at the first-round level that will allow him to earn $2.521 million in 2010, a raise of 10 percent over his 2009 pay. Any team who wants to sign him away will have to offer a first-round draft pick to the Falcons. That offer actually indicates the team could keep him in Falcons jersey for the 2010 season.

Koenen played under a franchise tag for the Falcons and received a second-round tender on Wednesday and is set to earn $1.809 million in 2010 season. As it is unlikely that any team will present an offer to sign him away, Koenen is also likely to stay with the Falcons.

The Falcons still have seven more restricted free agents to deal with: running backs Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling, offensive linemen Harvey Dahl and Quinn Ojinnaka, safeties Jamaal Fudge, Charlie Peprah and Antoine Harris.

Contract negotiation between Browns and Cribbs is near end

According to reports by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the negotiation between the Cleveland Browns and kick returner Josh Cribbs is now struck at some point between $5 million to $10 million but is really close to an end.

According to the report, everything is agreed upon except the guaranteed money figure. That includes other bonuses and escalator clauses. While Cribbs wants $10 million in guaranteed money over the next three seasons, the Browns were willing to give up only $5 million guaranteed. So new proposal will be about where the guarantee money should be between $5 million to $10 million.

Actually the Browns do not worry Cribbs could take off his Browns jersey because he is still under a contract, but both sides are eager to have the new deal done as soon as possible. And Cribbs’ contract could be the biggest the Browns would sign for the entire 2010.

Lions may not acquire CB Cromartie from Chargers

Although there have been rumors that the Detroit Lions could trade for cornerback Antonio Cromartie from the San Diego Chargers, the reality now turns out to be that the Lions are likely to pick some other free agent from the market instead after talking with the Chargers over the weekend.

The Lions have a deep need at corner and Cromartie, who has fallen out of favor in San Diego and could be a free-agent option if he is released. Now he seems not in Lions’ favor, either. Because the Lions do not believe that Cromartie could play as well as Coach Jim Schwartz wants his corners to play.

There are reports saying that the Lions will have a look at Adam “Pacman” Jones, who recently worked out for the Cincinnati Bengals and is planning to showcase himself for NFL scouts on March 19. Jones was originally a first-round pick of the Tennessee Titans. Lions’ current coach Jim Schwartz was the Titans’ defensive coordinator when Jones was playing in Titans jersey.

Bills have no plan to retain WR Owens

The Buffalo Bills made announcement on Saturday, saying that they had no plan to offer any contract with wide receiver Terrell Owens. That means Owens could begin plan for his free agency now even there are still a few days left before the March 5 deadline for free agency.

“We wanted to inform all three players ahead of the start of the free agency period so they could begin making their plans,” Bills general manager Buddy Nix said. “We just felt that was the right thing to do. All three have represented our organization with class and we thank them for their dedication and hard work.”

Owens caught 55 passes for 829 yards and five touchdowns in the only season he played in Bills jerseys. He made six times to Pro Bowl and caught his 1,000th pass in Week 16 at Atlanta to become the sixth player in league history to reach the milestone. He also has many other records, but there is one problem: he is turning 37 this year. Few teams believe that he can still play for a long term, so it’s hard to say whether he could find a good offer on the free agent market.

Vikings are patient with QB Favre

Whether it will take a month or an entire offseason for quarterback Brett Favre to make a decision on his return to NFL, the Minnesota Vikings are just willing to wait. Their patience seems the contrary to the enthusiasm of Vikings fans who used billboard and newspaper ad to urge Favre to make mind.

According to Vikings coach Brad Childress, the three-time MVP is still healing up from the injury he suffered in the NFC championship game and the team has no intension to press the issue. He had two conversations with Favre this week but did not mention much about football.

Not only to Vikings but also to all NFL fans, Favre’s decision is worth waiting. He can just also ways cause hot discussions by making decision to retire or not to retire. Two years ago, he announced retirement at the end of his 16th season with the Green Bay Packers but put on the New York Jets jersey for 2008 season. Then last year, he made all believe that he was determined to retire with a shoulder injury. What happened at the end was that he joined the Vikings after missing all of the offseason workouts and training camp. It’s really hard to say what decision the 41-year-old quarterback will make this year. So just wait like the Vikings.

Cardinals Coach Whisenhunt will stay in Arizona through 2013

As the honor for what he has brought to the Arizona Cardinals, the team offered a new four-year contract to Coach Ken Whisenhunt, who led the team to three consecutive winning seasons since his arrival. The new contract will keep him to coach players wearing Cardinals jerseys through at least 2013 season, with a team option for 2014 season.

“It is exciting that they think enough of me as a coach to do this,” Whisenhunt, who still has one year left on his current contract with a team option for 2011 season, told reporters. “The important thing is we have a system in place that’s produced pretty good results the last couple of years.”

Whisenhunt just deserves the honor. The Cardinals had just one winning season since 1984 and one playoff victory since 1947 before Whisenhunt’s arrival. The team finished the 2007 season 8-8, went 9-7 in 2008 and 10-6 last season after Whisenhunt signed his current four-year contract with Cardinals in January 2007. The coach also directed the team to its first consecutive division titles since 1975 and 13-5 against NFC West foes.