Weems takes a salary cut and stays with Chicago Bears

Eric Weems changes course, takes pay cut with Bears

Posted by Josh Alper on April 13, 2014, 7:51 AM EDT

Getty Images

Back in March, it looked like Eric Weems would join Earl Bennett as Bears wide receivers released after refusing pay cuts for the 2014 season.

The Bears never made an official roster move, though, and that left Weems with enough time to decide to give the Bears what they wanted in exchange for continued employment with the team. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that Weems agreed to the cut last week.

Weems’ salary will go from $1 million to $730,000, the veteran’s minimum for a player with his experience. He also retained a $100,000 workout bonus, which leaves the Bears with an extra $270,000 of cap space to go with their actual savings.

The move won’t guarantee Weems, who does almost all of his work on special teams, a roster spot, but he probably wasn’t looking at more than the veteran’s minimum with any other team if the Bears had cut him loose. With the workout bonus, he stands to make more than that in Chicago and that probably explains the course correction since last month.

Patrick Chung Signs with First Franchise, New England Patriots

Odd move with the position depth at the draft. Maybe he will fit in the cog in the wheel for only Bill's system, but it is not an exaggeration to say this guy could easily get cut. Sign of a hit&miss on Safety FA's from the +New England Patriots, but more or less an insurance policy? His best year was his first one. This isn't something to boast about regarding additions. But a plug in scheme fit insured policy is far more appropriate.

Strictly a run 2 safety down scheme the +University of Utah mastermind Whittingham has really been the architect (to stifle the zone-read or at least cover the assignment of the zone read QB keeper on the edge. Safety sitting on each to help. This cannot be to assist in pass defense much or they failed on the rookie SS talent out there. They've got 3 of 5 (some may even say six) secondary spots locked down though and no doubt this is more arbitrary. Don't get too delusional about this and don't have blinders on regarding Chung. He's walking a thin line of a career being done obviously. A return to Bill's system could be exactly what he needed to reignite it. That, or cement it...? Our thoughts on it... S/O to +UTES CR3W
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Patrick Chung with the +Philadelphia Eagles in 2013. +NFL 

+The Associated Press 

Patriots sign S Patrick Chung

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Safety Patrick Chung is back with the New England Patriots as the latest addition to their rebuilt secondary.

After one season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Chung signed on Thursday with the team that drafted him in the second round in 2009.

"I'm glad to be back. It's like family here. It feels like home," Chung said in a conference call. "I love the fans, love the coaches, love the environment, love the city."

The Patriots already have added free agent cornerbacks Darrelle Revis andBrandon Browner and have a vacancy at starting safety after releasing Steve Gregory. Safety Devin McCourty and cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, a starter last season who could be replaced by Browner, return.
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Chung said he's excited to be in the same secondary as Revis and Browner.

"You've got two playmakers like that on the outside," Chung said. "It definitely helps."

Chung, 26, was released by the Eagles on March 11, the same day they agreed with former New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins on a three-year contract. Both were drafted in 2009, Jenkins with the 14th pick and Chung with the 34th.

"I can't really tell you why things didn't work out in Philly. I don't make those decisions," said Chung, who praised the city and the team's coaches and personnel, "but I feel now that this has happened, I feel like it's a better fit here. I've been here for four years. I know the system. I know the coaches. The coaches are cool. I know most of the players.

"Now I'm back in the city that gave me my very first chance."

Chung started 10 of the 12 games in which he played last season, making 56 tackles with one fumble recovery and no interceptions.

In four seasons with the Patriots, he had seven interceptions while playing in 50 of the 64 regular-season games with 30 starts.

Chung was plagued by injuries and never showed the consistency expected of him when the Patriots drafted him out of Oregon. He missed seven of the last eight regular-season games in 2011 with a foot injury and was sidelined for four games in 2012 with shoulder and hamstring problems.

He became a free agent after the 2012 season and signed with the Eagles on March 12, 2013.

He said he doesn't feel he's a different player than he was before leaving the Patriots and has no expectations for what his role might be.

"I feel I'm the same," Chung said. "The scheme, I guess, would fit a lot better."

When the Eagles released him he had "no clue" he would return to the Patriots.

But then, "I got the call and I was excited. I was happy. I was relieved."
----------------

+CSNNE.com
Former +Philadelphia Eagles safety Patrick Chung is returning to the +New England Patriots.

The Patriots have agreed to terms with Chung, Tom Curran of +CSNNE.com reported. The team later announced the signing.

Chung lasted just one year into a three-year, $10 million contract signed with Philadelphia last March. He was a weak link in the Eagles' secondary, failing to generate a single turnover and often getting lost in coverage.

Although he's still just 26 years old, Chung has regressed since showing signs of promise after the Patriots selected him in the second round of the 2009 +NFL Draft. Increasingly injury prone, he's missed at least four games in each of the past three seasons.

The Patriots were in the market for safety depth after releasing Steve Gregory, but Chung is unlikely to be guaranteed a roster spot -- much less a starting job.

Look for Duron Harmon to start opposite star free safety Devin McCourty this season.

Giants sign Robert Ayers, Broncos DE, for a 2 year deal

+NFL

Robert Ayers, former Broncos defensive end, signed by New York Giants

+The Associated Press 

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants have signed former Broncos defensive end Robert Ayers.

Ayers' addition Wednesday makes him the 13th veteran the team has signed since free agency started.

Robert Ayers +The Denver Post  file)

Ayers had a career-high 5.5 sacks last season for the AFC champion Broncos. A 2009 first-round draft choice out of Tennessee and a New Jersey native, he is the fourth participant from February's Super Bowl, and the third from the Broncos, to join the Giants. The others are cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and return specialist Trindon Holliday. Cornerback Walter Thurmond left Seattle to join the Giants.

The Giants lost defensive captain Justin Tuck to Oakland in free agency, leaving Jason Pierre-Paul, Mathias Kiwanuka and second-year pro Damontre Moore. Pierre-Paul was limited by injuries last season.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for me, coming to a great organization like this," Ayers said. "They hate losing and they're always about getting better and preparing, and I've heard nothing but good things about the general manager and the owners, the coaches. Everyone speaks highly of them across the league. They're a blue-collar organization."

Ayers played in 72 regular-season games with 27 starts for the Broncos and had 141 tackles (101 solo), 12 sacks and three forced fumbles.

The Giants have been the NFL's most active team in free agency. Along with Rodgers-Cromartie, Thurmond and Holliday, they have signed offensive linemen Geoff Schwartz, J.D. Walton, John Jerry and Charles Brown; defensive backs Zack Bowman and Quinton Demps; wide receiver Mario Manningham; linebacker Jameel McClain; and running back Rashad Jennings.

The +New York Giants have also retained 10 of their own free agents - linebackers Jon Beason, Spencer Paysinger and Mark Herzlich; cornerback Trumaine McBride; safety Stevie Brown; kicker Josh Brown; quarterback Curtis Painter; running back Peyton Hillis; fullback Henry Hynoski; and defensive tackle Mike Patterson.

Read more: Robert Ayers, former Broncos defensive end, signed by New York Giants - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_25476158/giants-sign-free-agent-de-robert-ayers#ixzz2xnYbTK8z

As reported by +BRONCOS CR3W:

Former Denver Broncos Defensive End Robert Ayers signs 2-year deal with New York Giants

Former Denver Broncos Defensive Lineman Robert Ayers signs a 2-year deal with the New York Giants. Courtesy: Steve Dykes/Getty Images

NEW YORK - The +Denver Broncos have lost another contributor on defense, as Robert Ayers joins the +New York Giants. Ayers, 28, inked a 2-year deal with the Giants worth $4 million with $1.75 million guaranteed, according to +ESPN. Ayers drafted by the Broncos in the first round with the 18th overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft. Last season he played in 15 games with three starts, posting a career-best 5.5 sacks and 29 tackles. The 6-3, 274 pound lineman is moving closer to home as he was born in Jersey City, N.J. This is the second Broncos defender the Giants have swept up from the team during free agency. The Giants signed cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on March 18.

+BRONCOS CR3W says thank you, to yet another class act, on and off the field, and wishes him the best on his next chapter of his football career as he joins the +New York Giants with a 2 year deal. Did it the "Broncos' Way" and that is a standard that we all can hope for really. Doing it the "Broncos" way is a quite difficult task to do, set by greats like Tripucka, Elway, Terrell Davis, Karl Mecklenburg, and so on. There is no doubt, if that's the standard set by those Hall of Famers, it is very much appreciated when a player does it as such. He really was a young leader with this team beginning early into his 2nd year. Granted, we figured this was the fate with the defensive line depth, in the draft, but mainly with Ware signing and Derek Wolfe expected to be back. Wolfe returning is nearly adding a free agent since it was uncertain regarding his future in the sport. Add to the main ingredient of that, Malik Jackson really blossomed last year as a 3 or 4 technique DT/DE and he provided interior pressure at DT, which is much more difficult than at DE. Nonetheless, Mr. Robert Ayers did it the right way and we appreciate the guy becoming such a great man entering the league at the age of 22ish. That is not an easy load to carry, let alone, going out and playing football as expected.

@TheMalikJackson @1_900_ayersjr #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/uOy35wmVqt
— UnitedInOrange187 (@UIO187) March 29, 2014

Read the rest of the article (full article): +BRONCOS CR3W publish Ayers on way to +New York Giants.

DeSean Jackson agrees to three-year deal with Washington Redskins

+Philadelphia Eagles, +Washington Redskins
BY DOUG FARRAR

DeSean Jackson will continue to be the NFC East’s problem. (Brian Garfinkel/AP)

Chip Kelly may not have wanted receiver DeSean Jackson to be part of his Philadelphia Eagles anymore, but Kelly and the rest of the NFC East will continue to deal with Jackson on a regular basis. As first reported by Diana Marie Russini of NBC News 4 Washington and soon confirmed thereafter by Jackson’s PR firm, the former Eagles receiver has agreed to terms with the Washington Redskins. According to +ESPN's, +Adam Schefter, and +NFL.com's, Ian Rapoport, the deal is three years in length, and he’ll sign it tomorrow morning. The San Francisco 49ers made a late push for Jackson’s services, but in the end, it was the Redskins who bagged Jackson after wining and dining him on Tuesday. It’s not yet known what the terms of the deal are.

Jackson, selected in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft out of +Cal Bears by the Eagles, amassed 356 catches for 6,117 yards and 32 touchdowns in his six-year Philadelphia tenure, and racked up career highs in receptions (82) and receiving yards (1,332) in 2013, his first season in Kelly’s offense. But the team’s concerns about Jackson’s alleged off-field activities, and a contract signed in 2012 that would have paid Jackson $10.7 million in 2014, led to his release on March 28.

After his release, several teams got in the running for Jackson — the +San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, +Cleveland Browns, +Buffalo Bills, and +Kansas City Chiefs showed varying levels of interest. But when Jackson arrived at Redskins Park on Monday night to have dinner with head coach Jay Gruden and other members of the coaching staff, and later spent time with receiver Pierre Garcon and cornerback DeAngelo Hall, that was the beginning of what apparently turned into a beautiful friendship.

Now, it will be Gruden’s team that will have to deal with Jackson’s mixture of tantalizing talent and his reputation as an individual with a divisive locker room influence and possible gang affiliations. According to a story published by NJ.com the same day that Jackson was released, the Eagles couldn’t get any trade value for Jackson because other teams were concerned about his overall attitude, missed meetings, and reported involvement with L.A. gang members. Jackson refuted those allegations in a statement.

“I would like to address the misleading and unfounded reports that my release has anything to do with any affiliation that has been speculated surrounding the company I keep off of the field,” he said in part. “I would like to make it very clear that I am not and never have been part of any gang. I am not a gang member and to speculate and assume that I am involved in such activity off the field is reckless and irresponsible. I work very hard on and off the field and I am a good person with good values. I am proud of the accomplishments that I have made both on and off the field. I have worked tirelessly to give back to my community and have a positive impact on those in need. It is unfortunate that I now have to defend myself and my intentions. These reports are irresponsible and just not true . I look forward to working hard for my new team. God Bless.”

At the owners meetings in Orlando last week, Kelly talked about Jackson’s future with the team, and the need to do what was best for the organization. And while he was complimentary regarding Jackson’s overall abilities, Kelly made it sound as if other receivers could make it work just as well in his system.

“His speed, his ability to separate and make plays is key,” Kelly said. “That’s part of everything you do on offense. People want to put you in man-to-man coverage. We saw that more of that than other people. Having guys who can get open versus man coverage is a key deal. Whether it’s Coop [Riley Cooper] or Mac [Jeremy Maclin] or DeSean or whomever. I think that’s the one thing we know as a group going in, one-on-one coverage is a big deal for us. It is a big deal in this league. I don’t have the numbers, but people probably played us more man than most teams in the league. we’re always looking for guys who can exploit that matchup.”

Kelly’s offense will now find out if it can happen without Jackson. And Billy Davis’ defense will be tasked with shutting down that matchup twice a season.

Champ Bailey, Broncos Legend, now free Agent, Visits the New Orleans Saints

H/T to +NFL
By Chris Wesseling
Around the League Writer

A 12-time Pro Bowl selection finally is making his first visit of free agency.

Former +Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey is meeting with the +New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, per +NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.

Champ Bailey visited the #Saints facility today… and we can thank Keenan Lewis for the Instagram shot pic.twitter.com/is5NAUQvsa
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 1, 2014

He plans to visit at least one more team, according to ESPN's +Adam Schefter, unless contract talks go well with the Saints.

Bailey, 36 in June, is coming off the worst season of his career. He battled a chronic foot injury from August until Super Bowl XLVIII, when Doug Baldwin beat him down the sideline for a 37-yard gain.

Assuming he's now back to full health, Bailey makes sense for a Saints team with questionable cornerback depth behind Keenan Lewis.

DeSean Jackson Tracker Indicates many teams Vying for his Services

At least a half-dozen teams reportedly have contacted the agent for DeSean Jackson 

following his release Friday from the +Philadelphia Eagles.

Gregg Rosenthal has filed Around The League's list of potential landing spots. Which of those eight teams are showing interest in the playmaking wideout?

Here is our Jackson tracker:

1. +Washington Redskins: Sources informed of Jackson's situation have told +NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport that the Redskins are one of the "wild-card" teams interested in the playmaker. Washington has roughly $7 million in cap space and an owner with an affinity for splash moves. The 'Skins made the first tangible move toward signing Jackson. The Redskins have scheduled a Monday visit with the free agent, per Rapoport.

2. +Oakland Raiders: Rapoport reports Jackson reached out to let the Raiders know of his interest in joining the organization before he was even released by the Eagles. The Raiders have been doing their due diligence on Jackson for over a week now, per Rapoport. Oakland is close to Jackson's alma mater and can offer him a more lucrative contract than other competitors.

3. +New York Jets: People in the Jets' organization are still interested in Jackson following his release, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. The New York Post confirmed theJets are still interested, but cautioned that conversations still have to happen at the highest levels of the organization before a plan is solidified. John Idzik was not among the general managers to contact Jackson's camp on Friday, per Mehta.

4. +Buffalo Bills: The Bills are the other wild-card team in the mix, according to Rapoport. They have plenty of salary-cap space. The Doug Whaley-Doug Marrone regime has placed an emphasis on wideouts with track speed, which Jackson has in abundance. The team's brass also has shown a penchant for giving players with questionable reputations a second chance. The Bills have set a predetermined price on Jackson and will not enter a bidding war, reports the Buffalo News.

Jackson Denies any Gang ties after being Released by the Eagles

5. +Carolina Panthers: Although coach Ron Rivera told USA Today the Panthers would be interested, multiple reports have emphatically declared that general manager Dave Gettleman will not be in the mix for the talented but controversial wide receiver.

6. +Tampa Bay Buccaneers: General manager Jason Licht gave Jackson a lukewarm endorsement Friday. "He'd have to be the right fit on and off the field," Licht said, via the Tampa Bay Times. "I don't want to dismiss him right away but we're looking at a bunch of other players, too."

Eagles GM, all we care about is Winning

Among the teams reported having varying levels of interest prior to Jackson's release are the +San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and +New England Patriots .

New teams in the mix. New teams out. D-Jax Tracker [UPDATED]: http://t.co/3MBVP7i7LX pic.twitter.com/IbqO5xgisg
— NFL (@nfl) March 30, 2014

Teams not in the hunt:

» Rapoport reported Saturday that the +Kansas City Chiefs are out of the running despite recently doing research on the wide receiver. Although coach Andy Reid spoke glowingly of his former No. 1 receiver earlier in the week, there will be no reunion in Kansas City.

» A league source told the Chicago Tribune the +Chicago Bears have no interest in Jackson.

» The Arizona Republic confirmed the +Arizona Cardinals are not interested in adding Jackson.

The latest "Around The League Podcast" reviews potential landing spots for DeSean Jackson and declares this week's winners and losers.

NFL free agency: Grading the best, worst teams

Giants sign CB Rodgers-Cromartie to 5-year deal

+The Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The +New York Giants secondary has gotten a lot stronger in the past couple of days.

A year after missing the playoffs for the second straight season, the Giants continued to be a player in free agency, signing cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

DRC, Week 11 of 2013 vs +Kansas City Chiefs, signed with the Giants.
Original Photo: +Denver Broncos (AP) - Post edit: +BRONCOS CR3W  

+FOX Sports 1 - +NFL Insider Mike Garafolo reports the deal is for five years, $35 million.

The deal comes just a day after the Giants confirmed the signing of former +Seattle Seahawks cornerback Walter Thurmond and +Kansas City safety Quintin Demps.

Rodgers-Cromartie and Prince Amukamara are probably penciled in as the starters at cornerback, with Thurmond, Jayron Hosley and Trumaine McBride backing them up. The safety spots will be just as strong with Antrel Rolle, Will Hill, Demps, and Stevie Brown on the roster.

The Giants have been very active since free agency started last week. They signed running back Rashad Jennings, guard Geoff Schwartz, re-signed free agent middle linebacker Jon Beason and added former Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain. They also re-signed running back Peyton Hillis, placekicker Josh Brown, Stevie Brown, McBride and fullback Henry Hynoski.

"The main thing, bringing in guys from Kansas City, Seattle, you can see what they're doing, trying to bring guys that are going to come in and lead by example," said Rodgers-Cromartie, who started in the Super Bowl along with Thurmond. "That's always a plus."

A 2008 first round-draft choice and 2009 Pro Bowler, Rodgers-Cromartie is entering his seventh NFL season. He has also been with +Arizona Cardinals and +Philadelphia Eagles, playing with Rolle while with the Cardinals.

"He brought me in, took me under his wing and took care of me," Cromartie Rodgers said of Rolle. "So to be reunited with him is just a blessing. I know the things that he's done in his career and the man he's become. That's going to be a help for me."

Rodgers-Cromartie has played in 92 regular-season games with 75 starts and has started all nine postseason games in which he played. His career totals include 239 tackles (205 solo) and 19 interceptions.

Rodgers-Cromartie excelled as maybe the top CB in the NFL last season when you look at completion percentage allowed and the WR he went up against. DRC won Defensive Player of the Week during the season.
Rodgers-Cromartie joined the +Denver Broncos last season as a free agent and played in 15 regular-season games with 13 starts at right cornerback. He finished the season with 31 tackles (25 solo), a team-high 15 passes defensed, and tied for the Broncos lead with three interceptions, including one of an Eli Manning pass late in the second quarter in Denver's victory over the Giants at the Meadowlands on Sept. 15.

Steve Smith signs Three-Year deal with Ravens

Steve Smith signs three-year deal with Ravens

AFC NORTH, BALTIMORE RAVENS

Original piece by DOUG FARRAR

Steve Smith is moving from Carolina to Baltimore. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

A day after parting ways with the Panthers, Steve Smith has signed a three-year, $11 million deal with the Ravens, per multiple media reports. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report the news.

According to Smith’s agent, Derrick Fox, the +Carolina Panthers never asked Smith to renegotiate his deal, but when they failed to find a trade partner — in part hampered by Smith’s $7 million cap hit — they released the longtime Panther.

“When I took this position I knew that difficult decisions would have to be made along the way,” general manager Dave Gettleman said in a statement following the release. “To move on from a storied veteran player is probably the most difficult of all. A decision not to be taken lightly. However, after much thought I feel very strongly it’s the right one.”

Angered by the decision, Smith, the former +University of Utah Ute, directed some trash talk at Carolina on Thursday.

“I want to make sure that whatever team I go to, they’re going to get the best, in shape 35-year-old guy they can get,” Smith, who will turn 35 in May said before signing with Baltimore. “If that happens to run through Bank of America Stadium, put your goggles on cause there’s going to be blood and guts everywhere.” The +Baltimore Ravens are scheduled to face the Panthers at home in 2014.

MORE: 2014 NFL free agent tracker | NFL mock draft database: SI’s experts weigh in

Last season, Smith had 64 catches for 745 yards and four touchdowns. In 13 season in Carolina, Smith had 836 receptions for 12,197 yards and 67 touchdowns, largely serving as the main man at receiver, with a series of questionable quarterbacks for the most part until recently, when Cam Newton developed his game.

“When you look at the Ravens, they’ve had a great amount of success integrating older players and younger players, fusing them together and understanding the right combination,” Smith said after the signing. “That part was very intriguing for me, and it also brings a challenge that I’m up for. I love the uniforms. I just love everything that it is to be a Baltimore Raven, so I’m looking forward to experiencing it all.”

“Steve is a Ravens-style football player,” head coach John Harbaugh said. He always has been in our eyes, it’s just that he’s been playing for another team. We’ve always respected and admired the way he plays, and we’ve always been challenged playing against him. I’ve known him ever since he came into the league, and we’ve always had a great relationship. The last two days, however, have given all of us with the Ravens an opportunity to get to know him on another level, and now, we’re even more impressed. We’re looking forward to working together and competing together.”

The fit for the Ravens is great on a couple of levels. Outside of Terrell Suggs, the Ravens have been relatively shy on veteran leadership since Ray Lewis’ retirement and Ed Reed’s departure, and Smith is an exacting teammate when it comes to younger players living up to their potential. When Newton failed to exhibit the right amount of toughness in his first couple of years in the face of adversity, it was Smith who got right in his face and told him to man up.

“Cam Newton has a very unique opportunity to be a franchise quarterback to an organization that needs one,” Smith said in September 2012, after he ear holed Newton following a benching the second-year quarterback underwent late in a loss to the New York Giants. “Statistics don’t lie. Athletic quarterbacks, they either excel, or they fail. And I told Cam that.

“This is an opportunity for him to learn — at that time they were benching him — and observe. They put D.A. [backup Derek Anderson] in. You can sit there, if this is the worst is going to get you’re in for a long day, and this is not what it’s about.”

In addition, though Smith isn’t as fast as he used to be, and thus may be more of a slot receiver than anything else at this point in his career, the Ravens could use any port in a storm. General manager Ozzie Newsome decided against paying possession receiver Anquan Boldin what he was worth following Baltimore’s 2012 Super Bowl championship season, and there wasn’t anyone else to step up and take over. Although Torrey Smith led the team with 65 receptions for 1,128 yards and four touchdowns, no other Baltimore receiver caught more than 49 passes. Running back Ray Rice finished second with 58 catches, but gained just 321 yards and scored no touchdowns. Marlon Brown led the team with 33 receptions in the slot for 311 yards and five touchdowns. Ravens, like the Panthers have shown a history of liking +UTES CR3W prospects and that will likely increase with the Utes recruiting +Pac-12 Conference type depth charts in their football program (just gaining that depth in their 3rd year, but 1st as a full equity member of the conference.

Steve Smith cancelled flight to New England to stay in Baltimore, per @RapSheet [DETAILS]: http://t.co/P6sUJHIQa7

— NFL (@nfl) March 14, 2014

Another factor when considering Smith’s relatively pedestrian stats in 2013 is the fact that the Panthers don’t pass the ball as often as many other teams in the +NFL. Newton threw the ball just 473 times — to put that in perspective, Peyton Manning completed 450 passes last year. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco threw a career-high 614 passes last season, completing 362 for 3,912 yards, 19 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. It was the first time in Flacco’s career that he finished a season with more picks than scores, and it underlines — once again — why the Ravens desperately need a player of Smith’s caliber and aggressiveness. No matter how old he is.

When receiver Jacoby Jones signed his contract extension earlier this week, he was asked about Baltimore’s potential interest in Smith. It was clear that Smith would be a welcome addition.

“I know he can play,” Jones said. “It’d be nice. I’m open arms. If you can play and they like you, I love you.”


It appears that soon after an unceremonious dumping at the hands of the team he helped define for well over a decade, Steve Smith may have found an ideal new home.

Grade: B. Again, there’s no question that Smith is not what he once was. But there are few players in the NFL who stoke their games with the fires of disrespect, and the cavalier way in which he was treated by the Panthers at the end should be of great benefit to his new team. Smith will make his share of catches outside, and he’ll do what Boldin did so very well for the Ravens in 2012 — make the tough catch in traffic, no matter what subsequent hit comes out of it. The Ravens needed a strong veteran presence and a gutsy possession receiver, and they got both in one relatively inexpensive package. Add in the fact that Flacco is the best pure quarterback he’s ever been paired with, and it wouldn’t be a total surprise if Smith has a bit of a comeback campaign in Baltimore. 


Steve Smith, +NFL Photo Gallery

Raiders, Browns are early losers in NFL free agency

By Kent Somers

(Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Nothing produces as much malfeasance, gluttony and silliness as giving someone pockets full of money and access to shiny, expensive things.

The first few days of NFL free agency proved that.

With the salary cap rising $10 million to $133 million, many teams had money to spend, and the collective-bargaining agreement effectively keeps them from keeping it in the vault.

We’re only three days into free agency, and normally, we like to take more time to render judgment. But the schedule said the column was due Thursday afternoon, so here are some thoughts on the first few days of NFL free agency.

• From everything we’ve heard, Raiders General Manager Reggie McKenzie is a fine man. And becoming the Raiders’ GM is like buying a house “as is” from a hoarder. It’s going to take a while to clean up the mess.

But it doesn’t look like McKenzie is capable of flipping the Raiders’ fortunes.

Despite being $60 million or so under the cap, the Raiders did not put the franchise tag on left tackle Jared Veldheer.

That allowed the Cardinals to swoop in and sign him. The Raiders countered by signing Rams tackle Rodger Saffold to a five-year deal worth $5 million more than the Cardinals are paying Veldheer.

Strange enough.

Then, the Raiders informed Saffold’s agents that their client failed his physical. Bad shoulder.

Saffold and his agents were stunned. The +St. Louis Rams who wanted to keep Saffold all along, then signed him for $32 million or so over five years, about $10 million less than the Raiders were going to pay Saffold.

• The only team easier to rip than the +Oakland Raiders is the +Cleveland Browns. They let safety T.J. Ward and linebacker D’Qwell Jackson leave and replaced them with Donte Whitner of the 49ers and Karlos Dansby of the Cardinals. So the Browns spent more money to get older, not necessarily better.

Dansby played at an elite level last year for the Cardinals and was an incredible leader. But he’s 32. Unless a team is one piece away from contending, it should not sign a 32-year-old player to a four-year deal that contains around $14 million guaranteed.

The Cardinals basically waved goodbye to Dansby from the front porch.

Maybe they will regret it, but we doubt it.

• It’s a flush market for cornerbacks, but the +Denver Broncos’ Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie watched as a lot of money circled his drain.

The Broncos wanted to re-sign Rodgers-Cromartie, who played well for Denver in 2013. But they couldn’t agree on a price, and the Broncos were nervous about giving him enough money to fill 100 or so of the kiddie backpacks he favors.

So John Elway, Broncos vice president of football operations, operated. Just like that, the Broncos moved on and signed Aqib Talib to a six-year deal.

• +Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson is a happy person by nature. He smiles a lot. He’s probably really smiling these days, with cornerbacks getting an average of $10 million a year with guarantees in the range of $25 million.

The Cardinals are expected to open negotiations with Peterson’s agents, Joel Segal and Chafie Fields, sometime this off-season.

• Elway has shoved all of owner Pat Bowlen’s money to the middle of the table. With more cap space than someone with a size-8 head, Elway addressed his team’s defensive deficiencies.

He signed Talib, Ward and pass-rusher DeMarcus Ware to contracts that include around $60 million of guarantees.

Spending big in free agency often doesn’t result in a successful season (see Philadelphia, 2011, the “Dream Team” that went 8-8). But the Broncos, with Peyton Manning at quarterback, are going for a title now.

Reach Somers at 602-444-8335 or kent.somers@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @KentSomers.

Browns Tweet leaks partial of their FA Board

Not that any of those teams, names is anything that the NFL fan didn't know..

Someone on Reddit says #Browns leaked free agent board when Farmer came out for the presser...@DustinFox37 pic.twitter.com/T1tu600CRp

— Dawgs By Nature (@DawgsByNature) March 12, 2014

Talib Headed to Denver with New England in Rearview: Broncos FA Movement Making Serious Splash in NFL Free Agency

+Denver Broncos sign Aqib Talib to 6 year deal, DRC offer Withdrawn

Aqib Talib, suited up for the Patriots in 2013, signs with AFC Rival, Denver Broncos. Big wave
signing in +NFL 2014 free agency. Appears that DRC will not be back with Denver. 

DRC apparently took his time, an afternoon, and John Elway, the Denver Broncos snatch up another big addition to their defensive backfield, Aqib Talib, an unrestricted free agent that was on the +New England Patriots roster and key cog in Head Coach Bill Belichick scheme. The length or size of the offer may be what was withdrawn from their own standout Pro-Bowl CB, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and perhaps they're still talking. It reunites former +Kansas Jayhawks' college teammates, Chris Harris and Aqib Talib also. Love the corner DRC was for the Broncos, but with the addition of a viable top CB, Talib, and SS, T.J. Ward immediately bolsters the AFC Champions backfield and what was the most inconsistent aspects of their defense, the pass defense. They can be great corners but without a pass rush, it won't matter. The one aspect that cannot be overlooked, both of these players create havoc and turnovers. An aspect the Broncos defense had issues with last season, creating turnovers. This is an absolute great first 8 hours for the 2014 off season of the Broncos. And it also is a big right hook or Elway dart to the Patriots too!! Go :D!

The #Broncos have agreed to terms with UFA CB Aqib Talib on a six-year contract. — Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 12, 2014

Broncos team sources tell me the team has withdrawn it's offer to DRC.

— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) March 12, 2014

Are these 3 headed out of Town? Julius Peppers, Steve Smith, and Darelle Revis

Done Deals. Close Deals. 3 big names on the move? It was a BUSY Monday in the NFL [DETAILS]: http://t.co/V5OtTt4sLI pic.twitter.com/0ZwS84OgqN

— NFL (@nfl) March 11, 2014