[Killswitch]

Discuss the combine, trade rumors, draft position, upcoming schedules, theories, why you find yourself losing interest in the NFL or not, the inevitable arrests or crime coming out of most teams, the impending breaking of the interception record, and the draft news and etc. Enjoy.

[Dakstang]

This comes from foxsports.com

Niners sign Clements and Lewis




SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The San Francisco 49ers signed cornerback Nate Clements and safety Michael Lewis on Friday, making two bold moves in the opening hours of free agency.

Clements, the star cornerback from the Buffalo Bills, agreed to an eight-year, $80 million contract. The six-year veteran was considered one of the top prizes in free agency, and the 49ers rewarded him accordingly with what's believed to be one of the richest contracts for a defensive back in NFL history.

Terms of the deal were confirmed by a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because contract terms aren't usually released by NFL teams.

The 49ers have more than $30 million in cap room to spend on free agents, and a good chunk of it immediately went to Clements, a two-time Pro Bowl selection who spent his first six NFL seasons with Buffalo. He became a free agent after completing a one-year contract, saying he hoped to better Champ Bailey's seven-year, $63 million deal with Denver in 2004.

Lewis, a safety from Philadelphia, will become an immediate starter in the 49ers' inconsistent defensive secondary alongside Clements, coach Mike Nolan said. Lewis started in the Pro Bowl following the Eagles' trip to the Super Bowl in the 2004 season, but was expected to leave town after losing his starting job in Philadelphia last season.

"Free agency is about adding good players with character to our team," Nolan said. "I am confident that Nate and Michael will help make us better. Players have a choice in free agency. It is a compliment to our players and fans that Nate and Michael wanted to be with the 49ers."

Clements and Lewis both visited the 49ers' training complex Friday, and wasted no time sewing up deals to bolster a secondary that struggled with injuries and mistakes last season despite cornerback Walt Harris' Pro Bowl play.

Both of the 49ers' opening-day safeties lost their jobs during the year, and cornerback Shawntae Spencer struggled at times. San Francisco's defense yielded a league-worst 412 points and lost games by 41, 31 and 29 points during a midseason collapse, prompting Nolan to fire defensive coordinator Billy Davis.

Spencer, who got a lucrative contract extension last season, might be reduced to a nickel back with Clements and Harris in starting spots. Lewis has been a strong safety with the Eagles, but could be a candidate to replace either of the 49ers' starters: strong safety Mark Roman and free safety Keith Lewis.

The 49ers already have made a significant upgrade to a club that went 7-9 last season in Nolan's second year - and they probably aren't done shopping, either. They have long held strong interest in Pro Bowl linebacker Adalius Thomas, who played for Nolan with the Baltimore Ravens.

Clements is coming off a strong season in which he had three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and recovered two fumbles. In six seasons, he has 23 interceptions, including five returned for touchdowns - and has also returned two punts for scores.

Clements wouldn't have been in a position to sign such a lucrative deal if the Bills hadn't prevented him from becoming a free agent last offseason. Buffalo labeled Clements as the team's franchise player, a move that retained Clements' rights for a steep one-year deal worth $7.2 million.

Clements accepted the one-year contract after the Bills promised him they would not tag him again this offseason, allowing him to pursue free agency.

As a result, Clements immediately became among the most coveted free agents on the market, in part because there were few defensive backs available. Numerous teams, including the 49ers, had more money to spend after the NFL salary cap ballooned to $109 million.

[Simon]

Adalius Thomas signs with the Patriots.

Wooooooooooooo!!!

Now they can draft a Wide receiver or two.

This is a huge pickup.

[Killswitch]

Great move by the Pats. The flexibility this provides is unbelievable. This not only improves the lb core but it also helps the secondary. They'll have less time to cover if he is getting to the QB. Their biggest weakness was creating pressure. It's hard to argue against a starting lb core of Thomas, Bruschi, Vrabel and Colvin. Great start to free agency when you consider they have signed Thomas, Kyle Brady and resgined Asante Samuel. Two years without a ring is enough.

[Inogenius]

Apparently Jake Plummer, former first round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals, has decided to hang it up. After being traded from the Denver Bronco's to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Plummer decided that he has had enough of being in the limelight, and a professional football player.

Definitely more to come about because of this. Some say it's a ploy to get traded, or move to another team, but I have no clue at this point.

[Killswitch]

Texans, RB Green agree to terms

HOUSTON (March 4, 2007) -- The Houston Texans agreed to terms with free agent running back Ahman Green.

The 30-year-old former Green Bay Packer will likely become the starter for a team that struggled at the position last season after Domanick Williams -- formerly Davis -- missed the year with knee problems.

Green will be introduced at a 1 p.m. news conference in Houston on March 5, said Texans vice president of communications Tony Wyllie. Terms of the contract were not immediately available.

Houston also has a trio of inexperienced running backs in Wali Lundy, Chris Taylor and fellow former Green Bay player Samkon Gado. They also hope to re-sign free-agent Ron Dayne, the 1999 Heisman Trophy winner, who excelled late last season after years of struggles.

Green had 266 carries for 1,059 yards last season after returning from a torn right quadriceps in 2005. He missed two games last season because of lingering effects from the injury.

He has 8,491 yards and 54 touchdowns in his nine-year career that began with Seattle. Before the injury two years ago, Green gained more than 1,100 yards in each of the previous five seasons.

Green, who has been with the Packers since the 2000 season, has close ties with former Packers head coach Mike Sherman, who is the Texans' offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Along with Gado, former Packers teammate Mike Flanagan also plays for the Texans.

Green spent the weekend in Houston, visiting the Texans and taking in a Houston Rockets game on Saturday night.

"I'm just looking for a situation where I feel comfortable around the players and the coaches, where I can be myself," Green said before the deal was announced. "Come down here and just play football and have fun. That is what I'm looking for."

Green did not immediately return a message left on his cell phone by The Associated Press.

After meeting with Denver and Houston, Green told reporters in Houston earlier on March 4 that he was canceling other scheduled visits to teams and could "possibly" make his decision in the next 24 hours.

"I have gotten to the point where I have seen enough," Green said. "I don't need to venture out anymore. I know a few teams that are disappointed because I did have some visits set up, but from the two teams that I have visited, I don't need to see anymore."

Green said facing the possibility of leaving Green Bay would be difficult.

"That's where the majority of my career is at," Green said. "I think speaking in general with anybody that has been in a situation for a long time, regardless of if it was good or bad, I've been there seven years. Some good, some bad, but regardless of the fact, staying or leaving will be tough. I don't know yet, but, I think for anybody generally speaking it would be tough to do. When you're a kid and you transfer a school, and that school you have all your buddies, regardless of if it was good times or bad times, it's still a tough time to leave."

Going into the offseason, Green had indicated he preferred to stay in Green Bay. He was scheduled to appear at the Packers' annual fan fest next weekend.

With Green out, the Packers are left with Vernand Morency, an inexperienced but quick back who was obtained for Gado in a trade with the Texans last season. Morency gained 434 yards on 96 carries last year.

Green Bay also could look to address their running back needs with the No. 16 pick in the NFL draft next month or obtain another running back through free agency.

Source: NFL.com

Ahman is a good signing, unfortunatly for him, the Texans have the worst offensive line in the league. And yes, I do realize how bad the Cardinals O-line is when I make that observation. Hate it for you Ahman, atleast you'll be getting paid well. Your going to need it for all of the pain medication that your going to need.

[Freak]

Originally Posted by JP

Ahman is a good signing, unfortunatly for him, the Texans have the worst offensive line in the league. And yes, I do realize how bad the Cardinals O-line is when I make that observation. Hate it for you Ahman, atleast you'll be getting paid well. Your going to need it for all of the pain medication that your going to need.

The line he ran behind in Green Bay last year wasn't much better.

Actually, Houston's offensive line has never been especially poor at run-blocking, and the entire unit really came on at the end of 2006 (see: Ron Dayne, AFC Player of the Week). If the Texans resign Dayne, and Domanick Williams returns healthy, that's going to be a crowded backfield.

As a Packers fan, I would have liked to see Ahman finish his career in Green Bay, but the Texans really overpaid for him. Hopefully Vernand Morency is as good as he looked last year, because I really don't like Marshawn Lynch at this point.

[Invictus]

Cowboys have coughed up the biggest signing on fee in their History for O-Line man Leonard Davis.

Gotta say, that could be a good signing for the 'Boys. My football coach over here in the UK went to the same High School as Davis and he 'says' he knows him pretty well and that he's only in it for the money. However he's a big bitch and can move.

[Killswitch]

Porter to get $20M guaranteed in deal with Dolphins

The Dolphins didn't want to wait for Joey Porter to make a five- to six-team NFL tour.

While Porter, the former Steelers outside linebacker, was spending Monday trying to map out his trips to NFL teams, the Dolphins came in with an offer he couldn't refuse. Porter agreed to a five-year, $32 million contract that includes $20 million in guarantees.

The Steelers released him a week ago because they didn't have plans to sign him after his contract ran out in 2007. With several key starters entering the final year of their contract, the Steelers had to be selective and Porter became a salary cap casualty.

The minute he became a free agent, his phone was ringing. He had enough offers to visit most of the teams that run a 3-4 defense and few, including Cincinnati, that run a 4-3.

Porter wanted to take the weekend to settle himself and find a new spot. On Monday, he started to put together a plan of trips. Then the Dolphins entered the picture and worked out a contract. Knowing he was one of the top defensive players available, Porter accepted a deal from the Dolphins before making his tour. He will play for a Dom Capers 3-4 defense in Miami.

The Dolphins have the defense, now they just need to do something with their offense. The Ravens proved that a good defense and offense can get you into the playoffs. Maybe the 'Fins should pay attention.

[Dakstang]

This comes from nfl.com.

Though the Raiders have not initiated any calls to move him, Oakland has listened to offers for Randy Moss. The Raiders are open to the idea of trading Moss, according to a source close to Oakland. Teams that have shown interest, according to the source, are the Patriots, the Packers and the Buccaneers.