NFLsFuture.com

Apparently the Philadelphia Eagles haven’t gotten the league-wide memo calling a truce on free agent pickups.  The Eagles have now added former New York Giant WR Steve Smith.

The deal is reported to be a one-year deal for a “reasonable price.”  Smith met with his former team this week but there must have been concerns about the health of his injured knee.  Now he’ll be suiting up against the Giants (maybe).

Smith was off to a great start to 2010 following his spectacular 2009 season that saw him catch 107 balls, 1,220 yards, and 7 TD’s.  He will join a WR corps that is in a state of flux.  DeSean Jackson is undergoing contract issues, Jeremy Maclin is undergoing health issues, leaving Jason Avant and Riley Cooper as the “other options.”  Smith was expected to at least several games but looks to be on the field by mid-season.  Adding Steve Smith to DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Riley Cooper, and Jason Avant will give Michael Vick one of the best WR corps in the NFL.  As if they needed anymore help.

Baltimore Ravens

Signed RB Ricky Williams

Signed TE Kris Wilson

Cut FB Jason McKie

Signed S Bernard Pollard

Announced retirement of QB Marc Bulger

Signed C Casey Rabach

Signed FB Vonta Leach

Re-signed CB Chris Carr

Re-signed RB Jalen Parmele

Re-signed WR Marcus Smith

Cut NT Lamar Divens

Re-signed LB Prescott Burgess

Re-signed T/G Marshall Yanda

Cut RB Willis McGahee

Cut TE Todd Heap

Cut WR Derrick Mason

Cut NT Kelly Gregg

Franchised NT Haloti Ngata Read the rest of this entry »

The Steelers were one of many teams that needed to cut cap by Friday.  They were $8 million over the cap and looking to restructure deals as opposed to cutting players.

The Steelers had placed the franchise tag on OLB LaMarr Woodley which would have put Woodley’s 2011 cap number in the eight figures.  Now they have made Woodley the second highest paid Steeler in the history of the organization.  Second to QB Ben Roethlisberger’s 8-year, $102 million deal.

LaMarr Woodley has agreed to a 6-year, $61.5 million deal that will $18.1 million in the first year and $27 million over the first two years.

Woodley outpaced fellow Steeler OLB James Harrison who signed a 6-year, $51.7 million deal in 2009.

Woodley has 39 sacks in his four year career.  He drew some criticism recently about his comments to Baltimore Raven QB Joe Flacco.  Woodley stated that Flacco would never make it to a Super Bowl during his lifetime.  I guess this signing means the Ravens shouldn’t expect to be Super Bowl contenders at least until 2017.

Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that the New Orleans Saints have agreed to a one-year deal with DT Aubrayo Franklin. 

Franklin was expected to re-sign with the 49ers but the Saints offer an opportunity to win now.  Franklin has played for Baltimore and San Francisco and was expected to be targeted by 3-4 teams.  In New Orleans he will play in the 4-3 and battle with Sedrick Ellis and Shaun Rogers for a starting spot.

As I wrote earlier today the Eagles still have $4 million and some change plus the possibility of trading away Asante Samuel’s contract.  And it appears they are dead set on spending that money.

The Philadelphia Eagles and free agent RB Ronnie Brown have agreed to a one-year deal.  Philadelphia was in need of someone to spell LeSean McCoy and Brown is more than capable of filling that role. 

Andy Reid has a history with versatile RB’s with Brian Westbrook most noteably.  Brown will bring that Westbrook-eque versatility that should be a major asset to an already stacked offense.  This is another solid move by the Eagles and another addition to the ‘Dream Team’.

The Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles agreed to a trade on Saturday that would send Brodrick Bunkley to the Browns for a 2012 5th round pick.  Yet, we haven’t had a Brodrick Bunkley sighting in Cleveland.

Now we know why.  Bunkley didn’t want to be in Cleveland so he didn’t show up.  Someone needs to remind Mr. Bunkley that he is Mr. Bunkley.  The guy that was drafted way too high and has 6 career sacks. 

And now the Philadelphia Eagles have traded Bunkley to the Denver Broncos for a undisclosed 2013 draft pick.  At this point the Eagles are trying to drop this guy for a newly minted Roger Goodell gameball. 

So Bunkley will be a Bronco.  Unless he decides he doesn’t want to show up there, either.  Page John Elway and tell him to let us know when/if Bunkley shows up.

Jason Taylor took a one year hiatus from South Beach and now he will be taking his talents back.  Taylor announced his “welcome back party” to the world on his Facebook Jason Taylor Foundation page. 

Jason Taylor had a solid season in New York and proved he is still capable of making an impact just not on an everydown basis.  He will add solid depth to the Miami linebacking corps and could take some of the focus off Cameron Wake on third down. 

In a story of the grass is not always greener, Ahmad Bradshaw gauged his value on the open market and apparantly didn’t like the results.

The New York Giants have agreed to a 4-year deal with Bradshaw.  This is a good deal for both sides as Bradshaw will see plenty of touches and New York won’t be faced with the possibility of starting Brandon Jacobs or Danny Ware.  The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Jets fans just breathed a collective sigh of relief.  After losing out on Nnamdi Asomugha, Jets fans thought they had lost their chances at getting a top corner.  Well it turns out their secondary will stay intact for 2011 (minus Drew Coleman).

The New York Jets have agreed to a 4-year, $32 million deal with CB Antonio Cromartie.  The 27-year old CB was acquired by the Jets last offseason for second round pick from the Chargers.

Last season for the Jets, Cromartie finished with 42 tackles and 3 INT’s.  For his career he has amassed 207 tackles and 18 INT’s in five seasons.  Cromartie is known for timely INT’s and poor effort in the tackling department.  But he is undoubtedly a good fit next to All-World Darrelle Revis in the Rex Ryan’s system.

The entire day for me was wrapped up at Cleveland Browns training camp and away from the computer and cell phone.  It was nice to catch up with some old faces in the Browns organization but the day away was busy in the NFL world.  Here’s a list of what we missed:

The Washington Redskins and T Jamaal Brown agreed to a 5-year contract.

Deuce Lutui showed up to his Cincinnati Bengal physical overweight and was promptly sent packing back to Arizona.  Lutui’s weight has been an issue in the past as he has topped the scales at near 400 lbs in the past.

Tim Hightower was sent to the Washington Redskins for a conditional pick and Vonnie Holliday.  Hightower could start in Washington and appears to be a good fit in Shanahan’s running game.

John Kuhn signed a 3-year deal to stay with the Packers.  Packer fans will be happy as he’s a favorite of the Pack.

Fresh off an assault charge Cedric Benson re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Justin Blalock agreed to a 6-year deal to stay with the Atlanta Falcons

The Detroit Lions were able to retain the services of Chris Houston on a 2-year deal.

The Chicago Bears will not be able to retain Olin Kreutz so they signed C Chris Spencer to a 2-year deal.

Nick Barnett agreed to a 3-year, $12 million deal, $6 million guaranteed with the Buffalo Bills.  He will replace Paul Posluszny at MLB who was lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier in free agency.

Daniel Graham will join the Tennessee Titans on a 3-year deal.

Aaron Rodgers made a public plea for the Packers to keep James Jones and today they listened.  Jones agreed to a 3-year deal to stay with the Packers.

Vonta Leach and the Baltimore Ravens agreed to 3-year, $11 million deal with $6 million guaranteed.

The New Orleans Saints agreed to a 1-year deal with CB Fabian Washington

ESPN’s Adam Schefter (who else?) reports that the Arizona Cardinals have reached an agreement with TE Todd Heap on a two-year deal. The 10-year veteran was a victim of the Baltimore Ravens’ flurry of cuts at the onset of free agency.

A native of Arizona and graduate of Arizona State, Heap is returning home to give the Cardinals their first viable receiving TE in some time. Heap is on the downside of his career, but still appears to have something left in the tank, if his 10-catch performance in last season’s playoff loss to Pittsburgh is any indication.