LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)—Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says drafting a wide receiver isn’t a priority this year, even after the departure of Terrell Owens.
“One of the reasons that I made the decision on Terrell Owens was because I thought so much of our young receivers. Not only Roy Williams … but our other young receivers—Miles Austin, Sam Hurd, those are guys that will now have a chance,” Jones said Thursday night. “It would really have to be a real opportunity for us to go there.
“The good news with our team right now is we can go about any direction we want to in the draft and pick the best player.”
Owens was released last week and later signed with the Buffalo Bills.
Jones, a former Arkansas Razorbacks player, was in Little Rock to be honored by Easter Seals as its 2009 Arkansan of the Year. He was accompanied by three Cowboys: quarterback Tony Romo, tight end Jason Witten and running back Felix Jones.
There were reports of a rift last season between Romo, Witten and Owens. Reporters were not permitted to talk to Romo or Witten on Thursday night.
Jerry Jones did speak briefly to reporters about next season.
“We’ve got a great core base put together. We’ve made some changes in the offseason. We think that’s going to really be very helpful—both sides of the ball and on special teams,” he said. “We’ve got a chance to get as many as nine players in the draft, and we’ll need about 80 percent of those to be players.”
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Browns sign LB Eric Barton, OL Womack
CLEVELAND (AP)—The Browns are becoming the Cleveland Jets.
Coach Eric Mangini added another player he coached in New York on Friday, signing former Jets linebacker Eric Barton.
The Browns also signed offensive lineman Floyd Womack, who spent the past eight seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.
Barton is the fourth former Jets player brought to Cleveland by Mangini, joining linebacker David Bowens, cornerback Hank Poteat and defensive lineman C.J. Mosley. Cleveland’s coaching staff also includes several of Mangini’s former assistants in New York.
The 31-year old Barton started all 16 games for New York last season. He recorded 127 tackles, the second-highest total of his career.
Womack, 30, started 46 games for the Seahawks, and can play tackle or guard.
Coach Eric Mangini added another player he coached in New York on Friday, signing former Jets linebacker Eric Barton.
The Browns also signed offensive lineman Floyd Womack, who spent the past eight seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.
Barton is the fourth former Jets player brought to Cleveland by Mangini, joining linebacker David Bowens, cornerback Hank Poteat and defensive lineman C.J. Mosley. Cleveland’s coaching staff also includes several of Mangini’s former assistants in New York.
The 31-year old Barton started all 16 games for New York last season. He recorded 127 tackles, the second-highest total of his career.
Womack, 30, started 46 games for the Seahawks, and can play tackle or guard.
NFL Calendar
March 22-25—Annual owners meeting, Dana Point, Calif.
April 17—Signing period ends for restricted free agents.
April 24—Deadline for old club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents.
April 25-26—NFL draft, New York.
May 18-20—Spring meeting, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
June 1—Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned unrestricted free agents to receive exclusive negotiating rights for rest of season if player is not signed by another club by July 22. Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned restricted free agents or to extend qualifying offer to retain exclusive negotiating rights.
June 15—Deadline for old clubs to withdraw original qualifying offer to unsigned restricted free agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting tender of 110 percent of previous years salary.
July 22—— Signing period ends at 4 p.m. EDT for unrestricted free agents who received June 1 tender.
Aug. 9—Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, Canton, Ohio.
Aug. 13-17—First preseason weekend.
Sept. 1—Roster cutdown to maximum of 75 players.
Sept. 5—Roster cutdown to maximum of 53 players.
Sept. 10—Season opener.
By The Associated Press
April 17—Signing period ends for restricted free agents.
April 24—Deadline for old club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents.
April 25-26—NFL draft, New York.
May 18-20—Spring meeting, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
June 1—Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned unrestricted free agents to receive exclusive negotiating rights for rest of season if player is not signed by another club by July 22. Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned restricted free agents or to extend qualifying offer to retain exclusive negotiating rights.
June 15—Deadline for old clubs to withdraw original qualifying offer to unsigned restricted free agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting tender of 110 percent of previous years salary.
July 22—— Signing period ends at 4 p.m. EDT for unrestricted free agents who received June 1 tender.
Aug. 9—Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, Canton, Ohio.
Aug. 13-17—First preseason weekend.
Sept. 1—Roster cutdown to maximum of 75 players.
Sept. 5—Roster cutdown to maximum of 53 players.
Sept. 10—Season opener.
By The Associated Press
Rolle expects to be released by Ravens
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP)—The Baltimore Ravens are expected to release former Pro Bowl cornerback Samari Rolle in the next few days, the player’s agent said Friday.
After Baltimore signed free agent Domonique Foxworth, Rolle figured his playing time with the Ravens would be limited. So he asked the team to grant him his release, and the Ravens are expected to comply.
“That’s our understanding,” said Peter Schaffer, Rolle’s agent.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome would not confirm the decision, saying only that Rolle has been invited back to play a fourth season in Baltimore.
But Rolle told The (Baltimore) Sun, “I anticipate it happening. I’m happy. Everyone got what they wanted out of this.”
The Ravens will save $4.1 million in salary-cap room.
Rolle, 32, played in all 16 games during his first two seasons with Baltimore. But he participated in only six games in 2007 after learning he had epilepsy, and in 2008 he missed six games—and the AFC championship—because of injuries.
Rolle launched his NFL career in 1998 with Tennessee and was named to the 2000 Pro Bowl.
His pending release means the Ravens will have cut ties with both their starting cornerbacks from a year ago. Chris McAlister was cut last month.
That leaves Foxworth and Fabian Washington as the top two cornerbacks on the depth chart.
Foxworth signed a four-year, $27.2 million contract with the Ravens that included $16.5 million in guaranteed money. He was drafted in the third round of the 2005 draft by Denver and traded last year to the Atlanta Falcons.
Washington, obtained in a draft-day trade with Oakland last April, took over at cornerback for McAlister in October. He started 12 games during the regular season and all three of Baltimore’s playoff games.
After Baltimore signed free agent Domonique Foxworth, Rolle figured his playing time with the Ravens would be limited. So he asked the team to grant him his release, and the Ravens are expected to comply.
“That’s our understanding,” said Peter Schaffer, Rolle’s agent.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome would not confirm the decision, saying only that Rolle has been invited back to play a fourth season in Baltimore.
But Rolle told The (Baltimore) Sun, “I anticipate it happening. I’m happy. Everyone got what they wanted out of this.”
The Ravens will save $4.1 million in salary-cap room.
Rolle, 32, played in all 16 games during his first two seasons with Baltimore. But he participated in only six games in 2007 after learning he had epilepsy, and in 2008 he missed six games—and the AFC championship—because of injuries.
Rolle launched his NFL career in 1998 with Tennessee and was named to the 2000 Pro Bowl.
His pending release means the Ravens will have cut ties with both their starting cornerbacks from a year ago. Chris McAlister was cut last month.
That leaves Foxworth and Fabian Washington as the top two cornerbacks on the depth chart.
Foxworth signed a four-year, $27.2 million contract with the Ravens that included $16.5 million in guaranteed money. He was drafted in the third round of the 2005 draft by Denver and traded last year to the Atlanta Falcons.
Washington, obtained in a draft-day trade with Oakland last April, took over at cornerback for McAlister in October. He started 12 games during the regular season and all three of Baltimore’s playoff games.
St. Louis Rams release receiver Torry Holt
ST. LOUIS (AP)—The St. Louis Rams released wide receiver Torry Holt on Friday, parting ways with one of the last remaining holdovers from their “Greatest Show on Turf” glory days.
The move came three days after the Rams released offensive tackle Orlando Pace, another mainstay from the era when the Rams won their only Super Bowl and lost another on the game’s final play. Both Holt and Pace are seven-time Pro Bowl selections.
Holt is 32 and Pace is 33 and combined the moves created $14 million in salary cap space. Holt was due a $1.25 million roster bonus on Tuesday.
Only defensive end Leonard Little and quarterback Marc Bulger remain from the team that lost the 2002 Super Bowl to the New England Patriots, and Bulger was an inactive third-string quarterback for every game that season.
The Rams are trying to get younger as they rebuild after going 2-14 in 2008 and 5-27 over the last two seasons. Since the end of last season they’ve named a new general manager, Billy Devaley, a new coach, Steve Spagnuolo, cut several veteran players and signed three free agents from other teams.
Still, the decision to release Holt wasn’t easy, owner Chip Rosenbloom said.
“The Rams will forever be grateful for the way Torry Holt represented the Rams on the field and in the community,” Rosenbloom said. “Over the past 10 seasons Torry has proven himself to be one of the finest wide receivers in league history. This is a difficult decision because Torry has meant so much to the organization.”
But Holt had grown increasingly frustrated with the team that was a perennial contender for the first part of his career, and a perennial doormat more recently. Asked late last season if he expected to be back in 2009, the usually upbeat Holt offered a terse no comment.
Calls seeking comment from Holt through his agent, Gregory Williams, were not immediately returned.
Holt ranks 11th in league history with 869 receptions and 14th with 12,660 receiving yards. His 80.1 yards-per-game career receiving average is the best in NFL history.
He teamed with fellow wide receiver Isaac Bruce, quarterback Kurt Warner, running back Marshall Faulk and a line anchored by Pace to give the Rams one of the most potent offenses in NFL history from 1999 through 2001. He caught a touchdown pass in the 23-16 win over Tennessee in the Super Bowl after the ’99 season, and helped lead St. Louis back to the Super Bowl two years later. The Rams lost 20-17 to New England in the 2002 game.
St. Louis also made the playoffs in 2003 and 2004, but hasn’t been back since.
Holt’s production tailed off last season as St. Louis struggled to score points. He had 64 catches for 796 yards and three touchdowns, the lowest touchdown total of his career. The season also ended an eight-season run of 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
Holt was the sixth overall pick in the 1999 draft out of North Carolina State.
The Rams have the second overall pick in the April draft and are widely believed to be looking at offensive tackles, though they signed free agent center Jason Brown last month to help solidify the offensive line.
Holt’s departure means the Rams are likely in the market for receiving help as well. Earlier this offseason, St. Louis also cut Drew Bennett, who was a disappointment in 2007 and missed nearly all of 2008 after being injured in the season opener.
Last season’s second-round draft pick, Donnie Avery, becomes the team’s top returning receiver. He had 53 catches for 674 yards and three touchdowns in 2008, and also rushed for a touchdown.
The move came three days after the Rams released offensive tackle Orlando Pace, another mainstay from the era when the Rams won their only Super Bowl and lost another on the game’s final play. Both Holt and Pace are seven-time Pro Bowl selections.
Holt is 32 and Pace is 33 and combined the moves created $14 million in salary cap space. Holt was due a $1.25 million roster bonus on Tuesday.
Only defensive end Leonard Little and quarterback Marc Bulger remain from the team that lost the 2002 Super Bowl to the New England Patriots, and Bulger was an inactive third-string quarterback for every game that season.
The Rams are trying to get younger as they rebuild after going 2-14 in 2008 and 5-27 over the last two seasons. Since the end of last season they’ve named a new general manager, Billy Devaley, a new coach, Steve Spagnuolo, cut several veteran players and signed three free agents from other teams.
Still, the decision to release Holt wasn’t easy, owner Chip Rosenbloom said.
“The Rams will forever be grateful for the way Torry Holt represented the Rams on the field and in the community,” Rosenbloom said. “Over the past 10 seasons Torry has proven himself to be one of the finest wide receivers in league history. This is a difficult decision because Torry has meant so much to the organization.”
But Holt had grown increasingly frustrated with the team that was a perennial contender for the first part of his career, and a perennial doormat more recently. Asked late last season if he expected to be back in 2009, the usually upbeat Holt offered a terse no comment.
Calls seeking comment from Holt through his agent, Gregory Williams, were not immediately returned.
Holt ranks 11th in league history with 869 receptions and 14th with 12,660 receiving yards. His 80.1 yards-per-game career receiving average is the best in NFL history.
He teamed with fellow wide receiver Isaac Bruce, quarterback Kurt Warner, running back Marshall Faulk and a line anchored by Pace to give the Rams one of the most potent offenses in NFL history from 1999 through 2001. He caught a touchdown pass in the 23-16 win over Tennessee in the Super Bowl after the ’99 season, and helped lead St. Louis back to the Super Bowl two years later. The Rams lost 20-17 to New England in the 2002 game.
St. Louis also made the playoffs in 2003 and 2004, but hasn’t been back since.
Holt’s production tailed off last season as St. Louis struggled to score points. He had 64 catches for 796 yards and three touchdowns, the lowest touchdown total of his career. The season also ended an eight-season run of 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
Holt was the sixth overall pick in the 1999 draft out of North Carolina State.
The Rams have the second overall pick in the April draft and are widely believed to be looking at offensive tackles, though they signed free agent center Jason Brown last month to help solidify the offensive line.
Holt’s departure means the Rams are likely in the market for receiving help as well. Earlier this offseason, St. Louis also cut Drew Bennett, who was a disappointment in 2007 and missed nearly all of 2008 after being injured in the season opener.
Last season’s second-round draft pick, Donnie Avery, becomes the team’s top returning receiver. He had 53 catches for 674 yards and three touchdowns in 2008, and also rushed for a touchdown.
Chiefs agree with free agent Mays
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to terms with free-agent linebacker Corey Mays.
The team announced the deal Friday. Mays played in 32 games, including one start, during two seasons with New England and Cincinnati. He tallied 16 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and 38 special teams tackles.
The former Notre Dame player and second-team All-American entered the NFL in 2006 as a rookie free agent with the Patriots.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
http://www.nfl-rant.com/
The team announced the deal Friday. Mays played in 32 games, including one start, during two seasons with New England and Cincinnati. He tallied 16 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and 38 special teams tackles.
The former Notre Dame player and second-team All-American entered the NFL in 2006 as a rookie free agent with the Patriots.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
http://www.nfl-rant.com/
Eleven Steelers banners are stolen
PITTSBURGH -- Eleven banners from the Steelers Super Bowl victory parade have been stolen from the Pittsburgh Public Works garage.
Director Guy Costa says workers found only two signs in the storage area Friday, meaning someone stole 11 others.
The city paid $95 each for 50 banners that lined the parade route following the Steelers' 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Five banners were stolen from the parade route, and the city offered the other 45 to the public for $150 each to cover the additional cost of hanging and taking down the signs. Fans quickly bought the banners and had picked up all but 13 by Thursday.
Costa told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that police are investigating and the city will replace the stolen banners, if necessary.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
Director Guy Costa says workers found only two signs in the storage area Friday, meaning someone stole 11 others.
The city paid $95 each for 50 banners that lined the parade route following the Steelers' 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Five banners were stolen from the parade route, and the city offered the other 45 to the public for $150 each to cover the additional cost of hanging and taking down the signs. Fans quickly bought the banners and had picked up all but 13 by Thursday.
Costa told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that police are investigating and the city will replace the stolen banners, if necessary.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
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This is an off shoot of http://www.nfl-rant.com/ and if you enjoy placing wagers, watching football, and winning money than you definitely need to check this site out. The best site on the web in regards to NFL handicapping and the absolute lowest prices that you will find. Here is our mission statement:
OUR MISSION:
Our goal is to provide you with the most comprehensive information on placing winning wagers. Part of what NFL-RANT.com offers is a unique guide to placing winning wagers week after week. We offer a valuable service for those of you who enjoy betting on NFL games. We have a NFL Winning-Pick package for every budget. Compare our rates to others on the net and you will see how amazingly low our cost to you is. Packages range from $29.99 on up. Unlike other sites who offer picks for every sport, we focus solely on the NFL. We have a very successful style of wagering that makes it extremely difficult to have a losing weekend. Further more NFL-RANT.com guarantees our service by backing up our picks. If you purchase a package and it is not profitable we will give you the following weeks picks for FREE. When you purchase any of our NFL-Picks Packages and we will send you the winning picks for the weekend as well as a guide on exactly how to place the bets. Also included in the packages are the teams to pick using the money line.
OUR GUARANTEE:
Our promise to you is that regardless of the package that you purchase, if it does not produce a profit we will extend our services to you for the following week at NO charge.
EXAMPLE #1: STRAIGHT PICKS
If you purchase Straight Picks for 6 NFL games at $29.99 and this packages does not record a profit for the week, we will automatically send you the same package for the following week in order to gain you a profit.
EXAMPLE #2: SEASON PASSES
Season passes offer you the most bang for your buck. You can elect to receive ALL, that’s right, EVERY pick and parlay that we offer for the first 8 weeks, the second 8 weeks, or the ENTIRE regular season of the NFL!If you purchase the first 8 weeks and it does not produce a profit we will automatically send you the picks for the remainder of the regular season NFL games (the Second 8) at NO CHARGE to you.If you purchase the Second 8 weeks package and it does not show a profit we will automatically send you the First 8 weeks season pass for the following NFL season.
Purchase the Full Season Pass and if it does not record a profit we will send you the following seasons pass for FREE!
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