Official 10' NFL Offseason Thread: CIN sign T.O. 1yr/2m

John Clayton reporting SD Chargers have released Ladainian Tomlinson.

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[h2]Scouts' Eye: Henne progressing well[/h2][h3]Dolphins' quarterback has what it takes, but he needs better supporting cast[/h3]

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By Matt Williamson
Scouts Inc.
Archive

Every Monday, Scouts Inc. takes a look at the major storylines to watch this offseason:

Have the Dolphins found their quarterback?

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/news/story?id=4933437#/sports.espn.go.com/espn/gallery/enlargePhoto?id=4525022&story=4933437">http://sports.espn.go.com...525022&...idth=640,height=550,scrollbars=no,noresize'); return false;">[+] Enlarge
nfl_g_henne_300.jpg

Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesChad Henne has all the necessary tools and is an ideal fit for the Dolphins' offense.

Yes, they have. I believe in Chad Henne,and I think the Dolphins' brass do as well. He fits the Bill Parcellsmold extremely well. He is tough, intelligent and built well to take apounding. He has a very strong arm and will threaten a defense at alllevels.

At this early stage of his career, he can act as agame-manager-type behind a good offensive line in a run-first offensethat can control a game on the ground. But Henne is more than that, andhe will only get better. In the final five games of the season, Henneeclipsed 300 passing yards three times. However, in his last six games,he did throw 10 interceptions -- far too high of a number -- but healso attempted 233 passes in that stretch, which isn't the Dolphins'recipe for offensive success. Remember, this offense is devoid ofpass-catching difference-makers, which put a ton of stress on afirst-year starter behind center.

Henne enters this offseason asthe clear starter, and that preparation time should do wonders. Now itis on Miami's personnel department to get its promising youngsignal-caller another viable weapon or two.

What is the Titans' No. 1 need this offseason?

Thisteam doesn't have a clear No. 1 need right now. The offense is youngand respectable at every spot and has big-play ability. I would spendthis offseason fortifying the defense at every level. Of course, theTitans lost Albert Haynesworth last offseason, and he was never replaced. In fact, he probably never will be -- not with one player. Now, stalwart LB Keith Bulluck is a free agent and coming off knee surgery, and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch could depart as well.

Thefaces are changing. The Titans' lack of cornerback depth was exposedlast season, and help would be welcome at that position as well. So aninflux of talent, with an emphasis on the draft, makes a lot of sensefor the short term and the future of this defense. I would concentratemy efforts up front more than on the second and third levels, butadding a promising player at each level would be ideal.

Can the Cardinals compete without Kurt Warner?

Let'sjust say the NFC West isn't the most stacked division in the league, soyes, I think the Cards still will be competitive for a divisionaltitle. But that isn't to undersell the massive loss of Warner -- and Istruggle to see Arizona as a true title contender without him behindcenter.

Matt Leinartand Warner have very few similarities. Warner is a surgeon who gets theball out incredibly quickly and has uncanny accuracy. To this point,Leinart has played the position slowly and hasn't shown the ability toget the ball where it needs to be. So, of course, philosophical changesare in store for the Cardinals' offense, but the team has prepared forthis day. The offensive line is a bigger, heavier group that should bewell suited for a higher workload in the run game.

Also, although Tim Hightower is a solid all-around player at running back, I foresee Beanie Wells'becoming a star. Very few backs in this league have his blend of size,strength, run instincts and burst. The wide receiver position remainsstacked -- probably to the point where the Cards can move Anquan Boldin to fortify themselves in other areas.

Butin the end, points surely will be more difficult to come by. Arizonawill be far less of a quick-strike offense. And hiding and massagingthe quarterback position at this level rarely is a formula for success.

What changes are coming for Jay Cutler with Mike Martz as the offensive coordinator?

Therewill be changes. Martz will bring more discipline to Cutler's game.Although that discipline is desperately needed, Martz walks a fine linehere. One of Cutler's greatest strengths is his improvisationalabilities, but much of Martz's offense is predicated on precise passingto a specific spot on the field and getting the football out of thequarterback's hand in a timely manner.

That isn't Cutler's game.Not that these two won't be good for each other, but I have my doubts.Compounding the problem, Martz isn't known as a run-heavy playcaller. Ican live with that when the team plays in a dome, but not in theelements of Chicago. With limited draft resources available to theBears and so many needs, it might also be wise for them to entertaintrade offers for Greg Olsen and Devin Hester. The tight end position is notoriously neglected in Martz's offense, and Johnny Knox has a lot of the same qualities as Hester.
Still, Matt Forteshould be in line to catch a lot more passes, and if Martz can getCutler to cut down on his 26 interceptions from 2009, this coordinatorchange could bear fruit. In many ways, this offense has nowhere to gobut up.
 
Here ya go CP...

Every Monday, Scouts Inc. takes a look at the major storylines to watch this offseason:
Have the Dolphins found their quarterback?

Yes, they have. I believe in Chad Henne,and I think the Dolphins' brass do as well. He fits the Bill Parcellsmold extremely well. He is tough, intelligent and built well to take apounding. He has a very strong arm and will threaten a defense at alllevels.

At this early stage of his career, he can act as agame-manager-type behind a good offensive line in a run-first offensethat can control a game on the ground. But Henne is more than that, andhe will only get better. In the final five games of the season, Henneeclipsed 300 passing yards three times. However, in his last six games,he did throw 10 interceptions -- far too high of a number -- but healso attempted 233 passes in that stretch, which isn't the Dolphins'recipe for offensive success. Remember, this offense is devoid ofpass-catching difference-makers, which put a ton of stress on afirst-year starter behind center.

Henne enters this offseason asthe clear starter, and that preparation time should do wonders. Now itis on Miami's personnel department to get its promising youngsignal-caller another viable weapon or two.

What is the Titans' No. 1 need this offseason?

Thisteam doesn't have a clear No. 1 need right now. The offense is youngand respectable at every spot and has big-play ability. I would spendthis offseason fortifying the defense at every level. Of course, theTitans lost Albert Haynesworth last offseason, and he was never replaced. In fact, he probably never will be -- not with one player. Now, stalwart LB Keith Bulluck is a free agent and coming off knee surgery, and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch could depart as well.

Thefaces are changing. The Titans' lack of cornerback depth was exposedlast season, and help would be welcome at that position as well. So aninflux of talent, with an emphasis on the draft, makes a lot of sensefor the short term and the future of this defense. I would concentratemy efforts up front more than on the second and third levels, butadding a promising player at each level would be ideal.

Can the Cardinals compete without Kurt Warner?

Let'sjust say the NFC West isn't the most stacked division in the league, soyes, I think the Cards still will be competitive for a divisionaltitle. But that isn't to undersell the massive loss of Warner -- and Istruggle to see Arizona as a true title contender without him behindcenter.

Matt Leinartand Warner have very few similarities. Warner is a surgeon who gets theball out incredibly quickly and has uncanny accuracy. To this point,Leinart has played the position slowly and hasn't shown the ability toget the ball where it needs to be. So, of course, philosophical changesare in store for the Cardinals' offense, but the team has prepared forthis day. The offensive line is a bigger, heavier group that should bewell suited for a higher workload in the run game.

Also, although Tim Hightower is a solid all-around player at running back, I foresee Beanie Wells'becoming a star. Very few backs in this league have his blend of size,strength, run instincts and burst. The wide receiver position remainsstacked -- probably to the point where the Cards can move Anquan Boldin to fortify themselves in other areas.

Butin the end, points surely will be more difficult to come by. Arizonawill be far less of a quick-strike offense. And hiding and massagingthe quarterback position at this level rarely is a formula for success.

What changes are coming for Jay Cutler with Mike Martz as the offensive coordinator?

Therewill be changes. Martz will bring more discipline to Cutler's game.Although that discipline is desperately needed, Martz walks a fine linehere. One of Cutler's greatest strengths is his improvisationalabilities, but much of Martz's offense is predicated on precise passingto a specific spot on the field and getting the football out of thequarterback's hand in a timely manner.

That isn't Cutler's game.Not that these two won't be good for each other, but I have my doubts.Compounding the problem, Martz isn't known as a run-heavy playcaller. Ican live with that when the team plays in a dome, but not in theelements of Chicago. With limited draft resources available to theBears and so many needs, it might also be wise for them to entertaintrade offers for Greg Olsen and Devin Hester. The tight end position is notoriously neglected in Martz's offense, and Johnny Knox has a lot of the same qualities as Hester.

Still, Matt Forteshould be in line to catch a lot more passes, and if Martz can getCutler to cut down on his 26 interceptions from 2009, this coordinatorchange could bear fruit. In many ways, this offense has nowhere to gobut up.

Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.
 
I would be shocked if the jets didnt go after Rolle. We need a cb and could use a saftey if rhodes is gone. Plus we can only sign released Fas and hes probably one of the best ones.
 
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Eagles released RB Brian Westbrook.

Westbrook, 31, was apparently not amenable to a major pay cut. Coach Andy Reid indicated that the move was made now as a courtesy "to maximize Brian's chances of landing with another NFL team." The Eagles certainly appear poised to turn the page and move on as opposed to re-signing him later in the offseason. Westbrook can still play effectively with a limited workload, but he's also the biggest injury risk in the league. While he'll likely be signed before LaDainian Tomlinson, Westbrook won't get more than a timeshare job on the open market.

Source: philadelphiaeagles.com
 
Unfortunate that Pitt never really does anything in free agency, I read all these names flying around and nothing ever happens. Going to be weird to see LDT and Westbrook on different teams
 
[h3]Raiders could make some big moves 
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[/h3]
February, 23, 2010
Feb 23

12:31

PM ET

With the NFL's new league year kicking off on Friday, March 5, trade talks are intensifying -- and nowhere more so than in Oakland.
The Oakland Raiders have had multiple discussions -- with multiple teams -- in an effort to see if they can unload any of their players, league sources said. It is similar to what the Raiders did last year, when they sought out trades with other teams, only to find few takers.

The Raiders are open to dealing multiple players on their roster, including Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. The problem is that Asomugha's contract makes him virtually untradable.

Asomugha is scheduled to make a 100 percent guaranteed $16.59 million for the coming 2010 season.

As if that contract weren't problematic enough in a difficult economy, Asomugha has an $8 million roster bonus that is due on the first day of the league year -- next Friday -- meaning that a trade would have to be agreed to in the next 10 days and consummated before the Raiders paid that bonus. On top of that, Asomugha also has a $7.83 million option bonus due on March 19.

And what makes a potential trade for Oakland's Pro Bowl cornerback even more difficult is that, after his contract expires following the 2011 season, Asomugha's team is forbidden from franchising him -- or it must pay him the average of the top five quarterback salaries, which this year would be $16.4 million.

But in the coming months, new blockbuster deals are expected for New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady; this means the price to keep Asomugha beyond 2011 will be astronomical.

Thus the Raiders have tested the waters to see if any team would be interested in taking him now. Teams love the player but are unwilling to absorb the contract, thus making a deal for him virtually impossible.

Still, the Raiders are looking to make deals -- and will continue looking as the NFL's offseason prepares to kick off next week.
 
[h1]UCLA DT Price moving up list of prospect rankings[/h1]
[table][tr][td]
M_Mayock_40x55.jpg
[/td][td] [/td][td]By Mike Mayock  |  NFL.com

[/td][/tr][/table]
[table][tr][td]
b_price_081004_wide.jpg
[/td][/tr][tr][td]Jeff Lewis / Associated Press[/td][/tr][tr][td]UCLA's Brian Price has a chance to be one of the top defensive tackles taken in April's NFL Draft.[/td][/tr][/table]

* Underclassmen
[table][tr][td][table][tr][td]Offense[/td][/tr][tr][td]Quarterbacks[/td][/tr][tr][th=""]
Rk
[/th][th=""]
Player
[/th][th=""]
School
[/th][/tr][tr][td]
1
[/td][td]
Sam Bradford*
[/td][td]
Oklahoma
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
2
[/td][td]
Jimmy Clausen*
[/td][td]
Notre Dame
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
3
[/td][td]
Colt McCoy
[/td][td]
Texas
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
4
[/td][td]
Tim Tebow
[/td][td]
Florida
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
5t
[/td][td]
Dan LeFevour
[/td][td]
Central Michigan
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
5t
[/td][td]
Tony Pike
[/td][td]
Cincinnati
[/td][/tr][tr][td]Running backs[/td][/tr][tr][th=""]
Rk
[/th][th=""]
Player
[/th][th=""]
School
[/th][/tr][tr][td]
1
[/td][td]
C.J. Spiller
[/td][td]
Clemson
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
2
[/td][td]
Ryan Mathews*
[/td][td]
Fresno State
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
3
[/td][td]
Jahvid Best*
[/td][td]
California
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
4
[/td][td]
Jonathan Dwyer
[/td][td]
Georgia Tech
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
5t
[/td][td]
Joe McKnight*
[/td][td]
Southern California
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
5t
[/td][td]
Dexter McCluster
[/td][td]
Mississippi
[/td][/tr][tr][td]Wide receivers[/td][/tr][tr][th=""]
Rk
[/th][th=""]
Player
[/th][th=""]
School
[/th][/tr][tr][td]
1
[/td][td]
Dez Bryant*
[/td][td]
Oklahoma State
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
2
[/td][td]
Arrelious Benn*
[/td][td]
Illinois
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
3
[/td][td]
Demaryius Thomas*
[/td][td]
Georgia Tech
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
4
[/td][td]
Golden Tate
[/td][td]
Notre Dame
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
5
[/td][td]
Brandon LaFell
[/td][td]
LSU
[/td][/tr][tr][td]Tight ends[/td][/tr][tr][th=""]
Rk
[/th][th=""]
Player
[/th][th=""]
School
[/th][/tr][tr][td]
1
[/td][td]
Jermaine Gresham*
[/td][td]
Oklahoma
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
2
[/td][td]
Rob Gronkowski*
[/td][td]
Arizona
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
3
[/td][td]
Dorin Dickerson
[/td][td]
Pittsburgh
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
4
[/td][td]
Dennis Pitta
[/td][td]
BYU
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
5t
[/td][td]
Ed Dickson
[/td][td]
Oregon
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
5t
[/td][td]
Aaron Hernandez*
[/td][td]
Florida
[/td][/tr][tr][td]Interior linemen (guards, centers)[/td][/tr][tr][th=""]
Rk
[/th][th=""]
Player
[/th][th=""]
School
[/th][/tr][tr][td]
1
[/td][td]
Mike Iupati
[/td][td]
Idaho
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
2
[/td][td]
Maurkice Pouncey*
[/td][td]
Florida
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
3
[/td][td]
Jon Asamoah
[/td][td]
Illinois
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
4
[/td][td]
Rodger Saffold
[/td][td]
Indiana
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
5
[/td][td]
Mike Johnson
[/td][td]
Alabama
[/td][/tr][tr][td]Offensive tackles[/td][/tr][tr][th=""]
Rk
[/th][th=""]
Player
[/th][th=""]
School
[/th][/tr][tr][td]
1
[/td][td]
Russell Okung
[/td][td]
Oklahoma State
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
2
[/td][td]
Bryan Bulaga*
[/td][td]
Iowa
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
3
[/td][td]
Anthony Davis*
[/td][td]
Rutgers
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
4
[/td][td]
Trent Williams
[/td][td]
Oklahoma
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
5t
[/td][td]
Vladimir Ducasse
[/td][td]
Massachusetts
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
5t
[/td][td]
Bruce Campbell*
[/td][td]
Maryland
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
5t
[/td][td]
Charles Brown
[/td][td]
Souther California
[/td][/tr][/table][/td][td] [/td][td][table][tr][td]Defense[/td][/tr][tr][td]Defensive ends[/td][/tr][tr][th=""]
Rk
[/th][th=""]
Player
[/th][th=""]
School
[/th][/tr][tr][td]
1
[/td][td]
Jason Pierre-Paul*
[/td][td]
South Florida
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
2
[/td][td]
Derrick Morgan*
[/td][td]
Georgia Tech
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
3
[/td][td]
Brandon Graham*
[/td][td]
Michigan
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
4
[/td][td]
Carlos Dunlap*
[/td][td]
Southern California
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
5
[/td][td]
Everson Griffen
[/td][td]
Southern California
[/td][/tr][tr][td]Defensive tackles[/td][/tr][tr][th=""]
Rk
[/th][th=""]
Player
[/th][th=""]
School
[/th][/tr][tr][td]
1
[/td][td]
Gerald McCoy*
[/td][td]
Oklahoma
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
2
[/td][td]
Ndamukong Suh
[/td][td]
Nebraska
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
3
[/td][td]
Dan Williams
[/td][td]
Tennessee
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
4
[/td][td]
Jared Odrick
[/td][td]
Penn State
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
5
[/td][td]
Brian Price
[/td][td]
UCLA
[/td][/tr][tr][td]Inside linebackers[/td][/tr][tr][th=""]
Rk
[/th][th=""]
Player
[/th][th=""]
School
[/th][/tr][tr][td]
1
[/td][td]
Rolando McClain*
[/td][td]
Alabama
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
2
[/td][td]
Brandon Spikes
[/td][td]
Florida
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
3
[/td][td]
Sean Lee
[/td][td]
Penn State
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
4
[/td][td]
Donald Butler
[/td][td]
Washington
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
5
[/td][td]
Pat Angerer
[/td][td]
Iowa
[/td][/tr][tr][td]Outside linebackers[/td][/tr][tr][th=""]
Rk
[/th][th=""]
Player
[/th][th=""]
School
[/th][/tr][tr][td]
1
[/td][td]
Sergio Kindle
[/td][td]
Texas
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
2
[/td][td]
Sean Weatherspoon
[/td][td]
Missouri
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
3
[/td][td]
Daryl Washington
[/td][td]
TCU
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
4
[/td][td]
Jerry Hughes
[/td][td]
TCU
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
5
[/td][td]
Navorro Bowman
[/td][td]
Penn State
[/td][/tr][tr][td]Cornerbacks[/td][/tr][tr][th=""]
Rk
[/th][th=""]
Player
[/th][th=""]
School
[/th][/tr][tr][td]
1
[/td][td]
Joe Haden*
[/td][td]
Florida
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
2
[/td][td]
Kyle Wilson
[/td][td]
Boise State
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
3
[/td][td]
Devin McCourty
[/td][td]
Rutgers
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
4
[/td][td]
Patrick Robinson
[/td][td]
Florida State
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
5
[/td][td]
Jerome Murphy
[/td][td]
Southern Florida
[/td][/tr][tr][td]Safeties[/td][/tr][tr][th=""]
Rk
[/th][th=""]
Player
[/th][th=""]
School
[/th][/tr][tr][td]
1
[/td][td]
Earl Thomas*
[/td][td]
Texas
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
2
[/td][td]
Eric Berry*
[/td][td]
Tennessee
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
3
[/td][td]
Taylor Mays
[/td][td]
Southern California
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
4
[/td][td]
Chad Jones*
[/td][td]
LSU
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
5
[/td][td]
Nate Allen
[/td][td]
Southern Florida
[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][/table]

  
Mayock has E. Thomas ahead of E. Berry. Um, what?
 
[h1]Raiders tag Seymour[/h1]
Posted by Michael David Smith on February 24, 2010 2:41 PM ET

The Oakland Raiders have applied the franchise tag to defensive lineman Richard Seymour.

Ron Borges of the Boston Herald is reporting that the Raiders slapped Seymour with the tag -- which comes with an offer of a one-year guaranteed contract worth $12.398 million -- while the team and Seymour continue negotiations on a long-term deal.

Seymour said he would be "happy to stay with the Raiders and be a part of bringing them back to the playoffs."

The Raiders acquired Seymour in a trade with the Patriots just before the start of the 2009 season. Not wanting to lose a player who cost them their 2011 first-round draft pick after just one season, the Raiders were widely expected to put the franchise tag on him if they couldn't sign him to a long-term deal.
 
[h1]Report: Cromartie could soon be a Lion[/h1]
Posted by Mike Florio on February 28, 2010 4:09 PM ET

Cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who has fallen out of favor in San Diego due to a stew of reasons that likely includes an alarming lack of tackling effort during the AFC playoffs, has been on the trading block for a while.

And he apparently will soon be off the block -- because he apparently will soon be traded.

According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Cromartie "could be" a Lion in the near future.  There are no details regarding the compensation that Chargers would receive.

Trades officially can be made as of the first day of the league year, which this year is March 5.  But teams can loosely agree to terms before March 5, with the deal consummated at some point after the clock strikes 12.

As Acee points out, regardless of whether Cromartie becomes a Lion, Cromartie "has almost certainly" played his last game with San Diego.

Meanwhile, feel free to start making the Wizard of Oz references.  Bonus points are available if you can tie them together with the whole Travis Henry thing.
 
Originally Posted by h3at23

NFLFanHouse
  
Report that Chargers are asking for 4th/5th rounder + Maurice Morris from the Lions for Antonio Cromartie ........
Done and done. I will take Shawn Kemp Jr over any CB we have. No worries if he doesn't tackle, thats what Delmas is for. 
 
Originally Posted by Newbs24

Originally Posted by h3at23

NFLFanHouse
  
Report that Chargers are asking for 4th/5th rounder + Maurice Morris from the Lions for Antonio Cromartie ........
Done and done. I will take Shawn Kemp Jr over any CB we have. No worries if he doesn't tackle, thats what Delmas is for. 


Man, if this came out during our mock when I took Patrick Robinson, Suh, and Dwyer, the Lions would be all set for the year.    
laugh.gif
 

Best case would be 5th and Mo Morris.  I'd hope the Lions can keep that 4th rounder, that's still a solid player in that slot. 
 
[h1]Report: Cromartie trade to Lions "highly unlikely"[/h1]
Posted by Mike Florio on March 1, 2010 9:05 PM ET

Amid rumors of a possible trade of Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie to the Lions, Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com reports that such a deal is "highly unlikely."

It's not clear how the rumor got started, but Kowalski seems to be extremely confident that the deal won't be going down.

And this means that the Chargers will have to find another suitor for Cromartie, who could be released if he isn't traded.





I hope this doesn't turn into some nba trade deadline rumor that don't happen
 
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