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The Steelers released Joey Porter, the Saints released Joe Horn, and the Cowboys released Drew Bledsoe.

The Detroit Lions traded cornerback Dre Bly to the Denver Broncos for running back Tatum Bell, tackle George Foster and a fifth-round pick. This probably means that Detroit won't pick Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas. Millen will probably pick receiver Calvin Johnson or quarterback Brady Quinn.

The 49ers have the most cap room of any team to spend, and apparent approval from the notoriously penny-pinching Yorks to actually USE it. One of the local papers predicted that given Nolan's history with the Ravens, we might see the 49ers signing Adelius Thomas as early as this evening, once it passes midnight eastern.

-Arlos

The 49ers spent money but not on Thomas.

ESPN is reporting that the San Francisco 49ers have signed Clements to an eight-year contract worth $80 million. Nate Clements made the Pro Bowl just once. He will be the highest paid defensive player in NFL history.

Thomas is still scheduled to visit with the 49ers on Saturday. They've already talked to his agent. Cap value of that deal is probably 5-6 million, they've got plenty of room to add in thomas as well.

-Arlos

They just signed Safety Michael Lewis from Philadelphia as well. Go go 49ers.

Reports are Patriots have struck a preliminary deal with Adalius Thomas -- look for an announcement soon perhaps.

I am very optimistic about this coming season with the Patriots.

With more experience the players we have now are going to dominate behind Belichick.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2007freeagents.htm

The Bills and Niners are the earliest guys. I like what San Fran has done. Both guys they've nabbed are talented team players.

Looks like the Pats are indeed going ot get Thomas. Word is that SF has been in contact with Porter, in case they don't end up with Thomas, since they know they need to bolster their LB corps as well. I know they're also looking at adding at least one DT or DE as well.

On top of their signings for defense, it wouldn't surprise me at all if they sign a WR as well, as their current WR corps is rather suspect, especially since they just released antonio Bryant. Donte Stallworth maybe? Ideal would be to move up in the draft and take that uber-WR that everyone is salivating over, but I highly doubt the likelyhood of that.

-Arlos

The niners need a few defenders with attitude. I think Porter would be a better pickup for them than Adalius.

Bryant is one of those cancer players. Losing him might hurt a bit talentwise, but is a huge move ahead teamwise.

Stallworth would be good for them. However, San Fran is probably looking at one of the 3 or 4 very, very good secoond or third round WR steals in the draft. Cheaper than going with Stallworth, and not as injury prone.

I'm surprised Oakland didn't sign Garcia. They're going to screw over Russell if they sign him and dump him into the starting lineup of the AFC West.

Garcia only do well when he is playing for a good team. Look what he did in Cleveland and Detroit ... nothing. With the suck ass offensive line that the Raiders has, he won't be successful there either.

The point is its easier to pay Garcia big bucks and have him crater for a year or two while they rebuild, then to dump a clueless rookie in there and have him get Theismanned.

The Raiders won't be competitive next year. Why kill ones future franchise QB in a rebuilding year, when he could be learning and figuring things out.

Garcia signed with Tampa Bay today.

That's odd. Didn't they just trade for Plummer, too?

Yes they did. Now they have Garcia, Plummer, and Simms. Although Plummer is saying he will retire.

The best part of it is the best QB of the bunch (Rattay) is riding the pine.

If you're going to spend money on a QB, why not just ride Simms and Rattay for another year and get Quinn in the draft at #4.

I know what their doing is thinking they're going to get Johnson at 4 so get a vet QB to toss him the ball, but Simms is NOT the long term answer. Hell he wasn't even the best QB on his team in college (Applewhite) and just rode his name into the NFL.

Johnson IS this year's Vince Young though. Any team to pass on him with any pick is retarded. He's going to be Moss with a team player attitude and good work ethic.

It's funny hearing all the Vince Young hype. He really wasn't that great last year. The guy didn't have a great completion percentage, threw more picks than TDs, and whose D won at least 2 of the games he gets credit for. He had some good runs and made a few nice plays, but longterm he hasn't proven anything. Still, I'd rather start a season with him than 4 guys on my roster who are all mediocre overrated midgets.

Johnson is a better long term commodity than Young. Young will never beat a Bill Belechik D.

Reynaldo wrote:The best part of it is the best QB of the bunch (Rattay) is riding the pine.

Tim Rattay is an unrestricted free agent.

Seahawks signed Patrick Kerney DE from Atlanta to a 6 year deal last night.

Seahawks should be dominant on D if they can get any play from the secondary whatsoever.

They should let Stevens go and just run a 3wide I-set all the time and say to hell with a TE.

I believe Jeremy stevens was sent packing. They are attempting to negotiate with the TE from NE (the name escapes me atm (Graham?). Their offense is designed for 2 wides and a TE, you cant scrap the TE all together from the offense. I do agree, they need to go more 3 wide (wich they did last year).

Seahawks should be decent on D, it does all depend on their secondary play though. It is their weakest spot along with a pass rush. Kerney will help the pass rush. Ken Hamlin is a free agent this year, and i doubt the seahawks resign him. Michael lewis at strong safety should really help the run D. They still need a shutdown cornerback though, while Marcus Trufant is a good corner, he is not a shutdown corner.

The Dolphins signed Joey Porter to a 5 year deal.

20 million gauranteed on that Porter deal.


49ers found their linebacker. Tully Banta-cain signed today.

Wow, Porter made out like a bandit, in my opinion. I think a lot of his success was due to the Pitt scheme.

The Pats paid the same for Adalius, a much better LB, and stole the fins best WR.

Chiefs so far got McIntosh from the Dolphins who's not a superstar but should be solid, so if Shields has a couple more good years and Welbourn stop snorting coke, the O-line should get it's consistency back.

We really need to dump Green though and free up some cap space to try and add an impact WR to help out Gonzo.