Bearstalk

Rams | Team releases Bruce Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:32:27 -0800 Jim Thomas, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports the St. Louis Rams cut WR Isaac Bruce Thursday, Feb. 28. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sign him to a 2 or 3 year deal and focus on addressing the position in the draft either this year or next with him to help guide the rookie thru the ropes of adjusting to the speed of the NFL?

Signed by the Jags for 6 yrs, 30 million with a 10 million signing bonus. Fairly comparable to the Bears offer to Berrian for 5 yrs 25 million with a 8 million signing bonus. I think Minny is going to offer probably 5 yrs 30 million with a 12 million signing bonus and he will sign on the dotted line. Free agent WRs left that interest me: Bryan Johnson (meeting soon - hopefully we sign him) Reche Caldwell Drew Carter DJ Hackett Jabar Gaffney Keary Colbert Marty Booker Robert Ferguson (if we are desperate) Javon Walker (is he a drillrod; can he stay healthy?) I am really hoping we can sign Johnson. I saw that Wilford signed a 13 million de…

On here, I've been echoing Angelo saying, "Wait for the bargains." Now that our bad offense has lost 2 starting lineman, 2 starting WR's (inevitably), our best run-blocker (Gilmore), and we still haven't replaced Thomas Jones . . . I admit I'm getting a bit anxious. At some point we will sign a good offensive guard that nobody has ever heard of. We'll draft an offensive tackle early. But that ain't good enough. We're going to lose Briggs & Berrian. Why not sign the best RB available? Any word on him? I know he was flying to Atlanta today . . .

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jets/2008...-on-faneca.html Jets close in on Faneca The free-agent signing period opened at midnight, and the Jets were expected the strike quickly. The target: Steelers LG Alan Faneca. The Jets are poised to make Faneca an $8 million-a-year offer and, barring an upset, they will get their man. The official announcement may not happen for a day or two, but those in the know believe it’s a fait accompli. It’s never done until the ink is on the paper, but the Jets are expected to outbid the Rams and 49ers. Faneca, 31, is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection. He would fill a gaping hole at left guard, sliding between LT D’Br…

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ag9c...o&type=lgns INDIANAPOLIS – Eyeing the free agent bloodbath on the horizon, Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo preached “sobriety in the marketplace” – the act of keeping your head, spending money wisely, and not corrupting prices in the NFL’s free agent period. “Because you have the money,” Angelo said, “doesn’t mean you have to spend all the money.” In a way, it sounded like a verbal white flag from the team most likely to get raided when free agency begins on Friday. Of all the years to allow talented free agents to get to the open market, Chicago gambled and stumbled upon the worst. A solid period …

Free agent Bernard Berrian is reportedly en route to Oakland. The Vikings couldn't get him signed immediately, not that they're entirely out of the running. Berrian is the deep threat big-armed JaMarcus Russell needs and Al Davis has tons of cap room, even after the Tommy Kelly signing.

The Bears and Brian Urlacher are discussing a restructuring of his contract. Urlacher signed a nine-year deal in 2003, but will make just $3.95 million this season, as salary inflation has far exceeded the increments in his agreement. The timing is bad for Urlacher, though, as he suffered with a sore back for much of last season, and still won't be able to run for two more weeks after undergoing neck surgery. Source: Chicago Tribune Michael Turner is visiting the Falcons Friday. Atlanta, looking for a power rusher, is the most logical landing spot for Turner. We wouldn't be surprised if he signs Friday. The Lions, Bears and Saints are also said to be actively …

Broncos released WR Javon Walker, according to ESPN's Michael Smith.

So who do we draft as a QB to develop if Rex and Kyle fall short of expectations? Everyone seems concerned about QBs in the draft who have problems with mechanics, speed, agility, athleticism, quick release, Big School competition, etc... There have been many QBs drafted who had all of these attributes that flopped as NFL QBs. Ryan Leaf, drafted #2 in round 1 of the 1998 draft. Cade McNown drafted #12 in round 1 of the 1999 draft. How can we forget Rick Mirer drafted #2 of the 1993 draft. All of these QBs had all the qualities we have discussed necessary to become an NFL Star QB. But there have been QBs who lacked these attributes that succeed…

With the lack of activity in the offseason and the team's willingness of letting starters like Berrian and Briggs go, as well as special team contributors like Ayanbadejo and Gilmore, I am thinking more and more that JA and the Bears are going to spend the next season or two rebuilding the team to make them better for the future rather then putting all our resources into just for the next year or two. I can't say this is a bad idea, but it would suck to see the Bears suck for a year or two, if not more. But with the young talent and future the Lions, Vikings, and Packers have, we might not be able to compete in the NFC North for more then maybe a year or two.

Let Berrian walk and take a chance on Walker.

Barely a half hour into free agency, and the Vikins have set up a Friday visit with Bears receiver Bernard Berrian. Berrian wants a contract that pays out $24.5 million over the first three years, and that includes $12 million guaranteed. He would provide a deep threat for the Vikings' West Coast offense. Have a guy who can stretch the field opens up the various underneath routes in the system. source: pft

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...e022908.article Not a big deal, as far as I'm concerned. I'd just use a pick in the 6th/7th to get the best remaining blocking TE available. They don't tend to go early.

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports that the Jaguars agreed to terms with Jerry Porter

Link. Although the Bills are reluctant to use cap space since they are actually a small market team, after last year, this is a good signing. Sort of helps replace London fletcher, bolsters a LB corps that was very weak after Pos got injured, and he's only 28.

Just saw on NFL network that the Chargers released OT Shane Olivea. He isn't that old and OT is a huge need, what are your guys thoughts on this, I for one would shell the dough to get a proven vet on this line like shane. Chargers OL has been pretty darn good the last few years.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks Dolphins strike first February 29, 2008 7:00 AM When the clock struck midnight, the Dolphins were off and running. Miami signed former 49ers guard Justin Smiley to a five-year, $25 million deal, which includes $9 million in guarantees. Smiley started 49 games in his four seasons with San Francisco. He started the first eight games of the 2007 season before suffering a right shoulder injury and undergoing surgery. Smiley will immediately start for the Dolphins, in part, because he has a pulse. I'm sure Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano talked to his friend George Warhop about Smiley before signing him. Warhop is …