ostrogoth

NFL Network's Charley Casserly says he's not sure if Marvin Harrison will get "one offer" from a team when he is released by the Colts. Casserly observed that Harrison has lost his speed and says his best bet is to stay in Indianapolis after taking a pay cut. The Eagles have been called possible suitors, but there are younger, better free agents available.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed that Fred Taylor will visit with the Bills this week. Buffalo is looking for insurance against a Marshawn Lynch suspension. New England is also believed to be interested

Albert Haynesworth is "definitely on the radar," according to Bucs coach Raheem Morris. GM Mark Dominik was more reserved, but he wouldn't rule out pursuing Haynesworth. The Bucs have the need, plenty of money under the cap, and are emerging as the clear front-runners.

Panthers LT Jordan Gross revealed Thursday that he has completed a multi-year contract to stay in Carolina. "We're done," he said. Gross' deal is expected to make him the NFL's second highest paid offensive lineman, behind only Dolphins left tackle Jake Long. Gross made his first Pro Bowl last season and was voted first-team All Pro. Feb. 19 - 1:00 pm et Source: Rock Hill Herald

Free agent Julius Peppers reportedly will refuse to sign a long-term contract with any club not on his four-team wish list "under any circumstance." Adam Schefter notes that Peppers already turned down a deal from Carolina that would've trumped Jared Allen's, so he's not playing games. The Broncos, Packers, Chiefs, and Dolphins are positioned the best to get him. Source: NFL.com

Agreed, too much money involved!

According to NFL Network's Adam Schefter, DT Albert Haynesworth will not re-sign with the Titans before testing the free agent market. Haynesworth obviously wasn't satisfied with the progress of contract talks, and this news significantly decreases the odds that he will return to the Titans. Perhaps the most disruptive defense player in the NFL the past two seasons, Haynesworth is sure to draw a monster contract on the open market. The Titans would have to match the highest offer now that their exclusive negotiating window is closed

The New Orleans Times-Picayune is reporting the Saints have released Deuce McAllister.

Per NFL.COM Early speculation on T.J. Houshmandzadeh's next landing spot centers on six teams: the Seahawks, 49ers, Titans, Ravens, Dolphins, and Eagles. Seattle and San Fran both have needs at the position and are close to Housh's west coast roots. The Titans and Eagles are contenders without an established go-to receiver, though Tennessee has to address its own free agents and the Eagles aren't likely to spend heavily at wide receiver.

Bengals designated K Shayne Graham as their franchise player. While the cost to tag Graham ($2.483M) is far less than it would've been for T.J. Houshmandzadeh, this move essentially kisses Housh goodbye.

By Vaughn McClure With starting right tackle John Tait expected to retire soon, the Bears have some serious evaluation to do starting with this week’s NFL Scouting Combine. First and foremost, they need to re-sign left tackle John St. Clair. Chris Williams, last year’s first round pick, is expected to take over at left tackle, and the Bears already had plans to start St. Clair at right tackle over Tait. But when Tait leaves, the Bears won’t have much insurance at tackle, unless they are considering giving aging veteran Fred Miller another shot for some odd reason. Undrafted free-agent Cody Balogh is the only other tackle around. The Bears haven’t drafted offensive tackles in the first round of consecutive drafts since 1976-77, when they selected Dennis Lick and Ted Albrecht. If one had to prioritize the Bears’ draft needs, tackle would be right up there with defensive back. Wide receiver, defensive end, linebacker, quarterback, and a running back to supplement Matt Forte are also priorities. The Bears really could use a free safety to fill the void of Mike Brown, who will not be back. But no safety is this year’s draft appears worthy of first-round consideration, if you asked the draft gurus. Louis Delmas from Western Michigan might be worth a look on the first day. I think the Bears will strongly consider Illinois’ Vontae Davis if he’s available with the 18th overall pick. This is not local bias, but the Bears have to take the best player available at a position of need. Plus the class of tackles is solid but not as good as it was last year. They could land a potential starter at tackle in the second round

ESPNews reports that the Jaguars have released RB Fred Taylor.

The Bucs have informed free agent Jeff Garcia that he is no longer in their plans. "With a new head coach, they want somebody pulling the trigger that they can mold," said Garcia. The 39-year-old will likely have to compete for a job no matter where he lands, possibly Minnesota. The Jets have been suggested as a potential suitor, but Garcia's noodle arm makes New York a poor fit.

Angelo is high on Danieal Manning, who is expected to be moved into Brown's starting role.

At this point, John St. Clair figures he's headed out into the open market. Free agency begins in two weeks, on Feb. 27, and the veteran offensive tackle has yet to hear from the Bears. "I feel I have no choice,'' St. Clair said. "If you haven't heard anything, of course you're going to the market. I haven't heard anything as of yet. I'm just down here [in Florida] enjoying my time off.'' The quiet front doesn't mean the Bears have ruled St. Clair, who started 16 games at left tackle last season, out of their plans. The organization has been going through meetings to plot the offseason plan and teams retain exclusive negotiating rights with their own players up until free agency opens. A lot of times business gets started and completed at the combine, which opens Thursday in Indianapolis. The Bears finalized a deal for quarterback Rex Grossman in Indianapolis last year before he entered free agency and also crafted extensions for quarterback Kyle Orton and tight end Desmond Clark. While the spotlight at the combine is on the draft-eligible players, it's the place where free-agent contracts are hatched. Veteran agents will call teams and ask if they're interested in meeting. If the agent represents a player entering free agency that the club wants to see in its uniform, the parties will meet up. Never does more business get done in the hotel rooms of downtown Indianapolis. St. Clair, 31, has been a valuable member of the line since signing in 2005. He's the most versatile linemen the club has had in the Jerry Angelo era, starting at both tackle positions and left guard. He was being paid as a swing tackle but has started the last 19 games for the club and is seeking a starting job. His first choice is to get that opportunity with the Bears but he's also looking for longterm security. First-round pick Chris Williams will be handed the left tackle job and the only way St. Clair would get a starting chance with the team is if the left guard spot manned by Josh Beekman, a former fourth-round pick, is opened up. "I want to be a starter, definitely,'' St. Clair said. "They know how I feel. I don't know what's going on. I'm laid back. I'm playing it by ear and letting my agent handle it. He knows what I want." One way or another, the Bears need to acquire a swing tackle. If they don't bring back St. Clair, it's a sign they could be looking at a tackle early in the draft. That could be part of the plan any way with John Tait entering the final year of his contract.

Kyle Orton sounded unconcerned in his first public comments since GM Jerry Angelo indicated he may bring in another QB, calling the position the team's "Achilles heel" under his watch. "I really just don't have any comment on it," Orton said. "I actually haven't talked to [him] or anything like that, so it really doesn't have any bearing on me." According to a gossip column in the NY Daily News, Matt Cassel was urinated on in the bathroom during the Super Bowl. An intoxicated man allegedly tried to cut in front of Cassel at the Raymond James Stadium urinals. After Cassel told the drunk to wait his turn, the man "barged in and proceeded to purposefully pee directly" on Cassel's leg. Security tossed the liquored-up individual, but Cassel was forced to return to his seats with smelly wet pants. Matt Cassel said he's received "no indications" from the Patriots about the possible use of the franchise tag. Cassel also went on to say that the sides haven't discussed a contract extension and he doesn't know what his "strategy" will be if the Patriots use the tag. Cassel could choose to sign the tendered contract quickly to guarantee the money. There is next to no chance that he will avoid the franchise tag. According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, there is "growing speculation" that the Vikings will make a run at free agent Matt Cassel. Cassel will be franchise tagged by the Patriots and cost several draft picks, including at least one first-rounder, and a $60+ million contract to acquire.

The Bears are expected to try to re-sign OT John St. Clair this offseason with the intention of starting him at right tackle. St. Clair's pass protection woes would be less obvious on the strong side after he gave up a high volume of sacks in Kyle Orton's blind side last year. The Bears would likely have him battle it out with RT John Tait. By Vaughn McClure Last year before the draft, NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock reported how teams dropped Chris Williams on their draft boards because of medical issues related to Williams’ neck and back. As you may recall, back surgery sidelined the Bears' top pick for half of his rookie season. Reminded of his report, Mayock responded with a little sarcasm. ``No comment,’’ he said. Mayock had plenty to say about this year’s crop of offensive line talent, and the Bears could use another lineman. Williams should start at left tackle next season. If the Bears can re-sign John St. Clair, he’ll likely start at right tackle with aging veteran John Tait in the rotation. The Bears are happy with the progress of left guard Josh Beekman but need insurance behind declining Roberto Garza at right guard. Backup guard Terrence Metcalf might not be back next season. ``It’s not a great year for guards,’’ Mayock said. ``If they’re going to get one, it’s going to be a little bit lower down the line. ``Andy Levitre (6-2, 306) was Oregon State’s left tackle. He will kick inside to play guard, and I believe he’s NFL-starting-guard caliber. Some teams like Duke Robinson (6-5, 335) from Oklahoma, a massive, tough guy. He struggles a little bit in space so he’s probably going to be a second-round pick. For the teams that like the real big, massive offensive lineman, he’s going to be a starter for them.’’ Mayock also is impressed with LSU’s Herman Johnson (6-7, 382) and Wisconsin’s Kraig Urbik (6-5, 323). ``Johnson is one of the biggest human beings I’ve ever seen in my life,’’ Mayock said. ``He and Urbik ... all these guards are going to fall into the second, third round. Any one of them could end up being a good, but not great, NFL starter.’’ Mayock ranks Baylor’s Jason Smith (6-5, 305), Virginia’s Eugene Monroe (6-6, 315), Alabama’s Andre Smith (6-4, 340), Mississippi’s Michael Oher (6-5, 320), and Arizona’s Eben Britton (6-6, 310) as the top five tackles, in order. Asked about a sleeper, Mayock mentioned South Carolina’s Jamon Meredith (6-5, 297). ``He got in Steve Spurrier's doghouse a little bit, but he’s a guy you have to do your homework on,’’ Mayock said. ``He can play guard or tackle. But he didn’t have a good senior year. He’s going to go lower than his talent would indicate. If you could get something out of him, you could get some real value. But you would be taking somewhat of a chance.’’ Mayock views Max Unger (6-4, 299) from Oregon and Eric Wood (6-4, 304) from Louisville as centers capable of playing any position on the line. ``Their versatility will help them,’’ he said. The Bears offensive line held its own last season even without Williams being a key part. Do you think last year's No. 14 overall pick from Vanderbilt will have an impact in 2009?

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Friday struck down the Bush administration's ban on giving federal money to international groups that perform abortions or provide abortion information — an inflammatory policy that has bounced in and out of law for the past quarter-century. Obama's executive order, the latest in an aggressive first week reversing contentious Bush policies, was warmly welcomed by liberal groups and denounced by abortion rights foes. The ban has been a political football between Democratic and Republican administrations since GOP President Ronald Reagan first adopted it 1984. Democrat Bill Clinton ended the ban in 1993, but Republican George W. Bush re-instituted it in 2001 as one of his first acts in office. A White House spokesman, Bill Burton, said Obama signed the executive order, without coverage by the media, late on Friday afternoon. The abortion measure is a highly emotional one for many people, and the quiet signing was in contrast to the televised coverage of Obama's Wednesday announcement on ethics rules and Thursday signing of orders on closing the Guantanamo Bay prison camp and banning torture in the questioning of terror suspects. His action came one day after the 36th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion. The Bush policy had banned U.S. taxpayer money, usually in the form of Agency for International Development funds, from going to international family planning groups that either offer abortions or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion as a family planning method. Critics have long held that the rule unfairly discriminates against the world's poor by denying U.S. aid to groups that may be involved in abortion but also work on other aspects of reproductive health care and HIV/AIDS, leading to the closure of free and low-cost rural clinics. Supporters of the ban say that the United States still provides millions of dollars in family planning assistance around the world and that the rule prevents anti-abortion taxpayers from backing something they believe is morally wrong. The ban has been known as the "Mexico City policy" for the city a U.S. delegation first announced it at a U.N. International Conference on Population. Both Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who will oversee foreign aid, had promised to do away with the rule during the presidential campaign. Clinton visited the U.S. Agency for International Development earlier Friday but made no mention of the step, which had not yet been announced

Nathan Vasher is "all but out of the mix" at cornerback for the Bears, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Tribune points out that Vasher's tackling skills have declined. He also isn't ideally built to play cornerback in the Bears' scheme at only 5'10/180. The Bears are expected to consider a corner with the No. 18 overall pick. http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune....-the-draft.html

Bears placed RB Garrett Wolfe on injured reserve with a torn hamstring, ending his season. They signed LB Gilbert Gardner. Gardner joins old Purdue pal Kyle Orton in Chicago. He knows the Tampa 2, having played in Detroit and Indianapolis previously,

Cedric Benson told reporters he would have 1,800 yards right now if he was running through the holes that Matt Forte has been running through in Chicago. He has a better chance at 1,800 DWIs. Wherever he goes, the holes seem to close much more quickly. Using his career 3.6 yards per carry, it would take the delusional Benson exactly 500 carries to reach his lofty projections.

Bears TE Desmond Clark was a late addition to the injury report after pulling a hamstring. He is listed as questionable.

He's out indefinately with a re-fractured wrist.

No pass rush, any QB will find an open receiver with that much time, average qb's have been doing it to us all year and now they decide to play against the pass more and the running game is killing us!

Defense had to create a turnover the way the Pack are manhandling us, D has to get better against the run.