**2010 Trade Rumours/Speculation/Confirmations**

kmart6

Right guys and girls after exchanging a few PM's with Frisbee we have both decided that it is a good idea to have just one major thread that can deal with all potential trades,speculation and rumours, along with all confirmed trades!

It will allow for the forum to not get over-run with trade threads, allowing a specific place for them, so people can follow everything in our long off-season!:(

So I think a couple of conditions/recommendations for posting will help everything run smoothly:

1)Each post should contain the article where you have discovered the information.

2)A link to the article(allows people to see it for themselves, and also have a nose around the website that's link).


Obviously contributions on each story welcome.

Lets all hope that this can work well.

Killian.

kmart6

May as well kick it off so....

profootballtalk.com wrote:

Cowboys won't franchise Austin

On Tuesday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that receiver Miles Austin won't be leaving Dallas.

On Wednesday, Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones told Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the franchise tag won't be applied to Austin to ensure that he stays put.

"We don't need to use the franchise tag," Stephen Jones said. "How many times have seen another team give up a one and a three?"

But Stephen Jones is overlooking the point we made earlier today, echoing Howard Balzer's assessment of the NFL calendar leading up to the uncapped year. If the Cowboys don't apply the franchise tag to Austin by February 25 and if a new CBA is finalized before March 5 and if the new CBA sets the minimum years of service for unrestricted free agency from six years back to four, Austin will hit the open market.

Besides, even though the highest RFA tender will cost the Cowboys more than $6 million less than the franchise tag, it can't be assumed that a receiver-needy team picking at the bottom of round one (e.g., the Ravens) wouldn't decide to devote that low first-round pick and a low third-round pick on a guy who has shown that he can be a dominant receiver.

Throw in a Hutchinson-Burleson poison pill that makes the full amount of a six-year, $53.999 million contract guaranteed if Austin plays more than five games in any year in the state of Texas or if at any moment he doesn't have the highest annual average compensation for any receiver on the team, and the Cowboys would have a hard time matching the deal.

So if the Cowboys are serious about keeping Austin, there are only two ways to make it close to a sure thing -- use the franchise tag, or sign him to a long-term deal.

kmart6

Browns release Jamal Lewis

profootballtalk.com wrote:

Jamal Lewis said it more than once: He's planning to retire.

But since Lewis hasn't formally gone through with the move, the Browns were forced to terminate his contract Wednesday.

Lewis actually left the door open to a possible return to football in early January, but he was set to meet with post-concussion specialists and it sounds like a long shot.

In a league where most running backs don't get a second contract, it says a lot that Lewis got two from the Browns late in his career. His foot speed slowed over the years, but he never was accused of playing without total effort.

Former PFT scribe Aaron Wilson points out that Lewis is well set up for life after football as the owner of a successful trucking business.

kmart6

Peppers and Patriots patter picks up again

profootballtalk.com wrote:

A year ago, NFL.com's Vic Carucci reported that the Patriots were likely to acquire Julius Peppers from the Panthers after he signed his one-year franchise tender.

That never happened, but the Patriots "remain very interested" in Peppers, according to Carucci. It makes sense: New England's pass rush struggled again in 2009, and they are set to lose a few pass rushers in free agency.

The Patriots also won't have to give up any trade compensation to get Peppers now, and the final eight teams in the playoffs are virtually out of the running due to the rules of the uncapped year.

All of the reasons above are sure to get callers to the Whiner Line frothing at the mouth. (Greater Boston appears to think that the Patriots will have failed if they don't land Peppers.)

There are even better reasons why signing Peppers is still an uphill climb: Vince Wilfork, Tom Brady, and plenty of other Patriots like Logan Mankins need to get paid.

It will be very difficult -- not impossible -- to make Peppers one of the highest paid players in the league when the Patriots have so many contract fires burning at home.

Just don't tell that to Sully O'McSullivan.

kmart6

Agent says Pat Williams is coming back

profootballtalk.com wrote:

After a deflating NFC title game loss to the Saints, Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams said he was thinking about retiring.

Nearly four weeks later, Williams' agent says that the veteran is coming back.

"Trust me, I know what Pat Williams is doing," Angelo Wright told Brian Murphy of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "Pat Williams is playing."

Of course, he might ultimately not be playing in four of the games, given the still-pending StarCaps litigation. A ruling is expected Thursday morning on the pending motions for summary judgment filed by the league and the players.

Williams will turn 38 in October. He's due to earn a base salary of $4.25 million and a roster bonus of $250,000.

kmart6

Panthers pick up Ed Johnson

profootballtalk.com wrote:

In October, the Indianapolis Colts cut defensive tackle Ed Johnson for reasons that weren't quite clear.

But whatever the reasons were, Johnson has caught on with a new team.

John Clayton of ESPN is reporting that the Carolina Panthers have reached an agreement with Johnson. There's no word on the terms of the contract.

The Panthers were known to be looking for defensive line help, and Johnson, who started four games for the Colts before his release, is at the very least a solid player to take a look at through the off-season.

kmart6

Steelers dust off David Pittman

profootballtalk.com wrote:

As we prepare for another seven-round player selection process, we'll be reminded at times of guys taken fairly high in recent drafts who are having trouble staying in the league.

One of them is cornerback David Pittman. The Ravens picked him with the 87th overall selection in 2006, and he ultimately ended up out of football in 2009.

But Pittman is getting a shot at redemption, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have announced that he has been signed to the 80-man offseason roster.

Also signed by the Steelers was linebacker Renauld Williams, who spent 2004 through 2006 with the 49ers before heading to Canada, where he played for three years as a member of the Saskatchewan Rough Riders.

davyjose

:rolleyes:

I'll say nothing

Tristram

Chargers trading Cromartie? Smoke and mirrors surely.

http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/should-chargers-trade-antonio-cromartie

ESPN is reporting that the Chargers are looking into shopping cornerback Antonio Cromartie for a running back. With LaDainian Tomlinson’s career all but over and with Darren Sproles facing free agency, San Diego is in dire need of a featured back. But they’d be taking a slight gamble by dealing Cromartie. Yes, the former first-round pick has had two inconsistent seasons since his 10-interception breakout campaign.

And yes, with seven kids by five women, and five paternity suits in two years, it’s a fair guess that Cromartie doesn’t bring great leadership to the locker room.

But Cromartie’s presumable replacement, Antoine Cason, couldn’t even keep a nickelback job in 2009. And Cason, though himself a former first-rounder, doesn’t have Cromartie’s ball skills or uncanny athleticism (then again, he doesn’t have Cromartie’s shoddy fundamentals either). In the long term, replacing Cromartie makes sense. But this team is built to win now.

Cromartie is due just $1.225 million in this final year of his original contract. His reputation with the club is damaged. Thus, General Manager A.J. Smith is having the same thoughts about Cromartie that Bill Belichick had about Richard Seymour: Get something for him now rather than nothing when he leaves as a free agent.

But for this to pay off, the Chargers must get a featured running back who can help them in 2010. Otherwise, they’re better off rolling the dice and hoping that Cromartie shapes up in his contract year.

frostie500

Tristram wrote: »

Chargers trading Cromartie? Smoke and mirrors surely.

As bad as Cromartie has played the last two years theres no way I'd trade him away for a running back. RBs are dime a dozen in the late rounds of the draft and can come in and be productive. Cromartie showed a few years ago that he can be a superb corner-its up to the coaching staff to get him to raise himself to that level again.

Tthere would be a market for him(teams always remember the highs of players not their lack of recent production), and I think the Jets would look to make a move for him if there was value in the picks being asked for. Rex Ryan would be able to return him to his past form and Cromartie and Revis would be some tandem. The Jets then only need to find an defensive end in the draft and they would have an incredible defence

RichTea

There will definitely be interest in Cromartie, even though I'd argue that it is not deserved. For every interception he has made over the past season or two, he has given up a couple of big play whether it be from blown coverage or his apprehension when it comes to physicality.

tallaghtoutlaws

RichTea wrote: »

There will definitely be interest in Cromartie, even though I'd argue that it is not deserved. For every interception he has made over the past season or two, he has given up a couple of big play whether it be from blown coverage or his apprehension when it comes to physicality.

Definitely this. Whoever takes him have a lot of work on their hands to get his head back in the game. Not surprised the Charger are trying to offload him to be honest. He is not as good in my opinion as everyone makes him out to be. Far too inconsistent for my likings.

kmart6

Don't think Facebook thing help his case...haha

kmart6

Not a trade but definately a shock.

nfl.com wrote:

Buffalo Bills starting right tackle Brad Butler announced his retirement Thursday.

The news comes as a surprise to the Bills after Butler, who's 26, just completed his fourth NFL season.



For more on the Buffalo Bills, check out the latest from our bloggers.

» Blog Blitz: Bills

Butler majored in government studies at Virginia, and he spent the 2008 offseason interning at Kemp Partners in Washington D.C. with late Bills quarterback and U.S. congressman Jack Kemp.

"My passion for education, country and community is something that I am ready to devote my full attention to," Butler said in a statement released by the team. "I believe the best way to pursue these spheres of interest is to step away from the game of football at this point in my life."

Butler started all but two of the 33 career games he played in after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2006 draft. He was limited to just two games in 2009 after sustaining a serious knee injury in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

26 and wanting to get out of the game and pursue business interests! I suppose it could be said that he never really wanted to be there since he took a ear out to work in the first place!

Tristram

Nice to see an intelligent football player.

Leslie91

frostie500 wrote: »

As bad as Cromartie has played the last two years theres no way I'd trade him away for a running back. RBs are dime a dozen in the late rounds of the draft and can come in and be productive. Cromartie showed a few years ago that he can be a superb corner-its up to the coaching staff to get him to raise himself to that level again.

Tthere would be a market for him(teams always remember the highs of players not their lack of recent production), and I think the Jets would look to make a move for him if there was value in the picks being asked for. Rex Ryan would be able to return him to his past form and Cromartie and Revis would be some tandem. The Jets then only need to find an defensive end in the draft and they would have an incredible defence

If someone makes a half decent offer for Cro he is gone. A late first rounder or a player we can do with (you are correct no way is a RB worth it, esp the talked about Tashard Choice from the Cowboys) and he is yours. Cro has all the athletic ability in the world but he is as thick as a brick and soft. His teammates have given up on him so he will be gone, he is already saying he wants a trade publicly. Btw y'all know he has 7 kids under 6 by six different women in 5 States, Now that's an amazing stat.

jdivision

Leslie91 wrote: »

Btw y'all know he has 7 kids under 6 by six different women in 5 States, Now that's an amazing stat.

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/03/12/after-birth-of-twins-travis-henry-now-has-11-kids-by-10-women/

Frisbee

Thread Stickied as it's getting a decent bit of traffic, especially for the off season.

Hazys

LaDainian Tomlinson has been released by the Chargers.


Even tho i dont like him personally (he's an awful big whinger and sore loser), he has had a tremendous career but i dont think he'll be too effective next season. He'll get a decent contract on a poor team i'd say.

kmart6

Wilfork finally gets tagged!

profootballtalk.com wrote:

As expected, the New England Patriots have announced that defensive tackle Vince Wilfork has been named the team's franchise player for 2010.

In a press release, the team explains that the move was made "in an effort to continue negotiating a long-term agreement." Implicit in this observation is the fact that the team believes the current impasse won't be resolved before 4:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 25, the deadline for using the tag.

The Patriots also have expressed their desire to sign Wilfork to a long-term deal in the same release: "A long-term agreement with Vince Wilfork has been the team's top contractual priority for some time. Unfortunately, despite numerous conversations and proposals, the goal has not yet been realized. Vince is a tremendous player for our team and remains a significant part of our future plans. It is because of Vince's importance to this organization that we have assigned the franchise designation as we continue to work toward a long-term agreement. We are hopeful that Vince will remain a Patriot for many years to come."

The explanation undoubtedly is aimed at persuading Wilfork to conclude that the decision to use the tag should be regarded as an honor, not an insult. But Wilfork knows the difference between making $7 million in 2010 and hauling in $30 million or more in guaranteed money.

With the latter comes lifetime financial security.

Wilfork's options are simple. He can sign the tag and guarantee the salary completely, or he can wait. If he signs, he's under contract and obligated to attend all mandatory offseason events, training camp, and the preseason. If he waits, he can avoid all football activities until a couple of days before Week One of the regular season, and he'll still make the full $7 million.

Along the way, he can talk to other teams and, if he finds one willing to give up two first-round picks, he can sign an offer sheet. The more likely approach is that a team that works out general terms with Wilfork would then approach the Patriots about a trade.

But coach Bill Belichick offered up some tortured logic in 2009 regarding the manner in which the process of trading for a franchise player unfolds, and we wonder whether the Patriots would agree to talk trade before Wilfork gives up his leverage and signs the tender offer.

kmart6

Pats can still use transition tag though!

profootballtalk.com wrote:

In any other year, the application of the franchise tag to defensive tackle Vince Wilfork would mean that the rest of the Patriots' unrestricted free agents would be certain to get to the open market, absent a new contract.

In the uncapped year, however, teams have an extra transition tag to use. As a result, they can use the transition tag twice, or one franchise tag and one transition tag.

In New England, the other unrestricted free agents this year are linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, cornerback Leigh Bodden, defensive end Derrick Burgess, running back Kevin Faulk, defensive end Jarvis Green, punter Chris Hanson, offensive lineman Stephen Neal, linebacker Junior Seau, and tight end Benjamin Watson.

The transition tag requires the team to offer a one-year contract with a salary equal to the average of the ten highest-paid players at the same position. The transition tag has been used sparingly since the current CBA, negotiated in 2006, made the salary fully guaranteed once the transition tender is accepted.

The transition tag gives the team only a right to match a long-term offer, with no compensation. The Vikings pilfered guard Steve Hutchinson from the Seahawks in 2006 via a poison-pill offer made when Hutchinson was operating under the limited limitations, making the transition tag not so tremendously tremendous.

Although Bodden's 2009 one-year deal prevents use of the franchise tag, a league source tells us that the Patriots are not prevented from using the transition tag on Bodden. Still, it's not believed that the Patriots will use the transition tag on Bodden or anyone else, given the absence of any compensation if he signs elsewhere -- and the invitation to another interested team to use the poison pill.

kmart6

Bears sign 2 free agents.

profootballtalk.com wrote:

Though the period for signing men whose contracts expired at the end of the 2009 season doesn't begin until March 5, players who have been released may be signed now.

And so the Bears have announced the acquisition of tight end Richard Angulo and receiver Eric Peterman to one-year contracts.

Angulo was out of football in 2009 after a five-year career that included stops in St. Louis, Minnesota, Chicago, and Jacksonville. On two prior occasions, Angulo spent time with new Bears offensive line coach Mike Tice.

In 2008, Angulo appeared in 15 games with the only six starts of his career.

Peterman spent the 2009 preseason on the Bears' roster, and the final week of the 2009 regular season on the Chicago practice squad.

Si Conando

Hazys wrote: »

LaDainian Tomlinson has been released by the Chargers.


Even tho i dont like him personally (he's an awful big whinger and sore loser), he has had a tremendous career but i dont think he'll be too effective next season. He'll get a decent contract on a poor team i'd say.

Basing your opinion of a guy on how he acts after heartbreaking losses, isnt really fair. He has done as much work helping people outside of football as pretty much any player in the league. Anytime Marty Schottenheimer or Dean Spanos have talked about LT, it has been his character and actions off the field that have impressed them most. He has never been in any sort of trouble throughout his career. I cant remember a single negative comment about his character from a teammate or coach over his 9 years.

Im sad to see him go, but unfortunately he has lost a step over the last couple of seasons. Id like to see him go somewhere with a chance of getting a ring regardless of his role.

Hazys

Si Conando wrote: »

Basing your opinion of a guy on how he acts after heartbreaking losses, isnt really fair. Well when do you base his sore-loserness after a big win? or a mildly depressing loss? He has done as much work helping people outside of football as pretty much any player in the league. Anytime Marty Schottenheimer or Dean Spanos have talked about LT, it has been his character and actions off the field that have impressed them most. He has never been in any sort of trouble throughout his career. I cant remember a single negative comment about his character from a teammate or coach over his 9 years. I'm calling him a sore loser, not an uncharitable person or a criminal :rolleyes:

Im sad to see him go, but unfortunately he has lost a step over the last couple of seasons. Id like to see him go somewhere with a chance of getting a ring regardless of his role.

He went down a lot in my book when he called Bill Belichick and the Patriots classless after they lost and went to trying to start a fight with the Patriot players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcQPk7cfR2g If you want to disrespect the Patriots all week (with the Patriots saying nothing) leading upto the game when you are favourites to win especially Merriman before the game and during the game doing his ridiculous lights out dance after sacking Tom Brady expect to take some flack and for crying out loud the onfield celebrations were mild at best. Tomlinson came off as a big baby after that game.

Also not too mention his sulking after the other Patriots playoff game he lost in, especially his after his comments leading upto the game. He has a serious chip on his shoulder when it comes to the Patriots.

bruschi

Randy Moss in his last year at the Patriots?

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2010/02/21/moss_anticipates_out_pattern_after_this_year/

“I don’t think they going to extend my contract,’’ said Moss. “I understand the beast, the nature of it. I think that just with what I think and what I know I don’t think they’re going to re-sign me back. So, after this season if there is not a lockout I’ll be looking for a new team. I’ve got a lot of respect for the Patriots and what they did for me and my family. The only thing I can do is just play this year out and see what my future holds after that.’’




Vince Wilfork has had franchise tag placed on him, but unrestricted, so hopefully something will get worked out for a long term deal.

evil_seed

John Harbaugh wrote:

We're interested in T.O. We're interested in all the guys that can make our team better. I think he's a good guy and a good player. I was coaching special teams and he was playing receiver so he was on the hands team. And I had a chance to relate to him through that. We had a good relationship.

I reckon it'd be a good move. If we could keep Mason for 1 more year, and if Stallworth can make the squad, then add T.O., it all adds up to a hell of a lot better passing game.

Dohnny Jepp

I suppose it jsut depends on what kind of contract he'd want. If he's looking for too much I'd rather take tate in the first round.

Hazys

Looks like Brandon Marshall and Scheffler for the Broncos are going to be leaving.

Marshall only got a 1st round tender and Scheffler a 2nd round tender.

Leslie91

Hazys wrote: »

He went down a lot in my book when he called Bill Belichick and the Patriots classless after they lost and went to trying to start a fight with the Patriot players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcQPk7cfR2g If you want to disrespect the Patriots all week (with the Patriots saying nothing) leading upto the game when you are favourites to win especially Merriman before the game and during the game doing his ridiculous lights out dance after sacking Tom Brady expect to take some flack and for crying out loud the onfield celebrations were mild at best. Tomlinson came off as a big baby after that game.

Also not too mention his sulking after the other Patriots playoff game he lost in, especially his after his comments leading upto the game. He has a serious chip on his shoulder when it comes to the Patriots.

There's not alot of love lost with the Patriots and Chargers that's for sure, but you cannot condone the dancing on the Lightning Bolt Pats players did after the 06 playoff fluke win. The Chargers gave that game to the Patriots and some Charger players who played their hearts out that yr esp LT were distraught. Rubbing salt in the wound is what happened that day. I for one could not believe some of the stuff LT came out with at the time, having thought about it after I fully understand why he said and acted like he did.

Belichick is an A hole everybody knows this. Yes he has been a v succesful coach I will give him that but it does not excuse him being the A hole that he is. Unfortunately his attitude (eg. running up a score) permeated down to the players and they made complete fools of themselves that day.

Hazys

Leslie91 wrote: »

There's not alot of love lost with the Patriots and Chargers that's for sure, but you cannot condone the dancing on the Lightning Bolt Pats players did after the 06 playoff fluke win. The Chargers gave that game to the Patriots and some Charger players who played their hearts out that yr esp LT were distraught. Rubbing salt in the wound is what happened that day. I for one could not believe some of the stuff LT came out with at the time, having thought about it after I fully understand why he said and acted like he did.

Belichick is an A hole everybody knows this. Yes he has been a v succesful coach I will give him that but it does not excuse him being the A hole that he is. Unfortunately his attitude (eg. running up a score) permeated down to the players and they made complete fools of themselves that day.

Yes, the pats player's celebrations and rubbing salt in the wounds were extravagant, so extravagant in fact, that no camera bothered to capture it.

Even if you agreed or didnt argree with the 'outragous' celebrations on the field, you cant defend LT's childish, sore loser behaviour on the field after the game and in the press conference.

BB's attitude of "running up the scores" (which occured 3 years later) permeated down to the players that day? :rolleyes:

Tristram

http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/05/jets-land-antonio-cromartie/

The Jets confirmed late Thursday night that they had agreed in principle with the San Diego Chargers to acquire cornerback Antonio Cromartie for a conditional 2011 draft pick.

Cornerback depth was among the most pressing needs for the Jets. Although they ranked first in the N.F.L. in pass defense last season, the Jets needed a starting cornerback opposite Darrelle Revis, especially after Lito Sheppard was released.

By adding Cromartie, a Pro Bowl player in 2007, the Jets have, on paper, one of the best cornerback tandems in the N.F.L. They also have Dwight Lowery, Donald Strickland and Drew Coleman (restricted free agent) at that position.

The trade was first reported by FoxSports.com. Mike Tannenbaum, the Jets general manager, was expected to be active in the trade market, because the Jets are considerably hamstrung by the rules for an uncapped season because they advanced to the A.F.C. championship.