Agent Adisa Bakari took an exception to a report that the Bears are concerned about how Matt Forte's knees will hold up, as they try to sign the Pro Bowl running back to a long-term deal. "Matt Forte is among the most, if not the most, durable, all-purpose running back in the NFL,"Bakari said. "The 2011 season was the first season of his career that he missed any games. Had the Bears been play-off contenders, he could have returned for the balance of the season. To question his durability at this stage... [Read More]
At age 42, Jeff Garcia says he's not done playing quarterback. After spending 2006 and 2009 with the Philadelphia Eagles, he's lobbying the organization for another chance to make the roster. "Philly's the team my wife will let me go back and play for," Garcia told WIP-FM, via Philly.com. "She's the only one that will approve the move, so to speak. Our experience there in Philadelphia in 2006 was just, for me as a player, one of the best experiences that I've had." Garcia is dreaming in public here.... [Read More]
Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said Friday he is considering testing the free-agent market after this season. "I think (team President) Ted Phillips said when they had the owners meeting they're going to wait until the season is over. See what happens, how I play (before addressing the contract situation)," Urlacher said Friday. "It's kind of exciting. I've never been a free agent. So if I can get to free agency we'll see what happens. "I no doubt want to finish my career here. There's no... [Read More]
If the NFL Players Association is right, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees could gain some serious leverage against the team. Under the terms of the CBA, a player who is franchised three times gets at least a 44 percent increase in his salary. Brees was franchised by the San Diego Chargers in 2005 and was designated as such by the Saints this offseason. If the 2005 tag counts as being franchised a second time under the current collective bargaining agreement, his one-year tender would jump drastically to... [Read More]
The Houston Texans continue to fine-tune their stable of running backs. Former Seattle Seahawks tailback Justin Forsett is scheduled for a tryout with the team on Wednesday, a league source told ProFootballTalk.com. Arian Foster and Ben Tate are firmly in place in Houston's backfield. If Forsett catches on with the team, he'll compete for time with Javarris Williams and rookies Jonathan Grimes and Davin Meggett. In four NFL seasons, Forsett has compiled 1,287 yards on 278 attempts for a promising 4.6 yards per carry.... [Read More]
The New York Giants today Giants waived/injured cornerback Brian Witherspoon according to Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star-Ledger. To fill Witherspoon's roster spot, the team signed veteran cornerback Dante Hughes, who attended their rookie camp on a tryout basis. Hughes, 26, was a third-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2007. He spent the past three seasons with the San Diego Chargers and played in all 16 games last year.
The Cardinals signed former Raiders unrestricted free-agent LB Quentin Groves on Thursday, the team confirmed. Groves will be entering his fifth season in the NFL, he spent the past two with the Raiders. In 2011, he played in all 16 games, with three starts, and recorded 24 tackles, two passes defensed and one forced fumble. Groves played for the Jaguars from 2008-09, he has missed only one game in the past four seasons and has six passes defensed and two interceptions. To make room on the roster, the Cardinals... [Read More]
The Oakland Raiders worked out cornerback Cletis Gordon, according to a league source. Gordon, 29, has previously played for the San Diego Chargers, Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers and in the United Football League with the Florida Tuskers. The 6-foot-1, 212-pounder played collegiately at Jackson State. Gordon was cut by the Panthers in March. For his career, he has 29 tackles and three pass deflections with no interceptions.
The Bears announced Wednesday that they have signed DT Nate Collins to a one-year contract. Collins entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2010 and played in 13 games for the Jaguars over the past two seasons after beginning his career with the Giants. He recorded 10 tackles and was credited with one half of a sack and a pass defensed in 12 games last season. The addition of Collins brings the Bears' roster to the 90-player maximum.
The Packers signed former Dolphins DE Phillip Merling on Wednesday and released TE Cameron Ford and QB Nick Hill. The Dolphins cut Merling earlier this offseason. A second-round pick in 2008, Merling has played in 46 games with three starts, recording 66 tackles, 3½ sacks, two fumble recoveries, an interception-return touchdown and eight passes defensed. He has some off-the-field problems, including an arrest for aggravated battery against his pregnant girlfriend in May 2010 — the charges were later dropped — and a... [Read More]
The Indianapolis Colts signed outside linebacker Jerry Brown and waived outside linebacker Brandon Peguese. Brown joins the Colts from the San Antonio Talons of the Arena Football League where he recorded 34 tackles, five tackles for loss, five sacks, two fumble recoveries and one blocked kick. He spent last season with the Jacksonville Sharks of the AFL prior to joining the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. Brown attended the University of Illinois and totaled 13 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2... [Read More]
Former Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl fullback Ovie Mughelli is visiting the St. Louis Rams today, he announced on his Twitter account. Mughelli has previously met with the Miami Dolphins since being cut by the Falcons. Mughelli signed a six-year, $18 million contract with the Falcons in 2007 that included a $5 million signing bonus. He started 38 games for Atlanta in five seasons. Mughelli injured his right knee during a collision with safety Louis Delmas during a win over the Detroit Lions and was placed on injured... [Read More]
The Kansas City Chiefs have signed free agent wide receiver Aaron Weaver. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder transferred to Syracuse after Hofstra eliminated its football program. His career numbers: 141 receptions for 1,504 yards (10.6 avg.) and nine touchdowns. While at Hofstra, he led the team in receptions in 2009 and earned second-team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors in 2008 after leading the Pride in receptions, punt return and kickoff return average and all purpose yards.
The Bengals on Monday announced that guard Matt Murphy (6-4, 307; Nevada-Las Vegas) was acquired on waivers from the Indianapolis Colts. He was signed to the Colts' practice squad at the beginning of last season. Later Monday, the Bengals announced the signing of center Reggie Stephens, a second-year NFL player. Stephens (6-3, 325; Iowa State) was with the Bengals in the 2011 preseason and played in all four games before being waived on Sept. 4 and signing with Chicago's practice squad on Oct. 26 where he remained... [Read More]
A pair of veteran safeties visited the Tennessee Titans today according to Aaron Wilson of Profootball.scout.com. Gibril Wilson and Abe Elam visited the AFC South club, according to a league source. Wilson, 30. had 33 tackles and one forced fumble last season for the Cincinnati Bengals, he has previous stints with the Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders and the New York Giants. Elam, 30, started every game last season for the Dallas Cowboys, Elam has previous stints with the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and spent his... [Read More]
