Chiefs fill void with signing of WR Morton

By Nolan Nawrocki, Associate editor

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Friday, March 29, 2002

• After delaying his departure from Kansas City yesterday in an attempt to finalize a deal, WR Johnnie Morton agreed to a seven-year contract with the Chiefs. Details of the contract were not immediately available, but Morton will reportedly earn a signing bonus of $4 million to $5 million. Morton had already visited St. Louis and Tampa Bay and had a visit scheduled with Denver for next week, which was canceled. The first-round draft choice of the Lions in 1994 will fill a big void at wide receiver, immediately becoming the Chiefs’ top threat, complementing TE Tony Gonzalez.

• The Saints added a vocal leader yesterday, agreeing to terms with LB Bryan Cox on a one-year, $750,000 contract. Cox, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, is expected to bring intensity, toughness and leadership to New Orleans, according to head coach Jim Haslett.

• Miami unrestricted free-agent P Matt Turk visited the Jets yesterday and is seeking a multiyear contract, which the Dolphins do not appear in position to offer. The Dolphins have offered a one-year, $650,000 deal to Turk, with $450,000 counting against the cap. Turk has also received interest from Minnesota. Should the Dolphins lose Turk, Minnesota unrestricted free-agent P Mitch Berger is believed to be Miami’s fallback option.

• The Seahawks re-signed veteran unrestricted free-agent WR Bobby Engram to a one-year, $575,000 contract yesterday, which includes a $25,000 bonus.

• The Vikings re-signed DE Lance Johnstone to a one-year deal worth the league minimum of $525,000, but the team is still negotiating with Miami DE Lorenzo Bromell. Bromell has received interest from Minnesota and Cincinnati, in addition to Miami.

• The Bengals agreed to a three-year contract with unrestricted free-agent DE Reinard Wilson, who was the Bengals’ first-round draft pick in 1997. Wilson registered nine of the Bengals’ team-record 48 sacks last year. The Bears had also pursued Wilson.

• The Bears have extended a contract offer to former Falcons QB Chris Chandler. With the Bears still negotiating with the Redskins on a trade involving backup QB Shane Matthews, the Bears hope to secure a solid backup to starter Jim Miller.

• The Steelers will begin working toward signing restricted free-agent OLB Joey Porter to a long-term contract next week. Porter was tendered a one-year, $1.227 million contract by the Steelers on Feb. 27. The Steelers signed LOLB Jason Gildon to a six-year, $23 million contract Feb. 25 and are hoping to keep together the tandem of Gildon and Porter, who have combined for 44 sacks as starters.

Signings:

CLEVELAND BROWNS: Agreed to terms with WR Chris Sanders on a one-year contract.
NEW ORLEANS: Signed OLT Spencer Folau to a two-year, $1.7 million contract.
NEW YORK GIANTS: Re-signed S Shaun WIlliams to a seven-year contract, which included a $7 million signing bonus to be spread out over the first two years of the deal.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Re-signed OG Doug Brzezinski and C Hank Fraley to one-year contracts.

Thursday, March 28, 2002

• The Vikings offered restricted free-agent WR D’Wayne Bates a three-year contract worth $2.85 million, including an immediate $550,000 roster bonus Wednesday, giving the Bears one week to match the offer. Because of a paperwork error, the Bears will not receive the third-round draft pick they would have been entitled to should they not match the offer. One of Bates' representatives, Ben Dogra, said Bates is excited about the opportunity to play alongside WR Randy Moss and QB Daunte Culpepper. With a deep crop of receivers in Chicago, it is unlikely the Bears will match the offer.

• The Redskins agreed to a six-year, $20 million contract with ex-Jaguars DE Renaldo Wynn. Wynn, considered one of the best remaining players in free agency, had received the most interest from Seattle, Green Bay and New Orleans before agreeing to terms with the Redskins. The former first-round selection of the Jaguars in 1997 became a victim of Jacksonville’s cap troubles at the end of February.

• New York Jets unrestricted free-agent DL Shane Burton agreed to a three-year, $2.125 million contract with the Panthers Wednesday. The deal includes a $100,000 signing bonus and base salaries of $525,000 this season, $700,000 in 2003 and $800,000 in 2004, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus. Burton, who has a home outside of Charlotte, also will receive $250,000 from the Jets as part of his old contract.

• The Titans are taking a look at LB Donnie Edwards, while Green Bay unrestricted free-agent S Billy Jenkins will visit Buffalo April 1.

• San Francisco has expressed interest in former Saints OG Chris Naeole and New York Giants unrestricted free-agent OG Ron Stone. The 49ers are looking to get younger at right guard, with ORG Ray Brown expected to be released June 1. Naeole visited the 49ers yesterday.

• The Redskins offered QB Jeff Blake a contract last week, and Blake’s agent, Ralph Cindrich, counter-offered yesterday at a price the Redskins are not willing to pay. Blake has also drawn interest from Buffalo, Baltimore and Houston. Blake is believed to be seeking as much as $6 million in guaranteed money, which no club has been willing to pay.

• The Browns invited six free agents to their facility yesterday, revealing their need for a linebacker and an offensive guard. Among the visitors were Jets LB James Farrior, Carolina LB Darren Hambrick, Giants OG Ron Stone, Green Bay OL Barry Stokes, Titans WR Chris Sanders and Giants FB Greg Comella.

• While the Packers have little room under the cap, they took a look at two of the Colts’ restricted free agents yesterday — WR-RS Terrence Wilkins and DE Chuck Nwokorie. The Colts have offered Wilkins $563,000, the lowest possible offer for a RFA, which means the compensation for signing him is equal to the draft round in which he was selected. Since Wilkins was an undrafted free agent out of Virginia in 1999, the Packers would not owe any compensation for signing him. The Packers would likely have to restructure contracts or cut players to clear cap room to sign another player. They are looking to replace RS Allen Rossum, who signed with the Falcons earlier this month.

• Former Tampa Bay LB Jeff Gooch has received interest from Indianapolis, Green Bay, Chicago, Detroit, Tampa Bay and the New York Jets.

• New York Giants free-agent FB Greg Comella will visit the Broncos Monday. Baltimore FB Sam Gash paid the Broncos a visit early in March. The Broncos have also expressed interest in Seattle free-agent FB Mack Strong, although Comella, who played under a one-year, $512,000 contract last season, may be too big of a bargain to pass up.

• Tennessee is devoting its attention to securing starters at the safety position, where they are hoping to land S Lance Schulters from the 49ers and Victor Green from the Jets. A decision is expected from the 49ers today whether they will match the Titans’ offer. The 49ers are believed to be offering Schulters a five-year, $13 million deal, whereas the Titans are coming closer to matching the $4 million average Schulters is seeking. Expect the Niners to push hard to sign Bears unrestricted free-agent S Tony Parrish if they cannot afford Schulters’ price tag.

Signings:

ARIZONA CARDINALS: Re-signed C Jason Starkey, TE Tywan Mitchell and LB Michael Young to one-year contracts.
BUFFALO BILLS: Agreed to terms with CB Chris Watson on a two-year contract, reportedly averaging about $700,000 per year.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Re-signed RB Brian Mitchell to a one-year contract.

Wednesday, March 27, 2002

• The Chiefs, who have indicated they plan to release WR Derrick Alexander after June 1, are meeting with WR Johnnie Morton today. Morton met with the Rams yesterday and rekindled his relationship with Rams assistant coaches Bobby April, John Matsko and Ken Zampese, who were all on USC’s staff during part of Morton’s collegiate career. Morton is also familiar with Rams WR coach Henry Ellard. San Francisco has expressed interest in Morton as well, although his familiarity with their facility may not call for a visit. Morton, who has never been one to boast his financial status, owning only one car and not wearing a lot of jewelry, appears to be a great fit in St. Louis. The fact that Morton has played his entire career indoors at the Silverdome also bodes well with the Rams’ speedy, indoor attack. The Rams recently restructured QB Kurt Warner’s contract to free up $1.66 million under the cap, putting themselves in position to make an offer for a No. 3 receiver. New York Giants unrestricted free-agent WR Joe Jurevicius appears to be next on head coach Mike Martz’s list if a deal with Morton cannot be worked out.

• PFW hears the Bears may be interested in acquiring Tampa Bay FB Charles Kirby if they cannot re-sign unrestricted free-agent FB Daimon Shelton. Shelton received a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy before the Bears’ playoff loss to Philadelphia last season and still has three games to sit out this year. Chicago general manager Jerry Angelo is familiar with Kirby from his days in Tampa. With the Bucs’ recent signings of RBs Michael Pittman and Byron Hanspard, Kirby does not appear to figure into the Bucs’ plans. FBs Jameel Cook and Mike Alstott were prominent figures in Tampa’s backfield last year, but Alstott is being asked to take a pay cut from the $4 million he is slated to make this season, $2 million of which is a roster bonus due April 15. Jim Steiner, a representative for Alstott, met with Bucs general manager Rich McKay and head coach Jon Gruden for several hours yesterday, but the meeting covered extending the contract of another client, LB Shelton Quarles, as much as it involved Alstott. Alstott has said he is more interested in playing time than his salary and would consider leaving the Bucs for less money and more playing time with another club. Alstott has had reason to be concerned about playing time since Gruden referred to him as "Mark Alstott" in his inaugural press conference.

• The Falcons agreed to terms with unrestricted free-agent LB John Thierry on a one-year contract. The former Bears first-round draft pick in 1994 has played linebacker and defensive end in his eight-year career and fits the Falcons’ plans since new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is considering switching to a 3-4 front.

• Green Bay unrestricted free-agent OL Barry Stokes is visiting Cleveland today. Houston and Denver also have interest in Stokes’ services, while Chicago has expressed some interest. The Browns have already signed former St. Louis OT Ryan Tucker to a four-year, $8.8 million contract.

• The Bills have reached an agreement with unrestricted free-agent OT Trey Teague on a four-year, $10 million contract, which includes a $3.5 million signing bonus to be spread out between this season and next. Teague will receive $1.5 million to sign and another $2 million if the Bills opt to pick up the remaining three years of his contract after the season. The four-year veteran spent his last four seasons in Denver, where he started all 16 games last season. Teague will probably take over the OLT position — which is expected to be vacated by John Fina, a likely candidate to be released June 1.

• Indianapolis unrestricted free-agent LB Ryan Phillips visited the Patriots yesterday along with Arizona unrestricted free-agent CB Tom Knight. The Patriots are hoping to re-sign unrestricted free-agent LBs Roman Phifer and Bryan Cox, but Cox has been drawing interest from New Orleans, where he is believed to be a good fit for head coach Jim Haslett’s aggressive coaching style. While Cox said at the end of the season that he would like to play another 2-3 years, he also recently auditioned for a broadcasting position on HBO’s "Inside the NFL" as did WR Cris Carter and TE Shannon Sharpe — three of the league’s most colorful personalities.

• Chicago unrestricted free-agent S Tony Parrish made a second visit to the 49ers yesterday, as the Niners prepare in the event they cannot re-sign S Lance Schulters. While the 49ers continue to negotiate for Schulters’ services, they are still far from reaching the dollar amount being offered by the Titans. The Niners have presented Schulters with an offer of around $2.5 million per year and about a $2.5 million signing bonus. While the Titans have made an offer to Jets S Victor Green, talks between the two sides have slowed with Schulters’ situation pending.

• Unrestricted free-agent RS-RB Brian Mitchell expects to stay in Philadelphia, where the team is still well under the cap.

• The deadline for giving Chicago OLT Blake Brockermeyer a $500,000 bonus has been extended a week to allow the team time to renegotiate his contract. The new deadline is April 8. The Bears would like Brockermeyer to take a pay cut from the $4 million in salary and bonuses he is set to make this year.

• The Vikings and Saints appear to be the top two teams in the running for Chicago unrestricted free-agent WR D’Wayne Bates.

• The Saints completed a deal sending OT Willie Roaf to the Chiefs for a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2003. Based on Roaf’s playing time, the pick could escalate to a third-round selection.

• The Steelers were forced to raise their three-year, $2.5 million offer to PK Todd Peterson when the Chiefs increased their offer to include a $1 million signing bonus. That prompted the Steelers to add a fourth year to the contract, which totals $3.925 million, and sweeten the signing bonus from $450,000 to $600,000.

Signings:

CLEVELAND BROWNS: Re-signed OL Tré Johnson to a one-year contract.
GREEN BAY PACKERS: Signed TE Rufus French.
HOUSTON TEXANS: Signed WR Tony Simmons. Claimed S Hakim Akbar off waivers from New England.

Tuesday, March 26, 2002

• The Buccaneers signed free-agent RBs Michael Pittman and Byron Hanspard yesterday. Pittman, who played the last four seasons for the Cardinals, agreed to a five-year contract reportedly worth $8.75 million, which includes a $1.75 million signing bonus. Hanspard, a former second-round pick who last played with the Falcons in 1999, signed a one-year contract. The signings raise questions about how RB Mike Alstott fits into the team’s plans.

• The Saints have reached an agreement in principle to send OLT Willie Roaf to Kansas City for a conditional draft pick in 2003, pending league approval. The Saints will reportedly receive a third- or fourth-round pick, depending on how Roaf performs this season. Roaf was due a $4.25 million roster bonus today, which has been extended several times while the seven-time Pro Bowler worked out a new deal.

• With Chiefs free agent Todd Peterson signing a deal in Pittsburgh, Kansas City signed 41-year-old PK Morten Andersen to a one-year, $750,000 contract.

• Colts unrestricted free-agent WR Terrence Wilkins is scheduled to meet with the Packers and Browns this week. While the Colts have expressed interest in Wilkins returning, the team is deep in talent at the receiver position. Three-time Pro Bowl selection Marvin Harrison, newly signed Qadry Ismail and Reggie Wayne, the team’s 2001 first-round draft pick, are slated as the Colts’ top three receivers. Jerome Pathon is an unrestricted free agent who has expressed interest in re-signing, although he is expected to visit Minnesota today to undergo an extensive physical. The Vikings are believed to be most interested in Pathon and Bears unrestricted free-agent WR D’Wayne Bates.

• While former Lions WR Johnnie Morton is touring the Rams’ facilities, the Lions agreed to terms with WR Germane Crowell on a three-year contract that could pay him as much as $7.5 million, which includes a $1 million signing bonus. In returning to the Lions, Crowell joins recently signed WRs Az-Zahir Hakim of St. Louis and Bill Schroeder of Green Bay.

• Unrestricted free-agent LB Jeff Gooch has received interest from at least six teams, including Green Bay, Detroit, Chicago, the New York Jets, Indianapolis and Tampa Bay. The former Tampa Bay linebacker has mainly been a special-teams contributor in the league but is looking for an opportunity to start.

• The Patriots agreed to terms with Saints unrestricted free-agent TE Cam Cleeland on a one-year, $525,000 contract with incentives that could push the compensation to $1 million this year. The Pats have yet to re-sign LB Roman Phifer, who is also drawing interest from Oakland.

• The Lions are making a push to sign unrestricted free-agent TE Ken Dilger, who was released by the Colts before the free-agent signing period began March 1. He visited Detroit in late February.

• TE Shannon Sharpe paid a visit to the Raiders on the first day of their offseason workout program yesterday. The Raiders have three tight ends on their roster — Roland Williams, Jeremy Brigham and Mondriel Fulcher. Sharpe would be a huge upgrade for the Raiders, but Denver and Seattle are still believed to be the front-runners for Sharpe’s services.

• In an effort to solidify their starting secondary by the end of the week, the 49ers made another offer to S Lance Schulters. The Niners are battling against the Titans in negotiations. Atlanta has expressed interest as well but would not be able to make a competitive offer until after June 1, when teams are allowed to free up money by releasing players at a lower impact on the salary cap. Niners OG Ray Brown has until Friday to accept a pay cut. Meanwhile, New Orleans unrestricted free-agent OG Chris Naeole visited San Francisco yesterday.

• Green Bay restricted free-agent WR Donald Driver is drawing more interest, with the number of quality receivers on the market dwindling. Driver, who visited the Vikings Friday, is scheduled to visit the Chiefs next week and has also received interest from St. Louis and Buffalo.

• The Bengals are negotiating to sign free-agent CB Jeff Burris, which would make him Cincinnati’s first acquisition of the offseason. Seattle and Washington are the other teams interested in Burris, but Washington wants him to play safety and Burris is more interested in playing corner. If the negotiations with Burris fall through, the Bengals have also expressed interest in Arizona unrestricted free-agent CB Tom Knight, who has started 53 of 63 games in his five NFL seasons.

• With WR Cris Carter’s options dwindling in the free-agent market, PFW hears that Carter has considered joining HBO as a broadcaster next season. While Cleveland and St. Louis once expressed interest in Carter, the Dolphins appear to be the last team interested in his services, and they do not have much room under the salary cap.

Signings:

CAROLINA PANTHERS: Signed KR Michael Bates to a one-year, $750,000 contract.
HOUSTON TEXANS: Signed PK Kris Brown to a four-year, $4.7 million contract.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Signed LB Chris Barnes.

Monday, March 25, 2002

• As PFW first reported Friday, the Steelers brought in free-agent PK Todd Peterson over the weekend and decided to sign him, at the same time declining to match the sizable offer sheet extended to their free-agent placekicker, Kris Brown, by the Texans. The Steelers signed Peterson to a four-year deal worth just under $4 million, including a signing bonus reported to be $600,000.

• The Giants have reached an agreement in principle with FS Shaun Williams on what is believed to be a four-year contract worth approximately $4-$5 million a year. It includes a signing bonus of $6-$7 million. The Giants have canceled their planned visits with other free-agent safeties, including 49ers unrestricted free agent Lance Schulters, who was scheduled to meet with the Giants this week. Williams, 25, was New York’s first-round draft choice in 1998 out of UCLA.

• The Cowboys signed CB Bryant Westbrook to a one-year contract Friday after he took a physical and worked out for the team. Westbrook, a first-round draft pick by the Lions in 1997 when he came out of Texas, tore an Achilles tendon two seasons ago and made only three starts for the Lions last year.

• Unrestricted free-agent RB Michael Pittman is close to reaching an agreement with the Buccaneers. The Bucs could add another running back as late as June to boost the level of competition in the backfield. Bucs head coach Jon Gruden, who carried a stable of solid running backs in Oakland, is expected to stockpile Tampa’s backfield with new talent. RB Warrick Dunn has already departed for Atlanta, and the Bucs are believed to have RB Mike Alstott on the trading block. Alstott is due a $1.8 million roster bonus April 15, which the Bucs hope to renegotiate in the coming weeks.

• The Lions have reached an agreement to re-sign 11-year veteran DT Kelvin Pritchett to a one-year contract worth $750,000. The former 1991 first-round pick of the Cowboys regularly rotates with starters Luther Ellis and Shaun Rogers and can play either tackle position.

• The Vikings reached an agreement with CB Corey Chavous late last week on a four-year, $7.5 million contract that includes a $2 million signing bonus. Chavous joins DE Kenny Mixon and MLB Henri Crockett as free-agent acquisitions expected to bolster the Vikings’ defense.

• Denver and Seattle remain the top two suitors for the services of unrestricted free-agent TE Shannon Sharpe. Seattle desperately needs a tight end and is about $3 million under the cap. It may be able to offer Sharpe a better deal than the Broncos. Sharpe may also receive a ringing endorsement to join the Seahawks from his brother Sterling, the former Pro Bowl receiver who was forced to retire after a neck injury. Sterling played for Seattle head coach and general manager Mike Holmgren in Green Bay. Sharpe is not expected to visit the Broncos, who are already familiar with his colorful personality. He has voiced his desire to return to the Broncos publicly but will wait for the Seahawks to extend an offer before making a decision.

• The Bengals are searching for a fourth safety with free agent Chris Carter not expected to return. Veteran Darryl Williams and up-and-coming JoJuan Armour and Cory Hall are the top safeties returning for Cincinnati.

Signings:

CHICAGO BEARS: Signed DT Jason Wiltz to a one-year contract for $387,000.
DENVER BRONCOS: Re-signed LB Donnie Spragan. Agreed to terms with LB Terry Killens on a seven-year contract
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Signed TE Pete Mitchell to a one-year, $650,000 contract with no signing bonus.
OAKLAND RAIDERS: Signed QB Rick Mirer.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Signed CB Deshea Townsend to a four-year, $4.2 million contract, which includes a signing bonus of about $1 million.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Signed WR Keith Poole to a one-year contract.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Signed DB Kenneth Grant.

Got scoop?  Drop a line to associate editor Nolan Nawrocki at nnawrocki@primediasi.com.

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