Steelers opt for LB Farrior; Holmes to Browns

By Nolan Nawrocki, Associate editor

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Friday, April 5, 2002

• The Steelers reached a three-year agreement with unrestricted free-agent LB James Farrior a day after the team evaluated the knee of six-year veteran LB Earl Holmes and suggested he would be re-signed. Holmes turned around and signed a five-year, $17.5 million contract with the Browns.

• The Seahawks shored up one of their biggest needs by reaching an agreement on a three-year, $3.8 million contract with CB Doug Evans. Seattle head coach and general manager Mike Holmgren is familiar with Evans from the five years (1993-97) the two spent in Green Bay together, where Holmgren played a role in drafting Evans in the sixth round of the 1993 draft. Evans, 31, spent the last four seasons in Carolina and has started 117-of-136 games in his nine-year career.

• The Saints reached an agreement with Chiefs unrestricted free-agent OT Victor Riley on a two-year, $2.7 million contract. The deal will be reduced to a one-year deal worth about $1 million if Riley meets minimal performance levels. Riley is expected to replace ORT Kyle Turley, who will fill the OLT position vacated by Willie Roaf.

• Saints unrestricted CB Fred Weary signed a three-year contract with the Falcons, but the terms will be reduced to a one-year deal worth about $750,000 if Weary participates in 20 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in 2002. The former University of Florida star was selected by the Saints in the fourth round of the 1998 draft and is expected to be the No. 3 cornerback and nickel defender behind starting CBs Ashley Ambrose and Ray Buchanan.

• Six-year veteran unrestricted free-agent OG Chris Naeole is interested in joining the 49ers, according to one of his representatives, Ben Dogra. Dogra said he expects a visit to Jacksonville to be completed very soon.

• The Bears waived WR D’Wayne Bates Thursday after matching the Vikings’ three-year, $2.85 million offer a day earlier. Houston will have first crack at Bates on the waiver wire, but the Texans are not expected to pick up the three-year veteran. Denver was the only other team to inquire about Bates before he visited the Vikings. The Vikings have expressed interest in claiming Bates off the waiver wire if the six teams before them do not sign him.

• Former Jaguars LB Kevin Hardy visited the Cowboys yesterday. Hardy has also visited the Steelers but did not fit into their plans. Teams are taking a close look at his recent knee surgery, which sidelined him for part of last season.

Signings:

ATLANTA FALCONS: Re-signed TE Brian Kozlowski.
BUFFALO BILLS: Signed S Billy Jenkins.
GREEN BAY PACKERS: Signed QB Dave Meyer to a three-year contract.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Signed PK Derek Schorejs to a one-year, $225,000 contract. Signed RB Elvis Joseph, RB Reggie White and QB Roderick Robinson to their $300,000 tenders.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Signed Donald Willis to a four-year contract.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Signed DE Willie Whitehead to a one-year contract.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: Signed KR Ronney Jenkins to a one-year contract.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Signed LB Andre Offing. Claimed LB Jack Golden off waivers from the Giants.

Thursday, April 4, 2002

• Oakland unrestricted free-agent DT Grady Jackson enjoyed his visit in Buffalo enough to say he hopes his agent works something out with the Bills. He is enticed by the opportunity to play alongside Bills DT Pat Williams. Bills Director of Pro Personnel John Guy, who was the defensive ends coach in Oakland from 1995-’98, knows Jackson well. Jackson has already visited Kansas City and Green Bay and is visiting the New York Jets next. He also has a visit scheduled for Denver. Jackson said Dick Vermeil continues to call him every day and Jackson’s excited about the opportunity to play for the Chiefs’ compassionate coach as well.

• Titans general manager Floyd Reese is meeting with the agent of unrestricted free-agent S Lance Schulters today in hopes of reaching an agreement. The Titans remain interested in re-signing free-agent LB Eddie Robinson, who visited the Bills yesterday. Both teams have offered Robinson contracts in the range of $700,000. Giants unrestricted free-agent FB Greg Comella is also expected in Tennessee to tour the Titans’ facilities.

• Browns restricted free-agent PK Phil Dawson visited the Bills yesterday, but did not receive an offer. Dawson was tendered the minimum offer of $563,000 early in the offseason by Cleveland. Meanwhile, the Browns took a look at Washington unrestricted free-agent FB Donnell Bennett. Giants FB Greg Comella visited last week.

• Steelers unrestricted free-agent WR Bobby Shaw turned down a $300,000 bonus in a three-year deal from the Steelers for an opportunity to be a starter in Jacksonville. Shaw signed a one-year, $550,000 contract, which included a $25,000 signing bonus. Shaw, who turns 27 on April 23, hopes to make up the lost money on the free-agent market next year after having the opportunity to start. He will compete with former Ravens WR Patrick Johnson for a starting job opposite Jimmy Smith. The Jaguars gave Johnson a $100,000 signing bonus plus the $525,000 minimum earlier this offseason.

• Colts C Jeff Saturday, a restricted free agent, has signed a one-year, $1.227 million tender offer. He has started the last 32 games at center after being signed as a free agent in 1999.

• Cincinnati invited Denver unrestricted free-agent S Eric Brown for a visit earlier this week as the Bengals explore their options in the event that they lose one of their safeties to free agency. Three of the Bengals’ four safeties from last season — Cory Hall, Chris Carter and JoJuan Armour — are free agents.

• Tampa Bay FB Mike Alstott is expected to participate in the team’s first offseason mini-camp this weekend despite not expecting to have reached any agreements with his contract. Alstott is due a large roster bonus on April 15.

• The Colts have yet to extend a contract offer to Jaguars backup QB Jonathan Quinn, who spent two days in Indianapolis earlier this week. The Colts reportedly have not ruled out the possibility of re-signing backup QB Mark Rypien, who saw little action in relief of Peyton Manning in 2001. Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe is also believed to intrigue the Colts.

• The Jaguars have six unsigned exclusive rights free agents who have received tenders — LB Danny Clark ($375,000), PK Jaret Holmes ($450,000), DE Rob Meier ($375,000), QB Roderick Robinson ($300,000), DE Paul Spicer ($450,000) and RB Reggie White ($300,000).

• Chicago restricted free-agent LB Warrick Holdman will visit the Chiefs this week.

• Former Green Bay RB Dorsey Levens, who was released by the Packers in February, has yet to receive an offer to become a starting running back. The Redskins are currently pursuing him as a backup to RB Stephen Davis. RB Ki-Jana Carter, who was offered a minimum deal to remain as Davis’ backup, was not pleased with the offer. Cleveland is the only team in the league that does not have a solid starter in the backfield.

• Veteran WR Cris Carter appears more interested in a broadcasting career than returning to the NFL, auditioning with Fox officials for a studio role on its NFL coverage.

• The Redskins began negotiating with New England unrestricted free-agent Brandon Mitchell, who started for the Patriots last season. The team has also entered discussions with OGs Bob Hallen, who started for the Falcons last season, and Heath Irvin, who was released by the Dolphins. Mitchell is also receiving interest from Seattle, Houston and Minnesota, according to agent Jeff Durand.

• A day after signing QB Doug Pederson to a minimum contract, the Packers brought in QB Jake Delhomme for a visit. Josh Heupel is currently slated for the No. 3 QB slot behind Pederson and Brett Favre.

• The Patriots continue seeking bargains in the free-agent market, agreeing to terms with DT Steve Martin from the Jets and LB Ryan Phillips from the Colts. Martin, 27, will sign a one-year contract expected to be slightly more than $1 million. Martin has played for four different teams in his six-year career, having his best last season with the Jets, when he recorded 40 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 16 games. Phillips, a five-year veteran, started in Super Bowl XXXV for the Giants, where he played his first four seasons. He signed with the Raiders last offseason, was released and joined the Colts, where he started six games.

• The Dolphins re-signed unrestricted free-agent WR Jeff Ogden to a one-year deal. The four-year veteran has led the team in punt returns the last two seasons, ranking eighth in the league in 2001 with an 11.8-yard average.

Signings:

BUFFALO BILLS: Signed TE Brady McDonnell.
CHICAGO BEARS: Matched the Vikings’ three-year, $2.85 million offer sheet for WR D’Wayne Bates.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Signed WR Larry Shannon and S Fred White. Signed S Ainsley Battles to a $375,000 tender. Signed CB Damen Wheeler to a $300,000 tender. Signed WR-KR Damon Gibson to a $450,000 tender offer.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: Signed TE Steve Heiden to a one-year contract.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Signed WR Drew O’Connor to a one-year contract.

Wednesday, April 3, 2002

• The Patriots look as though they may have gotten another bargain in Arizona unrestricted free-agent CB Tom Knight, who agreed to a two-year deal reportedly worth at least $1.65 million. Knight was also being pursued by the Bengals, Broncos and Raiders. The five-year veteran had spent his entire career with the Cardinals since being selected ninth overall in the 1997 draft. Hampered by injuries last season, Knight started nine games.

• Instead of meeting veteran S Lance Schulters’ contract demands, the 49ers decided to take the 2-for-1 special Tuesday, signing S Tony Parrish and DE Sean Moran. Moran, who spent his first four years with the Bills and the last two with the Rams, signed a three-year, $2.375 million deal with a $400,000 signing bonus. He is expected to compete with Chike Okeafor as backups for John Engelberger’s starting DLE spot. Niners general manager Terry Donahue was happy about the deal after he was unable to retain Schulters. Parrish, a Los Angeles native, considered offers from Miami and Tennessee but said the opportunity to return home to the West Coast and the Niners’ recent rise to prominence swayed his decision.

• The Lions agreed to terms with Baltimore unrestricted free-agent S Corey Harris on a three-year, $3.1 million contract, including a $650,000 signing bonus. Harris joins S Brian Walker, who was signed as a free agent earlier this offseason from Miami, in a rebuilt secondary. Harris is a former third-round draft selection in the 1992 draft by the Houston Oilers and had stints with Green Bay, Seattle and Miami before joining Baltimore in 1998. He had 84 tackles and two interceptions in 16 starts last season.

• The Steelers will evaluate the knee of unrestricted free-agent LB Earl Holmes Thursday before deciding whether to re-sign the six-year veteran. Holmes suffered a deep bruise to his right knee in November and later strained the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the Steelers’ playoff win over Baltimore. The injury kept Holmes out of action in the AFC championship game. If the Steelers are not satisfied with the results of the test, they are expected to make a move toward unrestricted free-agent LB James Farrior of the Jets. The Browns also remain in contention for the services of both linebackers.

• The Rams did not expect teams to show a lot of interest in starting DT Jeff Zgonina when they released him Monday to free up $200,000 in cap room. Some teams called, but Zgonina re-signed Tuesday at the $650,000 minimum salary, which will count only $450,000 against the cap. His value likely would have increased if he had not immediately signed. The Rams lost some depth when DE Sean Moran signed with the 49ers.

• The Chiefs re-signed DT Derrick Ransom to a two-year, $2 million contract that included a $450,000 signing bonus. Ransom took on a more prominent role on the line last year due to team injuries.

• Green Bay re-signed nine-year veteran QB Doug Pederson to a one-year, $650,000 contract, securing a backup to Brett Favre. Pederson had no passing attempts in two brief appearances against Carolina and Cleveland last year.

• Jacksonville unrestricted free-agent QB Jonathan Quinn visited the Colts yesterday and has also taken a trip to Buffalo. The Bills, however, are continuing negotiations to acquire QB Jeff Blake and are believed to maintain interest in Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe. The Texans are still looking for a backup quarterback to groom David Carr, who is expected to be Houston’s first draft pick. The team seems to be focusing its efforts on landing Washington unrestricted free-agent QB Kent Graham.

Signings:

CHICAGO BEARS: Agreed to terms with FB Daimon Shelton on a two-year, $1.25 million contract, which included a $75,000 signing bonus and another $25,000 if he participates in a workout program.
DETROIT LIONS: Re-signed OG Kerlin Blaise and DT Travis Kirschke.
GREEN BAY PACKERS: Signed DT Rod Walker to a one-year contract.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Agreed to terms with FB Dan Kreider on a one-year contract worth approximately $400,000.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: Re-signed LB Orlando Ruff and S Jason Perry to one-year contracts.

Tuesday, April 2, 2002

• With the Titans offering S Lance Schulters a contract that the 49ers couldn’t match, San Francisco took a pro-active approach by reaching an agreement with Chicago unrestricted free-agent S Tony Parrish on a five-year, $12.025 million, which includes a $3 million signing bonus. The deal is similar to the offer the Niners were offering Schulters. Schulters’ signing with the Titans now appears imminent.

• The Bills are scheduled to meet with five free agents this week: Browns PK Phil Dawson, Panthers RB Richard Huntley, Giants TE Brady McDonnell, Broncos S Billy Jenkins and Titans LB Eddie Robinson.

• The Cardinals have re-signed QB Chris Greisen to a one-year contract. Greisen, 25, was the team’s third quarterback in all 16 games last season and played in two games as a reserve in 2000 after being a seventh-round pick in the 1999 draft.

• After receiving a contract offer from the Giants and giving it strong consideration because it would have brought him closer to his native New Jersey, WR Ricky Proehl re-signed with the Rams. Proehl will remain with St. Louis on a one-year, $775,000 contract that included a $25,000 signing bonus, a deal that is similar to the one offered by the Giants. Although it's possible the Rams could still try to sign unrestricted free-agent WR Joe Jurevicius as a No. 3 receiver to replace Az-Zahir Hakim, it's more likely Jurevicius will sign with the Browns or re-sign with the Giants, who reportedly have offered him little more than the veteran minimum.

• After two weeks of negotiations, the Dolphins are far from reaching an agreement with WR Cris Carter, with financial terms being the sticking point. The Dolphins reportedly offered Carter a contract averaging less than $1.5 million a season, which is nearly the same he would earn as an NFL analyst for HBO. The 15-year veteran has already interviewed to replace Cris Collinsworth on HBO’s Inside the NFL.

• Unrestricted free-agent OG Tony Semple has reached an agreement to stay with the Lions after visiting the Redskins 10 days ago and being offered a contract. The Redskins’ offer did not appease Semple, but it did help accelerate negotiations with the Lions, who knew the seven-year veteran’s departure would leave a gaping hole in the offensive line at left guard. Semple started 12 games last year.

• In the wake of Semple’s agreement, the Redskins are entertaining Rams unrestricted free-agent OL Rod Jones today. Jones, 28, has played tackle for most of his six-year career, but the Redskins are looking to shore up their interior line and would likely use Jones as a guard. The Redskins have lost C Cory Raymer and OLG Dave Szott in free agency and appear to be willing to let go unrestricted free-agent ORG Ben Coleman. They have signed OG Larry Moore from Indianapolis but have said they plan to use him at center.

• Tampa Bay WR-KR Karl Williams has received relatively little interest from the Bucs, where he has played his entire six-year career, but he is drawing the attention of a number of teams, including the Bears, Ravens, Packers, Dolphins and Broncos. A deal likely will not be struck until after the draft.

• Former Chiefs LB Donnie Edwards will begin looking for a new home this week. He visited the Lions yesterday, visits Cleveland today and is also scheduled to visit St. Louis and Tennessee later this week.

• Miami unrestricted free-agent DE Lorenzo Bromell is scheduled to visit Kansas City on Thursday and is still receiving interest from the Vikings, who already signed former Dolphins DE Kenny Mixon last month. While the Dolphins would like to re-sign Bromell, they are expected to bring in DEs Rob Burnett and Michael Sinclair for free-agent visits after the draft if a deal cannot be reached with Bromell.

• Chicago unrestricted free-agent OT Jimmy Herndon will visit the Dolphins today, where he is projected as a backup after playing in all 16 games for the Bears last season. Miami head coach Dave Wannstedt’s was responsible for bringing Herndon to Chicago via a trade with Jacksonville during Wannstedt’s final season as Chicago’s coach in 1998.

• New York Giants unrestricted free-agent FB Greg Comella visited the Broncos yesterday. Comella, who is representing himself in contract negotiations, has also visited Tampa Bay, Cleveland and Houston. Denver has made two contract offers to Baltimore free-agent FB Sam Gash, but both were rejected. Denver has also expressed interest in free-agent FBs Donnell Bennett of the Redskins and Mack Strong of the Seahawks. The Broncos are still feeling the effects of FB Howard Griffith’s season-ending neck injury in training camp, which prompted him to retire in the offseason. Tony Carter is currently the only fullback on the Broncos’ roster.

• Former Minnesota P Mitch Berger will visit the Buccaneers on Wednesday. The Bucs have been searching for a punter since releasing Mark Royals in late February. Royals has drawn some interest from Miami, who are preparing for the loss of unrestricted free-agent P Matt Turk to the Jets. Turk visited the Jets last week.

• Seeking depth in the offensive and defensive backfields, the Redskins are negotiating to sign Baltimore unrestricted free-agent S Corey Harris and have expressed interest in Pro Bowl RBs Ricky Watters of Seattle and Dorsey Levens of Green Bay.

• Lions unrestricted free-agent S Ron Rice is taking his first visit to the Steelers today and is expected to be offered a contract if he passes a physical. Rice started five seasons with the Lions, where Steelers Director of Football Operations Kevin Colbert worked before coming to the Steelers two years ago. If signed, Rice would likely fall behind Lee Flowers on the depth chart, replacing backup S Myron Bell, who is also an unrestricted free agent.

• The Steelers appear interested in sealing a deal with a linebacker before the draft by either re-signing Earl Holmes or signing OLB James Farrior from the Jets. Holmes has visited Cleveland and Houston, but has expressed interest in staying with the Steelers.

Signings:

ATLANTA: Signed LB John Holecek.
CLEVELAND BROWNS: Re-signed LB Lenoy Jones to a one-year contract.
DENVER BRONCOS: Signed S Izell Reese and RB Reuben Droughns.
MIAMI DOLPHINS: Re-signed TE Jed Weaver to a one-year, $563,000 contract.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Signed C Elmer Bench, LB Chris Jones, WR Eddie Hardaway and WR Jonathan Pittman to one-year contracts.

Monday, April 1, 2002

• Unrestricted free-agent LB John Holecek has reportedly reached an agreement with the Falcons, where he should be able to help the team in its transition to a 3-4 defensive front. Holecek had also been receiving interest from the Texans, who will also employ the 3-4. Holecek is expected to compete for the second starting inside linebacker position next to LB Keith Brooking. He played in a 3-4 scheme in Buffalo for Wade Phillips, now the Falcons’ defensive coordinator.

• The Saints signed unrestricted free-agent TE David Sloan to an incentive-laden four-year, $7.05 million deal that includes a $1.2 million signing bonus. The Lions were the only other suitor to express serious interest in Sloan. Saints TE coach Bob Palcic, who coached Sloan in Detroit in 1997 and ’98, surely had an impact on the Saints’ pursuit of Sloan. The Saints lost TE Cam Cleeland in free agency early last week to the Patriots.

• Green Bay unrestricted free-agent OL Barry Stokes reached an agreement with the Browns. The Browns will be the eighth different NFL helmet Stokes will have worn since joining the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 1996. Stokes, 28, is the third lineman the Browns have signed in the offseason, joining OT Ryan Tucker and OG Tré Johnson.

• PK Steve Christie re-signed with the Chargers to what is believed to be a one-year, $750,000 contract. He’s expected to compete with Wade Richey in training camp. The Chargers signed Christie with five games left last season because Richey was struggling. Richey earned $1 million last year from the five-year, $5.8 million contract he signed as a free agent in the offseason. With Richey set to earn $1.05 million this season, the Chargers currently have $1.8 million tied up in kickers.

Signings:

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Signed WR Johnnie Morton to a seven-year, $25.7 million contract, which includes a $5.5 million signing bonus.
MIAMI DOLPHINS: Re-signed DE Adewale Ogunleye.
OAKLAND RAIDERS: Re-signed RB Randy Jordan to a one-year, $675,000 contract, which includes a $25,000 signing bonus.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: Re-signed DE Adrian Dingle to a one-year, $563,000 contract.

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

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