QB Chandler to back up Miller in Chicago

By Nolan Nawrocki, Associate editor

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Friday, April 12, 2002

• Unrestricted free-agent QB Chris Chandler agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the Bears today. The 14-year NFL veteran, who spent the past five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, joins the Bears as a backup to starter Jim Miller. Chandler's arrival likely means that veteran backup Shane Matthews will be traded to the Washington Redskins.

• DT Grady Jackson declined a one-year, $850,000 offer from the Jets, but the Saints got involved when they learned he was considering a short-team deal and won his services with a two-year, $3.275 million contract, which included a $750,000 signing bonus. Jackson had scheduled a visit to Minnesota on Thursday, and the Packers even sent a team representative by plane to convince him of moving to Green Bay, but Jackson was content with the opportunity to team with DT Norman Hand in New Orleans. The Saints were in desperate need of defensive linemen after DT La’Roi Glover signed with Dallas and DE Joe Johnson signed with Green Bay.

• The Raiders reached an agreement with unrestricted free-agent OT Brad Badger on a one-year contract with a base salary of $650,000. The five-year veteran started 12 games in 2001 with Minnesota, mostly at left tackle. The Stanford alum chose the Raiders over a similar offer from Seattle because of the chance to return to the Bay Area.

• The Dolphins re-signed six-year veteran LB Scott Galyon to a one-year contract Thursday. Galyon started two games last season but contributed every game on special teams. He signed with Miami as an unrestricted free agent in 2000 after spending the first four years with the Giants, who drafted him in the sixth round of the 1996 draft.

• The Steelers restructured C Jeff Hartings’ contract to make room under the salary cap for LB James Farrior. Hartings was due a $2 million base salary in 2002 but will instead earn $650,000 in salary with the rest of the money to be paid in periodic bonuses. The move allowed the Steelers to fit Farrior’s three-year, $5.4 million contract under the cap. Farrior’s deal includes a $1.7 million signing bonus and playing time incentives that could add $1.35 million to his deal. Hartings originally signed a six-year, $24.5 million contract, which included a signing bonus of $5.75 million.

• The Broncos are close to reaching an agreement with Falcons unrestricted free-agent OT Ephraim Salaam on a multiyear contract. Salaam has started at right tackle for the Falcons since his rookie season in 1998, when he was drafted in the seventh round. Denver is also interested in signing Bears OLT Blake Brockermeyer, who visited earlier this week, but a deal has yet to be reached as Brockermeyer continued on another visit to the 49ers. The Broncos are looking for a right tackle to replace Matt Lepsis, who held the job last year but is moving to the left side to replace Trey Teague, who signed with the Bills.

• After losing WR Jerome Pathon earlier this week, the Colts’ WR corps may lose another veteran — although they will be in position to match the offer this time. Restricted free-agent WR Terrence Wilkins is expected to sign an offer sheet before Monday’s NFL deadline. Houston, Miami, St. Louis and Kansas City have all expressed interest in Wilkins. The Colts offered Wilkins a one-year, $563,000 tender in February. If the Colts do not match the offer Wilkins is expected to receive, they will not be entitled to any compensation because Wilkins entered the league as a free agent.

• Rams restricted free-agent FB James Hodgins concluded his visit to Denver Thursday without signing a contract. The Broncos are expected to wait until the draft before making a decision on a fullback.

Signings:

CINCINNATI BENGALS: Signed LB Armegis Spearman to a one-year contract.
NEW YORK JETS: Signed WR Chafie Fields.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Re-signed DB Kato Serwanga to a one-year, $450,000 contract.

Thursday, April 11, 2002

• Colts unrestricted free-agent WR Jerome Pathon agreed to terms with the Saints on a four-year, $10 million contact, which included a $1 million signing bonus and a $2.5 million option bonus next season that would keep Pathon in New Orleans through 2005. Saints general manager Randy Mueller said the team had targeted Pathon from the start of free agency and believe he is an ascending player in the league with a bright future. The former University of Washington standout is expected to play opposite Joe Horn in the starting lineup. Last year’s starter opposite Horn, Willie Jackson, is an unrestricted free agent. Colts head coach Tony Dungy tried to persuade Pathon to stay in Indianapolis and made a push to sign him, but the Colts have great depth at wide receiver with Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and free-agent signing Qadry Ismail under contract. The Vikings also joined the race for Pathon, but the Saints eventually won the battle with the help of their QB Aaron Brooks, who helped recruit the wide receiver.

• The Raiders, believed to be interested in selecting Northwestern OLB Napoleon Harris with their first pick in the draft, added depth to their LB corps by signing veteran free agent Gerald Dixon. Dixon started for the Chargers the past two seasons and was a third-round selection out of South Carolina by the Browns in 1992. Dixon is the third former Charger, along with DTs John Parrella and Mike Mohring, to move north to the Raiders.

• Eagles unrestricted free-agent LB Jeremiah Trotter continues his tour of the Texans’ facilities today. On his trip, Trotter said he sees very little chance of returning to Philadelphia, saying he is looking forward to competing against his former team. Green Bay and Tampa Bay have also expressed interest in Trotter, although both teams would likely have to wait until after June 1 to free up enough cap room to sign him.

• Meanwhile, the Raiders look like they may be without DT Grady Jackson, who recently rejected a one-year, $850,000 deal from the Jets, and is scheduled to visit the Vikings today. The Saints are also pursuing Jackson, but his contract demands reportedly were as high as $5 million a year at the beginning of the free-agency period, which has been prolonging his availability in the market.

• Buffalo and Tennessee have expressed interest in signing LB Eddie Robinson, whose decision is being delayed by the expected delivery of his child this week. If Robinson chooses Buffalo, he would reunite with former Titans defensive coordinator and Bills head coach Gregg Williams.

• Nine-year veteran OL Earl Dotson agreed to terms on a one-year, $650,000 contract with the Packers. Dotson was a reserve at right tackle last season after spending the 2000 season fighting back problems that sidelined him after the second game and required surgery.

• The Texans signed unrestricted free-agent TE Rod Rutledge to a two-year, $1.105 million contract. Rutledge is a five-year veteran who started 14 games for the Super Bowl champion Patriots last season, finishing with five catches for 35 yards.

• Former Vikings OLT Brad Badger is receiving strong interest from Oakland and Seattle. The Raiders are believed to have the upper hand, and he would likely sign for the league minimum. Badger had expressed interest in staying in Minnesota, but the Vikings were not interested.

• The Packers signed unrestricted free-agent LB Rob Holmberg to what is believed to be a one-year, $650,000 contract. Holmberg, 30, initially signed with the Packers last December when LBs Nate Wayne and Chris Gizzi were injured. Holmberg contributed mostly on special teams last year. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 1994 draft by the Raiders and has had stints with the Colts, Jets, Vikings, Patriots and Panthers before joining the Packers.

Wednesday, April 10, 2002

• Free-agent OT Blake Brockermeyer, whom the Bears released last week to save about $3 million against their salary cap, arrived in Denver Tuesday and will meet with Broncos officials today. The Broncos are reportedly interested in moving Brockermeyer to right tackle, where he could play alongside Denver ORG Dan Neil, his former University of Texas teammate, who accompanied him on his trip. Brockermeyer will visit with the 49ers Thursday, following the visit of Giants unrestricted free-agent OG Ron Stone.  The 49ers are believed to be looking at Brockermeyer as a guard, although general manager Terry Donahue is more concerned with Brockermeyer’s medical condition than his ability to play anywhere on the line. He had shoulder and knee surgery in the offseason after starting 17 games for the NFL’s top pass-blocking unit last season in Chicago.

• Seattle won the battle for Patriots unrestricted free-agent DL Brandon Mitchell, a starter for the Super Bowl champs for much of last season. Mitchell, who received interest from 11 different teams, agreed to a three-year deal to reunite with DT Chad Eaton and defensive coordinator Steve Sidwell, who was the Patriots’ coordinator for three seasons before joining the Seahawks in 2000. The Redskins came close to signing Mitchell but were looking at using him as a defensive tackle rather than at end. Mitchell played defensive end in college at Texas A&M and would prefer to rush the passer from the outside.

• With Mitchell out of the picture, the Redskins are focusing their attention on San Diego unrestricted free-agent DE Maa Tanuvasa, a veteran pass-rush specialist who has played tackle and end.

• The Packers are taking a look at Washington unrestricted free-agent RB Ki-Jana Carter with the status of backup RB Dorsey Levens uncertain. Both players have been offered league-minimum offers by their teams but are searching for better deals. It’s possible the two could trade places, with Carter backing up Packers RB Ahman Green and Levens backing up Redskins RB Stephen Davis. Levens has been offered a $650,000 salary, but has said he is more concerned with finding an opportunity to start rather than financial considerations. Carter, 29, has been offered $525,000. Packers personnel specialist John Schneider, who came from the Redskins, was largely responsible for signing Carter in Washington, which could bode favorably for him.

• The Tennessee Titans have reached an agreement with unrestricted free-agent S Lance Schulters to replace SS Blaine Bishop, who was released earlier in the offseason and subsequently signed with the Eagles. Schulters is expected to sign an unusual five-year deal, with a club option for a sixth year, that is believed to be worth nearly $20 million if the option is exercised. The deal does not include a signing bonus, but Schulters will earn a $3.5 million signing bonus in March 2004 if the option is exercised and will receive part of his $1.5 million base salary next season in advance. The Titans are also in negotiations with Jets unrestricted free-agent S Victor Green, which would revamp the Titans’ secondary at the safety position.

• Former Jaguars PK Mike Hollis, who publicly criticized head coach Tom Coughlin before departing Jacksonville last winter, agreed to a one-year, $650,000 deal with the Bills on Tuesday.

• Unrestricted free-agent LB Greg Favors signed a two-year, $1.9 million deal with the Colts, which included a $400,000 signing bonus, after spending the last three years with Tennessee. He started 13 games last year, making 42 tackles, and started 15 the previous season. Favors, 28, was drafted by the Chiefs in the fourth round in 1998.

• Eagles unrestricted free-anent LB Jeremiah Trotter said he would return to the Eagles if the opportunity existed, despite a bitter contract dispute. Trotter’s dispute with the Eagles ended last Friday when the team removed the franchise tag on the Pro Bowl linebacker. Under the franchise tag, Trotter would have been forced to accept a one-year contract worth about $5.5 million, based on an average of the league’s five highest-paid linebackers. Trotter’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, called the move "underhanded," saying the Eagles hurt his client’s chances of finding another team by waiting until other teams filled their needs at linebacker before making their decision. Both Cleveland and Pittsburgh signed linebackers Friday. Trotter said he was more upset that head coach Andy Reid declined to meet with him than being slapped with the franchise tag. Trotter is visiting Houston today and tomorrow and may have a trip scheduled to Green Bay by the end of the week.

• Former Ravens TE Shannon Sharpe said the Broncos will announce his decision to rejoin the team Friday. Sources close to the deal believe it is structured for seven years, which would spread out the signing bonus and minimize the Broncos’ cap hit this season. His signing bonus is expected to be $800,000, with his total compensation for next season reaching $1.5 million. Sharpe has cited his familiarity with the Broncos’ offense as one of the main reasons for choosing Denver.

• The Vikings continued building their defense by outbidding the Dolphins for the services of Miami unrestricted free-agent DE Lorenzo Bromell. Bromell, who was one of the first free agents to visit the Vikings in early March, agreed to a five-year, incentive-laden contract that will pay him between $11 million and $15 million, including a $2 million signing bonus. Bromell is expected to start at defensive end on the right side of the line. Bromell had been a pass-rush specialist in his four seasons with the Dolphins, starting just two of 53 games. Bromell joins former Miami teammate DE Kenny Mixon, who signed a five-year, $17 million deal earlier this offseason, as well as CB Corey Chavous and MLB Henri Crockett as newcomers expected to revamp the Vikings’ defense.

• The Vikings are still heavily active in the free-agent market with approximately $9 million available to spend under the salary cap. Negotiations are expected to heat up with Colts unrestricted free-agent WR Jerome Pathon and former Miami TE Hunter Goodwin this week. The Vikings are also expected to meet with Oakland unrestricted free-agent DT Grady Jackson, Browns OL Roman Oben and former Bucs PK Doug Brien. Colts unrestricted free-agent QB Mark Rypien has also received some consideration from the Vikings’ staff, who are looking to provide veteran leadership to groom developing QBs Daunte Culpepper and Todd Bouman.

Signings:

ATLANTA FALCONS: Re-signed RB Travis Jervey to a one-year deal with a base salary of $650,000.
HOUSTON TEXANS: Signed restricted free-agent OG DeMingo Graham and restricted free-agent TE Kaseem Sinceno.

Tuesday, April 9, 2002

• The Vikings claimed WR D’Wayne Bates off waivers from the Bears after originally signing him to an offer sheet March 27. Chicago matched the offer last Wednesday but waived him the following day. The Vikings will assume the same three-year contract they signed Bates to last week as a restricted free agent and will not owe the Bears any compensation. Bates was a high school teammate of newly signed Viking CB Corey Chavous at Silver Bluff High School in Aiken, S.C.

• The Panthers gave CB Fred Vinson another chance to prove he can play in the NFL, agreeing to terms with the former second-round draft pick of Green Bay on a one-year, $375,000 deal. Vinson was once so highly regarded by Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren that he traded RB Ahman Green to the Packers to get him. Vinson, 25, found his way into Holmgren’s doghouse soon after he arrived in Seattle when he tore the ACL in his right knee during a pickup basketball game in the spring of 2000. He re-injured the knee in yet another pickup basketball game the following offseason, forcing the Seahawks to release him prior to the 2001 season. According to Vinson’s agent, Mason Ashe, Vinson can earn up to $1 million this season if he makes the team and reaches incentives for playing time and interceptions. If he is released before the season, he will not count against the team’s salary cap. The team has signed free-agent CBs Terry Cousin and DeRon Jenkins and will probably add a cornerback in the draft after releasing last year’s starters, CBs Doug Evans and Jimmy Hitchcock, in salary-cap moves.

• The Buccaneers reached an agreement with Giants unrestricted free-agent WR Joe Jurevicius. Bucs general manager Rich McKay said he was interested in Jurevicius in 1998, but the Giants beat him to the punch by drafting the rangy wideout in the second round of the draft. Jurevicius is slated to start opposite Keyshawn Johnson with the loss of WRs Jacquez Green and Reidel Anthony to free agency. The Rams were also in the running for Jurevicius’ services, with Rams head coach Mike Martz intrigued by the possibility of using the 6-foot-5 Jurevicius in red-zone situations.

• The Jaguars signed former Denver FB Detron Smith to a one-year, $525,000 contract that included a $25,000 signing bonus. Smith, who made the Pro Bowl as a special-teams player in 1999, won two Super Bowls in his six years with Denver.

• The Broncos are visiting with Rams restricted free-agent FB James Hodgins, the lead blocker for Rams RB Marshall Faulk. If the Broncos sign Hodgins to an offer sheet, the salary-cap-strapped Rams would have seven days to match the offer. The Rams would not receive any compensation if they do not match the deal. The Chiefs and Browns are also believed to be interested in Hodgins.

• Former Colts TE Ken Dilger expects to find a new home before the draft. With Seattle’s chances of signing TE Shannon Sharpe dwindling, the Seahawks have turned their attention to landing Dilger. The Seahawks, who are believed to be offering Sharpe as much as $1.2 million, expect to hear by Wednesday whether Sharpe will sign with them or choose the Broncos. Sharpe is expected to receive the league minimum of $750,000 if he chooses Denver. Detroit, Chicago and Cincinnati are also in the running for Dilger.

• Patriots unrestricted free-agent DT Brandon Mitchell is close to making a decision on where he will play next year. Washington, Seattle and Houston are his top suitors.

• Giants unrestricted free-agent OG Ron Stone visited the 49ers yesterday. He is scheduled to work out today and could strengthen the Niners’ pass protection if he is signed. Having played both guard positions, Stone is expected to replace 17-year veteran Ray Brown at left guard if a deal is reached.

• The Lions reached an agreement with Chiefs backup TE Mikhael Ricks on a one-year contract after losing David Sloan in free agency to the Saints. Ricks, who was also being courted by the Packers and Raiders, felt he had the best opportunity to play in Detroit.

• The Dolphins are competing with the Vikings in hopes of re-signing unrestricted free-agent DE Lorenzo Bromell, who is expected to make a decision soon.

• The Jets reportedly were interested in receiving an answer yesterday from Oakland unrestricted free-agent DT Grady Jackson about the one-year offer they extended him, but they did not receive an answer. Jackson is believed to be interested in a multiyear deal, which has not been offered by the Jets or Raiders.

• Former Vikings P Mitch Berger is expected to make a decision between the Bucs and Rams by the end of the week. The Colts have also expressed interest in Berger.

• Jets unrestricted free-agent DE Eric Ogbogu visited the Jaguars last week but left without signing a contract. Ogbogu is a four-year veteran drafted in the sixth round by the Jets in 1998.

• While the Packers do not currently have much room under the salary cap, the team has made some inquiries about Eagles unrestricted free-agent LB Jeremiah Trotter. By cutting WR Antonio Freeman on June 1, which the Packers are expected to do unless the veteran is traded or agrees to a pay cut, they would clear $4.3 million of cap room to pursue Trotter. Tampa Bay and Houston are also believed to be in the hunt for the middle linebacker.

Signings:

ATLANTA FALCONS: Signed S Keith Lyle to a one-year, $650,000 contract.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Signed FB Detron Smith.
NEW YORK JETS: Re-signed S Nick Ferguson, LB Tony Scott, LB Kelvin Moses, DT Giradie Mercer and C/LS Dennis O’Sullivan.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Re-signed LB Eddie Mason to a one-year, $650,000 contract.

Monday, April 8, 2002

• Unrestricted free-agent TE Shannon Sharpe is expected to make a decision between the Seahawks and Broncos next week. The Raiders have also reportedly made Sharpe an offer, but Sharpe appears to be leaning toward joining his old coach, Mike Shanahan, in Denver, even though he would likely get more playing time in Seattle. Agent Marvin Demoff said it is more than likely Sharpe will return to Denver.

• The Bears are negotiating to bring back OLT Blake Brockermeyer after releasing him in a cost-cutting move on Friday. Brockermeyer, who was scheduled to receive a $500,000 roster bonus on Tuesday, would have been in the final year of a four-year contract. Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said the salary-cap savings from the move would be about $3 million. Brockermeyer, 28, is recovering from offseason shoulder and knee surgeries and isn't expected to be able to practice until training camp this summer. The Dolphins are among the teams who have expressed interest in Brockermeyer. According to agent Marvin Demoff, as many as four teams have expressed interest in Brockermeyer, since he was released, to gauge his interest in them and to check on his medical condition. If he does not return to the Bears, Angelo said he is confident in second-year player Bernard Robertson.

• The Eagles removed the franchise tag on Jeremiah Trotter, allowing the Pro Bowl linebacker to become a free agent. Under the franchise tag, Trotter would have been forced to accept a one-year contract believed to be worth about $5.5 million, based on an average of the league’s five highest-paid linebackers. Trotter, voted by his teammates as the defensive MVP on a team that nearly went to the Super Bowl, wasn’t pleased with the franchise designation and made it clear that he would rather be traded. Philadelphia head coach Andy Reid said the decision to free Trotter was made to make him happier. Trotter has said he wants a long-term deal for about $6 million a year. The Texans are expected to inquire about Trotter, but he may be too expensive, with the Texans being about $10 million under the cap, $7 million of which will be spent on draftees.

• The Jets are continuing to negotiate with former Bucs CB Donnie Abraham, who played for Jets head coach Herman Edwards in Tampa Bay, but a deal is not expected until after the draft.

• A source close to the negotiations for WR D’Wayne Bates, who was waived by the Bears last week, says the Bills may claim Bates off the waiver wire before the Vikings have a chance.

• The Jets re-signed OT Jumbo Elliot, who returns to action after sitting out last season. Elliot served as an assistant OL coach for the Jets in 2001. He joins another veteran, OG Dave Szott, who signed with the Jets last month to help fill the holes left by the departures of OT Ryan Young, who was taken by Houston in the expansion draft, and OG Kerry Jenkins, who signed as a free agent with Tampa Bay.

• The Texans signed 10-year veteran QB Kent Graham to a one-year contract worth $775,000, which includes a $25,000 signing bonus. Graham is expected to start the season until their expected No. 1 draft choice, David Carr, is ready. The Texans had been in pursuit of Graham since Rob Johnson turned down their one-year, $1 million offer in February. Graham, 33, has started 38 games in his career, passing for 7,801 yards, 39 touchdowns and 33 interceptions.

• The Bills took a good look at Browns restricted free-agent PK Phil Dawson but did not offer him a contract. The Bills are believed to be more interested in signing former Jaguars PK Mike Hollis. The team also signed S Billy Jenkins to a two-year, $1.475 million deal after entertaining Eagles restricted free-agent S Damon Moore on a visit last week.

Signings:

DETROIT LIONS: Agreed to terms with S Bracey Walker on a one-year, $650,000 deal.
HOUSTON TEXANS: Signed S Chris Carter to a one-year, $550,000 contract. Agreed to terms with CB Jason Simmons on a one-year, $625,000 deal. Agreed to terms with OG Domingo Graham on a one-year, $550,000 contract, plus a $25,000 signing bonus.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Signed OL Chris Naeole to a seven-year, $16.2 million contract, which includes an $800,000 signing bonus.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: Re-signed LB Deon Humphrey to a one-year contract.

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

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