Chargers add former Chiefs LB Edwards

By Nolan Nawrocki, Associate editor

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Saturday, April 20, 2002

• The Chargers agreed to contract terms with Chiefs unrestricted free-agent LB Donnie Edwards on Saturday. Edwards and the Chargers agreed to terms on a five-year contract that also contains an option year. Joining the Chargers will be a homecoming for Edwards, who attended Chula Vista High School just south of San Diego. Edwards, a 6-2, 228-pounder, is a veteran of six NFL seasons, all with the Chiefs. Last year, he led Kansas City with 147 tackles while also adding two sacks, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and six passes defensed while starting all 16 games at outside linebacker for Kansas City. Edwards originally entered the NFL as a fourth-round draft choice (98th overall) out of UCLA in 1996. 

• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced that they have signed FB Mike Alstott to a four-year contract extension. Terms were not disclosed. Alstott, who enters his seventh NFL season in 2002, has been named to each of the last five Pro Bowls, the most appearances by an offensive player in club history. He has totaled 3,982 career rushing yards, third-best in club history, and his 50 career touchdowns and 40 rushing touchdowns both rank first in team history. Alstott boasted a career-high 11 total touchdowns in 2001.

Friday, April 19, 2002

• Washington owner Daniel Snyder continued his lavish spending spree by agreeing to terms with Eagles unrestricted free-agent MLB Jeremiah Trotter to a reported seven-year, $35.5 million contract that includes a $7 million signing bonus. With minimal playing time, the contract will void to five years. Redskins defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis, who knows the value of a strong middle linebacker after having MLB Ray Lewis in Baltimore, has taken an immediate liking to Trotter and has been active in recruiting him.Trotter will now have the chance to play against his former team twice next season and immediately improves the Redskins’ defense.

• The Bears matched the Chiefs’ four-year, $12 million offer to restricted free-agent LB Warrick Holdman. Holdman, 26, finished the season second in tackles with 145 behind Pro Bowl MLB Brian Urlacher. LB Rosevelt Colvin and OG Rex Tucker, both restricted free agents, also signed one-year tenders.

• The Vikings signed Miami backup TE Hunter Goodwin to a one-year, $550,000 after telling him they would seek to replace him through the draft if the deal couldn’t be completed today. Goodwin originally was drafted by the Vikings in the fourth round of the 1996 draft and later signed with the Dolphins as a restricted free agent in 1999. In his six-year career, he has played in 87 games, starting 41. He has played in all 16 games for the Dolphins the past two seasons.

• The Buccaneers reportedly have reached an agreement with FB Mike Alstott that will amount to a four-year, $8 million deal that includes a $2.5 million signing bonus. It will save the Bucs nearly $3 million under the cap this season. Alstott was originally scheduled to receive a $2 million roster bonus Monday, but both parties agreed to postponing the bonus a week.

• The Jets have reached an agreement on a five-year, $5.5 million contract with unrestricted free-agent P Matt Turk. Turk, 33, will reunite with former Dolphins special-teams coach Mike Westhoff, who holds the same job in New York.

• Cowboys franchise free-agent OT Flozell Adams signed a one-year tender offer to remain in Dallas for another season. Adams is guaranteed a one-year contract worth $4.92 million, the average salary-cap number for the five highest-paid offensive linemen in the NFL in 2001.

Signings:

TENNESSEE TITANS: Agreed to terms with FB Greg Comella on a five-year deal, with an option for a sixth year, worth $7 million, with a $1 million signing bonus. Agreed to terms with OL Gennaro DiNapoli.

Thursday, April 18, 2002

• The Titans found a new lead blocker for RB Eddie George by agreeing to terms with free-agent FB Greg Comella on what is believed to be a five-year contract with an option for a sixth year. Comella, 26, spent the previous four seasons with the Giants after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Stanford in 1998. Comella has represented himself in discussions with Tennessee general manager Floyd Reese.

• Free-agent P Mitch Berger agreed to terms with the Rams on a one-year, $675,000 contract, which includes a $25,000 signing bonus. Berger, a seven-year veteran, played the last six years with the Vikings after beginning his career in 1994 with the Eagles. Berger made the Pro Bowl after the 1999 season, when he led the NFC with a 45.4-yard average. John Baker, the Rams’ punter the last two seasons, is still on the roster.

• The Raiders have added their second linebacker through free agency in two weeks, signing unrestricted free-agent LB Roman Phifer. Phifer, an 11-year veteran, started all 16 games for the Super Bowl champion Patriots, posting 92 tackles. The former UCLA standout began his career with the Los Angeles Rams and was enticed by the opportunity to move closer to home. Last week, the Raiders signed former Chargers LB Gerald Dixon. The Raiders are seeking to bolster a LB corps thinned by the release of LB Elijah Alexander earlier in the offseason and the likely retirement of William Thomas.

• Unrestricted free-agent LB Jeff Posey signed with the Texans. The 6-foot-4, 249-pound Posey played on three teams last year, signing with Philadelphia but failing to stick with the Eagles after training camp. He played in four games for Carolina, then signed with Jacksonville, playing seven games, five as a starter. Posey originally signed with San Francisco as an undrafted free agent in 1997 out of Southern Mississippi.

• Vikings unrestricted free-agent WR Cris Carter seems to be backing off his decision to retire and begin a broadcasting career. One source said Carter didn’t impress officials at HBO or Fox enough to warrant a contract and is considering strapping the helmet back on to get back in the limelight and stroke his ego. The Dolphins have questioned Carter’s sincerity about playing for them after he refused to accept a contract worth approximately $1.5 million for 2002. Carter met with Dolphins officials in early March.

Signings:

DALLAS COWBOYS: Signed OL Ben Fricke to a one-year, $563,000 contract.
DETROIT LIONS: Signed TE Mikhael Ricks.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Agreed to terms with TE Ken Dilger on a three-year, $3.34 million with an $800,000 bonus. Agreed to terms with WR Karl Williams on a three-year, $2.1 million.

Wednesday, April 17, 2002

• Former Colts TE Ken Dilger turned down bigger offers to join new Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden. The Bucs’ courtship of Dilger began in Indianapolis at the Scouting Combine, where PFW spotted Dilger meeting with Gruden at Hooters. The Seahawks, Bears and Cowboys were all interested in signing the seven-year veteran. Dilger was released by the Colts in late February in a salary-cap move. Dilger, 30, agreed to a three-year contract with the Bucs. He has been one of the most productive tight ends in the league the last seven seasons.

• The Bucs are making progress renegotiating the contract of FB Mike Alstott after he agreed to postpone the deadline to pay him a $2 million bonus another week. Alstott, who currently will cost $4.6 million against the cap in 2002, is expected to have a reduced role in the Bucs’ offense and is hoping to make an average of $2 million.

• Vikings head coach Mike Tice denied speculation that the Vikings, who have almost $10 million available under the salary cap, have joined the running for Eagles unrestricted free-agent LB Jeremiah Trotter. The Vikings lost starting MLB Kailee Wong in free agency and signed Henri Crockett to replace him. Crockett is slated to move to the middle after playing the strong-side position for the Falcons. Houston, Green Bay and Washington have expressed interest in Trotter, with the Redskins believed to be the front-runner. Green Bay has less than $1 million available under the cap, and the Redskins have a little more than $2 million. Houston has more than $9 million available but is not thrilled about offering Trotter the type of money he is seeking. Tice said the only free agent he has his sights set on signing before the draft is TE Hunter Goodwin.

• The Cowboys re-signed restricted free-agent LB Dat Nguyen to a six-year, $13.5 million contract, which includes a $2.55 million signing bonus and $1 million salary next season. That gives the Cowboys a LB unit that now includes recently acquired Kevin Hardy and Dexter Coakley.

• The Bills have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with free-agent LB Eddie Robinson, who was scheduled to earn $2.25 million next season before being released by the Titans in late February. The 11-year veteran is believed to have agreed to a deal that will pay him the veteran minimum of $750,000 each season. Though Robinson played for the Titans the last eight seasons and will have to uproot his family, he was enticed by the opportunity to play for Bills head coach Gregg Williams, the Titans’ former defensive coordinator. Robinson also played for Bills defensive coordinator Jerry Gray in Tennessee and is a former teammate of Bills assistant coach Steve Jackson. Robinson, 32, started 15 of 16 games for the Titans last season, making 101 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a sack. The Titans had an offer on the table to re-sign Robinson and were interested in retaining his services.

Signings:

DETROIT LIONS: Re-signed DE Jared DeVries, LB Clint Kriewaldt and DE James Hall to one-year, $563,000 contracts.
GREEN BAY PACKERS: Re-signed WR Donald Driver to a one-year, $563,000 contract.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Re-signed OL Todd Fordham to what is believed to be a one-year, $650,000 contract.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Re-signed CB Kenny Wright to a one-year, $563,000 contract.

Tuesday, April 16, 2002

• Bears restricted free-agent LB Warrick Holdman signed a four-year, $12 million offer sheet with the Chiefs that will make it unlikely for the Bears to keep him. The offer includes a $2 million signing bonus. The Bears could handle the first-year cap number, which is $950,000, but they will have trouble with the cap hit in the second year of the contract, which should ring up over $4 million. Holdman is expected to replace LB Donnie Edwards, whom the Chiefs cut when he declined to accept a $3 million yearly salary. The Bears have until Friday to match the offer sheet. If they don’t match, they will not receive the fourth-round draft pick that they would have been entitled to if they had correctly completed Holdman’s restricted free-agent letter.

• Falcons unrestricted free-agent OT Ephraim Salaam signed a seven-year contract with the Broncos, which included a $700,000 signing bonus. He is expected to be Denver’s starting right tackle. Salaam was excited about being closer to his roots in Sacramento, Calif., where his family and friends will be able to see more games. Salaam, who started for the Falcons in the January 1999 Super Bowl, started 19 games as a rookie after being selected by the Falcons in the seventh round that year. He has started 55 of 60 games in his career.

• The Broncos signed Rams restricted free-agent FB James Hodgins to a reported five-year, $5.5 million deal, which includes a $1.1 million signing bonus to be spread out over two years. The Rams have until Friday to match the offer. Because Hodgins signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent, St. Louis will not receive any compensation if it decides not to match the offer. Hodgins has been an effective lead blocker for RB Marshall Faulk. With no other fullbacks under contract, the Rams are not likely to let Hodgins go.

• The Cowboys re-signed restricted free-agent DT Brandon Noble to a one-year, $1.227 million contract. Both sides are interested in reaching a long-term deal, but Noble will become an unrestricted free agent next year if an extension cannot be reached. He is slated to start alongside newly acquired DT La’Roi Glover.

• Eagles unrestricted free-agent LB Jeremiah Trotter left Washington without being able to reach a deal. The club is considering restructuring the contracts of DEs Bruce Smith and Marco Coleman as well as that of RB Stephen Davis in hopes of creating more room under the cap. The Redskins may also consider releasing several players. Trotter is scheduled to visit the Packers Wednesday.

• The Redskins have held up trade talks for Bears QB Shane Matthews with the expectation that the Bears will release the former Gators quarterback. After the recent signing of QB Chris Chandler, the Bears now have five quarterbacks on their roster, with Matthews falling to third on the depth chart. Bears general manager Jerry Angelo likes former CFL quarterback Henry Burris, who is expected to be given time to develop as the third quarterback. With no NFL experience, Burris comes much cheaper than Matthews. By signing Chandler, the Bears appear to have lost leverage with the Redskins and likely will not receive any compensation for Matthews.

• The Steelers are discussing new contracts with All-Pro OG Alan Faneca and restricted free agents Joey Porter, Amos Zereoue and Aaron Smith, who didn’t receive any offers by Monday afternoon’s deadline. The Steelers gave Porter, Zereoue and Smith one-year contract offers of $1.227 million each that would have cost any team that signed them a first-round draft pick. Restricted free-agent TE Jerame Tuman signed a one-year offer of $563,000 and is no longer a free agent.

• Former Vikings P Mitch Berger is interested in playing for the Rams, saying he will accept a one-year, $650,000 deal, but the Rams are believed to be more interested in improving their punting through the draft. A deal still may come this week.

• Patriots unrestricted free-agent LB Roman Phifer is in Oakland today, touring the Raiders’ facilities and trying to determine whether he wants to move to the other coast. The Raiders are looking to improve their LB corps, but the Patriots would like to keep Phifer. The Raiders’ interest may force the Patriots to act sooner than they had hoped. Phifer hopes to have a decision before the draft.

Monday, April 15, 2002

• Former Jaguars LB Kevin Hardy agreed to terms on what is believed to be a one-year, $2.5 million contract, although it will increase to a five-year, $23 million contract if the Cowboys exercise an option after the 2002 season. Hardy sat down with Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer on his visit to Dallas and watched some films from last season. Zimmer described all the ways he wanted to use Hardy as an outside linebacker whose main job is to rush the quarterback. Hardy felt the position was such a good fit that he canceled a scheduled trip to visit the Saints. Hardy played six seasons for the Jaguars after being selected with the No. 2 pick in the 1996 draft and became a free agent when Jacksonville released him in a salary-cap move. Dallas linebackers have made only one sack the last two years. Hardy will fill the spot played by Markus Steele, who became a starter in October as a rookie, and will be used on the strong and weak sides. Hardy said he expects to register at least eight or 10 sacks. Dallas began upgrading its defense last month by signing DT La’Roi Glover and CB Bryant Westbrook.

• Redskins owner Dan Snyder and vice president Joe Mendes met with Eagles unrestricted free-agent LB Jeremiah Trotter Sunday night. Trotter could give the Redskins one of the best LB trios in the league by joining strong-side LB LaVar Arrington and newly acquired veteran LB Jessie Armstead. By joining the Redskins, Trotter would also have the opportunity to face the Eagles twice a year. Trotter is expected to visit Green Bay later this week.

• Packers restricted free-agent WR Donald Driver reportedly turned down a three-year, $3 million offer from the Chiefs for the opportunity to become a starter in Green Bay. Instead, Driver signed the one-year, $563,000 offer the Packers had tendered in February. The three-year deal, which was believed to include a $650,000 signing bonus, carried modest salaries. Driver is hoping to have a breakout season, which would make him an attractive option when he becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

• The Colts decided to trade restricted free-agent WR Terrence Wilkins to St. Louis for a sixth-round draft choice instead of spending a week deciding whether to match the Rams’ offer sheet. Wilkins was ready to sign a four-year, $4.6 million offer sheet with the Rams Monday that included a $1.5 million signing bonus. Because Wilkins entered the league as a free agent, the Colts would not have received compensation for Wilkins had they not matched the offer.

• The Dolphins agreed to terms with unrestricted free-agent P Mark Royals on a one-year, $750,000 contract when they were unable to reach a deal Friday with Matt Turk, their punter the last two seasons. The 36-year old Royals punted for the Bucs last season, averaging 40.7 yards, which was 27^th in the league. Royals also has kicked for the Eagles, Rams, Steelers, Lions and Saints.

• The 49ers bolstered their line by signing OG Ron Stone to a four-year, $9 million contract, which included a $2.35 million signing bonus. The nine-year veteran, who has three Super Bowl rings, began his career with Dallas in 1993. He spent the last six seasons with the Giants, but they were unable to fit him under the salary cap. Stone is expected to switch to left guard with the 49ers, but he said the change won’t be a problem. He’s more worried about finding an affordable home in the Bay Area.

• San Francisco general manager Terry Donahue said the team has spoken to WR J.J. Stokes about restructuring his contract. Stokes, the 49ers’ second-leading receiver last season with 54 catches, 585 yards and seven touchdowns, is due to make $3.75 million next season, with a $5 million cap figure. Donahue hasn’t ruled out the possibility of releasing Stokes, a seven-year veteran who has spent his entire career with the 49ers, but he didn’t expect negotiations to reach that point. He hoped to have the situation resolved before the draft.

• Tampa Bay FB Mike Alstott and the Bucs have agreed to extend the date the five-time Pro Bowl selection is to receive a $2 million roster bonus from April 15 to April 23. Talks aimed at restructuring Alstott’s contract, which calls for a $2 million salary next season, are scheduled to resume this week. Bucs head coach Jon Gruden has said he would like to keep Alstott. However, there has been a question as to the role he will play after the signing of free-agent RB Michael Pittman.

• The Broncos signed TE Shannon Sharpe to a seven-year contract with the team that he helped lead to two Super Bowl titles. His contract includes an $800,000 signing bonus and a base salary of $750,000 this season. The deal was structured with the understanding that Sharpe probably will play only one year. By signing a seven-year deal, the Broncos are able to prorate Sharpe’s singing bonus over seven seasons and minimize their cap hit this season. The contract also includes $450,000 of guaranteed money in future years, bringing his total compensation to $2 million.

Signings:

CHICAGO BEARS: Signed QB Chris Chandler to a three-year, $4.5 million contract, which included a $1.25 million signing bonus.
CINCINNATI BENGALS: Signed QB Scott Covington to a one-year contract.
GREEN BAY PACKERS: Re-signed OL Earl Dotson to a one-year contract.

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

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