Redskins considering adding another Gators WR

By Nolan Nawrocki, Associate editor

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Friday, May 17, 2002

• The Redskins are considering adding a receiver to their offense to give head coach Steve Spurrier another weapon. While a number of established veterans are expected to be released June 1, the Redskins have expressed interest in another former Gator, Saints unrestricted free-agent WR Willie Jackson, who had a breakout season last year. The eight-year veteran started all 16 games and caught 81 passes for 1,046 yards.

• The Vikings signed unrestricted free-agent RB Moe Williams Thursday after he spent a year away from the team, in Baltimore. Williams ran for a career-high 242 yards and had 191 yards receiving for the Ravens last season after five years in Minnesota.

• The Seahawks signed PK Shayne Graham to a two-year contract. Graham will challenge Seahawks PK Rian Lindell for the starting job after Lindell struggled last season, converting 20-of-32 field-goal attempts. Graham joined the Bills late last season and made 6-of-8 attempts but was released when the Bills signed former Jaguars PK Mike Hollis.

• The Texans signed free-agent OL Max Lane to a contract Thursday. Lane has played seven seasons in the NFL with the Patriots but did not play last season. The 6-6, 310-pound offensive tackle-guard has started 71 of 100 games in his career after being drafted in the sixth round by the Patriots out of the Naval Academy in 1994.

Signings:

CINCINNATI BENGALS: Signed WR Chris Archie to a two-year contract.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Signed CB Paul Miranda and OL Floyd Wedderburn, both restricted free agents, to one-year, $563,000 contracts. Claimed LB Merceda Perry and WR Nakoa McElrath off waivers from the Jaguars.

Thursday, May 16, 2002

• The Saints have signed TE Eddie "Boo" Williams, an exclusive rights free agent, to a one-year contract. Williams had 20 receptions for 202 yards and three touchdowns in 2001 to lead all Saints’ rookies. Williams was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas.

• The Vikings signed free-agent S Ronnie Bradford to a one-year contract for the veteran minimum of $650,000 Wednesday. Bradford, entering his 10^th year in the NFL, spent the last five seasons with Atlanta. He has played for Denver and Arizona and has 12 career interceptions. He will have a chance to start at free safety in training camp. The Vikings are also hoping to re-sign RB Moe Williams.

Wednesday, May 15, 2002

• Mickey Loomis’ first move as Saints general manager was to add depth to their offensive line by signing free-agent OG-C Bubba Miller to a one-year contract. Miller, who was on injured reserve for all of the 2001 season because of a broken right ankle suffered in the final preseason game last fall, started all 16 regular-season contests and two playoffs games for the Eagles in 2000. He is expected to be at full health for training camp. Miller has appeared in 58 NFL games since being signed by the Eagles as an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee in 1996. In addition to playing guard and center, he has even played tight end during his tenure in Philadelphia. Miller joins OTs Victor Riley and Spencer Folau as free-agent acquisitions to the Saints’ offensive line in the offseason. They also drafted Ohio State OG-C LeCharles Bentley in the second round of last month’s NFL draft. Miller is expected to compete for the starting center job with Jerry Fontenot while Bentley will compete for a guard spot.

• The Colts signed former Patriots TE Jermaine Wiggins, who caught the pass that set up Adam Vinatieri’s Super Bowl-winning field goal, to a one-year, $650,000 contract. He was waived two weeks ago by the Patriots, who have a crowded pack of tight ends after drafting Colorado’s Daniel Graham in the first round. Wiggins caught 14 passes in the regular season but had 10 in the snowy playoff game against Oakland to help the Patriots advance to the AFC title game. He was undrafted out of Georgia and began his career with the Jets in 2000, where Bill Belichick was the head coach. Wiggins will join Marcus Pollard in two tight-end sets for the Colts after Ken Dilger departed for Tampa Bay.

• The Titans have agreed to terms with Jaguars unrestricted free-agent C Jeff Smith on what is believed to be a three-year contract with an option for a fourth. The Titans have been looking for a center with the likely retirement of Pro Bowl C Bruce Matthews after they failed to acquire one through the draft. The team also entertained former Chargers C Kendyl Jacox, but the 29-year-old Smith seemed like a better fit. The six-year veteran grew up in Tennessee and played at the University of Tennessee.

• Seattle unrestricted free-agent RB Ricky Watters has received interest from at least six teams in the offseason, but may retire if he doesn’t receive a multi-million offer. Watters received the most interest from the Buccaneers and Browns, but the Bucs added Michael Pittman earlier in the offseason and the Browns drafted Boston College RB William Green. Bucs head coach Jon Gruden used a committee of running backs in Oakland last year and may still be interested in adding to his stable in Tampa Bay. In Watters’ 10-year career with the 49ers, Eagles and Seahawks, the 33-year-old has rushed for 10,643.

• Former Ravens DE Rob Burnett is scheduled to visit with Patriots’ officials later this week. He visited the Dolphins Tuesday and the Ravens have offered to bring him back, but Burnett is currently leaning toward New England or Miami, even though he is expected to be a backup for either team. Both teams are looking for depth at defensive end.

• Unresticted free-agent QB Tony Banks visited the Jaguars last week and could be signed after the club clears salary-cap room on June 1. The Jaguars drafted East Carolina QB David Garrard in the fourth round last month but are hoping to have a veteran backup next season. Banks, a seven-year veteran, started 14 games for the Redskins last season but became expendable once Marty Schottenheimer was replaced by Steve Spurrier. Lions QB Charlie Batch, who is expected to be released on June 1, may also be a possibility.

• The Redskins are still hoping to land former Ravens DT Sam Adams, but they will have to compete with the Eagles and Bengals for his services. Adams is using their interest as leverage in trying to boost his signing bonus, but is not expected to see the reported $8 million he is demanding. He likely will not sign until after June 1, when teams clear more room under the salary cap.

Tuesday, May 14, 2002

• Former Ravens DE Rob Burnett will visit the Dolphins today. The team is looking to fill the holes left by the departure of DEs Kenny Mixon and Lorenzo Bromell to the Vikings. Burnett, 34, is seeking a multiyear deal as well as a starting role. Former Seahawks DE Michael Sinclair is also being considered, but Burnett appears to be viewed as a better prospect for the Dolphins. If he is signed, he will compete with Adewale Ogunleye and David Bowens at defensive end.

• The Titans have been considering re-signing C Kevin Long with the expected retirement of Pro Bowl C Bruce Matthews, but Jaguars unrestricted free-agent C Jeff Smith now appears to have a better chance of taking over in the middle.

• The Bengals are expected to be in the market for a tight end after June 1. The position has been plagued by injuries in the organization. Bengals’ third-round draft pick Matt Schobel has already aggravated a hamstring injury.

• The Ravens do not appear interested in re-signing unrestricted free-agent RB Terry Allen. Allen, 34, was signed last year after Jamal Lewis tore his ACL in training camp.

• New England unrestricted free-agent LB Roman Phifer is expected to agree to a multiyear deal with the Patriots but is likely not to sign until June. The Patriots have not sought a replacement for the player considered to be the MVP of its defense last season. Although the Patriots have been conservative when it comes to spending money on free agents, Phifer may be rewarded for his role in the Patriots’ Super Bowl championship last season. Phifer’s veteran minimum salary and incentives put his earnings at less than $600,000 a year ago. He received interest from five teams early in the offseason before settling on a deal with Oakland. A contract was never signed, however, and Phifer has expressed renewed interest in returning to the Patriots. 

Monday, May 13, 2002

• The Bucs signed P Tom Tupa to a one-year contract, likely for the minimum of $750,000. Tupa spent the last three seasons with the Jets, which included a Pro Bowl appearance in 1999. In addition to the Jets, Tupa has played for the Cardinals, Colts, Browns and Patriots since entering the NFL in 1988. He averaged 38.4 yards and placed 21 punts inside the 20-yard line in 15 games last season. The Bucs lost Mark Royals, their punter the previous three seasons, to the Dolphins earlier in the offseason.

Undrafted free-agent signings:

GREEN BAY PACKERS: Signed QB Marcus Brady.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Signed DT Tommie Townsend and LS Mike Malczyk.

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

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