RB Levens reunites with Reid in Philly

By Nolan Nawrocki, Associate editor

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Friday, July 12, 2002

• The Eagles announced the signing of veteran RB Dorsey Levens to what is believed to be an incentive-laden, one-year contract today. Levens spent the past eight seasons with the Packers. The 32-year-old reunites with Eagles head coach Andy Reid, who was a member of the Packers’ offensive staff during Levens’ first five seasons. Reid expects Levens to provide great depth with his familiarity of the offense. Levens should have no problem fitting in, joining former Packers TE Jeff Thomason, TE-LS Mike Bartrum and P Sean Landeta on the Eagles’ roster.

• The Falcons signed free-agent WR Willie Jackson today after clearing room under the cap by releasing veteran WR Jeff Graham. Graham’s attendance at last month's minicamp was spotty while he was tending to matters related to his sister’s legal problems. Falcons head coach Dan Reeves was disappointed with Graham’s failure to make the team aware of his absence from the team’s mandatory minicamp, The Falcons later learned of a recent death in his family, which is believed to have been responsible for his absence, but neither Graham nor his agent, Mitch Frankel, informed the team of it. Jackson has had stints with the Jaguars, Bengals and most recently the Saints since being drafted in the fourth round of the 1994 NFL draft by the Cowboys. He had also been receiving interest from the 49ers, Panthers and Redskins. The eight-year veteran is believed to have signed a three-year deal worth a reported $3.5 million.

• James Sims, the agent for former Falcons RB Jamal Anderson, told PFW last month that six teams had expressed interest in the veteran running back. The interest in Anderson, who has blown out both of his knees the last two years, now seems to be dwindling, with Sims saying there is nothing new to report. The Eagles, one of the teams that had expressed interest in Anderson, signed Dorsey Levens today. The Cardinals, who could use depth in the backfield after losing Michael Pittman to the Buccaneers through free agency, do not want to bring in an established back who could shake the confidence of second-year pro Thomas Jones. The Saints are counting on Deuce McAllister, whose durability has been a mark of concern. They do not appear interested in bringing in another back with a shaky medical history. The Ravens face a similar situation with Jamal Lewis returning from a knee injury that kept him out of last season, but the team’s salary-cap troubles have made it nearly impossible to be active in the free-agent market. Dallas and Chicago are two possibilities, with Emmitt Smith aging and former Bear James Allen jetting to the Texans, but Bears general manager Jerry Angelo has proved in the past that he is not interested in players who are not 100 percent committed to football. Anderson, who helped broadcast NFL Europe games this spring and is interested in a broadcasting career, has had discussions with TNT officials about joining the cable network as a broadcaster and also reportedly has recently auditioned for movie roles.

Thursday, July 11, 2002

• Hadley Engelhard, the agent for former Packers RB Dorsey Levens, told PFW that three factors are weighing heavily in Levens’ decision to find a new team — playing on a grass surface, playing for a playoff contender and money. The Eagles are believed to have shown a strong interest in Levens after losing RB Correll Buckhalter in a recent minicamp. Levens visited Philadelphia early in the offseason. The team meets all three of Levens’ criteria. They are expected to make another run at the Super Bowl after reaching the NFC Championship game last season and are sitting in great shape financially, with an NFL-high $9.8 million available under the cap. The Eagles are believed to be interested in using that money on locking up several veterans, such as Pro Bowl S Brian Dawkins, to contract extensions, but the team should have no problem meeting Levens’ contract demands. Veterans Stadium, the home of the Eagles, was labeled as having the worst surface in the NFL for many years, but switched to a synthetic grass surface last season. While it is not as ideal as grass, it should be easier on Levens’ knees, which gave him trouble early in 2000 and eventually led to Ahman Green winning the starting job in Green Bay.

• A day after winning an NFL suspension appeal and being cleared to play this season, former Titans DT Josh Evans is receiving interest in the free-agent market. While the Titans are interested in re-signing the 29-year-old run stopper, the Jets may have a better chance after offering Evans a contract in March.

• Former Bengals WR Darnay Scott, who was released earlier this week after Michael Westbrook signed with Cincinnati, is scheduled to visit the Falcons today. Scott’s visit comes a day after Saints unrestricted free-agent WR Willie Jackson visited the Falcons’ facility. The Falcons do not have much room under the salary cap to offer Scott or Jackson sizable contracts. Jackson, who played college ball at the University of Florida, is still expected to visit the Panthers and Redskins, where he could reunite with former Gators coach Steve Spurrier.

• After clearing room under the salary cap with the release of Darnay Scott, the Bengals have increased their pursuit of former Ravens DT Sam Adams. Adams is scheduled to visit the Bengals Monday and Tuesday, where he will be given a physical exam. Adams has come close to reaching one-year deals with the Raiders and Broncos and has also considered re-signing a multi-year contract with the Ravens. The chances of returning to Baltimore appear to be dwindling, as do the chances of him signing in Washington, where Adams was considering reuniting with former Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis. Adams could combine with Bengals starting DTs Oliver Gibson and Tony Williams to provide solid protection for LBs Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons, both of whom are in negotiations for contract extensions. Simmons’ agent, Jerrold Colton, told PFW that Simmons will wait to become an unrestricted free agent and test the market following the season if both sides cannot reach an agreement before the opening of training camp on July 25. If the Bengals are pleased with Adams’ physical condition, he will likely sign a one-year deal with the team.

Wednesday, July 10, 2002

• The Falcons are looking for another target for QB Michael Vick. The top candidate is Saints unrestricted free-agent WR Willie Jackson, who visited the Falcons Tuesday. Coming off a season in which he registered career-highs of 81 receptions for 1,046 yards, the eight-year veteran has received a lot of interest in the free-agent market. The 49ers reportedly offered Jackson a two-year deal worth $2.5 million three weeks ago but Jackson turned it down because he thought he might only be the No. 3 receiver behind Terrell Owens and J.J. Stokes. The situation in Atlanta may be more appealing because Jackson could unseat either Shawn Jefferson or Brian Finneran, who are slated to start. The Redskins and new head coach Steve Spurrier are also vying for the services of the former University of Florida standout, as are the Buccaneers. The Falcons have also expressed interest in WR Yancey Thigpen, who did not play in 2001 and declined a workout request because of his upcoming wedding. If Jackson does not sign, expect the Falcons to revisit with Thigpen after training camp opens when he returns from his honeymoon.

• As expected, the Bengals terminated the contract of WR Darnay Scott Tuesday, releasing him to free agency. The eight-year veteran caught 57 passes for 819 yards and two touchdowns last season. He could figure into the Falcons’ search for a wideout or possibly even trade places with Michael Westbrook in Washington. If he can’t prove that his leg is healed, however, he could end up sitting out the 2002 season or signing at midseason.  

Tuesday, July 9, 2002

• Former Saints LB Keith Mitchell is believed to have reached an agreement with the Texans on a one-year deal expected to be slightly more than the veteran minimum of $525,000 for a five-year veteran. Mitchell is believed to have chosen the Texans over the Jaguars because of the opportunity to play in the Texans’ 3-4 defensive scheme, which will allow him to focus on his talents as a pass rusher. He expects the scheme to increase his sack total before he hits the market as a free agent again next year. The move also allows Mitchell to return to Texas, where he starred as a linebacker in college at Texas A&M.

• The Bucs signed veteran CB Terrell Buckley to a one-year, $750,000 contract Monday. The Bucs are believed to have beat out the Dolphins for Buckley’s services because of his relationship with Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden and the opportunity to win another Super Bowl. The 31-year-old Buckley earned a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots last season and said he sees all of the ingredients to win another championship in Tampa Bay. While the Lions, Broncos, Bucs and Dolphins all expressed interest in the 10-year veteran, he narrowed his choices down to the Bucs and Dolphins because of the proximity to Florida, where he was raised and now maintains a residence. The Bucs will be Buckley’s fifth team after stints in Green Bay (1992-94), Miami (’95-99), Denver (2000) and New England (’01). Buckley, who has played golf with current Bucs Derrick Brooks, Anthony McFarland and John Lynch, should have no problem fitting in with the team, which has already been awed by his Super Bowl ring. The Bucs have been looking to add depth to the secondary since CB Donnie Abraham departed for the Jets.

• WR Michael Westbrook is expected to visit Cincinnati today to sign his contract with the club, leaving many to believe that Darnay Scott will be released later today. Westbrook, who will sign a three-year, $4.5 million contract, will count $1.6 million against the cap this season while Scott has a salary-cap figure of $3.9 million. The salary-cap savings, coupled with questions surrounding Scott’s attitude and the health of the leg he broke at training camp two years ago, all point to his release.

• The Broncos signed former Packers LB Jude Waddy Monday. Waddy, 26, was voted to the All-NFL Europe team as a member of the Berlin Thunder this season. He played for the Packers in 1998 and ’99 before being waived prior to the 2000 season. He signed with the Bucs the following year but was cut.

Monday, July 8, 2002

• Saints unrestricted free-agent WR Willie Jackson is currently weighing three offers, according to agent Joel Segal. The interested suitors are believed to be San Francisco, Washington and Tampa Bay. The Niners reportedly have offered Jackson a two-year deal that averages about $1.4 million annually. The team would give him the chance to win the No. 2 WR job currently held by J.J. Stokes. San Francisco also offers Jackson the chance to play with his brother, Terry, who is a backup fullback. Washington remains in the running because of Jackson’s relationship with head coach Steve Spurrier, who coached Jackson at Florida and is looking for another veteran receiver to compete with Kevin Lockett and Jacquez Green for the starting job opposite Rod Gardner.

• Patriots unrestricted free-agent CB Terrell Buckley is believed to be close to reaching a deal with the Buccaneers. The 10-year veteran has also received interest from the Dolphins, Lions and Broncos, but the opportunity to play for head coach Jon Gruden in Florida seems most appealing to Buckley. He played at Florida State in college and played for Gruden when the two were together in Green Bay. He will likely sign for the veteran minimum of $750,000.

• Former Saints LB Keith Mitchell is expected to sign with the Jaguars or Texans sometime next week. He will likely sign a one-year contract worth $525,000, the league minimum for a five-year veteran.

• The Patriots claimed DB Tony Scott off waivers last week after the Jets had released him. The two-year veteran will earn a base salary of $375,000 and compete for playing time as a nickel and dime defender.

• With negotiations still ongoing with "franchise" free-agent TE Tony Gonzalez, the Chiefs signed free-agent TE Ryan Collins to a two-year, $675,000 contract. The 6-7, 265-pound Collins started all 10 games for the Amsterdam Admirals and was named to the All-NFL Europe team for his performance. He has also had stints with the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and the XFL’s New Jersey Hitmen.

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

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