NFL Roundup
Published 8:42 am Thursday, February 28, 2008
BROWNS: The Columbus Dispatch reported Cleveland offered quarterback Derek Anderson a three-year deal worth $20 million, with $10 million guaranteed. The 24-year-old Anderson, who played at Oregon State, is scheduled to become a restricted free agent on Friday, and he can either accept the Browns’ offer, or take a one-year tender worth $2.52 million. With the tender, the Browns would be able to match any other team’s offer to Anderson, or receive first- and third-round draft picks if he ends up with another team. Anderson passed for 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns in his first season as a starter. Anderson reportedly received an earlier offer from the Browns for three years and $16 million, with $11 million guaranteed, according to the Dispatch, but he turned it down. Cleveland terminated 35-year-old defensive lineman Orpheus Roye’s contract. Roye, scheduled to make $3 million this year, made five starts last season, his 12th in the NFL.
COLTS: Linebacker Rob Morris and defensive tackle Anthony McFarland, both sidelined with injuries for most of last season, were released by Indianapolis. The 33-year-old Morris, a first-round pick by the Colts in 2000 out of BYU, hurt his left knee against Denver in Week 4 and was placed on injured reserve in October after playing just two games last season. McFarland tore a knee tendon in training camp last summer and missed the entire season.
BUCCANEERS: Tampa Bay cut two veteran defensive linemen, Kevin Carter and Greg Spires, both of whom have Super Bowl rings. Carter, the first-round pick of the Rams in 1995, won his with St. Louis in 1999. He has 1001/2 sacks in his 13-season career, which includes six years with the Rams, four with Tennessee, two with Miami and last season with the Bucs, for whom he started 14 games. He has never missed an NFL game, playing 208 and starting 203. Spires started 87 of the 89 games he played in his six seasons in Tampa Bay, and earned a Super Bowl ring with the Bucs in his rookie season.
TITANS: Tennessee re-signed wide receiver Justin Gage, who was due to become a free agent. He led the team with 750 yards receiving last season and tied for the lead with 55 catches. The Titans released wide receiver David Givens after two seasons in which he was hampered by injuries. Givens, 27, signed a five-year, $24 million contract with the Titans after leaving the New England Patriots in free agency. He caught 59 passes for 738 yards in 2006 before his season was ended by a torn ACL. He caught eight passes in five games in 2007.
VIKINGS: Minnesota released quarterback Kelly Holcomb, clearing space to pursue another veteran backup for Tarvaris Jackson. Holcomb was 42-for-83 for 515 yards, two touchdowns and one interception last season.
BILLS: Running back Anthony Thomas was one of four Buffalo players let go after rushing for just 89 yards on 36 carries last season. The Bills also terminated the contracts of linebacker Coy Wire and cornerback Jerametrius Butler and waived guard Aaron Merz, a former second-round draft pick who missed the entire 2007 season with a shoulder injury.
RAVENS: Baltimore terminated the contract of veteran running back Mike Anderson, freeing up his $1.8 million salary. Anderson spent two seasons with the Ravens.
LIONS: Detroit signed free agent safety Dwight Smith to a two-year contract.
SAINTS: New Orleans and guard Jamar Nesbit, reserve center Jonathan Goodwin and wide receiver Terrance Copper agreed to deals. The Saints released kicker Olindo Mare after he failed a physical.
49ers: Nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga re-signed with San Francisco, agreeing to a five-year deal to remain at the center of the club’s 3-4 defense.
CHARGERS: Offensive lineman Scott Mruczkowski signed a three-year contract to remain with the San Diego Chargers.
Herald news services
