NFL teams maneuvered their rosters to get ready for the start of free agency, which began at 9:01 p.m. PST Thursday night.
BROWNS: Cleveland wants quarterback Derek Anderson back, but are prepared to begin the Brady Quinn era if no deal can be reached. Cleveland has tendered Anderson a one-year offer for $2.5 million in 2008, and also made a three-year offer — reportedly worth $20 million, with $10 million guaranteed. If Anderson declines the multiyear offer and becomes a restricted free agent today, it’s unlikely he’ll be back, general manager Phil Savage said. “If he’s willing to take the walk out there, there’s got to be some indication there’s something at the end of the rainbow,” Savage said. If Anderson signs with another team, Savage said the Browns wouldn’t be able to match the offer. Instead, they’d take the first- and third-round pick draft picks they’d receive as compensation and turn to fan favorite Quinn as the starting quarterback. “If Derek wants to be a Brown and really wants to stay here in Cleveland and play with the players that are on our team, then he can do that rather easily,” Savage said. “We can look in the mirror and know we put a strong offer out there. But he’s earned the right to get to this point because of his play last year. We’re in a good situation either way.”
RAMS: St. Louis released wide receiver Isaac Bruce, cutting ties with the last player remaining from the team’s 1995 move from Los Angeles to St. Louis. Gus Frerotte, the backup quarterback the Last two seasons, also was released.
BILLS: Cornerback Kiwaukee Thomas’ contract was terminated. Safety Jim Leonhard and reserve running back Shaud Williams became free agents today after Buffalo elected not to issue qualifying offers to retain their rights. The Bills did retain the rights to defensive tackle Jason Jefferson by making him a qualifying offer. And they re-signed four players: tight end Tim Massaquoi, safety Dustin Fox, receiver Scott Mayle and defensive tackle Corey Mace.
CHARGERS: All-Pro fullback Lorenzo Neal was released by San Diego, which also parted with safety Marlon McCree and right tackle Shane Olivea. General manager A.J. Smith said all three requested their release so they can quickly jump into free agency.
TEXANS: Houston agreed to a multiyear contract with free agent receiver and kick returner Andre’ Davis, who is expected to sign the contract today.
CHIEFS: Kansas City has told cornerback Ty Law he will be released, likely within the next week. Linebacker Kendrell Bell, tight end Jason Dunn and defensive lineman James Reed also are expected to be released. Kansas City also agreed to terms on a five-year contract with punter Dustin Colquitt.
STEELERS: Pittsburgh made one-year contract offers to four restricted free agents: Wide receiver Nate Washington, guard Chris Kemoeatu, long snapper Greg Warren and offensive tackle Trai Essex.
COWBOYS: Dallas re-signed four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Flozell Adams, hours before he would’ve hit the open market in free agency. The Cowboys also moved to keep three of their restricted free agents, putting tenders on Pro Bowl running back Marion Barber ($2.56 million, the highest), defensive end Chris Canty ($2.017 million) and guard Joe Berger ($927,000). Barber and Canty can still look around for better deals, but a team would have to give Dallas its first- and third-round picks to get Barber and a first-rounder for Canty. Dallas also would first have a week to match any offer. In another move, the Cowboys formally announced the signing of linebacker Zach Thomas, whose $3.3 million, one-year deal was agreed to last week.
EAGLES: Philadelphia cut defensive end Jevon Kearse. The 31-year-old former rookie of the year failed to live up to the lofty expectations when he signed as a free agent in 2004. Kearse recorded 31/2 sacks in 14 games last season and saw his playing time diminish late in the year. He missed most of the 2006 season with a knee injury. Early in his career, Kearse was one of the NFL’s most feared pass rushers. He had 36 sacks in his first three season. He earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1999.
PATRIOTS: Veteran linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who recovered from a stroke in 2005 and later resumed his career, has agreed to a multiyear contract. Bruschi started every game this past season, but it was uncertain if the 34-year-old would return after the Patriots lost to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.
49ERS: Quarterback Alex Smith got a vote of confidence from San Francisco, which exercised a multimillion-dollar buyback clause in the former No. 1 draft pick’s contract that essentially extends his deal through 2010. Smith, who floundered through injuries and a prolonged public argument with coach Mike Nolan last season, will compete with former third-stringer Shaun Hill and likely another veteran quarterback in training camp. But general manager Scot McCloughan showed the 49ers’ feelings about Smith by overriding the language in Smith’s contract that could have allowed him to become a free agent after next season by voiding the final two years of his deal.
Associated Press
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