Ravens Think Asking Price for Boldin Too Steep

According to Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun, the Baltimore Ravens have unofficially taken themselves out of the running for WR Anquan Boldin, claiming the price is too high to acquire the Pro Bowl receiver. Apparently, the Cardinals are looking to receive a 1st round pick along with a 3rd round selection in return for Boldin’s services.

The Ravens are trying to secure a premier wide receiver for Joe Flacco to throw to next season, but are hesitant about parting with multiple draft picks to land Boldin in a deal with Arizona. They would not mind sending a player along with a single selection, but the Cardinals have not shown much interest in that proposal as of yet.

Edgerrin James' Longtime Girlfriend Dies of Leukemia

The long time girlfriend of Edgerrin James and mother of his four children died of leukemia on Tuesday.

Andia Denise Wilson, 30, died at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa after battling acute myeloid leukemia. James, who plays for the Arizona Cardinals, is listed as Wilson's "loving spouse and significant other'' in an obituary notice. James and Wilson had four children: Edquisha, 11, Ehyanna, 7, Edgerrin Jr., 4, and Euro, 2.

Pierre Rutledge, head of the Edgerrin James Foundation, said the family would not be doing any interviews this week but would like to invite people to attend the funeral to honor Wilson's life.

A funeral service and celebration of Wilson's life will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Naples, 3000 Orange Blossom Drive in North Naples. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday, prior to the service, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, 34105.

Ravens Might Make a Play for Boldin

Jamison Hensley of The Baltimore Sun is reporting that the Baltimore Ravens expressed interest in acquiring wide receiver Anquan Boldin from the Arizona Cardinals.

The asking price to aquire Boldin is apperently a first and third rounder, who would bring at 6 feet 1, 217 pounds a tall, talented receiver for young QB Joe Flacco.

This is the third time in five years the Ravens have considered trading for a wide receiver. Their trade for Terrell Owens in 2004 was rescinded, and the team failed to complete a deal for Randy Moss in 2005.

Boldin, 28, would be attractive to the Ravens because they couldn't draft a proven receiver like him with the 26th overall pick.

Boldin has two years remaining on a six-year, $33.99 million deal, but he is seeking a new contract. He feels he is underpaid and wants a new deal on par with the contract signed by teammate Larry Fitzgerald (four years, $40 million) that nearly doubled Boldin's average annual salary.

The other teams that could pursue Boldin are the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants and New York Jets, according to ESPN.

Bengals Re-Sign Restricted Free Agent Brandon Johnson

The Cincinnati Bengals have re-sign retricted free agent LB Brandon Johnson, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Johnson filled in admirably at weakside linebacker after Keith Rivers got his jaw broke during an Oct. 19the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“We knew Brandon had good potential, but the way he came on last season was a very pleasant surprise,” Bengals linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald said. “His production was outstanding. He proved himself as a player that you definitely want on the field, and we are glad to have him back.”

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound fourth-year veteran from Louisville who started his career with the Arizona Cardinals, had a breakout season in 2008, his first year with the club.

Johnson finished second on the team with 112 tackles, but averaged 10 tackles per game over the last nine weeks of the season, all starts.

Lions Sign Curry and Smith

The Detroit Lions said that they wanted to sign their top draft prospect before the draft began, and in typical Lions fashion they came close but not quite right. Wake Forest's LB Aaron Curry and Baylor's OT Jason Smith are two of the top prosepects but that is not who the Lions signed.

The Detroit Lions have added two more unrestricted free agents, with the announcement of WR Ronald Curry, and FB Terrell Smith signing contracts today, terms were not released on the contracts.

Curry, is listed at 6'2" and 210lbs, he spent the last seven seasons with the Oakland Raiders collecting 193 catches for 2,347 yards and 13 TD's. HE joins the Lions depth chart with Calvin and Bryant Johnson (not related).

Smith, is a 6' 246lbs fullback, he spent the last 2 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He has 58 carries for 185 yards, and 67 catches for 354yard and 3 touchdowns, but is a bruising lead blocker.

This maybe be the Lions way of telling everyone they intend to sign Georgia QB Matthew Stafford by getting the Curry and Smith signings out of the way first.

Cardinals Will Listen to Offers for Boldin

The have been hesitant, in fact the flat-out refused it in the past but according to head coach Ken Whisenhunt, the Arizona Cardinals will now listen to trade offers for their disgruntled wide receiver Anquan Boldin

Boldin began demanding the trade when teammate Larry Fitzgerald received a four-year, $40 million deal last season. Boldin, who has two years remaining on his six-year deal, wants a contract on par with Fitzgerald's, but the Cards aren't offering him that kind of money.

"Before the draft, you know there is going to be talk about Anquan and his situation and a trade," Whisenhunt said, ESPN reported. "Since not a whole lot has changed with his contractual situation, we know that will come back. It would be foolish from out standpoint not to listen to those opportunities and see what actually exists. But I want to make the points — our goal is to re-sign him to a long-term deal. That hasn't changed."

The Cardinals want to keep Boldin and its obvious why, in his 6 years in Arizona, he has 6,496yards and 40 TD's and 77 career starts.

Carlos Dansby Goes to France

Cardinals inside linebacker Karlos Dansby has hired his new agent, Todd France. Dansby reportedly considered Eugene Parker and several other agents before making his decision. Dansby's former agent Kirk Wood was fired 10 days ago. Dansby and France were not available for comment.

The Cardinals and Wood were in negotiations for a long-term deal for Dansby. In interviews, the Cardinals linebacker has denied that Wood was on the verge of striking a deal with Cardinals management. Wood had represented Dansby ever since he entered the league out of Auburn.

Cards Sign Kreider

The Arizona Cardinals have signed free agent fullback Dan Kreider to a one-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The 32 year old Kreider (5'11" 255lbs) played in 11 games for the St. Louis Rams last season before being released on Nov. 26.

He spent the previous eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, appearing in 113 games, including 10 postseason games and starting in the 2006 Super Bowl.

For his career the multi-purpose fullback has 32 rushes for 144 yards and 2 TD's to go along with 60 catches for 471 yards and another 2 TD's.

Kreider entered the NFL in 2000 as an undrafted rookie free agent out of New Hampshire.

Cardinals Re-Sign Elton Brown

The Arizona Cardinals, who played in last seasons Super Bowl, but wound up losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers, have set out to keep last years squad intact and have announced the re-signing of their sixth unrestricted free agent guard Elton Brown.

He joins quarterback Kurt Warner, defensive end Bertrand Berry, punter Ben Graham, linebacker Clark Haggans and quarterback Brian St. Pierre who have all re-signed since becoming free agents this off-season.

The terms of his contract were not disclosed.

A former fourth-round choice of the Cardinals in 2005, Brown (6-5, 332 pounds), who played his college ball at Virginia, showed his potential by starting nine games as a rookie. He experienced knee problems in 2005 and eventually was forced to miss the entire 2006 season. He started nine games in 2007, but lost his starting job to Deuce Lutui, who is currently the starter.

Saints Sign C Leckey

The New Orleans Saints have announced the signing of veteran center Nick Leckey to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.

A 6th round pick of the Cardinals in 2004, out of Kansas State player he has also played in St. Louis where he started 10 games last season before a broken bone in his foot ended his season.

Cards Re-Sign Haggans

The Arizona Cardinals have re-signed free agent linebacker Clark Haggans to a three-year contract. Financial terms of the contract weren't disclosed.

Haggans played in 11 games for Arizona last season, with 27 tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery in a season where the Cardinals advanced to the Super Bowl. He missed the final three games of the regular season and the entire postseason with a foot injury.

The 6-foot-4, 243-pound linebacker is a 10-year veteran. He joined Arizona as a free agent in 2008 after spending his first eight pro seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In his 9 pro-seasons, Haggans has appeared in 119 games, 61 as a starter tallying 334 tackles 33.5 sacks and 1 interception. He started for the Steelers in their Super Bowl victory over Seattle three seasons ago.

Chiefs Add Three

The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to terms with three player; linebacker Monte Beisel and wide receivers Bobby Engram and Terrance Copper. Terms of the contracts have not yet been revealed.

Beisel has previously played for the Chiefs from 2001-2004, after his collegiate career at Kansas State. He has most recently played with the Arizona Cardinals and the New England Patriots.

Engram, a former Nittany Lion began his NFL career with the Chicago Bears in 1996 and went to the Seattle Seahawks in 2001. He has caught 645 career passes for 7,690 yards with 35 touchdowns, and has returned two punts for touchdowns.

Copper has played in 63 games with five starts during stints in Dallas, New Orleans and Baltimore. He also has 41 tackles while playing on special teams.

Kansas City Chiefs new head coach Todd Haley has called on an old friend Clancy Pendergast, to fill the vacant defensive coordinator job. Pendegrast coached the defense for Arizona's run to last season's Super Bowl, while Haley ran the offense.

Pendergast had already been hired to the Chiefs' new staff, along with Gary Gibbs, who had been defensive coordinator at New Orleans. Gibbs, who worked with Pendergast at Dallas, will be in charge of linebackers in Kansas City. Until Friday, both coaches were on staff but positions were unnamed until today.

"Clancy was instrumental in the Arizona Cardinals' run at the end of last season that led to our appearance in the Super Bowl," Haley said. "The fact that we have experience working together along with Clancy's previous experience working with Gary Gibbs will be a big factor in our continuity as we move forward."

Redskins Ink Another Punter

The Washington Redskins have been searching for answers in their punting game and have been cycling through punter after punter to try and find a solution. The next one in the cycle is veteran Dirk Johnson. Terms of his contract were not disclosed.

Johnson has a 41.7-yard career average and a career net average of 35.9. He has punted for several teams in the NFL including New Orleans, Chicago, Arizona and he has also punted in the Super Bowl for Philadelphia in 2004.

The Redskins ranked last in the NFL in net average last season. Draft pick Durant Brooks won the job over incumbent Derrick Frost during training camp, then was cut and replaced by Ryan Plackemeier in October. Plackemeier was released last month.

Last season, the Denver Broncos lost a rediculously high number of running back to injured reserve last season, so in an attempt to prepare themselves for another injury backfield the Broncos keep adding depth at running back.

The Broncos have added LaMont Jordan, allowing the former Raider a chance to return to the AFC West, and an opprotunity to re-unite with his old offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

The Broncos also have signed former Philadelphia running back Correll Buckhalter in free agency. They had a deal in place for Arizona free agent J.J. Arrington, but it fell through. The two sides have been talking this week about a new deal.

Warner Will Remain A Cardinal

A second former Super Bowl MVP has signed a deal so that he can retire with his current team, Kurt Warner has signed a two-year $23 Million contract with $19 Million guaranteed.

"We're ecstatic about the commitment the organization has made to us," Warner said. "Now it's my job for the next two years to go fulfill my part of the deal."

Warner had previously visited with the San Francisco 49ers about joining their team, but many believed it was just a scare tactic to drive up the Cardinals price. But eventually realized that it was in his best interest to remain a Cardinal. He was also willing to take $1 million less a season if the team successfully satisfied the contract extension demands of wide receiver.

"I told my wife probably 45 minutes into it that I just felt God say 'You're supposed to be in Arizona,'" Warner said, "and I told her that. She tried to tell me to stay open, but He just continued to confirm it."

Cowboys Sign LB Stewart Off the Couch

The Dallas Cowboys have signed free agent linebacker Matt Stewart to a one-year contract, financial terms wer not disclosed.

The 29-year-old Stewart was a fourth-round pick by Atlanta in 2001 and played four seasons with the Falcons. He spent the next three seasons with Cleveland. In 93 career games, Stewart has 357 tackles, eight sacks and an interception.

Stewart, was out of football in 2008 after getting released by Arizona in the final roster cuts before the season started.

J.J. Arrington Deal Not Finalized, May Dissolve

J.J. Arrington reportedly sign a 4 year contract with the Denver Broncos yesterday, and was preparing to join another newly aquired free agent back Correll Buckhalter, but the deal has hit a snag.

The Broncos and Arrington had reached an agreement in principle Friday on a four- year contract, according to the player's agent, J.R. Rickert. But in reading through the contract language, some issues arose that threaten to kill the deal.

"J.J's back in Arizona," said Rickert. "The deal's not dead yet."

The deal may not be dead yet, but it has prompted the Broncos to line up a visit with free agent RB Derrick Ward today, whom the Broncos view as the #1 free agent back on the market, and after failed visits in Cincinnati and Philly, Ward has apperently dropped his asking price.

Texans Sign Antonio Smith

The Texans have signed Arizona defensive lineman Antonio Smith. According to Smith's agent Drew Rosenhaus he signed a five-year contract worth $35 Million contract and $12.5 Million is guaranteed.

Smith, 27, spent his first five seasons with Arizona and started for the Cardinals in their Super Bowl loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finished the regular season with 41 tackles and 3.5 sacks

Arriving in Houston on Friday night, Smith spent Saturday meeting with Texans coach Gary Kubiak and his assistants while general manager Rick Smith negotiated with Rosenhaus.

Lions Add 2, Including a Former 1st Round WR

Detroit Lions have added two new players two their roster, one of them a fomer first round receiver, Bryant Johnson and CB Eric King

Bryant Johnson, 27, a first round selection of the Arizona Cardinals in 2003, signed a 3-year deal worth $9 Million. Johnson was immediately overshadowed by 2nd round pick Anquan Boldin in their rookie year and dropped another spot on the depth chart when the team drafted Larry Fitzgerald in the 1st round in 2004. Last season Johnson played in San Francisco under a one-year contract and will now join his 3rd team in as many years.

King, 26,has signed a two-year contract with the team. Terms of his deal were not disclosed.
He has spent the past three seasons playing in Tennessee under then-defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, the Lions' new head coach. At 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, King, who played his rookie season in Buffalo, was a role player as a backup cornerback and key special-teams contributor with the Titans, though his 2008 season ended in November with a broken forearm. He'll likely see an expanded role with the Lions.