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.

Kelsay on Trading Block as Well

The Buffalo Bills are reportedly shopping defensive end Chris Kelsay, according to Allen Wilson of The Buffalo News.

Kelsay, a six-year veteran out of the University of Nebraska, had 47 tackles and 2 sacks for the Bills last season, according to NFL.com.

More on this story as it develops.

Ronnie Brown on the Trading Block?

The Miami Dolphins put together an epic turn-around for their franchise in 2008, following a season where they went 1-15 the Dolphins wildcatted their way to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth.

One of the main reasons for their success in '08 was the play of running back Ronnie Brown, but Michael Lombardi of nationalfootballpost.com is reporting that Brown does not fit Dan Henning's offense and the Dolphins "might be interested" in shopping his services.

Brown is signed through 2010, at base salaries of $3.6 million this year and $5 million next year. If the Dolphins were to move Brown this may be the time as his stock couldn't be hotter, following his performance last season.

In 2008, Brown rushed for 916 yards and 10 TD's while splitting time with Ricky Williams, he was also the centerpiece of the Dolphins' "Wildcat" offense, which took the league by storm.

If a trade were to take place, the Dolphins would need to find a replacement for Brown, likely a mid-round pick, or perhaps West Virginia QB Pat White, who would an excellent hybrid/wildcat type player.

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.

Bills Trade Peters to Eagles

The Buffalo Bills have traded Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jason Peters to the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com.

In exchange for Peters, the Bills receive the Eagles’ 28th overall pick of the first round as well as a second-day draft pick in this year’s draft and a late-round draft pick in 2010.

Peters, is entering year two of his contract beef with the Bills, and hasn’t been attending the Bills’ offseason activities after staging a holdout last summer at training camp.

Peters will likely be seeking a new deal from his new employers.

The Eagles needed an offensive tackle after starter Tra Thomas left in free agency. Jon Runyan is a free agent and has been battling injuries.

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.

Report: Chiefs Reject Falcons Trade Offer

Frank Boal of Fox4 in Kansas City is reporting that the Kansas City Chiefs have rejected the Falcons trade offer for pro bowl TE Tony Gonzalez. The offer was a seconf round pick (no. 55 overall).

The Chiefs are apperently years away from being a contender and Gonzalez wants to play for a competitive squad, he has apperently already cleaned out his locker. Gonzalez is doing everything he can to get out of town but the Chiefs are struggling to let him slip away.

If the GM Scott Pioli values Gonzalez more than the Falcons' second round pick then it's unlikely any team in the NFL will match his price.

Packers Trade Long-Snapper to Panthers

The Green Bay Packers have traded long snapper J.J. Jansen to the Carolina Panthers for a future conditional draft pick.

The trade was announced Monday by Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson.

Jansen, who signed with Green Bay as a undrafted free agent in May 2008, spent last season on injured reserve. He played his college ball at Notre Dame.

Cleveland Has Trade Deals in Place for Edwards and Quinn

The Cleveland Browns have made it clear that anybody on their roster could be had via trade for the right price, except maybe LT Joe Thomas and LB D'Qwell Jackson. Pro Bowl TE Kellen Winslow has already been traded out of town to Tampa Bay and it appears as if some of his teammates may be out of town as well.

Former Browns personnel chief Mike Lombardi writes that the Browns have in place first-round offers for both quarterback Brady Quinn and receiver Braylon Edwards.

It is likely that the Browns will wait until draft day to finalize the deals, depending on how the draft shakes out. Pulling the trigger on a trade if a player they covet slips into the range of their prospective new picks.

One player the Browns hope will slip to them at number 5 is Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree, whom, according to Lombardi, the Browns are in love with.

Falcons Seriously Interested in TE Gonzalez

Michael Lombardi from the National Football Post is reporting that the Atlanta Falcons are seriously considering a trade for Chiefs Pro-Bowl TE Tony Gonzalez, and have offered up a 2nd round pick (#55 overall) to secure his services.

The Chiefs were close to moving Gonzalez last season right at the trade deadline to the New York Giants, but got cold feet at the last minute and called off the deal. Gonzalez is going into his 13th season in the NFL and wants to play for a contender and realizes that the Chiefs are a few years away from that, a few years he may not have left.

The move makes sense as Justin Peelle, the Falcons top tight end target from 2008, caught only 15 passes for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns in 16 games last season.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez is coming off another Pro Bowl season in which he hauled in 96 receptions for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Bills Shopping Roscoe Parrish

The Buffalo Bills suddenly find themselves with a plethora of talent at the wide receiver position, and have decided to shop one of their young up and coming receivers. Roscoe Parrish, a Bills second round pick in 2005, is primarily a slot receiver and return man.

The Bills have not set an asking price for Parrish and are just testing the market right now, but it appears as though Parrish is on the block.

At 5'9" 171lbs Parrish is small in stature, but the former Miami Hurricane is elusive in the open field. He finds himself on the depth chart with no. 1 receiver Lee Evans and the recently aquired Terrell Owens, veteran slot receiver Josh Reed and second year man James Hardy.

Giants and Browns Trade for Braylon Edwards Agreed to in Principle

The Giants have been trying to find a playmaker to replace the legally challenged and recently released wide receiver Plaxico Burress. The two prime suspects are Arizona wideout Anquan Boldin and Cleveland WR Braylon Edwards.

We have just heard that ESPN 950 in Philadelphia is reporting that they have learned the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns had agreed in principle on a trade that would send Braylon Edwards to New York for first and fifth round picks in the draft later this month. The rumor also said that the Giants had called a press conference for 10am on Thursday.

It is being reported elsewhere that the Browns have set the asking price at 1st and 3rd round picks to obtain the rights to the former Michigan star receiver. So if this rumour turns out to be true the Giants have definately gotten themselves a steal.

Stay tuned and if the rumor has legs we will likely know for certain at 10am tomorrow.

Troy Aikman Says Roy Wiliams Trade Could Be NFL's Biggest Bust

I think it may be an unwritten NFL rule, all former Cowboys players speak publicly on all things Cowboys, good or bad, and Troy Aikman may be their ring leader.

Aikman has been publicly spouting off abouth the Roy Williams-to-Dallas trade could be one of the worst ever if the Cowboys' new No. 1 receiver doesn't produce this fall.

"If Roy Williams doesn't turn out to be the player they thought he would be when they made the trade," Aikman said, "I think this would be one of the biggest busts in the history of the league."

When asked to clarify his thoughts, the former Cowboys quarterback really let it rip.

"I just think that when you have the chance to evaluate a player to the degree the Cowboys were able to and then to give up what you gave up, if he's not a No. 1 receiver and not a highly productive player for this team, that's a huge flaw within their scouting department," Aikman said.

The Cowboys sent three 2009 draft picks – a first-, third- and sixth-rounder – to the Lions for Williams just before the trade deadline on Oct. 14. In a way, the trade also cost them Terrell Owens, whom Jones released after the season partly because of the investment in Williams.

Aikman criticized Williams' route running on TV broadcast of the regular-season finale against the Eagles. Williams and quarterback Tony Romo didn't appear to be on the same page when Williams turned around too late and the pass was intercepted.

"I hear on TV that Troy Aikman tried to blame it on me," Williams said the next day. "And that's not me. I'm a guy that stands up. I stand up for my mistakes. I didn't have a mistake on that one."

With Owens sent packing, Williams will have the chance this season to prove that he was worth the steep price. To prove that his trade is closer to the Hershel Walker trade and not like the Joey Galloway trade in Cowboys history.

"I don't think you can give up what the Cowboys gave up for somebody and not make that a sure bet," Aikman said. "This isn't like drafting a No. 1 receiver out of the college draft and then saying, 'Well, we think he's got all the skills to be a great player for us.' He's been in the NFL. He's caught balls in the NFL. They've got a lot of tape on him, and they had the ability to talk to a lot of people who had coached him, played against him, played with him."

For the record, the best and worst trades to date in Cowboys history,

The Minnesota Vikings gave up five players, six conditional draft picks and the 1992 first-round pick to the Cowboys for Walker. The Cowboys converted the incredible haul into three Super Bowl titles.

The Cowboys sent two No. 1 draft picks to Seattle for receiver Joey Galloway. He suffered a torn knee ligament in the season opener and missed the rest of the year. Over the next three seasons, Galloway caught 151 passes for 2,341 yards and scored 12 touchdowns.

Falcons Send WR Robinson To Rams

The Atlanta Falcons have sent wide receiver Laurent Robinson to the desperate for wide receiver St Louis Rams.

In exchange for Robinson, a third-round pick in 2007, the Falcons and Rams have swapped their spots in rounds five and six.

The Falcons move up 22 spots the fifth round (from No. 160 to No. 138) and 20 spots in the sixth round (from No. 216 to No. 196)

As a rookie, Robinson appeared in 15 games, starting six. He caught 37 passes for 437 yards and one touchdown. Last season, the first year of the Thomas Dimitroff/Mike Smith regime, Robinson appeared in six games with no starts, catching only five passes for 52 yards.

Robinson joins a less than star studded group of receivers that currently includes Nate Jones, Travis Brown, Chad Lucas, Derek Stanley, Keenan Burton, Donnnie Avery, and Joel Filani.

What is the Broncos Next Move?

The big news in the NFL is the monster trade between the Denver Broncos and the Chicago Bears for QB Jay Cutler. To complete the trade the bears sent a 2009 first round draft choice (18th overall) a third round choice (84th overall) and a 2010 first round draft choice (the bears are hoping 32nd overall) along with QB Kyle Orton for QB Jay Cutler and a fifth round draft choice (149th overall).

The trade left the Bears solidified at the quarterback position, but lacking draft picks. It has also left the Broncos without that coveted “Franchise” quarterback and a ton of questions, but it has also left Denver with a plethora of choices that they can use to rebuild their team in head coach Josh McDaniels’ mould.

Of the questions Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen needs to answer, the first few should be: “What have I done? Was it a wise choice to give McDaniel all this power? Do I still have Mike Shanahan on speed dial?” Once those questions have been answered The Broncos front office will have to formulate a plan for the upcoming NFL Draft.

First off the Broncos need to decide if there is a franchise quarterback available in their draft range, or is one worth moving up for. USC quarterback Mark Sanchez might fit that bill, but will not be available when the Broncos select first at 12 overall. Denver may have to consider moving up in the draft to secure Mark Sanchez’ rights.

According to the draft value chart, the Denver Broncos have enough ammunition to pull off whatever trade is necessary. With the 12th (1200 pts.) and 18th (900 pts.) overall choices the Broncos can trade up with the Kansas City Chiefs to the 3rd overall choice (2200 pts.).

Why does this trade make sense? Denver suddenly finds themselves with Kyle Orton as their only viable option at QB, an upgrade is needed and if McDaniels doesn’t find one quickly he may find himself booed out of the Mile High City by season’s end. Pat Bowlen has spent years trying to find a replacement for John Elway, he found that in Cutler and in less than three months the new head coach ran him out of town.

Why will a trade with Kansas City work? Josh McDaniels has spent the last few years working with Kansas City’s new general manager Scott Pioli, both of whom left New England this offseason. The familiarity there will be helpful when striking the draft day deal.

From a draft perspective, this trade does a lot for the Broncos and severely limits what the Chicago Bears can do. The Bears obviously needed a quarterback, but they also needed cornerback, defensive end, safety and a wide receiver to go along with that and with no first or third round selection and a lone number two, they better hope Cutler can gel quickly with Devin Hester and former college teammate Earl Bennett.

As for the Broncos, like was said, they now have the ammunition to move up early in the draft to take Mark Sanchez or Matt Stafford depending on who falls. Or they could sit pretty at picks #12 and #18 and select some solid defensive players as something tells me that this deal was struck with Kyle Orton in mind so that Josh McDaniels can run the spread offense similar to how he did in New England with Matt Cassel and that he doesn't need a QB with a huge arm to get things done for him and the offense moving down the field.

I think that Denver will likely target guys to fit the 3-4 defence that they are trying to implement. I think B.J. Raji, Tyson Jackson and Aaron Maybin are some players that the Broncos will be looking at as they need a big body inside to keep blockers off of Andra Davis and D.J. Williams, and at the same time they need that tall, rangy five technique to occupy tackles and they also need the quintessential stand up outside pass rusher as well and these three guys should all be available when they are making their selections.

Though the trade with Kansas City is possible if Denver isn't satisfied with Orton, I just can't see it happening considering they chose to get a quarterback in this deal, not to mention a quarterback who is a starter with a winning record in the league. Though he isn't Jay Cutler by any stance, McDaniels may be able to turn him into what he wants and if so, the Broncos won't look totally stupid for making this move. Just pretty stupid.

BREAKING NEWS: Jay Cutler Traded to Chicago

Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com reports that the Chicago Bears have sent two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and quarterback Kyle Orton to the Broncos for quarterback Jay Cutler and a fifth-round draft pick.

The Bears held the 18th pick in the first round of the draft.

Per NFLPA records, Orton is signed through 2009, at a base salary of $995,000.

BREAKING NEWS: Boncos Owner Says He Will Trade Cutler

It’s official: QB Jay Cutler and the Denver Broncos are getting a divorce.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network is reporting that, aAfter a contentious and over a month-long falling-out between Cutler and new coach Josh McDaniels couldn’t be resolved, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen issued the following statement today:

“Numerous attempts to contact Jay Cutler in the last 10 days, both by Head Coach Josh McDaniels and myself, have been unsuccessful. A conversation with his agent earlier today clearly communicated and confirmed to us that Jay no longer has any desire to play for the Denver Broncos. We will begin discussions with other teams in an effort to accommodate his request to be traded.”

The bad blood between the QB and McDaniels started in late February when word leaked that the new coach reportedly had discussed a deal that would have brought Matt Cassel to Denver and shipped out Cutler. McDaniels tutored Cassel in New England.

Ocho Cinco es una "No Show"

Bengals receiver Chad Ocho Cinco (formerly Johnson) did not show up for the start of the team's offseason work-out program.

After a down year in 2008, QB Carson Palmer and the Bengals hoped Ocho Cinco would be present.

"I'm not worried about him; I'm worried about the guys we have here," Palmer said at a news conference Monday. "The guys that want to be here and want to work now are the guys who are in the locker room right now and are here today."

Even though Bengals coach Marvin Lewis would not say what players were present, Carson Palmer was more willing to divulge the dissapointing information. Palmer did sound more upbeat when asked about other receivers such as Laveranues Coles, who was present.

This is not the first time that Ocho Cinco skipped an off-season program. Just last season 85 caused a major stir by skipping "voluntary" workouts and publicly stating his desire to be traded. Wether this absence is again hinting that he wants out of Cincinnati is unknown, but knowing Chad, if he wants out the media will hear about it soon. Ocho Cinco has not been in contact with the Bengals recently.

Last year Cincinnati passed up trade offers because the team was unwilling to take an $8 million salary-cap hit. A year later that cap number is reduced to $4.87 million to trade Ocho Cinco, making it more of a possibility.

The 31-year old receiver, is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career, recording just 53 catches for 540 yards and four touchdowns. He also was deactivated for a November game against the Pittsburgh Steelers for violating a team rule.

What Should The Chiefs Do With Dorsey?

As the Kansas City Chiefs move into a 3-4 defensive alignment, a curious thing occurred to me. What will the Chiefs do with last season's 1st round draft choice DT Glenn Dorsey? Dorsey at 6'1" 297lbs lacks the height and range of a 3-4 defensive end who usually stand around 6'4"-6'5" and can rush the passer but also stack against the run, Dorsey is an interior linemen who uses his speed against weaker athletes in guards and center, his speed against an OT is a mismatch and he'll get dominated, as for NT, he has no where near the size or stoutness to stand up against constant double teams, he already has durability concerns and him taking a beating all game with his frame will set him back further, he is a prototypical UT in a 4-3 and nothing else.


The Chiefs will now have a ton of money locked up in a player that totally does not fit their system, releasing Dorsey would not be an option, considering his age and value on the NFL market. The Chiefs should act now and secure a trade to help further improve their team.


Who would be a good fit to trade with the Kansas City Chiefs? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they are clearly open to trading this season, they traded with the Cleveland Browns for TE Kellen Winslow, and they nearly stole Matt Cassel away from Kansas City to complete a three way trade with Denver and New England. Also Tampa's new GM Mark Dominik is openly searching for a defensive tackle to fit new defensive coordinator Jim Bates' scheme, but unfortunately all the defensive tackles on the Bucs radar have been signed elsewhere, and by elsewhere we mean the New York Giants.


What do the Bucs have that the Chiefs need? Offensive lineman. The Kansas City Chiefs have just locked up their franchise QB, but they still have an iffy o-line to protect him. Everyone is aware that a QB cannot be successful if there are defenders in his face. The chiefs are set at the LT position with last seasons 1st round choice Branden Albert, but he may be the only one worth keeping. LG Brian Waters has been solid in his career but is entering his 10th season. RG Adrian Jones is not inspiring fear in opposing defenders, and can't stay healthy for a whole season.


The Buccaneers have 3 young solid guards including one pro-bowler, former 1st round pick Davin Joseph. Joseph is a team captain and one of the leaders on the Bucs roster, I don't see him being used as trade bait.

Arron Sears (6'3" 319) is a rising star in the NFL and some have projected him to be better than Joseph, a second round choice the guard from the university of Tennessee has started 31 games in his 2 year career. Sears is a mauling and road grating offensive guard with the natural athleticism and ability of an offensive tackle. He is incredibly stout and anchors well in pass protection but his main forte is his run blocking ability where he is powerful, plays with good leverage and works his way well in space to seal off linebackers at the second level, he has very good football IQ and won't often get fooled by stunts and blitzes, he's young and still has a lot of potential upside and would be a welcome addition to any teams offensive line.

Jeremy Zuttah (6'4" 303) personifies the word versatility as he can play any offensive line position from tackle to center, he has amazing athleticism and incredible football IQ from his incredible dedication to tape watching and study of schemes, he's not a powerful mauling guard like Sears or Joseph but he has very good technique and is very good blocking in space, he has a nice pass set but will tend to get over powered by stronger defensive tackles, he's still young and finding his niche in the league but he is a potential star waiting to happen when he puts it all together. Zuttah a rookie last season appeared in 12 games with 5 starts.

If the Buccaneers' GM Mark Dominik offered up Sears and a 4th round pick or Zuttah and a 3rd in exchange for Dorsey, the Chiefs would have a tough time turning him down. Dorsey is signed to a large, long term contract and his production would not justify the huge amount of money they will have to pay him, not to mention their franchise quarterback will suffer from sub-par protection.

Zuttah would be a great fit for the Chiefs because of his versatility he could provide an upgrade at four positions along the line, if placed at left guard he could be matched with Branden Albert and provide a solid left side to anchor the offense for the next decade. With the left side of the oline solidified the Chiefs can use their 1st round draft choice to pick up another piece for the 3-4 defense, like Wake Forest's Aaron Curry.

Dorsey would provide an immediate upgrade at the Bucs under tackle position and be the type of penetrating defensive tackle that can push back the pocket stopping opposing QB's from stepping up and allowing the edge rushers to run their line and attack the quarterback. If the Bucs were to able secure Glenn Dorsey for Jim Bates' defense it would allow the Bucs to spend their first round pick on a linebacker like USC's Brian Cushing, or QB Josh Freeman.

Dolphins Trade Satele to Raiders

The Miami Dolphins have been busy improving their offensive line this offseason, before free agency started the brought back last seasons starting right tackle Vernon Carey and earlier this month they added free agent center Jake Grove to compete for the starting center position.

The Dolphins just made Grove's push to win the starting center battle that much easier by trading last seasons starter Samson Satele to the Oakland Raiders, ironically Groves former team, for undisclosed draft choices.

Satele has started all 32 games in his career, since being drafted by the Miami Dolphins, but apparently did not fit Bill Parcells and his "yes man" head coach Tony Sporano's system.

Grove, the 29-year old out of Virginia Tech. has played his entire 5-year career in Oakland and has started 46 of his 54 career games, but has struggled with injuries his whole career and has played in a full 16 game season only once in his career (2006).