News & Info/Headlines

Another Sunday, another Fantasy Notebook. ... Hey now boys and girls! The free-agent signing period begins this Friday, meaning the rumors, gossip and idle chit chat that go hand-in-hand with buying low and selling high will heat up considerably this week.

In the meantime, some of the roster moves needed to clear cap room in preparation of the signing period has begun and we already have some high-profile moves leaving well-known veterans in search of work -- and making some already intriguing Fantasy prospects even more interesting.

We'll get the ball rolling this week in Jacksonville, where Fred Taylor's hopes of joining the small list of standout players who spent an entire career with the same team went by the wayside.

The Jaguars released Taylor on Monday, parting ways with their all-time leading rusher after 11 seasons and continuing the team's offseason makeover.

According to Associated Press sports writer Mark Long, head coach Jack Del Rio flew to Fort Lauderdale earlier Monday to meet with Taylor and deliver the news. Del Rio made it clear the team has no plans to re-sign Taylor, who turned 33 last month and was scheduled to make $6 million next season.

According to Florida Times-Union staffer Michael C. Wright, Taylor and his agent Drew Rosenhaus suggested a restructured deal calling for the running back to take less money for an opportunity to stay in Jacksonville. But the organization wanted to move forward.

"We felt like the best thing for this football team is what it has to be about," Del Rio said. "We feel good about the talented group of backs that we have. ... And as you work through it, it's difficult to come up with a role that's going to be acceptable for everybody.

"It makes it awkward. It makes it difficult. We came to an agreement on what the best course of action was as a football team."

And that was to move on without Taylor, who ranks 16th on the NFL's all-time rushing list with 11,271 yards, 81 behind John Riggins.

"We felt this was best for us going forward. It's time for a younger version," Del Rio added, referring to Maurice Jones-Drew, who will become the team's feature running back in 2009.

The former UCLA star made that a foregone conclusion last season. Despite starting just three games last season, Jones-Drew led the Jaguars with 824 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns in 2008. He also was the team's second-leading receiver with 62 catches for 565 yards.

Taylor slumped to 556 yards rushing and one touchdown, though injuries on the Jaguars offensive line were a major reason for the decline.

But deciding to not even try to bring back the longtime team captain was somewhat shocking, especially since the Jaguars endured chemistry issues last season after letting go of some veterans and bringing in high-priced free agents Jerry Porter and Drayton Florence.

The Jaguars released Porter and Florence last week. They also parted ways with longtime personnel chief James "Shack" Harris, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, defensive backs coach Donnie Henderson and a few other assistants.

Taylor was next in line.

It became obvious -- even to Taylor -- that the team needed to give the 5-7 Jones-Drew, an explosive back with 40 total touchdowns during his three-year NFL career, more involved in the offense.

And while Del Rio said fullback Greg Jones will likely get five to 10 carries a game -- Montell Owens and Chauncey Washington are other possible contributors -- Jones-Drew will carry the load as both a running back and a receiver going forward.

Jones-Drew, 23, has already proved he can put up starter-type numbers as a backup, and he figures to surpass them as a starter. His 6,143 total yards the last three years, including return yards, is the best in the league in that span. Brian Westbrook of Philadelphia is second at 5,751.

Taylor spent the final three games of the season on injured reserve after tearing ligaments in his left thumb. Although Jacksonville never gauged trade interest in Taylor, Del Rio said he believes he will get a shot with another club.

"He's got some talent," Del Rio said. "I'm sure there is going to be some interest in him. I can't speak for other teams. I know Fred's done a great job taking care of his body and has been a complete stud in the time we've been here. I've said that several times. He's been a good teammate, he's been a guy that's all about winning and I've been impressed with the way that he's conducted himself since I've been here.

"You don't turn 33 without losing a step, but he's clearly worked hard. He's worked hard to allow himself to play at a high level. To hold off talented youngsters, you've got to do that, and he's worked his tail off to have that be the case."

The Providence Journal reported Saturday that both the Patriots and the Bills are interested in Taylor, and he is expected to visit both teams this week.

Meanwhile, Jones-Drew is only signed through 2009 but the Sports Xchange reports the team wants to sign their new feature player to an extension.

"I think Maurice is a great football player and an even better teammate. So I would like to have us get him done. There is a process that takes place where two sides try and get something done and we'll work at that privately to get that done and hopefully that'll be resolved shortly."

As Times-Union beat writer Vito Stellino suggested, Jones-Drew is clearly in the mix for a contract that would put him at the top of the running back list in the NFL.

Steven Jackson of the Rams signed a six-year, $49.3 million deal last year that included $21 million in guaranteed money and $29.3 million in the first four years and Stellino believes those numbers are likely to form the parameters for the talks.

Westbrook signed a three-year, $21 million deal last season, and he took a shorter deal because he's 29. Because Jones-Drew is six years younger than Westbrook, Jones-Drew is likely to be looking for a longer term deal than the one Westbrook got.

When it's all said and done, Jones-Drew figures to receive a deal in the $8-million-a-year range with more than $20 million in guaranteed money, although Stellino believes the Jaguars might balk at topping the $18 million in guaranteed money they gave quarterback David Garrard.

Jones-Drew's statistics, though, will give him a strong argument for a big contract. ...

And Jones? Can he really emerge as a true complement to Jones-Drew?

"He's got run skills," Titans head coach Jeff Fisher said of Jones Friday. "I think Jacksonville probably looked at the Baltimore tape [and saw Ravens fullback LeRon McClain] and said, 'We've got the same guy they do. Let's use him.'

"He's a guy who can do that."

One last note on Washington. ... Asked specifically if Washington might be able to secure a role, Jaguars.com senior editor Vic Ketchman replied: "[Washington is] a good guy and he's got some talent, but I don't think we're at the point to talk about him in terms of a role. Before he can acquire a role, he's got to make the team.

"That's his role right now: roster competitor. ..."

In New York. ... Brandon Jacobs, the 264-pound running back who has been a mainstay of the New York Giants' offense the past two seasons, was designated by the team as its franchise player last Friday.

That decision -- only the second time the Giants have ever used the "franchise" tag and the first time since they tagged Jumbo Elliott in 1993 -- guarantees Jacobs a salary of $6.621 million next season, which is the average of the top five running back salaries last year. It also gives the Giants the right to match any contract offer Jacobs receives during the free-agent signing period.

And if the Giants choose not to match an offer, they would receive two first-round draft picks as compensation from that team.

General manager Jerry Reese said the Giants and Jacobs will continue negotiating a long-term deal.

Jacobs, who ran for 1,089 yards for a 5.0 average and a team-leading 15 touchdowns, said all fall that he wants to remain with the Giants. Reese said the team decided on the franchise tag because of the Feb. 19 deadline to hand out that designation.

"With the deadline approaching it was the right business thing to do at this point, although we are hopeful to get a longer term deal hammered out in the near future," Reese said. "I did speak to Brandon and we had a very good conversation today."

"That is the reason I am being franchised," Jacobs said. "Buying more time to get a deal done."

According to New York Daily News staffer Ralph Vacchiano, the Giants and Jacobs were never really close on a long-term deal. Jacobs was seeking a deal similar to the seven-year, $45 million contract (with $16 million guaranteed) the Cowboys gave to running back Marion Barber last season.

However, sources told Vacchiano the Giants' opening offer was closer to $25 million over six years with about $12 million guaranteed.

One source said the Giants' offer was also laden with incentives related to playing time because they were worried about Jacobs' injury prone nature. In his two seasons as the Giants' No. 1 running back, Jacobs has missed eight of 32 regular-season games.

Now, with Jacobs' return all but guaranteed, Derrick Ward becomes of great interest this week.

Ward, who ran for 1,025 yards to make the Giants only the fifth team ever with two 1,000-yard running backs, is also due to become a free agent.

The Giants' No. 2 running back is going to command big money to be a starter elsewhere.

"Right now I think I'm anxious to see what's out there," Ward said when asked if he wanted to return to New York during a Wednesday appearance on ESPN's "Rome Is Burning." Ward went on to say he believes the only way that will happen is if he goes someplace else.

During the interview, Ward told Jim Rome that Arizona, Cleveland and Houston might be possible destinations because those are three teams he believes could use a running back. But he added "I see a lot of teams out there that might need my services."

Denver and Cleveland have both expressed interest in Ward.

The Giants meanwhile, loved having a 1-2 punch at running back last season, and it worked very well for them, so they'll probably continue with that philosophy.

That being the case, Ward (assuming he leaves) could be replaced by Ahmad Bradshaw, who rushed for 355 yards last season, and Danny Ware, who was impressive in exhibitions but had just two carries for 15 yards during the regular season.

"I had Derrick last year and we were a team and we did it together," Jacobs said in a statement released by the team. "I have Ahmad and Danny that are going to be back this year. I don't know what the chances are with Derrick, but I just try to make the guys around me better."

Head coach Tom Coughlin seemed to indicate in the statement that the team had made a clear choice between their two top backs and made Jacobs the priority.

"I never felt Brandon would be anything but a New York Giant," Coughlin said. "There isn't any question that when you talk about being a physical football team, he gives you that physical edge as a runner, a pass protector or catching the ball coming out of the backfield. He's a valuable, valuable part of our team and of the philosophy and the concept by which we play. It's important for our team going forward that he's a Giant. ..."

One last note here. ... Ward, apparently looking to avoid a repeat of last offseason -- when he was a free agent and wound up finding little interest, signed on with Rosenhaus last week. ...

In New Orleans. ... The Saints on Tuesday released long-time running back and fan favorite Deuce McAllister in a salary cap move that comes as no surprise.

McAllister, 30, is the franchise's all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns. Cutting McAllister was a no-brainer for the Saints, despite his status as a local icon. The eight-year veteran is due more than $5 million this fall and would have cost $7.5 million against the salary cap this season.

McAllister signed an eight-year, $50.1 million contract extension in 2005.

His release puts the Saints under the projected $123 million salary cap.

"Decisions like this are always very difficult ones to make," Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said in a statement before the press conference. "Deuce has epitomized hard work, leadership and productivity throughout his career and has been a source of great pride for all of us associated with the team.

"His records and accomplishments on the field speak for themselves about the type of player he was in a Saints uniform. He truly ranks as one of the greatest players in our club's history, and we are very respectful of everything he has meant to the Saints and our community."

McAllister's role was greatly diminished last season as he fell behind undrafted free agent Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush -- the No. 2 overall pick of the 2006 draft.

"All good things must come to an end," McAllister said at a press conference. "Obviously, this is a day as a player that you dread to happen. ... To the fans of the New Orleans Saints it has been an honor, a blessing to play every Sunday Monday or Thursday, whatever day it may have been, and just to play and hear my name."

The 23rd overall pick of the 2001 draft, McAllister finished his eight-year run in New Orleans with 1,429 carries for 6,096 rushing yards and a total of 55 TDs.

The veteran reportedly wants to continue his career but there are issues -- starting with his knees.

McAllister's first reconstructive surgery was on his right knee in 2005, the second on his left knee in 2007. McAllister, who turned 30 last December, also had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee six weeks ago and said he could not pass a physical if he took one now.

However, he expected to be ready by next season and believes he can play another three years or so.

McAllister still could, of course, be suspended four games because he was one of several players who tested positive for a banned diuretic last season.

While McAllister's "good thing" in New Orleans comes to an end, Thomas, who was Fantasy gold when it counted the most late last season, should be in line for a serious opportunity.

Indeed, as NFL.com's Michael Fabiano suggests, Thomas "showed flashes" while rushing for 475 yards with nine total touchdowns from Week 11 to 16. Only DeAngelo Williams and Michael Turner were more effective Fantasy backs during that span.

In an interview conducted Tuesday, Bush was asked how his surgically-repaired knee feels.

"The knee's doing well," he told Yahoo! Sports. "I'm well ahead of schedule, and I'm looking forward to being back well before training camp. Mini-camps -- I'll be participating in all that stuff. I think I'll be fine. I'm looking to come back even stronger than I did last year."

Bush, who got off to a fast start, had two knee surgeries in a two-month span while missing six games last season.

Still, SI.com's Peter King recently reported the Saints have "absolutely zero worries" about Bush resuming his career and playing well in 2009 after what was announced as microfracture surgery on the knee.

And now, in telling us he'll be ready for and participate in mini-camps, Bush has set an initial baseline Fantasy owners can follow up on.

But make no mistake about it: Bush's ongoing knee issues will lead more than a few Fantasy owners to push Thomas above the former first-round pick on their draft boards this year. ...

One last note here. ... Head coach Sean Payton told reporters at the combine on Thursday that his team is "dying" to add a power running back either via free agency or the draft.

"People asked after we drafted Reggie, how's this going to work," Payton told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "It very well can work. It did work. It's worked for Tennessee this past season. It works for New York (Giants).

"It's hard to have just one back in any offense. Immediately, the day we lose [McAllister] we go out looking for that profile."

The fact Payton didn't mention Thomas has generated some buzz in the Fantasy community.

I'd still suggest Bush's injury history (he hasn't made it through a full 16-game regular season since his rookie year) has more to do with Payton's stated desire to add another back than anything Thomas has or hasn't done. ...

In Cleveland. ... The Browns' plans at quarterback in 2009 remain a mystery at this point, with the club shedding little light on whether Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn will be the starter or whether both quarterbacks will even be on the roster come the start of next season.

A source close to the club told Pro Football Weekly's Mike Wilkening that team officials are likely to pay Anderson a $5 million roster bonus in March, but their plans for the quarterback beyond that point are unknown.

Anderson, who carries a salary-cap number of $8.8 million in 2009, has been speculated to be on the trading block after he lost his starting job to Quinn last season.

"I am trying to get a big picture, and I want to spend time with him and learn more about him," head coach Eric Mangini said of Anderson in early February. "(Offensive coordinator) Brian [Daboll] has talked to him and Brady a little bit. All of that information and all of that work will continue."

New general manager George Kokinis chimed in Friday, telling reporters the Browns are in no hurry to get rid of Anderson and are willing to let him battle Quinn for the starting quarterback job.

Anderson had a Pro Bowl year in 2007, throwing for 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns, but he was benched and replaced by Quinn after starting the 2008 season 3-5. Quinn, the No. 22 overall pick in the 2007 draft, went 1-2 as the Browns' starter before he suffered a season-ending injury. ...

In a related noted. ... Tampa Tribune staffer Roy Cummings, a lot of the talk here at the combine is centering around the Bucs and their quarterback position. This after the team told Jeff Garcia last Sunday night that he is free to move on via free agency.

Cummings went on to explain that few believe the Bucs are ready to just hand the starter's job to Luke McCown, so the question is, who they will bring in to challenge McCown for the starter's job.

Free agents such as Byron Leftwich, J.P. Losman and Patrick Ramsey are all being thrown around as possibilities but one possibility that is gaining steam would have the Bucs trading with the Browns for Anderson.

While Anderson has one of the strongest arms in the league as well as just about every physical tool you need to be a difference maker at his position, Cummings points out what Anderson doesn't have is a great understanding of defenses or the game's nuances.

With a little work and a bit of a push he could be developed into one of the game's better quarterbacks and word is the Brown might take as little as a third-round pick for him.

When you consider that he's younger than McCown but has more experience than McCown it doesn't sound like a bad option for the Bucs to consider, especially with Jeff Jagodzinski running the offense.

Cummings believes Jagodzinski figures to be a little more aggressive than Jon Gruden was and Anderson would probably fit what he does well. Also, with Jagodzinski and Greg Olson tutoring him, Olson would likely max out on his potential. ...

And now for a few follow-ups on recent Notebook items. ...

Also in Tampa. ... Antonio Bryant will play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009 or he won't play at all. Like it or not (with "not" taking the early lead).

Bucs head coach Raheem Morris said as much Wednesday, just hours before the Bucs placed the franchise tag on the veteran receiver to keep Bryant from hitting the free-agent marketplace.

"I know this," Morris said as he boarded a plane for the scouting combine. "Antonio Bryant will be a Buccaneer this season."

The tag guarantees Bryant a 2009 salary of $9.88 million, which is the average of the five highest paid players at his position. It would also drastically restrict his ability to sign with another team. Any team interested in signing Bryant will now have to compensate the Bucs by giving them two first-round draft picks. That's the reason players often dislike being tagged.

That's not necessarily Bryant's problem, however.

According to agent Lamont Smith, Bryant is unhappy about not having more security.

As a result, Smith said, they do not want to sign the offer. Instead, they are considering several options, which include testing the free-agent market or holding out.

"The other option is to play one year for the roughly $10 million and be in the same position next year," Smith said. "If that were to occur, that would not bode well long-term for the Bucs. ..."

Tampa Bay has until July 15 to negotiate a long-term contract with Bryant, and considering how far apart both sides are, it might take that long. ...

And what of Garcia?

The list of teams looking for veteran help at quarterback in the coming days and weeks is lengthy. The list of those in need of immediate help in terms of a starter is much less so. Garcia believes he should be the focus of those on the shorter list.

"I do feel like I have football life in me," Garcia told the St. Petersburg Times. "I'm pretty sure there's going to be something out there for me."

The New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings have been mentioned as possible landing spots. ...

In Cincinnati. ... The Bengals tagged kicker Shayne Graham as their franchise player for the 2009 season. Graham will be paid $2.483 million, the average salary of the top five kickers in the NFL from the previous season to remain in a Bengal uniform.

"I appreciate the Bengals' recognition of my value to the team," Graham said in a statement. "I would have preferred to enter a long-term market value contract, either with the Bengals or through free agency."

Sorry kid. ...

It was possible that the Bengals could tag pending free agent T.J. Houshmandzadeh. But the former Pro Bowl receiver would have cost just under $10 million to keep for one season, so Cincinnati likely will let Houshmandzadeh test free agency this week.

Houshmandzadeh, who signed a four-year contract worth roughly $3 million per year before the 2005 season, has not attended the team's offseason voluntary workouts the past two years because he felt he was underpaid. At age 32, he is on the older side for an NFL receiver, though he led the NFL in receptions in 2007 with 112.

The receiver led the Bengals in receiving last year with 92 catches for 904 yards and four touchdowns on a team that ranked last in the NFL in scoring and yardage. It was the first time in three seasons that Houshmandzadeh had less than 1,000 yards receiving.

Houshmandzadeh told ESPN's Bob Holtzman on Monday that there is a "90-something percent chance" he won't return to the Bengals.

"If they asked Carson [Palmer's] opinion I would be back, but they didn't," Houshmandzadeh said. "Why would you give a guy 100-something million dollars and not ask his opinion?"

For what it's worth, Houshmandzadeh also told Holtzman he thinks Chad Ocho Cinco's days in Cincinnati are over. Bengals.com staffer Geoff Hobson, however, disagrees with that assessment.

Per Hobson: "Ocho agent Drew Rosenhaus may be shopping Ocho Cinco, but the Bengals appear not ready to put him on the block this week. ..."

Head coach Marvin Lewis lent further credence to that stance on Friday, telling reporters at the combine that he doesn't see a likely scenario where the Bengals will be without both Ocho Cinco and Houshmandzadeh this season.

Regarding Houshmandzadeh's assertion that Palmer's opinion hasn't been a factor, Lewis claimed the quarterback "is wearing me out every day" on the phone.

"Because he wants to win very badly," he said. "We've got to get more people around him. For awhile we knew how to win. We forgot that a little bit. We've got to get that edge back. ..."

Worth noting: One of those people they hope to get back is Cedric Benson.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, retaining Benson is a top priority. Their interest is understandable.

Benson had three 100-yard games in the four Bengals' wins after being signed last October. Benson said after the regular-season finale that he would like to return. The former first-round pick by the Bears also had the longest rushing and passing plays of the season. ...

In San Diego. ... Chargers running back and kick returner Darren Sproles was designated the team's franchise player for the 2009 season.

As a "non-exclusive" franchise player, Sproles received a one-year contract offer from the Chargers that is the average of the top five salaried running backs from the '08 season.

The Chargers and Sproles also may continue to negotiate a long-term contract.

"Darren has been a valuable contributor to our team, both on offense and special teams," said general manager A.J. Smith. "He is a young and improving player. We expect we'll utilize his many talents as we have in the past and he'll be a valuable asset in the coming season."

Sproles has publicly said he wants to be a Charger, but also that he wants to test the free-agent market.

Meanwhile, Smith said the decision to franchise Sproles has no impact on the contract status of running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

"This does not affect our ability to negotiate a new contract with LT," Smith said. "We're hopeful of getting a new deal done with him."

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Chargers were scheduled to begin talks with Tomlinson's agent, Tom Condon, this weekend. ...

In Dallas. ... Cowboys owner Jerry Jones went on and on Tuesday emphasizing he hasn't decided whether to keep or cut Terrell Owens.

Then, long after the subject was seemingly put to rest, Jones brought it up again -- with a pretty obvious hint that T.O. is staying.

"You and I both know that the one that you're asking about all the time, if I gave you the answer that you want to hear, then you would've already had it. So the fact you don't have it ought to tell you something. It really should," Jones said.

I suspect the Owens-related gag order Jones admittedly imposed on Cowboys personnel -- including head coach Wade Phillips -- at the scouting combine might tell us even more.

“Where I’m coming from here I just want to make sure you’re not getting bits and pieces of information,” the owner said. “That’s not doing anybody any good and you’re not making accurate reports.”

As SportingNews.com staffer Albert Breer notes, the decision to keep assistant coaches or personnel officials quiet isn’t rare in the NFL. But a gag order on a head coach rarely comes down.

And the one levied on Phillips has done nothing to change perception that he wields little power or influence in the organization. ...

In Arizona. ... Kurt Warner definitely will return to football in 2009, his agent Mark Bartelstein told the Chicago Sun-Times Friday afternoon.

"He's decided he's going to play," Bartelstein said. "He's made up his mind. He wants to play and he always wanted to play."

Expectations are that Warner will return to the Cardinals, who according to the Arizona Republic already have made an offer to him. Indeed, general manager Rod Graves said Saturday that the team is negotiating with Warner and hopes to complete a deal, "sooner, rather than later."

But it might not be that simple. ... ESPN.com insider John Clayton reports the Cardinals are willing to pay Warner in the range of $8 million to $10 million on a two-year deal with a team option for a third season. But Clayton went on to suggest Warner is looking for money that would put him in the neighborhood of the five highest-paid quarterbacks.

Based on 2008 cap numbers, that's a range of $12 million to $18.7 million. ...

And finally this week, from our "Change We Can Believe In (And That Should Surprise Nobody) Department," Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin ran a reverse Thursday. ... According to NFL Network insider Adam Schefter, Boldin's agent, Rosenhaus, told Graves that while his client remains receptive to a trade, he is willing to sign a long-term deal with Arizona.

Previously, Boldin had said he never would re-sign with the Cardinals, but now, after some time away from the team and the game, he has softened his stance.

If a long-term deal cannot be worked out, Boldin still would like to be dealt. But for the time being, Boldin wanted to give the Cardinals additional options.

That's it for this week's Notebook. I'll check in again next Sunday. ... In the meantime, keep an eye on the News & Views section of this site for late-breaking news and other tidbits of interest. Watch the Headline News section for more in-depth reviews of current events -- including the Fantasy Notebook.