News & Info/Headlines
The list of high-profile Fantasy prospects has been narrowed down considerably since the 2009 NFL free-agent signing period kicked off early last Friday.
And with most big names off the board (Kurt Warner, who is expected to return to the Cardinals at some point this week, is the most notable available skill player), NFL Network insider Adam Schefter noted tonight that free agency's initial wave is over.
But he second wave has some compelling players, including some of today's top signees. ...
We'll get the ball rolling tonight in Tampa Bay, where the Buccaneers reached a four-year, $17 million deal with running back Derrick Ward late Monday night. As Profootballtalk.com first reported, he'll earn $6 million guaranteed in the first year, $9.25 million over the first two, and $13 million over the first three.
That's well off the six year, $34.5 million deal Michael Turner signed in Atlanta last year -- the kind of deal Ward was seeking after a breakout season with the Giants, when he rushed for 1,025 yards despite starting just three games.
A member of the Giants' "Earth, Wind and Fire" three-headed running attack, Ward had been in discussions to re-sign in New York. The Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns were also in the mix.
The 228-pound Ward is a quick back who also provides a powerful punch, a combination that made him a sought-after free agent with Brandon Jacobs settling in as the Giants' franchise back.
Ward, 28, saw his first extensive action in 2007, when he rushed for 602 yards on 125 carries. He combined to score five touchdowns in the last two seasons.
"I'm a variety of things. I can be a pass-receiving running back, a one-cut and up running back, a power running back. I can do it all," Ward told reporters during his introductory press conference Tuesday afternoon.
The Bucs were decimated by injuries to their backfield 2008, with Earnest Graham, Carnell "Cadillac" Williams and B.J. Askew all landing on injured reserve.
According to ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas, the Bucs won't admit it, but Ward has immediately jumped ahead of Graham on the depth chart. Ward wouldn't admit it, either.
"I know Earnest is the guy here," Ward said. "Hopefully, he'll embrace me and I'll embrace him and we'll work well together. ..."
We'll see. Graham's a very nice back but Ward is more versatile and he's making more money.
Ward ran for 1,000 yards as part of the Giants' three-headed backfield last year. Given the bulk of the carries and Yasinskas believes Ward might give you 1,500 yards.
One reason for those expectations: Ward's signing will go down in history as the first unrestricted free agent in the era of head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Mark Dominik. Yasinskas went on to suggest: "Don't underestimate the importance of that.
"General managers and coaches like to make sure 'their guys' work out. ..."
In Cincinnati. ... The Bengals filled a major gap Tuesday when they re-signed their starting running back for the upcoming season a day after Cedric Benson visited the Texans, the team announced.
According to ESPN.com insider John Clayton, the two-year contract is worth $7 million.
After being cut by the Bears last summer and dealing with legal troubles in Texas, Benson signed with the Bengals and resurrected his career. He rushed for 747 yards on 214 carries and scored two touchdowns.
"Cedric was recognized as an elite talent coming out of college," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said Tuesday. "His years in Chicago weren't what he hoped for, but he was able to give us a lift on the field and be a great presence in the locker room. He earned everyone's respect, and we're excited to let him continue to grow in our system."
Benson, 26, spent three seasons with the Bears before being released.
He shed an image as a moody player with off-field problems by becoming one of the few bright spots in Cincinnati's 4-11-1 season with the longest run (46) and longest catch (79). He came was especially effective down the stretch, racking up 462 yards from scrimmage with one touchdown in the final three weeks of the season. ...
In Denver. ... It would appear Ward's signing in Tampa was good news for Correll Buckhalter and Ryan Torain. Better still -- at least from their perspective, the deal for Arizona Cardinals free-agent running back J.J. Arrington has all but fallen apart.
Ward visited with the Broncos on Sunday but did not accept their four-year offer.
Arrington, meanwhile, has moved on. He had a four-year, $10 million deal in place with the Broncos last Friday, but the deal fell apart. He has been drawing interest from other teams, including his latest team, the Cardinals.
With Ward gone and Arrington fading, the Denver Post reports that Buckhalter is expected to get the first chance to become the Broncos' starting running back.
Torain, whose rookie season was decimated by serious injuries to his elbow and knee, will compete with Buckhalter for the top spot. Peyton Hillis and Selvin Young are expected to compete for role positions. ...
In Atlanta. ... The Falcons re-signed 10 players Tuesday, including tight end Justin Peelle and linebacker Coy Wire. Peele's new deal was first reported last week.
Defensive end Chauncey Davis agreed to a four-year contract with the Falcons on Tuesday, his agent Kevin Conner told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Davis' deal is worth $14 million, with nearly $8 million due in the first two years of the contract.
Atlanta also re-signed defensive tackle Jason Jefferson, offensive lineman Ben Wilkerson, linebacker Tony Gilbert and safety Jamaal Fudge. In addition, the Falcons inked exclusive rights contracts with running back Jason Snelling, cornerback Brent Grimes and safety Antoine Harris.
"All of these guys are hard working, focused players who understand their roles," general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "They fit into our system and what we are trying to accomplish as a team."
Peelle was signed as a free agent just before the start of last season and started 11 of 16 games, catching 15 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns. The seven-year veteran has 100 career receptions for 773 yards and nine touchdowns.
Still, his inability to get open down the field allowed defenses to focus on the wide receivers. ...
Snelling, a seventh-round pick of Atlanta in 2007, had 15 carries for 62 yards and eight receptions for 89 yards last season. ...
Other signings of interest. ...
That's it for this installment. ... Once again, I'll remind those interested in following along more closely to keep an eye on the News & Views and ESPN News Feed sections of the site.
Those looking for a full accounting of this year's movement -- including defensive players -- will find it on the NFL.com Free Agency page.
And of course, I'll remind you to check here in the Headline News section for more details stories and in-depth analysis -- including the Weekly Fantasy Notebook -- throughout the offseason.