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How can you tell the free-agent signing period is slowing down? When the No. 3 receiver for the Cardinals landing a new gig is the top move of the day. But lesser moves are moves nonetheless -- and they will be of interest to Fantasy owners, so let's get busy. ...
We'll get the ball rolling tonight in San Francisco, where ESPN.com's Michael Smith first reported this morning that receiver Bryant Johnson has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the 49ers.
Johnson, an unrestricted free agent, had spent his entire career with the Cardinals.
Johnson has never caught more than 49 passes in his five NFL seasons, nor has he topped 750 receiving yards. Last season, he was third on the Cardinals with 46 receptions for 528 yards (11.5 average) and two touchdowns.
It's worth noting the 49ers were not interested in Johnson at the start of free agency. In fact, as Santa Rosa Press Democrat beat writer Matt Maiocco advised readers today, the club does not view him as a No. 1 receiver.
He had a tendency to blend into games without being much of a factor behind Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. Perhaps for that very reason, Johnson, who sounded very interested in joining the Bills at one point last week, received little attention on the open market, thus lowering his price to a reasonable level.
In addition to the Bills, Washington, Tampa Bay and Chicago had all expressed varying degrees of interest in the former first-round draft pick (selected 17th overall by the Cardinals in 2003). The Niners weren't mentioned as contenders until Smith's initial report.
As Maiocco went on to suggest, Johnson could be in a fight for playing time with Isaac Bruce, Darrell Jackson, Arnaz Battle, Ashley Lelie and Jason Hill.
Last year, the 49ers kept five true wide receivers on their active roster (plus return man Michael Lewis, who was listed as a wideout). ...
In New York. ... The Giants, who won the Super Bowl with one of the deepest backfields in football, retained one of their key backups Friday, reaching an agreement with halfback Derrick Ward.
According to ESPN.com insider John Clayton, Ward, 27, agreed to a one-year, $1.1 million deal that has incentives that could allow him to make another $1 million.
"We are glad to have Derrick back in our stable of running backs, which will create some real competition at that position," general manager Jerry Reese said in the team's press release confirming the move. "He brings a lot to the table as a runner, receiver, kick returner and cover specialist."
He stayed with a backfield that features Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Reuben Droughns.
As Clayton reminded readers, the team's backfield was so deep last summer that the Giants were able to trade Ryan Grant to the Packers for a sixth-round draft choice. Grant helped the Packers get to the NFC Championship game, where they lost to the Giants.
Ward had five starts last season and rushed for 602 yards and had a 4.8 yard average. He will be entering his fifth season with the Giants. ...
In Cincinnati. ... The Bengals are finally going to the pass-catching tight end but they may not know for a week if they've got a completion for the Colts' Ben Utecht.
According to Bengals.com staffer Geoff Hobson, Utecht's agent confirmed the club's agreement with the 6-6, 251-pounder on Friday, but as a restricted free agent he has to wait to see if Indianapolis matches the offer in the next seven days.
"We don't know if they're going to match it," Christopher Murray said Friday. "They've already got a big tight end (Dallas Clark) and they're tight against the cap. We feel it's an above market deal for a tight end."
The Colts, who just dropped a $40 million deal on Clark, figure to have about $7 million under the salary cap. Murray wouldn't divulge terms, but it's believed Utecht's average in a three-year deal is nearly $3 million per year with about the same cap hit.
Indianapolis gave him a $967,000 one-year qualifying offer as a restricted free agent, giving them the right to match Cincinnati's offer sheet.
As Hobson went on to point out, Utecht's presence would give the team a weapon who has exceeded the numbers of any tight end they've had this decade. It would also mean they don't have to give up a draft pick for compensation or use a draft pick next month to draft one -- something head coach Marvin Lewis suggested would be a priority last month.
Utecht, who turns 27 before the season, caught 31 balls last year and 37 in 2006 and would form a formidable 1-2 combo with Reggie Kelly. Kelly, a blocking specialist, has been the starter the last five seasons in which his best receiving years have been the last two with 21 catches in 2006 and 20 last season.
The Bengals haven't had a 30-catch season from a tight end since Tony McGee had 34 in 1997. While starting 13 games as the Colts' in-line blocking tight end this past season, Utecht also had a touchdown.
Murray said last week that his client had been drawn to Cincinnati in large measure because of the presence of quarterback Carson Palmer. Palmer, no doubt, is going to welcome the big target in Utecht with the hope he'll be able to make hay underneath and force teams to get out of the deep zones that blanket wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Since running back Chris Perry's injuries robbed Palmer of his best underneath threat, his 2005 completion percentage of 67.8 percent dipped to 62.3 in 2006 and 64.9 in 2007.
And as Cincinnati Enquirer beat man Mark Curnutte noted, Houshmandzadeh, who tied for the NFL lead with 112 receptions, often ran routes similar to what many tight ends perform - short and over the middle. ...
In New Orleans. ... Following up on an item from last Sunday's Fantasy Notebook, the Saints and tailback Deuce McAllister agreed to push back his $1 million roster bonus from March 15 to April 15, giving the team a better chance to gauge his health before making any financial decisions.
McAllister, 29, is recovering from surgery on both of his knees in late September. He expects to be ready for the team's summer mini-camp (usually around June 1). But he said he was agreeable to the postponement because it gives him more time to prove he'll "make good on the investment."
"I think honestly if I would have pushed for it, I think I could have gotten it. But in doing that, they probably would have wanted to lower my pay," said McAllister, who is scheduled to receive a salary of $3.6 million this season, in addition to the $1 million roster bonus and a $100,000 workout bonus.
Of course, the Saints might still ask McAllister to take a pay cut next month. But McAllister will be further along in his rehab, which will put him in a better bargaining position.
"It's pretty much both parties working together," he said. "It's not something they were interested in doing if I was healthy. But at the same time, they want to make sure they're protected. ..."
And finally, in Atlanta. ... The Falcons continue to stockpile free agents, signing reserve tight end Jason Rader on Friday. Rader, a three-year veteran, made one start for Miami last season.
He'll start out at the bottom of the depth chart behind second-year man Martrez Milner and fellow free-agent acquisition Ben Hartsock.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hartsock will work primarily as a blocker this year while Milner handles most of the receiving work at the position. That won't leave much work for Rader. ...
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.
And as always, those looking for something a little more in-depth should keep an eye out here, in the Headline News section.