Free Agency Report

Free agency has opened with a flurry. Already, numerous teams are on the board. Take a glance at the deals, and the potential soon-to-be deals.
SATURDAY, MARCH 3
The Buccaneers and free-agent quarterback Jeff Garcia have reached a contract ageement. The deal will be announced later in the day. It is similar to the one the Bucs gave Chris Simms.
The Texans have restructured the contract of Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson and extended him. The move frees up cap space and gets their best player committed for a long time.
The Broncos have acquired DT Dan Wilkinson from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
FRIDAY, MARCH 2
The Patriots are expected to sign free agent LB Adalius Thomas and TE Kyle Brady.

The Saints are scheduled to host free agents CB Ken Hamlin and LB Brian Simmons on Saturday.
The 49ers have signed CB Nate Clements to the biggest contract ever given to a defensive player — eight years, $80 million, including $22 million guaranteed.
Browns have signed OT Eric Steinbach to seven-year contract worth $49.5 million with $17 million guaranteed.
Bills have agreed to terms with guard Derrick Dockery on seven-year deal worth $49 million with $18.5 million guaranteed.
(Note: Last year, Steve Hutchinson deal was worth $49 million for seven years with $16.5 guaranteed. Dockery (guard) matches that, and Steinbach (tackle) just beats it. Both Steinbach and Dockery got more guaranteed money than Hutchinson.)
Also, the Bills and OT Langston Walker have agreed to terms on five-year deal worth approximately $25 million.
Buccaneers have signed free-agent DE Patrick Chukwurah to five-year contract worth $5.5 million with $400,000 guaranteed.
The Falcons have signed FB Ovie Mughelli to a six-year contract worth $18 million, including $5 million guaranteed.
Giants officially sign C Shaun O’Hara.
Free-agent LB Napoleon Harris scheduled to visit the Buccaneers Friday and Chiefs Saturday.
Rams hosted visits with free agents LB Tully Banta-Cain and WR Drew Bennett.
Patriots hosted visits with free agents TE Kyle Brady and RB Sammy Morris.
49ers also played host to free-agents S Michael Lewis.
Browns hosted visit with DE Antwaan Peek.
Redskins hosted visit with free-agent LB London Fletcher. Redskins also scheduled to host visit with CB Fred Smoot today.
Broncos hosted visits with free agents TE Daniel Graham, RB Ahman Green and DE Patrick Kerney, and scheduled to welcome QB Brad Johnson on March 3.
Free-agent RB Dominic Rhodes is scheduled to visit the Giants Friday.
Free-agent G Kris Dielman is scheduled to visit the Seahawks Friday.
Free-agent FB Justin Griffith is scheduled to visit the Bucs Friday.
Free-agent WR Kevin Curtis is scheduled to visit the Vikings Friday and the Lions Saturday.
Free-agent QB Jeff Garcia is scheduled to visit the Raiders Friday.
Free-agent DE Dewayne White scheduled to visit the Lions Friday.
The Jaguars have signed RT Tony Pashos and K Josh Scobee, each to five-year deals. Pashos’ deal is for $24 million, including a $9 million signing bonus.
OTHER NEWS
Quarterback Jake Plummer is expected to retire. The Broncos and Buccaneers had agreed to terms on a trade to send Plummer to Tampa Bay in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick, but the trade would be nullified by Plummer’s decision to retire.
Dolphins have released DE Kevin Carter and G Jeno James, the team announced. (Dolphins have yet to release Joey Harrington. His roster bonus is not due until next week, so they have some time.)
The Patriots have released RB Corey Dillon and re-signed RB Heath Evans.
Jets have released QB Patrick Ramsey.
The Lions released TE Marcus Pollard, DT Marcus Bell and DT Tyoka Jackson; The Lions also traded DE James Hall to St. Louis for their second 2007 fifth-round draft choice. Detroit’s trade of Dre’ Bly to Denver became official.
The Falcons released LB Edgerton Hartwell and LB Ike Reese.
Vikings have released S Tank Williams.

Courtesy of NFL.com’s Adam Schefter

Sleeper Free Agents

Player 2006 team Comment

1. DE/LB Jarrett Johnson
• Scouting report Ravens At 270 pounds and with deceptive quickness, the four-year veteran can provide a team some snaps at all four defensive line positions and also at linebacker, especially in a 3-4 front. Definitely a guy with an upside and could land a $4 million-a-year deal somewhere.

2. FB Justin Griffith
• Scouting report Falcons One of the NFL’s best, if little-known, fullbacks. But Griffin does not seem to fit into the plans of first-year Falcons coach Bobby Petrino. An excellent lead blocker and pass protector, and solid-enough receiver, he’ll get plenty of action.

3. OT Marc Colombo
• Scouting report Cowboys Because of a catastrophic leg injury, Colombo appeared in only two games 2003-2005, but persevered and came back to start all 16 contests at left tackle in 2006. More than just serviceable and has a lot of tread left on the tires.

4. RB Dominic Rhodes
• Scouting report Colts Despite starting all 16 regular-season games in 2006 for the Super Bowl champions, Rhodes isn’t really suited to be a No. 1 tailback. Still, he’s a versatile back who can fill a lot of roles, and a good guy to have around.

5. TE Eric Johnson
• Scouting report 49ers When he’s healthy, Johnson is as good a mid-range receiver as there is in the game. But he’s missed two full seasons in the past four years, so suitors will have to be diligent in checking out his physical status.

6. OT Damion McIntosh
• Scouting report Dolphins In seven seasons, McIntosh has registered 80 starts and lined up at every position except center. He’s got better feet than most people think, and can start at left tackle in a pinch for a team seeking a veteran presence at the position.

7. C/OG Sean Mahan
• Scouting report Bucs In a free agency period when guards merit a lot of attention, Mahan is going to do well in the secondary market. He’s a tough in-line blocker with some movement skills, and it’s a little surprising the Bucs have soured on him.

8. CB Travis Fisher
• Scouting report Rams A five-year veteran with some feistiness to him, Fischer has been a good on-ball defender when healthy. Unfortunately, his history of injuries is going to be a factor, but he could be a No. 3 corner on a lot of rosters around the league.

9. OT Jordan Black
• Scouting report Chiefs Has 29 career starts and, while he surrenders way too many sacks, especially when playing at left tackle, Black has some talent. Still plenty young enough to develop into a pretty decent player.

10. SS Mike Doss
• Scouting report Colts A series of injuries has kept him from ever living up to his second-round status, but he’s a solid player when healthy. Played well in place of injured Bob Sanders early last season then, typically, suffered a season-ending injury.

11. TE Reggie Kelly
• Scouting report Bengals Kelly has only caught more than 30 passes in a season once in his career, but rarely has played in third-down situations. The eight-year veteran is still good enough to start for a few teams or to log a lot of snaps in an offense that plays two tight ends.

12. DT Alfonso Boone
• Scouting report Bears Starting to show some age, at 31, but Boone is still productive enough to be a solid No. 3 tackle in most teams’ rotations. Isn’t going to provide much inside push on the pass rush, but plays the run well and certainly knows the ropes.

13. QB Tim Rattay
• Scouting report Bucs Rattay’s résumé includes 18 starts in seven seasons, but he’s played in a variety of offenses and seems to have accepted his role now. Some team looking for a 30-something backup could do worse than to sign him.

14. C Al Johnson
• Scouting report Cowboys At one point not that long ago, Johnson was considered a superior prospect to Andre Gurode, who last week got a $30 million contract from the Cowboys. He has started in 31 games and, while injuries have slowed him, is still a good player at a thin position.

15. DE/LB Antwan Peek
• Scouting report Texans Peek never quite developed into the standout edge rusher the Texans thought they were getting in the third round in 2003. Kind of a “tweener” defender, but did have six sacks in 2005 and possesses some intriguing qualities.

Courtesy of ESPN’s Len Pasquarelli