A plethora of impactful players switched zip codes Friday after agreeing to terms with their new teams.
Safety Gibril Wilson, who was instrumental in the Giants first Super Bowl Victory since 1990, signed a six-year, $39 million deal.
Veteran Issac Bruce, who amassed 14,109 yards and 84 touchdowns in his 14 prolific seasons in the gateway city, secured a two-year, $6 million contract with rival San Francisco. Kick return specialist Allen Rossum signed with the 49ers as well.
Todd Collins, who guided the Redskins to an improbable playoff run last season, re-signed with Washington, agreeing to a three-year, $9 million deal.
Bill Parcells remained highly active in free agency,signing wide receiver Ernest Wilford, trading for the Cowboys nose tackle Jason Ferguson and adding former Raiders quarterback Josh McCown.
Due to the departure of Quinn Gray, the Jaguars signed Dolphins quarterback Cleo Lemon to be their backup. Lemon led Miami to their lone victory last season.
Tampa Bay signed center Jeff Faine after electing to not re-sign John Wade.
Tommy Kelly resigned with the Oakland Raiders earlier this week to a seven-year contract worth more than $50 million. The productive defensive lineman has been assured more than $18 million in guaranteed money.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Rams Jeff Wilkins Retires, Kicker Josh Brown Signs
The same day after 14-year veteran and all-time leading scorer Jeff Wilkins announced his retirement, Josh Brown bolted from the division rival Seahawks to sign with the St.Louis Rams.
Brown agreed to a five-year, $14.2 million contract that includes a $4 signing bonus. Brown's new contract will propel him to the status of highest paid kicker in the league.
During his five seasons in the Northwest, Brown connected on 80% of field goals and 99.6% of extra points. The former Cornhusker has a knack for timely kicks, accumulating four game -winning field goals in 2006, two of which were against his new team.
Undrafted out of Youngstown State in 1994, Wilkins firmly established a name for himself as one of the premier place kickers in NFL history. Since joining the Rams in 1997, Wilkins played in very game except for five in the year 2000. Consistency evolved as the benchmark of Wilkins's career,as he connected on 307 of 375 field goals and 26 that were from 50 yards or greater.
“Throughout my 11 years with the Rams, everybody in the organization has been fantastic - from top to bottom,” Wilkins said. “But retirement is the best for me, my family and the Rams.”
Brown agreed to a five-year, $14.2 million contract that includes a $4 signing bonus. Brown's new contract will propel him to the status of highest paid kicker in the league.
During his five seasons in the Northwest, Brown connected on 80% of field goals and 99.6% of extra points. The former Cornhusker has a knack for timely kicks, accumulating four game -winning field goals in 2006, two of which were against his new team.
Undrafted out of Youngstown State in 1994, Wilkins firmly established a name for himself as one of the premier place kickers in NFL history. Since joining the Rams in 1997, Wilkins played in very game except for five in the year 2000. Consistency evolved as the benchmark of Wilkins's career,as he connected on 307 of 375 field goals and 26 that were from 50 yards or greater.
“Throughout my 11 years with the Rams, everybody in the organization has been fantastic - from top to bottom,” Wilkins said. “But retirement is the best for me, my family and the Rams.”
Lauren Cleri Admits Cheating On Hubby For Money, Loses Money
This is a sad tale of a woman who thought disclosing a family secret and embarassing her husband in the process would win a lot of money for her. Instead, it left her without money and with a lot of national embarassment. The NY Post article reports that they say they can't be married after this, but the question is who would trust her?
From The NY Post:
February 27, 2008 -- The buxom blond wife of a city cop yesterday said she humiliated her husband in front of 8 million viewers of the reality show "Moment of Truth" - revealing she slept around and wanted to be wed to another guy - in a bid for fame and fortune.
But Lauren Cleri, 26, and her baby-faced hubby, rookie NYPD Officer Frank Cleri, 24, of Rockland County, said after appearing on the Fox show Monday night, they came away without any prize money, no immediate job offers for her - and a potentially irrevocably broken marriage.
"We're kind of up in the air right now - I want to [get back together], but I don't think he does," Lauren said in their tiny apartment in Piermont.
"It's not very easy to overcome," said Frank, a cop with the 48th Precinct in The Bronx.
Frank Cleri said he had been aware of his wife's cheating but not prepared for the emotional drain of their going public with it for the money.
Standing tensely next to his wife yet still wearing his wedding ring, he said, "Everything that was mentioned during this show, we had talked about before. We've had our issues. Unfortunately, now they're not just our problems. Everyone knows about it."
The pair catapulted into the national spotlight on the stomach-churning episode when Lauren revealed that she had cheated on her husband of two years and really wished she was married to an old boyfriend.
The show has contestants take a lie-detector test off-stage beforehand. They are asked some of the same questions later posed to them in front of the audience.
On Monday's show - taped two weeks ago - Lauren's ex-boyfriend made a surprise appearance and asked: "Do you believe I am the man you should be married to?"
As Frank Cleri grimaced on the sidelines, his wife said, "Well, wow, um. I'm going to be honest and say yes."
Here's the video set:
From The NY Post:
February 27, 2008 -- The buxom blond wife of a city cop yesterday said she humiliated her husband in front of 8 million viewers of the reality show "Moment of Truth" - revealing she slept around and wanted to be wed to another guy - in a bid for fame and fortune.
But Lauren Cleri, 26, and her baby-faced hubby, rookie NYPD Officer Frank Cleri, 24, of Rockland County, said after appearing on the Fox show Monday night, they came away without any prize money, no immediate job offers for her - and a potentially irrevocably broken marriage.
"We're kind of up in the air right now - I want to [get back together], but I don't think he does," Lauren said in their tiny apartment in Piermont.
"It's not very easy to overcome," said Frank, a cop with the 48th Precinct in The Bronx.
Frank Cleri said he had been aware of his wife's cheating but not prepared for the emotional drain of their going public with it for the money.
Standing tensely next to his wife yet still wearing his wedding ring, he said, "Everything that was mentioned during this show, we had talked about before. We've had our issues. Unfortunately, now they're not just our problems. Everyone knows about it."
The pair catapulted into the national spotlight on the stomach-churning episode when Lauren revealed that she had cheated on her husband of two years and really wished she was married to an old boyfriend.
The show has contestants take a lie-detector test off-stage beforehand. They are asked some of the same questions later posed to them in front of the audience.
On Monday's show - taped two weeks ago - Lauren's ex-boyfriend made a surprise appearance and asked: "Do you believe I am the man you should be married to?"
As Frank Cleri grimaced on the sidelines, his wife said, "Well, wow, um. I'm going to be honest and say yes."
Here's the video set:
Friday, February 29, 2008
Derek Anderson Remains With Cleveland Browns
The clock struck 12:01 A.M. Friday morning and Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Anderson was officially a restricted free agent. After weeks of tireless work by Browns executives to keep their primary signal caller, a deal was unable to be accomplished.
Five hours later representatives for Anderson and general manager Phil Savage agreed to a three-year, $24 million contact with $13 million in guaranteed money.
After throwing for a career high 29 touchdowns and 3,787 yards in 16 games for the 10-6 Browns, it was necessary that a deal was consummated as quickly as possible. If Anderson bolted for another team, Cleveland would have received a first and third-round draft pick.
Five hours later representatives for Anderson and general manager Phil Savage agreed to a three-year, $24 million contact with $13 million in guaranteed money.
After throwing for a career high 29 touchdowns and 3,787 yards in 16 games for the 10-6 Browns, it was necessary that a deal was consummated as quickly as possible. If Anderson bolted for another team, Cleveland would have received a first and third-round draft pick.
Porter, Williamson Headed To Jacksonville
In order to provide speed,agility and security for rising quarterback David Garrard, the Jaguars delved into the free agency market by signing Oakland Raiders disgruntled wideout Jerry Porter and acquiring despondent wide receiver Troy Williamson from the Minnesota Vikings.
After spending the first seven years of his career in the Bay Area, Porter was eager for a fresh new start with an established club. In signing a six-year,$30 million contract, Porter is expected to emerge as the Jaguars number one option at wide receiver.
Playing in 16 games last season with an anemic offense, Porter managed to reel in 76 receptions for 942 yards and five touchdowns.
Drafted seventh overall in 2005, Troy Williamson has been a significant disappoint for the Vikings, finding the endzone three times in three seasons.
“We’re giving Troy a chance, an opportunity for him to come down here and rejuvenate himself, have fun, don’t worry about the high expectations that were associated with his selection and his place there,” Del Rio said.
If Williamson is focused and determined to succeed, the Jaguars have an ability to propel to the top of the AFC South.
After spending the first seven years of his career in the Bay Area, Porter was eager for a fresh new start with an established club. In signing a six-year,$30 million contract, Porter is expected to emerge as the Jaguars number one option at wide receiver.
Playing in 16 games last season with an anemic offense, Porter managed to reel in 76 receptions for 942 yards and five touchdowns.
Drafted seventh overall in 2005, Troy Williamson has been a significant disappoint for the Vikings, finding the endzone three times in three seasons.
“We’re giving Troy a chance, an opportunity for him to come down here and rejuvenate himself, have fun, don’t worry about the high expectations that were associated with his selection and his place there,” Del Rio said.
If Williamson is focused and determined to succeed, the Jaguars have an ability to propel to the top of the AFC South.
Wall Street Pummels 315 Points
MARKET ALERT
from The Wall Street Journal.
The Dow Industrials dropped 2.5%, or more than 315 points, as an ugly earnings report from insurance giant American International Group brought investors' concerns about the health of the credit markets back to the fore. AIG fell 6.6%, and shares of other bellwether financial firms like Citigroup, Bank of America, Lehman Brothers and Morgan Stanley suffered steep declines. The Dow ended the week lower by 0.9% and fell 3% during February.
The Nasdaq Composite Index and the S&P 500 Index also saw deep slides on Friday, ending down by 2.6% and 2.7%, respectively.
from The Wall Street Journal.
The Dow Industrials dropped 2.5%, or more than 315 points, as an ugly earnings report from insurance giant American International Group brought investors' concerns about the health of the credit markets back to the fore. AIG fell 6.6%, and shares of other bellwether financial firms like Citigroup, Bank of America, Lehman Brothers and Morgan Stanley suffered steep declines. The Dow ended the week lower by 0.9% and fell 3% during February.
The Nasdaq Composite Index and the S&P 500 Index also saw deep slides on Friday, ending down by 2.6% and 2.7%, respectively.
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