NFL Quick Hits

Action around the league is still heating up. Here’s a rundown of what everyone is taking about in the NFL. Today: Packers need help along the D-Line, Coles visits the Bengals, D-Ward lands with the Bucs and more.

Next Stop for Coles: Cincinnati

I wrote yesterday that Laveranues Coles would be a perfect fit for the Buffalo Bills opposite wide receiver Lee Evans — but that was before former Bengal T.J. Houshmandzedah signed a muti-year deal with Seattle. According to Bengals.com, the former Jet is going to talk with Cincy. Choosing the Bengals over the Bills might seem more lucrative to Coles. He would get to play with quarterback Carson Palmer and line up opposite Chad Ocho Cinco Johnson. Receivers always go where they’re going to get the ball and where they see the best option at the quarterback position. The Bills may lose out in this deal just because Coles has more confidence in Palmer than he would in Buffalo quarterback Trent Edwards.

Cromartie on the Block?

Interesting story — if you can call it that — out of San Diego today. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Chargers are thinking about dealing starting corner Antonio Cromartie, citing his slide in production last season. As our own Michael Lombardi pointed out this morning in the Diner, bringing in former Chargers corner Drayton Florence isn’t the answer as a replacement, and I have to wonder why they would trade away a talent like Cromartie. He played most, if not all, of last season hurt, and when healthy, the guy makes plays on the football.  San Diego needs all the help it can get on defense if it wants to challenge for the AFC Championship in ’09.

D-Ward Lands in Tampa

It looks like Derrick Ward got what he wanted in terms of a contract. According to NFL.com, Ward signed a four-year, $17-million contract with the Bucs that could pay him more than $13 million over the first three years of the deal — with $6 million of that coming up front. When Brandon Jacobs re-signed with the Giants, Ward knew he had to go elsewhere to get a multi-year contract, and landing in Tampa might have been his best move. He becomes the instant feature back and joins a team that is completely cleaning house on its roster. The Bucs get a running back with low mileage, and Ward gets to be the main guy in the backfield. Does this tell us how the new coaching staff feels about Cadillac Williams? Probably.

Packers Looking for D-Line Help

After the Packers couldn’t get defensive end Chris Canty out of New York to visit Green Bay, then watched as defensive tackle Colin Cole signed with the Seahawks, I think it’s time for them to make some sort of move — soon. Green Bay needs some depth along the defensive line, which is crucial to the success of any defense. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers are interested in free agent defensive end Igor Olshansky of the Chargers. Not sure if they’ll indeed make a play for Olshansky’s services, but if they want their new defense under Dom Capers to work, they need to fill some holes along the defensive line — at the right price. Green Bay usually doesn’t overpay for marginal talent.

Springs Talking With Saints

Our own Joe Fortenbaugh reported that former Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs was scheduled to visit with the Saints in New Orleans. This shouldn’t be a surprise since Gregg Williams is now the defensive coordinator in the Big Easy. Springs meshed well with Williams in D.C., and although he isn’t the playmaker he used to be, he would fit with Williams and his multiple defensive packages. No coach in the league uses the roster like Williams does. If you’re in a uniform, he will find a way to put you in position to make a play at some point during the game. Springs should jump at any offer the Saints throw his way.

Taylor Release Costs Redskins — Again

In a move first reported by NFL.com, the Redskins cut Jason Taylor on Monday. Despite rumors about Taylor’s lack of commitment to the ‘Skins offseason program, I would think Washington would find a way to keep him. He played all of last season hurt, and the people close to the ‘Skins that I talked to at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis raved about him as a warrior and a leader in the locker room. Now, because of his release, the Skins got one year of an injured Taylor and go into April’s draft without a second-round pick — the cost of bringing the former Pro Bowler to D.C. When does it stop with the ‘Skins? You can’t win Super Bowls without building through the draft, and year after year, the deals they make cost them young talent.

Warner Shopping Around

Kurt Warner flew to San Francisco to meet with the 49ers and head coach Mike Singletary, according to the Arizona Republic. The report also says that Warner has not had any contact with the Arizona Cardinals since Saturday. What’s going on down there? Do the Cardinals really want to go into the ’09 season without Warner and possibly wide receiver Anquan Boldin? Warner can still play at a high level, and the Cards need to give him the deal he wants. Yes, Matt Leinart is probably ready to step in and take the quarterback job very soon, but why give away the better player — and receive nothing in return? This thing needs to get settled soon. The Cards can forget about challenging for the NFC next season without Warner under center. He is that important to their offense.

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