July 2011 - National Football Post

Cardinals trade Tim Hightower to Redskins

Posted on 31 July 2011 | by Barry Dorey | Leave a Comment

After the Cardinals spent a second-round pick on Virginia Tech running back Ryan Williams this past April, the backfield situation in Arizona became a bit too crowded.

Tim Hightower In Washington, Hightower will have a chance to become a starter.

So the Cardinals went ahead and created some breathing room Sunday afternoon when they sent veteran running back Tim Hightower to the Washington Redskins in exchange for defensive end Vonnie Holliday and an undisclosed draft pick, per ESPN.

The move caps an active week for a Cardinals organization that has acquired a franchise quarterback in Kevin Kolb, added a new tight end in Todd Heap and signed first-round pick Patrick Peterson.

As for Washington, Mike Shanahan now has a dual-threat running back who amassed 118 receptions during his three years in Arizona.

For all you fantasy football players, expect to hear the words Tim Hightower and sleeper in conjunction with one another over the next month.

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

Benson's back: Veteran running back returns to Cincy

Posted on 31 July 2011 | by Joe Fortenbaugh | Leave a Comment

Chad Ochocinco, Carson Palmer and Terrell Owens may be gone, but Bengals fans will recognize at least one name this season when the offense takes the field.

Cedric Benson ICONIt's been a productive three years, but how much does Benson have left in the tank?

Free agent running back Cedric Benson reached an agreement on a one-year deal with Cincinnati Sunday afternoon, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. The deal is worth a maximum of $5 million, should Benson trigger the $2 million worth of incentives included in the contract, according to a tweet from John Clayton of ESPN.

The 28-year-old former Longhorn spent three disappointing seasons in Chicago before catching on with the Bengals in 2008. In three seasons in Cincinnati, Benson has rushed for 3,109 yards and 15 touchdowns in 39 starts.

Based on Benson's decrease in production last season, we’re still wondering why the Bengals have yet to give two-year veteran Bernard Scott a shot at the starting job

However at this point, nothing that happens in Cincinnati tends to surprise us anymore.

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

Benson's back: Veteran running back returns to Cincy

Posted on 31 July 2011 | by Barry Dorey | Leave a Comment

Chad Ochocinco, Carson Palmer and Terrell Owens may be gone, but Bengals fans will recognize at least one name this season when the offense takes the field.

Cedric Benson ICONIt's been a productive three years, but how much does Benson have left in the tank?

Based on Benson's decrease in production last season, we’re still wondering why the Bengals have yet to give two-year veteran Bernard Scott a shot at the starting job

However at this point, nothing that happens in Cincinnati tends to surprise us anymore.

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

What's going on in Chicago?

Posted on 31 July 2011 | by Matt Bowen | Leave a Comment

What’s going on down in Bourbonnais, Illinois at Bears camp right now? That is my question after Chicago signed free agent O-Lineman Chris Spencer—essentially ending the run of Olin Kreutz.

ICONThe Bears should be questioned after not coming to terms on a new deal with center Olin Kreutz.

Here’s the thing with Kreutz. The center isn’t one of the elite talents at the position in the NFL anymore. We know that. But when looking at the Bears O-Line as a unit, he is the unquestioned leader. Something that former Bears Director of College Scouting, Greg Gabriel, discussed recently here at the NFP.

And playing the center position in the NFL isn’t as easy as it sounds. No different than a strong safety—or a Mike Backer—that takes care of every adjustment on the fly before the snap of the ball. The center handles the protection count, adjusts blocking schemes and runs the O-Line. Crucial to any football team.

That is why Kreutz still provided value to this football team. It doesn’t always show up on TV, but in those meetings on Monday morning, it sure does show up on the game tape.

The real issue here for Chicago? Spencer isn’t an upgrade over Kreutz—and this went down over a reported $500,000 in contract disputes. Small price to pay to bring back a veteran leader on the field and in the locker room, right?

I understand that veterans come and go every offseason in the NFL. That's part of the game and the business of the league. Something I saw every year in my career. But those moves are are done for cap reasons and roster upgrades. And that's not what I am seeing here.

We should expect Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo to spin this in a way that leans towards the organization. But for a team that has already taken some chances this week on talent that hasn’t produced lately in the NFL, it makes sense to take care of your own players that have shown they are accountable on Sundays.

I am curious to watch this play out for Mike Tice’s O-Line in Chicago and what the overall impact is during the regualr season. However, for a unit that needed to be “upgraded” during free agency, this move doesn’t add up.

Let's see what happens next…and if the Bears can find a way to make this work.

Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41

For Cards, Heap is another upgrade to offense

Posted on 31 July 2011 | by Matt Bowen | Leave a Comment

Now that Todd Heap has turned down the Jets and signed a reported two-year deal with the Cardinals, let’s take a quick look at what this means for the Arizona offense and new QB Kevin Kolb.

Todd Heap ICONHeap will provide a solid option in the passing game for QB Kevin Kolb in AZ.

– Pass catching TEs are essential to any offense—especially in the short to intermediate route tree. Basically, take the field and shrink it between the numbers. Options routes, 10-yard dig, the seam, curl, etc. This is where TEs can make a living. For Kolb, he now has a player that can show up on third downs and in the red zone. That’s big for the Arizona offense as it keeps drives going and produce points.

– Heap's production can come in a variety of ways. Align him as a conventional TE on the line of scrimmage or removed from the core of the formation. If you remember how he was used in the Ravens’ offense inside of the 20-yard line, we often saw Heap aligned as the backside X receiver (split end). Draw the matchup of a CB—or a SS—and use size to run inside breaking routes and the fade. And I still see a player that can get it done.

– I know Heap is in the later stages of his career, but I still see him an underrated player at the position. I will admit that I was surprised he turned down the opportunity to sign for the Jets. But having played college ball at ASU and now sharing the huddle with Kolb and Larry Fitzgerald, he has the chance to see targets often. This is a smart move from both sides. And Arizona continues to upgrade their offense after making the trade for Kolb earlier in free agency.

Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41

Olin Kreutz era over in Chicago

Posted on 31 July 2011 | by Brad Biggs | Leave a Comment

The Chicago Bears closed the door on the career of one of the franchise’s most decorated linemen when center Olin Kreutz was not re-signed.

The Bears added unrestricted free agent Chris Spencer, agreeing to terms on a two-year contract, on Sunday in a move that left players and coaches alike stunned. Kreutz was given an ultimatum on Saturday – take a $4 million, one-year contract or not. The six-time Pro Bowl performer wanted $4.5 million. Neither side budged.

Spencer will be in a position to take over the starting job but he cannot begin practicing until Thursday. Right guard Roberto Garza has been playing center in practice. Kreutz started all 16 games 10 times in his career with the Bears. The third-round draft pick from 1998 had 183 career starts, trailing only Walter Payton (184) in franchise history.

Kreutz made it clear he wanted to return to the Bears and believes the club used that against him. He originally sought a multi-year contract. His last contract averaged $5.8 million annually and his pay last season was $3 million. He believed $4.5 million split the difference.

The Bears allowed more sacks than any other NFL team last season. They have added offensive tackle Gabe Carimi, the 29th pick in the draft, but line coach Mike Tice hasn’t had any offseason time to work with him. Now, the weakest area of the team got weaker.

“Spencer is a good football player,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said. “I cannot compare him to Olin.”

Like it or not, Spencer will be compared to Kreutz. We’ll find out if the $500,000 the Bears wanted to save comes back to haunt them.

Follow me on Twitter: @BradBiggs

Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune

Bills bag Barnett

Posted on 31 July 2011 | by Joe Fortenbaugh | Leave a Comment

While standing in the Buffalo Bills locker room on Sunday, free agent linebacker Nick Barnett tweeted that he couldn’t wait to find a new home.

Nick Barnett is headed to Buffalo.

A few hours later and the wait has already come to a close.

Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that Barnett has reached an agreement with the Buffalo Bills on a three-year contract worth $12 million that includes $6 million guaranteed.

On paper, this looks like a good match for both sides. The Bills ranked 24th in the league in total defense last season and just lost linebacker Paul Posluszny to the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier in the week.

As for Barnett, the eight-year veteran is coming off a season-ending wrist injury that limited him to just four games in 2010. A starting job with the Bills will give him a chance to get his career back on track.

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

Bills bag Barnett

Posted on 31 July 2011 | by Barry Dorey | Leave a Comment

While standing in the Buffalo Bills locker room on Sunday, free agent linebacker Nick Barnett tweeted that he couldn’t wait to find a new home.

Nick Barnett is headed to Buffalo.

A few hours later and the wait has already come to a close.

Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that Barnett has reached an agreement with the Buffalo Bills on a three-year contract worth $12 million that includes $6 million guaranteed.

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

Packers lock up James Jones for three more years

Posted on 31 July 2011 | by Joe Fortenbaugh | Leave a Comment

Despite rumors at one point earlier in the week that suggested he could jump ship to division-rival Minnesota, free agent wide receiver James Jones is staying put with the team that drafted him.

James Jones is back with the Pack.

Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that the Green Bay Packers have reached an agreement with Jones on a three-year deal. The financial details of the contract weren’t immediately made available.

With Donald Driver now 36-years-old, there were plenty of questions this offseason about how the defending champs planned to approach the wide receiver position entering camp. Top target Greg Jennings has already been locked up for the foreseeable future and some believe that Jordy Nelson could emerge as the No. 2 weapon in Green Bay this season.

In any event, the Packers just re-signed a popular wideout who is coming off the best statistical season (50-679-5) of his four-year career, not to mention an impressive five-reception, 50-yard effort in last February’s Super Bowl win.

With a healthy Jermichael Finley returning to the lineup this fall, it’s no wonder the Packers are currently the NFC favorites (6/1) to win the Super Bowl.

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

Packers lock up James Jones for three more years

Posted on 31 July 2011 | by Barry Dorey | Leave a Comment

Despite rumors at one point earlier in the week that suggested he could jump ship to division-rival Minnesota, free agent wide receiver James Jones is staying put with the team that drafted him.

James Jones is back with the Pack.

With a healthy Jermichael Finley returning to the lineup this fall, it’s no wonder the Packers are currently the NFC favorites (6/1) to win the Super Bowl.

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh