March 4 News and Notes Chiefs offer first-round tender to MLB -- 3:55 p.m.
The Kansas City Chiefs have tendered restricted free agent LB Derrick Johnson at his original draft round level (first), Scout.com has confirmed through a league source.
Johnson would receive $1.226 million or 110% of his base salary for last season, whichever is greater. Johnson's base salary for 2009 was $2.25 million, so he'll earn $2.475 million on a one-year tender.
Johnson was selected in the first round by the Chiefs in the 2005 draft.
-- Adam Caplan
Cards cut, hope to re-sign Rolle -- 3:51 p.m.
The Arizona Cardinals released starting FS Antrel Rolle on Thursday.
Rolle was due $8.1 million in base salary for 2010 and also was due a roster bonus of $4 million, sources said. Recent reports indicated that the Cardinals would attempt to re-sign Rolle at a lower base salary.
-- Adam Caplan
Bengals cut WR Coles -- 3:49 p.m.
The Cincinnati Bengals released veteran WR Laveranues Coles on Thursday.
Coles signed a four-year, $27.1 million deal last year. A league source said Coles made over $9 million last season based on his roster bonus, base salary, and signing bonus.
-- Adam Caplan
Chiefs re-sign Vrabel before deadline -- 3:36 p.m.
The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed veteran OLB Mike Vrabel. The team announced that the deal is actually an extension. Vrabel's current contract was set to expire at 12 AM ET Friday.
Vrabel came over to the Chiefs along with QB Matt Cassel during the 2009 offseason trade with New England.
-- Adam Caplan
Source: Texans still talking to punter -- 1:58 p.m.
Matt Turk is set to become an unrestricted free agent, but that doesn't mean the punter's playing days in Houston are necessarily over.
The Texans are still talking with Turk and agent David Canter about a new contract, a source told FOXSports.com. Although one of the NFL's oldest players at age 41, Turk remained among the top punters in 2009 with yardage averages of 42.8 (gross) and 39.4 (net) on his 67 attempts.
-- Alex Marvez
Source: Bucs to let LB run free -- 1:56 p.m.
Tampa Bay will not be making a restricted free-agent tender to linebacker Rod Wilson, a source told FOXSports.com.
As the backup to middle linebacker Barrett Ruud last year, Wilson played in nine games before landing on injured reserve with an undisclosed ailment. The 28-year-old Wilson entered the NFL in 2005 with Chicago and appeared in 28 games as a backup and special-teams player in 2006 and 2007.
-- Alex Marvez
Source: Falcons re-sign veteran CB -- 1:42 p.m.
One of the key members of Atlanta's secondary before getting injured in 2009 will have a chance for redemption this season.
The Falcons are re-signing cornerback Brian Williams to a one-year contract, a source told FOXSports.com. Financial details weren't disclosed.
The 30-year-old Williams started Atlanta's first five games last year after being signed at the end of the preseason following his release from Jacksonville. Williams then suffered a major knee injury against Dallas in October. Full story ...
-- Alex Marvez
Patriots hope to stand Pat via tenders -- 1:38 p.m.
The Patriots announced that they've made free agent tenders to some of their restricted free agents prior to the League's March 5th deadline. OG Logan Mankins, LB Pierre Woods and K Stephen Gostkowski were all tendered today the team announced.
Mankins received the high tender 1st and 3rd level tender, Gostkowski received a 2nd round tender and Woods received a low tender (first right of refusal).
-- Pats Insider, Scout.com
Eagles give 2nd-round tender to WR -- 1:27 p.m.
A league source told Scout.com that Philadelphia Eagles WR Jason Avant, who is scheduled to become a restricted free agent on Friday, is expected to receive a second-round tender.
If Avant does wind up getting a second-round tender, he would earn a one-year base salary of $1.759 million. As a restricted free agent that's tendered, the Eagles would have a chance to match any offer sheet he signs. If the Eagles declined to match it, they would receive a second-round pick in this year's draft as compensation.
-- Adam Caplan
Colts tender star safety -- 12:35 p.m.
The Indianapolis Colts gave a first-round tender to Pro Bowl safety Antoine Bethea on Wednesday.
The tender, worth $2.521 million for the position, means the Colts will have seven days to match any offer by another team, and if Bethea were to depart Indianapolis, the Colts would get that team's first-round draft choice. That likely means Bethea will be back with the team in 2010.
-- ColtPower, Scout.com
Bears TE on trading block? -- 12:29 p.m.
Rumors continue to swirl in the Windy City that tight end Greg Olsen could be on the market. While Bears general manager Jerry Angelo told reporters at the Scouting Combine that he isn't in the business of trading his best players, the local NBC affiliate cited friends of Olsen saying the former first rounder isn't happy Mike Martz is Chicago's new offensive coordinator. Martz has never featured tight ends in his passing game, preferring beefy-types that can block.
One potential destination that keeps popping up is New England. The Bears have no picks in the first two rounds because of previous trades for Jay Cutler and the late Gaines Adams, while the Patriots have three selections in Round 2. Tom Brady has always thrown to his tight ends liberally, and Olsen led Chicago in both receptions (60) and receiving touchdowns (eight) this season.
-- Bear Report, Scout.com
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