Maybe Lewis can prosper with a change of scenery. Ravens don't 'tag' former 2,000-yard rusher Feb. 22, 2006 CBS SportsLine.com wire reports OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens have decided not to protect Jamal Lewis from free agency, but have not ruled out the possibility of signing the one-time 2,000-yard rusher to a long-term contract. Lewis, the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2003, when he rushed for 2,066 yards, slumped to a career-low 906 yards this season following a four-month sentence in a Florida federal prison and two months in a halfway house for a cocaine conspiracy plea bargain. He also underwent surgery on his right ankle. The Ravens would have had to assign a one-year, $6 million franchise tender to retain Lewis. Not doing so means they are likely to look over the veteran running back market while evaluating potential rookie running backs such as USC's LenDale White and Memphis' DeAngelo Williams. The Ravens have the 13th overall pick in the draft. Chester Taylor, Lewis' backup, is likely to become a free agent. Jamal Lewis only rushed for 906 yards this season. (Getty Images) "We will still consider the possibility of talking to Jamal about a long-term contract with us," said Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome, who drafted Lewis fifth overall out of Tennessee in 2000. Lewis could join an already crowded running back market that could include NFL MVP Shaun Alexander of Seattle; Indianapolis' Edgerrin James and Carolina's DeShaun Foster. "I've spoken with Jamal and his agent today to let them know." Lewis' agent Mitch Frankel had no immediate comment. Lewis' total in 2003 was the second-highest total in league history. However, his production has declined each year since then while dealing with legal turmoil and injuries. In 2004, Lewis rushed for 1,006 yards. This season, Lewis averaged a career-low 3.4 yards per carry and scored a career-low three touchdowns. He rushed for 100 yards only twice this year.
Ahh--I love sarcasm when it's cleverly done--nice work! :beer: By the way--you can't have Lewis. I need him in New England.
Here's another offensive lineman I'm sure the Jets will sign. Former first-round pick Williams released by Bills Feb. 23, 2006 CBS SportsLine.com wire reports BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Offensive lineman Mike Williams was released by the Bills on Thursday, ending an disappointing four-year tenure in Buffalo for the former No. 4 draft pick. The move allows the Bills to save more than $3 million in salary cap space for next season. Williams had two years left on his contract, was due a $3 million roster bonus in July and was scheduled to count about $10.8 million against the cap next season. "Salary cap issues certainly fit into that," general manager Marv Levy told Buffalo's WIVB-TV, while attending the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. "There's some difficult decisions that have to be made and we would like to address them early if we can. ... It's never fun to release a player." Williams' agent, David Dunn, declined comment. Williams' release did not come as a surprise because of his hefty salary and his history of sporadic performances. Last year was his worst. He lost his starting job at right tackle to undrafted free agent Jason Peters midway through the season. Attempts to convert Williams into a left guard failed when he hurt his back, an injury that forced him to miss the final five games of the season. In four seasons, Williams started 47 games. His future was in question in Buffalo even before team president Tom Donahoe was fired in January and coach Mike Mularkey resigned a week later. Levy, who replaced Donahoe, also questioned Williams' ability and work ethic as recently as last week. A former star at Texas, Williams was the first offensive lineman selected in the 2002 draft. The solid run blocker struggled in pass situations, a knock that prevented the team from using him at left tackle -- a more demanding position. Williams' off-field problems led to further questions. He was fined by the team after being unexcused for a training camp session in 2004. Williams, who also missed numerous optional minicamps earlier that spring, cited undisclosed personal reasons for missing practice. On his way to a home game against Houston in 2003, Williams flipped his truck and hurt his shoulder, forcing him to miss the game. Williams' release comes a day after the Bills designated cornerback Nate Clements their franchise player, retaining his rights by offering him a $5.89 million contract. The Bills also must determine whether to retain veteran receiver Eric Moulds, who is scheduled to make $10.8 million in the final year of his contract next season. Levy has expressed interest in attempting to restructure Moulds' contract. Moulds' adviser, Greg Johnson, said this week that Moulds, who completed his 10th season with the Bills, would like to stay in Buffalo but only if a fair deal can be achieved. "I think Eric would like to stay. He's big on loyalty," Johnson said. "But it's got to make good sense for both parties. It's got to be truly, truly a win-win situation." AP NEWS The Associated Press News Service
Looks like Foster won't be the Jets running back next year. Panthers' Foster named transition player, to get $5M next year Feb. 23, 2006 CBS SportsLine.com wire reports CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers protected running back DeShaun Foster from free agency Thursday by naming him their transition player. Foster is now guaranteed $5.13 million next season if he doesn't sign a long-term contract. Foster can still talk to other teams when the NFL's free agent period starts next Thursday, but the transition tag gives Carolina the right to match any offer. If the Panthers choose not to match any offer Foster might receive, they would not receive any compensation if Foster signed elsewhere. Carolina has until March 17 to reach a long-term deal with Foster. If no deal is reached at that point, they will have to wait until July before beginning negotiations with Foster again. David Dunn, Foster's agent, was not immediately available for comment. Foster led the Panthers this year with 879 yards and two touchdowns on 205 attempts in 2005 and ranked second on the team with 34 catches for 372 yards and one touchdown. He had hit his stride during the playoffs, but broke his leg in the second half of Carolina's win over Chicago and missed the NFC championship. A second-round draft choice from UCLA in 2002, he has played in 33 games with 10 starts in four NFL seasons and has rushed for 1,563 yards and four touchdowns on 377 carries. The Panthers will likely release running back Stephen Davis in the coming weeks. Davis had major knee surgery last year and lost his starting job to Foster.
Looks like the Jets can get Woodson to replace Law. Raiders decline to use franchise tag on cornerback Woodson Feb. 23, 2006 CBS SportsLine.com wire reports ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders declined to use the franchise tag on cornerback Charles Woodson for a third straight season, making the Heisman Trophy winner an unrestricted free agent next month. Woodson, who hasn't played a full season since 2001, was limited to six games last year before breaking his right leg Oct. 23 against Buffalo. He made $10.537 million last season and would have been guaranteed more than $12.6 million if he didn't sign a long-term contract. Oakland could have matched any deal he signed or gotten compensation if he left with the franchise tag. Now Woodson will be an unrestricted free agent March 3. Woodson was the fourth overall pick in the 1998 draft after winning the Heisman Trophy at Michigan. He made four Pro Bowls with the Raiders, intercepting 17 passes in 106 games.
It's ok Kelly... Long time Jets fan missed his nap time (as you can see for his obsessive need to continue to prove his already beaten dead to the ground point). Post as you wish. If the mods don;t like it, they'll move it
It's an odd thing to watch a grown man have a temper tantrum on an internet message board. I don't think I'll ever get fully used to it.
" . . . If the mods don;t like it, they'll move it. " that's what i kinda thought/figured . . . :beer:
Considering that your post is set up to annoy Jets fans and I'm a Patriots fan I'm not sure what nerve you're supposed to hit. Since you seem to be wondering, though, I'll explain why I don't think your subjects are showing much respect to the members here: The thing that got me to respond is that you pretend like you're just passing on news but that isn't really the point, is it? You like to post news items that will annoy Jets fans, both here and on other Jets message boards where you often post the same threads. "Hutch", "Mawae to Seattle", "Mawae to Miami" and "Mangini the Great" are some of your latest topics--all negative to Jets fans and all with little or no real news value--and I think you do it because A) You like getting a rise out of people without them noticing you're doing it and B) Love the controversy you can instigate thus building up the response count and getting your precious stars. This is all just my opinion so feel free to post away but I wonder if others will now start to notice what I have and call you on it or you'll get cute and try to cover your tracks with more positive Jets related threads (they are out there if you were actually looking for them you know). Time will tell... Does that answer your curiosity?
