Red-Zone Report

The Sun Sentinal’s Omar Kelly says the Dolphins haven’t ruled out re-signing DE Jason Taylor, but the team is concerned about Taylor’s age and previous injuries.  

After missing out on a trade for Broncos QB Jay Cutler, the Jets may look at wide receiver in the draft to aid QB Kellen Clemens, the New York Post is reporting.

The Ravens have added two coaches to the staff, the Baltimore Sun has learned. The team has promoted Roy Anderson to defensive assistant and hired Matt Weiss as head coaching assistant.

The Cincinnait Enquirer has reportedly “debunked” the rumors linking Bengals WR Chad Ocho Cinco to the Oakland Raiders.

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Cleveland Browns teammates are supporting Dante Stallworth despite his recent charge of DUI manslaughter.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ed Bouchette has reported that quarterback Byron Leftwich spent the day with the Washington Redskins Friday and the two sides are discussing a contract.

The Steelers, on the other hand, hosted UNLV fullback Fank Summers Friday, writes Mike Prisuta of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Summers becomes the eighth draft-prospect brought in by Pittsburgh.

The Texans have agreed to terms with FA linebackers Cato June and Buster Davis, the Houston Chronicle is reporting.

The Raiders are reportedly close to signing FA quarterback Jeff Garcia, per the Oakland Tribune.

Steve Corkran has reported the Raiders have also re-signed LB Sam Williams and added veteran DT Ryan Boschetti.

Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press predicts the Lions focus will again be on Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford now that Jay Cutler is out of the picture.

Source: SunSentinal.com, nypost.com, baltimoresun.com, cincinnati.com, post-gazette.com, pittsburghlive.com, chron.com, insidebayarea.com, freep.com- 10:39 p.m. et

Jets RB Thomas Jones was a no-show for the third straight day, which, as The Newark Star-Ledger writes, could affect the team’s draft plans if his absence continues through April.

The Cleveland Browns have issued a statement from Dante Stallworth, the Cleveland Plain Dealer has reported.

The Steelers signed two veterans Tuesday, lineman Trai Essex and cornerback Fernando Bryant, writes the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

New executive director of the NFL Players Associations DeMaurice Smith plans to meet with commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday, according to the Houston Chronicle.

The Tennessean has learned that the Titans and return man Mark Joneshave agreed to terms on a multiyear deal. Jones will help fill the void left by Chris Carr. The Titans also received a visit Wednesday from free-agent CB Donald Strickland.

The Raiders re-signed return man Justin Miller and defensive tackle William Joseph, though most of the sports world only found out when the players showed up for offseason workouts, writes David White of the San Francisco Chronicle.

According to the Detroit Free Press, teammates of Daunte Culpepper say the Lions signal caller has lost weight. 

The Packers have re-signed DE Michael Montgomery, according to Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Free-agent safety Darren Sharper has agreed to terms with the Saints, per StarTribune.com. 

Cardinals QB Kurt Warner underwent hip surgeryon Tuesday, writes The Arizona Republic’s Bob McManaman.

Free-agent tackle Marvel Smith met with the 49ers Wednesday, according to John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Source: nj.com, Cleveland.com, post-gazette.com, chron.com,  tennessean.com, sfgate.com, freep.com, greenbaypressgazette.com, StarTribune.com, sfgate.com- 9:37 p.m. et

Since we’ve been away for the last day and a half, we’ll highlight some of the biggest moves in free agency, the NFL Draft, and other NFL News:

Michigan defensive tackle Will Johnson put on a show at his campus Pro Day workout, bench pressing 225 pounds a mind-blowing 47 times, PFT has reported.

According to The Boston Globe, the Patriots have retained defensive lineman Mike Wright, after both sides agreed to a four-year deal worth about $7.5 million. The deal also reportedly contains approximately $10 million in  play-time escalators.

Jaguars receiver Matt Jones was released from jail Saturday, a day earlier than expected after Jones was serving a week-long stay after violating his plea agreement.

The Oakland Raiders have come to terms with free agent Khalif Barnes after weeks of hot-and-cold talks between the team and the former Jaguars offensive tackle, John Clayton of ESPN.com is reporting. The deal was believed to be dead when the Raiders said they were no longer interested. Either Barnes or the Raiders gave in — likely Barnes after receiving very little interest from other teams. But financial terms have not yet been released.

Free-agent WR Joey Galloway has signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots, Profootballtalk has reported.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Dante Stallworth was detained but not yet charged after his alleged involvement Saturday  in a car accident that led to the death of a 49-year old pedestrian. However, per PFT, the charges are expected. I’ll leave the verbiage up to legal-team Florio:

As authorities in South Florida wait for the results of a blood draw performed on Browns receiver Donte’ Stallworth, a source with knowledge of the investigation tells us that prosecutors are preparing an indictment for DUI manslaughter, under the assumption that the results will show that Stallworth’s blood alcohol content exceeded the legal limit of 0.08 percent when he collided with a pedestrian…

Former Raiders defensive back and kick-return specialist Chris Carr has inked a two-year, $5 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. Carr spent last season with the Titans.

 The St. Louis Rams have bid adieu to wide receiver Torry Holt. The 11-year veteran was due a $1.25 million signing bonus on March 17, and per Rotoworld the move saves the team $8 million in cap space. Holt’s release was expected – especially after the team chose not to invite Holt to their off-season conditioning program.

The Detroit Lions completed a blockbuster trade Saturday, sending defensive tackle Cory Redding and a fifth-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for five-time Pro Bowl linebacker Julian Peterson.

Adam Caplan of scout.com is reporting the Denver Broncos have reached a deal with TE Jeb Putzier, who spent last season with the Donkeys.

Sourc: Profootballtalk.com, Boston.com, APNews, ESPN.com, Scout.com, Rotoworld.com, mLive.com - 8:41 a.m. et

Profootballtalk has learned that the Coast Guard has found an overturned boat with a person clinging to it. It’s unknown if it is the boat with the four missing persons, including two NFL players.

Update: Profootballtalk is reporting that the man found clinging to the boat was Nick Schuyler. 

According to the St. Petersburg Times, Schuyler is alive and talking, and at 12:53 p.m. was being transported to the Tampa General Hospital.

Source: Profootballtalk, Bay9news.com, TampaBay.com - 12:59 p.m. et – Updated 1:05 p.m. et

Free agent RB LaMont Jordan and FB John Kuhn are visiting the Cardinals today, Rotoworld has reported.

Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (I’m never going to be able to spell that name on my own…kinda like Mississippi) left Minnesota last night without a contract, and headed home to Los Angeles, StarTribune.com has reported. 

Phillip Buchanon will reportedly visit the Lions Monday night, per PFT. Buchanon started his career with the Raiders, where he showed signs of being a play-maker, but became a much better cover man with the Bucs.

The Saints have made an offer to CB Ron Bartell, per PFT.

With some room to move in terms of cap space, the Patriots are rumored to be making a move for Panthers DE Julius Peppers.

The Dolphins are reportedly not interested in free-agent wide receiver Laveranues Coles, even though it would reunite him with former teammate Chad Pennington.

KFFL has reported that the Raiders may be interesting in acquiring Rams OT Orlando Pace.

Free-agent QB Kurt Waner is expected to visit the 49ers today, KFFL has posted.  

Source: Rotoworld.com, StarTribune.com, Profootballtalk.com, KFFL.com- 12:05 p.m. et

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that the search is ongoing for the lost boat in the Gulf Coast of Mexico carrying two known NFL players and two other passengers.

The boat left Saturday and was expected back later that evening.

The two players are Lions DE Corey Smith and the Raiders LB Marquis Cooper. Cooper is said to be an experienced boater, but weather conditions were far from normal. Other members on the boat include Will Bleakley and Nick Schuyler.

Update: Monday, March 2, and still no sign of the missing boat. The Associated Press has reported the Coast Guard has searched 16,000 square miles of water off Florida’s Gulf Coast.

The weather has calmed some, per the AP, but it is still hampering the search.

Source: Freep.com, Rotoworld.com, NBCSports.com - 6:05 p.m. et – Updated March 2, 12:11 p.m. et

The New York Giants have added DL Chris Canty on a six-year, $42 million contract with $17.25 guaranteed, NFL.com has reported.

The Giants turned down running back Derrick Ward’s offer to remain with the team for $3 million a year, per Rotoworld.

NFL Network’s Adam Schefter has reported the Seattle Seahawks have added DT Colin Cole – with a five-year, $21 million contract.

Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree will undergo surgery Wednesday on his left foot, and will be forced to miss his Pro Day workout.

Rotoworld has learned that the Vikings are intent on signing free-agent WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh before he leaves their facility.

More details on the Raiders re-signing of LB Isaiah Ekejiuba: the deal is over three years and worth $5.4 million, including $1.25 in a signing bonus KFFL has reported.

Source: Rotoworld.com, NFL.com, KFFL.com – 5:45 p.m. et