Larry Johnson Is A Redskin

Free-agent Running Back Larry Johnson has agreed to a three-year contract worth up to $12 million with the Washington Redskins on Friday. LJ was once a fantasy stud that keeper owners protected in steal box, today he is a guy that is looked at as a back up fantasy bench warmer.

Although Larry Johnson has a similar story to recent comeback Bengal starter Cedric Benson. After a terrible couple years in Chicago and off-field problems, Benson got a second chance in Cincinnati. Larry Johnson despite being a joke last year has not had a ton of carries for a 30 year old 8 year NFL RB, and could be somewhat of a late round sleeper in 2010. LJ has always had a good running per carry average and with the Redskins looking to possible part ways with Clinton Portis or at least reduce his carries, Larry Johnson has a small window to reignite his career.

What’s Plax up to These Days?

Plaxico Burress was jailed in 2009 for possession of a firearm. For those of you who are unsure of the scenario, not only did he possess a firearm, he shot himself in the leg with it inside the Latin Quartier night club. It’s been a while since the Gridiron crew has even mentioned him, so let’s take a sneak peek into what’s going on in his life.

Prior to the Super Bowl many of us witnessed a CBS special interview of Plaxico led by Bill Cohwer, in which Plax expressed his remorse for his actions, not only for himself, but also for the problems he had caused the Giants organization.  He describes his actions as a “selfish decision” and goes onto say that in the in the future he “wants to be a better brother, friend, and football player”.

More recently, this past January Plaxico was just denied a work release by the New York Department of Correctional Services. Under this rationale the corrections department chose not release him: “At no time did you report this incident to local law enforcement. As such, it is determined that you must serve a greater portion of your sentence prior to consideration for potential participation in the temporary release program”. Manhattan’s D.A. Cyrus Vance Jr. supports the decision of correctional services:  “The defendant took an upholstered, loaded pistol into a crowded nightclub, accidentally firing it with one hand while holding his drink in the other. This extreme and reckless disregard for safety is what New York’s gun laws were designed to prevent.”

Finally most recently, Plaxico and his gorgeous wife have been hit with a $3.3 million foreclosure law suit on their beautiful home in Lighthouse Point, Florida. Don’t fret though folks the 6,872-square-foot waterfront home isn’t his main residence, he still owns a massive $1.5 million estate in New Jersey.

Arguably making one of the biggest “bone-head” moves in the NFL within the past few years, Plaxico is scheduled to be released from prison some time in 2011. He would like to get back into the league but currently at 33 years old the chances for the former star are dwindling. But let’s face it; if he can’t find work in the NFL he can always pitch a bid to sponsor the NRA with the likes of: Bears DT Tommie Harris, and NBA stars Gilbert Arenas, and Javaris Crittenton.

• The Cleveland Browns have signed tight end Ben Watson to a three-year deal worth $12 million, including $6.35 million guaranteed. Watson, the former Patriot was one of our top 5 sleeper free agents and we feel this is a great addition for the Browns. Cleveland was missing a weapon in the tight end position after trading away Kellen Winslow last year. Slowing and quietly the Browns are taking form, the NFL draft should be interesting to see which direction Mike Holmgren wants to go with this club, improve the defense or play for the future with young offensive talent.
• Free agent LaDainian Tomlinson left Vikings headquarters without a contract Thursday evening. The poor guy is intent on signing with a team that will make him more than a number 2 guy, good luck
• Comcast Sports Net Philadelphia reports the Seahawks are interested only in Kevin Kolb, not Donovan McNabb. The Eagles are known for making back up QB’s look amazing and should consider a high draft pick for Kolb. A couple years back the Eagles got a high 2nd round pick for A.J Feely, after trading him to the Dolphins. He was a bust and re-signed with the team a couple years later. Other Eagle news: Philadelphia has signed WR Hank Baskett to a one-year contract, Friday.
• Patriots re-signed RB Kevin Faulk to a one-year, $2 million contract, including a $1 million signing bonus.
• The Redskins are “very much interested” in signing free agent running back Larry Johnson, according to NFL Network’s Jason LaCanfora.

Ohiocinco Doesn’t Call The Shots In Cincy

Chad Ohiocinco as stupid as that name is, can move boulders with the media and the fan base in Cincinnati. When he’s un-happy, the team plays poorly and the fans get ticked off. When Chad’s goofing around and getting his way, the Bengals are contenders.

This offseason, number 85 has made a small request to his front office; add veteran wide receiver Terrell Owens to the Bengals Orange and Black…he (for now) has been ignored.

The Bengals instead have gone out and signed a different WR option in Antonio Bryant, who has agreed to a four-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals Wednesday. Dancing with the Stars will distract the unpredictable big mouth, and only time will tell if he cares or not, but if you ignore the wishes of your bratty kid and go out and buy him the wrong action figure….odds are he kicks and screams for the one he wanted.

Antonio Bryant had career highs with 83 catches for 1,248 yards and seven touchdowns in 2008 with Tampa Bay.

Chiefs Sign Jones

Kansas City Chiefs have signed free-agent RB Thomas Jones to a two year deal. The 31 year old ex-New York Jet ran for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2009. This move should add that much needed punch in the back field for the Chiefs.

Say Goodbye Mr. Anderson

Only one day after the Browns acquired backup Seneca Wallace in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, Derek Anderson gets released. The 26 year old Anderson has spent 5 up and down seasons with the Browns after being snagged off of the waivers in 05. With Brady Quinn looking to get the chance to become the full time starter in Cleveland and Wallace the ace in the whole if things go wrong, Anderson was dead weight.

Broncos Super Size

Trying to improve on an average defensive line the Denver Broncos have signed DE Jarvis Green and, DT Jamal Williams. While both players are huge in size the expectations haven’t always been filled, making todays signings not the end all solution to the defensive line…just some much needed depth.

Food For Thought: Ochocinco Twit Pic

“Everybody get used to this, the only thing missing is the Bengal stripes” Ochocino says on his twitter page. ( here )

It seems Chad Ochocinco is having a busy off-season; Dancing with the stars and recruiting are two of the hobbies that we know of , what’s next rock climbing?.

Terrel Owens is the favorite in Chad’s eyes but on Tuesday Cincinnati will be a full house as WR-Antonio Bryant is coming in as a free agent for a meet and greet.

Think that’s strange? check this out: McNabb and Owens are teaming up on a basketball in the new season of Spike TV’s “Pros vs. Joes.” The episode features NFL players that played college basketball against former NBA stars

Browns Acquire Seneca Wallace

This trade isn’t anything to get too excited about, unless you write for a NFL site and say it’s going to happen. Our man, DC had mentioned that it was in Holmgrens style to steal away a back-up prospect just as he did when coming to Seattle ( Mock Draft Part 1 )

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Browns have struck a deal with the Seahawks for Wallace, who was drafted in 2003 by Seattle. No Details yet

Reggie Brown To The Buc’s

Eagles dumped a large contract on Monday after finally getting rid of a receiver that never panned out. WR Reggie Brown was not a good fit in the Andy Reid westcoast offense and was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a 6th round pick.

Brown is under contract through 2014. Per NFLPA records, he is due to receive a base salary of $1 million in 2010, $1.2 million in 2011, $1.6 million in 2012, $3 million in 2013, and $3.7 million in 2014.

S Kerry Rhodes to Cards

The Jets traded safety Kerry Rhodes to the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday for a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft and a seventh-rounder in 2011.

Lions Add CB Houston

After the Falcons lured away Dunte Robinson they decided to trade prospect CB Chris Houston. The Falcons receive in exchange for Houston, the Lions’ sixth-round pick. Also, the two teams will flip flop draft picks in the fifth round.

Window Closing For McNabb-Reid ?

Since the 2004 season NFL pundits alike have not recorded one single off-season without stating “the window is closing for Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid”, but the Philly combo is still here and still going strong (at least for now).

Throughout the years most of these stories have been tabloid conjecture or just pure opinion, but now with age sinking in and regular starters like Westbrook and Dawkins gone, the pressure to succeed has to be creeping in.

When the Eagles lost Super Bowl XXXVIII to the Patriots many thought their reign as a supreme NFC contender was over, but it wasn’t, continuing to dominate the NFC year after year. The primary concern that most expressed over that time was McNabb’s tenure in Philly, but again, he remained in the Philly green and with the coaches confidence.

Fast forward to 2010 it’s nothings changed, Reid has repeatedly stated that McNabb is the team’s starting quarterback.

With a surplus of young talent on both sides of the ball the opportunity to win a Super Bowl isn’t necessarily shrinking, but the opportunity for McNabb and Reid to win one together certainly is. Last season Eagles fans witnessed the departure of S-Brian Dawkins, this year the departure of RB-Brian Westbrook, there’s only one more Piece of that integral 2004 team left, Donovan McNabb. Once McNabb leaves town it’s an end of an era for the city and team and with one more year left on his contact you can be sure it’s all or nothing.

While the window’s time maybe shrinking its contents are not; with McNabb at the helm this team holds some of the brightest possibilities that the birds have had in a while. We may be looking at one of the most explosive Eagle offenses in recent years with an obvious knack for the big play.

McNabb definitely has 1-2 more great years of football ahead of him but if he can’t get it done this year his bags will likely be packed