Matthews gets 5-year deal

OLB Clay Matthews has agreed to a five-year deal that can be worth as much as $13.275 million, according to a report by ESPN.com. Matthews doesn't feel he's behind any after being sidelined the first three weeks of organized team activities because of a strained hamstring. Yet, when Matthews returned to the practice field June 16 for the final week of OTAs, the first-round draft pick still hadn't cracked the starting lineup. Matthews was running with the second unit at right outside linebacker in the Packers' new 3-4 scheme.

"They haven't told me," said Matthews, when asked whether he had any indication from the coaches when he would be working with the No. 1 defense. "I'm sure once they feel comfortable enough to put me in there with the 1s. Rightfully, the starters playing ahead of me know what they're doing and know it that much better than me. Hopefully, when we're on the same page, we can start splitting reps. But, at the same time, you really can't control coaching, but I need to control what I'm able to do, and that's studying the playbook and executing out there on the field."

Bennett retires; Ravens back in tough spot

WR Drew Bennett aggravated a knee injury during his tryout Friday, and decided to retired just two days after signing a one-year deal with the Ravens. “The Ravens are a first-class organization that I was truly excited to join,” Bennett said. “After an offseason of workouts and rehab, I thought I was ready to play again, but it became apparent over this weekend that while my mind is willing, my body will not be able to make it through another NFL season. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to play in the NFL for as long as I have, but it is time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life.”

Panthers sign second-round pick Brown

DEs Everette Brown has agreed to a four-year, $4.3 million deal that includes $2.7 million in guaranteed money, according to Scout.com. Brown, Tyler Brayton and Charles Johnson will compete for the starting job opposite Julius Peppers. Brayton started last year for the Panthers and did a pretty decent job after coming over from Oakland. But he's not a dominant pass rusher and the Panthers will rely on Johnson and Brown to handle that duty. Johnson, a former third-round pick, had six sacks last season while the Panthers traded away a first-round pick in 2010 to get Brown in the second round of this year's draft. The big question will be who'll start, although you can expect all three to see action opposite Peppers.

Chargers lock up raw Canadian talent

DT Vaughn Martin has agreed to a four-year deal, according to the Globe and Mail. Financial terms weren't disclosed, although it's a $2.236 million deal with a $486,000 and base salaries of $310,000 in 2009, $395,000 in 2010, $480,000 in 2011 and $565,000 in 2012, according to ProFootballTalk.com.

Martin was made a YouTube classic by Chargers' scout Tom Gibbons. The Chargers now want Martin, who plowed Gibbons in a blocking drill caught on video at a private workout, was drafted 113th overall out of Western Ontario College.    "I've always been a fast learner, so it's not something I'm worried about," he said after the draft. "I'm excited about putting theory into action. I'm just a blank canvas, and they'll be able to mold me into the player they want me to be."

Martin, born in Jamaica and raised playing hockey, is as raw as he is a brute. The Chargers' plan is to work him in gradually and hopefully he can at least add depth in the early stages of what should be an interesting NFL career.

WR Curry dealt to St. Louis

WR Ronald Curry has been traded to St. Louis for DL Orien Harris, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Curry was traded before ever playing a down in Detroit after signing as a free agent earlier this offseason. He had been expected to be in the receiving rotation, but the Lions have more depth after acquiring Dennis Northcutt. Curry spent the past seven seasons with Oakland. He caught 19 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns last year.

Harris on the move again

DL Orien Harris is on the move again, having been acquired by Detroit from St. Louis in exchange for WR Ronald Curry, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He has now been traded twice this offseason, with the Rams getting him from Cincinnati in May for FB Brian Leonard. Harris has bounced around the NFL since being drafted by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2006 draft. From training camp to practice squads is how it went for Harris for two seasons, until playing 14 games for the Bengals last year. Harris was made expendable by Cincinnati's signing of defensive tackle Tank Johnson.

For the Rams, there is opportunity with little depth behind starters Adam Carriker and Clifton Ryan, and this year's fourth-round pick, Darell Scott.

"It always feels good to be wanted," Harris said after he was acquired by the Rams.

Panthers get Duke signed & sealed

OG Duke Robinson has agreed to a four-year deal worth up to $2.663 million that includes a $171,590 signing bonus, according to ProFootballTalk.com. He will earn base salaries of $310,000, $395,000, $480,000 and $565,000. He admitted in May he was a little surprised when the Panthers drafted him in April considering they have all five starters returning from last year's team. 

"I never even had a conversation with the Panthers, so this was the last thing I was thinking," Robinson said. "But I'm just blessed right now. I'm so happy they picked me. It gives me an opportunity to come and prove myself and show them what I can do. I'm just happy; I'm enjoying it right now."

Patriots WR Tate agrees to 4-year deal

WR Brandon Tate, a third-round pick, has agreed to a four-year deal that includes a $755,000 signing bonus, according to the Boston Globe. Tate was coming off an ACL injury and a failed drug test, which is the reason he was available in the third round of the draft. Tate will have a chance to compete for playing time if all goes well. The Patriots are top-heavy at wide receiver, but beyond Randy Moss and Wes Welker, the rest of the spots are up for grabs.

"I'm (excited) to come here," Tate said after April's draft. "I know one of them is going to take me under their wing, and whatever they tell me, it's got to be the right thing because they're (each) one of the best. I'm glad I'm on a team like this, and I just want to learn to get better. I was already really familiar with the Patriots -- the caliber of their team; they're a championship team. Like I said, Bill Belichick, he gave me a chance, so I'm going to come in and work extra hard for him."

Jimmy Williams suspended by NFL

   The Sports Xchange has learned that defensive back Jimmy Williams, currently a free agent, has been suspended by the NFL for at least one year for an apparent violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.

   Williams was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft.

   For clarity purposes, this Jimmy Williams attended Virginia Tech. Another Jimmy Williams, who is also a defensive back, attended Vanderbilt and entered the league as a sixth-round pick with the Buffalo Bills in 2001. He played for San Francisco and Seattle before ending the 2008 season on injured reserve with the Houston Texans. He became an unrestricted free agent in February, and remains unsigned.

   The suspended Jimmy Williams played 12 games and started five for the Falcons in 2006, then played 14 games and started two in 2007. He had one interception in ’07. Waived by the Falcons on June 17, 2008, he was out of football until signed by the San Francisco 49ers this past January. He was waived by the 49ers on May 18.

   During the term of his suspension, Williams can sign with an NFL team, but he can’t be included in any team activities. He can talk to the team only to help with medical or rehabilitation issues that would take place away from club headquarters.

 

Cassel gets $28 million guaranteed

QB Matt Cassel has agreed to a multi-year deal with the Chiefs, which was first reported by the Kansas City Star. Several websites reported the deal to be for six years and $63 million, with $28 million in guaranteed money. Cassel will make $40.5 million during the first three years of the deal. He had been due to play for the one-year, $14.65 million tender he has signed as the Patriots' franchise player before being dealt to Kansas City.

Browns LB Maiava signs 4-year deal

LB Kaluka Maiava has agreed to a four-year deal reportedly worth close to $2.5 million, according to Scout.com.

Maiava, a rookie linebacker from Southern Cal, impressed coach Eric Mangini as a tough guy when he told Mangini he likes to hunt wild boar. His weapon of choice: a knife. He says hunters that use a gun cheat.

"I use a knife and stick them a couple times," Maiava said in May. "I take my dogs with me."

Maiava has been hunting boar since he was 15. He said he has never been gored, but he has lost a couple dogs. Now that he is in the NFL, though, he will have to put boar hunting on hold. Some hobbies such as motorcycle riding and skydiving are forbidden in NFL contracts. Boar hunting can be added to the list.

Ravens WR Mason retires suddenly

WR Derrick Mason surprisingly announced his retirement on the website JOCKlife.com. Mason is due to earn $3 million in the final year of his contract, and was unable to agree on a multi-year deal with the Ravens during the offseason. He said he had been contemplating retirement since the end of last season, and that he decision wasn’t contract related.

"I have been thinking about this since [the] season ended," he told the website. "Emotionally I am just not that enthused. I have not been that enthused to get up and work out ... it was getting to that point. This decision has nothing to do with the contract situation; I have made enough money, more than enough money. Emotionally there are things that are more important. It's time right now. I don't know what's going to happen from here, but it's going to be really nice to see what life has in store for me. What I want people to remember about my NFL career is that I played hard ... played hard in practice and the game. I tried to make everyone better and would do anything to help."

If Mason truly does retire, it puts the Ravens’ offense in a serious bind. They weren’t able to pry Anquan Boldin away from Arizona, and haven’t had any serious discussions with Denver about Brandon Marshall. If they don’t make a move to acquire a veteran receiver before training camp, oft-injured Demetrius Williams would be thrust into the starting role opposite Mark Clayon.

Ravens senior vice president of public relations Kevin Byrne released a statement saying the 35-year-old receiver has not informed the team of his decision. "For any player to retire, he has to send a letter to the NFL stating this. Derrick Mason has not done that," said Byrne.

Mason also had surgery to repair his labrum and scapula during the offseason.

"This decision has nothing to do with the contract situation," Mason said. "I have made enough money, more than enough money. Emotionally there are things that are more important."

 

Bucs sign DT Miller to 4-year deal

DT Roy Miller has signed a four-year deal. The former Texas Longhorn standout's contract is worth $2.52 million and includes minimum base salaries of $310,000, $395,000, $480,000 and $565,000, according to ProFootballTalk.com.

Miller might appear to be miscast in the Buccaneers' new defense, given his rep as a pass-rushing, undersized slasher. The Bucs are confident they found a good fit.

"Roy Miller did a good job rushing the passer at Texas, but he's more of a run-stopper," defensive coordinator Jim Bates said in May. "He had 5.5 sacks. He's an awfully strong young man and can get some push, which is important with how quick the ball comes out in today's game.

"The main thing is being able to hold gap, keep linemen off the linebackers and taking up space. He's a strong young man. He's not the tallest guy in the league, but if you look around the league you see there are a lot of successful guys that are shorter, stronger guys that are hold-the-point guys."

Favre throws in front of Vikings OC Bevell

QB Brett Favre performed a "rigorous" throwing session that included about 100 passes in front of Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell last week, according to ESPN.com. The report said Bevell, a personal friend of Favre's since Bevell was an offensive assistant for six years in Green Bay, traveled to Hattiesburg, Miss. to watch the quarterback throw. Favre apparently indicated that he wants to play for Minnesota this season, but only if his surgically-repaired right shoulder is 100 percent. That means he might not make a final decision until just before the Vikings open training camp July 29.

Butler offically joins Pats' crowded secondary

CB Darius Butler, a second-round pick out of UConn, has agreed to a four-year deal. It's worth about $3.9 million, according to ESPN.com. Agent Drew Rosenhaus also announced the agreement on his Twitter page, and ProFootball talk reported Butler will receive a roster bonus of $440,000, a guaranteed option bonus of $1.6275 million and base salaries of $310,000 in 2009, $395,000 in 2010, $582,500 in 2011, and $770,000 in 2012.

 

Butler had an impressive minicamp in June while flying under the radar. Butler is part of a crowded backfield that features an eclectic mix of veteran talent such as Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden and young up-and-comers Terrence Wheatley, Jonathan Wilhite, and Mike Richardson, but he stayed around the ball throughout the entire camp and could continue to turn heads once training camp opens.

Rams sign rookie Fletcher to 4-year deal

CB Bradley Fletcher signed a four-year deal that includes an $892,298 signing bonus, according to ProFootballTalk.com.

Fletcher was not a "risk" pick in the third round because he didn't start fulltime until last season at Iowa according to GM Billy Devaney.

"(He) played really well this year, played well in the East-West game," Devaney said after the draft in April. "He was outstanding so it wasn't like we took a flier on a height, weight, speed guy. We really think that he's a good, solid football player."

Jags get Thomas signed

WR Mike Thomas has signed a four-year deal that includes a $507,450 signing bonus, according to the Florida Times-Union. the contract could be worth as much as $1.3 million in base pay if the fourth-round pick his an escalator in the final year of the deal.

Thomas caught the eye of the Jaguars' coaching staff when it had Thomas on the roster of postseason all-star games.

"He's a guy that we coached at the Senior Bowl and he was also in the East-West game," Terry McDonough, the Jaguars director of player personnel, said in May. "Mike is short but muscular. He has a bubbly personality and he's very fast.

"He ran a 4.29. It was one of those whew-ey times. He's a playmaker. He's just 5-8. There's been some Steve Smith comparisons with him. This kid will kind of physically remind you of Steve Smith when Steve Smith was coming out, not the Steve Smith we know now as one of the best receivers in the league."

Bengals sign Vakapuna to 4-year deal

FB Fui Vakapuna (7/215; 6-1, 253, Brigham Young) has signed a four-year deal that's worth $1.811 million, a source told ProFootballTalk.com. He started eight games at fullback last season with 291 yards on 54 carries and three touchdowns. The Bengals did not have a true fullback last year (Daniel Coats was more of a tight end). They consider him to be in the same mold as Fahu Tahi, who was on the Bengals practice squad in 2006, before being signed by Minnesota.

Packers get impressive rookie signed

OL T.J. Lang has signed his rookie contract, the team announced. Terms were not disclosed.

Lang was singled out as the team's most impressive rookie blocker by QB Aaron Rodgers in June. The 6-foot-4, 316-pound Lang, a fourth-round draft pick from Eastern Michigan, has been alternating between tackle and guard on the right side with the No. 2 offense.

"I hope Brady's not listening, but he's really been getting after Brady a little bit," Rodgers said in reference to Lang's matchups with Poppinga in practice. "He's doing a nice job. A big, strong kid."

Titans officially ink Cook

TE Jared Cook, a third-round pick out of South Carolina, has officially signed with the Titans. Cook has agreed to a four-year deal worth around $2.45 million that includes a signing bonus around $700,000,  which was first reported by the Tennessean on July 2.

Cook is getting a crash course in professionalism, courtesy of veteran TE Alge Crumpler.

"Crump is like a coach. Crump has been around the league for a long time," Cook said in June. "He has a lot of wisdom to share. Every time I come off, he'll tell me the little things that I need to correct, which is very helpful in the meeting rooms when we're watching the field. It's just day by day, he's always in my head, helping me. It's just great to have somebody like that around."

Crumpler is happy to help the rookie the same way Reggie Kelly and Brian Kozlowski helped break him in with Crumpler was a rookie with the Atlanta Falcons.

"I'd do it for anybody, but he's got special talent, and in order for him to reach that full potential, it's important that he attacks this game as a professional every single day," Crumpler said.

Cardinals DE Dockett will report to camp

DT Darnell Dockett announced on his Twitter page Monday that he will report to training camp on time. Dockett, who has three years remaining on his existing deal, didn't participate in a team workout since the Super Bowl. But that was the situation last offseason as well.

"From the first day of training camp and on, I will not let my contract issues distract me or my team from reaching our goals," Dockett wrote. "I also look forward to playing with my teammates and defending our NFC championship title, and I am looking forward to a great season."

Boley suspension clouds Giants' situation at WLB

Giants MLB Michael Boley has been suspended for the team's regular-season opener for violating the league's Personal Conduct Policy, with the New York Daily News reporting it to be for a May 2008 arrested and charge of battery. The paper also reported that the Giants new of the potential suspension when they signed Boley as a free agent during the spring.

Boley underwent hip surgery to repair a torn labrum in late June and will be out for eight to 10 weeks. He apparently suffered the injury in an early OTA workout but kept going, even to the extent of fully participating in the recently held mandatory minicamp June 16-18, but had to succumb to the arthroscopic procedure June 24.

Boley, who spent the first four years of his NFL career with Atlanta, was expected to win the starting weak-side job, but since he might not be healthy until just prior to the start of the season and is now suspended for Week 1 anyway, so his status on the depth chart becomes more and more uncertain. Weak-side linebacker was a problem for the Giants in 2008 with three players starting at various points of the season -- Chase Blackburn, rookie Bryan Kehl and Gerris Wilkinson. Since Boley's surgery took place prior to the start of camp, he can be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and thus free up a roster spot for one of the as-yet unsigned draft choices.