Yesterday wasn't just the final day of the NFL Scouting Combine. It was a mover and shaker day in regards to teams preparing for the expiration of the current CBA on Thursday March 3rd. Teams scrambled to sign certain players and offer tenders to their various restricted free agents. Let's look around the league to see which potential targets are now off the market.
--- Oft-discussed NT candidate Shaun Rogers is now off the market. Rogers has signed a one-year $2 million contract with the New Orleans Saints. According to NFL.com's Jason LaConfora's tweet, Rogers had an offer as high as $6 million that he turned down. Why do I have a sneaky suspicion that was the Redskins? I'm not lamenting Rogers signing with another team, I'd much rather watch Josh Brent.
--- The New York Jets appear to be trying to take another NT off the market, their own recently released Kris Jenkins. This report says that the Jets will attempt to bring him back at a much reduced salary. Now Jenkins I have a little more interest in than Rogers, but still would rather 'roll with what we got' in this situation.
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--- Free agent SS Bob Sanders is scheduled to meet with the NY Jets today, to discuss their interest in signing the continuously injured star secondary player. [Adam Scheffter] Although my pet cat, Florida S Ahmad Black, is built similarly to the diminutive Sanders, the former Iowa safety had elite speed coming into the 2005 draft, running a 4.35 at the combine. Black runs a pedestrian 4.78, but just makes plays. In 39 career starts, he picked off 13 passes, batted down 28, returned three of the INTs for TDs, and recorded 14 tackles for loss. [rotoworld.com]
--- K David Akers is apparently interested in testing the market. A rep says that he will not sign the transition-player tender offer that was placed on him by the Eagles. According to this report, Akers agent is banking that the franchise/transition tags will be rendered invalid once the CBA expires tomorrow. [eaglesbloggerroom.com] The Saints inked their kicker Garrett Hartley to a five-year deal. [Adam Scheffter]
--- QB Michael Vick is expected to sign his franchise tender offer and get some more creditors off his back. [philly.com]
--- The Saints have tendered offers to potential FA targets LG Carl Nicks and SS Roman Harper. Nicks was given just a first round tender, but sitting at number 9 I can't see the 'Boys using their pick. Maybe ink a deal and then negotiate a "trade" with New Orleans? As a three year player, Nicks is a restricted free agent. Roman Harper is interesting. As he's a five year player, he will hit the open market. Any interest by Dallas? [rotoworld.com]
--- From the land of what-if's, BTB favorite FB Jon Conner is expected to be the Jets' lead blocker for years to come. Sure wish we had gotten him instead of having to roll with Chris Gronkowski. I bet Tony Romo's collarbone and Dez Bryant's lower leg feel the same way. [Manish Mehta]