National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Here is the NFC Pro Bowl roster. Starters are listed in bold.
OFFENSE
QB: Kurt Warner, Cardinals; Drew Brees, Saints; Eli Manning, Giants
RB: Adrian Peterson, Vikings; Michael Turner, Falcons; Clinton Portis, Redskins
FB: Mike Sellers, Redskins
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals; Anquan Boldin, Cardinals; Steve Smith, Panthers; Roddy White, Falcons,
TE: Jason Witten, Cowboys; Chris Cooley, Redskins
T: Jordan Gross, Panthers; Walter Jones, Seahawks; Chris Samuels, Redskins
G: Chris Snee, Giants; Steve Hutchinson, Vikings; Leonard Davis, Cowboys
C: Andre Gurode, Cowboys; Shaun O’Hara, Giants
DEFENSE
DE: Justin Tuck, Giants; Julius Peppers, Panthers; Jared Allen, Vikings
DT: Kevin …read more

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Just in time for the start of training camp (funny how it works out that way), Chicago Bears linebacker and team captain Brian Urlacher signed a one-year contract extension today that will give him a $6 million right now and a $1 million bump in salary each of the next four years. The final season on his contract is now 2012 where his base salary will be $7.5 million.
I knew some kind of deal would get done before camp to keep Brian happy after he skipped voluntary OTAs this past offseason. He’s …read more

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris signed a four-year, $40 million contract extension ($10 million up-front and $18 million guaranteed) with the team today. The deal was the richest ever for the Bears in terms of money per year. And unlike other high-profile Bears players who have gone public with their financial displeasures in Chicago (Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher), Tommie kept his negotiations private and eventually found the deal he was looking for:
“I’m so thankful that I am a Bear and I would love to finish my career here also after this …read more

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Following a detailed investigation and a hearing, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell today determined that the San Francisco 49ers violated the NFL’s Anti-Tampering Policy by contacting the agent for Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs during the 2007 season without the Bears’ permission. The Bears had filed tampering charges against the 49ers to initiate the proceeding. Chicago re-signed Lance Briggs at the beginning of this year’s veteran free agency signing period. Commissioner Goodell decided on the following disciplinary action to resolve the matter:

San Francisco will forfeit its fifth-round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Chicago and …read more

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With free agency just hours away, I still can’t believe the New England Patriots don’t have a deal in place for wide receiver Randy Moss. His record-setting 2007 more than earned him the right to have been signed to a long-term deal by the Pats. He kept his nose clean and was a leader and good teammate. He’s Tom Brady’s favorite target. What more needs to be said? I feel like as soon as I publish this, news will break of his signing … with the Patriots. Still, New England has a …read more

Photo by Greg Trott/Getty Images
Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
The Dallas Cowboys placed a league-high 12 players on the NFC All-Star team. Among the players selected to the NFC squad was Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, who died last month. Sean received the most votes at his position and was chosen as the starting free safety for the NFC team. A replacement will be announced at a later date. Eleven NFC players will participate in their first Pro Bowl, including Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Adrian Peterson, who leads the NFC in rushing yards with 1,278.

Tank Johnson got all the media attention at Bears minicamp this weekend as linebacker Lance Briggs was expectedly a no-show. Lance is, of course, upset with being tagged Chicago’s franchise player and not getting a long-term deal. The franchise tag guarantees him a one-year contract worth $7.2 million (which is quite nice) but it prevents him from reaching the unrestricted free agent market. As I said before, it’s time to pay Lance Briggs. He’s one of the best young LBs in the NFL. But by the way head coach Lovie Smith is talking, he expects Lance will miss minicamps, training …read more

So annoyed was Lance Briggs that the franchise tag was slapped on him by the Chicago Bears, that he has announced he will never play another down in the Windy City. The franchise tag, without very specific stipulations and agreed-upon understandings, is a slap in the face to most NFL players. Sure, it’s a nice chunk of instant money. After all, the average of the top five players at their position isn’t chump change. But, where’s the real love? Where’s the commitment? Where’s the job security?
The “non-exclusive” franchise tag guarantees Briggs $7.2 million next season, but it also deters other …read more