SB Nation Kansas City - Baltimore Ravens Agree To Terms With Veteran Ricky Williamshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2011-08-08T12:56:09-05:00http://kansascity.sbnation.com/rss/stream/20240782011-08-08T12:56:09-05:002011-08-08T12:56:09-05:00Baltimore Ravens Agree To Terms With Veteran Ricky Williams
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> and 34-year old running back <span>Ricky Williams</span> have agreed to a two-year contract in which Williams will step in as a backup for starter <span>Ray Rice</span>.</p>
<p>The Ravens mark the third pro team Williams has played for during an interesting career since being drafted fifth overall in 1999 by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a>. </p>
<p>Williams has shown he still has flashes of ability left in the gas tank after rushing for for 673 yards last year for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Dolphins</a>, and averaging a solid 4.2 yards per carry. During the 2009 season Williams rushed for 1121 yards, the fifth time in his career that he passed the 1000 yard mark in a season.</p>
<p>In Baltimore Williams will take on the role that <span>Willis McGahee</span> served behind Rice, before moving to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> during free agency.</p>
<p>If Williams can stay healthy he will be a valuable asset to the Ravens offense and should improve upon the 380 rushing yards that McGahee provided Baltimore with last season.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2011/8/8/2351608/baltimore-ravens-agree-to-terms-with-veteran-ricky-williamsMatthew Hays2011-08-07T20:04:08-05:002011-08-07T20:04:08-05:00Peter King: Shawne Merriman Is Back, Buffalo Bills Are 'Not A 4-12 Team'
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<p>The off-season hasn't exactly gone as many expected for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>. However, that hasn't stopped <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/#!/SI_PeterKing/status/100364403974733824">Peter King from noticing</a> that the tides may be turning for a franchise nonetheless -- a strange feeling to hear about positive momentum coming from a team that has been in the AFC East basement for the last several years.</p>
<p>Last season did feel like a turning point, as <span>Ryan Fitzpatrick</span> and the Bills offense kept the team close late in several games that could have went either way (the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a> being one of those nail-biters). Stevie Johnson gave Fitzpatrick a great receiving target, and <span>Lee Evans</span> and <span>Roscoe Parrish</span> are also present. <span>Fred Jackson</span> nearly ran for 1,000 yards and the presence of <span>C.J. Spiller</span> should be felt at some point -- there's simply too much talent there to not make a difference.</p>
<p>But it was the defense that hurt the bills so often, which is why Buddy Nix went all out on defense in the draft. He grabbed <span>Marcell Dareus</span> with the third overall selection and also hit up <span>Aaron Williams</span> and <span>Kelvin Sheppard</span> to give the team players on all three levels on defense who can come in and start. It was the beginning of a shake-up that also saw the imports of <span>Nick Barnett</span> and <span>Drayton Florence</span> and the loss of last year's top two tacklers, <span>Paul Posluszny</span> and <span>Donte Whitner</span>.</p>
<p>Yet King still believes that despite some early injuries in camp (mild) and the lack of major free agent additions, the Bills will be better than last season. He also notes via Twitter than <span>Shawne Merriman</span> says he's back, which if he can ever get back to his prime form with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">Chargers</a>, that would become the major defensive addition the Bills could use in the pass rush. Certainly the Bills would become an underdog everyone would root for in a division that's so loaded by polarizing teams like the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">Jets</a>. Whether or not the Bills can join those ranks and challenge for a playoff spot is still to be tested. King, at least, seems to think they'll be better than last year.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2011/8/7/2350510/peter-king-shawne-merriman-is-back-buffalo-bills-are-not-a-4-12-teamMatt Conner2011-08-07T09:08:49-05:002011-08-07T09:08:49-05:00Matt Forte Attempts To Hold Chicago Bears Hostage For New Deal
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<p>In a move that’s difficult to tell (at least from the slant of the Chicago Tribune writer) whether it’s all about a contract or not, <span>Matt Forte</span> is apparently willing to sit out the <span class="caps">NFL</span> preseason schedule in hopes of securing a new contract, much the same as Chris Johnson and <span>DeSean Jackson</span> from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Titans</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Eagles</a> respectively. Who knows if such moves will work, but that’s good news for the rest of the offensive backfield trying to make the team.</p>
<p>Forte realizes as he’s in the final year of his rookie deal, his $550K payday isn’t going to set him up for life. He’s on the edge of that first monster contract and yet he also has to be careful with a year to play until he gets it. With an attitude that’s looking out for his own interests, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Bears</a> might not be too thrilled with Forte’s “I’m out to get mine” mindset and play chicken.</p>
<p>For Forte, it’s understandable to an extent. The mess of Soldier Field seems the primary focus of Tribune writer Brad Biggs, even though the article is supposed to be about Forte’s holdout. The two are connected given Forte (or any Bear for that matter) doesn’t want to run on the horrible playing surface in Chicago’s home stadium. At the same time, that doesn’t negate Forte’s frustrating attitude.</p>
<p>For a team that ranked 30th in total offense, losing Forte in practice isn’t going to help matters. But it’s as not as if the Bears don’t have some options. Steady veterans like <span>Chester Taylor</span> and <span>Marion Barber</span> are both in house, so Forte is picking a ridiculous time to make a fuss. If the Bears were weak at the position, he’d have some leverage, but despite last year’s rebound from a weak 2009, Forte still isn’t in a position to break the bank.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2011/8/7/2349628/matt-forte-attempts-to-hold-chicago-bears-hostage-for-new-dealMatt Conner2011-08-06T15:12:56-05:002011-08-06T15:12:56-05:00Derrick Mason Adds Strong Veteran Target For Mark Sanchez, New York Jets
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<p>And the last major domino falls in the <span class="caps">NFL</span> free agent market. Sure, other wide receivers are available, but <span>Derrick Mason</span> is the last prominent target who could really provide a major difference in a team’s passing game. By joining the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a>, Mason finds a contender for the Super Bowl as well as some familiar faces with head coach Rex Ryan and defensive players like <span>Bart Scott</span> and <span>Jim Leonhard</span>. However, it’s <span>Mark Sanchez</span> who will benefit most from the signing.</p>
<p>The Jets already brought in a dynamic target for Sanchez, but as a developing quarterback, he can’t have enough safe targets. Mason adds yet another dependable target who has been perhaps the most unheralded receiver in the league in the last 10 years. Last season, he hauled in 800+ yards and 7 touchdowns, even at 36 years old.</p>
<p>Mason chose the Jets over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a> at this stage, and it’s clear the Ravens are ready to move on from Mason, cutting him earlier this off-season to lower his salary. There’s no doubt, however, that when Mason retires, Baltimore would do well to retire his number and celebrate him for the incredible wideout he’s been for the last six years with the team — or else the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Titans</a> might come in and lay claim.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2011/8/6/2348612/derrick-mason-adds-strong-veteran-target-for-mark-sanchez-new-yorkMatt Conner2011-08-06T10:55:05-05:002011-08-06T10:55:05-05:00NFL Free Agency: Kansas City Chiefs Ideal Landing Spot For Matt Roth
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<p>As the <span class="caps">NFL</span> free agency signing period quiets down to the typical preseason ebb and flow of years past instead of the absolute circus of the first week, some players are still available for teams looking for amazingly cheap products left on shelves after some paid top dollar. Zeroing in on some of the defensive leftovers, Pro Football Focus has <span>Matt Roth</span> as one of the top linebackers left and targets the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> as the primary landing spot.</p>
<p>The reason is that the Chiefs still have yet to solidify the opposite side from <span>Tamba Hali</span>. <span>Andy Studebaker</span> is a capable fill-in and spot starter and could possibly be the answer — but that’s not a certainty by any means. <span>Justin Houston</span> just signed and will be a project in his first year at the <span class="caps">NFL</span> level given his <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/kentbabb/status/99589755733422080" target="new">lack of conditioning</a> early on. He also needs to learn the Crennel defense.</p>
<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.profootballfocus.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F08%2F06%2Ffree-agency-2011-defense-whos-left%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fkansascity.sbnation.com%2F2011%2F8%2F6%2F2348266%2Fnfl-free-agency-kansas-city-chiefs-ideal-landing-spot-for-matt-roth" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">PFF’s Khaled Elsayed describes</a> the lack of action on Roth as surprising, but that could play right into Scott Pioli’s hands. “It really has been a surprise to see such a small market for Roth. He’s excelled when given a chance over the past three years, and has a proven ability to get to the pass rusher. He’s pretty handy playing the run as well.”</p>
<p>As Elsayed describes the Chiefs as the ideal spot, he says, “They can’t rely on Justin Houston or Andy Studebaker, and they haven’t made enough moves to keep ahead of the rest of the <span class="caps">AFC</span> West. They need to get better.”</p>
<p>If Roth is unhappy with his choices, he could sign a one-year deal to re-enter the market next year, something that might be good for both the Chiefs and Roth. He could sign and establish his value in a year where there won’t be nearly as much market oversaturation and the Chiefs have a year to develop Houston and take a closer look at Studebaker. As a bonus, Roth is also versatile enough to spell at defensive end if necessary.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2011/8/6/2348266/nfl-free-agency-kansas-city-chiefs-ideal-landing-spot-for-matt-rothMatt Conner2011-08-05T10:37:01-05:002011-08-05T10:37:01-05:00Oakland Raiders Replace Zach Miller Quickly With Former New York Giants TE Kevin Boss
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> grieved quickly and then moved on. Last year, Zach Miller led the Raiders with 60 catches, and it was very clear that he was the most reliable target for <span>Jason Campbell</span> or whoever else was under center for the Raiders. Now that he’s taken his act to Seattle, the Raiders moved quickly to replace him with another reliable target in <span>Kevin Boss</span>.</p>
<p>The former New York Giant came out of nowhere to establish himself in 2008 during the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a> magnificent 12-4 run. As a fifth round choice, Boss was another gem found late in the draft and he continued to display strong hands for <span>Eli Manning</span> in the two seasons since. Now with the Raiders, he will provide the same thing for either Campbell or the newly signed <span>Trent Edwards</span>.</p>
<p>Boss receives a four-year, $16 million according to a <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/AdamSchefter/status/99502846646558720" target="new">report</a> from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Last year, Boss only had 35 catches, but he made the most of it with 531 receiving yards.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2011/8/5/2346422/oakland-raiders-replace-zach-miller-quickly-with-former-new-yorkMatt Conner2011-08-05T09:01:04-05:002011-08-05T09:01:04-05:00Matt Roth Is Best Player Left On NFL Free Agent Market
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<p>Last year, defensive end/outside linebacker Matt Roth put up 86 tackles and 3.5 sacks last year for the Cleveland Browns. He was also called the best defensive player on the team by head coach Eric Mangini. However, he's just now getting some major interest his way given the overly crowded free agent market. Welcome to the zany 2011 NFL off-season.</p>
<p>After the furor of the last week, Roth remains standing as the best available free agent on the market -- good news for teams still looking to upgrade their pass rush with a solid two-way player who has experience at both OLB and DE. Roth will turn 29 this season in October, so he still has a few productive years left, but he's shown the ability to stop the run or rush the passer throughout his career with 20 career sacks and 6 forced fumbles.</p>
<p>ProFootballWeekly.com is reporting that the Cardinals and Saints and Broncos are among the teams showing interest in Roth right now, and with the ability for players who sign free agent contracts to now practice, you can expect Roth to move quickly now that teams are in on him. Whoever signs him will be getting a player who can help immediately and turn a weakness into a position that's covered enough. In Denver, he would be particularly valuable on a defense seeking to reinvent itself.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2011/8/5/2345655/matt-roth-is-best-player-left-on-nfl-free-agent-marketMatt Conner2011-08-04T20:19:57-05:002011-08-04T20:19:57-05:00Jaguars Blaine Gabbert Might Get His Chance Early With David Garrard Injury
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<p><span>David Garrard</span> has weeks to heal before the regular season even begins, so it seems ridiculous to even project that <span>Blaine Gabbert</span> could be the starting quarterback from the outset of the season. But with the reports that Garrard was limping off of the field today before being taken away on a cart, Jags fans have to be glad, at the very least, that they have another respected option in house.</p>
<p>Garrard is coming off of the best seasons of his career, so even with the first round trade that brought in Gabbert in April’s <span class="caps">NFL</span> Draft, he should still feel comfortable as the starter for the Jags. In 2010, Garrard looked as sharp as ever with a 90.3 passer rating backed up by 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions and another 5 rushing TDs. Better yet was a career-high completion percentage of 64.5.</p>
<p>But you need to be two-deep at the quarterback position in the <span class="caps">NFL</span> today, unless you’re lucky like the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a> seem to be every year with <span>Peyton Manning</span>’s health. Last year, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Bears</a> weakness was revealed after <span>Jay Cutler</span> went down. Other teams are struggling to even find one quarterback (Washington, Miami), yet the Jags have a first-round pick waiting in the wings, thanks to the trade maneuvering of Gene Smith.</p>
<p>The obvious best case scenario is for Garrard to get healthy and mentor Gabbert, but it’s nice to have a decent option in house. And Gabbert is now reminded of the need to be as ready as possible despite just starting his rookie season.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2011/8/4/2345406/jaguars-blaine-gabbert-might-get-his-chance-early-with-david-garrardMatt Conner