Bryant Johnson signs with the Buffalo Bills.. or does he?

At this point it’s only rumor from Sirius NFL radio, but Bryant Johnson (Cardinals) has been in Buffalo all day, and if the weather hasn’t gotten to him yet, he’s likely to be waiting on his agent and the Bills working out a contract.

The Bills have been known in the past to be stingy with contract negotiations, but Johnson is probably the best value and best fit for the current needs of the Bills.

The Bills have already executed a trade giving them former Jaguars DT Marcus Stroud, while signing Vikings DT Spencer Johnson and Giants LB Kawika Mitchell.

UPDATE: Johnson is leaving town, no contract signed. I knew Ralph Wilson was cheap but daaaaaamn! His next visit is D.C. where Washington needs to bolster a WR corps. My guess is that Johnson’s agent will use Redskins owner Dan Snyder as leverage for more money in Buffalo. The Redskins really can’t spend at all this year, and Randle El and Santana Moss make a capable (if not overachieving) 1-2 combo.

Marcus Stroud to the Bills for a 3rd and a 5th?

Today the Bills released Larry Triplett. Also today Marcus Stroud was given permission to seek a trade.

And again today there were two high profile DT’s traded for a 3rd round and 5th round pick. Both teams had high draft positions, similar to the Bills. Both teams had needs at DT, similar to the Bills.

The SBnation Buffalo blog, Buffalo Rumblings, has the story on the front page, and it could be a very likely scenario.

My prediction is it’ll happen in the next couple days. The Bills need at DT is far too great for them to be releasing a recently-signed DT for no reason.

Asante Samuel is an Eagle

Free agency has been kicked off hard in Philly. And I think it’s time to celebrate.

It started as a rumor from a friend of the front office with a blog that people outside of Philly barely knew. Then it snowballed into bigger sites, and now it’s on SportingNews, with figures for the deal.

5 years and $47.2mil. The Eagles usually sign players for longer and then worry about cutting them later on in the deal. These numbers are so realistic, though, that it seems Samuel will be an Eagle until 2013.

Samuel is 27, and had 6 picks (one for a TD against the Eagles) in 2007, following his league leading 10 in 2006. The move is expected to free up Sheldon Brown to move to safety, thus strengthening two positions at once.

Expect this to be officially announced at the 4:30pm press conference. The news conference will likely be available via the Philadelphia Eagles’ website shortly thereafter.

For anyone who thinks he got short-changed in comparison to Clements consider two things:
1) Clements isn’t playing for a contender.
2) The 8th year of Clements deal is fake, making the real deal 7 years, $64mil. Which is a lower per-year average than Samuel’s.

Junior Seau has Old-Ass-Man Surgery

Per Bernie Wilson of the Sun Sentinel:

Seau had arthroscopic surgery on his left rotator cuff not long after his New England Patriots were upset by the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, leaving the linebacker to ponder whether to try to play a 19th NFL season or retire — again.

How long until he asks for Rodney Harrison’s HGH dealer?

In all seriousness, this guy somehow just keeps on ticking, and since he spent all last season looking like a 55 year-old man, maybe he can start acting like it and hang up the spikes.

With the Pats releasing Roosevelt Colvin and Tedy Bruschi pondering calling it quits (though the latest news is that he’s returning), the Pats are going to be in the market for some LB’s in either free agency or the draft.

Kawika Mitchell to the Bills

According to John Clayton of ESPN.com, the Buffalo Bills have signed unrestricted free-agent LB Kawika Mitchell (Giants).

The figures aren’t yet released, but this deepens the Bills LBs. With Posluzny coming back from injury, and possible Marcus Stroud, Shaun Rogers rumors, the Bills could be looking at a huge defensive turnaround.

With the ‘Phins, Bills, and Jets all making swift FA moves, and Moss not yet re-signed by the Pats, watch out for the AFC East!

Jenkins to Jets for a 3rd and a 5th

Really? Kris Jenkins is worth all that?

Sounds like the Jets are the alcoholics.

For the Jets it gives them a big body in the middle of their 3-4 scheme. At least give them credit for committing to it, and the picks can be somewhat replaced by the Vilma to Saints deal, but those picks are in 2009. I just don’t think it’s a great move for them.

Still, for Panthers fans it’s a boon. Jenkins wasn’t what he used to be, and the picks can be gold. I’m sure most Carolina fans are aware Steve Smith was a 3rd round pick.

Smiley to Phins.

Justin Smiley formerly of the 49ers has moved to the Dolphins.

The first of many, no doubt. Smart move by Parcells to go after linemen, which the Phins sorely need.

Will also be nice to see this franchise in a couple years start to challenge the Pats in that division.

Samuel to Philly done deal

Well, a deal has been worked out according to G Cobb, whose website got pwned by posting that story.

Come on Gary don’t be so cheap!

Anyway, I don’t like it. I know Philly fans want nothing more than star playmakers, but Samuel costs too much and there are too many good CB’s to be had in the draft. Sheppard isn’t finished and I just don’t see the Birds spending like this.

The source who gave G Cobb his info has to remember that Samuel probably has contracts agreed upon verbally with 2 or 3 other teams as well. I don’t think this will happen.

Still, if it does I’ll have to learn how to not hate him.