Eagles' haul gets even bigger: RB Brown, RT Harris, S Page

The Philadelphia Eagles' offseason onslaught continued Tuesday when the team added three more free agents: running back Ronnie Brown, safety Jarrad Page and right tackle Ryan Harris.

Brown, who spent his first six seasons with the Miami Dolphins, agreed to a one-year contract that will pay him $1 million in base salary plus incentives, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Brown, 29, rushed for 4,815 yards and 36 touchdowns and caught 184 passes for 1,491 yards in Miami. He ran for 1,000 yards in 2006 and made his only Pro Bowl team in 2008.

Eagles weighing offers for Samuel Eagles president Joe Banner told NFL.com on Tuesday
that the team has received several calls inquiring about Asante Samuel's availability and is considering its options. More ...

"Ronnie is an all-around running back with a versatile skill set," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said in a statement released by the team. "He can run the ball, catch it, and does very well in pass protection. He'll add some good size to our backfield, and he's a good character guy. We think he'll be a tremendous compliment to LeSean (McCoy) and the other young backs on this team that we really like. You can never have enough good running backs in this league, and we are happy to have Ronnie join us."

Before adding Brown, the Eagles' only experienced running backs were starter McCoy, who ran for 1,080 yards and caught 70 passes last season, and Eldra Buckley, who has just 36 carries in two years with the team.

Brown was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, behind San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.

Later in the day, the Eagles signed free-agent offensive tackle Harris to a one-year deal.

Harris spent his first four seasons with the Denver Broncos, starting 34 games. He was their third-round pick in 2007 out of Notre Dame, where he played with Eagles defensive linemen Victor Abimiari and Trevor Laws.

Right tackle is a question mark for the Eagles, with Winston Justice, the starter the past two years, beginning training camp on the injured list with a knee injury. The team has been using second-year pro Austin Howard and former seventh-round draft pick King Dunlap at right tackle during the early days of camp.

Harris started 16 games in 2008, eight in 2009 and 10 last season.

"I appreciate everything the Broncos have done for me," Harris told the Denver Post. "I'm grateful they drafted me, and I built a lot of great relationships with a lot of great people over the past four years. It wasn't an easy decision. But in the end, money had nothing to do with my decision. This was about what I thought was the best opportunity at this point in my career."

Finally, the Eagles scooped up former New England Patriots safety Page late Tuesday. Page, 26, had 12 tackles and two interceptions in 10 games last year for New England. Before that he spent four years with the Chiefs, starting 39 games.

Like all other NFL free agents, Brown, Harris and Page aren't permitted to practice with their new team until Thursday.

In the week before Tuesday's flurry, Philadelphia had already acquired defensive linemen Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins, cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha, offensive lineman Evan Mathis and quarterback Vince Young.

That plethora of new talent sparked Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to call the Eagles the "all-hype team" on Monday, and the additions have made Philadelphia early Super Bowl favorites in the eyes of many.

In other Eagles news Tuesday, the Inquirer reported that wide receiver Jeremy Maclin reported to the team's training camp at Lehigh, Penn. He had been out with an unspecified illness. The team is still waiting for star wide receiver DeSean Jackson to report. Jackson is holding out for more money.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View the original article here

Jets give LB Harris reported $29.5M guaranteed in new deal

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- David Harris was rewarded by the New York Jets for his patience.

The playmaking linebacker signed a new four-year deal Tuesday night after Harris originally looked into an extension last year. A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press that the contract is worth $36 million, with $29.5 million guaranteed. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the team nor Harris' agent announced the financial terms.

The NFL free agency cycle is in full effect, with teams and players agreeing to terms fast as training camps open. Get the latest on all the news right here.

That came after Harris waited as general manager Mike Tannenbaum took care of other players first and gave out big money. Harris signed his franchise tender before the NFL lockout began in March, but agent Brian Mackler said they tore up the tag and worked out a completely new contract.

"Every player takes it differently," Harris said. "Coming from a humble background, a blue-collar background, I knew that Mike would come through on his promise and I just wanted to focus on football and not focus on the contract and the business side of it. I just want to go out there and help my teammates win games, and I'm glad that it's all done with."

Mackler added that the deal includes the highest amount of guaranteed money -- but wouldn't say how much -- for an inside linebacker on a four-year contract. Carolina's Jon Beason recently signed a five-year, $50 million extension with $25 million guaranteed, according to published reports.

Harris thanked the team "for allowing me to play my career out as a New York Jet."

After Tuesday morning's walkthrough, Harris said he expected an extension to be worked out soon. A few hours later, he had the new deal. Harris didn't practice, Mackler said, just to be cautious.

He was the last of the Jets' "Core Four" players -- Harris, Darrelle Revis, Nick Mangold, and D'Brickashaw Ferguson -- to get new contracts.

"We're really glad that he'll be here for a really long time," Tannenbaum said. "From a GM's perspective, it's a dream to have someone like David, not only what he does on the field, but off the field and how he conducts himself in such a professional way. When you have those types of people, you do everything you can to make sure they never leave your locker room."

The 27-year-old Harris was drafted in the second round out of Michigan in 2007 after the Jets traded up to get him. He became a starter after the Jets traded Jonathan Vilma before the 2008 season. He has 428 tackles, 14 1/2 sacks, two interceptions and five forced fumbles in four seasons, and is one of the keys to coach Rex Ryan's aggressive defense as he calls the signals for the unit.

"He's a real traditional three-down linebacker and even when we play all of our substitution packages, going back to our playoff game against the Patriots when (Ryan) had 11 DBs up for the game, David played so much," Tannenbaum said. "He can blitz, cover, (is) good in between the tackles. I can say all these good things now that we signed him."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

View the original article here

Packers release veteran cornerback Harris

GREEN BAY, Wis.-- The Green Bay Packers have released veteran cornerback Al Harris, cutting short his attempt to return to the field after a serious knee injury.

The 35-year-old Harris is nearly a year removed from a season-ending left knee injury last November. He began this season on the team's physically unable to perform list and returned to practice Oct. 19, giving the Packers a three-week timeline to decide his future.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the move wasn't an indication that the Packers think Harris' playing days are over.

"I think Al Harris will definitely play again in the National Football League," McCarthy said.

Instead, McCarthy said the decision was made with the team's overall roster in mind.

Tramon Williams has emerged as a potential Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback in Harris' absence, and coaches believe rookie Sam Shields can develop into a top cornerback over the next few years.

And if the team were to activate Harris, they would have to release another player -- a move that might hinder them in other areas, particularly on special teams.

"This is not a physical decision," McCarthy said. "This is a big-picture roster decision."

The Packers activated safety Atari Bigby from the physically unable to perform list on Saturday. McCarthy said the team has not yet made a decision on the future of rookie running back James Starks.

Harris started all 102 games he played in for the Packers over seven seasons (2003-09) after being acquired from Philadelphia. He had 14 interceptions and 108 passes defensed during his time in Green Bay.

McCarthy brushed aside any concerns that the move would have a negative effect in the Packers' locker room.

"You look at all those variables," McCarthy said. "With that, you always trust your leadership in your locker room. Al's a veteran player, a popular player. These are decisions that need to be made at different times of the year. We felt that Al had an opportunity to come back from a serious injury, he did an excellent job with his rehab. As far as the locker room, we trust the leadership in the locker room."

See all the action from Sunday all over again -- for free. Watch online and in HD with the NFL Game Rewind Free Trial. Learn More.

With the rest of the team celebrating a 45-7 rout of the Dallas Cowboys, Harris told espnmilwaukee.com late Sunday night that he expected to be released. McCarthy said the final decision wasn't made until Monday morning, and that general manager Ted Thompson was trying to reach him to discuss the move.

"Ted and I both have been very up front with Al all the way through the process," McCarthy said. "Time and time again, he knew what his options were, where we felt that he stood and so forth."

McCarthy thanked Harris for his dedication to the team, and Thompson praised him in a statement.

"We want to thank Al for his contributions to the Green Bay Packers," Thompson said. "His hard work, dedication and professionalism have been the keys to his success. During his time here, he has been a valuable member of our organization and our community. We wish him the very best in the future and he will always be a part of the Packer family."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

View the original article here