Eagles still dealing, give DL Jenkins five-year, $25M pact

Following Friday's breathtaking maneuvering to score free agency's biggest prize, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday added defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins to a roster that's suddenly bursting with big names.

Jenkins agreed to a five-year, $25 million deal, a league source told NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi.

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"Thank you #packernation for everything," Jenkins tweeted while explaining why he wouldn't return to the Green Bay Packers. " ... Unfortunately the option wasn't given to continue."

Added Jenkins: "Now it's on to the next chapter and I'm more pumped and motivated than ever."

Jenkins is the fifth major acquisition for the Eagles, who, along with landing Asomugha, found Kevin Kolb's replacement by giving Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young a one-year deal. The team also signed defensive end Jason Babin away from the Titans and acquired cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from the Arizona Cardinals in the Kolb trade.

"It's exciting," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. "It's really exciting to put it all together, and we want to see them out here out on the field and get going."

Jenkins started 66 games in seven seasons with the Packers, with a career-high seven sacks in 11 games last year.

"This is a guy who we didn't think we'd have the opportunity to acquire," Roseman said. "The way things have worked out here in the past few days, when the opportunity came at us, we jumped on it."

Roseman said Jenkins will fill a variety of roles in the Eagles' newly structured defense under first-year coordinator Juan Castillo. But his main role will be as an inside pass rusher.

"On third down, he rushes from inside," Roseman said. "We think he makes a difference in that role. In this defense and in this scheme, it really utilizes all his talents."

To make room for Jenkins, the Eagles traded defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley to the Cleveland Browns for a 2012 fifth-round draft pick.

The Eagles also re-signed unrestricted free agent linebacker Akeem Jordan.

Roseman said he's hearing from agents of players around the league who want to be Eagles.

"People want to come to Philadelphia because of the organization, having coach (Andy) Reid and having a quarterback like Michael (Vick) and the players we have here," he said. "I think they're all great selling points. When you talk to agents, people want to come to Philly."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Falcons lock up Edwards, Clabo; Anderson, Jenkins cut

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons are still ticked off about their last game.

It's time to start making up for that ugly playoff loss.

With the NFL lockout settled, the Falcons opened training camp Friday amid a flurry of moves designed to set up another run at the team's first Super Bowl title.

In the span of 24 hours, the Falcons lured free-agent defensive end Ray Edwards away from the Minnesota Vikings, agreed to a new deal with Pro Bowl offensive tackle Tyson Clabo and locked up their entire draft class, including top pick Julio Jones.

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.

Last season, Atlanta won the NFC South title and claimed the top seed in the conference playoffs. But the Falcons were blown out at home in their first postseason game, losing 48-21 to the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers.

"I don't know how many times I got asked in the offseason, 'Hey, what happened in that game? Why didn't y'all make it further?"' center Todd McClure said. "I got tired of answering those questions."

The defense certainly has something to prove after getting shredded by Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Green Bay never even had to punt in its playoff romp.

"As a defense, we played a lot better (last season) than we had in the previous three years," linebacker Sean Weatherspoon said. "But that last game leaves a sour taste in your mouth."

The Falcons made a major move to shore up the defense Friday, agreeing to terms with Edwards. He had 16.5 sacks the last two seasons in Minnesota and gives his new team a much-needed pass-rushing threat to complement John Abraham.

Atlanta also agreed to a five-year, $25-million deal with Clabo, the cornerstone of the offensive line. The contract includes about $11.5 million in guaranteed money.

Finally, the Falcons locked up their entire draft class, including a four-year, $16.2-million deal for Jones, the No. 6 overall pick.

The deals were made possible when Atlanta released two former first-round picks, receiver Michael Jenkins and defensive end Jamaal Anderson, clearing $7.8 million under the salary cap.

Addressing needs on both sides of the line, the Falcons made it clear they still intend to be a major factor in the NFC, even though the schedule -- especially in the first five weeks -- is much tougher than a year ago.

"If we can stay healthy and go out and play the type of ball we've been playing, we've got a shot," McClure said. "Obviously, you play 'em one game at a time, but with that end goal in mind."

Not everything went Atlanta's way during the hectic free-agent signing period, condensed into just a few days after the players approved a 10-year labor agreement that ended the 4-month-long lockout.

Another of the team's stalwart linemen, offensive guard Harvey Dahl, reportedly agreed to terms with the St. Louis Rams. The other starting guard from a year ago, Justin Blalock, is also a free agent.

Quarterback Matt Ryan is admittedly concerned about breaking in two new linemen.

"They've been kind of a staple of what we've done," Ryan said. "But we have to understand it's a business and different things are going to happen. ... We'll make the most of whoever is here."

The Rams also were talking with running back Jason Snelling, who had been Atlanta's main backup. He became expendable after the Falcons drafted diminutive Oregon running back Jacquizz Rodgers in the fifth round to provide a speedy replacement when 1,371-yard rusher Michael Turner needs a break.

Running back Jerious Norwood was also released. His agent, Bus Cook, tells The Clarion-Ledger that he expects Norwood to sign with another team. Cook says the Falcons wanted to go in a different direction with younger players.

A third-round pick out of MSU in 2006, the 28-year-old Norwood played in just 57 of 80 regular-season games over the last five years with the Falcons while dealing with injuries ranging from a concussion to a hip flexor to a torn knee ligament.

In addition, Atlanta lost punter Michael Koenen, who agreed to terms with division rival Tampa Bay. Matt Bosher, a sixth-round pick from Miami, appears the likely replacement, though the Falcons have two other punters in camp.

None of the losses dampened the mood at Falcons camp. Under general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith, the team has put together three straight winning seasons and two trips to the playoffs.

Not bad for a franchise that had never even managed consecutive seasons above .500 before they arrived.

"Our expectations," Smith said, "are really high."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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'Skins, longtime Packer Jenkins reportedly eyeing each other

The Washington Redskins will have multiple roster holes to fill once the NFL lockout ends and free agency begins, but they already might have a willing partner to help overhaul their defensive line.

There is mutual interest between the Redskins and defensive end Cullen Jenkins, The Washington Post reported Wednesday, citing a person familiar with the situation.

Jenkins, who will become an unrestricted free agent after the lockout is lifted, is coming off a strong seventh season with the Green Bay Packers. He compiled seven sacks in just 11 games, eight of them starts.

Washington certainly could use help along its defensive line as it moves past the Albert Haynesworth era. The Redskins were one of the NFL's worst defensive teams a season ago, finishing 31st overall in total yards allowed per game. They used the draft to begin the re-tooling process of the line, selecting Clemson defensive end Jarvis Jenkins in the second round and West Virginia nose tackle Chris Neild in the seventh.

Jenkins, the younger brother of three-time All-Pro nose tackle Kris Jenkins, will be 30 when the new season is scheduled to begin in September. He has spent his entire career with the Packers since they signed the undrafted player out of Central Michigan in 2003.

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora also has mentioned in recent NFL.com chats that Jenkins would be a good fit for the Redskins.

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Falcons WR Jenkins expected to play after four-week absence

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Michael Jenkins, who has missed the first four games of the season with a shoulder injury, returned to practice Wednesday and is expected to make his debut this weekend against the Cleveland Browns.

The seven-year veteran injured his shoulder during the preseason.

Jenkins, 28, started nine games for Atlanta last season, recording 50 receptions for 635 yards and one touchdown.

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