Suggs Agrees To Six-year, $63M Deal

"Terrell Suggs will sign a six-year, $63 million contract with the Ravens on Wednesday, completing one of the more lucrative deals in NFL history.

A three-time Pro Bowl linebacker, Suggs will receive $33 million in bonuses (a $10.1 million signing bonus and a $23 million option bonus due in March), which ranks second only to Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who earned $34 million in bonuses. Suggs' total is believed to be the most ever for a defensive player.

Suggs, who repeatedly said the sides were close on a deal, will sign the contract before Wednesday at 4 p.m., the deadline for NFL teams to sign their franchise tag players to a long-term deal.

"The Ravens showed up big for me, now I have to show up big for them again," Suggs told The Baltimore Sun.

Suggs added, "I'm only 26 years of age, and my best years are ahead of me. I can only get smarter as my years of experience pile up. I wasn't sure this deal was going to get done even though I kept saying it was close. I thought the chances were about 50-50, and I definitely didn't want to get franchised again."

The sides made significant progress 2 1/2 weeks ago, when the Ravens increased the guaranteed money, a league source said. An agreement was reached around midnight Wednesday in a three-way call with Suggs, his agent and general manager Ozzie Newsome.

The Ravens will pay their top pass rusher $38 million in guaranteed money and $40 million over the first two years of the deal.

"This is a good day for the Ravens franchise," general manager Ozzie Newsome said."

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If You Want Favre Vs Packers , You'll Pay For Chiefs Too

"A Brett Favre signing with the Vikings is expected to be announced in time for the start of the team's single-game ticket sales July 20.

The Vikings will play Favre's former team the Green Bay Packers on Monday night, Oct. 5, at the Metrodome on ESPN. The Vikings are planning to require anyone buying a ticket to that game to also buy a ticket to the Aug. 21 exhibition game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Meanwhile, a little birdie heard that Favre and wife Deanna last weekend made a $30,000 deposit on a condominium near 50th and France in Edina.

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DAILY PLAYER UPDATE #8 07/02/2009

Jets- Calvin Pace
NFL suspended Jets OLB Calvin Pace four games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

It's a big blow to the Jets' defense. Pace is New York's top pass rusher, and early impressions of backup Vernon Gholston's second offseason aren't promising. Pace will be eligible to return in Week 5 against the Dolphins. Flexible coach Rex Ryan could adjust by using Bart Scott and Bryan Thomas outside with Jamaal Westerman and David Harris inside during Pace's time off. It's either that or Gholston is going to have to play a lot early in the season.

Jets- Vernon Gholston
According to Adam Schefter's Twitter page, "signs from OTAs were not encouraging" for Jets 2008 first-round pick Vernon Gholston.

Non-contact OTA practices should be where Gholston excels because he's 6'3/260+ and can fly. The new Jets coaching staff has been positive about Gholston's progress, but unbiased observers don't seem quite as upbeat.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Broncos- Brandon Marshall
NFL insider Adam Schefter writes on his Twitter page that the Broncos are willing to listen to offers for Brandon Marshall.

The Broncos "won't make them, but will take them," Schefter says, adding that he believes the club would part with its top receiver for a first-round pick. Denver already traded its 2010 top pick to move up in the second round of this year's draft for CB Alphonso Smith. Marshall is a holdout risk as he recovers from hip surgery, wants a new contract, and has demanded a trade.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Browns- Willie McGinest
Free agent Willie McGinest wants to return to the Patriots, but there have been no formal talks between the two sides.

The Patriots may not want McGinest back at this point in his career. He'll probably garner interest from some teams later in the summer, but for now the Patriots don't seem interested.

Source: Boston.com

Rams- Keith Null
Rookie QB Keith Null will get "plenty of opportunities" to nail down the third quarterback job.

Null reportedly displayed a decent arm at minicamp and will need to pick up the offense in training camp to lock up the job.

Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch

Titans- LenDale White
LenDale White says he's going to keep the weight off over the next few weeks by working out in Denver with his Uncle and his cousin, Chauncey Billups.

White weighed in at a slim 229 pounds last week, but he's been known to balloon up during down time. The former USC bruiser guaranteed that he won't return for training camp over 230 pounds. Jeff Fisher is happy with his attitude and made no mention of White's weight loss causing him to lose power. We'll see if it affects his goal-line abilities as he scored 15 touchdowns last season.

Source: Nashville Tennessean

Jets- Brett Favre
A league spokesman denies speculation that the NFL has already approved the mass production of Brett Favre Vikings jerseys.

"We wait until there is a player contract that has been approved," Brian McCarthy said. "Nothing has transpired from here." Reebok is believed to have produced screens of the No. 4 jerseys, but they could be destroyed if Favre doesn't end up with the Vikings. He's almost certain to, though, and the merchandise could threaten the single-season record for jersey sales.

Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press

Dolphins- Vontae Davis
Vontae Davis was cleared Thursday of a traffic charge stemming from a June incident that is thought to have been a case of mistaken identity.

Prosecutors confirmed that someone used Davis' ID when police arrested the person for "unnecessary vehicular noise" and driving with an invalid license on June 9. Police have not since found the actual criminal.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Falcons- Michael Vick
Though Michael Vick officially submitted a revised bankruptcy plan on Thursday, the judge has yet to rule on the proposal.

A judge rejected Vick's original plan back in April, but this one is believed to have a better chance of being accepted. The plan ensures that creditors will receive money even if Vick's NFL career remains in jeopardy.

Source: Associated Press

Browns- Phil Dawson
Based on what he's hearing, NFL insider Adam Schefter predicts that Phil Dawson will not kick for the Browns this season.

Pushing for a new contract, Dawson has been skipping voluntary workouts all offseason. With no resolution in sight, Schefter expects to see a "standoff" between the two sides later this summer. The Browns signed rookie free agent kicker Parker Douglass but could eventually turn to an available veteran such as Matt Stover or John Carney.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Bills- Jairus Byrd
Chris Brown of buffalobills.com believes rookie Jairus Byrd "has a legitimate chance" to start at free safety this season.

Even if Byrd doesn't win the starting job by Week 1, he'll have the opportunity to unseat Ko Simpson during the season. The Bills are looking for a true playmaking centerfielder, and Byrd racked up 17 interceptions and 53 pass breakups in three years at Oregon.

Source: buffalobills.com

Dolphins- Jason Taylor
A Virgin Islands jury has awarded Jason Taylor and two partners $1.5 million in a botched sale of a private island.

The jury determined that the seller was in breach of contract for the 158-acre island, so Taylor will receive his share of the deposit plus expenses. And they say fans can no longer identify with the lives of superstar athletes?

Source: Associated Press

Redskins- Jason Campbell
Redskins GM Vinny Cerrato emphasized that it's "yet to be determined" if Jason Campbell can be a franchise quarterback.

"We hope he can play 16 games like he played the first eight last year. Consistency throughout," said Cerrato. The team's offseason actions -- flirting with Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez while refusing to extend Campbell's contract -- clearly indicate a lack of faith in Campbell as the long-term answer.

Source: NFL.com

Colts- Marvin Harrison
Talent evaluators around the league are reportedly rating free agents Amani Toomer and Joe Horn higher than Marvin Harrison.

According to NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora, there is widespread belief that Marvin "may be done." Toomer is reported to be high on several teams "emergency lists," but we have a hard time believing Horn is actually garnering any interest, much less a greater share than Harrison.

Source: profootballtalk on nbcsports.com

Titans- Jared Cook
Titans agreed to terms with third-round TE Jared Cook on a four-year contract. The deal includes a signing bonus of close to $700,000.

Cook made the biggest impression among Titans rookies during OTAs. Though he's a potential mismatch for opposing defenses, he's currently just third on the depth chart. With Bo Scaife a free agent after the season, though, Cook could easily lay claim to being the most valuable tight end prospect in Dynasty leagues.

Source: Nashville Tennessean

Rams- Chris Draft
Chris Draft recently revealed that he's currently running as the Rams' starting middle linebacker.

Larry Grant and David Vobora are competing for the strong-side job, with rookie James Laurinaitis backing up Draft. We expect Laurinaitis to unseat Draft in training camp, pushing the veteran into a reserve role.

Source: Ross Tucker on Twitter

Bills- Trent Edwards
Chris Brown of Buffalobills.com believes the Bills will use the no-huddle offense 50 percent of the time "at best."

It's still a higher estimate than we originally expected. Much will depend on opponent and the Bills defense's ability to create turnovers and 3-and-outs to ensure adequate rest. Even if the team does use a 50/50 split, it still has plenty of potential to boost the fantasy numbers of Trent Edwards, Terrell Owens and Lee Evans.

Source: buffalobills.com

Chiefs- Matt Cassel
Beat writer Kent Babb observed that the Chiefs didn't practice many plays out of the spread formation in OTAs.

Babb also noted that the offensive braintrust prefers "to at least enter the season using Cassel in a Pro Style, drop-back look." While the Chiefs figure to run plenty of multiple receiver sets, it's worth a reminder that the shotgun was responsible for much of Cassel's 2008 success. He's going to be a risky fantasy pick if he remains under center where he has trouble reading the pass rush.

Source: Kansas City Star

Gary Kubiak Likes What He Sees

"The five-week period in which Texans coaches can work with players on the practice field ended Wednesday with the last day of minicamp.

Owner Bob McNair, general manager Rick Smith and coach Gary Kubiak left the Methodist Training Center knowing they have more talent than at any time in the team's eight-year history.

They also know fans have playoffs-or-bust expectations.

"The playoffs are why I came here," Kubiak said. "It's why I do what I do.

"We have high expectations. We're a better team than any time since I've been here. We're not going to be satisfied with another (8-8 record). I want more, a lot more. The players do, too.

"I'm looking forward to the journey because I like the guys I'm taking it with. We have tremendous character on this team."

When the Texans report for training camp July 30, their goals are to reduce turnovers and improve the red-zone offense and in all areas of defense. They've been 12-4 at home and 4-12 on the road over the last two years.

"The biggest progress we made last year was on offense (third in yards, 17th in scoring), but we still need to get better," Kubiak said. "This season, we have to get our defense caught up with our offense."

The Texans will have at least two new starters on defense in left end Antonio Smith and strong-side linebacker Brian Cushing, their first-round draft choice out of USC.

Cushing to start

"Rookies have to be big contributors to our team, but I don't imagine you're going to see three or four of them starting because we're a better team," Kubiak said. "Cushing has been a starter since the day he stepped off the bus. We're very happy with him.

"The (offseason program) went very well. The team's attitude is very positive. The young guys got more work than they ever have, and they made a lot of progress.

"The players worked real hard in the weight room. The leaders have taken charge. We have some great competition. I have to make sure, as a coach, that we get the reps evened out because we're going to have some tough decisions to make.""

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