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NFL Free Agency & Trading Updates - 3/7
Cowboys Release Terrell Owens & Roy Williams

Photo - QB Matt Cassel
Free Agency Newsletter - Available Now

ARIZONA - DB Keith Lewis
BALTIMORE - CB Domonique Foxworth (Atlanta) and OC Matt Birk (Minnesota)
BUFFALO - QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Cincinnati) and CB Drayton Florence (Jacksonville)
CHICAGO - OT Frank Omiyale (Carolina)
CINCINNATI - S Chris Crocker, WR Laveranues Coles (Jets) and QB J.T. O'Sullivan (San Fran)
CLEVELAND - TE Robert Royal (Buffalo) and DT C.J. Mosley (Jets)
DALLAS - LB Keith Brooking (Atlanta), LB Matt Steward (Arizona) and DE Igor Olshansky (San Diego)
(Trade for QB Jon Kitna for CB Anthony Henry)
DENVER - S Brian Dawkins (Phil), RB Correl Buckhalter (Philadelphia), RB JJ Arrington (Arizona), WR Jabar Gaffney (New England), S Renaldo Hill (Miami); LS Lonie Paxton (New England), DT Darrell Reid (Indianapolis), LB Andra Davis (Cleveland), DT Ronald Fields (San Fran), CB Andre Goodman (Miami), Lamont Jordan (New England) and QB Chris Simms (Tennessee)
DETROIT - RB Maurice Morris (Seattle), WR Bryant Johnson (49ers), DT Grady Jackson (Atlanta) and CB Philip Buchanon (Tampa Bay)
HOUSTON - DE Antonio Smith (Arizona), DB Eugene Wilson (New England) and QB Dan Orlovsky (Detroit)
JACKSONVILLE - S Sean Considine (Philadelphia)
KANSAS CITY - QB Matt Cassel and LB Mike Vrabel (Trade - New England for a #2 pick in '09 draft)
MIAMI - C Joe Berger (Dallas), DB Gibril Wilson (Oakland) and OL Jake Grove (Oakland)
MINNESOTA - QB Sage Rosenfels (Trade - Houston)
NEW ENGLAND - TE Chris Baker (Jets), LS Lonie Paxton (Denver) and RB Fred Taylor (Jacksonville)
NEW ORLEANS - CB Jabari Greer (Buffalo) and FB Heath Evans (New England)
NY GIANTS - LB Michael Boley (Atlanta), DT Rocky Bernard (Seattle), DE Chris Canty (Dallas) and safety C.C. Brown (Houston)
NY JETS - LB Bart Scott (Baltimore)and S Jim Leonhard (Baltimore) - Trade CB Lito Sheppard (Eagles) for 2 future draft choices
PHILADELPHIA - OT Stacy Andrews (Cincinnati), CB Shawn Springs (Washington) and safety Sean Jones (Cleveland)
SAN FRANCISCO - WR Brandon Jones (Tennessee) and FB Moran Norris (Detroit)
ST. LOUIS - C Jason Brown (Baltimore)
SEATTLE - WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Cincinnati), DT Colin Cole (Green Bay) and TE John Owens (Detroit)
TAMPA BAY - TE Kellen Winslow (Trade - Cleveland - 2 draft picks), RB Derrick Ward (Giants) and PK Mike Nugent (Jets)
TENNESSEE - WR Nate Washington (Pittsburgh) and DL Jovan Haye (Tampa)
WASHINGTON - DT Albert Haynesworth (Tennessee) and OG Derrick Dockery (Buffalo)

Check Back Here for daily updated NFL Free Agency Tracker

Teams Set Franchise Labels Record

Photo - DE Julius Peppers - Panthers

The deadline came for NFL clubs to designate their Franchise tags and this year a record number of clubs used the labels to protect their interest on highly regarded players. The deadline closed with 14 NFL clubs using their Franchise labels with one team, the Ravens using the Exclusive Franchise tag on LB Terrell Suggs. The label gives the Ravens an exclusive tag that means Suggs is not free to negotiate with other NFL team.

The Carolina Panthers used their franchise tag on DE Julius Peppers that guarantees him a 1 year, $16.7 million contract. No other NFL team can sign him without giving up two 1st-round draft picks to the Panthers. Peppers has stated that if the Panthers used the Franchise label on him that he would request a trade. The trading period opens next Friday on February 27 and runs till mid October 2009.

Franchise Labels - NFL Record 14 Teams
x - resigned
y - Exclusive Franchise tag - only current club can negotiate

Franchised Players
x - QB Matt Cassel - Patriots
RB Brandon Jacobs - Giants
RB Darren Sproles - Chargers
WR Antonio Bryant - Bucs
TE Bo Scaife - Titans
OT Max Starks - Steelers

DE Julius Peppers - Panthers
y- LB Terell Suggs - Ravens
LB Karlos Dansby - Cardinals
LB Leroy Hill - Seahawks
CB Dunta Robinson - Texans
FS Oshiomogho Atogwe - Rams
PK Shane Graham - Bengals
P Michael Koenen - Falcons

NFL Combine 2009 - Invitation List
Feb 18-24, 2009 - Indianapolis, In.

Photo - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
NFL Combine workout Feb '08

Over three hundred of the very best college football players have been invited to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The pro prospects hope to be this years Joe Flacco or Dominique Rodgers Cromartie both of whom had impressive workouts at the NFL Combine last February and went on to be #1 selections in April in the NFL Draft 2008.
The NFL Scouting Combine this year will be held February 18-24, 2009. Top pro executives, coaching staffs, Player personnel departments and medical personnel from all 32 NFL teams will be on hand to evaluate the nation's top college football players eligible for the upcoming NFL Draft. This intense, 4 day job interview is an exciting time for the athletes and a vital step in achieving their dreams of playing in the NFL.
The NFL Combine is open to college seniors, to underclassmen who have declared for the Draft ‘09 and to those who are not playing collegiate football if they are three years removed from high school and in what would be their natural draft year. Participants are chosen by a selection committee comprised of the directors of the National and Blesto scouting services that represent many NFL teams and members of NFL player personnel departments. The annual NFL Combine '09 event will include daily workouts in front of NFL coaches, scouts and front-office personnel with at 300+ players competing in athletic drills, tests and interviews. Many will not workout due to injuries or later workouts scheduled at their respective schools. The '09 pro prospects will be timed and measure on overall ability, strength, speed, agility, endurance and intelligence in preparation for the upcoming NFL Draft '09 on April 25-26. This list is a dynamic ranking that can add and subtract players accordingly over the next few weeks. Draft Insiders.com will keep you updated on changes as they occur over the next few weeks. Below is a list of players invited to the NFL Combine '09 by position. We included newly invited underclassmen. There could be a few late additions due to omissions, injuries and players opting not to attend the event.

For more updates and info on the NFL Scouting Combine check back at www.draftinsiders.com

Complete NFL Combine List Report - Available Now for Full Subscribers

NFL Combine 2009 Invitees
Listed by Position - * Underclassmen
Player - School - Position

Quarterbacks (21)
BOMAR, RHETT - SAM HOUSTON ST - QB
BOLTUS, JASON - HARTWICK - QB
BRANDSTATER, THOMAS - FRESNO ST - QB
BROWN, NATHAN - CENT ARKANSAS - QB
CANTWELL, HUNTER - LOUISVILLE - QB
CARPENTER, RUDY - ARIZONA ST - QB
DANIEL, CHASE - MISSOURI - QB
DAVIS, NATE* - BALL ST - QB
FREEMAN, JOSH* - KANSAS ST - QB
HARPER, CULLEN - CLEMSON - QB
HARRELL, GRAHAM - TEXAS TECH - QB
HOLBROOK, CHASE - NEW MEXICO ST - QB
HOYER, BRIAN - MICHIGAN ST - QB
MCGEE, STEPHEN - TEXAS A&M - QB
PAINTER, CURTIS - PURDUE - QB
REILLY, MICHAEL - CENT WASHINGTON - QB
SANCHEZ, MARK* - SOUTHERN CAL - QB
STAFFORD, MATTHEW* - GEORGIA - QB
WHITE, PATRICK - WEST VIRGINIA - QB
WILLY, DREW - BUFFALO - QB
WILSON, JOHN PARKER - ALABAMA - QB

Running Backs (26)
BELL, KAHLIL - UCLA - OH
BROWN, ANDRE - NORTH CAROLINA ST - OH
BROWN, DONALD* - CONNECTICUT - OH
COFFEE, GLEN* - ALABAMA - OH
DAVIS, JAMES - CLEMSON - OH
FOSTER, ARIAN - TENNESSEE - OH
GOODSON, MIKE* - TEXAS A&M - OH
GREENE, SHONN* - IOWA - OH
HILL, P.J.* - WISCONSIN - OH
JENNINGS, RASHAD - LIBERTY - OH
JOHNSON, GARTRELL - COLORADO ST - OH
JOHNSON, IAN - BOISE ST - OH
JOHNSON, JEREMIAH - OREGON - OH
KIMBLE, ANTHONY - STANFORD - OH
LUCKY, MARLON - NEBRASKA - OH
MCCOY, LESEAN* - PITTSBURGH - OH
MORENO, KNOWSHON* - GEORGIA - OH
OGBONNAYA, CHRIS - TEXAS - OH
ORE, BRANDEN - WEST LIBERTY ST - OH
PEERMAN, CEDRIC - VIRGINIA - OH
RINGER, JAVON - MICHIGAN ST - OH
SCOTT, BERNARD - ABILENE CHRISTIAN - OH
SHEETS, KORY - PURDUE - OH
SUTTON, TYRELL - NORTHWESTERN - OH
WELLS, CHRIS* - OHIO ST - OH
WILLIAMS, JAVARRIS - TENNESSEE ST - OH

Complete NFL Combine List Report - FREE for Full Subscribers

EL PASO, TEXAS -
2009 Texas vs Nation All Star Classic

Pro Prospects to Watch

Photo - TE Ryan Purvis - Boston College

The Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge completes the postseason football action for pro prospects for the NFL Draft 2009. This All-star contest has invited a good roster of pro prospects from all levels of play. It is the final football action for prospects to impress NFL scouts before the workout stage of the evaluation begins in February thru April. The All-Star Bowl is scheduled for January 31, 2009 at the Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, TX. Kick-off is set for 1pm MST on CBS Sports.

QB Curtis Painter - Purdue - 6'3" 222 lbs .
Experienced three year starter gets a chance to continue the strong finish of his career. After dealing with some injury problems and erratic play earlier in the '08 season, he displayed the accuracy and arm strength to rank as the highest rated passing in this game. A strong performance here and he could be one of the top senior QBs off the board in April.

RB Devin Moore - Wyoming - 5'9" 191 lbs.
Small compact tailback is a very elusive runner who is a threat in the open field. He can put together a number of moves with the burst to create room and make a big play. As a receiver, he shows fine hands and great quickness that makes him difficult in matchups vs linebackers or safeties. He has an interesting skill set to fill a number of roles including the return game.

TE Ryan Purvis - Boston College - 6'4" 255 lbs.
Tough hard noised prospect combines good blocking skills with reliable hands to be a fine addition for a pro offense. He is a blue collar player with well rounded skills, though only adequate speed for the position.

WR Dominique Edison - Stephen F. Austin - 6'2" 199 lbs
Fast small college receiver is one of the interesting prospects in this game. He has sub-4.4 speed, fine size and displays the burst to get deep with excellent hands to make the big play. He heads a strong group of small college prospects including two receivers - Gardner Webb's Dobson Collins and Abilene Christian's Johnny Knox.

Defensive Players

DE Pierre Walters - Eastern Illinois - 6'4" 269 lbs.
Quick small college defender displays flashed good pass rushing skills off the edge displaying good hand useage and strength at the point of attack. He may be only a situational defender early as a pro but a good developmental project as a pass rusher. He displays good speed on the snap with quick footwork to pressure the pass both with inside and outside moves.

DT Nader Abdallah - Ohio St.- 6'3" 295 lbs.
Strong tackle flashed dominant skills over the week's practices. He shows well developed technique with the power and agility to make plays between the tackles. He is a good technician that probably earns him a late selection if he shows production in this game and tests out well in the workouts.

OLB Lee Robinson - Alcorn St. - 6'2" 249 lbs.
Strong small college backer combines the prototypical physical skills to play at the next level. He is strong with the technique to stack on the inside and the mobility to get to the edge and make tackles. He looks to shine in this game and could be the highest drafted prospects with an impressive game performance.

CB Chris Owens - San Jose St. - 5'10" 182 lbs.
Quick smallish corner hopes to elevate his stock with a strong game performance. He played opposite Coye Francois who is one of the fastest rising prospects on most scouts rankings. Owens displays good ball skills some playmaking ability, fluid hips and quick reactions to make a name for himself in this contest.

For a Complete Texas vs the Nation Report - Feb. Newsletter - Order Today

Frank Coyle has been a scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl All-star game for the past 15 years, in addition to other All-Star classics.

84th East-West Shrine All-Star Week

Photo - OT Jamon Meredith - South Carolina

Football's Finest Hour Returns to the Bayou City

The 84th East-West Shrine Game is scheduled for Jan. 17 at the University of Houston's Robertson Stadium. The week long practice sessions has begun before hundreds of NFL personnel men and college scouts. This classic has been one of the premier postseason events for NFL pro prospects with 44 participants from last year's event being drafted in the NFL Draft 2008. Football and philanthropy are at the center of the 84th Annual East-West Shrine Game, which is set for Saturday on ESPN 2 at 4 pm in Houston, Texas.
Two storied former NFL and college coaches, Bobby Ross and Gene Stallings, will be leading college football's finest at the annual Shrine Game which has been oe of the classic postseason contests. Draft Insiders will have extensive coverage of the Shrine week and game in the January newsletter out early next week.

Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award etc. He has been a scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl All-star game for the past 15 years, in addition to annually consulting other All-Star classics. He is also a voter for the Super 16 College Team Polls throughout the season that will present Grantland Rice award to the national champion in January 2009. He is also a voter for All-American teams at the conclusion of each season.

Draft Insiders' NFL 2008 Season Awards
Photo - QB Peyton Manning - Colts

Award Winners

MVP - QB Peyton Manning- Indianapolis Colts

Offensive Player of the Year -
RB Adrian Peterson- Minnesota Vikings
Defensive Player of the Year -
LB James Harrison - Pittsburgh Steelers

Coach of the Year -
Tony Sparano- Miami Dolphins
Runner Up Coach - John Harbaugh- Baltimore Ravens

Executive General Manager of the Year - Jerry Reese - NY. Giants
Runner Up - General Manager - Jeff Ireland - Miami Dolphins

College Scouting Director of the Year - Eric DeCosta - Baltimore Ravens
Runner Up - College Scouting Director - Dale Strahm - Houston Texans

Best Free Agent Signing - RB Michael Turner - Atlanta Falcons
Worst Free Agent Signing - WR Jerry Porter - Jacksonville Jaguars

Matt Ryan Heads Strong 2008 All- Rookie Team
Photo - QB Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons

Draft Insiders.com named its annual All-Rookie team today week after an outstanding '08 season performance by many first year players. Atlanta's QB Matt Ryan is our Rookie Player of the Year after leading the lowly Falcons to the playoffs after completing a disastrous '07 season. Ryan has been a major rookie impact performer during the Falcons incredible turnaround '08 season. Ryan was our #1 pro prospect from August 2007 and never moved off the top spot in our NFL Draft '08 ratings. He has had an exceptional first season especially for a QB where most young passers sit several seasons or pay a high price for their dues during their NFL Baptism. Ryan beat out fellow rookie QB Joe Flacco who has had an excellent rookie campaign for the Baltimore Ravens. Flacco was a prospect we scouted extensively at Delaware over the 2007 college season and a prospect we recommended to the Senior Bowl committee in October 2007. Ryan earned our Player of the Year award by beating out one of the most outstanding groups of rookie running backs that may be the watershed first year class for the position of years to come. Three rookie runners, Matt Forte of Chicago, Chris Johnson of Tennessee and Steve Slaton of Houston have already surpassed the 1000 yard rushing mark with one game remaining in a terrific group of first year feature backs. This is only the third time in NFL history that has happened with the first time during the '95 season. Rookie backs Kevin Smith of Detroit and Jonathan Stewart of Carolina can also reach the 1000 yard mark with big final performances this weekend. Other rookie backs like Ray Rice, Tim Hightower, Felix Jones and Darren McFadden have had their moments over their inaugural '08 season and make this not only a special talented group of runners but maybe the deepest class of first year backs in league history. Only time will tell about that statement, but this class of rookie backs has certainly had a major impact on the NFL 2008 season and most likely for seasons to come.

Draft Insiders' All- Rookie Team 2008
Player - Team - Round in NFL Draft 2008
QB Matt Ryan - Atlanta - 1
QB Joe Flacco - Baltimore - 1
RB Matt Forte - Chicago - 2
RB Chris Johnson - Tennessee - 1
RB Steve Slaton - Houston - 3
RB Kevin Smith - Detroit - 3
RB Jonathan Stewart - Carolina - 1
FB Peyton Hillis - Denver - 7
WR Eddie Royal - Denver - 2
WR DeSean Jackson - Philadelphia - 2
WR Donnie Avery - St. Louis - 2
WR Josh Morgan - San Francisco - 6
TE John Carlson - Seattle - 2
TE Dustin Keller - NY Jets - 1
TE Martellus Bennett - Dallas - 2
OL Jake Long - Miami - 1
OL Jeff Otah - Carolina - 1
OL Ryan Clady - Denver - 1
OL Duane Brown - Houston - 1
OL Branden Albert - Kansas City - 1
OL Carl Nicks - New Orleans - 5
OL Mike Pollak - Indianapolis - 2
OL Jeremy Zuttah - Tampa - 3

Return Specialist - Leodis McKelvin - Buffalo - 1
Placekicker - Dan Carpenter - Miami - FA

Rookie Offensive Player of the Year - QB Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons