TE Olsen feels like wearing Bears jersey for longer

As there have been doubts that he could be replaced since the Chicago Bears brought in tight end Brandon Manumaleuna on the first day of free agency, tight end Greg Olson, however, said that he is not unhappy with the team’s decision at all and has made it clear that he would only like to wear the Bears jersey in the new season.

“So far I have a great feeling about my role this year,” Olsen said on his Twitter page. “I have no desire to play anywhere but in Chicago.”

Leading the team with 60 catches and eight touchdowns last season, Olson proved that he is good blocking tight end. But that could not work with new coordinator Mike Martz, who traditionally doesn’t emphasize the tight end in the passing game on his offense line and there has been no tight end able to catch more than 38 passes in a season in Mart’s scheme. So, after the Bears signed Manumaleuna, a lot of people have been wondering Olsen could be another replaceable tight end under Martz’ ruling.

However, Olsen is just confident that he will remain as an important role and he is ready to compete with any other pass-catching tight ends. Well, wish him good chance.

Colts plan to start contract talk with Manning after draft

The Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay recently told reporters that the team is planning to start negotiations on a new contract with star quarterback Peyton Manning after the draft, with the purpose to make Manning the highest-paid quarterback in the league.

"We know Peyton’s going to be paid, along with (New England quarterback Tom) Brady, at the top of the league," Irsay said. "But it’s really important to make sure we get a deal that for the next four, five, six years works for the franchise."

Manning had surgery March 2 to relieve pain in his neck and he is expected to wear back his No. 18 Colts jersey in time to participate fully in the team’s offseason program that begins on April 12. Besides, safety Bob Sanders and wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez are also expected to return from injury in time for training camp.

Free agent WR Marshall may join Seahawks

According to the Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, the team’s general manager John Schneider has been negotiating with the Denver Broncos restricted free agent wide receiver Brandon Marshall about a possible deal.

"There has been some talk," Carroll said today at the NFL owners meetings, per the Denver Post. "John has handled that so far. But it’s very preliminary."

Negotiating a contract is the first step in creating some action for Marshall, who has already visited the Seahawks. Since a negotiation is still going on, it’s likely that a trade will be worked out between the Seahawks and the Broncos. Putting on the Seahawks jerseys may give Marshall a new chance to prove his value as a star running back.

Former Bucs punter Bidwell joined Redskins

With hope to have a final solution to the team’s instability at punter spot, the Washington Redskins signed 34-year old free agent Josh Bidwell on Tuesday, making him the only punter on the team’s current roster and the seventh punter the team has used over the past two years.

Putting on the Green Bay Packers jersey in 1999 as a fourth-round pick, Bidwell spent four seasons in Green Bay from 1999 to 2003 but missed entire of his first season because of testicular cancer. Joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004 and spending all the last six years there, he again missed a whole season last season after having surgery on his right hip. His best season was in 2005 when he was selected to the Pro Bowl.

With a career average of 42.8 yards, Bidwell is expected to end the Redskins’ changes in punters. In last season only, the Redskins used four different punters as the first one: Hunter Smith missed three games because of leg injuries. Sam Paulescu, Glenn Pakulak and kicker Shaun Suisham each had a chance to fill in but none of them offered satisfying performance.

Another NFL player was arrested for DUI

This time it was the Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown, who was stopped by officer late Friday while driving to his hometown outside of Atlanta and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

According to the Miami Herald reports, Brown was pulled over because he was making a lane change without using his blinker. Then he was arrested and stayed in jail overnight before being released early Saturday morning. The team has not made any comment on the arrest except for saying that they were aware of the situation.

The 28-year-old Brown has spent all of the past five seasons with the Dolphins but only finished one season in 2008. Last season he missed seven games after suffering a season-ending Lisfranc injury and became a restricted free agent earlier this offseason, however, he is still expected to wear back the Dolphins jersey for the 2010 season as the team has offered him a first-round tender.

Jets will save first-round pick for other positions than CB

Having traded for Antonio Cromartie from the San Diego Chargers, the New York Jets now have a powerful support to starting cornerback Darrelle Revis and save a first-round pick that could give them a choice in filling in other positions from next month’s draft.

“We thought corner was an absolute must,” Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said on ESPN New York. “We felt that we had to improve that position. So Cromartie was the key to the offseason because, looking at our options, it was the Cromartie trade -– or it was the 29th pick in the draft. To get that out of the way, we really enhanced our draft because now we can say that whatever happens in the draft, we can take whoever we want. Move up, move down we can get what we want. Without Cromartie, at the 29th pick in the draft, we would have taken a corner.”

Previously, Tannenbaum believed his only other option to upgrade the cornerback position was to use the team’s first-round pick, 29th overall. Now he could use it to target wide receivers who can help quarterback Mark Sanchez improve the team’s passing game. That could be a good news to the Minnesota Vikings who hold the No. 30 pick and need help in the secondary. It’s been expected that Rutgers CB Devin McCourty will put on the purple NFL jersey to start his NFL career.

Seahawks signed offer sheet with Chargers RFA QB Whitehurst

According the NFL reports, the San Diego Chargers restricted free agent quarterback Charlie Whitehurst is likely to put on the Seattle Seahawks jersey with a two-year $10 million contract. Per the report, the Chargers may get draft picks, including a 2011 third-round selection through the trade with the Seahawks.

Whitehurst was the target of both the Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals, but the latter agreed to terms with former Cleveland Browns starting quarterback Derek Anderson on Wednesday, thus he signed the offer sheet with the Seahawks on the same day, making the trade near to be finalized.

For some reason, the four-year pro has just appeared in only two NFL regular-season games without throwing any pass. If the trade is going on well as it has been expected, Whitehurst is going to be a backup for Matt Hasselbeck after the Seahawks’ former No. 2 quarterback Seneca Wallace was traded to the Browns last week.

RB Tomlinson joined Jets with a two-year contract

The overtime visit to the New York indeed indicated something and has made it unsurprising when free agent running back LaDainian Tomlinson signed a two-year contract with the New York Jets. Thus the aging star found a new job while the Jets had another boost to their rushing offense that already ranks top in the NFL.

“He wanted to go to a team that he thought had a chance to compete for the championship,” Tomlinson’s agent, Tom Condon told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. “He wanted to go somewhere where he had a chance to have a significant role, and so with the Jets he also was going to be very familiar with the offensive system.”

The Jets made it to the AFC Championship game last season before ending the playoffs with a 17-30 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. With the potential to be a Super Bowl Champion indeed, the Jets attracted Tomlinson with their sincerity and efforts to go after him on free agent market despite his age. The 2006 NFL MVP is turning 31 years old and finished last season with career low production, but he still ranks eighth on the NFL’s career rushing list with 12,490 yards. If not a starter, Tomlinson would be a great backup to Jets’ second-year running back Shonn Greene after putting on Jets jersey.

Bengals DT Johnson will stay in Cincinnati for another four years

At the end of the old one-year contract, veteran defensive tackle Tank Johnson was happily given the chance to play for the Cincinnati Bengals for another four years. A four-year contract has been signed between the two sides.

Taking off the Dallas Cowboys jerseys, Johnson was traded to the Bengals before the 2009 season. Despite a case of plantar fasciitis in his right foot that limited his mobility and caused a lot of pain, he still managed to star 13 games last season and tied for the team lead with 10 tackles in a playoff loss to the New York Jets.

Finishing fourth overall in defense and seventh against run last season, the Bengals believe that one season for the improvement in their run defense was Johnson, who played an important part in the team’s line rotation.

A three-year contract brought free agent tackle Green to Bills

A night after free agent offensive tackle Cornell Green visited to the Buffalo Bills, he was convinced to sign a three-year contract with the team, becoming the free agent who was signed by the Bills since the free agency began on Friday.

The 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds Green said the team has offered him starting job at right tackle, making him the replacement to Brad Butler who retired last month. Green is believed to be able to fit in that position as he had been a starting right tackle in the Oakland Raiders jersey for the last three seasons.

“I’m glad to have an opportunity to play over here. There’s a proud history of tradition here,” said Green during a teleconference call shortly after signing his contract. “I had opportunities to visit a couple of more teams, but at the end of the day, man, Buffalo made me feel real comfortable.”

Green’s signing is considered a start for restructure of the team under rookie general manager Buddy Nix and new Coach Chan Gailey, who are determined to improve a team that was young and riddled with injuries last season.

Safety Clark visited Dolphins to look for new chance

Still on the open free agent market with freedom to choose a new team, safety Ryan Clark made his first visit since becoming a free agent on Sunday and the destination was the Miami Dolphins, who released safety Gibril Wilson on Friday after one disappointing season to both sides.

Clark has spent the past four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, helping them win the Super Bowl in 2009. Before putting on the Steelers jersey, he played two seasons with the Washington Redskins and the previous two with the New York Giants. During his eight-season career, the veteran has had totally 75 starts and eight interceptions. He made three interceptions for the Steelers last year, and one of it was made to seal a win over the Dolphins.

Before Clark’s visit, the Dolphins have already signed linebacker Karlos Dansby from the open market to bolster their defense. But I guess if affordable, they would not mind also having Clark, who is also the pursuit of seven other teams, on their defense.

Finally, it’s the Giants who obtained safety Rolle

The Pro Bowl safety Antrel Rolle will be in the New York Giants jersey for the 2010 season as he has signed a five-year, $37 million contract with the Giants on the first day of free agency, one day after he was released by the Arizona Cardinals, also made an offer to retain the safety but was refused.

“I’m ecstatic,” the 27-year-old Rolle said. “Words can’t really express how I feel now. I had five great years with the Cardinals organization. But I felt it was time for a change. The Giants are a first-class organization all the way. There are great opportunities for me, and I am excited to be working with the players I’ll be working with. I think the sky’s going to be the limit as to what we can do.”

Spending all of his first five seasons only with the Cardinals, Rolle has played in 68 regular season games with 59 starts with career totals of 337 tackles, 12 interceptions, 36 passes defended, three forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks. He has also returned four interceptions for touchdowns. His joining filled in time the Giants’ hole at the position after Kenny Phillips was placed on IR with a serious knee injury early last season.

Favre has not been ready for 2010 season

It’s been over mother since Brett Favre played the last game for the Minnesota Vikings, and yet he has not decided whether to wear back any team’s NFL jerseys for 2010 season, and does not expect to make any decision soon.

Appearing on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” on Thursday night, Favre made his first public comments since Minnesota’s bitter overtime loss in the NFC championship at New Orleans on Jan. 24, saying that he would like to enjoy the offseason and would not say anything anytime soon.

The former Green Bay Packer’s decision to play for his former bitter rival in Minnesota was unfathomable: it was unacceptable to Packers fans and he was not welcomed by Vikings fans, who had hated him for many years. However, Favre managed to have one of his best seasons ever and won over the majority of the Vikings fans. Remaining the NFL’s career leader in nearly every major passing category, the three-time league MVP quarterback brought 33 touchdowns and the lowest interception rate of his career to the Vikings. No wonder the Vikings have so much patience to wait for him to make decision although that could muddy their plans for the quarterback position.

Titans DE Bosch is ready to hit free agency

According to reports by the Tennessean, eight-year veteran defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch is getting prepared to join the free agent market on Friday with heavy demand, and there have been a few teams including the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles waiting.

Per the reports, the Pro Bowl defensive lineman could only wear back the Titans jersey for the 2010 season for one reason: none of the other teams’ offer meets his demands. The three-time Pro Bowl selection is determined to enjoy all the freedom as an unrestricted free agent.

There is little hope that the Titans could retain Vanden Bosch, who is a gritty technician playing with a relentless motor and is valued almost equal to Julius Peppers and Aaron Kampman. It would be not hard for him to find a new NFL team to play for in 2010 season.

Cardinals tender second round pick to TE Patrick

Although tight end Ben Patrick is not a important part in the Arizona Cardinals’ passing game, the team just does not want to lost too much if they have to give up the three-year veteran. Thus the Cardinals are planning to send the second round qualifying tender to him to before Thursday’s deadline.

Patrick played in nine games last season, making seven starts, and caught 12 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns. He’s considered a developing blocker and will give the Cardinals some continuity on offense as the team works to revamp the defense.

Putting on the Cardinals jersey as a seventh-round draft pick in 2007, Patrick is originally worth a higher-level tender. If not making proper offer in time, the Cardinals could have faced challenges from other teams looking to sign him away as a restricted free agent.

Cardinals have been ready for LT Gandy’s departure

Although the Arizona Cardinals may lose left tackle Mike Gandy as he may depart as a free agent, they will not have problem with offensive line at all. They have got prepared for Gandy’s departure because they still have right tackle Levi Brown on roster.

According to Cardinals Coach Ken Whisenhunt, Brown might be moved to left tackle if Gandy chooses to take off Cardinals jersey. Although their primary plan is keeping Brown on the right side because that his specialty is run blocking, they believe Brown could also do well on the left side if the club fails to retain Gandy with a reduced salary.

"I don’t think Levi really cares," Whisenhunt said via the team’s Web site. "The only thing he cares about is running the football because he likes getting on guys and mauling them."

Gandy is likely to leave because he is unwilling to stay with the Cardinals with cut salary. Making $5 million last season, he is expecting to get a great deal done as a free agent. As for the Cardinals, they use young tackles like Brandon Keith and Herman Johnson at right side if they have to move Brown to the left side.

Cardinals may finally trade WR Boldin out this offseason

Failing to deal wide receiver Anquan Boldin last offseason, the Arizona Cardinals seem determined to trade him this year, of course, with the best possible exchange. At least the team has made it clear that they want to trade Boldin with only question to be how much they can get in return.

"Our approach with Anquan is really the same as it was last year," Cardinals general manager Rod Graves said. "We will look at all the options and exploring and ultimately doing what is best for the team."

It would likely take multiple draft picks to land Boldin. But there have been already teams that are likely to acquire Boldin. The Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs are most likely and the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots are less likely.

What all these teams are worrying about before having Boldin put on their NFL jerseys is how much money the wide receiver will ask for after the 2010 season when he becomes a free agent. His current bargain is $3 million and is likely to raise it to $10 million on the open market.

Broncos WR Marshall testified for the murder of CB Williams

On Friday’s trial of Willie Clark, who was suspected to murder former Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams, Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall was present to testify. He recognized Clark to be one of the men he saw in a confrontation before the shooting but could not confirm he was the one who shot his former teammate to death.

Recalling the shooting on New Year’s Day, Marshall said he got a phone call from someone telling him what had happened and saw former teammate Javon Walker in a bloodstained shirt at a hospital, clutching a necklace that belonged to Williams. It has been reported that Williams’ death was the biggest reason for Brandon’s intension to take off Broncos jersey and leave for somewhere else. It’s possibly true considering his emotional manner on the trial.

The 26-year-old Clark is on trial for first-degree murder, 16 counts of attempted murder and other charges but maintains he is innocent and his defense attorneys argue he is a scapegoat as there is no direct evidence proving that he was the one who shot.

Jets to RB Jones: Salary cut or leave

Although the New York Jets running back Thomas Jones has had two consecutive excellent seasons for the team, the Jets just consider that the 32-year-old running back is expendable and tend to release him if he is unwilling to accept a salary cut.

To keep Jones in his Jets jersey without salary cut, the Jets will have to pay him a $3 million roster bonus next month and $2.8 million in base salary for his service in 2010 season. It’s expensive to the Jets, and they are likely to have negotiation with Jones’ agent Drew Rosenhaus about the deal before any decision is made.

Although finishing 2009 season with career high 1,402 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, Jones still becomes expendable to Jets as he is turning 32 year old and will possibly surpassed by younger backs. Without Jones, the Jets still have good choices in rookie back Shonn Greene who gave excellent performance in the playoffs and four-year veteran Leon Washington, who is expected to return from his leg injury for 2010 season.

According to the Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian, it is unlikely for the team to keep middle linebacker Gary Brackett in Colts jerseys by using the franchise tag although they hope to keep him on their roster. They could do something better before the March 5 deadline for free agency.

“We still have about 24 hours to decide what we want to do and we continue to talk,” Polian said. “I can’t tell you what we’ll do one way or the other. But as far as the franchise tag, I would think that we would not use that.”

The reason Polian offered for not using tag on Brackett was simply that they do not want to pay the nearly $9.7 million of tag amount. It’s just too much for the reigning AFC champion team, who are also going to work on a contract extension with four-time league MVP Peyton Manning. The Colts have said that they would make Manning the highest-paid quarterback in the league by offering him a contract extension. The extension has not been done because the team has to wait until the league officially announces there will be no salary cap next season.