Eagles Pick Up Option On Michael Vick
(3/9 4:12 PT)
The Facts:
Following up on an ongoing story. ... Vick is getting one more big check from the Philadelphia Eagles. The one after that still could be from a new team. A person with knowledge of the contract said the Eagles will pay Vick a $1.5 million roster bonus due Tuesday.Reported by the Associated Press
Diehards Line:
As AP sports writer Rob Maaddi notes, paying Vick the bonus doesn’t preclude Philadelphia from trading the former Pro Bowl QB. Vick is under contract for $5.2 million this year. The Eagles are buying themselves more time — and possibly a draft pick — by giving Vick the bonus. The alternative was to release him and not get anything in return. The Eagles already have Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb, and Vick has stated he’d prefer to go somewhere he can be a starter. HC Andy Reid has repeatedly said he isn’t opposed to keeping all three QBs.
The Facts:
Following up on an ongoing story. ... Vick is getting one more big check from the Philadelphia Eagles. The one after that still could be from a new team. A person with knowledge of the contract said the Eagles will pay Vick a $1.5 million roster bonus due Tuesday.Reported by the Associated Press
Diehards Line:
As AP sports writer Rob Maaddi notes, paying Vick the bonus doesn’t preclude Philadelphia from trading the former Pro Bowl QB. Vick is under contract for $5.2 million this year. The Eagles are buying themselves more time — and possibly a draft pick — by giving Vick the bonus. The alternative was to release him and not get anything in return. The Eagles already have Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb, and Vick has stated he’d prefer to go somewhere he can be a starter. HC Andy Reid has repeatedly said he isn’t opposed to keeping all three QBs. Click for More Views Profile
The Facts:
Jones said he was released Tuesday afternoon, ending his brief stint with the Bears. With the signing of Chester Taylor to be a co-starter with Matt Forte, the backfield was a bit crowded anyhow. "I'm just thankful for the opportunity the Bears gave me here," Jones told the Tribune.Reported by the Chicago Tribune
Diehards Line:
Jones signed with the Bears prior to the 2008 season after being released by the Lions. After rushing for 109 yards on 34 carries in his first year, Jones missed all of 2009 after tearing ligaments in his left ankle in the exhibition finale against the Browns. The Bears still have Garrett Wolfe and Kahlil Bell on the roster behind Forte and Taylor. Veteran Adrian Peterson is not expected back. Click for More Views Profile
The Facts:
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, Jones has agreed to terms with the Chiefs: two years, $5 million. Reported by FootballDiehards.com
Diehards Line:
Per Schefter, Jones' deal is for $3 million this year, $2 million next year and another $500,000 in incentives. ... The Chiefs need a proven running back to take some of the load off Jamaal Charles. Jones seems like he's ideally suited to handling that role. ... We'll have more on the potential division of duties in coming days. Stay tuned. Click for More Views Profile
The Facts:
Tomlinson will visit with the Vikings on Thursday, a league source said.Reported by SI.com
Diehards Line:
This will be the first visit for Tomlinson since being cut by San Diego. He recently said he has no problem sharing the backfield and believes he could be a positive mentor for a young back -- perhaps even a young superstar with a fumbling problem. In addition to being a solid receiver -- LT has at least 50 catches in eight different seasons -- capable of replacing third-down specialist Chester Taylor, SI.com's Jim Trotter notes that Tomlinson also is a sure-handed ball-carrier, which is attractive to the Vikings because Adrian Peterson lost six fumbles in 314 carries last season. Tomlinson has lost only seven fumbles in his last 2,541 carries. ... Stay tuned. Click for More Views Profile
The Facts:
The Cleveland Browns released Anderson. He was due a $2 million roster bonus on March 19.Reported by FootballDiehards.com
Diehards Line:
As Scout.com's John Taylor notes, Anderson's release hardly counts as a surprise, given a decline in his performance since his remarkable 2007 season, and the roster bonus due in the next week. The Browns had been assumed to be attempting to renegotiate Anderson's contract with the hopes of dealing him to another NFL club. The Cardinals had been rumored to have an interest in Anderson's services. Click for More Views Profile
Diehards Line:
As Giants VP of Communications Pat Hanlon announced via Twitter: "Manning to Manning... Peyton's backup of 6 yrs, Sorgi, will compete with Rhett Bomar for same role behind Eli. ..." Given Sorgi's experience as the elder Manning's backup, it's safe to consider him the favorite to handle the same role behind Eli this year. Click for More Views Profile
The Facts:
Following up on the ongoing story. ... A high-profile defense attorney hired by Roethlisberger on Monday disputed a college student’s claim that the two-time Super Bowl winner sexually assaulted her at a Georgia nightclub. “The facts show that there was no criminal activity. No sexual assault occurred,” attorney Ed Garland said in a statement Monday. “Ben is completely innocent of any crime.”Reported by the Associated Press
Diehards Line:
The 20-year-old told police Roethlisberger, who had been out barhopping with friends, assaulted her early Friday. Roethlisberger has not been charged. Local authorities said at a press conference that they expect to interview Roethlisberger in the next several days. “The investigation is ongoing. It would be premature to make any announcement at this time,” said Fred Bright, district attorney for the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit. “When the facts are in and a decision is made, we will let you know. ...” Stay tuned. More to come. Click for More Views Profile
The Facts:
Although nothing is imminent, the Vikings appear to have interest in signing Tomlinson to replace Chester Taylor, who left the Vikings after four seasons on Friday to sign with the Chicago Bears.Reported by the Minneapolis Star Tribune
Diehards Line:
This according to Star-Tribune staffer Judd Zulgad, who went on to suggest Tomlinson would be the primary candidate to work behind Adrian Peterson as the third-down back, although his blocking skills aren't believed to be on par with Taylor's. ... While LT has made it clear he still views himself as a primary back, the Vikings would at least offer him a title shot. Click for More Views Profile
The Facts:
It was reported earlier today that WR Antonio Bryant will visit the Bengals on Tuesday. He won't be alone. Receiver Terrell Owens is visiting the Bengals, too, a league source has confirmed.Reported by Profootballtalk.com
Diehards Line:
The Bengals, with an obvious need at the position, are clearly open to exploring all possibilities. As PFT's Mike Florio notes, Chad Ochocinco has been actively lobbying the Bengals to sign Owens and QB Carson Palmer recently expressed approval of such a move, too. ... Stay tuned. Click for More Views Profile
The Facts:
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, Seattle traded Wallace to the Cleveland Browns. Compensation hasn't been announced.Reported by FootballDiehards.com
Diehards Line:
Wallace will be reunited with former Seahawks honcho and current Browns president Mike Holmgren in Cleveland. As Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio notes, the move means that one of the two top QBs on Cleveland's 2009 depth chart -- Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson -- undoubtedly will be gone in fairly short order with Wallace likely to serve as the backup. Florio further suggests that Wallace provides an intriguing Wildcat option, especially with Josh Cribbs on the team. Click for More Views Profile
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The Facts:
Following up on an ongoing story. ... Vick is getting one more big check from the Philadelphia Eagles. The one after that still could be from a new team. A person with knowledge of the contract said the Eagles will pay Vick a $1.5 million roster bonus due Tuesday. 
