Your New York Sports Blog

ESPN:
Three days after losing Gibril Wilson to the Oakland Raiders, the Giants found a veteran replacement at safety in Sammy Knight.

Knight is becoming the on-call replacement when a team needs a safety. He's with his fourth team in five years, but the big thing about his Giants deal is that he gets some long-term security. The 32-year-old safety agreed to a three-year, $5.15 million contract that includes $1.25 million to sign.

Bookmark this post:

ESPN:
The Jets and Bengals agreed to terms on a trade on Sunday that would send defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson to Cincinnati, but by Monday the deal was "on life support," according to a source close to the situation.The Jets were to receive the Bengals' fourth- and fifth-round picks (Nos. 114 and 151) in the upcoming draft, according to league sources. But sources say that Cincinnati and Robertson's agent, Hadley Englehard, were unable to agree on contract terms.The deal could be revisited, but for now it is on hold. The Jets would apparently still like to move Robertson before he is due a roster bonus in June. No other deal is imminent, however. Completion of the trade had been contingent upon Robertson agreeing to a new contract -- he had two years remaining on his rookie deal with New York -- and passing a physical.

Not really much to say he will be traded soon and there are a bunch of teams interested so just keep your eye out on the situation.

Bookmark this post:

Having already solidified the left side of their offensive line with the addition of former Steelers standout guard Alan Faneca, the New York Jets have now bolstered their right side, agreeing to terms with former Patriots and Lions lineman Damien Woody to play right tackle, according to sources.
The Jets have spared no expense in improving their offensive line in the first week of free agency. Faneca signed a five-year, $40 million deal that included more than $21 million in guarantees, making him the league's highest paid offensive lineman. Now the Jets have given Woody $25.5 million over five years with $11 million guaranteed.

The Jets are on a spending spree. It wasn't bad, however, the moves that they made. The revamped both of the biggest problems (O-line and D-Line) without having to give up much at all. This has been an amazing off-season for Gang Green

Bookmark this post:

ESPN:
Only a few years after a disappointing and unproductive stretch in which Calvin Pace missed much of the 2005 season following a bye-week accident, the former Arizona Cardinals hybrid defensive end/linebacker has landed a monster contract.

Bookmark this post:

ESPN:
BOSTON -- Randy Moss is staying with the New England Patriots.
The defending AFC champions re-signed the record-breaking receiver on Monday to a three-year deal worth $27 million, his agent said. The signing was confirmed by the team shortly after Moss posted a message to fans on his Web site.
Moss' agent, Tim DiPiero, said the deal included guarantees of $15 million, including a $12 million signing bonus to the receiver who set an NFL record with 23 touchdown catches and helped the Patriots reach the Super Bowl in his first season with the team.

Now this is a great signing. Moss is a complete steal at $9 million per year. He is clearly the top wide receiver in the game and is UNSTOPPABLE with Brady throwing him the deep ball. If you are a Giant fan you should also be glad Randy chose Championships over money or else he would be an Eagle. If the Eagles signed Moss along with Samuel I would honestly be scared of them to give McNabb a serious weapon to go a long with Kevin Curtis. Thankfully Randy made the smartest move for him, which sucks if you are a Jets fan, but maybe Revis will be able to match him in a few years (or Brady breaks his arm ;-)

Also Monday, the Patriots signed free agent receiver Sam Aiken.

The 27-year-old has played five seasons with the Buffalo Bills with 19 career receptions for 250 yards and 61 career special teams tackles.

Bookmark this post:

ESPN:
The Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger have agreed to a new eight-year, $102 million contract.
The contract, which includes more than $36 million in guarantees and is easily the largest in team history, places Big Ben among the game's highest-paid players. In comparison, Peyton Manning received a $34.5 million signing bonus in his big deal and Michael Vick received $37 million in guarantees from the Falcons in his mega deal. Both Manning's and Vick's deals were signed in 2004.

Wow this contract amazes me. I did not really see this coming at all. Who would have thought one year after his motorcycle accident Big Ben would be signing a $102 million dollar contract to stay around for 8 seasons. Big Ben is an excellent quarterback, but I don't think Big Ben is up there with QB's such as Peyton Manning, McNabb, Palmer, and Farve. He did deliver a Super Bowl in his first season and has still been improving so it may wind up being a steal, but I am never for long term contracts especially for a QB.

Bookmark this post:

ESPN:
"Michael Turner, who has been the Chargers' insurance policy for LaDainian Tomlinson, agreed to join the Falcons on Sunday. A source told ESPN.com's Michael Smith that Turner agreed to a six-year contract believed to be worth $34.5 million, with approximately $15 million guaranteed."

Well this pretty much guarantees that the Falcons will not draft Darren McFadden. They have Turner, Norwood, and Dunn and the RB so there is now no need what so ever for them to draft him. This now makes the Jets the front runner. The Dolphins have Ronnie Brown, Rams have Stephen Jackson, Falcons have the 3 named above, Chiefs have Larry Johnson, and Raiders have Justin Fargas and Lamont Jordan. Now even though the Jets have Thomas Jones he did not have that great of a year and the Jets running as a whole did terrible. McFadden would change this franchise right away. He would do things that we never imagined and possibly make the Jets a playoff team. The Jets may have bigger needs, but if he falls you have to go by the old saying to take the best player available and draft this kid. This will be the only chance they have to get him. Whichever team drafts him will definitely not let him go, so you have to take him now. His college career was amazing, his combine was amazing, and his make up is amazing, this kid will be a stud. If he falls to them and they do not take him the organization will really have to take a step back and make some changes.

Bookmark this post:

New York Daily News:
"S Sammy Knight, an 11-year veteran of four teams (Saints, Dolphins, Chiefs, Jaguars), appears to be the Giants’ primary target in their search to replace the departed Gibril Wilson, and it’s possible he could sign (somewhere) in the next few days.

According to an NFL source, Knight began making free agent visits today. I’m positive the Giants are on his itinerary, but I don’t know when he’s scheduled to come in. I’ll keep you posted."

here is ESPN's take on Knight:

"Knight had another productive year and had 93 tackles in 2007. He is one of the quarterbacks in the secondary and knows how to get his teammates lined up and in the right position. He is a good leader and valuable in the locker room. He excels at playing in the box against the run, which is his primary role. Knight is still a solid tackler in space and he uses his experience by minimizing the angles his opponents can take on the ground. Knight is also a decent coverage player, but he doesnt close on the ball like he once used to. He does have a good feel for where the ball is going. He isnt able to cover the elite TEs like he once could, but if he can reroute his opponent early, he has a chance. Knight is a veteran who can still help a young team looking for guidance in the secondary."

Bookmark this post:

Yahoo:
9. New York Rangers – Grade: B-: The Rangers made a pair of deals but probably will use only one or two of the players acquired. New York got veteran defenseman Christian Backman from St. Louis for a draft pick. He should help in terms of depth. Out of the five-player swap with the Coyotes and former Rangers assistant GM Don Maloney, New York may get something from versatile young winger Fredrik Sjostrom. The Rangers got physical winger Josh Gratton and minor-league goalie David Leneveu in exchange for underperforming veteran forward Marcel Hossa and goaltending prospect Al Montoya.

Bookmark this post:

UPDATE: Mets LoHud Blog:

• Today Carlos Delgado went to New York for an MRI on his injured hip (from last year) and I just hope that it is not to severe and he won't miss much of ST.
• Today during the game Marlon Anderson and Ryan Church had a collision in the outfield, where Church called Anderson off too late for him to move. They were then reporting that Anderson only had a bruise and that Church suffered a concussion.

Bookmark this post:

ESPN:

"For the past three years, Faneca has been considered one of the best guards in football. He has waited for the chance to be the highest paid at his position.

His time arrived Saturday when he agreed to a five-year, $40 million deal with the New York Jets that includes $21 million in guarantees. Not only is Faneca now the highest paid guard in the league; he's the highest paid offensive lineman."

There really isn't much to say after talking about this two times. The deal is 1 more year and $8 million more than previously reported, but it is still a good deal. Faneca is not the best OT, but he is up at the top and prices are going to go up each year so it is not a stretch to see him as the highest payed OT. The Jets OL is now amazing and good job by them getting their man.

Bookmark this post:

ESPN:

"According to a source, Donte' Stallworth, who played last season with the New England Patriots, agreed to terms on a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns, $10 million of which is guaranteed.

Bookmark this post: