Arizona Cardinals News

Cardinals sign linebacker Paris Lenon
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March 15
Arizona Republic
 
"The Arizona Cardinals welcomed aboard a new linebacker on Monday, said 'so long' to one that came in for a free-agent visit, and are still awaiting word from a third. Paris Lenon, a nine-year NFL veteran who has played for multiple teams, including the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and most recently, the St. Louis Rams, signed a three-year deal with the Cardinals. An inside linebacker who likely will compete for a starting spot previously occupied by departed free agent Karlos Dansby, Lenon had back-to-back 100-plus tackle seasons for Detroit in 2007 and '08 before signing with the Rams last season and finishing with 44 tackles and three forced fumbles. Terms of the deal were not ..."
Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks make offer to Charlie Whitehurst
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March 15
Arizona Republic
 
"The Cardinals and Seahawks have made contract offers to Chargers quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, and the restricted free agent is expected to make a decision within the next two days. Whitehurst's agent, Pat Dye Jr., said Whitehurst is home in Atlanta mulling the offers. The Chargers gave Whitehurst an original round tender, meaning they would receive a third round pick if they chose not to match another team's offer. The Cardinals have two third round picks and the Seahawks have none. The Seahawks and Chargers have agreed upon trade parameters if Whitehurst were to accept Seattle's offer."
Whitehurst weighs offers from Cards, Seahawks
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March 14
NFL.com
 
"The Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks have extended contract offers to Chargers restricted free-agent QB Charlie Whitehurst, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Whitehurst, San Diego's No. 3 quarterback behind Philip Rivers and Billy Volek, will make a decision on which offer sheet to sign within the next 48 hours, according to the source. Once Whitehurst signs a contract, San Diego has seven days to match the offer. If the Chargers decline, the team that he signs with would owe San Diego a third-round pick (the restricted tender the Chargers placed on Whitehurst) unless other terms could be negotiated."
Seattle, Arizona see value in Chargers backup QB
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March 14
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"This past week, the NFP's Michael Lombardi wrote about Chargers QB Charlie Whitehurst possibly landing in Arizona with Ken Whisenhunt and challenging Matt Leinart for playing time. Seattle is another squad that has already looked into the idea of landing Whitehurst, and now there are reports that both clubs could be close to signing the Chargers backup QB to an offer sheet. We can look at the Seattle interest in Whitehurst as a possible move for the future once the club transitions away from current starter Matt Hasselbeck. Or, just like Arizona, as more competition during training camp. The question still remains, why Whitehurst - a RFA will little game experience? Sources within the ..."
Arizona Cardinals sign Rex Hadnot, Ben Claxton
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March 13
Arizona Republic
 
"The Arizona Cardinals signed two offensive linemen Friday, including unrestricted free agent Rex Hadnot, a six-year veteran who can play guard and center. Hadnot signed a three-year deal worth a reported $9 million. Backup center Ben Claxton re-signed with the Cardinals."
Former Cleveland Browns Brodney Pool and Rex Hadnot find teams
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March 12
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Former Browns safety Brodney Pool signed a one-year deal with the Jets and Rex Hadnot signed a three-year contract with the Cardinals. Hadnot's deal is worth $9 million to $12 million depending on incentives reached, a source said. Pool's deal is worth $1.3 million, espn reported."
Former Pittsburgh Steelers Larry Foote, Joey Porter eye possible jobs with Arizona Cardinals
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March 12
Arizona Republic
 
"Two more ex-Pittsburgh Steelers rolled through town Thursday and saw enough familiar faces to make them feel right at home. Now if the Arizona Cardinals will just offer them the contracts they're seeking. Inside linebacker Larry Foote and outside linebacker Joey Porter, former teammates in Pittsburgh, both said they would like to play for the Cardinals, who have needs at both spots. Foote, who played last year in Detroit, would replace Karlos Dansby, who left for Miami. Porter, who played the past three seasons in Miami, is looking for a team closer to his home of Bakersfield, Calif. Foote said the Cardinals were his first choice "without a doubt," but that the Steelers and Redskins were ..."
Arizona Cardinals sign Anthony Becht; linebackers Joey Porter, Larry Foote to visit team Thursday
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March 11
Arizona Republic
 
"The Cardinals continued to make forays into free agency on Wednesday, re-signing one player and entertaining a handful of visiting candidates. Tight end Anthony Becht, a key to the team's improved running game last year, agreed to terms on a 1-year, $950,000 contract. Tight end Stephen Spach also agreed on a 1-year deal. Those terms were not disclosed. Defensive end Jeremy Clark signed his exclusive-rights tender. Negotiations continue with free safety Matt Ware, despite a report that he had agreed to terms. On Wednesday, offensive lineman Rex Hadnot, most recently with Cleveland, and Chargers quarterback Charlie Whitehurst visited. It's unknown whether the club made contract offers. The ..."
Matt Leinart no sure thing as Arizona Cardinals QB
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March 11
Arizona Republic
 columnist Kent Somers
"NFL quarterbacks seeking work should find the Cardinals an attractive potential employer, partly because coach Ken Whisenhunt treats the position much like any other. Kurt Warner announced his retirement more than a month ago, yet Whisenhunt has yet to officially name Matt Leinart the starter, even though he's the only quarterback on the roster. Whisenhunt has professed confidence in Leinart at every opportunity but also joked that he doesn't have many alternatives. After three years under Whisenhunt, Leinart probably expects nothing more. Some coaches coddle quarterbacks. Whisenhunt, however, seems to prefer the creative tension created by competition for the job, and that should be a big ..."
Arizona Cardinals re-sign Anthony Becht to 1-year deal
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March 10
Arizona Republic
 
"Tight end Anthony Becht agreed to a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, and contrary to reports, free safety Matt Ware continues to negotiate with the club. Becht, who will be in his 11th season, will receive a $50,000 signing bonus and a salary of $900,000. Becht was used mostly as a blocker last season and played a key role in the club's improved run game. In free agency, he had drawn interest from the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers."
QB Derek Anderson to visit Seahawks and Cardinals
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March 10
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Former Browns quarterback Derek Anderson, who blasted Browns fans yesterday and then apologized today, will visit the Seahawks tomorrow and the Cardinals on Friday, a league source confirmed for the Plain Dealer. The visits were first reported on espn.com. Anderson's contract was terminated by the Browns yesterday, less than 24 hours after they traded a late-round pick for former Seattle backup quarterback Seneca Wallace."
Rhodes: Jets betrayed me
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March 10
New York Post
 
"Kerry Rhodes had been uncharacteristically quiet since he was shipped to Arizona by the Jets for two draft picks on Saturday. The former Jets safety, who uses his Twitter account so frequently you might find him tweeting what he was having for breakfast on some days, hadn't weighed in on the trade until surfacing yesterday in a radio interview on 1050 ESPN. Rhodes, who clashed last season with defensive coaches Mike Pettine and Dennis Thurman, leading to the team unloading him, ripped the Jets. "Does [the trade] make sense? Evidently for them it did," Rhodes said sarcastically. "I can't say I agree with it and I'm not going to say I'm mad or sad about it." Rhodes accused the Jets' coaching ..."
Kerry Rhodes rips New York Jets, says ex-Ravens got attention
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March 10
New York Daily News
 
"Former Jets safety Kerry Rhodes, often criticized for his soft play, delivered his most jarring hit in a long time Tuesday - and it was directed at his old team. Rhodes blasted the Jets' coaches for not featuring him in the defense, suggesting they gave preferential treatment to former Ravens who were signed by Rex Ryan. He also accused the Jets of a smear campaign, claiming they spread falsehoods about his commitment to football. "To hear that stuff kind of bothers me, but I never let it be known until now," Rhodes said yesterday in an interview with Michael Kay on 1050 ESPN New York. Rhodes, who lost his starting job for two weeks after failing to make a single big play in the first 10 ..."
Kerry Rhodes looks forward to fresh start with Cardinals
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March 9
Arizona Republic
 
"On his first trip to his new home, Cardinals safety Kerry Rhodes had no problem reading his keys. "On the plane coming in, I was looking out the window and I said, 'I am not in New York any more,' " Rhodes said Monday. "I saw the desert, never seen that before." After last season with the Jets, Rhodes needed a change. It came Saturday when the Cardinals traded a fourth-round pick in this year's draft and a seventh in next year's for Rhodes, who started for five years for the Jets. The fifth year, however, was not a happy one. In the view of new coach Rex Ryan and his staff, Rhodes didn't play well and was benched in late November. Rhodes was out of the starting lineup for just two games, ..."
Ex-New York Jets safety Kerry Rhodes happy to be with Arizona Cardinals
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March 9
New York Daily News
 
"Former Jets safety Kerry Rhodes, introduced Monday as the newest member of the Cardinals, acknowledged problems with his old coaches and suspected he might get traded. "We weren't seeing eye to eye as a player and a franchise," said Rhodes, who was dealt Saturday for two draft picks. "I've got a lot of respect for those guys ... but we just didn't mesh well at the end of the journey." Rhodes, demoted late in the season, said "it was a little rocky" during the stretch run. GM Mike Tannenbaum admitted there were "some bumps in the road," but insisted that wasn't the overriding reason for the trade."
Cardinals' drama hits hard, early
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March 8
Arizona Republic
 
"Those NFC title rings the Cardinals received a year ago might have been put to good use last Friday when three starters left the building, one via trade and two through free agency. Maybe the bling reminded Cardinals employees of brighter days as some fans prepared to leap out of the nest after receiver Anquan Boldin, free safety Antrel Rolle and inside linebacker Karlos Dansby went east to collect new fortunes. Barely two months have passed since the end of the 2009 season, and already the team's five top story lines of the off-season have reached their conclusions. Quarterback Kurt Warner retired, which made hardly anyone outside of the Warner household happy. Coach Ken Whisenhunt ..."
Cardinals trade for Jets safety Kerry Rhodes
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March 7
Arizona Republic
 
"The Cardinals filled their void at free safety Saturday, agreeing in principle on a trade for Jets safety Kerry Rhodes. Rhodes will replace Antrel Rolle, who signed a free-agent contract with the Giants on Friday. The Cardinals traded a fourth-round pick this year and a seventh-round choice in 2011 for Rhodes. Rhodes, 6-feet-3, 214 pounds, spent five years with Jets, who drafted him in the fourth round out of Louisville in 2005. Rhodes signed a 5-year, $33 million extension two years ago and is under contract through 2013. The Cardinals will pay him a $2 million roster bonus next week, but his salaries of $2.78 million (2010), $2.425 million, $3.5 million and $4.5 million are reasonable, ..."
Boldin has 'mixed emotions' about leaving Arizona Cardinals
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March 7
Arizona Republic
 
"Anquan Boldin once pleaded to leave the Cardinals organization, all but scratching marks on the walls of the team's practice facility to count the days spent in purgatory. On Saturday, however, a day after he was traded to the Ravens, Boldin said he had "mixed emotions" about leaving the team and the area after seven years. "I built a lot of relationships here," said Boldin, the Cardinals' all-time leading receiver. "Professionally, it's the only place I know. It's going to be tough to say goodbye but I'm also looking forward to the future, definitely excited about playing for the Ravens. I feel like I add a piece to their offense." Oddly enough, Boldin spent part of Saturday at the ..."
Free agency: NFL gluttons pledge moderation
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March 7
Arizona Republic
 
"One by one, NFL executives took the podium at last week's scouting combine in Indianapolis and promised to behave themselves when free agency started. Like gunslingers handing over their six-shooters to the marshal as they enter town, the general managers vowed that a season without a salary cap wouldn't mean facing off in the town square with checkbooks drawn. "We're going to go forward as if there is a cap," 49ers General Manager Scot McCloughan said. "We're approaching this as business as usual," Texans General Manager Rick Smith said. "We're sticking with our plan," Cardinals General Manager Rod Graves said. "I don't anticipate it being any different in how we approach our off-season ..."
Jets trade Rhodes to Cardinals
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March 7
1111122222
 
"The New York Jets traded safety Kerry Rhodes to the Arizona Cardinals. The Jets receive a fourth-round draft choice next month and a seventh-round pick in 2011, the Cardinals announced. Rhodes replaces Antrel Rolle in Arizona. The Cardinals released Rolle, and he signed with the New York Giants. "We all know that the safety position was a hole we needed to fill," Cardinals Coach Ken Whisenhunt said in a written statement released by the team. "To be able to do that so quickly and with a proven starter off the NFL's [No.] 1 defense is a tremendous positive for our football team."
Hit the Rhodes! New York Jets deal Kerry Rhodes to Arizona Cardinals
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March 7
New York Daily News
 
"Continuing to remake their secondary, the Jets made another big trade, dealing safety Kerry Rhodes to the Cardinals Saturday night for two draft picks - a fourth-round choice in the upcoming draft and a seventh-rounder in 2011. The trade came two days after they acquired former Pro Bowl cornerback Antonio Cromartie from the Chargers, and one day after GM Mike Tannenbaum said he expected Rhodes to remain on the team "unless something happens." Ostensibly, something happened Friday night, when the Cards lost free-agent safety Antrel Rolle to the Giants. In reality, the Jets decided long ago to deal Rhodes, who fell out of favor with the coaching staff. Rhodes, nicknamed "Hollywood" by his ..."
Cardinals trade for Jets safety Kerry Rhodes
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March 7
Arizona Republic
 
"The Cardinals filled their void at free safety Saturday, agreeing in principle on a trade for Jets safety Kerry Rhodes. Rhodes will replace Antrel Rolle, who signed a free-agent contract with the Giants on Friday. The Cardinals traded a fourth-round pick this year and a seventh-round choice in 2011 for Rhodes. Rhodes, 6-feet-3, 214 pounds, spent five years with Jets, who drafted him in the fourth round out of Louisville in 2005. Rhodes signed a 5-year, $33 million extension two years ago and is under contract through 2013. The Cardinals will pay him a $2 million roster bonus next week, but his salaries of $2.78 million (2010), $2.425 million, $3.5 million and $4.5 million are reasonable, ..."
Reports: Karlos Dansby agrees with Dolphins
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March 6
USA Today
 
"It didn't take long for the Miami Dolphins to shore up their linebacking corps after releasing veteran LBs Joey Porter and Akin Ayodele earlier Friday. Reports from the AP and ESPN say that the Dolphins have agreed to a deal with free agent LB Karlos Dansby. According to sources, the contract is for five years and worth $43 million, with $22 million of it guaranteed. If those figures are accurate, the deal will make Dansby one of the NFL's highest paid inside linebackers."
Cardinals export Anquan Boldin to Ravens for draft picks
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March 6
USA Today
 
"WR Anquan Boldin is now a bird of a different feather. The Cardinals traded Boldin, a Pro Bowler who's been unhappy with his contract for nearly two years, and a fifth-round draft pick to the Baltimore Ravens for third- and fourth-round selections in the 2010 draft. "I'm definitely excited," Boldin said in a statement. "For me, I've been hoping for this for a year since I first heard that the Ravens might be interested in me. I even talked with Ray (Lewis) about it a year ago. "I really look at this as a great opportunity for me. They love football in Baltimore. I know that from when the Cardinals played there a few years ago. That place was loud, very impressive by the fans. The Ravens ..."
Ravens trade for wide receiver Boldin
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March 6
Baltimore Sun
 
"The Ravens made their boldest move in this year's wide receiver revitalization project by trading for Anquan Boldin, their newly appointed No. 1 target. Capturing one of the biggest headlines on the first day of free agency, the Ravens acquired the three-time Pro Bowl player and a fifth-round pick from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for their third- and fourth-round picks in next month's draft. Only minutes after completing the trade, the Ravens reiterated their high expectations for Boldin by giving him a four-year, $28 million contract, which includes $10 million guaranteed. The hope is that Boldin becomes a pivotal factor in the development of quarterback Joe Flacco and boosts the ..."
Linebacker Karlos Dansby agrees to five-year deal with Dolphins
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March 6
Arizona Republic
 
"After meeting with reporters early Friday evening about the Anquan Boldin trade, the Cardinals found out that inside linebacker Karlos Dansby, an unrestricted free agent, has agreed to terms with the Dolphins. It isn't a great time to lose Dansby because the Cardinals have no inside linebacker ready to replace him. Detroit's Larry Foote, a free agent, is scheduled to visit next week, however. Dansby agreed to a five-year deal worth $43 million, including $22 million guaranteed. That was far less than the $30 million in guarantees Dansby reportedly was seeking, but he found it to be a livable wage."
Arizona Cardinals trade Anquan Boldin to Baltimore Ravens
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March 6
Arizona Republic
 
"The Cardinals traded receiver Anquan Boldin to the Ravens on Friday, ending a seven-year relationship defined by astounding achievement and tinged with vitriol. The Cardinals sent Boldin and a fifth-round pick in this year's draft to Baltimore in exchange for the Ravens' third- and fourth-round selections. Before the deal was consummated, Boldin had reached agreement with the Ravens on a three-year contract extension worth $25 million in new money. "On a lot of levels, it's tough to know that Anquan is not going to be out there any more," coach Ken Whisenhunt said, "but I also think it was time. This was in the best interest of Anquan and it was in the best interest of us." After meeting ..."
Cardinals trade Boldin to Ravens
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March 6
East Valley Tribune
 
"The Baltimore Ravens couldn't pass up the opportunity to add a talented pass catcher to their roster: three-time Pro Bowl standout Anquan Boldin. Baltimore obtained Boldin from the Arizona Cardinals on Friday for a third- and fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft. Baltimore also got a fifth-round pick from Arizona. The 29-year-old Boldin has amassed at least 1,000 yards receiving in five of his seven seasons, including 1,024 yards on 84 catches last season. Boldin received a new four-year, $28 million deal with Baltimore in which $10 million is guaranteed. He was to set to earn $3 million next season, the last of the four-year, $22.5 million deal he signed with Arizona after the 2005 season. ..."
LB Karlos Dansby is just first piece of puzzle for Miami defense
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March 6
Miami Herald
 columnist Armando Salguero
"Linebacker Karlos Dansby is the thing in Miami now. He is our guy, our free agent headliner, a man as important to us as Julius Peppers is in Chicago this year and Albert Haynesworth was in Washington last year. The Dolphins visited with Dansby on Friday and pitched a diamond-studded, gold-plated contract to his agent. The deal Dansby accepted and is scheduled to sign Saturday is worth $43 million over five years. It is the biggest free agent contract the Dolphins have offered since Bill Parcells became football czar in 2008. And that means Miami plans to make Dansby the first piece to a newly minted defense that could lift the team out of its 7-9 mediocrity. It means Dansby will be the ..."
Linebacker Karlos Dansby agrees to five-year deal with Dolphins
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March 6
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Karlos Dansby isn't signed, sealed and delivered, but by Saturday morning the former Arizona Cardinals linebacker should be, beginning his relocation to South Florida. A source close to the situation confirmed Dansby has agreed to a five-year, $43 million contract with the Miami Dolphins after an intense day of negotiations. According to the source, the framework of the deal still needs to be hammered out, but it will likely pay the six-year veteran $22 million in guaranteed money. Dansby was hoping to trump the five-year, $40 million deal the Jets gave linebacker Bart Scott last season and got it. Dansby is coming off his second consecutive 100 plus-tackle season. He has spent the past ..."
Free agent linebacker lands a monster deal, with $22 million guaranteed
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March 6
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"Karlos Dansby said Friday afternoon that he planned on taking his time and checking out all of his options. Just a few hours later, he's made his decision. The six-year veteran out of Auburn has agreed to a monster five-year deal worth $43 million, according to a tweet from Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. The deal contains a whopping $22 million in guaranteed money. The Miami Dolphins were considered to be the front-runners in the race for Dansby since the free agent market opened early Friday morning. The team made it clear in recent weeks that they were looking for a 3-4 inside linebacker to fit their scheme and improve their defense--and Dansby was the best option on the board. The 6'4", ..."
WR gives Baltimore a playmaker on the outside
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March 6
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"The Ravens made a big play today, as reported by our own Aaron Wilson, when they acquired WR Anquan Boldin by giving up a third and fourth round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. But, just how big of a move was it for Baltimore? The Ravens are built up front with a young offensive line and the downhill running style of Ray Rice. That is where they make their money, but with Boldin now in the mix, Baltimore has the type of receiver who can win across the middle of the field, and more importantly, is a game plan nightmare for opposing defenses because of what he can do in the open field after the catch."
free agent safety becomes the newest member of the New York Giants
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March 6
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"Another big name is off the market. Safety Antrel Rolle-who was released by the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday-has agreed to a multi-year contract with the New York Giants. According to our own Aaron Wilson, Rolle and the Giants have agreed to a five-year deal worth $37 million. The contract includes $15 million in guaranteed money, according to a tweet from Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. One of the hottest commodities in a somewhat shallow free agent pool, Rolle was being pursued by the Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals, in addition to the Giants. The Bears dropped out of the race Friday morning when they began making their successful push for defensive end Julius Peppers and ..."
Former Cardinals safety signed to five-year, $37 million deal with Giants
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March 6
New York Post
 
"The Giants bruised, battered and beaten defense got better last night with the signing of free safety Antrel Rolle. The addition of an athletic player with coverage and playmaking skills doesn't fill all the cracks in a shattered unit, but it's a heck of a start. Rolle visited the Giants training complex, met with team officials, took a physical then waited as his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, hammered out a five-year, $37 million deal that includes $15 million in guaranteed money. Once Rolle was released Thursday by the Cardinals, he instantly became the top target for the Giants. He reportedly turned down a six-year, $38.6 million offer to stay in Arizona and sought a contract averaging $8 ..."
Former Cardinals Pro Bowl safety Antrel Rolle signs with New York Giants for $37 million
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March 6
New York Daily News
 
"For the second straight year, the Giants made a big, opening-weekend splash in the NFL’s free-agent pool, this time by signing Pro Bowl safety Antrel Rolle.  The 27-year-old Rolle, who was released by the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, signed a five-year, $37 million contract Friday night after a day-long visit with Giants officials in the New Jersey area. The Giants won a bidding war over Rolle’s former team and the Miami Dolphins, who one day earlier had offered him a five-year deal, believed to be worth $7 million per year. The Giants' deal with Rolle averages $7.4 million per season, but more importantly includes $15 million in guaranteed money."
Giants sign safety Antrel Rolle for 5 years, $37 million
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March 6
New York Post
 
"The Giants bruised, battered and beaten defense got better Friday night with the signing of free safety Antrel Rolle. The addition of an athletic player with coverage and playmaking skills doesn't fill all the cracks in a shattered unit, but it's a heck of a start. Rolle visited the Giants' training complex, met with team officials, took a physical then waited as his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, hammered out a five-year, $37 million deal — the most ever for a safety — including $15 million in guaranteed money. Rolle was released Thursday by the Cardinals and instantly became the top target for the Giants. He reportedly turned down a six-year, $38.6 million offer to stay in Arizona and was ..."
Source: Miami Dolphins to sign LB Karlos Dansby
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March 6
Miami Herald
 
"When the Dolphins decided to fly linebacker Karlos Dansby into South Florida on the first day of free agency Friday, they had also already made another decision: They weren't going to let him leave. Not without signing a contract. Just don't expect Dansby to call the police. This isn't exactly a hostage situation. By early Saturday, Dansby plans to ink a monster five-year deal worth $43 million that will pay him $22 million guaranteed. He will average a salary of $9 million per year over the first three years of the contract, sources said Friday night. Dansby, who will be one of the league's top three highest paid linebackers, becomes the new central figure of a Dolphins defense that ..."
Ravens trade for wide receiver Boldin
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March 5
Baltimore Sun
 
"The Ravens made a bold move to improve their passing game, trading for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin. It is believed the Ravens sent third- and fourth-round picks to the Cardinals in exchange for Boldin and a fifth-round pick. According to ESPN, Boldin has agreed to a new four-year, $28 million contract. It is believed the Ravens beat out the Kansas City Chiefs for the three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver. "The Ravens just got better," coach John Harbaugh said. "Anquan is a significant addition for us. He fits the personality of our team with the hard-nosed, physical way he plays. We love the way he competes. Our fans will enjoy watching him compete and his teammates will be ..."
Cardinals release safety Antrel Rolle
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March 5
Arizona Republic
 
"Instead of cutting free safety Antrel Rolle a $4 million check on Thursday, the Cardinals cut Rolle, who could command considerable attention now as a free agent. The Cardinals hope to re-sign Rolle, but didn't want to pay the $4 million roster bonus that was due by Thursday night at 10, nor the $8 million salary he was scheduled to earn in 2010. Rolle's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said via text message that he "will continue to speak with the Cardinals," about a new contract. But Rolle is free now to sign with any other team, and the Bears, Giants and Dolphins are among the teams reported to be interested. The Cardinals, however, are confident Rolle likes Arizona and his role on the team. "We ..."
Dolphins to make strong offer for Dansby
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March 5
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Call it the changing of the linebackers. Joey Porter is on his way out the door, and free agent Karlos Dansby apparently is on his way in. The Dolphins are expected to announce Porter's release Friday, which will save the team $9.5 million over the next two seasons. An NFL source says plenty of that savings will be offered to Dansby. However, on Friday Dansby and his representatives will be in Davie to work out the details of a lucrative, multiyear contract that the Dolphins hope will end the linebacker's brief free agency. The NFL's free agent signing period begins at midnight. Dansby is pursuing a contract that will trump the five-year, $40 million deal the New York Jets gave Bart Scott ..."
Cardinals release Rolle
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March 4
Arizona Republic
 
"The Cardinals have released started free safety Antrel Rolle but hope to re-sign him in free agency. Rolle was due a $4 million signing bonus by March 5 and his salary was due to increase to $8 million. The Cardinals had hoped to re-sign Rolle to a long-term deal before now, but Rolle and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, seem intent on seeing what interest Rolle will command from other teams."
Rolle Released
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March 4
NFL.com
 
"For now, Antrel Rolle is no longer a Cardinal. As expected, the franchise released their starting free safety Thursday to avoid the $4 million roster bonus he was due had he been on the team as of 10 p.m. Thursday night and the additional $8.1 million salary due in the final year of his rookie contract. Rolle becomes an unrestricted free agent – and the Cards will make him one of their top free-agent priorities. The Cardinals already had extended a long-term contract offer, but Rolle wanted to see what his worth would be on the open market. The Chicago Tribune reported Rolle is seeking a contract worth $8 million a season, which would make him the highest-paid safety in the NFL. That same ..."
Cardinals interested in NY Giants backup quarterback David Carr, report says
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March 4
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"David Carr wants a shot at a starting quarterback job once again. Perhaps the Cardinals will be the team to give him that chance. The Cards are interested in the Giants' backup, who is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on Friday. So says Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic. The 30-year-old Carr admitted recently he fell out of love with football after a disastrous experience with the Texans, who drafted him No. 1 overall in 2002. It wasn't until Carr arrived in East Rutherford two years ago that his passion for the game was rekindled. Carr has enjoyed his time with the Giants so much that he wouldn't mind coming back for a third season. But more than that, Carr wants a legit ..."
Cardinals extend tender offers to Steve Breaston, 4 others
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March 4
Arizona Republic
 
"The Cardinals have extended tender offers to each of their five key restricted free agents. There were no surprises among the moves. Receiver Steve Breaston received the first-round tender of $2.396 million. (Meaning if the Cardinals decline to match an offer, they would receive a first-round draft pick in return.) Guard Deuce Lutui received a second-round tender offer. Because Lutui was a second-round pick, the Cardinals could have tendered him at $1.176 million or $1.759 million. The club extended the higher amount to Lutui, a starter since midway through his rookie season."
Cardinals extend tender offers to Steve Breaston, 4 others
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March 4
Arizona Republic
 
"The Cardinals have extended tender offers to each of their five key restricted free agents. There were no surprises among the moves. Receiver Steve Breaston received the first-round tender of $2.396 million. (Meaning if the Cardinals decline to match an offer, they would receive a first-round draft pick in return.) Guard Deuce Lutui received a second-round tender offer. Because Lutui was a second-round pick, the Cardinals could have tendered him at $1.176 million or $1.759 million. The club extended the higher amount to Lutui, a starter since midway through his rookie season."
Cardinals working on way to keep Rolle around
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March 2
NFL.com
 
"While the Cardinals are expected to release safety Antrel Rolle if they can't extend his contract before he's due a $4 million bonus this month, NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi reports the team still would remain the favorite to re-sign the Pro Bowler. Cardinals general manager Rod Graves has said the organization is working on restructuring and extending Rolle's current deal, which calls for more than $8 million in salary."
Cardinals hoping to keep Rolle off open market
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March 1
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Arizona Cardinals are going to continue with their efforts to try to re-sign free safety Antrel Rolle, but barring an unexpected breakthrough he is expected to hit the open market and become a potential Bears target. The problem for the Cardinals is he is owed $12 million this coming season ($8 million plus a pending $4 million roster bonus) and isn't inclined to renegotiate. If the Cardinals can't sign him to a long-term deal, they are expected to release him and let him enter the free market, where he will be perhaps the most pursued veteran at his position. "We're going to try hard to get a contract in place with him before we have to make a decision about his contract," Cardinals ..."
Cardinals to release former first-round pick Antrel Rolle
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February 28
ESPN.com
 
"Arizona's eventful offseason will continue this week when the Cardinals release former first-round pick Antrel Rolle, an NFL source said Sunday. Rolle's release will follow Kurt Warner's retirement and the Cardinals decision not to use their franchise tag on linebacker Karlos Dansby. Rolle will become the premier safety in this year's free-agent class, but it is still possible the safety will return to the Cardinals. Arizona would like to have Rolle back, and the two sides continue to talk about a potential return. With less than a week until the start of the March 5 free-agent signing period, Rolle wants to see what he's worth at a time when the Cardinals are reluctant to pay him more ..."
Cardinals look to reach deal with safety Antrel Rolle
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February 28
Arizona Republic
 
"With this city full of team executives and agents, the NFL scouting combine is as much about making deals as evaluating college players. Cardinals General Manager Rod Graves, for instance, would like to work out a new contract with free safety Antrel Rolle before the end of this week, but it appears unlikely. Rolle is under contract for 2010 but is due a $4 million roster bonus by Friday, and his salary is due to increase to $8 million. Without an agreement on a long-term deal, the Cardinals will release Rolle rather than pay the roster bonus. "We're going to try hard to get a contract in place with him before we have to make a decision about his contract," Graves said. "If not, we will ..."
Cards say Boldin could be traded
Comment
February 28
Washington Post
 
"The Arizona Cardinals aren't ruling out trading wide receiver Anquan Boldin this offseason. "Our approach with Anquan is really the same as what it was last year: We're going to consider all our options," General Manager Rod Graves said here Saturday "... We'll go through what the options are throughout the offseason, and make the decision that's best for our team." Boldin has clashed with team officials in the past over his contract and the Cardinals previously have indicated a willingness to listen to trade offers for him, without completing a deal. "We're going to look at all the options regarding Anquan and regarding all our players," Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Saturday."