Official 2011 NFL Free Agency Thread

[Helicopter]

Well it's official, I'm an adopted Titans fan for the next couple of years.

Here's hoping we have a Titans-Seahawks Super Bowl next year after our "three-headed monster" at QB leads us to Andrew Luck in 2012

Do me proud Matthew.

Welcome to Music City!

[Rayman]

I know this "nothing major" but Hyno is a local kid from a SMALL area to make it all the way. his dad played for the Browns back in the day. Here is the story our local paper ran on him.

Henry Hynoski is the quintessential athlete, the kind who excelled at virtually every sport growing up and never waited long when sides were chosen.

So you can imagine his disappointment in late April when he wasn't picked during the NFL Draft.

Hynoski, a former all-state running back at Southern Columbia, left the University of Pittsburgh a year early to turn pro. He was widely considered the top fullback available, yet — thanks in large part to an injury he sustained at the NFL Combine — he went undrafted.

And due to the NFL's labor strife, he wasn't able to sign with a team at the conclusion of the draft as so many prospects-turned-immediate-free-agents had in years past.

The lockout finally ended Monday, and Hynoski's cell phone rang. His parents' cells urgently hummed, too, and the phone in the Hynoski home in Elysburg clamored for someone's attention.

So it began, nine hours of wooing the likes of which the son of NFL veteran Henry Sr. and Kathy hadn't seen since college programs were courting him.

Hynoski spent the better part of the day fielding calls from about half the league's teams, at times speaking with a half-dozen team representatives, all of whom wanted Hynoski in their organization.

"The way the whole thing went down, it made me feel like I was a commodity," he said while preparing for a flight Tuesday afternoon, "and that I did have a place in the NFL."

About 11:30 p.m., a night's sleep and sunrise before it could be made official, Hynoski, exhausted from the process, gathered his family, including his sister Mary Frances, her husband Josh and their baby Kailee, and told them his decision to sign with the New York Giants.

"We just gave each other a big hug," he said, describing the muted celebration. "It was a nice closure to a disappointing draft."

Don't mistake Hynoski's tone for self-pity. Monday's madness and his subsequent contract signing Tuesday night marked the end of one long journey and the start of what he hopes is another.

Hynoski combined extraordinary talent and work ethic to rush for 7,165 yards at Southern and land a Division I scholarship. That approach helped him forge a reputation as a punishing lead blocker, ushering a pair of Pitt tailbacks, LeSean McCoy and Dion Lewis, to 1,000-yard seasons. His place atop the 2011 fullback draft class was hard-earned — and quickly undermined.

Hynoski injured a hamstring while running the 40-yard dash at the late-winter Combine; he posted mediocre results in a few workouts and was unable to participate in others. Once expected to be taken in the middle rounds of the seven-round draft, Hynoski went unclaimed through 254 picks. His future was in limbo for three months, time enough to learn a lesson about the business side of the NFL.

"Thank God it wasn't a serious injury," he said. "I'm very grateful to have this opportunity."

He had plenty to consider. By his count, 15 teams called Monday and they — coaches, general managers, honchos in ownership — tried to sell Hynoski on their organizations. At the end of the day (literally), he chose the Giants over Baltimore.

"It just so happened the best fit was New York," he said. "It's close to home. I'll play for a team that utilizes the fullback and promotes that downhill style of running. Plus, I'll get more exposure playing in a big, metropolitan area."

The Giants finished the 2010 season with one fullback under contract, six-year pro Madison Hedgecock, who ended the year on injured reserve (hamstring). They attempted to convert third-string tight end Bear Pascoe in Hedgecock's absence, but that move may not stick if starting TE Kevin Boss leaves via free agency. New York did not take a fullback in the draft, and the Giants were the first to call Hynoski on Monday.

"I had put together a list of potential teams and New York was definitely on it," he said. "I've always followed them because of their commitment to downhill running. They play blood-and-guts football, like here in central Pennsylvania. They've been a power-running team in the past and they said they want to restore that tradition. They told me they need me to help accomplish that.

"They also have a reputation as an honest and respectable team with a lot of integrity. I know I'll be treated fairly."

Hynoski expected to have a physical today and pick up his playbook. Training camp officially opens Friday, and the Giants' first practice is Saturday. Rookies are at a huge disadvantage given the short time between the end of the lockout and the start of the preseason. Teams are expected to stock proven veterans over inexperienced players, but Hynoski believes he can make the Giants' 53-man roster when final cuts are due Sept. 3.

"I'm ready for anything they throw at me," he said. "I've trained my butt off, worked hard and did all the right things to prepare for this.

"I'm going in with a clean mind and a healthy body, ready to work

I like Hynoski. Great blocker built like a wrecking ball.

That said, Shaun Chapas just fit our scheme better. Garrett is following the Jimmy Johnson model and he thinks Chapas is a Moose clone.

[ralaw]

Stallworth agrees to terms with Redskins

Receiver Donte’ Stallworth is leaving Baltimore. But he’s not going far.

A league source tells us that Stallworth has agreed to terms with the Washington Redskins.

Stallworth was suspended for all of the 2009 season after pleading guilty to felony DUI manslaughter. He has played for the Saints, Patriots, Eagles, Browns, and Ravens.

He contributed nearly 700 receiving yards to the Patriots 16-0 season in 2007

.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/27/stallworth-agrees-to-terms-with-redskins/

Not sure how he fits as Anthony Armstrong is their speed guy. I'm still confused as to who will be throwing Moss, Armstrong and now Stallworth the ball. They seem all in with Beck.

[EmpireWF]

Apparently, Plax can't visit with the Giants until Friday by NFL rules, so the meeting's been delayed two days.

[EmpireWF]

Mike Lombardi categories the Jets/Asmoguha talks as "serious."

[Point Blank]

Fucking Jets .

[Chrispy]

Revis & Aso :jizz:

[ralaw]

Revis & Aso :jizz:

Wade/James Part 2? If he goes there it will be almost impossible to throw the ball. However, the Jets issue isn't the defense, but the offense, so we'll see how that goes....especially if they lose Holmes.

[Rayman]

I hope they do it.

One less guy the Cowboys can potentially throw stupid cash at.

I have no interest in spending major bucks on a 30 year old CB who's already talking about his post-playing career.

And by the way, we'll throw the ball all over the Jets Week 1 if Asomugha's there or not.

:smugusa:

[EmpireWF]

Giants sign former SF C David Baas!

[Kuzzy Powers]

Titans agree with Hasselbeck

Per Steve Czabe and Roto

Titans agreed to terms with Matt Hasselbeck on a multi-year deal.

I dont make guarantees very often, but when I do, they are fucking guarantees.

[Rayman]

Giants sign former SF C David Baas!

Why are you so excited? That guy was a major disappointment in SF.

Classic case of a guy who underwhelmed and then suddenly "flipped the switch" in a contract year.

[Chrispy]

Adam Schefter
Former Chiefs defensive tackle Ron Edwards reached agreement with Carolina on a 3-yr, $8.25 million deal.

Adam Schefter
Falcons reached agreement with LB Stephen Nicholas on a five-year deal.

[Chrispy]

Adam Schefter
Filed to ESPN: WR Santonio Holmes reaches agreement with Jets on a five year deal.

[manchild24]

Adam Schefter
Filed to ESPN: WR Santonio Holmes reaches agreement with Jets on a five year deal.

Jets agreed to terms with Santonio Holmes on a five-year deal.
The best receiver -- and maybe best player available -- is off the market. While the money the Redskins offered was likely tempting, sticking with the contending Jets is surely the right move for Holmes. And with free agent Braylon Edwards likely moving on, Holmes projects to be a target hog for Mark Sanchez.