Jay Cutler and the Broncos finally spoke Tuesday on a conference call.  (How corporate!)  The conversation's tone depends on who you ask.

ESPN.com, no doubt egged on by Cutler's camp, says the situation has gone from "bad to worse."  A source close to the Broncos told the Denver Post that the call was conducted in a "non-confrontational manner and the call ended positively."

The conflicting statements don't end there.  Josh McDaniels reportedly said that no player is untradeable, which seems pretty obvious at this point.  But owner Pat Bowlen said Cutler will not be traded.  McDaniels said Cutler won't be dealt last week.  I believe all of the above.

McDaniels is being careful to let Cutler know that no player is above the team, and they will only indulge his moaning to a point.  (They'll talk on the phone, a courtesy most players wouldn't get, but they won't kiss his butt.)

In the end, this is probably much ado about nothing.  Denver was willing to trade Cutler when they received a franchise quarterback in return.  That deal is gone. 

Bus Cook is Jay Cutler's agent, the same agent who built masterful off-season drama around previous quarterback clients: Brett Favre and Steve McNair.  The pattern is unmistakable.  Cook is making life uncomfortable for Denver, and the ESPN article indicates Cutler would welcome a trade out of town. 

Ultimately, Cutler doesn't have much leverage. He could skip the team's off-season conditioning program, but that could hurt his team leadership. 

At some point, Cutler is going to realize it's counter-productive to fight a media battle with his own team.  He'll decide to put winning and his teammates first, no matter how he feels about the coaches.  Like most off-season dramas, this will likely fade away once we have games to talk about.   

It was a busy Wednesday night in the NFL, highlighted by LaDainian Tomlinson's return to San Diego and Jay Cutler's continued soap opera with Denver.  Let's start with the story we know matters on the field: LT2's return.

It sounds like Chargers CEO Dean Spanos made the difference in keeping Tomlinson.  "The alternative was unthinkable," Spanos said.  It's unclear if GM A.J. Smith felt the same.

The future Hall of Famer will improbably make his scheduled $6.725 million in 2009, which is a lot of money coming off a mediocre year.  Tomlinson took a pay cut for 2010-2011, but he's year-to-year at this stage.  He will need to improve his play to avoid this drama next year.

Tomlinson will make slightly more than franchise player Darren Sproles, who should see more work off the bench this season.  Tomlinson's effectiveness could increase with less touches, even if his overall numbers suffer.  It remains a strong backfield. 

The Chargers are paying over $13 million to their top two backs, but don't be surprised if they still draft their running back of the future.  Their decision to keep Tomlinson keeps Chargers fans happy, but it may only delay that future for one year. 

The Greatest Show on Turf hasn't been seen in St. Louis for years.  Now the Rams are dropping the last remaining connections to the Vermeil/Martz glory days. 

St. Louis let go of Future Hall of Fame tackle Orlando Pace Tuesday.   Torry Holt,  who should also get consideration from Canton, is almost certain to leave next.  The Rams have reportedly told Holt not to attend their offseason program.  If they can't find a trading partner for Holt before a March 17th roster bonus is due, he's likely to be cut.

Pace is still a solid starting left tackle, but he's struggled to stay healthy in recent years.  His salary was just too high for an injury-prone veteran on a rebuilding team.  Expect him to find a starting job at a high pricetag in short order.

The Rams' decision may also have been influenced by the NFL Draft.  They are going to pay big bucks to the second overall pick, and two great tackles are available: Baylor's Jason Smith and Virginia's Eugene Monroe.  So goes the NFL life cycle. 

My guess is that St. Louis will draft one and plant him at left tackle for a decade.  That strategy worked exceptionally well with Pace. 

Kurt Warner continues to say that he would be willing to take a $1 million paycut if it goes toward redoing Anquan Boldin's contract.  It's a nice gesture, and I don't doubt Warner means it with all his heart, but it's also a meaningless statement. 

Warner isn't contractually allowed to take such a paycut at this juncture.  Warner's agent knows it, the Cardinals know it, and the NFLPA knows it.

USA Today's Jim Corbett points out that Warner did not put a clause in his contract about Boldin.  And NFL contracts are not allowed to be re-structured for at least one year after they are signed. That means Warner wouldn't be allowed to help Boldin out, unless he wants to bring suitcases full of cash to the team offices.

The league's player union would also likely have a huge problem with a player taking a pay cut a specific teammate, if the issue ever got that far.  It won't. 

Drinking while Golfing is not usually a crime, but Jaguars wideout Matt Jones is not your average citizen.

Jones posed for another mugshot Monday after violating terms of his probation.  Jones was arrested last year on cocaine charges.  As part of his plea agreement, he was to abstain from alcohol and drugs, but a random test last week turned out positive for alcohol.  He admitted to a judge he drank beer while golfing the day before the test. 

Jones chose to spend this week in jail rather than enter a six-week treatment program that could have interrupted his NFL off-season.  It remains to be seen how this interrupts Jones' recently revived career.

Even the prosecuting attorney in Jones' case admitted, "It's not a terrible infraction, but he broke a rule."

Jones hit bottom with his cocaine arrest last summer, but he followed it up with the best season of his career.  He  was almost released in training camp, but went on to lead the Jaguars in receiving with 761 yards, despite missing four games.

Jones' timing could not be worse.  He's entering a contract year, and now could face more punishment from the league.   He was suspended for the final three games of the '08 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy.  This infraction seems minor, but repeat offenders of the policy usually face stiff punishment.

A few beers may wind up costing Jones hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

When we made a list of possible destinations for Terrell Owens, Buffalo didn't even crack the top seven.  But that's where he signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract on Saturday.

While the fit sounds nutty, it actually makes sense for Buffalo.  Bear with me here.  

The Bills have been desperate to find more offensive firepower under Dick Jauron.  They have an elite vertical receiver in Lee Evans and a deep backfield, but they are very thin after that.  Trent Edwards remains a promising young quarterback, but he doesn't have enough weapons. 

Owens will provide that weapon, provided he doesn't blow up Edwards' career.  Evans will see more single coverage and Buffalo's running game will see fewer defenses geared up to stop them. 

Buffalo wasn't listed as a likely destination because they usually value character highly and don't often pay big money to free agents.  But they know it's time to take a gamble. 

Jauron is on the hot seat and the team is suffering a long playoff drought.  The competition in the AFC East isn't getting any easier.  (Buffalo went 0-6 in the AFC East last year.)  While the Bills have a promising nucleus, they need to try something, because a fourth straight 7-9 season won't cut it.   

ESPN's Len Pasquarelli reported Saturday that Bills owner Ralph Wilson was heavily involved with the decision.  Owens will help raise the franchise profile and help sell tickets for their games in Canada. 

The key to all of this is the length of the deal.  Only so much damage can occur in a year, and Owens usually behaves in the first year of his contract.  Owens will be under pressure to behave and perform or he won't get another contract in 2010.  A little dose of career mortality could keep his mouth shut. 

The Bills are taking a huge risk, but standing pat meant going nowhere.   Signing T.O. sounds so crazy, it might just work. 

The hot rumor of the morning was that Drew Rosenhaus and Terrell Owens were spotted at the Nashville airport in Tennessee.  That may have been true, but that doesn't mean they were meeting with the Titans.

Jim Wyatt is one of the best beat writers around, and he confirmed that the Titans aren't interested and won't meet with Owens.  ESPN.com has also confirmed the news.

Still, Drew Rosenhaus seems very confident that Owens will have a deal done within a week.  He must have something.  Oakland is denying interest, but they make too much sense. 

It takes about a week for free agency to lose steam around the NFL.  T.O.'s release gave it life again yesterday, but the majority of the best talent available is off the shelves.  The remaining players are picked over, but there are still some bargains to be found.  Let's look at my top ten offensive players

1. Terrell Owens, WR: Maybe you've heard of him. 

2. Lance Moore, WR (Restricted free agent): He'll cost a second-round pick to acquire, but it may be worth it for this Wes Welker clone.

3. Byron Leftwich, QB: The quarterback market has included surprises, like Dan Orlovsky and J.T. O'Sullivan getting jobs before Leftwich.  Maybe he's pushing hard for a chance to start.

4. Tra Thomas, T: With Khalif Barnes expected to sign with Oakland, Thomas may be the only starting-caliber tackle left.  He's probably only good for another year or two, but there is value here.

5. Ronald Curry, WR: This highly athletic 29-year-old gained 1,444 receiving yards on some terrible Oakland teams between 2006-2007. He could be a dynamic third receiver.

6. D.J. Hackett, WR: The talented former Seahawk can't stay healthy, but he has a high ceiling in a West Coast system.

7. Marvin Harrison, WR: Only makes sense on the Colts; may retire. 

8. Kevin Jones, RB: It's hard to tell if this former first-round talent has anything left after multiple surgeries, but he's worth a low-risk gamble.

9. Rex Grossman, QB: One of many first-round quarterbacks looking for work.

10. Bobby Engram, WR: Could still help teams move the chains.  

Other offensive names available that you'll recognize are listed after the jump. 

In this week's edition of Three and Out, Tom Curran and I talk about the biggest winners and losers in free agency.  We also discuss if the Broncos sustained lasting damage during the Jay Cutler/Matt Cassel drama.

And since we know you want more Terrell Owens talk, check out our bonus discussion of Owens' possible destinations after the jump. 
 

Yesterday was Dump on Terrell Owens day in the NFL.  It wasn't enough for the Cowboys to release Owens.  Most possible interested parties also said they didn't want him. 

Agent Drew Rosenhaus told PFT's Mike Florio he isn't concerned:

“These are several teams that are interested in signing Terrell. I have been in negotiations with these teams.  I will not identify these teams at this time. ... Terrell and I expect to have a deal in place by the end of next week if not sooner,” Rosenhaus said.

Rosenhaus may not be saying the teams because they don't exist, but putting a timeframe on a possible move shows confidence.  And Rosenhaus is an expert at finding a great deal. 

Other than the Raiders, the logical teams have professed a lack of interest.  So who could be the wild cards out there?  Other than Owens, of course.

We interrupt our Terrell Owens coverage to bring you some New England Patriots team-building.  With Matt Cassel's cap number off the roster, the Patriots are ready to improve their depth.

They signed veteran cornerback Shawn Springs and acquired wideout Greg Lewis in a trade from the Eagles for an undisclosed draft pick. 

Springs is 34 years old, which translates to 86 in cornerback years.  But he played exceptionally well in Washington last year and looks like a favorite to start in New England's thin secondary.  Springs fits the Patriot mold of a long-time quality starter that is hungry for a ring.  Springs may have enough versatility to play free safety if asked. 

Lewis memorably scored a touchdown against the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX, which must have stuck in Bill Belichick's mind.  In two games against New England, he's caught eight passes for 141 yards and three scores. 

Eagles fans will be quick to mention that Lewis hasn't produced much in other games, but we doubt New England gave up anything more than a late conditional draft pick.  Lewis will help provide depth to a group that just lost Jabar Gaffney, another former Eagle Tom Brady propped up.  

Since I wrote a post in the morning detailing who doesn't want Terrell Owens, more teams have stepped up to confirm they won't bid on Owens' services. 

The Redskins have confirmed publicly (and humorously) that they aren't feeling the T.O. love.

"(Owens' representatives) called us three years ago before he went to Dallas, and we didn't have any interest in him then," Redskins GM Vinny Cerrato told his team website.  "Why would we have interest when he's three years older."

Ouch.  The rejection doesn't end there, though.  The Titans are out after signing Nate Washington.  The Ravens, who badly need a receiver, don't want him either.  Profootballtalk.com reports Cleveland will have no interest. 

This story has been alive for less than a day, and it's already easier to count the teams who haven't ruled out signing Terrell Owens.  All the news points in one direction if Owens wants to continue his career: Oakland. 

If Terrell Owens joins the Raiders, he'll have another big name lining up across from him.  Javon Walker underwent a "major restructuring" of his contract, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. 

A $5 million roster bonus was removed and Walker took a huge paycut in his base salaries.  He will make $4.6 million over the next two years.  Including the roster bonus, Walker will make more than 300% less than he was scheduled.

It was still a good move for Walker, because no one would have given him that money on the open market.  Walker caught 15 passes for $12 million last season, and many believe his knees will never be right again.  They could look a lot better if Terrell Owens is taking away defensive attention next year. 

So I was just completing a list of possible teams that could show interest for the main site.  Teams that make sense on paper if they can ignore the fact that T.O. is, you know, bonkers.

As I'm writing it, the reports start flowing in from around the country of teams that can't wait to leak how uninterested they are in Owens.   The Giants and Jets want no part of him, according to the Newark Star-Ledger.  Chris Mortensen said on Sportscenter the Redskins won't show interest, which is a huge blow to Owens' market value.

Mort also said that the Vikings and Ravens don't want Owens because their head coaches both saw the diva's divisiveness up close in Philly.  San Francisco is also unlikely to want a reunion.

Like Tom wrote, it's going to be very difficult for Owens to find a job anytime soon.  Oakland is the one landing spot that makes sense to me.  Al Davis is crazy enough to do it, and he's not afraid to spend. 

While it's a fun exercise to speculate where Owens might fit, the reality is that he might not find a job for a long while.  T.O. may have to accept a low-cost one-year deal to play for a non-Raider team or wait for a training camp injury to strike.  

If nothing else, perhaps a long wait on the open market could serve Owens a large slice of humble pie.    

It only took two days for the Bengals to find a new starting wide receiver.  According to multiple reports, Laveranues Coles and the Bengals agreed on a four-year, $28 million contract.

In Coles, the Bengals have acquired a similar player to Houshmandzadeh.  Coles is no longer that fast, but he's a tough, smart possession receiver that can make catches all over the field. 

I have doubts about how well Coles will age, though.  He's a small receiver without speed that has taken a lot of pounding over the years.  His production has fallen off the last two years and he's always playing through pain.

Cincinnati's inability to develop talent at wideout and running back cost them the last two days.  They don't trust young wideouts Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson, so they picked up Coles.  They drafted injury-prone busts at running back -  Chris Perry and Kenny Irons - so they signed Cedric Benson, a lesser bust. Signing Benson and Coles were half-measures intended to patch roster holes, but ultimately they cost too much.

The rest of the league saw Benson as a backup, but he'll get $3.5 million-per-year from the Bengals to start.  Hopefully that doesn't stop Cincinnati from drafting a replacement. 

Coles should help Carson Palmer for year, maybe two, but ultimately he is the poor team's Housmandzadeh. 

Kurt Warner flirted with the 49ers, but it was clear he only had eyes for the Cardinals.  Warner agreed to a two-year, $23 million deal with Arizona Wednesday, culminating a month-long negotiating process.  (Manny Ramirez must wonder why Warner acts so quickly.)

Warner has improbably elongated his career with smarts and anticipation. And he was smart enough to envision a life away from Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and an offense perfectly tailored for his skill set. 

In Arizona, Warner  is the leader of a Super Bowl contender.  In San Francisco, he would be a 38-year-old learning a new system for a run-first coach.  Warner has done the doormat route enough; this wasn't a tough choice after Cardinals gave him $19 million guaranteed.

Arizona can finally move forward with their off-season.  They lost defensive end Antonio Smith, but still want to get new contracts for core players like Boldin, Adrian Wilson, and Karlos Dansby. 

With Warner secure, they could also look to move Matt Leinart in a trade.  Barring injury, Leinart won't be playing anytime soon.

Rex Grossman is only in the news lately when teams declare that they don't want him.  A rumored trip to Tampa has proven false.  And the Cowboys traded for Jon Kitna after Grossman openly campaigned for the backup job in Dallas.  At least Grossman is in the news.

We haven't heard a peep of interest in other available former first-round quarterbacks: J.P. Losman, Byron Leftwich, and Kyle Boller.  

I ranked Leftwich as a free agent steal last week, but NFL apparently doesn't read my work.  For Leftwich and the rest of his former first-round buddies, this is a large slice of humble pie to swallow.  While they look for work, Luke McCown, Sage Rosenfels, and Shaun Hill are presumptive starters elsewhere. 

As we predicted over the weekend, the Broncos will not trade Jay Cutler.  (Let's stop with the rumors, ok?)  Denver may not be done trying to deal, though. 

The Denver Post has confirmed the team has been shopping tight end Tony Scheffler.  They are not denying these trade talks in public statements.

It's surprising they want to unload Scheffler, considering he's only 25 years old and gained 645 yards last season with a ridiculous 16.1 yards-per-catch average.  But the talented seam stretcher is often hurt and only has a year left on his contract.  Josh McDaniels probably wants a tight end that can block better, like Daniel Graham.

You can question Denver's decision-making thus far, but you can't question their stones.  McDaniels and GM Brian Xanders know what they want, and they aren't shy in re-making Denver in their image. 

Kurt Warner's trip to San Francisco seems to have worked.   The Cardinals and Warner are inching closer to a deal.

Warner's agent's latest proposal includes $23 million over two years.  That's less than the 49ers are offering, but there is a catch.   $19 million of the deal would essentially be guaranteed.  ($6 million in each season, plus his $7 million salary for 2009.  There's no way they aren't paying his 2009 salary.

The Cardinals' latest offer reportedly was closer to $20 million over two years, but only $10 million guaranteed in the first year.  He could also earn $3 million more in incentives.

Essentially, Warner wants assurances that Arizona pays him for the next two years.  They want protection in case Warner's body falls apart in 2009.   

What seems obvious is that the two sides are not that far apart.  Who wants to bet they end up guaranteeing roughly $14 million, the midway point between the two sides?

It also seems clear Warner is not that serious about going to San Francisco.  After yesterday's visit, Warner's agent had this to say, "It really went well and it has really opened his eyes.  But Kurt's heart is still here (in Arizona)"

Who says that during the middle of a negotiation?  The Cardinals are being stingy here, but it's because he can.  Warner isn't going to leave. 

When Jeff Jagodzinski was hired as the offensive coordinator in Tampa, he couldn't stop gushing about Earnest Graham's potential in his zone blocking scheme.  That didn't stop the Bucs from likely making him a backup.

Derrick Ward's new contract sets him up to make $6 million in 2009, and $9.25 million over the next years for Tampa.  That's starter money.  When usually easy to figure out depth charts in the NFL;  just follow the money.  Graham is set to make $5.5 million over the next two years.

The strength of Tampa's roster is their young run-mauling offensive line.  They are constructed be a run-first team and will almost certainly use a committee approach. Ward figures to be the lead back with Graham as one of the best backups in the league.  

Both backs are no-nonsense backs that should thrive in a zone scheme.  Their versatility will give the Bucs many play-calling options.  (Which they'll need with, uh, Luke McCown as their quarterback). 

Tampa may have question marks everywhere else, but their running game looks pretty sweet for '09.  

There was a perception that T.J. Houshmandzadeh was struggling to find what he wanted financially on the open market.  Then he agreed to terms with the Seahawks for five-years and $40 million contract, with $15 million guaranteed. 

That doesn't sound too bad.

The guaranteed money is higher than expected, but the structure of the contract remains unknown.  The fine men at Field Gulls suspect it's really a two-year deal, possibly three, with a lot of money up front.  Like Albert Haynesworth's contract, the total number of dollars and years are probably meaningless. 

Seattle may have overpaid slightly, but Houshmandzadeh still makes sense in the short term.  He's not a true number one receiver, but he can still move the sticks.  Similar possession receivers like Derrick Mason, Donald Driver, and Bobby Engram have aged better than speed threats.

I think Houshmandzadeh's numbers will suffer in Seattle, but he can still help them win in the short term.  For Seattle's sake, hopefully the contract is structured that way.

UPDATE: Housh still must pass a physical before the deal is official.     

Releasing a former MVP is usually a tough decision, but the Redskins had to cut Jason Taylor Monday.  He was due $8 million, and even admitted he wasn't worth that money.

Taylor, turning 35 this year, endured one injury-plagued season in Washington.  He recorded 3.5 sacks.

This closes the book on one of the worst transactions of the Dan Snyder era, which is saying a lot.  Washington gave up second- and sixth-round pick for the right to pay Taylor $7.5 million in 2008.  Washington also gave up multiple picks to overpay Brandon Lloyd in 2006.

Giving up draft picks for veterans robs a franchise's depth.  The Redskins paid Albert Haynesworth and DeAngelo Hall to open free agency, but they need to cut Taylor to fill out their roster. Washington is extremely thin at defensive end after Andre Carter, who is coming off a down year.

The Redskins have made big headlines once again this off-season, but their roster is top-heavy, once again.  Especially after dumping another failed headline maker from off-seasons past.   

When reports surfaced that Kurt Warner would visit the 49ers, many believed that it was a bluff designed to force a quicker contract with the Cardinals.  He's taking the bluff pretty far. 

The 49ers picked up Warner on Monday on a private plane for a visit with the 49ers.  Arizona is believed to have offered Warner $20 million over two years, with half of it guaranteed.  Presumably, San Francisco is ready to offer more or they wouldn't bother.

It remains to be seen if Warner truly has the desire to leave the desert for the Bay Area to learn a new offense.  It's clear, however, San Francisco is dead serious about convincing him to do so. 

Laveranues Coles' agent made a gamble when he passed up $6 million guaranteed from the Jets for 2009 to enter free agency.  He might not be Coles' agent for long.

The Dolphins have made it known they are not interested in Coles.  It speaks very badly for Coles' market value when the man who drafted him, Bill Parcells, decides to stay away despite a glaring receiver need. It also might indicate that the Miami triumvirate doesn't like seeing their name connected to players they aren't interested in. 

Coles could be a fallback plan for the Bengals if the don't get T.J. Houshmandzadeh.  If not, the Bills have no one to bid against.  The Jets are "monitoring the situation," but they are longshots.

Perhaps Coles will get his $6 million back, but he's learning that the free agent market isn't always what you expect. Especially if you are over 30.

Peter King writes something I've been thinking of late: Marvin Harrison's career could be over. 

Harrison has yet to receive interest on the open market, a sure sign that he won't be getting a big contract.   This was not unexpected.  If teams won't pay big bucks to 31-year-old receivers like Laveranues Coles, they certainly won't pay Harrison much.  The future Hall of Famer turns 37 before the 2009 season.

King also touches upon Harrison's motivation.  You have to really love football to continue showing up to training camp to play through pain at age 37.  Many doubt whether Harrison has enough love to play at a drastically reduced salary.

My guess is that Harrison will end up back in Indianapolis in 2009.  He could decide to play at a lesser salary.  More likely, he will return for a ceremony to retire his number.  

T.J. Houshmandzadeh is probably the biggest name still left un-signed in free agency.  That doesn't mean he's the best player or the most valued player by NFL teams, since he may not get more guaranteed money than a 31-year old cornerback like Andre Goodman.

Houshmandzadeh's whereabouts have been a topic of much debate, but the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that Housh spent Sunday night in Los Angeles, his hometown.  It was previously believed that he stayed in Minnesota.

It's never a great sign for a team's chances when a player leaves town.  Now Houshmandzadeh will apparently decide between Minnesota, Seattle, and a return to Cincinnati. 

Our guess?  The longer this drags on, the better chance the Bengals have to keep him. 

The disorderly conduct charges against Brandon Marshall have been dropped, according to Harvey Steinberg, Marshall's lawyer.

"Based on my investigation yesterday, he shouldn't have been charged in the first place," Steinberg told the Denver Post.

This is welcome news for Josh McDaniels, Denver's suddenly beleaguered head coach.  But it doesn't guarantee that his star receiver will avoid suspension.  

Marshall was probably facing an eight-game suspension or worse before.  The dropped charges will seemingly lower that number dramatically, but Commissioner Roger Goodell could still look at the incident. 

Goodell has said in the past that NFL employees are held up to a higher standard and Marshall is a repeat offender of the NFL's conduct policy.  He has been arrested four times as a pro and was suspended last year for three games (reduced to one.) 

The speedy dismissal will help Marshall's chances of avoiding a suspension, but he's not out of the woods just yet.  And the negative news will certainly hurt his chances of getting a desired contract extension from the Broncos.

UPDATE: Florio has confirmed the NFL will still look into the matter.  

So it was a wild weekend for everyone covering the NFL, especially here at NBCSports.com.  PFT Friday crashed on the couch Friday night, cleaned up nicely after, and then came over for a few more hours Sunday night for Caddy day.

Good times, but thankfully for Mr. Florio's sanity, PFT is back in business.  Tom Curran and I will also continue to keep you covered on this blog with all the big free agency news and analysis while teams construct their rosters.

If you need more, our sister (brother?) site Rotoworld will keep you informed with the fastest, most detailed news of every little nugget from around the NFL.  We'll analyze any T.J. Houshmandzadeh signing here; we'll give you his room number on Rotoworld. 

Thanks for stopping by. Get comfortable.

It has been a long work weekend for everyone around the NFL, especially the Broncos.  It just got a lot worse for them. 

Brandon Marshall was arrested for disorderly conduct in Atlanta Sunday.  Scant details are available, but Marshall was reportedly involved in a fight and has been let get on $300 bond.

As NFL arrests go, well, there have been a lot worse.  But this is Marshall's fourth arrest and he was already suspended three games last year (reduced to one)  for violating the NFL's conduct policy.

Commissioner Roger Goodell has been clear about his stance with repeat offenders.  Their punishment gets dramatically worse with each offense.  Marshall is in deep trouble with the league, no matter what happens with his legal case.

The Broncos may have been willing to deal Jay Cutler for Matt Cassel, but that doesn't mean they want to start over at quarterback.  NFL Network's Adam Schefter confirmed on Total Access Sunday night that Cutler is not on the trading block. 

The reason seems pretty obvious: there aren't many young Pro Bowl quality quarterbacks available.  The Broncos began to mend fences by scheduling a sit-down talk with Cutler, according to CBS4 in Denver.

The near-trade of Cutler is sure to be a talking point for a long time in Denver.  Ultimately, though, it seems like a big winter problem that could blow over once football games start again.  At least until Cutler's contract is up.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh may not get the signing bonus he was hoping for, but he's getting plenty of limo rides. 

According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Houshmandzadeh hopped in a limo after spending five and a half hours at the Vikings' Winter Park facility Sunday. He left with team executives for another undisclosed destination nearby. Housh also had dinner with the team Saturday night.

Houshmandzadeh does not appear to be leaving town, which can't be bad news for Minnesota's chances of landing the one-time Pro Bowler. Houshmandzadeh was expected to decide on a team tonight, but Bengals.com reports the decision may not come until Monday.

By that point, hopefully the PFT we all know and love will be safely back up and running.  Even if Caddy Day is sorta fun.

Now that the Patriots have cleared Matt Cassel's cap number, what will they do with it?  Some of the money will surely go to their secondary.  They re-signed solid young safety James Sanders to a three-year deal Sunday, and have met with cornerbacks Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs.

But New England may still have a larger move up their sleeve.  They have four first-day draft picks to work with, which gives them flexibility for a possible trade. 

Put this post under logical but wild speculation, but Panthers beat writer Darin Gantt thinks that trade could be for Julius Peppers.  This has been a whisper on many lips for weeks. 

Peppers wants to play for a 3-4 team, and said he had a few NFC teams and one AFC team in mind.  Many believe the AFC squad was New England.  Peppers' versatility would be an absolute perfect fit for Bill Belichick's defense.  The one-time coach of Lawrence Taylor would know how to maximize Peppers' unique skill set.

The Patriots were hamstrung by Matt Cassel's cap number, and the Panthers are in the same boat with Peppers.   New England may be the only team with the ammunition to pry Peppers away.  

Leave it to my friend Tom Curran to write the definitive post on the Cassel/Cutler brouhaha.  It answers my questions on the mess, so there's no need to repeat it here. Check it out.

While the Broncos were actively seeking to deal for Cutler for Cassel, don't assume he's still on the market.  Already, writers are imploring the Bucs and New York Jets to get involved in the Cutler sweepstakes.

It's worth a shot, but Cutler seems very unlikely to go anywhere now.  Giving up a true franchise quarterback for another starting quarterback you are more familiar with is one thing.  (I wouldn't give up Cutler, either way.)

It's quite another to give up Cutler without getting a long-term starting quarterback in return.   Last time I checked, the Jets, Bucs, and Lions don't have those.  Jay Cutler is not going to get traded for draft picks, no matter how unhappy he is. 

While I was focused on CutlerCasselGate last night, Michael Clayton's five-year contract agreement with the Bucs slipped under the radar. Adam Schefter reported that Clayton received $10.5 million guaranteed on a five-year, $24 million contract.

The numbers look so outrageous, you almost have to assume the numbers are puffed up.  How did Clayton score $10.5 million guaranteed?   If they are truly guarantees, that is starter money. 

Clayton hasn't topped 500 receiving yards for the last four seasons.  He has struggled with injuries, weight, confidence, and drops since his awesome rookie year.  Detroit and Minnesota both showed interest in him, but this deal is still out of line.

While Brandon Jones and Michael Clayton signed quickly, Laveranues Coles and T.J. Houshmandzadeh continue to look for homes. 

Either something is fishy about Clayton's numbers or the Bucs are getting too eager to spend their money. 

I'm not in the habit of linking to ESPN videos, but the Chris Mortensen video posted tonight is too stunning to miss.  (The information is stunning, not Mort's visage.) 

Mort reports that the Patriots turned down a first- and third-round pick from the Bucs in a potential three-way trade that would have sent Matt Cassel to Denver and Jay Cutler to the Bucs.  Instead, the Patriots chose a second-round pick from the Chiefs.

This defies all logic and belief, no matter how close you think Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli are.

The only explanation I can come up with, and this is admittedly pure speculation, is that New England's deal with the Chiefs was already agreed to.  Mike Vrabel, after all, was in Kansas City for Friday.  It's possible the terms of the Cassel deal were done before the Bucs and Broncos tried to jump in. 

In that scenario, though, it's unclear why the other teams ever thought they had any chance.  There was a brief window Saturday, after Adam Schefter initially reported the trade, when the deal appeared to be in question. 

"Mystery teams" were mentioned on air as possibly getting involved, but the move quickly became official 20 minutes later.  We know who those teams were now, but there are so many other unanswered questions. 

Was the Chiefs trade ever truly close to falling apart?  When was the deal agreed to?  Was Cassel's contract hopes another piece to the puzzle?

Here's to hoping that better reporters than I can solve some of this mystery in the coming days.  In the meantime, I'm going to sleep.

Were the Denver Broncos merely listening to offers for Jay Cutler Saturday or were they initiating them?

It depends who you listen to.  The Broncos, of course, say they were only fielding calls from interested parties.  (Namely, the Bucs.) 

"He's not the only person in the last few days we've received calls on," Josh McDaniels said.

ESPN.com's Bill Williamson, however, writes that the Broncos were actively trying to acquire Matt Cassel by dangling Cutler.  Chris Mortensen backed up Williamson's report on ESPNews. 

Whatever the truth is, Cutler is convinced that Denver was doing their best to get rid of him.  In fact he thinks they still are looking to trade him.  That sounds crazy to me, but choosing Cassel over Cutler would also be stunning.

I thought Cutler was in for a long, successful run with Josh McDaniels, but Saturday's events put that into question.   I know how Cutler feels; It's hard to know what to think. 

And like that, poof, he's gone.  Florio is back at his rightful home, and we sincerely hope for him that the servers hold up well this time. 

We'll go back about our business of reporting the NFL right here, here, and here.  Florio has also been nice enough to let us post some of his entries here so that confused readers coming back don't get withdrawal. 

We'll also start to wonder if Laveranues Coles' agent is getting nervous.  After passing up $6 million guaranteed from the Jets, he's made exactly one visit - to Buffalo.  Miami's lack of interest thus far is a red flag for the rest of the NFL. 

If Bill Parcells isn't that interested, why should anyone else be?  Coles must be wondering if he's going to make his money back.

It has been a little while since Florio posted one of his semi-regular PFT state of the website posts, so I thought I'd try to clear up any confusion for readers again. 

Profootballtalk has not been swallowed by a hostile takeover of corporate overlords.  We're just letting him crash here temporarily while he waits for his shipment of hamsters to arrive and his servers are back up and running.

Look, we are huge fans of Florio; that's why we are happy to help him out.  (Not to mention the traffic.) But we are also friends, and hope for everyone's sake the real PFT is back up and running as soon as possible.  Then we'll all have the true rumor mill back, and you won't have to read anything else by me.  Everybody wins.

(And if that didn't clear things up, just check out this post.) 

T.J. Houshmandzadeh is spending Saturday night visiting the Vikings, but he plans to keep his free agent tour rolling Sunday.

Adam Schefter reported on NFL Network's Total Access that Housh plans to visit the Bucs Sunday.  ESPN's Michael Smith, in a report scrolling across ESPN's bottom line, says that Houshmandzadeh will visit the Bucs and Eagles. 

Philly's involvement would be quite surprising considering previous developments from Houshmandzadeh's wild weekend.

Whether the possession receiver takes those trips remains to be seen.  Schefter's NFL Network colleague Steve Wyche reported that the Vikings planned to do everything possible to close a deal before Housh left town. 

Houshmandzadeh previously said he would make a decision by Sunday night.  If that is still the case, Houshmandzadeh may be the only person who had a more hectic weekend than Florio.

UPDATE: Within 30 minutes of both national reports going out, the Tampa Tribune says Houshmandzadeh isn't visiting there.  More misinformation coming from Housh's camp?

45 minutes ago, we relayed a report that the Giants were closing in on a deal with Rocky Bernard. Mike Garafolo confirms that it's now closed. 

The terms are unavailable, but the Giants will have enviable depth with the addition of Bernard and the return of Osi Umenyiora.  Linebacker Michael Boley, signed earlier in the day, can also provide pressure.  If the Giants add Chris Canty later, well, that's just not being fair.

Deposed AFC East tight ends are not struggling to find work inside the division.  On Friday, former Jet Chris Baker landed on his feet with the Patriots.  On Saturday night, Newsday reports that recently dumped Bills TE Robert Royal met with the Jets.

Royal doesn't offer the same receiving ability as Baker, but he's known as a good blocker.  He would make sense as a complement behind Dustin Keller, who figures to be a huge part of the Jets passing game. 

The Giants have already wrapped up one of the most underrated players in free agency: LB Michael Boley.  Now they are closing in on another - DT Rocky Bernard. 

Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that Bernard has spent all day at Giants Stadium after having dinner with the team last night.  He quotes a source that talks are reportedly "heating up."

Bernard may not be an every-down player, but he's the rare defensive tackle who can pressure the quarterback.  He would look good in a rotation with two other underrated tackles: Fred Robbins and Barry Cofield. It's unclear if a potential deal with Bernard would effect their pursuit of DE Chris Canty. 

With the fireworks from day two of free agency dwindling, NFL teams are starting to make plans for next week, when prices may be more reasonable.  To that end, the Saints have set up a visit with free agent safety Darren Sharper. 

The Saints may have all 22 starters back, but they have lacked a quality free safety for a long time. 2005 second round pick Josh Bullocks never panned out, and is entering free agency.

Kevin Kaesviharn was New Orleans' starting free safety last season, but he would likely lose snaps if Sharper is brought on board.

Defensive tackle Colin Cole took his first visit of free agency Saturday, meeting with the Seahawks.  Cole isn't a star, but he's one of the few young defensive tackles available with the potential to start. 

The Packers are still hoping to retain the 330-pounder to play nose tackle in their new 3-4 defense, but their chances appear to be dwindling.

Cole looks more likely to stay in a 4-3 defense: Seattle or Tampa.  On Friday, the Bucs were mentioned as the most likely destination for Cole.  If Seattle closes the deal, Cole will likely get many of the snaps that went to Rocky Bernard last year.  Bernard visited with the Giants Friday.

The Bucs have been very active in free agency, acquiring Kellen Winslow, and just missing out on Albert Haynesworth and Jonathan Vilma.  They even tried to get involved in the Matt Cassel sweepstakes. 

Their loyal fans probably aren't excited about all these near misses, and Tampa's latest transaction probably won't help calm them down: The St. Petersburg Times reports that the have re-signed safety Will Allen to a one-year contract with a maximum value of $2.35 million.

It's not a headline grabber, but Allen will stabilize a safety group that looks likely to lose starter Jermaine Phillips.  The Bucs are also reportedly eager to bring back cornerback Philip Buchanon. 

Dan Orlovsky entered free agency, in part, because he didn't like how Daunte Culpepper, "just got given the job," in Detroit.  That stance has plenty of merit until you considered that Orlovsky was far from guaranteed to get a quality gig elsewhere. 

His gamble may have paid off.

The Texans hosted Orlovsky Saturday to start a two-day visit.  He's the second quarterback to visit Houston after Sage Rosenfels was sent to the Vikings. Patrick Ramsey, who was last with Denver, visited Friday in hopes of landing the backup job behind Matt Schaub. 

Texans fans are probably groaning because of memories of this play, but Orlovsky actually showed some promise in his seven starts for the Lions - if you squinted hard.  Texans coach Gary Kubiak is a great developer of quarterbacks, so Orlovsky's decision to leave Detroit could prove a wise one.

With Florio covering all the stories you care about, let's get caught up on the ones you don't.

The Saints have agreed to a five-year deal to bring back right tackle Jon Stinchcomb.  Once considered an injury-prone second-round bust, Stinchcomb turned his career around in 2006 under Sean Payton.  After starting no games in his first three seasons, Stinchcomb has started 48 straight since.

The somewhat surprising move means that former Jaguars tackle Khalif Barnes' scheduled Sunday trip to the Big Easy will be scuttled or pointless. (Update: Barnes has canceled his trip.)

The Seahawks, who showed interest in Stinchcomb, would be a logical suitor for Barnes.  He's the next best player available in a weak crop of free agent tackles.

One can question the Saints' depth, but you can't question their continuity.  With Jonathan Vilma and Stinchcomb back in the fold, Payton will get back all 22 starters from his 8-8 squad. 

In the least surprising news of the day, the Titans have re-signed Kerry Collins.  The numbers are a little more surprising, courtesy of NFL Network's Adam Schefter.  Collins will get $15 million over two years, with $8.5 million guaranteed.  (Perhaps that's the first year pay.)

Kurt Warner might wish those numbers were higher to help his bargaining, but frankly we're surprised Tennessee gave Collins that much.  It was unlikely that another team would have seen Collins as a potential starter.

This helps stabilize the Titans on a day they lost Albert Haynesworth, but their quarterback situation remains year-to-year.  With money that big, Collins will have to play at an extremely high level to stick around in 2010.  They have to play Vince Young eventually, after all.  Right? 

A wild day is only just getting started.  Bart Scott's move to the Jets apparently isn't a done deal.  Mike Vrabel has been traded to the Chiefs.  More on those moves later, but I thought I'd use this space to update some other minor moves and free agent visits. 

• Laveranues Coles is in Buffalo visiting the Bills.  He would be a huge addition to a receiver poor team.
  
• The Steelers re-signed G Chris Kemoeatu.  The run blocker also looked at the Jets.
• Steelers CB Bryant McFadden is visiting the Cardinals Sunday
• The second-best defensive end available, Chris Canty, is visiting the Giants Saturday. 
• Another Steeler, Nate Washington,  is visiting the Lions.  He's expected to sign eventually.
• Yet another Steeler, G Kendall Simmons, is in Buffalo.
  
• Multiple reports have T.J. Houshmandzadeh visiting the Seahawks first.  
• The Jaguars re-signed C Brad Meester despite injuries in recent years.
• Dominique Foxworth got $16.5 million guaranteed to be Baltimore's new starting cornerback.  Amazing money for a player who has had an up-and-down career.
• Eagles stalwart Brian Dawkins will surprisingly visit the Broncos.
• Cardinals starting defensive end Antonio Smith is going to visit the Texans Saturday. 
  

It took three coaching staffs and front office regimes, but the Browns have finally decided Kellen Winslow is not worth the trouble.  Coach Eric Mangini and GM George Kokinis dealt Winslow to the Bucs for an undisclosed group of draft picks. 

The move is a curious one for the Bucs.  Clearly in the middle of a rebuilding effort, it's surprising to see them give away golden draft picks.  Winslow is young, but he's got the knees of a veteran in decline after an insane amount of serious surgeries.  He always plays through pain, but he missed six games last season and was only able to average ten yards-per-catch because of the injury.  The Bucs were possibly stung by just losing out on Albert Haynesworth and wanted to show their fans they are still trying. 

It's difficult to comment much further on the deal until we know what the picks were involved, but I would guess they include a first or second-rounder, along with a mid-round pick.  The fans may dislike the move, but the organization is probably thrilled to recover draft picks dealt by previous GM Phil Savage. 

Winslow is a reception machine that will help Tampa's shaky quarterbacks in the short term, but he doesn't figure to age well because of his knees.   That's why Cleveland finally got rid of him after five tumultuous seasons filled with motorcycle drama, contract complaints, and absolute 100% effort.  His health was no longer worth the risk for one rebuilding team.  The Bucs disagree. 

Bill Belichick loves acquiring at least one accomplished veteran per off-season that is hungry for a championship. Following in the footsteps of Corey Dillon, Rodney Harrison, Junior Seau, and Randy Moss, Fred Taylor will be the next NFL great to wind down his career in New England. 

It's a perfect fit for Taylor.  The Patriots won't ask him to do too much in a backfield already stocked with Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.  Taylor isn't great on passing downs or in short-yardage situations, so they will likely get his maximum effort on running downs for 5-10 carries a game.  This is an injury-prone group, so Taylor gives them quality depth and leadership.  This being the Patriots, however, Taylor will have to earn any role he gets.

New England was expected to be quiet in free agency because of all the money they are paying their quarterbacks, but that hasn't been the case.  Adam Schefter reports that they have reached agreement with Chris Baker, formerly of the Jets. Baker and Ben Watson figure to share the tight end job, but Baker is a better blocker. Plus he shares a distaste for Eric Mangini, which is worth a few brownie points with Belichick.

Finally, Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe reports that the Patriots are hosting cornerback Leigh Bodden for a visit.  The promising young cornerback would likely cost more than Baker and Taylor combined, but New England is awfully thin in the secondary.   

Last year, the Jets quietly made one of the best signings in free agency when they quietly signed Calvin Pace.  It looks like they have done it again, although this time it wasn't quiet.

The National Football Post is reporting that Bart Scott has agreed to terms with New York, joining his old coach Rex Ryan.  NFL Network's Adam Schefter says the deal is "expected" to be signed later Friday for roughly $8 million a year.  If you are going to overpay in free agency, this is the way to go.  Scott is versatile, smart, and in his prime.  He's a low risk move because Ryan knows exactly how he'll fit in his defense.

In Scott and Pace, the Jets now have two players he can use in a variety of ways.  Scott is equally adept at rushing the passer, dropping in pass coverage, and tacking on blockers.  He can play inside and out.  These are the type of players Ryan knows how to use better than anyone outside of Pittsburgh and Foxborough.

In signing Scott, the Jets were also crippling an AFC rival and apparently passing on Ray Lewis.  Ray Ray is reportedly determined to leave Baltimore, but I seriously doubt any other team will match their three-year, $24 million offer for him.  The Jets clearly won't after giving Scott similar per-year money.  The Jets are often accused of chasing the headlines, but they were smart to go after the younger, lesser-known Raven.  

If the silly season of rumors hadn't officially started before Thursday afternoon, it has now.  The National Football Post, former GM Mike Lombardi's site, has a whopper.  Now we'll just have to see if they are right. 

They say there is a 70% chance T.J. Houshmandzadeh returns to the Bengals, as the two sides are nearing a deal.  That would rob the market of our top-rated wide receiver.  I suspect Housh could get a bigger payday if he waits, but it just goes to show that all the disgruntled talk in the world doesn't matter. 

Houshmandzadeh seemed unhappy with the organziation before, during, and after the Bengals season.  He could certainly find a more successful organization elsewhere.  But as re-signing Raiders Nmandi Asomugha and Shane Lechler already proved: money talks.  Duh. 

Baltimore's big three free agents are linebackers Bart Scott, Ray Lewis, and guard/center Jason Brown.  Scott figured to be the best value of the three, and he appears to be the one most likely to re-sign. 

The Baltimore Sun reports that Scott is only $400,000-$700,000 apart with Baltimore in contract negotiations.  That tells me he's unlikely to fly the coop.

Brown, on the other hand, is reportedly far apart in discussions.  Brown is my top offensive lineman available, and one of the top-five at any position.  It's rare to see difference making offensive lineman available at any position, and he has versatility. 

Any team serious about the running game will want him.  Washington, Miami, St. Louis, and Kansas City have been mentioned as suitors for Brown. 

If Scott re-signs today, one has to wonder if Ray Lewis will start taking free agent trips this weekend.  Even if he doesn't sign elsewhere, visiting a team like the Jets would increase Lewis' leverage. 

With free agency starting at midnight, many believed there was pressure on Chargers GM A.J. Smith to complete a re-structured deal with LaDainian Tomlinson by the end of the day or possibly release the franchise legend.  No such pressure exists. 

Mike Lombardi of the National Football Post points out that the Chargers are under no timetable to get a deal done with Tomlinson.  Unlike the Marvin Harrison and Derrick Brook cases, the Chargers truly want to keep their player. They have plenty of cap room available and there is no pending roster bonus coming up. 

The longer this negotiation goes on, the greater the chance Tomlinson returns to the Chargers at a reduced salary.  Tomlinson's options will diminish as other teams fill their needs in free agency and the draft.  The Chargers will also see their options go down.   A backfield of Tomlinson, Darren Sproles, Jacob Hester, and a potential rookie to be named later looks more likely by the day. 

There aren't many above-average defensive starters available in free agency that are still in their prime.  There are even fewer after the Dolphins signed two of them in the last 24 hours.

The Parcells/Sparano/Ireland triumvirate continued their aggressive overhaul of the Dolphins by re-signing inside linebacker Channing Crowder and signing Gibril Wilson, formerly of the Giants and Raiders. 

Crowder is 26 and was the best young inside linebacker available, along with Bart Scott.  Wilson is 28.  There are differing opinions about his skill level, but he's a thumper in the run game.  Miami's defense will be big and tough to push around. 

Wilson's signing makes it likely that Dolphins safety Yeremiah Bell will hit the open market as the best safety available.  But Bell is 31 and the Dolphins decided Wilson was a better value, which makes you wonder about Bell's skills. 

The Dolphins are smartly not resting on their 11-5 laurels, and they continue to get younger.  Bill Belichick is probably wishing his old boss had opted out of his Miami contract when he had the chance.

Update: I'm an idiot.  The Dolphins signed Bell later Thursday.  Wilson will move to free safety.  

NFL teams already were set to enter free agency with a record amount of salary cap space.  Now they each have an extra $4 million to spend.  A little known rule in the Collective Bargaining Agreement triggered the increase because teams didn't spend as much as they were supposed to in the last three years.

From Adam Schefter: "The collective bargaining agreement calls for cap adjustment down if teams spend over the cap in cash and adjustment up if they don't spend up the cap."

The additional room is great news for teams that were tight against the cap like Washington and Carolina.  Most teams won't spend all their room.  The few players that are worth it will get unprecedented money, recession or not.