Rams Release Bulger

Rams released QB Marc Bulger. The move saves $8.5 million in salary, which will come in handy when the Rams make Sam Bradford one of the league’s highest paid quarterbacks later this month. Bulger, who turned 33 today, has seen his YPA average drop in six consecutive seasons and his completion rate fall in five straight while looking shell shocked in the pocket behind a swinging-gate offensive line.

He’ll have suitors (e.g. old coaches Mike Martz and Scott Linehan in the NFC North), but is unlikely to receive a serious chance to start with his new team.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

New Orleans: According to the Chicago Tribune, the “unknown team” free agent Alex Brown will visit with on Tuesday is the New Orleans Saints. The 31-year-old is also getting interest from the Bucs and Panthers, who both run the Tampa 2-style system Brown has played in for most of his career. In New Orleans, though, he’d help fill a gaping hole at left end and allow the Saints to draft the best player available with the Nos. 32 and 64 overall picks.

Cincinnati: Bengals OG Jason Shirley may be lost for the year after suffering what’s believed to be a torn Achilles’ tendon during spring workouts. Shirley, whose transition from defensive tackle to offensive guard was profiled closely on last year’s edition of HBO’s Hard Knocks, was injured during a charity basketball game.

Houston: Texans agreed to terms with K Neil Rackers on a two-year contract worth up to $4.1 million, though just $350,000 is guaranteed. The Houston Texans will hold an open competition between Rackers and Kris Brown in camp. Rackers has a stronger leg for touchback purposes and has been more accurate over the last two seasons, missing just four regular season field goal attempts compared to Brown’s 14, including 11 last year alone. Neither is especially great in the clutch, but Rackers should be the favorite.

Green Bay: Packers re-signed restricted free agent G/C Jason Spitz to a one-year, $1.76 million contract. He got a 10% raise from his 2009 salary after receiving a second-round tender. A third-round pick out of Louisville in 2006, Spitz beat out Scott Wells to be Green Bay’s starting center last September before landing on injured reserve with a herniated disc in his back five games into the season. This year, Spitz will battle T.J. Lang and Daryn Colledge at left guard.

Washington: The Washington Redskins will reportedly allow the player rep for restricted free agent Jason Campbell to seek a trade for his client. Washington is “open” to retaining him as Donovan McNabb’s backup, but Campbell would obviously prefer a chance to start elsewhere. Redskins coach Mike Shanahan is expected to address Campbell’s situation further at McNabb’s introductory press conference Tuesday. In the unlikely scenario that Campbell sticks around, he’d collect $3.14 million per his one-year tender.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Philadelphia: Philadelphia Eagles acquired DE Darryl Tapp from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for DE/OLB Chris Clemons and a 2010 fourth-round draft pick. It’s a worthwhile gamble for Philly. Tapp didn’t fit into defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s scheme last year, but he’s been more disruptive than Clemons over the past few seasons. Sean McDermott will be charged with getting the 25-year-old back to his 2007-08 production as a rotational pass.

Buffalo: Bills signed ILB Andra Davis to a two-year contract worth a maximum of $4.4 million. “Done deal I am a Buffalo Bill now,” Davis texted Tuesday afternoon. For the second straight year, the savvy veteran will be helping a defense switch from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4. Paul Posluszny’s job is safe, though the other inside linebacker spot should be Davis’ for the taking. Coming off a serious surgery to re-attach his quadriceps muscle to his kneecap, Kawika Mitchell may be the odd man out.

New York: Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum vows that the team will continue to “run the ball a lot” despite the release of Thomas Jones. Mark Sanchez won’t be unleashed just yet. “(Running the ball) is important to Rex (Ryan),” Tannenbaum said. “That’s our offensive philosophy.” With the aide of a mauling offensive line, the Jets finished 2009 ranked No. 1 in rush attempts and fifth in yards per carry.

Washington: The Redskins will host free agent Joey Porter on Thursday. Porter’s preference is to return home to the west coast, but he needs another team interested so the Cardinals aren’t bidding against themselves. The Washington Redskins are moving to a 3-4 defense, so Porter fits from a pure scheme standpoint.

Denver: According to FoxSports.com’s John Czarnecki, there is “no way that Pete Carroll is parting with the sixth overall pick for a disgruntled receiver who really can’t stretch the field.”

Czar was obviously referring to Brandon Marshall, though the latter part of his statement is debatable. If the Seahawks are truly willing to commit to the headcase long term, they’re smart to wait out the Broncos. Josh McDaniels is loath to hold onto a bad-tempered player expected to pout until he hits the jackpot on an extension.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

San Diego: Citing a league source, Lions beat writer Tom Kowalski reports that a trade sending Antonio Cromartie to Detroit is now “highly unlikely.” It appears Detroit balked when San Diego Chargers asked for Maurice Morris. The Lions have reportedly “opted to move in a different direction.” Though Morris is a replacement-level back, he is versed in OC Scott Linehan’s scheme and showed the ability to perform at a high level in spot duty with 126 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries against the Cardinals in Week 15 last year. Morris would also be the Lions’ every-down back if the season started today.

New Orleans: The Saints have extended a first- and third-round tender to restricted free agent RG Jahri Evans. The sides are working on a long-term deal, but New Orleans Saints had to make this move before the March 4 deadline to ensure Evans wouldn’t become an unrestricted free agent. Evans, 26, was a 2009 first-team All-Pro selection.

San Francisco: The 49ers will not tender DB Marcus Hudson, making him an unrestricted free agent. Hudson would’ve made just over $1 million with the lowest possible tender, but the San Francisco 49ers didn’t deem him worthy as mostly a non-factor on defense. Hudson offers special teams value, though, and should get some interest.

San Francisco: The 49ers have extended a low tender to restricted free agent LG David Baas. San Francisco clearly doesn’t think too highly of Baas, who was originally a second-round pick. Per new CBA rules, he’d only cost another team a third-round pick to sign away. Baas started all 16 games for the Niners last year.

New York: The Jets will release CB Lito Sheppard on Friday, the New York Daily News has confirmed. The OCNN (Ochocinco’s News Network) had the news first. Sheppard, 29, remained injury prone in his one-year Jets stint and was often burned when on the field. He wasn’t going to last with a $10 million roster bonus pending.

2010 NFL Draft: Scout.com’s Adam Caplan calls Fordham QB John Skelton “clearly” the strongest-armed quarterback at the Combine. “Skelton can make any throw, and he can make it look easy,” Caplan wrote after observing Skelton in Indianapolis and at a pre-draft all-star event. Skelton’s downfalls are his sense of timing — typical for D-IAA QBs — and accuracy. Skelton is a project, but with upside to someday start in the NFL

While LT’s release may seem like a sad ending to a Hall of Fame Chargers career, he didn’t make it smooth by ripping the franchise and refusing to take a pay cut despite obviously declining skills. Tomlinson averaged 3.3 YPC last year and turns 31 in June.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

New Orleans: ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Len Pasquarelli report that the New Orleans Saints will not use the franchise tag on free agent Darren Sharper. “He’ll be a free agent,” Schefter said Monday, after NFL.com’s Steve Wyche reported last week that Sharper would be tagged.

The franchise deadline is Thursday. New Orleans’ decision may hinge on its ability to sign Sharper to a cheaper deal and/or confidence in Usama Young and 2009 first-round pick Malcolm Jenkins, who are both candidates to take over at free safety.

Green Bay: Packers beat writer Greg Bedard expects restricted free agent FS Nick Collins to hold out “for real” this offseason. This is assuming the Green Bay Packers don’t sign Collins long term, and instead extend him a restricted free agent tender. Aside from his play, obviously elite with 13 INTs over the last two years, Collins has no leverage other than his ability to hold out. Collins is only 26 and has earned a top contract for a safety, so it would be nice to see GM Ted Thompson step up in this case.

Carolina: An NFL executive told SI’s Peter King that he will be “surprised” if Julius Peppers gets $10 million a year in free agency. For comparison, Jared Allen makes over $12M annually. If the exec is right, Peppers may have to settle for a below-market deal despite the forthcoming uncapped year. The development would be a major disappointment for Peppers, who Carolina previously offered to make the NFL’s richest defender.

Buffalo: Newsday’s Bob Glauber reports that the Bengals will not sign free agent Terrell Owens this offseason. Glauber interestingly adds that Cincinnati Bengals “regrets” signing Laveranues Coles last offseason, and won’t repeat the mistake of going after a wide receiver in career decline. Owens has not been linked to any other teams to this point.

2010 NFL Draft: NFL Network’s Mike Mayock has Carlos Dunlap of Florida rated No. 4 among defensive ends for the 2010 NFL Draft. Mayock has USF’s Jason Pierre-Paul first, Georgia Tech’s Derrick Morgan second, Michigan’s Brandon Graham third, and USC’s Everson Griffen fifth. Dunlap was hailed as a top-ten pick immediately after he declared early for the draft, but his stock has slipped since pleading no contest to a DUI charge on December 1. Dunlap’s play-to-play effort is also in question.

There even was doubt they would return, but the NFL refused to abandon the city. The Superdome was repaired and the Saints won the NFC South in ’06, their first season with Brees and Payton.

“Four years ago, who ever thought this would be happening when 85 percent of the city was underwater from (Hurricane) Katrina.” Brees said. “Most people not knowing if New Orleans would ever come back or if the organization and the team would come back. … This is the culmination of that belief and that faith.”

Brees, who tied a Super Bowl record with 32 completions, the last a two-yard slant to Jeremy Shockey for the winning points with 5:42 remaining, completed 32 for 39 passes for 288 yards. “We just believed in ourselves, and we knew that we had an entire city, and maybe an entire country, behind us,” said Brees, the game’s MVP.

“What can I say? I tried to imagine what this moment would be like for a long time, and it’s better than expected.” Looking like the NFL’s most potent offense, the Saints seized the opportunity to take their first lead. It came on Pierre Thomas’ brilliant 16-yard run with a screen pass, capped by a dive into the end zone.

The Saints (16-3) won three postseason games this winter after winning only two in the previous 42 years. They beat Arizona, Minnesota and Indianapolis (16-3), all division winners, for their first title, scoring 107 points and allowing only 59.

Manning, who was matched up against the Saints 25th-ranked defense, struggled throughout the night. “I certainly know how it was three years ago when we won,” Manning said. “I know the people of New Orleans and the Saints have that same feeling right now.”

In the land of Who Dat, it just does not get any better than Dat. Quarterback Drew Brees outgunned League MVP Peyton Manning and led the perennial also-rans to an upset over the unflappable, battle tested Colts in a remarkably well-played game. The relatively penalty-free battle was NFL Offensive football at its best.

Just when it seemed the last team to touch the ball would win, Tracy Porter did the unthinkable. The fleet defensive back boldly cut in front of Manning’s favorite receiver, Wayne Howard, and sprinted 74 yards to thwart a Colt comeback rally and decide the game.

This was no fluke. The Saints appeared the more aggressive team, a team willing to play outside the box, a team ready to take chances and take no hostages. The notoriously weak Saints defense played plenty tough. Obviously well-prepared, the normally porous unit, kept Manning guessing and seemed to anticipate his every move.

This game boiled down to Brees’ faultless execution of coach Sean Payton’s game plan and the defense’s ability to mix the pace and coverage against Manning. The Saints simply took charge of the ball from the second quarter on. With long drives, they effectively took the ball out of Manning’s hands.

The winner’s aggressive style was highlighted by a successful onside kick to start the second half. The stunned Indianapolis Colts Drew Brees, Wayne Howard, Payton, Pierre Thomas, Indianapolis Colts never really got back on their feet. They often seemed to be off balance and wondering what was coming next.

It was quite a reversal from the first quarter when Manning clicked on a touchdown and Matt Stover connected on a 38-yard field goal. The Saints only ran 9 offensive plays in the quarter and trailed 10-0.

The Saints took control in the second quarter allowing Manning only three offensive six offensive plays. Garret Hartley connected on one of his three 40+ yard field goals to pull the Saints within 4 at 10-6.

Little did the Colts know it, but Head Coach Payton, had them right where he wanted them. Just as he had done in the first half when he gambled unsuccessfully on a fourth and one, the Saints boldly went for an onside kick. To the surprise of the stunned capacity Miami crowd, New Orleans recovered the fumbled kick. Moments later, Brees finally struck paydirt on a beautifully executed 16 yard catch and run play to Pierre Thomas that gave the Colts their first lead at 13-10.

Manning promptly marched the Colts down the field on another sustained drive. Running back Joseph Addai, who led all rushers with 77 yards, stormed in from four yards out to regain the Colts lead. It was a typical Manning answer to a challenge.

But, this Saints team did not blink. Hartley booted another field goal to pull within one and then the Saints forced the Colts to punt. The defenses began to assert themselves as the game entered the fourth quarter with the Indianapolis Colts up 17—16. Manning seemed to be under more pressure than Brees, who moved well in the pocket to buy extra time.

At the six-minute mark, Brees hit reliable tight end Jeremy Shockey for a two touchdown. After a ruling reversal, the Saints were awarded a 2-point conversion to build a seven-point lead at 24-17.

But, there were five minutes left and Manning has been there before. Instead of playing it safe, the Saints secondary began to take chances. Porter almost picked off a pass headed for Howard but couldn’t handle it. Using a variety of short passes and down the middle strikes, the Colts seemed headed for the end zone.

Meanwhile Porter was reading Howard like a book. Like his gambling coach, he went for the pick and sealed the game with his scoring dash and let the good times roll.

Former Broncos RB Floyd Little and former Lions CB and current Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau join them as the seniors committee selections. Andre Reed, Shannon Sharpe, Dermonti Dawson, Richard Dent, and Cortez Kennedy made the final 10, only to be eliminated Saturday. Also eliminated were Cris Carter, Tim Brown, Charles Haley, Roger Craig, and Don Coryell.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Indianapolis: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Dwight Freeney will play in the Super Bowl barring any setbacks in pregame warm-ups. Freeney missed practice again Saturday. For the first time in two weeks, he will test the ankle before the game. It seems likely that he’ll suit up, but the Indianapolis Colts’ best pass rusher will be limited to a third-down role in obvious passing situations. Reliable veteran Raheem Brock will play the majority of the snaps.

Indianapolis: Reggie Wayne is listed as “probable” after leaving Friday’s practice with a tweaked right knee. Wayne “stopped short” while running a pass route, which is sure to infuriate Frank Costanza. He played through the injury to the “fat pad” in his knee for much of 2009. The Colts do not seemed concerned about Wayne’s status for Sunday’s game. He was able to participate in Saturday’s practice/walk-through.

Jacksonville: The Jaguars informed veteran WR Torry Holt and OT Tra Thomas that they will be released next week. Holt, 33, was the Jags’ third-leading receiver in 2009, but he’s devoid of playmaking ability at this stage of his career. Holt played ten seasons in St. Louis Rams before signing with Jacksonville last April. Mike Thomas could ascend to Holt’s starting spot in 2010. Teams can not release players until the Monday after the Super Bowl.

Oakland: The Raiders are reportedly set to hire former Chiefs defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast as defensive backs coach. Todd Haley originally wanted Pendergast to stay on in the same position with the Chiefs, but the two ended up agreeing to part ways. After losing his job twice in two seasons, Pentergast’s days as a coordinator may be over.

St. Louis: Jason Smith will likely stay at right tackle if Alex Barron is re-signed. Coach Steve Spagnuolo has no qualms about playing Smith at left tackle, but Barron is likely to be retained as a restricted free agent in the expected uncapped year. Jason Smith will return at center and Jacob Bell at left guard, but the team will need to find a right guard after releasing Richie Incognito late in the season.

New England: The New England Patriots will not fill their vacant defensive coordinator role for 2010. Instead, coach Bill Belechick will be more involved with the defense and share the workload with his assistants. The Pats parted ways with Dean Pees, who served as defensive coordinator over the past four season, in January. LBs coach Matt Patricia was believed to be the favorite for the open coordinator position but will instead share duties with the rest of the defensive staff.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Baltimore: Baltimore Ravens FS Ed Reed revealed on the NFL Network Friday that the nerve impingement in his neck and shoulder has gotten worse. Reed also played through ankle, groin and most notably hip injuries during the ’09 season. He indicated that the nerve issue caused the latter most injury. Reed called himself “50:50″ to continue to his playing career early last month. The chances of Reed returning now appear to be decreasing, considering it appears that he is laying the ground work for retirement.

Chicago: Bears promoted DL coach Rod Marinelli to defensive coordinator. Marinelli, who was a defensive line coach in Tampa before his head coaching stint in Detroit and eventual move to Chicago Bears, will call defensive plays for the first time in his career. The Bears decided to stay in-house after whiffing on Perry Fewell, who was their No. 1 target entering the offseason. Marinelli knows the Bears’ Tampa-2 scheme as well as anyone, so he’s a natural fit despite his inexperience from a play-calling standpoint.

Chicago: Devin Hester revealed Thursday that he played through a left shoulder injury in addition to his ankle and calf ailments during the 2009 season. “I really couldn’t use my left shoulder,” said Hester. He said he played through the injury at “75 to 80 percent.” Hester won’t need surgery, but he’s still rehabbing it to build strength. The lower leg injuries also affected his ability to push off, sapping him of his quickness. The team could opt to curtail the smallish Hester’s offensive snaps since he couldn’t hold up to the pounding of two full-time roles.

New York: Giants RB Brandon Jacobs revealed Friday that he injured his knee in the Giants’ 2009 opener and played through it for the entire year. This likely explains the 27-year-old’s severe decline in production and perhaps his surprisingly low usage after GM Jerry Reese promised last offseason that Jacobs would be the team’s clear featured back.

Cleveland: Suspended Browns WR Donte’ Stallworth is due a $1 million roster bonus on March 20. He’ll be gone before then. Stallworth would be in line for a $1.5 million salary if he was to stay on the 2010 roster into Week 1, but he’s not a good enough player and brings too much bad P.R. to keep around. Stallworth figures to receive no more than the NFL minimum when he hits the open market.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Baltimore: Ravens beat writer Mike Preston believes it will be a “surprising” if the Ravens make a play for Brandon Marshall this offseason. Owner Steve Bisciotti is willing to take a risk on “first-time offenders,” but he’s much more leery of repeat offenders. Marshall has had problems with coaches Mike Shanahan and Josh McDaniels the past two years, both of them growing tired of his antics on and off the field. He’s simply too big of a character risk for the likely first-round (or more) asking price.

Baltimore: Acknowledging that wide receiver is a priority this offseason, Baltimore Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome indicated that he’s “open” to trading players or draft picks to acquire an upgrade. The Ravens need a big, physical receiver to push Derrick Mason into the No. 2 role. Anquan Boldin and Brandon Marshall both fit the description, though coaches’ nightmare Marshall comes with a sizable character risk. The injury-prone Boldin would come at a lower cost in players and/or draft picks.

St. Louis: According to a report from Jason LaCanfora on NFL Network Wednesday, the St. Louis Rams are “definitely” the favorites to land Michael Vick this offseason. The Rams have connections to Vick, beginning with GM Billy Devaney from their time together in Atlanta. Coach Steve Spagnuolo and coordinator Pat Shurmur are both tight with Andy Reid and presumably have received positive reports on Vick. Despite the Eagles’ recent contention that they don’t plan to deal Vick, he’s almost certainly available for a late round draft pick.

New York: In an interview with radio station WFAN Wednesday, Giants DE Usi Umenyiora insisted he will quit football if he’s not starting for the Giants in 2010. “I’m not going to be a back up player, I can promise you that,” Umenyiora said. “I’ll stop playing football before I do that ever again. This has been just the worst offseason of my entire life.” Umenyiora is still livid over his late-season benching, though he earned it with his subpar play in 2009. New coordinator Perry Fewell has already started mending fences, hinting that he sees Umenyiora as a full-time player.

San Diego: In an interview with San Diego station XX 1090, LaDainian Tomlinson insisted Tuesday that he would not take a paycut “under any circumstances.” LT says he’s unhappy with changes in the organization, but he wouldn’t rule out returning to San Diego. “I can see a lot of things happening,” said Tomlinson. “I just kind of leave it open.” If he’s truly unwilling to restructure, his future almost certainly lies outside of San Diego.

Brett Favre

FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reports that “every player” in the Minnesota Vikings locker room believes that Brett Favre will retire this offseason. At this point, Favre hasn’t indicated if he will return next season.  It is worth noting that Favre told ESPN last week that his mind is already made up about the future.

Favre is still playing at an elite level and probably will not want to retire when his last throw was intercepted. He threw for 310 yards, a touchdown and two picks on 28-of-46 passing in Sunday’s NFC title game loss.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

New Orleans:  Saints QB and leader Drew Brees completed 17-of-31 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns as the New Orleans Saints defeated Minnesota 31-28 on Garrett Hartley’s overtime field goal in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game.

The three TDs look nice from a fantasy perspective, but Brees spent most of the game backpedaling as the Vikings generated consistent penetration up the middle and off the edges.

The Saints won the coin flip in overtime, and got help from a pair of penalties in the Vikings’ secondary before Hartley knocked home the game-winner from 40 yards away. Brees has a 6:0 TD-to-INT ratio in the playoffs and the Saints face the Colts in two weeks.

Indianapolis:  Pierre Garcon caught 11 balls for 151 yards and a touchdown as the Indianapolis Colts advanced to Super Bowl XLIV in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game win.

Torching the Jets’ combination of Lito Sheppard, Dwight Lowery, and Drew Coleman, Garcon was Peyton Manning’s go-to guy with “No. 1″ receiver Reggie Wayne covered by Darrelle Revis.

Garcon made highlight-reel caliber catches along the sidelines and showed off his underrated after-catch skills. He’s up to 16 receptions and 185 yards through two playoff wins.

Minnesota:  Adrian Peterson ran for 122 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries and caught two passes for 14 yards in the Vikings’ season-ending NFC title game loss at the Superdome.

It was all or nothing for “All Day,” who was credited with two fumbles but actually had three if you include a botched exchange with Brett Favre. A.P. was a game-breaker when he held onto the football and the Vikings’ offensive line got push, hitting numerous big runs. Despite his take-no-prisoners running style, Peterson hasn’t missed a game since his rookie year.

Oakland:  Jamarcus Russell will be back with the Raiders in 2010, sources tell ESPN’s Len Pasquarelli.

This just confirms that Raiders owner Al Davis isn’t going to give up on Russell yet. Pasquarelli says Oakland brass still believes JaMarcus can be a productive player in the league, particularly with the right coaching.

We’re skeptical about that because of Russell’s work habits, decision making, and poor accuracy. Look for the Raiders to sign or trade for a veteran and Russell to return as a backup next season.