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Smith Agrees To Terms With Jaguars...

Written By Bob Harris | TFL Report | Posted August 31, 2002 @ 14:35 PT

As reported by Associated Press sports writer Eddie Pells, Jimmy Smith and the Jacksonville Jaguars have come to terms on a new contract, ending a holdout that endured through the team's preseason. Terms of the new contract were not immediately available. Jaguars spokesman Dan Edwards did, however, confirm that the Jaguars will make an official announcement on Sunday, thus ending a 38-day holdout that brought the Jacksonville offense to a screeching halt in the preseason. ...

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Spurrier Names Matthews Opening Day Starter...

Written By Bob Harris | TFL Report | Posted August 30, 2002 @ 10:15 PT

As reported by Redskins.com editor Jason Gould, after the team dropped its final preseason contest 28-14 to the Patriots, head coach Steve Spurrier said he'll start Shane Matthews at quarterback in the team's regular-season opener against Arizona next Sunday. Announcing his decision immediately following the game, Spurrier said Matthews' comfort level at FedEx Field was the deciding factor in starting him over Danny Wuerffel. "Shane looks to be our best player to go play," Spurrier said after Thursday night's loss. "Hopefully, Shane will be able to lead us to a victory against the Cardinals. Shane just seems to play better at [FedEx Field]. ..."

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Gonzalez To Sign Tender Today...

Written By Bob Harris | TFL Report | Posted August 30, 2002 @ 08:30 PT

According to SportsLine.com insider Jay Glazer, All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez will end his long absence Friday and sign his one-year franchise tender. "I should land at about 12 or 12:30 and I'll head right over to the complex to sign the tender," Gonzalez said from Manhattan Beach, Calif. "There's just one minor stipulation that I'd like them to change from that deal and then I'd like to sign it today. ..."

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Anderson Has A Change Of Heart...

Written By Bob Harris | TFL Report | Posted August 27, 2002 @ 13:55 PT

So close and yet so far. ... After reaching an agreement in principle on a deal with the New England Patriots, Jamal Anderson had a change of heart. The former Falcon apparently still has concerns regarding his surgically repaired left knee. Patriots coach Bill Belichick indicated Tuesday afternoon that Anderson won't be on his team's roster. "I don't quite think he was ready," he said at the team's camp. "Maybe it will change, and maybe it won't. ..."

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ESPN: Pats Agree To Terms With Jamal Anderson...

Written By Bob Harris | TFL Report | Posted August 26, 2002 @ 09:40 PT

According to ESPN insiders Len Pasquarelli and Chris Mortensen, the New England Patriots have reached agreement in principle with free agent tailback Jamal Anderson, and, barring any last-minute snags, a contract that is believed to be for one year should be finalized by Monday afternoon. Anderson visited with New England officials last week, then took a few days to consider his options, which included offers from at least one other NFL team and a television opportunity. Anderson, who missed nearly the entire 1999 and 2001 seasons after severe knee injuries in those years, was also ardently courted in recent days by the Indianapolis Colts. It is believed that Anderson will sign for something at or near the league minimum for a player of his tenure, a base salary of $650,000, with a chance to earn more in incentives. ...

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Bengals To Open Season With Frerotte Under Center...

Written By Bob Harris | TFL Report | Posted August 26, 2002 @ 09:25 PT

According to Bengals.com online editor Geoff Hobson, Gus Frerotte became "The Man" in Cincinnati Monday ending a Bengals quarterback debate that has raged since Drew Bledsoe missed the Patriots Super Bowl parade back in February. With much less fanfare at his Monday noon news conference, Bengals head coach Dick LeBeau plan to tap Frerotte to start the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium. He becomes the fifth different opening day quarterback since Neil O’Donnell opened a 3-13 season in 1998. It is also Frerotte’s first opening day start since 1998, when he hurt his shoulder in the third quarter of Washington’s 31-24 loss to the Giants and lost the job. ...

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Freeman Joins Eagles...

Written By Bob Harris | TFL Report | Posted August 24, 2002 @ 18:45 PT

According to ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli, the Philadelphia Eagles dramatically strengthened their young wide receiver corps by reaching a contract agreement with free agent Antonio Freeman, a seven-year veteran. Freeman was released earlier this spring by the Green Bay Packers for salary cap reasons, after he played two years of a landmark contract that averaged $6 million annually and included a $10 million signing bonus. He will sign a one-year deal with the Eagles that could be worth as much as $1.7 million. After carefully considering his options most of the summer, Freeman opted for the Eagles over the Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers. Although all three teams offered the same basic contract, believed to be at about the league minimum, Philadelphia included a lucrative incentive package. ...

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Panther RB Foster To Miss 4 Weeks...

Written By Bob Harris | TFL Report | Posted August 24, 2002 @ 12:20 PT

According to a report broadcast by ESPNews, DeShaun Foster suffered cartilage damage and a bone bruise to his left knee during Friday night's game against the Patriots and is expected to be out four weeks. Tests showed that Foster's ACL was not damaged, but he may need to have the knee scoped at a later date. In an article published early Saturday, Rock Hill Herald staffer Darin Gantt reported that Foster hobbled off the field favoring his left knee with 21 seconds remaining in the third quarter. "I just felt it as I was on the ground," Foster said while standing on crutches in the locker room after the game. "I tried to get up and walk it off, but I couldn't. It was just a sharp pain. ..."

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Hines Ward Undergoes Emergency Appendectomy...

Written By Bob Harris | TFL Report | Posted August 24, 2002 @ 12:15 PT

According to Steelers.com staffer Teresa Varley, Pittsburgh wide receiver Hines Ward did not play in today's preseason game against the Detroit Lions after being taken to the hospital last night. Ward was taken immediately from the airport to the hospital where an emergency appendectomy was performed. The surgery was deemed a success and Ward is recovering nicely. He is expected to be released from the hospital by Sunday at the latest. ...

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Rocket To Miss Season With Neck Injury...

Written By Bob Harris | TFL Report | Posted August 20, 2002 @ 13:15 PT

As reported by Associated Press sports writer Stephen Hawkins, Dallas Cowboys receiver Raghib "Rocket" Ismail will undergo season-ending neck surgery Wednesday to repair damage done when he collided with a teammate last week in practice. The team posted on its Web site that Ismail has "an apparent disk problem" and "an existing condition in need of immediate attention." Both sound similar to the problems that ended the careers of Cowboys stars Michael Irvin and Daryl Johnston. The 32-year-old Ismail would've been playing his 10th season, fourth in Dallas. His previous two seasons were also marred by injury, including a torn knee ligament in 2000. ...

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