Andre Johnson

The contractual issues that caused Texans All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson to skip offseason OTAs must have shook the organization.

I say that because Johnson is close to signing a new contract that might possibly make him the NFL’s highest paid wide receiver. This according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. The specifics of the supposed deal are unknown as of now.

A.J. is entering year three of the eight-year, $60 million deal he signed in 2007. He’s arguably underpaid compared to the other elite at his position – Larry Fitzgerald and Brandon Marshall come to mind. Though it’s odd for a player to be rewarded with a new contract when there’s five years remaining already.

Texans owner Bob McNair indicated last week they’d get something done by the first preseason game, August 14. Looks like it’ll be a lot sooner than that.

Logan Mankins

Initially a report broke that Patriots restricted free-agent guard Logan Mankins signed his one-year tender. Literally an hour later, a much different tune is now being sung.

According to Mike Reiss, of ESPN Boston, Mankins has requested that the team trades him. In addition to not signing the tender, he also plans on skipping training camp.

“At this point, I’m pretty frustrated, from everything that’s happened and the way negotiations have gone,” Mankins said in a phone interview. “I want to be traded. I don’t need to be here any more.”

Because New England is notoriously frugal with handing out contract extensions, it seems as if a long-term pact between the two parties is unlikely.

It’s possible Mankins is looking for a deal similar to the one that Saints guard Jahri Evans received last month. Evans got $56.7 million over seven-years, which made him the richest guard in the history of the NFL. The article reveals the Pats proposal was 20% lower than the Evans deal; not gonna work for the two-time Pro Bowl lineman.

UPDATE: NFL spokesman Greg Aiello officially announced the NFL will look into this. What’s more interesting is above, which is a video revealing Young in the fight.

UPDATE #2: Young has issued an apology on the matter:

“I just made a mistake, I made a mistake even being there and I let that guy provoke me into doing what I did,” Young said. “… I pray to God that Roger Goodell doesn’t come down hard on me, because I definitely want to be here for my teammates.”

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According to CBS 11 in Dallas, Titans quarterback Vince Young is the prime suspect in an assault that took place at a strip club in Dallas on Saturday night.

Per the report, an individual exited with an injury to their body after Young and the victim exchanged words at the club. Young allegedly then left the scene before officers arrived.

As of now, there is no warrant out for Young but keep in mind this story is still very fresh and ripe with details that are unknown at this point. Stay tuned.

Breaking news from Adam Schefter and NFLN. Pats QB Matt Cassel has been traded to the KC Chiefs, no word on the compensation, but word is Pats get their 2009 second rounder and a conditional pick next year for Vrabel and Cassel. Schefter also guesses Cassel’s deal will be in the 7 year, $72M range.

UPDATE: Nothing’s official yet. Schefter just said there is another team involved and that the trade may not go through. Both the Chiefs and a “mystery team” have the framework for deals in place. If the Chiefs can’t close the deal then Cassel could use ‘team X’ for more cash. Schefter also says it’s a “surprise team”. More on this as it leaks.

UPDATE #2: It’s done. Cassel & Vrabel to Chiefs for Chiefs 2nd round pick.

Well, in-case you live under a rock, or don’t have a TV, Brett Favre was traded to the New York Jets tonight.

It

Is

Over.

ESPN’s Wendi Nix, reporting on NFL Live, reports that a trade involving Brett Favre could happen anytime now. The Packers remain reluctant to trade him within the division, so it could be the Bucs, Jets, or an unknown surprise team. A couple of things to note here:

• Bucs GM Bruce Allen was mysteriously missing from practice today, something that is apparently “very rare”. He could be working out a trade scenario for Favre.
• Favre has said on multiple occasions that he doesn’t want to play for the Jets and has no interest in playing in New York in general. It was a remote chance from the start, anyway.
• Packers coach Mike McCarthy has a news conference scheduled around 6:00 PM EST today.
• ESPN’s Ed Werder is reporting and confirming that the Bucs and Packers are working on a trade. What happens to Jeff Garcia now? I’d expect him to be pissed off to the max.

It’s getting closer, people. The end of Favre-gate could be soon.

So after two months of on-and-off rumors, in 24 hours, there will finally be a resolution (hopefully). Let the circus begin!

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports is reporting that disgruntled Giants TE Jeremy Shockey has gotten his wish, and has been traded to the New Orleans Saints for second and fifth round picks in 2009. The deal is pending the league’s approval and Shockey passing a physical.

More to come…

This deal has been talked about since mid-April when many thought a Saints/Giants swap would occur on draft day but the deal fell through. Shockey also made waves in OTA’s when he got into a shouting match with Giants GM Jerry Reese. This works out for Brees and the Saints offense, as they finally have a go-to tight end, assuming he stays healthy. With the offense consisting of Brees, Bush,  McAllister, Colston, and now Shockey, they look to reclaim the NFC South throne. For the Giants, Kevin Boss, who had a couple of clutch catches in the Superbowl, now becomes the entrenched starter at TE.

This is also the second major trade in two days, after Jason Taylor was dealt to the Redskins last night. I will update this post when the league, and Shockey’s physical result, makes this trade official.

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Continuing in the whirlwind of Jason Taylor news and rumors today, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports is reporting that the Dolphins and Redskins have agreed to terms on a trade that would send Taylor to the Redskins for a second-round pick in 2009. The two teams hope to finalize the deal tonight.

Wow, Snyder and Co. worked quickly to fill the hole left by Phillip Daniels after they lost him for the season today. Assuming this trade goes down, Washington got a premiere player, who has a little wear on his tires, but still left with at least two or three Pro Bowl seasons.

When the trade becomes official or any news comes out of this, I’ll update you all. Stay tuned.

The Brett Favre saga, which presumably will carry on until the start of the season, took an interesting turn today, as he and his agent requested his contractual release from the Packers in a letter which arrived at the Packers facility earlier today. Reportedly, the Packers weren’t “openly receptive” to the idea of outright releasing him, but since they still own his rights, it’s their call on what to do. They can keep him on the roster, although disgruntled, let him go, as he wishes, or trade him, try to recoup some value, and finally move on with Aaron Rodgers. Favre hopes for a “mutual parting” with the team, but it looks as if it’s not going to be that easy.

Since Favre announced his retirement in early March, there were constant rumors that Favre wanted to return, but that storyline picked up steam 9 days ago when a report surfaced that Favre still had “an itch to play”. Since then, Favre has sent text messages to Packers GM Ted Thompson, his agent has confirmed his interest in returning, and possible landing spots for the future Hall Of Fame QB have been discussed. What happens next? We don’t know, as Favre is as unpredictable as anyone, but be sure to stay tuned and keep it locked here as we’ll keep you updated on Favre Watch.

UPDATE: Here’s the official statement from the Packers organization:

“The Green Bay Packers are aware of the latest developments regarding Brett Favre.

“Brett earned and exercised the right to retire on his terms. We wanted him to return and welcomed him back on more than one occasion.

“Brett’s press conference and subsequent conversations in the following weeks illustrated his commitment to retirement.

“The finality of his decision to retire was accepted by the organization. At that point, the Green Bay Packers made the commitment to move forward with our football team.

“As a retired player, Brett has the option to apply for reinstatement with Commissioner Goodell. If that were to occur, he would become an active member of the Green Bay Packers. As always, the Packers will do what’s right and in the best interest of the team.

“As with all Packers greats, Brett’s legacy will always be celebrated by our fans and the organization, regardless of any change in his personal intentions.

“Brett and Deanna will always be a part of the Packers family.”