2008 Off Season (Official Thread)

[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - Cowboys reward RB Barber, CB Newman with new deals - NFL

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

Cowboys reward RB Barber, CB Newman with new deals

Using the salary-cap loopholes created by Tuesday's decision to have a possible uncapped year in 2010, the Dallas Cowboys locked up two of their key young players -- cornerback Terence Newman and halfback Marion Barber.

Newman received a six-year extension worth $50.2 million, similar to the deal Marcus Trufant received from Seattle. He will receive $22.5 million guaranteed over the first three years of the contract. Barber agreed to a seven-year, $45 million deal that included $16 million in guarantees.

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[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - No. 3 overall pick Ryan to get $34.75M guaranteed from Falcons - NFL

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

No. 3 overall pick Ryan to get $34.75M guaranteed from Falcons

Matt Ryan officially became the face of the Atlanta Falcons when he was selected as the third pick in the NFL draft. On Tuesday, the Falcons rewarded him with plenty of green.

Ryan became the second top draft choice to sign when he accepted a six-year, $72 million contract that included $34.75 million in guarantees. Less than a week before the draft, tackle Jake Long signed a five-year, $57.75 million deal with the Miami Dolphins.

The announcement of the new deal came with smiles, confident talk of the future and no mention of Michael Vick, the first pick in 2001 who signed a $130 million extension, the richest in the league at the time, in December 2005.

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[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - Saints acquire Shockey for draft picks - NFL

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

Saints acquire Shockey for draft picks

Sean Payton's persistence finally won out. The New Orleans Saints acquired Jeremy Shockey for a second- and a fifth-round draft pick in 2009.

The deal was first reported by FoxSports.com.

"Jeremy is a player that we are excited to have on our roster. He is someone I am familiar with as a player," Payton said. "He brings a skill set to the position that I feel will be a tremendous benefit to our offense."

The Saints had been trying since February to acquire the disgruntled New York Giants tight end. First, they offered a second-round pick. Before the draft, they increased the offer to a second- and a fifth-round draft choice, but until a few days before the start of their training camp, the Giants felt he was too valuable to lose.

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[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - Manning will need 4-6 weeks to recover from knee surgery - NFL

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

Manning will need 4-6 weeks to recover from knee surgery

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is sacked only 3.4 percent of the time he attempts a pass, but recent surgery to remove the infected bursa sac in his left knee has temporarily left him down for the count.

Though the prognosis for his return for the regular-season opener against the Bears is good, Manning, who talked to reporters via conference call from his home, painted a scary picture of his recovery. The Colts reported to training camp in Terre Haute, Ind., Thursday while Manning was completely immobilized at home.

By Friday morning, he will have missed the first meeting, practice and organized activity of his football career. An NFL iron man in the mold of Brett Favre, Manning is pained not being with his Colts teammates.

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