More NFL news, notes from PFT (ProFootballTalk.com)

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The 49ers have signed WR Ashley Lelie to a two-year, $4.3 million deal.

The Lions have signed Bucs DE Dewayne White to a five-year, $29 million deal.

Texans DE Antwan Peek has signed with the Browns.

As expected, the Titans have cut RB Travis Henry, who is heading to Denver for a visit. (Don’t forget that Henry was suspended four games for violation of the substance abuse policy in 2005, and still might be one ill-timed rock concert away from a one-year suspension.)

RB Dominic “Poppie” Rhodes ended his visit with the Giants without a contract.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the Patriots have signed receiver Wes Welker, a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet. The deal is for six years, and has a value of $38.5 million.

The Florida Times-Union reports that the Jaguars have inked receiver Dennis Northcutt a surprising $3.4 million per season

Smoot returning to Redskins (AP/ Yahoo! Sports)

The Associated Press is reporting that cornerback Fred Smoot, he of the infamous “Love Boat: Minnesota” chronicles, has signed with the Washington Redskins. This marks his second tour of duty with the Redskins after departing two seasons ago for the Minnesota Vikings.

The deal calls for a signing bonus of at least $2 million.

Braves’ Cox acknowledges retirement on mind (AP/SI.com)

Atlanta Braves skipper Bobby Cox, 66, admits it’s getting near the time to retire after nearly 17 years managing the ballclub. Cox claims that he’ll stick around for two more years before he exits stage left.

Sports Guy not going to SI…in no uncertain terms (Boston Sports Media Watch)

Bill Simmons, better known as “Sports Guy” from ESPN, e-mailed BSMW to repute a report that he may be jumping to Sports Ilustrated soon.

His one line response should clear things up:

“I would never work for SI,” Simmons said via email on Friday night, “they’ve slipped so much that they couldn’t even throw a party for the Swimsuit Issue without giving everybody Hepatitis A.”

Roundup: ‘Nova edges Syracuse; Okla. State falls (AP/USA Today)

Your late afternoon college hoops round-up on a bracket busting Saturday.

Networks debating how to do with Bonds (Variety)

Sports news networks ESPN and FOX Sports are currently reviewing how they plan on covering San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds’ chase for Hank Aaron’s home run record.

Thanks to the assist from the fine folks at BizofBaseball.com for finding this read at Variety.com.

Notes: OL Dielman returns to Chargers; 49ers sign DL Franklin (AP/USA Today)

Kris Dielman agreed to terms with the San Diego Chargers on Saturday, taking one of the most sought-after offensive linemen available. The San Francisco 49ers continue to bolster their defense by adding free agent defensive lineman Aburayo Franklin, who had been with the Baltimore Ravens.

Patriots make splash with signing of LB Adalius Thomas (AP/USA Today)

The New England Patriots formally announced the signing of one of the free agent market’s biggest prizes in linebacker Adalius Thomas.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Niners, Harris agree to two-year extension (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

The San Francisco 49ers and Pro Bowl corner Walt Harris have agreed to a two-year contract extension, but the player has yet to sign the deal as the Santa Rosa Democrat reports.

No terms have been disclosed.

Cowboys to keep Glenn in fold (Cowboys Plus/Dallas Morning News)

Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports that the Dallas Cowboys have elected to pay the $5 million roster due to wide receiver Terry Glenn. The move indicates the team will keep Glenn for the 2007 NFL season.

NCAA Basketball - Georgetown Hoyas clinch share of Big East crown (AP/Yahoo! Sports)

The Georgetown Hoyas clinched a share of the Big East title after downing the UConn Huskies 59-46.

Broncos announce trade of Plummer to Tampa Bay (AP/USA Today)

A day after reports that the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Bucs consummated a deal for quarterback Jake Plummer, the two clubs pulled the trigger Saturday on the transaction.  In exchange for Plummer, Tampa Bay acquires a conditional draft choice.

The deal is announced just 24 hours after the quarterback announced his retirement from football and just hours before the Bucs are to announce the signing of free agent QB Jeff Garcia to a deal.

Adam Schefter of the NFL Network speculates via ProFootballTalk that the move forces Plummer into a corner to decide his fate an NFL player.

From PFT:

Per Schefter, the trade states that Plummer either unretires and plays for the Bucs, or Plummer retires and the Broncos retain the ability to pursue the unallocated portion of his signing bonus.

But if Plummer unretires, Tampa will have to have $5.3 million in cap room to carry his base salary. So, in essence, Plummer can opt to force Tampa’s hand by saying, “Sure, I’ll show up.” It will force Tampa to pay him $5.3 million or cut him.

Dolphins ship Big Daddy to Denver (NFL Network/PFT)

The Denver Broncos, in an attempt to add some bulk to its o-line, have traded their sixth rounder to the Miami Dolphins for 1994’s number one pick of the Cincinnati Bengals, Dan “Big Daddy” Wilkinson.

The deal is being reported by Adam Schefter of the NFL Network and passed along by the excellent bloggers at ProFootballTalk.com.

News and notes on a bracket busting Saturday…

Bucs agree to deal with Jeff Garcia (ESPN) Lenny Pasquarelli and John Clayton report that deal could be in the vincity of $5 million and a chance to challenge for the starting job.

Federer ties fourth longest winning streak in Open era with win at Dubai (AP/Yahoo! Sports) The runaway train matches Bjorn Bjorg’s 41 match streak that was established in 1979-1980.

Muddling through the drug mess (ESPN INsider)  Buster Olney attempts to address the issue of more names seeing the light of day and how MLB should deal with it.

Sandomir: DirecTV promises to improve baseball package, but how? (NY Times) Since it the New York Times is a log-in only site (*cough*bugmenot*cough*), here’s an excerpt from the excellent Richard Sandomir:

In the letter (to Senator Kerry of Mass.), Carey labeled the deal as an “agreement” without modifying it by describing it as pending or proposed. But Robert Mercer, a spokesman for DirecTV, said that it had not been completed.

While Carey extolled how Extra Innings would be improved, a leader of the consortium of cable operators that had negotiated with M.L.B. said the DirecTV deal was “stunning in its disregard for baseball fans.”

Robert Jacobsen, the president of In Demand, which is owned by Comcast, Time Warner, Cox and Advance/Newhouse, said in a statement that cable operators had offered M.L.B. a “nonexclusive deal” with “better overall terms than the DirecTV offer,” which would have permitted Extra Innings to be available to at least as many cable and satellite subscribers as it is now.

We don’t know how one can improve things when it forces folks to buy a product to watch the games, but we’ll just play along.

News and notes while watching the Niners throw money around like Pacman at Minxx…

Niners add safety Lewis for $10 million in guaranteed money (SF Gate) Hours after giving CB Nate Clements an eight-year, $80 million deal ($22 million is guranteed), they add Lewis who was benched after week 6.

Hairston, Jr.’s name found in steroid prescription list prob (SI.com) The list is going to get longer before it gets shorter.

Bill Simmons offers a rebuttal to Scoop Jackson’s piece on the Vegas All-Star weekend (ESPN INsider) We all know that Scoop has never embellished much.

Seven teams inquire about free agent Joey Porter (SI.com) Don Banks of SI reports that the list is a lengthy one, with San Francisco 49ers are still not shy about spending the $30+ million in cap space.

Matsusaka mania is off! (Yahoo! Sports) The first of countless, meaningless pieces on the Japanese import. We’re looking forward to finding out what his preference in dining is next.

Pedro getting ready to throw from mound (AOL Sports) Martinez is a bit ahead of schedule.

Report: Patriots agree to terms with Adalius Thomas (Boston Herald) The New England Patriots make a masterstroke move with their available cap room.