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football junkie
02-28-2009, 03:51 PM
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
The Denver Broncos continued adding to their roster at a torrid pace Saturday, making three key additions on defense.

The team announced it had signed seven-time Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins, who spent his previous 13 years with the Philadelphia Eagles.

According to a source, the contract is for five years and $17 million. The deal could escalate to as much as $27 million if Dawkins can reach some achievable performance levels.

And the team reached a two-year deal with former Browns linebacker Andra Davis, as well as a three-year, $6.8 million deal with ex-Colts defensive tackle Darrell Reid, according to sources.

The Eagles and Dawkins were discussing a two-year contract offer when the Broncos entered the picture to lure him to Denver.

In the first two years of his contract, Dawkins is scheduled to make $9 million. Of that total, $7.2 million is guaranteed.

Since the start of free agency, the Broncos have added Dawkins, Reid, Davis and safety Renaldo Hill to their defense.

They added wide receiver Jabar Gaffney and running backs Correll Buckhalter and J.J. Arrington to their offense. They signed Texans wide receiver David Anderson, a restricted free agent, to a three-year, $4.5 million offer sheet.

And on special teams, they added former Patriots long-snapper Lonie Paxton.

Hill and Gaffney both signed four-year deals worth $10 million with $3 million in guarantees, their agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed Saturday.

Davis, 30, is a seven-year veteran starter. He had 90 tackles last season for the Browns.

Reid can play defensive tackle and can help out at fullback. He's also one of the best special-teams players in the league.

football junkie
02-28-2009, 03:54 PM
I AM NOT HAPPY! Brian Dawkins should have been re-signed and eventually retired as an Eagle. This is heartbreaking.

football junkie
02-28-2009, 03:56 PM
ESPN.com news services
The Philadelphia Eagles completed their expected trade of cornerback Lito Sheppard on Satuday, sending him to the New York Jets for two undisclosed draft picks.

Sources told ESPN.com Friday night that the Eagles are believed to be receiving a middle-round choice in the 2010 draft and conditional 2011 draft choice. The level of the 2011 choice will be determined by a number of factors, including Sheppard's 2009 playing time

"I am excited to be joining the Jets organization," Sheppard said in a statement. "It is a fresh new start, a new coach and a new system. I am looking forward to getting back to playing top notch football and bringing a winning attitude with me."

Sheppard, a first-round draft choice in 2002 draft, appeared in 93 games and started 53 of them. He has 253 tackles, two sacks, 18 interceptions, and 54 passes defensed. The recent re-signing of cornerback Joselio Hanson to a multiyear deal made Sheppard expendable for the Eagles.

In addition, Sheppard, 27, was supplanted last season by Asante Samuel, who had signed with the Eagles as a free agent.

Sheppard is expected to step right into the Jets' starting lineup at the cornerback spot opposite the one occupied by Darrelle Revis.

A seven-year veteran and two-time Pro Bowler, Sheppard played mostly in nickel and dime situations for the Eagles last year. He started three games, the fewest number of starts since his second season.

"We acquired a veteran corner with Pro Bowl ability," first-year Jets coach Rex Ryan said in a statement. "This young man has already gone to two Pro Bowls. He is a great athlete with the top end speed that we look for to play that position. We think he can match up with some of the best receivers in the game."

football junkie
02-28-2009, 03:59 PM
We lose Dawkins and Sheppard in one day? Why don't you just rip out my heart and take that too?

These two players combined for what nine pro bowl appearances? And all we get for them is a few conditional picks a few years from now? Ugh!