In The Huddle – NFL Update

~ Falcons DE Patrick Kerney has gone to a bird of a different color as he was signed by the Seahwaks late Monday to a 6-year, $39.5 million contract that includes $19.5 million in guarantees.

~ The Jets have finally gotten their replacement for Curtis Martin in the shape of Bears’ RB Thomas Jones. In a trade completed on Monday, the Jets will receive Thomas Jones and the 63rd pick in the draft in exchange for the 37th pick in the draft.

This will give the Jets a solid ball number one ball carrier while it also does the same for the Bears. Last seaosn the Bears had a two-headed RB monster, like many teams, with Jones and Cedric Benson.

~ The Cowboys have locked up a solid vetern back-up QB by signing former Vikings’ QB Brad Johnson to a 3-year deal worth at least $3.5 million for the first year. No other financial terms were released.

~ Bears LB Lance Briggs was designated with the franchise tag by the team so they could make sure to hold onto one of their prized defenders, but Briggs isn’t happy about it. Briggs has demanded that the team either take the tag off him so he can sign elsewhere or to trade him.

Briggs had this to say to ESPN: “The Chicago Bears team? The coaches, players, city and fans? Yeah, I could stay there forever. I love it. But the Chicago Bears organization? I don’t want to be there anymore. I won’t play for them and I’ll do everything in my power to keep from playing there.”

~ The Broncos‘ newest CB Dre’ Bly may not be too happy with where he’s at. There has been talk that he never wanted to be traded there and that a trade between the Broncos and Redskins was in the works to send Bly to Washington and CB Shawn Springs to Denver, but it never materialized.

~ Eagles‘ WR Donte’ Stallworth was expected to be a big player in free agency but hasn’t made one single team visit yet because he is in the league’s substance abuse program. Due to confidentiality limitations, the team didn’t give forth any extra info, but it’s said that Stallworth could receive suspension if he violates the terms of the program again.

~ Former Titans’ RB Travis Henry is now the newest Denver Bronco. Henry is going to sign a 5-year contract that is worth at least $12 million in guarantees. Henry was released by the Titans this past Saturday to avoid paying him an $8.3 million roster bonus.

The Broncos also signed Saints’ G Montrae Holland.

~ The Dolphins officially cut QB Joey Harrington and TE Randy McMichael.

~ Dolphins WR Wes Welker is now a Patriot as he was traded for what is said to be the Pats 2007 2nd and 7th round picks.

Rumors:

~ New England has now stepped into the Randy Moss sweepstakes.

~ Tampa Bay is said to be trying to talk QB Jake Plummer out of retirement so they can trade his rights to another team. Possibly Oakland or Houston?