Colts land Vinatieri
Indianapolis took a key piece from rival New England, agreeing in principle to a deal with clutch kicker Adam Vinatieri on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, defensive end John Abraham finally got what he wanted when the New York Jets traded him to the Atlanta Falcons in a three-way deal with Denver.
Vinatieri, who twice hit winning kicks in the Super Bowl for the Patriots, replaces former Pro Bowl kicker Mike Vanderjagt. The deal was announced on the team’s Web site, though terms weren’t immediately available. Messages left with the Patriots and agents for Vinatieri weren’t returned.
The Patriots allowed Vinatieri to test free agency rather than putting a franchise designation on him, which would have cost the team $3 million next season.
Abraham was swapped for a first-round pick after the Broncos got involved. Denver and Atlanta swapped No. 1 picks, with the Broncos getting the 15th overall selection and the Falcons getting pick 29. Then the Falcons sent that pick to the Jets in exchange for Abraham, the player’s agent told The Associated Press.
The Seattle Seahawks were offering a first-round selection, and that was the deal the Jets wanted to get the maximum value for their star player. Abraham, however, had worked out his long-sought after long-term deal with the Falcons and refused to negotiate with Seattle.
Atlanta also got middle-round picks in 2006 and 2007 from Denver. The trade was expected to be approved by the league today.
The Jets had placed the franchise tag on Abraham for the second straight year. Both sides made it clear they wanted to part ways. Now that he is with the Falcons, Abraham agreed to a six-year, $45 million deal, with about $18 million guaranteed. He will get $15.5 million in reporting and signing bonuses this year.
Seattle, however, agreed on the structure of a contract with San Francisco 49ers free-agent linebacker Julian Peterson.
Peterson’s agent, Kevin Poston, said the contract is for $54 million over seven years and includes $18.5 million guaranteed. The deal is worth $10 million in the first year, $18.4 million in the second and $23.5 million in the third.
Peterson finally got the contract he has been seeking for three years, since he became an All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler with a career-high seven sacks, 95 tackles and two interceptions in 2003.
In other moves, Brian Griese agreed to a five-year deal with Chicago, adding depth behind Rex Grossman at quarterback; former Dallas receiver Keyshawn Johnson visited with the New York Giants; Eric Moulds got permission from Buffalo to seek a trade; and Dallas released guard Larry Allen.
Griese, 31, completed 112 of 174 passes for 1,136 yards and led Tampa Bay to a 5-1 start last year before a season-ending knee injury. The Buccaneers decided to waive him this month rather than pay a $2.6 million roster bonus.
Johnson was released by the Cowboys a week ago, just hours after the Philadelphia Eagles released controversial wideout Terrell Owens. Dallas signed Owens to a three-year, $25 million contract last Saturday.
Moulds had asked for his release after repeatedly rejecting the team’s demands to take a pay cut.
“We are shopping Eric,” Moulds’ personal adviser, Greg Johnson, told The AP. “Obviously, we would much rather have Eric released. But if we can work out a trade, we will. But if not, we’re back to Square 1 and Eric won’t play for the Bills. He doesn’t want to play for them, and he will not play for them.”
Allen, the final player left from Dallas’ most recent Super Bowl team, is going into his 13th season. The team opted to let him go rather to pay him a $2 million roster bonus he was due April 1. The move also saves them about $3.5 million toward next season’s salary cap.
Around the league
Arizona matched the offer sheet that guard Reggie Wells signed with the Bills, a five-year $17.6 million deal that includes $5 million in signing bonuses. … Defensive tackle John Henderson signed a six-year contract extension with Jacksonville. … Fullback Tony Richardson agreed to terms on a contract Minnesota. … Cincinnati signed wide receiver and kick returner Antonio Chatman to a two-year contract. … Tight end Jeb Putzier agreed to a contract with Houston. … Carolina signed free-agent safety Kevin McCadam from Atlanta. … A misdemeanor domestic abuse charge against Green Bay running back Ahman Green – stemming from an argument with his wife last April – was dismissed in Brown (Wis.) County, one day before he was to stand trial. … At Minnetonka, Minn., NFL Hall of Famer Carl Eller has pleaded guilty to drunken driving as part of a deal that calls for a $1,000 fine, probation and community service.