NFL free-agency roundup: Feb. 27
SOURCE: TEXANS BRING IN RAMSEY
The Houston Texans have had Denver free agent Patrick Ramsey in for a visit and are considering him for their backup quarterback spot. The Texans are also looking at free agent Chris Simms. The Tennessee Titans are trying to re-sign Simms.
BILLS SIGN QB FITZPATRICK
The Buffalo Bills signed free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick appeared in 13 games, making 12 starts during last season with Cincinnati. He set career-highs in completions (221), passing yards (1,905) and touchdowns (eight).
SOURCE: SPIKES RE-SIGNS WITH 49ERS
Linebacker Takeo Spikes agreed to a two-year, $6 million contract with the 49ers Friday, according to a source.
The two-time Pro Bowler had 96 tackles and a sack in 13 starts last season. He also intercepted three passes. Spikes, 32, is entering his 12th season. He's played for the Bengals, Bills, Eagles and 49ers and is considered one of the best leaders among defenders.
CONSIDINE HEADED TO JAGUARS
The Jaguars have been looking for safeties through the draft and in free agency the past few years. On Friday, they reached a two-year deal with Eagles safety Sean Considine.
The former fourth-round pick of the Eagles agreed to a two-year, $3 million deal to leave the Eagles. He had been contacted by eight teams at the start of free agency. He picked Jacksonville as his first visit and the deal came together quickly.
Though he didn't start last season, Considine was considered a player on the rise in 2006 and 2007 when he had a total of 17 starts. His best season was in 2006 when he had 85 tackles in 16 games. He started in nine of those games.
CARDINALS SIGN ST. PIERRE TO 1-YEAR DEAL
The Cardinals reached an agreement to re-sign a quarterback but it wasn't Kurt Warner. It was Brian St. Pierre.
Pierre, who came to the Cardinals from the Steelers last year to be the third string quarterback, accepted a one-year, $1 million deal to stay in Arizona. St. Pierre worked with Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt when he was offensive coordinator of the Steelers.
The 29-year-old St. Pierre has thrown only one pass in a regular season game during his six-year NFL career.
NORRIS GOES BACK TO SAN FRANCISCO
Fullback Moran Norris has been on five NFL rosters during his eight-year career, so when he hits free agency, he can return to a couple of homes.
On Friday, Norris agreed to return to his San Francisco rather than stay in Detroit. According to a source, Norris agreed to a three-year, $5 million deal from the 49ers, the team he played with in 2006 and 2007. He played for the Lions last season.
TEXANS SIGN DREESSEN TO 3-YEAR DEAL
Texans backup tight end Joel Dreessen agreed Friday to a three-year, $3.6 million deal with the team, according to a source.
On Thursday, the Texans gave him the low-tender as a restricted free agent. Rather than take the one-year deal at $1.010 million, Dreesen accepted a three-year deal that helped the Texans lower his 2009 salary cap number.
INTEREST IN WARNER PICKING UP
Talks between the Cardinals and the agent for Kurt Warner broke off Thursday in Phoenix without a deal, but Warner did receive a couple of phone calls early Friday morning from some NFL teams interested in having him visit.
Mark Bartelstein, Warner's agent, said some teams called, but Warner isn't sure what to do about the interest of other teams. Warner would like to play two more seasons for the Cardinals or retire.
The Cardinals are offering between $10 million and $12 million a year. Warner would prefer a deal in the range of $14 million to $16 million.
TITANS, FULLER AGREE ON DEAL
The Titans agreed to terms on a contract with veteran Vincent Fuller, the team's primary nickel back for the past two seasons.
Last season Fuller played in all 16 games and had a career-high 43 tackles and one forced fumble. In 2007 he returned an interception for a touchdown in consecutive games against New Orleans and Atlanta.
Fuller was a fourth-round draft pick by the Titans out of Virginia Tech in 2005.
McHUGH OPTS TO STAY WITH CHAMPS
After moving into the starting job at fullback during the final two months of last season, Sean McHugh has decided to stay in Pittsburgh.
Instead of playing at the restricted free-agent tender of $1.01 million, McHugh agreed to a three-year, $2.57 million contract with the Steelers that included a $390,000 signing bonus, according to a source. McHugh took over the starting job for Carey Davis late in the season and helped the team through its trip to the Super Bowl.
The 26-year-old has been with the Titans, Packers, Lions and Steelers during his five-year career.
RAVENS, FOXWORTH REACH PRELIMINARY DEAL
The Ravens announced an agreement in principle with Falcons cornerback Domonique Foxworth.
Foxworth has accepted a four-year, $28 million contract that includes $16.5 million in guaranteed money.
Foxworth flew to Baltimore on Friday morning after being contacted by the Ravens. The 25-year-old Foxworth came to the Falcons last season in a trade from the Broncos.
He started 10 games for the Falcons. The Broncos selected him in the third round of the 2005 draft. He started 19 games during his first three seasons in Denver.
In the meantime, talks between the Ravens and linebacker Ray Lewis continue. Lewis didn't reach a deal to stay in Baltimore and became a free agent Friday morning. A couple of teams contacted him Friday but, according to a source, Lewis hasn't planned to visit other teams.
MEESTER STAYS WITH JAGS FOR $10M
The Jaguars were able to prevent center Brad Meester from hitting the free agent market by reaching agreement on a four-year deal Friday.
The contract, according to a source, is worth $10 million. Meester, 31, is entering his 10th season with the Jaguars.
Drafted as a guard in the second round in 2000, he has started 129 games. Three seasons after entering the league, he moved to his more natural position at center. He is the only Jaguar history to start his first 92 games after coming to the team.
NINERS RETAIN ROSSUM AT CORNER
The 49ers have reached an agreement to keep one of their top role players, cornerback Allen Rossum. According to a source, Rossum agreed to a one-year deal to stay. Terms of the deal were not available.
The 33-year-old Rossum came to the 49ers last season as a backup cornerback and a kick returner. He played 13 games as a return specialist.
During his 11-year career, Rossum has played for the Eagles, Packers, Falcons, Steelers and 49ers.
Information from ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton, ESPN's sneior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen and The Associated Press was used in this report.
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2009 FREE AGENCY
Free agency started with a bang when defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth signed a seven-year deal with Washington and the Redskins re-signed their own free agent, cornerback DeAngelo Hall.
COLUMNS/FEATURES/BLOG POSTS
- Chadiha: Five best, worst moves
- Wickersham: The art of being No. 2 QB
- Pasquarelli: Bucs' Mr. Fix-it Phillips
- Pasquarelli: Older WRs on borrowed time
- Walker: AFC North offseason report cards
- Chadiha: Energizing re-Charge with LT
- Williamson: Grading AFC West
- Pasquarelli: Top restricted free agents
- Mosley: NFC East report card
- Kuharsky: AFC South to-do lists
- Research: Top free agents of all time
- Sando: Rams CB Bartell optimistic
- FO: Is Edwards good enough for T.O.?

- Pasquarelli: Where might Garcia fit?
- Williamson: Bolts, LT working until end
- Walker: Browns must make call on QB
- Sando: McFadden an Arizona upgrade
- Pasquarelli: "All-Cut Team"
- Kuharsky: New Jags GM's vision
- Wickersham: Re-signing not a snap
- Walker: Ravens needed Lewis' return
- Yasinskas: Saints beat Bucs to Greer
- Mosley: Skins disappointed with Taylor
- Graham: Is Coles worth $7M a season?
- Sando: Huard would be S.F. insurance
- Chadiha: Edge wishes to be a free agent
- Graham: Secondary key to Jets' plan
- Walker: AFC North hits and misses
- Kuharsky: Titans have sound plan
- FO: What's Edge have left?

- Sando: Symptoms of SB hangover
- Yasinskas: Bucs turn to two-RB attack
- Mosley: Parcells praises Canty
- Sando: 5 thoughts on Warner saga
- Walker: Who will replace Housh?
- Graham: Should Miami, Taylor reunite?
- FO: Was Haynesworth worth it?

FANTASY SPINS
- Warner's decision to stay in Zona
- Coles replacing Housh in Cincy
- Benson re-signs with Bengals
- Ward's impact on Bucs
- Cassel traded to Chiefs
- Kitna sent to Cowboys
- Help for Frank Gore
- Maurice Morris to Detroit
- Kerry Collins re-signs with Titans
- Kellen Winslow traded to Bucs
- Albert Haynesworth signs with Redskins
- Fred Taylor signs with Patriots
SCOUTS INC. BREAKDOWN
- NFC team-by-team needs
- AFC team-by-team needs
- Defensive overview
- Offensive overview
- Hidden gems
- 5 worth the investment
- 5 most important players
SALARY CRUNCH
- Sprow: Count on a Chiefs rebound in 2013
- Bowen: Jets D can thrive without Revis
- Tuley: 10 best early value NFL bets
- Red Flags: NFC East | North | South
- Kiper: 2014 Big Board | Top TEs | OLBs | ILBs

