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Then Comes The Headlines-

Charlotte Observer: PANTHERS GO DEEP TO SIGN KEY PAIR "With the lure of about $23 million in bonus money, the Panthers landed two elite free agents: Offensive lineman Mike Wahle from Green Bay and cornerback Ken Lucas from Seattle."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: STEELERS PAY TO KEEP FOOTE "Steelers will keep linebacker Foote and will pay him like a starter, which he became last season when Bell endured a year of groin injuries and hernia surgery. Foote received a five-year, $13.43 million contract that includes a $3.25 million signing bonus."

Houston Chronicle: TEXANS PICK UP DEPTH AT LB "The Texans have three starting inside linebackers to fill two spots after signing Greenwood."

Ft. Worth Star-Telegram: JONES SAYS COWBOYS ARE JUST KEEPING THIER PROMISE "Combined with deals completed by former Jets defensive tackle Jason Ferguson and former Browns cornerback Anthony Henry on Wednesday night all three players signed their contracts on Thursday. Jones handed out a record $28 million in bonus money alone. Add in the $2 million the Cowboys gave veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe last week and the total bonus money reaches $30 in the past seven days."

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: RAMS ADD FREE AGENT LINEBACKER "It's not as if the Rams haven't been tracking linebacker Chris Claiborne for a while. On Thursday, the Rams liked him well enough to sign him to a three-year, $10.5 million contract."

Tampa Tribune: BUCS RESTRUCTURE SPIRES CONTRACT "During negotiations Thursday in Miami, the Bucs restructured defensive lineman Greg Spires' 2005 contract and signed him to a four-year extension. The extension is worth $17.1 million and includes a $2.35 million signing bonus. The deal kept Spires from becoming a free agent and gave the Bucs about $3 million in total cap space."

Florida Times-Union: JAGS SIGN DE HAYWARD TO 5 YEAR $25 MILLION DEAL

New York Daily News: GIANTS SIGN PIERCE "The signing, which includes a $6.5 million signing bonus, came just two days into the free agency period and it gives New York a run stopper in the middle of a defense that allowed opponents to gain an average of 134.8 yards last season.
Pierce led the Redskins with 160 tackles last season, including 109 solo. The 26-year-old, four-year veteran also intercepted two passes, recovered two fumbles and forced one in helping Washington's defense improve from No. 25 to No. 3 in the NFL in 2003."

Rocky Mountain News: GOLD CASHES IN ON DENVER WISH "Ian Gold had just signed his new contract to return to the Denver Broncos on Thursday. He'll get an $8 million bonus on a six year deal"

Baltimore Sun: RAVENS SIGN TOP RECEIVER MASON, RESIGN COVETED BAXTER

San Francisco Chronicle: 49ERS OPEN VAULT, SIGN LEFT TACKLE FOR 36 MILLION "If Jonas Jennings is as comfortable at left tackle as he is with the media, the 49ers just might have found themselves an All-Pro."

Washington Times: SKINS NAB TOP FREE AGENTS Washington added top free agent center Casey Rabach and Patriot veteran David Patten. They have a standing bonus offer of $10 million to Fred Smoot as he considers other suitors."

Philadelphia Daily News: TROTTER, CHIEFS STILL TALKING NUMBERS "Jeremiah Trotter left Kansas City last night without a deal, hoping to continue his free-agent tour, though a report about Trotter visiting Seattle and Atlanta remained unconfirmed. A league source said Trotter's agent, Jimmy Sexton, was talking contract numbers with the Chiefs last night."

Philadelphia Inquirer: STEELERS' BELL SET TO PAY BIRDS A VISIT "While Trotter ended his visit to Kansas City last night without a contract from the Chiefs, the Eagles decided that it was time to consider Plan B - Pittsburgh's Kendrell Bell."