No one claimed Johnson off waivers last week presumably due to sub-par performance coupled with a history of behavior issues. The Bengals have offered Johnson a fourth string slot on their depth chart so we probably wont be seeing much of the man who was slated to break Preist Holmes’ franchise record unless Cedric Benson’d hip strain becomes more serious.

Johnson was suspended eight games in 2007 for multiple violations of the Personal Conduct Policy. He also served two months in prison for violating the terms of his probation.

Welcome to Cincinnati, Tank!

Stay tuned to other sports websites with access to better information to stay on top of this big story. Jeff Garcia played with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006. He also played with the 49ers at one point. Oh, and he played for the Browns. And the Lions. And the Bucs.

“We are happy to add Kyle to our roster,” Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo sarcastically said while rolling his eyes and making a jerk-off motion with his right hand. “We feel that he will be a valuable addition to our team.”

Before the draft, Boller impressed then Raven head coach Brian Billick with his ability to launch a football a mile from his knees. It makes sense that this was a big selling point since that happens so often during the course of an NFL game.

Rams fans should pray for the health of Marc Bulger if they want to win more than three games this season.

Stay tuned.

His season came to an abrupt end when Boston University laid the smack down on them in the NCAA Tourney. Ok, BU barely beat them 2-1 in the last 15 seconds or so of the game to advance to their first ever Frozen Four….but still. The bottom line is that UNH lost.

Anyway, JVR reported to the Phantoms (the Flyers minor league affiliate) today.

“We are pleased to have James in the fold and look forward to monitoring his development more closely,” general manager Paul Holmgren said. “It was a difficult decision for James to leave school, but we both believed that it was in his best interest to do so.”

According to JVR, the signing was “a thrill of a lifetime.”

“This is a day I have been dreaming about ever since I got drafted by the Flyers,” he said. “Just to have this opportunity is something I am really grateful for.

“I thought the sooner I made this decision the better it would be for all parties involved. Since I’ve decided to leave school, I’ve told the UNH coaching staff and everyone else early on so they will have more time to fill my spot there. I just thought signing at this point would help me get my feet wet a little bit in the professional game and start working on some things that I want to improve upon.

“Obviously, this is a huge jump in level of play. I know I am going to have to work hard and basically that is what I am expecting. I am going to work hard and learn a lot from this experience.”

The fact that the Flyers were able to draft Van Riemsdyk second overall in 2007 shows how much pole the team smoked in 2006.

“The Rams will forever be grateful for the way Torry Holt represented the Rams on the field and in the community,” Owner/Chairman Chip Rosenbloom said. “He is an All-Pro in every sense of the word. Over the past 10 seasons Torry has proven himself to be one of the finest wide receivers in league history. This is a difficult decision because Torry has meant so much to the organization. In my mind and for all Rams fans, Torry will always be a Ram and we wish him and his family nothing but the best as they move forward.”

The move saves the Rams roughly $6 million in cap space.

Lester, who overcame cancer to resume a successful baseball career, got the most money ever by a pitcher with around two years of service.

Jones was a second-round pick of the Browns in 2004 and mostly a strong safety. It’s believed that he will compete with Quinton Demps for the starting free safety spot.

Williams had been asking for his outright release for awhile and had been complaining that he didn’t fit Wade Phillips’ scheme. Teams that have a hole on their roster for safeties that can’t cover a table with a blanket will most likely bring him in for a look see.

“From beginning to end as a Raven. … Wow!  To be with the same team with the same fans for an entire career, that doesn’t happen in the NFL,” the pro bowl linebacker said.  “I don’t think an athlete can have a greater legacy than to be able to stay in one place for an entire career.”

I bet Philadelphia Eagles fans would have loved to have heard those words coming out of Brian Dawkins mouth.  Too bad Joe Banner and the rest of the jerks in the Philly front office get off on slapping Philadelphia Eagles fans in the face while taking their money.

Lewis earned his 10th Pro Bowl this season after leading the NFL’s second-ranked defense with 160 tackles. He also had 3 1/2 sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Lewis has career totals of 1,636 total tackles, 1255 solo, 12 forced fumbles, 98 passes defended, 88 tackles for loss, 33.5 sacks, 15 fumble recoveries, 28 interceptions, one safety, two touchdowns in 178 games, and a partridge in a pear tree.

“Kurt and I are appreciative of the way Rod Graves and the Cardinals resolved the negotiations,” Warner’s agent Mark Bartelstein said.

“Cedric was a great addition for us last year,” coach Marvin Lewis said. “And we’re looking to see him pick up right where he left off.”

Benson previously played with the Bears, where was more interested in getting arrested than playing football.

“Cedric was recognized as an elite talent coming out of college,” Lewis said. “His years in Chicago weren’t what he hoped for, but he was able to give us a lift on the field and be a great presence in the locker room. He earned everyone’s respect, and we’re excited to let him continue to grow in our system.”

So much for the Eagles signing him.

“We targeted both of these guys as difference makers for us,” Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt said in a statement. “Nate (Washington) has shown the ability to stretch the field and be a big-play receiver. He will complement the passing game and brings big-game experience as well.

“Jovan (Haye) fits our defensive system with an aggressive one-gap approach; both our personnel folks and coaches were excited about his abilities in our system.”

Washington caught 40 balls last year for 631 yards and three TD’s. He will fill the void left by Brandon Jones’ departure.

Haye started 14 games last season for the Bucs, but is a bit undersized for a DT at 285 lbs.

Houshmandzadeh plays the flanker spot, which is Deion Branch’s position. Several people have speculated that Branch could be moved to the slot or released.

PHOTO CAPTION:  Oops, looks like Brett Favre threw another interception.

Goodman, 30,  started all 16 games for the Dolphins in 2008, leading the team and setting a career high with five interceptions. He also recorded 39 tackles and a career-high 19 pass deflections during the season.

Henry started all 16 games last year and we think this is a good trade for both sides. On one hand, the Lions probably weren’t keeping Kitna anyway. Now, Dallas has a pretty good backup to Tony Romo and the Lions get some defensive help, which they need terribly.

This will come as a complete surprise to many NFL fans who recognize an amazing quarterback when they see one.  And Tyler Thigpen is just that.  Don’t be too sure Matt Cassel will take over the starting role right away.  I’m serious, Tyler Thigpen is an amazing quarterback.  Seriously, he is.

PHOTO CAPTION:  Tyler Thigpen understands when people are being sarcastic.

Once the trade goes through, the Pats will immediately clear $14.65 million from their 2009 cap space.  Per Schefter, the trade is occurring without a new deal, which means that the Chiefs will have Cassel under contract for only one year at $14.65 million until a new deal is reached.

PHOTO CAPTION: Albert Haynesworth stomps into Washington with a super-inflated contract.

Albert got his pay day.  Now it’s time for him to eat, get fat, not care, and under perform for a team that consistently under performs with players that make too much money who also under perform.

Daniel Snyder’s philosophy of building his team through maximum contracts during free agency and ignoring the importance of draft picks has yielded three playoff appearances and maybe one or two playoff wins since 1997.  Washington continues to be the laughing stock of the NFC East.

Anyway, CB DeAngleo Hall re-signed with the Washington Redskins to a six-year, $54 million deal that includes $22.5 million guaranteed and $30 million in the first three seasons.  This deal now makes DeAngelo Hall overpaid yet again for the second straight season.

PHOTO CAPTION:  Rookie Eddie Royal caught nine balls for 146 yards and a touchdown while DeAngelo Hall was trying to cover him during Week One of the 2008 NFL season.

More to come on the Washington Redskins.  Stay tuned.

Ok, so maybe it’s not that big of a deal and everyone saw it coming. The Cowboys will save close to $2 million in cap space according to the team’s website.

Now that Johnson is gone and Brooks Bollinger is due to become a free agent, the Cowboys really need a backup QB.