Team Report: Inside Slant
Inside Slant | Notes and Quotes | Strategy and Personnel
The Cardinals have come to terms with four players who, while not flashy, are strong role players. Their signings are consistent with the Cardinals' goals of improving quality depth across the board.
Free safety Terrence Holt, a college teammate of Cardinals Pro Bowl strong safety Adrian Wilson at North Carolina State, signed for about $15 million over five years, including $4 million in roster bonuses.
The team signed former Dallas center Al Johnson for four years.
It re-signed unrestricted free agent running back Marcel Shipp and special teams standout Hanik Milligan to three-year contracts.
With less than $9 million remaining under the salary cap, it continues to pursue help at cornerback, offensive line, tight end and fullback in free agency.
Holt last played with the Lions. He is expected to compete with rising youngster Aaron Francisco for the starting job in place of aging Robert Griffith, an unrestricted free agent who is unlikely to be signed back. The Cardinals claim to have had Holt rated as the top safety in free agency and said they weren't certain they even had a shot at him, believing Holt might price himself out of their budget. So they instead initially made a run at Kevin Kaesviharn, bringing the former Bengals safety in for a visit on opening weekend. Kaesviharn signed with New Orleans on Tuesday.
With some lobbying from Wilson, Holt was far more pliable than the Cardinals anticipated. He signed the day of his visit.
"He's a proven starter in the league so you know you're getting quality from that standpoint," said Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt. "The thing I like about him is that he's big and physical. He fits in to the mentality we want to establish."
Johnson, whose four-year deal is worth $17.5 million, including a $3.5 million roster bonus and salaries of $3.5 million each year, will compete with restricted free agent Nick Leckey for the starting job. Leckey, who received a $1.3 million tender offer from the Cardinals, allowing them to retain his rights for 2007, started the final 11 games. Johnson started in Dallas in 2004 and 2005 but was a backup this past season.
Shipp's re-signing for three years ($5.75 million, including $500,000 roster bonus payable immediately and salaries of $1.75 million each year) was huge. He has proven himself every step of the way after making the team as an undrafted rookie six years ago. The job has been handed to players like Michael Pittman, Thomas Jones, Emmitt Smith, J.J. Arrington and Edgerrin James ahead of Shipp, but with the exception of James, Shipp managed to find beat out every one of them. He will be an excellent complement to James with his inside pounding. Shipp has started 29 games.
Milligan, who signed for three years at about $2.6 million, including $250,000 in bonuses, has been a special teams Pro Bowler and is another excellent role player.
The club is continuing to negotiate with Philadelphia cornerback Rod Hood and Buffalo offensive lineman Mike Gandy.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/teamReport?categoryId=67066&type=InsideSlant
Inside Slant | Notes and Quotes | Strategy and Personnel
The Cardinals have come to terms with four players who, while not flashy, are strong role players. Their signings are consistent with the Cardinals' goals of improving quality depth across the board.
Free safety Terrence Holt, a college teammate of Cardinals Pro Bowl strong safety Adrian Wilson at North Carolina State, signed for about $15 million over five years, including $4 million in roster bonuses.
The team signed former Dallas center Al Johnson for four years.
It re-signed unrestricted free agent running back Marcel Shipp and special teams standout Hanik Milligan to three-year contracts.
With less than $9 million remaining under the salary cap, it continues to pursue help at cornerback, offensive line, tight end and fullback in free agency.
Holt last played with the Lions. He is expected to compete with rising youngster Aaron Francisco for the starting job in place of aging Robert Griffith, an unrestricted free agent who is unlikely to be signed back. The Cardinals claim to have had Holt rated as the top safety in free agency and said they weren't certain they even had a shot at him, believing Holt might price himself out of their budget. So they instead initially made a run at Kevin Kaesviharn, bringing the former Bengals safety in for a visit on opening weekend. Kaesviharn signed with New Orleans on Tuesday.
With some lobbying from Wilson, Holt was far more pliable than the Cardinals anticipated. He signed the day of his visit.
"He's a proven starter in the league so you know you're getting quality from that standpoint," said Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt. "The thing I like about him is that he's big and physical. He fits in to the mentality we want to establish."
Johnson, whose four-year deal is worth $17.5 million, including a $3.5 million roster bonus and salaries of $3.5 million each year, will compete with restricted free agent Nick Leckey for the starting job. Leckey, who received a $1.3 million tender offer from the Cardinals, allowing them to retain his rights for 2007, started the final 11 games. Johnson started in Dallas in 2004 and 2005 but was a backup this past season.
Shipp's re-signing for three years ($5.75 million, including $500,000 roster bonus payable immediately and salaries of $1.75 million each year) was huge. He has proven himself every step of the way after making the team as an undrafted rookie six years ago. The job has been handed to players like Michael Pittman, Thomas Jones, Emmitt Smith, J.J. Arrington and Edgerrin James ahead of Shipp, but with the exception of James, Shipp managed to find beat out every one of them. He will be an excellent complement to James with his inside pounding. Shipp has started 29 games.
Milligan, who signed for three years at about $2.6 million, including $250,000 in bonuses, has been a special teams Pro Bowler and is another excellent role player.
The club is continuing to negotiate with Philadelphia cornerback Rod Hood and Buffalo offensive lineman Mike Gandy.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/teamReport?categoryId=67066&type=InsideSlant
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