BACH
Superbowl, Homeboy!
Shipp agrees to terms
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 3, 2007 02:51 PM
The Cardinals' first signing in free agency turned out to be a familiar name. Running back Marcel Shipp, who spent the past six seasons with the team, signed on for three more.
In addition, safety Hanik Milligan, also signed a three-year contract.
Financial teams of the deals were not available. Both players were unrestricted free agents.
Shipp, who is in Cabo San Lucas for his sister's wedding this weekend, is a key signing for the Cardinals. New coach Ken Whisenhunt is emphasizing the running game and he wants a solid backup to take some of the load off starter Edgerrin James.
Shipp obviously is willing to accept that role, although it was thought he might seek a starting job elsewhere.
"He just likes it there," said his agent, Brad Blank.
Milligan signed with the team before last season and is regarded as an excellent special teams player and could contend for a backup's job.
The Cardinals entered free agency about $21 million under the cap, after incentive clauses, free agent tenders and other assorted costs were accounted for.
The Cardinals, meanwhile, are continuing their efforts to sign other free agents. Texans fullback Vonta Leach, a restricted free agent, visited the Cardinals Saturday. Four unrestricted free agents are scheduled to visit today: offensive lineman Mike Gandy (Bills), center Al Johnson (Cowboys), cornerback Roderick Hood (Eagles) and tight end Reggie Kelly (Bengals).
Cornerback Travis Fisher (Rams) and safety Kevin Kaesvirharn (Bengals) are scheduled to visit Monday.
Cardinals players are on a nationwide tour, too. Offensive tackle Leonard Davis was in Washington Saturday, a day after he visited the Cowboys.
Davis should receive a big payday given some of the deals that have been reached in recent days. Cleveland signed guard Eric Steinbach to a 7-year, $49.5 million deal that reportedly includes $17 million in guarantees.
Buffalo signed Washington guard Derrick Dockery to a deal worth only slightly less but including $18 million of guarantees.
Davis' credentials are at least as good as those two players'. Dallas, however, let him leave town Friday to fly to NFC East rival Washington. The Redskins might not want to pay Davis that much either since they let Dockery leave for Buffalo.
The Giants also have some interest in Davis, and his agent, Ryan Tollner, planned to speak with the Cardinals some time Saturday.
The list of visitors to the Cardinals doesn't contain any big names, but there are some solid players in the group.
The Cardinals are looking for someone to compete with Aaron Francisco for the free safety's job, and Kaesvirharn is well regarded as a playmaker.
He was a spot starter for the Bengals, and is familiar to Whisenhunt. As an assistant with the Steelers, Whisenhunt saw plenty of Kaesvirharn.
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 3, 2007 02:51 PM
The Cardinals' first signing in free agency turned out to be a familiar name. Running back Marcel Shipp, who spent the past six seasons with the team, signed on for three more.
In addition, safety Hanik Milligan, also signed a three-year contract.
Financial teams of the deals were not available. Both players were unrestricted free agents.
Shipp, who is in Cabo San Lucas for his sister's wedding this weekend, is a key signing for the Cardinals. New coach Ken Whisenhunt is emphasizing the running game and he wants a solid backup to take some of the load off starter Edgerrin James.
Shipp obviously is willing to accept that role, although it was thought he might seek a starting job elsewhere.
"He just likes it there," said his agent, Brad Blank.
Milligan signed with the team before last season and is regarded as an excellent special teams player and could contend for a backup's job.
The Cardinals entered free agency about $21 million under the cap, after incentive clauses, free agent tenders and other assorted costs were accounted for.
The Cardinals, meanwhile, are continuing their efforts to sign other free agents. Texans fullback Vonta Leach, a restricted free agent, visited the Cardinals Saturday. Four unrestricted free agents are scheduled to visit today: offensive lineman Mike Gandy (Bills), center Al Johnson (Cowboys), cornerback Roderick Hood (Eagles) and tight end Reggie Kelly (Bengals).
Cornerback Travis Fisher (Rams) and safety Kevin Kaesvirharn (Bengals) are scheduled to visit Monday.
Cardinals players are on a nationwide tour, too. Offensive tackle Leonard Davis was in Washington Saturday, a day after he visited the Cowboys.
Davis should receive a big payday given some of the deals that have been reached in recent days. Cleveland signed guard Eric Steinbach to a 7-year, $49.5 million deal that reportedly includes $17 million in guarantees.
Buffalo signed Washington guard Derrick Dockery to a deal worth only slightly less but including $18 million of guarantees.
Davis' credentials are at least as good as those two players'. Dallas, however, let him leave town Friday to fly to NFC East rival Washington. The Redskins might not want to pay Davis that much either since they let Dockery leave for Buffalo.
The Giants also have some interest in Davis, and his agent, Ryan Tollner, planned to speak with the Cardinals some time Saturday.
The list of visitors to the Cardinals doesn't contain any big names, but there are some solid players in the group.
The Cardinals are looking for someone to compete with Aaron Francisco for the free safety's job, and Kaesvirharn is well regarded as a playmaker.
He was a spot starter for the Bengals, and is familiar to Whisenhunt. As an assistant with the Steelers, Whisenhunt saw plenty of Kaesvirharn.
