[mmarra82]

Stage 15 was a busy one:

Thomas Jones, RB - signed a 3 year deal worth $2.52 million with San Francisco. Jones played for Dallas last season and started all 16 games, finishing the season with 1,005 yards and 6 touchdowns. Jones has good speed and power to run inside, what has lacked for Jones since being the 7th overall selection in 2000 was his inability to get to the hole and make tacklers miss. Jones was a member of the 2003 Super Bowl Champions, Tampa Bay.

Peter Warrick, WR - signed with Philadelphia for 2 years and $1.36 million from Cincinnati. Warrick is another member of the 2000 draft class who has not recached the potential that was expected when he was picked 4th overall. Warrick has developed good hands and the ability to get downfield, however, his inability to run precise routes and make the tough catches has hurt his development. Warrick caught 42 passes for 505 yards and 3 touchdowns last season. Warrick brings the dimension to return punts as well.

Dan Wilkinson, DT - signed a modest 2 year deal worth $1.93 million with Oakland from Detroit. Two seasons ago Wilkinson had a monster season with the Lions in which he earned First Team, All-Pro Honors. However, last season he struggled and faught off injuries. Oakland is hopeful he regains his 2003 form.

Rogers Beckett, SS - signed with Denver from Cincinnati for 2 years, $1.08 million. Beckett will replace the unsigned Kenroy Kennedy. Beckett had one interception last season.

Dre Bly, CB - Bly signed a big deal with Cleveland for 5 years, and $11.97 million. For Cleveland it was their second big signing of cornerbacks following the deal of Charles Woodson. Bly is a bit on the small side, but has good skills at covering both man and zone. He can be pushed around in bump and run coverage because of his size. Probably will not matter, as Woodson plays the same style. Bly had 3 interceptions last season.

Other Stage 15 signings:
Damien Robinson, S - signed 2 years, $1.75 million with Oakland from Cincinnati.
Wali Rainer, ILB - signed 2 years, $1.49 million deal with New England from Pittsburgh.
Mike Barrow, ILB - signed 2 years, $1.94 million with Cincinnati from the Giants.
Cory Bird, S - signed 2 years, $1.27 million with New England from Indianapolis.

Stage 16
Vaughn Parker, T - signed for 3 years, $5.99 million with Minnesota from San Diego. Parker spent all 11 years with the Chargers but some felt he was not at the level that his recent contract warranted. When released Parker went looking for a new home, that has the ability to win now. He hopes he found that in Minnesota. Parker will start opposite of McKinnie, last season's First Team All-Pro. Despite not having Culpepper for the season the Vikings still are setting up a roster that should be tought to beat.

DeJuan Groce, CB - signed a 3 years, $1.99 million deal with Pittsburgh from St. Louis. Groce will be part of a solid secondary that includes Chad Scott, Will Poole, Troy Polamalu and Donovan Darius. The Steelers secondary has the makeup to be one of the tops in the league, unfortunately the rest of the roster is not shaping up as well.

Lance Nimmo, T - signed 2 year deal worth $880,000 with Detroit from the Jets.
Eric Warfield, CB - signed a 3 year deal worth $2.04 million with St. Louis from Philadelphia, as the Eagles continue to lose members from their secondary and not sigining any others. The Eagles have just 2 cornerbacks on their roster.