Tom Coughlin's contract extension with the Giants is not complete yet, but it has taken shape. Coughlin is expected to receive a contract extension for four years at around $5 million per year, a significant salary increase for a head coach who turned more player-friendly and won a Super Bowl.
Coughlin has been working on a year-to-year basis the past couple of seasons in which he has clearly been on the hot seat. The Giants will work on some of the language of the deal during this week's scouting combine in Indianapolis in hopes of getting something done during the weekend.
Tight, tight end market: If you are wondering why the market for four-time Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler is slow to start, the answer is simple. Even though the Falcons announced seven cuts -- including Crumpler -- last Friday, the names of those players didn't appear on the NFL waiver wire until Tuesday. No team is allowed to contact Crumpler or the others until their names have been officially released.
The Falcons cleared about $10.3 million in cap room with the releases of Crumpler, defensive tackle Rod Coleman, quarterback Byron Leftwich, tackle Wayne Gandy, cornerback Lewis Sanders and linebacker Marcus Wilkins. The Falcons might not be done releasing players yet. They have to make decisions on running back Warrick Dunn, who is 33, linebacker Keith Brooking, 32, and safety Lawyer Milloy, 34.
With Dallas Clark and L.J. Smith being franchised by their teams, Crumpler is clearly the top tight end available. His preference is to stay in the NFC South where there are tight end needs in Carolina, New Orleans and Tampa Bay. The Bills and Seahawks are two other teams in need of tight ends, but Crumpler may feel more comfortable knowing the NFC South and that part of the country.
Bucs eye Coleman: It will be interesting to see how fast the Bucs move on Rod Coleman now that he's on the market. Expect a fast deal. Even though the defensive tackle market is thin but competitive, Coleman going to Tampa Bay makes sense. Coleman played for Bucs coach Jon Gruden in Oakland, and the Bucs can use a productive "three-technique" defensive tackle. Coleman is the perfect fit.
Bears make space: Clearing $10.4 million worth of cap room with the release of wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, right tackle Fred Miller and defensive tackle Darwin Walker strongly suggests the Bears might franchise receiver Bernard Berrian. Next to Randy Moss, Berrian is perhaps the most explosive receiver available in free agency. With close to $30 million in cap room, it would seem silly for the Bears not to protect one of their best young offensive players even though the franchise number is $7.848 million.
Pats chase Zach: Even though no deal is done and more than six teams are interested in him, Zach Thomas has a good chance of ending up a Patriot, according to some of his closest friends. He had a good visit in New England Monday, and the Patriots were quick to make an offer. The Saints, Texans, Jets, Broncos and others have major interest in the former Dolphins middle linebacker. Thomas has to decide if he wants to turn this into a long tour or try to sign a quick deal.
Carolina tackles deal: The Panthers aren't giving up trying to get a long-term deal done with tackle Jordan Gross. Without a deal on Tuesday, the Panthers put the franchise tag on him, but their preference would be to do a long-term deal.
John Clayton
