Detroit Lions 07/16/2007 10:17 PMESPNâs John Clayton reports last year, HC Rod Marinelli moved Cory Redding from defensive end to defensive tackle in the belief he could be one of the best defensive tackles in football. On Monday, the Lions backed up that belief by making him the highest-paid defensive tackle in football. Redding, the team's franchise player in 2007, agreed to a seven-year, $49 million contract that included $16 million in guarantees, including $13 million in signing bonus and roster guarantees.Read more
San Francisco 49ers 07/16/2007 10:14 PMESPNâs Len Len Pasquarelli reports OT Joe Staley, the latter of San Francisco's two choices in the first round of the April draft, reached agreement in principle on a five-year contract with the 49ers on Monday. Financial details of the contract, negotiated by Priority Sports, were not yet available. The deal will be officially signed on Tuesday after some details in contract language are addressed.Read more
New England Patriots 07/16/2007 8:20 AMThe Boston Herald reports the final piece of what the Patriots hope is a championship puzzle could be in place at some point today. Alonzo Shavers, the agent for free agent CB Asante Samuel, indicated that the two sides continue to talk with the hope of hammering out a long-term deal before todayâs 4 p.m. deadline. There were even indications late last night that the two sides were on the verge of a deal, but Shavers scuttled that talk.Read more
