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Fantasy Index Newsblast

Baltimore signed WR Derrick Mason to an $8 million contract Thursday, keeping Mason with the Ravens for another two years. Baltimore has beefed up its receiving corps this season, signing free-agent WR Donte Stallworth and trading for WR Anquan Boldin to give QB Joe Flacco more weapons. Source: Baltimore Sun.

The Bengals announced Thursday they have re-signed DT Tank Johnson, inking him to a four-year contract. Johnson, who played 13 games last year despite lingering plantar fasciitis, had signed a one-year contract in 2009 after leaving the Cowboys. Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

The agent of free-agent LaDainian Tomlinson said the RB was "having a great time" as he visits Minnesota Wednesday and Thursday. Tomlinson went to dinner with coach Brad Childress and other Vikings brass Wednesday night, and was meeting with officials Thursday to discuss a possible contract. Tomlinson is also reported to have a meeting this week with the New York Jets. Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Washington has signed former Panthers NT Maake Kemoeatu to a two-year deal. Kemoeatu, who sat out last year after injuring his Achilles tendon in training camp, will compete for a starting job, possibly moving last year's NT, Albert Haynesworth to DE. Kemoeatu has had two surgeries to repair the tendon and is still rehabbing it, loading his contract with several performance bonuses. Source: Washington Post.

Kansas City has signed former Cardinals WR Jerheme Urban to a two-year contract. Urban played the last two seasons for Arizona, during which he caught a total of 56 passes and scored 6 TDs. Kansas City also announced the team has signed DL Shaun Smith, who will be reunited with defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. Smith's best years -- 2007 and 2008 -- were played under Crennel. Source: Kansas City Star.

Cincinnati has signed former Buccaneer WR Antonio Bryant to a four-year, $28 million contract. Bryant visited the Bengals earlier in the week, and the deal was completed after free-agent Terrell Owens paid a visit to Cincinnati. Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

St. Louis beat out an offer from New England and has re-signed TE Daniel Fells. No details were available on the terms. Fells had 21 catches last year, and had 3 of the Rams' 12 TD receptions. Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Houston has agreed to a four-year, $12 million deal with former Kansas City OL Wade Smith. Smith will complete for a starting job at center and guard. Source: Houston Chronicle.

After losing David Carr to San Francisco, the Giants were in the market for another marginal veteran backup for starter Eli Manning. They found one in Jim Sorgi, who until recently had backed up Peyton Manning in Indianapolis. Sorgi, 29, signed a one-year deal in a situation where he's only slightly more likely to start a game one day than he was in Indianapolis. Source: Newark Star-Ledger.

The Cleveland Browns cut Derek Anderson on Tuesday, a day after trading for Seneca Wallace from the Seahawks. Anderson was due a $2 million roster bonus on March 19th, and also had a $7.45 million salary for the 2010 season. Anderson will probably get some interest as a veteran backup; perhaps he'll land with a team with questions at starting quarterback. Source: Akron Beacon Journal.

The NFL Pro Bowl will return to Hawaii after spending a year in Florida, but like the 2010 edition, the 2011 gathering of all stars will take place a week before the Super Bowl, on January 30. TV ratings for the game this year were up more than 40 percent from last year's game, but all the players from the Super Bowl-participating teams sat out. Source: Associated Press.

Buffalo announced Tuesday that it had signed free-agent DT Marlon Favorite. Favorite joined the league last year, spending time on the practice squads of St. Louis, Kansas City, Seattle and New Orleans. Source: Buffalo News.

Jacksonville revealed Tuesday the team had re-signed WR Troy Williamson rather than let him become a free agent Friday. The Jaguars are looking for Williamson to take over some of the duties from departed WR Torry Holt. Source: SI.com.

The Browns and WR Josh Cribbs have agreed to everything on a contract extension except for how much money will be guaranteed, according to a report Tuesday. Cribbs wants $10 million guaranteed over three years, while Cleveland has offered $5 million. The deal would restructure Cribbs' current contract, which would pay him about $1 million for each of the next three years. Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer.

The New York Jets announced this week they plan to release veteran RB Thomas Jones Friday, turning the bulk of the rushing duties over to Shonn Greene. Thomas ran for more than 1400 yards last season, scoring 14 TDs, both of which were career highs. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Eagles QB Michael Vick was reported Tuesday saying that if he could pick any team in the league to play for, he would pick the Carolina Panthers. Asked why, VIck said, "Well, you know, it's close to home. I like the uniforms. You get to play against Atlanta twice a year. Ain't nothing better than playing against your former team, right? So, yeah, that would be a good look, it would be a good look." Source: Charlotte Observer.

Orioles 2B Brian Roberts reported to spring training Monday and admitted he has been diagnosed with a herniated disk in his lower back, which will limited his activities in camp. Roberts said the herniation isn't serious and shouldn't require surgery. Recovery time from this type of injury varies widely, and Roberts should be closely monitored. Source: Baltimore Sun.

OF Johnny Damon arrived in Detroit's Lakeland, Florida camp Monday, having officially finalized a one-year, $8 million deal with the Tigers. Manager Jim Leyland said Damon will play LF and bat second in the lineup, with rookie CF Austin Jackson batting leadoff. Source: Detroit News.

Oakland P Justin Duchscherer was set to undergo a procedure to alleviate pain in his sacroiliac joint, according to a report Monday. Duchscherer said doctors will "actually burn the nerves, kill the nerve endings" to short-circuit the pain. The pitcher said his return could be a day or a week, depending on how he responds. Source: Oakland Tribune.

OF Manny Ramierz reported to camp Monday, telling reporters, "I know I'm not going to be here (Los Angeles next year." Ramirez, who turns 38 in May, didn't clarify if he didn't expect the Dodgers to offer him a new contract, or if he didn't want to sign one. Ramierez said he didn't know where he'll be next year, or whether he'll want to play at all. Source: Los Angeles Times.

The Yankees and PChan Ho Park announced Monday they have agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.2 million plus incentives. Park, who still has to pass a physical, will be headed to the bullpen and not be in the contest for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, according to GM Brian Cashman. Source: New Jersey Star-Ledger.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said Monday that P Mark Buehrle will be the starter on Opening Day for a franchise-record eighth consecutive year. Recent acquisition P Jake Peavy said Guillen talked to him about the season opener, but Peavy preferred to let Buehrle take the record-setting start. Source: Chicago Tribune.

Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano, five months beyond undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, said Monday his knee "feels like 80 to 85 percent. I have five or six weeks... and I'm hoping it feels much better and I'm ready for Opening Day." Source: Chicago Tribune.

Boston P Daisuke Matsuzaka threw 50 tosses from level ground Monday, and reported no pain or discomfort. Matsuzaka, recovering from a mild back strain, said he plans to play catch for the next week or so, with no date set on when he'll try throwing from a mound. Source: espn.com.

Phillies reliever Brad Lidge threw off a mound Monday for the first time since having offseason elbox and knee surgeries and said afterward he felt fine. Lidge will probably throw again Thursday, but said his recovery schedule probably won't have him ready by the start of the season. Source: MLB.com.

Baltimore OF Nolan Reimold tested his surgically-repaired left Achilles tendon Monday and reported that "it feels all right." Reimold had a solid start to his rookie season in 2009 (.279, 17 HR, 45 RBI), but that was ended by September surgery on his injured tendon. Reimold ran the bases and did sprints, saying he expected to be ready Opening Day. Source: Baltimore Sun.

Texas announced Monday that IF Khalil Greene, still struggling with Social Anxiety Disorder, will not be coming to camp or playing the Rangers this year. Texas will now be looking for a utility player now that Greene, who could play all four IF positions, is out of the picture. Source: Dallas Morning News.

Cincinnati and OF Johnny Gomes officially announced a one-year major-league deal for the OF, with an option for 2011. Gomes told reporters Monday he was happy to back, especially after being non-tendered during the offseason. Damon will split time at LF and DH with Carlos Guillen. Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

Buffalo starting RT Brad Butler surprised the Bills by announcing his retirement Thursday. Butler, 26, had torn his his ACL during a Week 2 game against Tampa Bay, but had successful surgery and was expected to be ready to compete for the starting spot again. But Butler, who has been active in both education and politics after his graduation from college, said he was ready to pursue his interests outside of football. Source: Buffalo News.

Baltimore, desperate for receiving help, signed disgraced WR Donte Stallworth this week. Stallworth, who was suspended last season and jailed after striking and killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence, signed a one-year deal worth $900,000. Stallworth's plea agreement still calls for him to serve two years under house arrest. Source: Baltimore Sun.

Jets QB Mark Sanchez underwent surgery this week to stabilize the area around his left kneecap, and issued a bulletin that the surgery went "exceptionally well." Sanchez' recovery is put at two months, allowing him to be fuly ready for training camp in July. Source: New York Post.

Cleveland released RB Jamal Lewis this week after a year in which Lewis had privately complained about disliking coach Eric Mangini's practice routine as well as being on a losing team, then missing the last four games of the season with concussion syndrome. Lewis said the move wasn't unexpected, and had said back in November that he expected to retire. However, Lewis' agent said the RB still has plenty left in the tank and would consider playing for a contender. Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Missouri WR Danario Alexander will miss the NFL scouting combine after having surgery on his left knee this week. Alexander should be ready by training camp after hurting his knee in the Senior Bowl. The receiver had 113 receptions for 1781 yards and 14 TDs last season. Source: SI.com.

Oakland will use its franchise tag on DE Richard Seymour if the two sides can't agree on a long-term contract, according to a report published Thursday. The move would cost the Raiders nearly $12.4 million, and must be filed with the league by next Thursday. Source: espn.com.

Interesting day in Pittsburgh, where Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said the team would not rule out designating NT Casey Hampton its franchise player to keep him from entering free agency. Hampton, predictably, was not happy to hear this, as he hopes either to land a long-term deal that would keep him in the 'Burgh or to shop his services around the league. Colbert also said Friday that the Steelers will continue to operate as if the league's salary cap remains in place even if it doesn't in 2010 - i.e., if Jerry Jones and others try to buy themselves a Super Bowl win, they may have a considerable leg up on at least one contender. Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Malcontent LB Joey Porter, who has said in no uncertain terms that his career as a Dolphin is over, got the release he wanted on Friday ... until the team was informed that it cannot release him until March 5, because an earlier release would accelerate a salary cap impact and put the Fins over the current cap. Nonsensical, perhaps, given that there figures to be no salary cap at all next year, but regardless of the timing, all sides agree that Porter's remaining days in Miami are few if not quite none. Source: Miami Herald.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell received a contract extension Friday that will keep him in position through the 2014 season - assuming there is a 2014 season. Goodell will spend much of this offseason in negotiations with players representative DeMaurice Smith, who has repeatedly suggested that an eventual lockout is more likely than a quick deal. Source: ESPN.