Rumor

[chieflombard]

ESPN Insider say Pioli ready to sign another star? Anyone an insider?

[PawnshopMarimba]

Interesting..
Jason Taylor, maybe?

[yashi]

Jason Taylor | Redskins | Interested: Chiefs? Buccaneers? Dolphins? Patriots

According to the Bucs Beat blog of the St. Petersburg Times, there could be an aggressive intrastate bidding war for the services of Jason Taylor in 2009.

Or not.

Taylor is still seeking work following his release by the Washington Redskins after a disappointing 2008 campaign, and the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots were thought to be the front-runners. After the Phins failed to address the pass rush with any high-level collegiate talent, it was postulated that a signing of Taylor made more sense than ever, but there's still been no deal. A source has told Stephen Holder of the Bucs Beat that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have some interest in Taylor, although a different source indicated to Holder that the Bucs actually have no interest.

We're inclined to go with Unnamed Source No. 2 on this one. While the Pats and Dolphins run a 3-4 scheme on defense and could use Taylor as a dedicated pass-rusher, the Bucs would need him to be an effective run-stopper as well. In case you've forgotten, that was the same set of expectations for Taylor in Washington, and that experiment was an unmitigated disaster. Taylor's main focus on the field is getting after the quarterback, so to cast him in a different role would be similar to the Oakland Raiders deciding to line recent signee Jeff Garcia up as a tight end. It might work out, but the best case scenario is mediocrity.

One team whose rumored interest still lingers in spite of no official word from management is the Kansas City Chiefs. With the trio of Glenn Dorsey, Tank Tyler and Tyson Jackson ready to man the front line in the Chiefs' 3-4, Taylor could be utilized as a pure pass-rusher. Bill Williamson of the AFC West blog gave his take on this potential signing weeks ago, and the Chiefs did not do anything over the weekend that would rule this move out.

[PawnshopMarimba]

Goodness, I hope that's true. I love that we're not scared of signing veterans anymore.

[yashi]

Edgerrin James | Cardinals | Interested: Chiefs? Seahawks? Buccaneers? Dolphins? Jaguars? Saints?

With the second-to-last pick in the draft's first round, the Arizona Cardinals took running back Chris Wells, and the bells you hear tolling are there to signify the end of Edgerrin James' time in the desert. According to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic, the team will likely be cutting the veteran running back within the next week. While James would've had a few more teams after him had he been released at the start of the free agent signing period, he could still find some work.

One team rumored to be interested in James is the New Orleans Saints. The Saints bid adieu to Deuce McAllister earlier this offseason, and if James were willing to accept a diminished role on the roster at first, there is a spot for him in a backfield led by Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush. With just four picks available in this year's draft, the team elected to focus on defense and special teams, selecting three defenders and a punter.

With Larry Johnson's situation not yet figured out, the Kansas City Chiefs have also been rumored to be a destination for James. If Johnson winds up being traded, the team would have unproven commodities in the backfield. To wit, Tyler Thigpen was the team's second-leading rusher in 2008 behind LJ. The Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have some question marks in the backfield as well, and could be in the mix for James too.

As with the Bucs, both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins have also been mentioned as possible destinations for James, given that he is a Florida native. However, Miami already has a long-in-the-tooth running back in Ricky Williams, and the Jaguars would be using James only as an insurance policy should Maurice Jones-Drew break down. Jags coach Jack Del Rio has already emphasized that Greg Jones will be seeing a heavier workload this season, and seventh round draftee Rashad Jennings may also get some work in his rookie campaign.

James proved throughout the playoffs last season that he still has a bit of fuel left in the tank. The tough part now will be to find a new team that will give him a legitimate chance to earn the starting job, because he'll be most effective as the primary back in an offense. Although he's nearing the 3,000 carry mark on his odometer - with 430 receptions to boot - a few teams will certainly come calling upon his official release.

[yashi]

We're also remotely mentioned in a LeRoy Hill rumor.. but it's not worth pasting they it just says we're expected to give his agent a call, among many other teams.

I have to say I actually love the idea of bringing in JT as strictly a pass rusher. It would keep him fresh and provide us with something we're sorely lacking.

[pbatrucker]

I couldn't find anything solid on insider. A few notes like the ones above, nothing solid. JT, or either of the LB would be good. Edge is too old.

[pbatrucker]

Arrowhead Pride has an article about LaBoy and Chiefs coaches connection to him. He did play the preator LB for them.

[yashi]

yeah I wouldn't be surprised at all if we signed LaBoy.

[PawnshopMarimba]

Exactly, Yashi. I think Pioli's showing that he intends to assemble a defense that has chemistry, and I like the moves he's made so far.

The reuniting of Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey wasn't coincidental, and neither is the attempt to bring Zack and Jason Taylor back together.