Osi Umenyiora has been looking for a new contract since after the 2007 season, despite just signing a 7 year deal 2 years prior. Umenyiora never had any luck and was forced to suck it up and play (though he got 2 Super Bowl rings out of it, so it wasn’t all bad). However, a day after firing his agent, Umenyiora did get a new contract, even if it wasn’t exactly like what he wanted.

Umenyiora’s new deal doesn’t add new years to his existing contract and he’ll still hit the open market as a free agent next offseason, but it does give him a pass raise for the final year of his deal in 2012. Rather than making 4 million this year, Umenyiora will make 7.5 million this year, including 3 million upfront. The deal is structured such that the Giants will take the cap hit over two years, rather than just one.

It’s essentially a “we’ll give you 3.5 million to stop complaining” deal. Umenyiora will happily take that. He could still easily leave next offseason in search of a starting job elsewhere, rather than his current rotational job. However, he’ll be 31 in November so he might not be greeted with as friendly of a market as he might be expecting. For this year, he’ll help the Giants maintain arguably the league’s most fearsome pass rushes in the league.

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Brian Hoyer has been Tom Brady’s primary backup since being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2009. Hoyer has played admirably when counted on, completing 27 of 43 for 286 yards, 1 touchdown, and an interception and the general consensus around the league seems to be that he could start or at least compete for a starting job elsewhere in the league.

The Patriots tendered Hoyer at a 2^nd round level this offseason, but he’ll be an unrestricted free agent after next season. There is some speculation that the Patriots could try to trade Hoyer this offseason and it was fueled further by the Boston Globe’s Jeff Rowe’s report today. It would make a lot of sense for the Patriots to move Hoyer.

They could easily lose him for nothing next offseason and 2011 3^rd round pick Ryan Mallett could be ready to be Brady’s primary backup. Brady is expected to play 3 or 4 more years, which would make Hoyer around 30 years old when Brady retires, so he can’t really be considered a quarterback of the future. That title is probably better assigned to Mallett, who is still just 23 years old, if anyone.

The biggest question if the Patriots decide to move him would be who would trade for him. Most teams have their quarterback competitions pretty settled at this point. Perhaps former Patriots GM Scott Pioli and the Chiefs could be interested. I would still put the likelihood for the Patriots moving Hoyer at less than 10% at best. He’ll likely remain as a backup this year and get his shot next offseason.

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When Daryl Washington was drafted in the 2^nd round in 2010, the biggest knock on him was his size at 228 pounds. The Cardinals took a risk on him anyway, even though he doesn’t have the prototypical size for a middle linebacker, especially in a 3-4. That risk has panned out as he has emerged as an above average middle linebacker at just 25 years of age in his first 2 seasons in the league, even though he has played his entire career in the high 220s/low 230s.

Heading into his 3^rd season, Washington has made it a priority to add weight and he now tips the scales at 243. Washington says he does not feel the change when he runs and that his speed is “still the same.” That should be taken with a grain of salt obviously and we’ll have to see how the added weight affects him on the field. If it effects him positively, he could break out to a Pro Bowl level in his 3^rd year in the league.

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Chilo Rachal was once a 2^nd round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2008, but he has largely been a disappointment so far in his career. Rachal was once a starter in San Francisco, but lost his starting job due to poor play. Lack of work ethic and discipline were large contributing factors to his struggles. However, as a free agent this offseason, the Bears took a flier on him, needing major help on their offensive line.

Rachal seems to have responded, slimming down to 310 and putting himself in a competition for a starting job. Chris Spencer is currently the starting left guard, but he’s hardly an established starter moving over from center. Rachal could easily beat him out with Chris Williams moving over to left tackle to compete with J’Marcus Webb. Rachal could also beat out the disappointing Lance Louis at right guard. Roberto Garza will start at center and a hopefully healthy Gabe Carimi will start at right tackle in his 2^nd NFL season after going 29^th overall in 2011. Edwin Williams will probably be their 8th offensive lineman. He could compete at both guard spots, as well as center.

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The Seahawks are having a 3 way competition for quarterback between mediocre incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson, free agent acquisition Matt Flynn, and 3^rd round rookie Russell Wilson. Flynn is currently the leader in the clubhouse thanks to his strong play in camp and the 10 million guaranteed he got this offseason. Wilson has also gotten a lot of praise from the coaching staff and the front office, who were both very high on him in the draft. All this has led to speculation that Jackson and his 4 million dollar salary could be cut.

ESPN Seattle’s Brock Huard doesn’t second this sentiment, but suggests that Jackson could be asked to take a pay cut or else. This would allow the Seahawks to keep Jackson as a veteran backup and not force a rookie into action if there were any injury. In this scenario, if Jackson doesn’t agree, he’ll be cut. It doesn’t sound like the Seahawks want to pay Jackson 4 million dollars unless he somehow wins the starting job, but that seems pretty unlikely even though the three are still splitting 1^st team reps evenly.

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Chris Clemons has been noticeably absent from Seahawks’ OTAs and according to ESPN Seattle’s Brock Huard, this is an “abundantly clear” sign that Clemons is seeking a new contract and could hold out into mandatory minicamps. Clemons is owed 4.5 million in the final year of his contract, which makes him highly underpaid.

Clemons has surprisingly emerged as one of the better defensive ends in the league over the last 2 years under Pete Carroll, combining for 24 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, and 97 quarterback pressures.However, the Seahawks won’t want to pay him for what he’s already done as he turns 31 in October so he might not get the big contract he’s seeking. The Seahawks also used a 1^st round pick on a defensive end, Bruce Irvin, in the 2012 NFL Draft with the intention of possibly having him take over in Clemons’ role long term.

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According to the Union-Tribune San Diego, the Chargers have “no immediate plans” to add another running back. The Chargers lost backup Mike Tolbert in free agency this offseason and did not add another veteran back to replace him. Right now they just have Curtis Brinkley and his 32 career carries, 7^th round rookie Edwin Baker, and fullback Le’Ron McClain behind lead back Ryan Mathews.

Norv Turner has talked Ryan Mathews up as a feature back extensively this offseason. Turner’s offenses typically feature 300 carry type feature backs and in his 3^rd year after going 12^th overall in 2010, it appears Mathews has Turner’s trust to be that type of back. Mathews has a career 4.7 YPC and Chargers’ running backs caught 104 passes and scored 16 times last year on a down year for the San Diego offense so there’s definite fantasy upside with Mathews, who Turner thinks can lead the league in rushing.

The report did leave the door open for the Chargers to add another running back closer to Training Camp by saying they have no “immediate plans,”  but any running back they sign will likely be a pure backup to Mathews. Any running back signing would be a vote of no confidence on Brinkley, Baker, and McClain as pure backups rather than a vote of no confidence on Mathews as a feature back, who seems to have all the confidence of the coaching staff. Mathews is currently my #3 fantasy back behind Arian Foster and LeSean McCoy.

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