Update: 11:21 – John McClain, of the Houston Chronicle, reports free agent WR David Givens (Patriots) has canceled his visit with the Houston Texans Sunday, March 12. Reports out of New England late Saturday evening, March 11, were that Givens had decided to re-sign with the New England Patriots.
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Free agent wide receiver Antonio Bryant is in town. Reports are that he arrived in Santa Clara late Saturday to meet with head coach Mike Nolan. Bryant started 15 games last year for the Cleveland Browns, catching 69 balls for 1,009 yards an four touchdowns. If the earlier reports we mentioned about players not visiting unless they are signed holds true. Look for a deal to be announced with Bryant anyday now.
We also received confirmation from a source close to the site. We’ll call him ‘Mr. Bo Jangles’ he called the Marriott in Santa Clara and have received confirmation that both Antonio Bryant and David Givens have reservations there. No word yet if Givens has arrived in town but he does have a room reserved. Take that for what it is worth, considering Givens is supposed to be in Houston on Sunday.
From CBS Sportsline:
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) – The San Francisco 49ers traded leading receiver Brandon Lloyd to Washington on Saturday for the Redskins’ third-round pick this year and their fourth-round selection in 2007.
Lloyd was a restricted free agent for the 49ers, who drafted him in the third round three years ago. He was San Francisco’s top receiver last season, catching 48 passes for 733 yards and five touchdowns, but alienated teammates and clashed with the coaching staff.
San Francisco signed Lloyd to an offer sheet earlier in the month, but Lloyd seemed eager to leave town – and Washington seems enamored with his highlight-reel skills. He was scheduled to visit the Redskins’ training complex Sunday.
The 49ers already released receiver Johnnie Morton earlier in the offseason, leaving oft-injured Arnaz Battle as their most experienced receiver. They’re expected to go after free agents, including Pittsburgh’s Antwaan Randle-El, and seek more receiving help in next month’s draft.
According to two sources, one inside and one outside the organization. Receiver Arnaz Battle is pushing hard for free agent David Givens to come to San Francisco. Battle & Givens were Notre Dame teammates from 1998-2001. We’ll report more as we receive more info.
Update: 1:58 – Adam Schefter, of the NFL Network, reports the Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers are nearing a deal that would have the Redskins sending a 2006 third-round pick and a 2007 fourth-round selection to the 49ers for WR Brandon Lloyd. Pending a physical, the deal should be completed before the end of the weekend.
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San Francisco Chronicle is reporting more details on the Lloyd to Washington trade. A source close to Lloyd said Washington was prepared to offer a third-round choice this season and a fourth rounder in next year’s draft. Lloyd, who apparently has been secretly seeking a trade, expected the deal to be completed.
As you all know free agency has begun, and we’ve seen numerous teams mentioning players coming into visit. Of course all is quiet on the Niner front. In regards to that we have learned that the Niners are only bringing in free agents that they are going to sign. In other words, if a guy is coming, it means he’s already agreed to terms. Take it for what it is worth.
