The agent for San Francisco 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan said Thursday night his client is still employed by the team -- for now, anyway. Peter Schaffer, McCloughan's representative, told The Associated Press in a phone interview that he has "not heard any different" regarding McCloughan's job status amid speculation he's on his way out.
The Seattle Seahawks, attempting to bolster their quarterback position, traded Thursday for the San Diego Chargers' Charlie Whitehurst, who has yet to throw a pass in the NFL. Seattle swapped its second-round pick in next month's draft, allowing the Chargers to move up 20 spots to No. 40 overall, to take San Diego's 60th choice.
Darryl Tapp is looking forward to a fresh start. Two days after joining the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade, Tapp signed a three-year contract on Thursday. The 25-year-old Tapp will compete for a starting spot at left defensive end after playing four seasons in Seattle. "I think a change of scenery will be good," Tapp said.
Brady Quinn says his severely sprained left foot is no longer an issue. Quinn was asked about his foot Thursday during his first news conference in Denver since his acquisition Sunday from the Cleveland Browns, and said: "The foot is good, I appreciate you asking." Quinn passed his physical Tuesday, completing the deal that sent fullback Peyton Hillis and two draft picks to the Browns...
It sure didn't take long for Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen to begin remaking the Washington Redskins. The changes have been swift and widespread in the 2 1/2 months since Shanahan was hired as the team's coach and executive vice president. He's been working alongside Allen, the new general manager, in the aftermath of a 4-12 season under the now-departed Jim Zorn and Vinny Cerrato.
The Cleveland Browns have re-signed offensive lineman Billy Yates. Yates, who was an unrestricted free agent, was signed by the Browns last September. He spent five seasons with the New England Patriots before coming to Cleveland. Yates played in seven games for the Browns last season. He has made 11 starts and appeared in 32 career games.
Seeking a possible replacement if they can't re-sign punter Jeff Feagles, the New York Giants have signed former Australian rules football player Jy Bond. The deal was announced Thursday afternoon, though contract details were not disclosed. The 30-year-old Bond signed with the Miami Dolphins last season but was released in June.
Hard-hitting safety Eric Smith has signed his one-year tender offer with the New York Jets. The deal Thursday, worth $1.176 million, keeps Smith in the competition with the recently signed Brodney Pool and James Ihedigbo to replace Kerry Rhodes opposite Jim Leonhard in the Jets' secondary. Rhodes was traded to Arizona on March 6 for two draft picks.
The St. Louis Rams have signed free agent long snapper Chris Massey and running back Kenneth Darby. The moves were announced Thursday. Massey ended last season on injured reserve after undergoing knee surgery in October. A seventh-round pick in 2002, he's the last remaining player from that draft on the Rams' roster.
Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson believes in what he can't see. "You always have to have faith things are going to get better," Johnson said Thursday. "You can't get down and think things won't get better or they definitely won't." Detroit won just two games last season after going winless the previous year, the first time that's happened to any NFL...
