Wide receiver Andre Johnson was rumored to be looking at the Indianapolis Colts the minute he hit the streets after the Houston Texans released him Monday. The rumor became a reality Wednesday when Johnson signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Colts.
“I felt like this was the best place where I can win a championship and help win a championship,” Johnson said. “That’s what it’s all about. That’s why we play the game.”
Few have played it better than Johnson over the last 12 seasons. The 33-year-old receiver has spent his entire career with the Texans and missed out on 1,000-plus yards only twice in non-injury shortened seasons. Last year Johnson caught 85 passes for 936 yards and three touchdowns.
Gore will have to pick a new number
Frank Gore’s celebration of not only joining the Colts and playing with another former Miami Hurricane with Johnson took a hit Wednesday, when cornerback Vontae Davis turned down Gore’s offer for his No. 21 jersey number.
Just turned down Frank's offer for the coveted #21. Gotta make it legendary with much respect to Bob Sanders!
— Vontae Davis (@vontaedavis) March 10, 2015
According to the roster on the Colts’ website, Gore will be going with the No. 23. Gore wore the No. 3 and the No. 32 while at the University of Miami. Safety Colt Anderson wears 32 for Indianapolis and running backs can’t wear single digits in the NFL, so 23 seems a nice compromise.
Eagles sign Ryan Matthews, still in the market for DeMarco Murray
Philadelphia can’t stop making news. After losing out on Frank Gore after a deal seemed immanent, the Eagles landed oft-injured running back Ryan Matthews Wednesday with a three-year, $11.5 million deal.
Matthews played a 16-game season only once, but when he did he was an elite back, carrying the ball 285 times for 1,255 yards and six touchdowns. Matthews is productive when he actually plays, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
With the signing of Matthews, you’d think that would end speculation on the Eagles and DeMarco Murray, but Chip Kelly is proving time and again that what you think doesn’t matter to him. Murray was roommates at Oklahoma with new Eagles QB Sam Bradford and has expressed interest in joining him in Philly.
Bradford, for his part, has been working hard to recruit Murray to the team.
“Absolutely. I’ve been trying my hardest (to get Murray to the Eagles),” Bradford said. I’ve called him. I’ve texted him. I’ve done everything. We’ve been in communication. If we can somehow land him, it would be a great pickup. Not only is he a great player, he’s a great person. He’s a really close friend of mine, too. I think he can really help this ball club.”
Bears sign Antrel Rolle and Eddie Royal
Chicago made the first move to replace Brandon Marshall in its offense by signing wide receiver Eddie Royal Wednesday. Details of the contract haven’t been released. Royal was a former teammate of Bears quarterback Jay Cutler in Denver in 2008.
Royal has been a productive No. 2 receiver for most of his career and should do a lot to help Alshon Jeffrey remain a weapon on the outside. Royal is a solid punt returner and a fantastic weapon in the end zone as his fantasy owners can attest, catching eight touchdowns in 2013 and seven last season.
Safety Antrel Rolle joines the Bears after signing a three-year, $11.25 million deal Wednesday.
Rolle has played in two Super Bowls, once with the Arizona Cardinals in 2008 and two years later with the New York Giants. Since Rolle became a starter in his second year, he’s missed a total of one game. Last year with the Giants he had 87 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and nine passes defensed.
Jets acquire Ryan Fitzpatrick from Texans
The Texans shed quarterbacks as fast as they sign them. Wednesday Houston shipped QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to the Jets for a conditional seventh-round pick. The pick could turn into a sixth rounder depending on how much gametime Fitzpatrick logs for New York.
Fitzpatrick has been a solid back up and spot starter in his 10 years in the league. He was drafted out of Harvard by the last vestiges of the Greatest Show on Turf St. Louis Rams back in 2005. Fitzpatrick is no stranger to the AFC East. He played for the Buffalo Bills from 2009-12.
Coughlin gets one-year extension with Giants
Tom Coughlin will remain on the New York Giants’ sideline for at least two more seasons. The 68-year-old coach has guided the Giants to two Super Bowl Championships, both victories over the New England Patriots in 2007 and 2010.
Coughlin has coached the Giants for 11 seasons with a 104-83 record. Only Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals have coached their teams longer.
