News and Notes
The Carolina Panther's have acquired Sean Gilbert from the Washington Redskins in exchange for two first round draft picks. The Redskins will receive the Panthers' number one pick in 1999 and the Miami Dolphins' number one pick in 2000. The Panthers had earlier acquired Miami's number one in 2000 for a second round pick in this year's draft.The Kansas City Chief's have signed Chester McGlockton for five years at a little less than $30 million, including a $7.5 million bonus. The Raiders had the opportunity to match the offer, but declined. As compensation for losing McGlockton, the Raiders will get a compensatory pick in Saturday's draft, the 31st overall, as well as the Chiefs' second-rounder, the 59th overall. Just yesterday, the Chiefs signed former Pro Bowl defensive end Leslie O'Neal.
The Jets and Cardinals continued thier busy off-seasons when the Jets shipped Adrian Murrell and a seventh round pick in next week's draft to the Cards in exchange for a third-round pick. Murrell, the Jets leading rusher over the last two seasons, became expendable when the Jets signed New England's Curtis Martin as a restricted free agent. Murrell gives Arizona, which finished last in the league in rushing last year, an established running back.
The New England Patriots declined to match the New York Jets' $36 million, six-year offer to running back Curtis Martin. They now own the Jets' first three picks in the draft and have six of the first 82 draft picks. New England got the Jets' first- and third-round picks as compensation for Martin. The second-round pick came in the agreement that allowed Parcells to go from the Patriots to the Jets a year ago. Look for them to package some picks to get one of the top 10 selections and maybe select running back Curtis Enis. The Jets are now probably going to trade Adrian Murrell for draft picks.
The Jets acquired Philadelphia's second-round and fifth-round picks in the April draft in exchange for defensive end Hugh Douglas. The Eagles plan to move Mike Mamula from right defensive end to left defensive end or linebacker. Douglas fills a big need for the Eagles who had problems rushing the passer last season. Douglas will be an unrestricted free agent after the 1998 season.
The San Diego Chargers now have the No. 2 overall pick in the April 18 draft, but in return gave the Arizona Cardinals the No. 3 overall choice, a second-round pick this year, a first-round pick next year, and veteran players Eric Metcalf and Patrick Sapp. The Chargers needed to move up one spot in the draft to ensure that they would be able to draft a top quarterback.
The Washington Redskins have acquired Dan Wilkinson from the Bengals in exchange for two draft picks. The Bengals will receive the Redskins first-round pick (17th overall) and third-round pick in this year's draft. Wilkinson, who was the Bengals' franchise player, has agreed to a five-year contract with the Redskins worth $21.4 million, including a $5 million signing bonus. Redskins general manager Charley Casserly said. "With the acquisition of Dan Wilkinson and Dana Stubblefield we have acquired two outstanding players who are entering the prime years of their careers."
The Baltimore Ravens continued their busy off-season by acquiring running back Errict Rhett from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a 1999 third-round draft pick. The Ravens were looking to replace Bam Morris, who is serving a 120-day jail sentence for violating the terms of his probation after pleading guilty to marijuana possession. Rhett will be counted on to help the Ravens running game that finished 22nd in the league last season and averaged less than 100 yards per game. Rhett, a former 1000 yd back, fell out of favor with coach Tony Dungy following a contract dispute and then became expendable after Warrick Dunn's successfull rookie season.
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