Day No. 3 Free Agency Update
The NFL grapevine bubbled over the weekend that the Chiefs were interested in veteran running backs.
ESPN and various New York media outlets reported that Thomas Jones would be visiting the Chiefs on Monday, after being released by the Jets on Friday.
And the San Francisco Chronicle reported Sunday evening that Raiders RB Justin Fargas (left) would also be visiting with the Chiefs soon. Fargas was released over the weekend. The team said Fargas did not pass a team physical. Fargas said the whole situation was about money – he’s due a $1.7 million bonus on Monday.
“I was told by the coach that they were moving in a different direction,” Fargas told the Chronicle. “They said it was strictly about money … I know some things were put out there, I guess they said I didn’t pass a physical. I’m a little disappointed by the way it happened but I understand it’s a business.
“I definitely appreciate being able to spend seven years as a Raider. I’ve always loved the Raiders. I just want to do everything I can to help another team win a championship. I still have a lot of football in me. I’m fine (health-wise).”
Fargas turned 30 in late January and came into the league as a third-round choice out of Southern Cal in the 2003 NFL Draft. Over his career he ran 827 times for 3,390 yards and 10 TD runs. Against the Chiefs, he played in 11 games, running for 502 yards on 110 carries with three rushing TDs. His best performance came at Arrowhead Stadium in 2007 when he ran 22 times for 139 yards and a touchdown.
Injuries have dogged Fargas throughout his career with the Raiders, some of it brought about by his upright running style. Former Raiders coach Lane Kiffin once called him a “Human Crash Test Dummy.”
It was a quiet Sunday on the free agency front as the first wave of signings now seems played out. Here’s what went down:
- NFL – suspended NT Jason Ferguson eight games for violating the league’s regulations on performance enhancement substances. Ferguson is a UFA, having played in ‘09 for the Dolphins.
- BROWNS – signed UFA OT Tony Pashos (49ers) to a 3-year, $10.3 million deal; signed UFA LB Scott Fujita (Saints) to a 3-year, $14 million contract.
- 49ERS – signed UFA QB David Carr (Giants).
- JAGUARS – signed UFA DE Aaron Kampman (Packers) to a 4-year, $26 million deal with $11 million in guaranteed money.
- LIONS – acquired CB Chris Houston in a trade with the Falcons, giving up a 6th-round choice and a flip of 7th-round picks in the 2010 NFL Draft.
- RAMS – reached agreement with DT Fred Robbins (Giants).
VISITS – OL Wade Smith (Chiefs) was in Houston to speak with the Texans. RFA WR Brandon Marshall (Broncos) is in Seattle to talk with the Seahawks, who will also talk this week to OT Barry Sims (49ers). S Ryan Clark (Steelers) is in Miami for a visit. CB Marlin Jackson (Colts) will visit Philadelphia and Baltimore this week. The Steelers will welcome their first UFA on Monday when WR Arnaz Battle (49ers) visits. Having lost Dunta Robinson, the Texans will welcome CB Leigh Bodden (Patriots) for a visit. In Washington this week are DT Ma’ake Kemoeatu (Panthers), Sims and RB Willie Parker (Steelers) are scheduled. Over in St. Louis, they will talk on Monday with S Brodney Pool (Browns). In New England, they expect a visit from WR Josh Reed (Bills). DE Dwan Edwards (Ravens) will visit Denver. QB Jim Sorgi (Colts) has a workout scheduled for Monday with the Giants.
Wow, cleveland signed Fujita, not that he would want to be a chief again, but they could have made a push for him to return, solid LB. I wouldn’t mind see Fargas here as the 3rd down back, he is an underrated RB.
I just hope the chiefs dont overspend on THomas Jones, he would be a decent 3rd down back also, but he has alot more wear on his legs then Fargas does…
An ex-Raider running the rock smack through the line into the secondary while scoring a touchdown whilst holding it high giving the Raider nation a great big sloppy Phhhhhtttttttt!!! In comander Al’s general bunker direction! Or just give him the finger. Either or. As long as we can help keep Tom “the cable guy” confused maybe he’ll meltdown and assult more assistants!
The last significant Raider who turned Chief at the RB position worked out in spectacular fashion, speaking of Marcus Allen. Could lightning strike twice?
Got to say, really hate the raiders. Out of all the former raiders, both players and coaches, only Allen worked out. I tend to want to stay away from anyone tainted by Al Davis. Sort of like drafting anyone from LSU, another area of the country I believe the Chiefs should stay away from. Yes it is silly but I do not walk under ladders either.
“I just hope the chiefs dont overspend on THomas Jones, he would be a decent 3rd down back also, but he has alot more wear on his legs then Fargas does…”
3rd down back? What about a 50-50 split?
50-50 split still I would rather have Fargas then Jones, I dont think he will be able to stay healthy, not that Fargas has been able to stay healthy, but Fargas has a lot less wear on him, from platooning with bush and McFadden… I can’t see taking the ball out of Charles’s hands to split the carries with any other back, he is the most explosive player on the offensive side of the ball…
Comparing Fargas and Jones is comparing apples to oranges.
Fargas is more of a 3rd down, short yardage back. Jones is more of a split carries type of back. Only two guys in the league had more yards than Jones last year – Chris Johnson and Steven Jackson.
So if you’re looking for a 50/50 split, then Jones is the guy. If you’re looking more at a “situational” type back, then Fargas is the best bet. Paying Jones to get 5 -7 carries a game would be a waste of talent and money. Or maybe their thinking about signing them both.
“BROWNS – signed UFA OT Tony Pashos (49ers) to a 3-year, $10.3 million deal”
This is the trend I don’t see happening with our Chiefs…we’re talking to Jones and Fargas…is there nobody available on the line that we should be talking to? Hello Mr. Pioli, anybody at 1 Arrowhead Drive care to share a plan of how we’re going to help this little problem?
I’m sure if there is an OT they want, they are working on it. Any other position too, for that matter. We need to upgrade the team, not sign someone just to sign someone.
Pashos would have been a good pickup. Im surprised that i haven’t heard anything about any O-lineman coming to visit the chiefs over the next few days, at least take a look…
Agreed Steve. I know it’s frustrating that we haven’t made a move yet, but we also know they have tried to bring in Sproles and Boldin and neither ended up working out. As far as Jones and Fargas go, I’d rather have Jones, but either would be a nice addition. Even if Jones only got 8-10 carries a game, he would be invaluable in mentoring Jamal Charles on how to condition his body and how to hold on to the football.
Congrats to the Chiefs on re-signing Mr. Chambers!
We don’t need Tackles. We need Guards and a C, and those available in FA generally stink. We’ll use the draft to draft C and a Guard or 2.
“Mentoring Charles” why? Seems to me he did just fine when he got LJ out of the way. Jones carrys the ball or do not need him. We have enough old mentors on this team now.
Right on el cid. Why “mentor” Charles. He can do it all by himself. He has nothing to learn from an old geezer like Jones.
really though Charles wouldn’t really learn to much from Jones, for one they have two different running styles.
Exactly arrowhead1978, well said.
There’s nothing Charles can learn from a guy who has been in the league 10 years. Jones is nothing but an old over the hill has been. What does he know about being a good player. What does he know about conducting his business on and off the field or being a leader in the locker room. Charles knows everything he needs to know right now. Take the ball and run it. Whats so hard about that?
Well, ill tell you one thing I dont want an old man to teach Charles is that when you don’t get a new contract you complain and cry until the team just releases you…