STALLWORTH TO CLEVELAND

The Browns and Stallworth have agreed to a 7 year deal. No word yet on how much the deal is worth, but I'm assuming it's worth more than it should be worth, and is also loaded with incentives.

This isn't a major loss. Stallworth was solid for the Pats in '07, but was essentially tied with Jabar Gaffney for the 3rd spot on WR depth chart.

For any Patriots fan out there panicking, and any hater out there relaxing, this is what the Pats' WR depth chart might still look like next year:

1: Randy Moss
2: Wes Welker
3: Jabar Gaffney
4: Chad Jackson
5: Kelley Washington

That's still phenomenal.

In other Patriot news, Kelley Washington, who led the club in special team tackles, was re-signed. Long-snapper Lonie Paxton will also stay with the Patriots

Kyle Brady was surprisingly cut, then again, he is 36 years old.

Randall Gay is reportedly talking with the New Orleans Saints. The team and Gay will exchange contract offers tonight. In other words, they're very close to a deal.

Sources:
Associated Press
Reiss's Pieces
Scout.com

SOX TAKE OPENING ROUND OF MAYOR'S CUP

Every year, the Red Sox and Twins play each other five or six times in Spring Training. They're both stationed in Fort Myers, so scheduling each other so often is very convenient.

But the two teams also play for hardware. The Lee County Mayor's Cup is rewarded to the team with the best record in the spring series.

This trophy is so prestigious, that it is kept secret from most. Sean Casey didn't even know it existed until asked about it the other day. Most Sox fans don't know what it is. And only 0.01% of people knows what it looks like (basically a $10 trophy that a junior high would customize for the top scorer in intramural floor hockey).

The Red Sox won it in 2007, and took a major step to holding onto it by beating Minnesota 8-3.

Daisuke Matsuzaka took the mound for the Sox, going 2 scoreless innings. He allowed 2 hits, but a pair of double play balls kept him out of trouble.

Hideki Okajima and Mike Timlin each pitched hitless innings. Julian Tavarez allowed a solo homerun in 2 innings of work.

Julio Lugo went 0 for 3. Coco Crisp went 2 for 2 and stole 2 bases. Youkilis and Varitek hit back-to-back homers in the 4th. Backup backup catcher George Kotteras had the most explosive night going 2 for 2 with a double and a 3 run homer. He's 4 for 5 in two games, with 3 doubles and a homer.

Source:
BostonRedSox.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Steven Senne

CASHANTE SIGNS WITH THE EAGLES

You know, nobody ever talks about how stupidity amongst NFL teams serves to prevent the construction of dynasties and keeps a level playing field.

A good player like Asante Samuel puts together a few good seasons, which is amplified by the fact that he's on one of the best teams in the League. Then he hits free agency, and someone is bound to overpay for him.

It's the Az Zahir Hakim phenomenon. You might remember Az from the Rams' Greatest Show on Turf. Some team parked a dump truck full of money in front of his house, he left St. Louis, and entered obscurity.

But this keeps teams from getting too good. If there were no salary cap, the Patriots would have matched the $60 million, 6 year deal the Eagles gave Samuel. But there is a cap, and that figure is simply way too high for a cornerback, even one as good as Samuel.

And if this news saddens you, and you really need a laugh, here's Asante's explanation for his decision:

"I just want a chance to be able to win and get back to the Super Bowl. That's why I picked the Philadelphia Eagles."

I guess he feels like he is more likely to win in Philly than in Foxborough. Good luck.

Source:
Boston.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Matt Rourke