Proving a point once and for all – that dedicated bloggers have no life – another update is in after 9:00pm eastern on a Friday night.  And I’m here to cover it.  Such is the life of a blogging fool.
One former Carolina Panther, Keary Colbert, is visiting with the Broncos.  The Broncos want a receiver to play opposite of Brandon Marshall so they can put Brandon Stokley in the slot.
All they need to do is call a Panthers fan and ask us about Colbert.  We’ll be glad to tell them what they would be getting in Colbert – a guy with [...]

Here is your afternoon fix of NFL news.
The Seahawks are close to reaching a deal with free agent TE Alge Crumpler, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
Shaun Rogers has been traded from the Lions to the Bengals.  It is believed that the Bengals gave up a third or fourth round draft pick.  (Cincinnati Enquirer)

You can now remove one big name free agent from the list of available players.  Comcast Sportsnet is reporting that Asante Samuel is visiting with the Eagles today and that a deal is in place.  A media availability has been scheduled adding to the speculation that a deal has been reached.
Of course, they are quoting an unnamed league source, whoever that is, but the report is out there.
In other breaking news…

Exactly what you might expect.  The news is coming fast and furious on this first day of the free agency signing period.
Former Carolina Panthers running back, Deshaun Foster, has been signed by the San Francisco 49ers to a two-year $1.8 million contract.  It’s a bit of a cut-rate price but he is expected to be the backup to Frank Gore.  (ESPN)  Also, the 49ers reached agreements Friday morning with Lions quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan and Vikings linebacker Dontarrious Thomas.

The Carolina Panthers have agreed to trade defensive tackle Kris Jenkins to the New York Jets for a third and a fifth round pick in this year’s draft.  While the deal has yet to be formally announced, it should be made official later today, according to the Charlotte Observer.
Carolina was anxious to trade Jenkins before owing him a $1 million roster bonus. The trade clears about $3 million in salary cap room for this season.
The Panthers also tried to deal Jenkins before last year’s draft, but their demand for a first-round pick wasn’t met. The most the St. Louis Rams [...]

A late report from the Rock Hill Herald suggests that Mike Rucker could be leaning toward retirement.  Less than a month ago, Rucker told the Carolina Panthers that he would be coming back for another season.
 
Rucker became an unrestricted free agent at midnight. Panthers coach John Fox and general manager Marty Hurney had met with him two weeks ago and told him they intended to look another direction for a starter at defensive end. At that point, Rucker said he wanted to come back, but hedged when talk turned to actually going to another city.
His best friend and former teammate, [...]

Here it is!  Free Agency has started.  Let’s hit this thing as it happens.  I’m gonna spend the first two hours of the signing period updating this entry.  Hopefully, I don’t get too punchy in the wee hours and start typing garbage.  Let’s begin!
Actually things started five minutes before the start of free agency…
11:55pm – The New England Patriots signed wide receiver Kelley Washington.  Maybe not the deal they wanted with a wide receiver (Randy Moss) but it’s what they got.  (Boston Globe)
And the first free agent to sign is….12:43 am – Guard Justin Smiley!  He’s on his way from the 49ers [...]

Now it starts!  The official start of the NFL free agency period has begun!  Shoot, I stayed up just so I could celebrate this at midnight – sort of like New Year’s Eve.
What’s in store for us?  Honestly, that’s hard to say considering that the Carolina Panthers may not have a lot of dough to throw around at players shopping their services.  Then again, because the team doesn’t tell us much about contracts and their salary cap, they could have enough to go after some quality talent.
We know the team needs – safety, defensive tackle, defensive end, running back, offensive tackle.  [...]

More news and more moves.  I predicted it would be a late night here at Cat Crave.  Looks like I was right on that one.
The Carolina Panthers have signed fullback Brad Hoover to a three-year deal according to the Charlotte Observer.
With only a few hours remaining before he was to become an unrestricted free agent, fullback Brad Hoover reached a contract agreement with the Carolina Panthers.
Hoover, the team’s long-standing lead blocker in the running game and a fan favorite, agreed to a new three-year deal Thursday night.
“He’s just happy to stay a Panther,” said Hoover’s agent, Tim Irwin.
Kris Jenkins Update
Kris [...]

We may be burning the midnight oil here at Cat Crave tonight.  Here’s what’s making news around the league on the eve of the start of free agency…
Flozell Adams has re-signed with the Cowboys.  The Dallas Morning News reports that the deal is for six years.
Todd Sauerbrun, you remember him, right?  Yeah, him.  Well, he’s back in the news.  This time the Denver punter is pleading not guilty to charges of assualt and disturbing the peace stemming from charges that date back to December.
Running back Michael Robinson has been signed to a three-year extension by the 49ers.  (ESPN)
The Steelers extended OT [...]