Ravens outbid Steelers, sign Chris Carr

The Latest Steelers Buzz The Pittsburgh Steelers will miss out on one of the teams top targets in free agency as Titans cornerback/kick returner Chris Carr will sign with the Baltimore Ravens on Monday. Carr who visited the Steelers on Wednesday was offered a multi-year contract by the Steelers but the Steelers were outbid by the Ravens. Carr is expected to sign a two or three year deal worth $2.5 million per season. Sources tell me the Steelers offered $1.8 million per season but more years than the Ravens offered. Pittsburgh and Baltimore were Carr’s top two choices. Last season Carr was fourth in the NFL on kickoff returns (28.1 yard average) for the 13-4 Tennessee Titans.

Titans, Ravens, Jets, Giants & Steelers interested in Torry Holt?

Wide Receiver Torry Holt is still a member of the St. Louis but his release is believed to imminent as he is due a $1.25 million bonus in the middle of March. ESPN’s John Clayton reports that the Jets and Titans are the most likely suitors, but that two or three under the radar teams will emerge as bidders when Holt is released.

NFL: Raiders, Ravens interested in Marvel Smith

The Baltimore Ravens and Oakland Raiders are expressing some interest in Steelers left tackle Marvel Smith. Both teams have demonstrated early interest in the former Pittsburgh Pro Bowler, who missed the final 11 weeks of the regular season and the playoffs this year after injuring a disc. Still just 30, Smith says that the problems, finally, have been alleviated. Source: Sportingnews

NFL Free Agency; Live Updates appear at the bottom of the page

Live Updates 9:02 a.m. – Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth reached agreement Friday on a seven-year, $100 million with the Washington Redskins according to reports. 9:38 a.m. – Reports indicate the Ravens will lose Ray Lewis. Linebacker Bart Scott signed with the Jets. 10:23 a.m. – It’s believed Anthony Smith has received calls from atleast 6 teams. Cardinals and Falcons showing significant interest. 10: 25 a.m. – Steelers remain in discussions Chris Kemoeatu and have a offer on the table. Kemoeatu has a received a 4 year-offer from the New York Jets. Kemoeatu is still considering the Steelers but the Steelers offer is around $3.8 million per season. 10:29 a.m. – Steelers have made a two year deal to Trai Essex.

NFL Mock Draft Version 3

NFL Mock Draft  1) DETROIT LIONS> MATTHEW STAFFORD, QB, GEORGIAРWith Sam Bradford returning to Oklahoma for another season, Stafford holds on to the top selection. Sanchez has closed the gap between him and Stafford, but I still think that Stafford is the better selection. Stafford has a stronger arm and he has greatly improved his decision making this season. Sanchez is more of a project, he has significant injury issues, and he tends to make the stupid decisions that Stafford would make last year. 2) ST. LOUIS RAMS> ANDRE SMITH, OT, ALABAMA-  I don’t see any reason to change this pick as a result of Smith’s issues at Alabama. They don’t seem like the kind of behavioral issues that would

Steelers/Ravens Practice Reports

Steelers injury Report Running back Willie Parker, wide receiver Hines Ward, defensive end Aaron Smith and cornerback Deshea Townsend were given the day off from practice, but aren’t injured. Justin Hartwig and Troy Polamalu also did not practice today. Both are going to be limited throughout the week. Polamalu (calf) will play and the same for Justin Hartwig (knee). If Hartwig were to suffer a set back, Darnell Stapleton will move

Ravens advance to AFC Championship Game

The Tennessee Titans outgained the Baltimore Ravens 391 ‚Äì 211, including a 21 ‚Äì 9 advantage in first downs but the Ravens still found a way to beat the Titans 13-10 and advance to the AFC Championship, thanks to Matt Stover’s 43-yard field goal with 53 seconds remaining. If the Steelers take care of business tomorrow like they should, they will host their third AFC Championship game this decade. My quick thoughts on this game — Tennessee was the better team but they turned the ball over three times and twice inside the Ravens 25 yard line. The Ravens defense looked tired and vulnerable but the difference in the game was the three turnovers. I was never a believer in

NFL: Friday’s Injury Report

Steelers ‚Äì Chargers Injury Report Pittsburgh is very healthy heading into Sunday’s game. The Steelers are confident that they will be able to run on the San Diego Chargers and their No. 25th-ranked defense. Willie Parker seems to have a new wave of confidence since the regular season finale. Ben Roethlisberger has been throwing the ball very well in practice. He has been making quick precise throws and appears to be fine after suffering a concussion in week 17. LaMarr Woodley has gone four games without a sack. He has been bothered by a calf injury since week 10 which has limited his mobility. The extra week off will pay dividends for Woodley. Woodley had two sacks in his playoff