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The NFL allowed teams this year the ability to speak with player agents a few days before Free Agency actually begins, so as to prevent illegal tampering. And yesterday afternoon, only hours before the new legal tampering period began, sent a memo to every team telling them they still can't agree to contracts until Tuesday (March 12th) at 4pm ET, either verbally, implicitly, or written.
That means this weekend is likely to be a lot more quiet than the media and fans would have hoped, but we'll keep our ears to the ground just in case. Doug Farrar explains everything HERE.
MORE: For a complete list of Chicago Bears free agents, click - HERE -
-- Chicago Bears updates, starting with Sun-Times beat writer Sean Jensen --
#Bears are clearly in the market for a guard: Ramon Foster believed to be on #Bears radar. He's started 30 games last 2 seasons for Steelers
— Sean Jensen (@seankjensen) March 9, 2013
At this point, any news on potential offensive linemen via Free Agency or the Draft is good news, so stay tuned for more on that front.
-- UPDATE: Brad Biggs has info that RB Armando Allen has been locked up. --
#Bears are keeping one of their own free agents -- RB Armando Allen. trib.in/Xyd1Rw
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) March 9, 2013
-- UPDATE: Biggs also has the scoop that six teams have expressed interest in LB Nick Roach. For so many years, the Bears fielded one of the best LB corps in all of football, and now it's suddenly in flux. --
Six teams have expressed interest in #Bears LB Nick Roach, some as a middle linebacker. trib.in/14GF3cW
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) March 9, 2013
-- UPDATE: Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago reported that the Chicago Bears will not tender RFA Nate Collins, and Brad Biggs asked Collins about his future. In short, Collins will test the market, but open to a return to Chicago. --
Nate Collins doesn't believe #Bears will tender him as RFA but could still return, 1st reported by @espnchibears trib.in/15ExMfZ
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) March 9, 2013
Also, some other news from last night and early this morning:
The Kansas City Chiefs signed CB Dunta Robinson (LINK) - They were able to do that because Robinson was previously cut, and was not a free agent.
The Falcons re-signed safety William Moore (LINK) - He was all set to become a free agent on Monday, so kudos to Atlanta for wrapping that up.
Oh, and did you hear about WR Mike Wallace?
Take this for what it is worth (I see it as solid). Agent just told me he hears Patriots have some interest in Mike Wallace.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) March 9, 2013
Tom Brady probably won't sleep for a couple of days once he hears that.
As mentioned last night, John Clayton said on ESPN that he thinks a deal with Brian Urlacher will get done in coming days, so stay tuned for more on that.
This is your Saturday pre-Free Agency Open Thread... Have fun!