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Eagles to sign Mooney grad
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo
Iowa's Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (15) return a kickoff 99-yards for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio.
Staff/wire report
Undrafted Derrell Johnson-Koulianos finally has a NFL city to call home.
The Cardinal Mooney graduate and former Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver has reached an agreement with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Johnson-Koulianos, who grew up in Campbell and attended Campbell Memorial High until his senior year, broke many receiving records while at Iowa.
He was expected to be a mid-round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.
However, police raided his house in Iowa City, Iowa, on Dec. 7 and discovered cocaine, marijuana and $3,000 in cash.
Johnson-Koulianos was charged with possession and keeping a drug house. He eventually pled guilty to marijuana possession; the other charges were dropped.
Iowa suspended Johnson-Koulianos for the Insight Bowl and he wasn’t invited to postseason all-star games, the NFL Combine or his own school’s Pro Day.
After not hearing his name called during the draft, Johnson-Koulianos had to wait for the NFL’s lockout to end before teams could pursue undrafted players.
Around the league, Cincinnati reached an agreement with Bruce Gradkowski, who knows the team’s new offensive system and will help develop rookie Andy Dalton. The 28-year-old quarterback was in Tampa from 2008-09 with Jay Gruden, the Bengals’ new offensive coordinator.
Incumbent Carson Palmer has told the team he would retire rather than play another season in Cincinnati, which has two winning records in the past 20 years.
Minnesota and kicker Ryan Longwell agreed to terms on a four-year deal. The 36-year-old Longwell went 17 for 18 on field goals and 30 for 31 on extra points last season.
Guard Robert Gallery agreed to a three-year contract with Seattle, where he rejoins Tom Cable, his former coach with the Raiders and now a Seahawks assistant.
Gallery was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 draft by the Raiders, but struggled when the Raiders tried him at tackle.
He’s played just 18 games the past two seasons because of injuries.
More Signings
Panthers: DeAngelo Williams, the Panthers’ career rushing leader, agreed to remain in Carolina. Williams’ 2010 season was cut short by a right foot injury. He rushed for 361 yards and one touchdown. He had his best pro season in 2008, rushing for a team-record 1,515 yards, 18 touchdowns and a 5.5-yard average. In perhaps the wildest day of transactions in franchise history, linebackers James Anderson and Thomas Davis agreed to five-year contracts. Also agreeing to terms were seven free agents, including kicker Olindo Mare, defensive tackle Ron Edwards, tight end Ben Hartsock, fullback Rick Brockel, defensive backs Cletis Gordan, Devon Hall and Kevin Payne. Bringing in Mare will end the career of the only original Panther, John Kasay.
Colts: Placekicker Adam Vinatieri agreed to a three-year contract with Indianapolis. The 38-year-old Vinatieri is one of seven players in league history to score 500 or more points for two teams (Patriots, Colts). He is headed into his 15th NFL season. Safety Melvin Bullitt also agreed to remain with the Colts. He was a backup to the oft-injured Bob Sanders since joining the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2007, but is expected to become a full-time starter this season after Sanders’ release earlier this year.
Chargers: Safety Eric Weddle agreed on a five-year, $40 million deal with San Diego with $19 million guaranteed. He is due $14 million this year, including a $13 million signing bonus. “It’s exciting to think of Eric as being a Charger for his entire career,” coach Norv Turner said.
Redskins: Receiver Brandon Stokley, 35, agreed to a one-year contract with Washington, which also traded with Denver for wideout Jabar Gaffney and agreed to terms with receiver Donte’ Stallworth. Defensive tackle Barry Cofield agreed to a six-year, $36 million deal with the Redskins, $12.5 million guaranteed. Cofield essentially replaces Albert Haynesworth, whom the Redskins are expected to cut or trade.
Falcons: Atlanta agreed on a five-year deal with outside linebacker Stephen Nicholas.
Texans: The Texans agreed to terms with backup quarterback Matt Leinart. “I am excited to be a Texan,” Leinart wrote on Twitter. “Ultimately, I had to do what was best for me at this point. People can question the decision, but it was the right one for me.”
Saints: Lance Moore, a favorite target of Drew Brees, agreed to terms on a five-year contract with New Orleans. Last season, Moore played in all 16 regular season games and had 66 receptions for 763 yards and eight touchdowns.
Jaguars: Jacksonville hooked up with linebacker Paul Posluszny for a six-year contract worth $45 million, including $15 million guaranteed. “Jacksonville was very aggressive from the start,” Posluszny told The Associated Press. “They showed a lot of interest. They have a lot of confidence in me, and I don’t want to let them down.”
49ers: San Francisco reached agreement on a five-year contract with defensive lineman Ray McDonald.
Associated Press