The Baltimore Ravens have informed linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs that they will use the 2008 Franchise Tag on Tuesday in an effort to prevent Suggs from leaving via free agency.

The team is reportedly franchising Suggs as a linebacker, which has a lower franchise tender value ($8.065 million) than at defensive end ($8.879 million). However, Suggs is claiming that he played at least 50% of his snaps at defensive end.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, starting right tackle Fred Miller will be released by the Bears in a salary-cap related move.

Miller, 35, will likely have trouble finding another starting role in the NFL.

The Kansas City Chiefs informed defensive end Jared Allen on Monday that he will be designated the team's franchise player, essentially preventing him from leaving via free agency this year.

Allen led the NFL this year with 15 1/2 sacks despite playing in only 14 games. He has been hoping for a long-term deal, and expected to be franchised if a deal could not be worked out in time.

In other news, the team also signed kicker Billy Cundiff to a two-year contract on Monday.

The NFL Network is reporting that the Philadelphia Eagles have given cornerback Lito Sheppard permission to seek a trade.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the Bears have released veteran wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad.

The move was not unexpected. He was scheduled for a $500,000 roster bonus, and a 2008 salary cap hit of $3.3 million.

With Bernard Berrian likely to leave the team via free agency, the Bears appear to be headed into the upcoming season without either starting wideout.

The Cincinnati Bengals on Monday made offensive guard Stacy Andrews the team's 2008 Franchise player, essentially preventing him from entering free agency this year.

Andrews will receive compensation equal to the average of the top-5 players at his position, and is allowed to negotiate with other teams during the free agency period. However, if he is signed, the Bengals retain the right to match any offer, or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.

Andrews is the third player to be slapped with the franchise tag this offseason, following the Eagles' tight end LJ Smith and Cardinals' linebacker Karlos Dansby.

The Atlanta Falcons wasted no time in cleaning house after the release of Rod Coleman earlier Friday broke the proverbial dam.

Also Friday, the team cut tight end Alge Crumpler, quarterback Byron Leftwich, offensive tackle Wayne Gandy, cornerback Lewis Sanders, wide receiver Jamin Elliott, and linebacker Marcus Wilkins.

As expected, the Arizona Cardinals on Friday placed the team's 2008 Franchise tag on linebacker Karlos Dansby, who was slated to enter unrestricted free agency at the end of February.

This is the first time the Cardinals have used the tag since 2002.

The Cardinals still hope to reach a long-term contract extension agreement with Dansby, but the tag will offer the team some level of protection. Dansby may still negotiate with other teams, but if he signs a deal the Cardinals have the right to either match the offer, or receive two first-round picks as compensation.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Tampa Bay Buccaneers' running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams is realistically not expected to return to the team until mid-season 2008.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced Friday that they have signed running back Michael Bennett to a multi-year contract extension. Exact details were not initially available.

The team acquired Bennett mid-season to add depth to an injury-depleted RB corps.

The Buffalo Bills on Friday released veteran receiver Peerless Price, along with linebacker Kevin Harrison and defensive back E.J. Underwood.

The Atlanta Falcons are expected to clean house and rebuild from the ground up this offseason. The first of many likely moves was made Friday when the team released 10-year veteran defensive tackle Rod Coleman.

No, it's not an official retirement, but the Denver Broncos made a move Friday that allows wide receiver Rod Smith to not count against the team's offseason roster limitations, and strongly indicates that he is expected to retire by placing the veteran on the reserve/retired list.

According to the Kansas City Star, several veteran players are currently on the Chiefs' chopping block.

The Star reports that the team is considering releasing cornerback Ty Law, linebacker Kendrell Bell, receiver Eddie Kennison, safety Greg Wesley, and tight end Jason Dunn.

On Friday, the team also released guard John Welbourn. Starting center Casey Weigmann and part-time starting offensive lineman Kyle Turley are entering free agency, along with receiver Samie Parker and fullback Kris Wilson.

The Kansas City Star reports that the Chiefs have released starting guard John Welbourn.

Welbourn started every game at right guard, but proved a disappointing replacement for retired stalwart Will Shields.

The Chiefs also released reserve running back Gilbert Harris and backup defensive end Khreem Smith.

The Seattle Seahawks have signed free agent guard Mike Wahle, released in a salary-cap move by the Carolina Panthers earlier in the week, to a five-year contract, according to ESPN.com.

Sources have indicated to various media outlets that the Miami Dolphins are set to release veteran linebacker Zach Thomas after 11 seasons.

Thomas, a long-time defensive leader, has been dealing with numerous concussions and symptoms, such as migraines, that have developed as a result.

The Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday managed to re-sign their most significant free agent, fullback/running back Greg Jones, to a new five-year deal that is reportedly rumored to make Jones the highest paid fullback in league history.

Multiple reports out of Minnesota indicate that Vikings' defensive end Kenechi Udeze has been diagnosed with Leukemia, a potentially deadly cancer that starts in the bone marrow and gets into the blood.

Doctors are reportedly uncertain what grade of Leukemia Udeze currently has. Leukemia is treatable in many cases.

Holdman suffered a spinal cord injury in training camp on August 2nd, and never played a regular-season down for the Broncos.