Lots of releases, trades, re-signings, etc., went on today. Where to start?

-Joey Porter has just been released from the Steelers. I figure this is Pittsburgh’s loss; Porter’s a three-time pro bowler and total freak of nature. In my mind, he’ll always be remembered for asking reporters during the Super Bowl, “Who do you want to have your back in a dark alley? Me? Or Jeremy Stevens?” The Jeremy Stevens/Joey Porter feud was really the only thing that made me look forward to an otherwise dull Super Bowl. A team that might want to make a run at Mr. Porter: Tampa Bay, who’s under the cap, and is in need of someone younger than 40.

-The Saints released long-time veteran receiver Joe Horn. With the emergence of Marques Colston and Devery Henderson, not to mention Reggie Bush, who plays receiver about every other play, there really wasn’t much need to keep Horn around. A team that might go after him: The Lions, because they go after any kind of receiver.

-The Broncos landed a deal, getting them shut down corner Dre Bly from Detroit, and in return giving the Lions Tatum Bell, tackle George Foster, and a draft choice that is believed to be a fifth round pick. Kudos to Denver, who once again got a halfback to put up killer stats, make for good trade bait, and then get rid of the guy for a player who will be much better in the long run. And why, pray tell, are the Lions going after Tatum Bell? Do they really believe he’s better than Kevin Jones? Whatever the reason, the Broncos win this one. With Champ and Dre in the same secondary, coupled with the speed of the linebackers on that defense. . . well, it should be nasty. Should be.

-Fred Taylor signed a three-year extension with the Jaguars that will pay him $23 million over the next four years (he already had one year on his contract, so the extension takes him through four years). It’s an odd move, since the Jags just drafted Maurice Jones Drew, but the one-two punch of those guys, not to mention Greg Jones at fullback, is pretty impressive. I guess you kinda have to rely on the running game when your quarterback is Byron Leftwich or David Garrard.

-The Cowboys cut Drew Bledsoe, in a move everyone was expecting except me. I figured he’d stay around and handle the place-kicks next year.