It’s been rumored for quite some time now that Seattle has a significant interest in acquiring embattled Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson, and while the Seahawks would seem on paper to not have the space or financial flexibility to make such a move, things are beginning to shape up in that direction.

According to NFL Network’s Jason LaCanfora, the Seahawks are making a major push as we speak to move wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh elsewhere in an attempt to gain enough room to complete a deal with San Diego for Jackson.

Houshmandzadeh was productive in first year in Seattle last season, but his struggles thus far in the pre-season have opened the door to the team looking at releasing him at the cutdown deadline this Saturday. He’s not seen as being a good fit for the new offense installed by first year offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates.

If they can find a decent trade offer for Houshmandzadeh’s  services, a deal to obtain Jackson could come about shortly thereafter, as the Seahawks would have a definite need at that point for a quality receiver. The Chargers have reportedly asked for a 2nd round pick in the next draft and a third round pick two years from now.

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This one falls into the speculative at best category, but it’s interesting nonetheless, which is why we’re posting here for your reading enjoyment.

According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, one team that is likely to show significant interest in acquiring wide receiver Vincent Jackson before the season begins is St. Louis, as both Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton are gone from the team rehabbing serious knee injuries.

Finding a consistent playmaker at receiver for rookie quarterback Sam Bradford has to be a major priority for the Rams right now, and even though Jackson would have to sit out the first three games of the season thanks to his suspension by the league, having him in the fold would be a big help for Bradford’s chances of success as the season progresses.

Acee also mentioned that Seattle’s not the only team to have called the Chargers about the availability of Jackson, but for the time being, the Seahawks are the only team that seems to have gotten past the front door.

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This is the fourth part of our series, analyzing every division in the league headed into next Thursday’s draft. You can read our previous posts covering the AFC East, AFC North, and AFC South here.

As always, feel free to let us know what you think in the comment thread… enjoy!

Denver Broncos (8-8)

The Broncos had a miserable end to their season last year, finishing things off on a 2-8 streak that left them on the outside looking in for one of the final AFC playoff spots. Injuries, attitude problems, and poor coaching decisions led to much of the frustration, and as such, Denver has gone to great lengths this off-season to build up their depth chart at key positions and send off players who were unwilling to toe the line set by head coach Josh McDaniels. The Broncos still have more than a few holes to fill, but with four picks in the first 80 selections, they should emerge from this draft class, well equipped for the 2010 campaign. Read the rest of this entry »

According to multiple sources, the Seahawks have acquired former Chargers quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, who has yet to throw a pass in the NFL.

The teams will swap second round picks, costing Seattle 20 slots in that round and the Seahawks will send San Diego their third round pick in next year’s draft as well.

In addition, Seattle has extended Whitehurst’s contract by two years, and $10 million.

The price the Seahawks were willing to pay and the contract doled out makes it likely thatJimmy Clausen and Sam Bradford are off Seattle’s draft board, although it’s still possible that Clausen will be available later in round one or early in round two.

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Earlier this afternoon, we posted that sources close to former Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson were saying he would playing in New York next fall.  That speculation has officially become a reality this evening, after ESPN reported that Tomlinson and the New York Jets have agreed on a two year contract.

Tomlinson had previously visited the Minnesota Vikings last Thursday, spent friday in New York, and flew home to San Diego on Saturday.

The Jets released pro bowl running back Thomas Jones earlier this off season, despite his excellent 2009 campaign.Tomlinson will now join the Jets as the third piece in New York’s rushing attack, along with Shonn Greene, and Leon Washington.

Shocking as it may seem at first glance, future Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson is on his way to New York City to sign with the Jets, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Acee did caution that the deal is not final as of yet, but sources close to Tomlinson have indicated that the former Chargers great has chosen New York over Minnesota, and will share carries with second year running back Shonn Greene next season.

Tomlinson was released by San Diego late last month and has patiently waited for his turn in free agency to come around. After stopping off to visit with the Vikings for a few days, Tomlinson carried on to see the Jets, who have an opening at the position because of their decision to cut Thomas Jones loose two weeks ago, in spite of his tremendous performance for the club last season.

As always, we’ll keep you up to date as news breaks on this story.

A fourth quarterback has been spotted on the Seahawks radar today.

According to NFL.com’s Steve Wyche, Seattle is bringing in San Diego Chargers restricted free agent Charlie Whitehurst for a visit.

Whitehurst just wrapped up a visit with the Cardinals, who are also set to host Derek Anderson, in the near future. The Seahawks are doing so as well, but are set to get the first crack at the former signal caller for Cleveland.

Whitehurst would cost any team that signs him a third round pick, given the tender placed on him by the Chargers. Seattle currently does not have a third round pick, but Wyche also said that Seattle is working on acquiring pick in that round, making his visit all the more interesting.

NFLNR reported the Seahawks interest in Eagles quarterbacks Donovan McNabb, and Kevin Kolb earlier today, opening the door to a potential trade between Philadelphia and Seattle involving current starter Matt Hasselbeck. No formal discussions between the two clubs have yet begun, but things are certainly beginning align in favor of the Seahawks swinging a trade in the near future to acquire a new quarterback.

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In his first free agent foray, future Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson is looking to form arguably the best 1-2 punch at the position in the game, choosing to take a trip up North to speak with the Vikings. In Minnesota, Tomlinson would team up with All Pro running back Adrian Peterson if he indeed lands a contract.

The Vikings already lost Chester Taylor to the Chicago Bears, Taylor was viewed as the most desirable option available among free agent running backs. Minnesota is looking to replace his versatility, especially in the passing game, which is something Tomlinson definitely brings to the table.

In his career he has caught 50 passes or more eight different times, and is also a much better at protecting the football than Peterson , who coughs up the rock once every 70 carries.

Tomlinson has also publicly stated he doesn’t mind sharing the ball and is not necessarily looking for a starting job. His M.O. is to win; something the Vikings surely offer after coming close to a Super Bowl berth last season.

After losing linebacker Scott Fujita via free agency to the Cleveland Browns, the Saints are apparently using their new found freedom as a way to bolster the defensive line.

In addition to hosting veteran free agent defensive end Leonard Little, Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network is reporting they are also bringing in longtime San Diego Chargers nose tackle Jamal Williams for a visit.

Williams has primarily played the nose tackle in a 3-4 defensive scheme his whole career, making his trip to New Orleans somewhat strange, as he would be playing in a much different 4-3 scheme under defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. The Chargers cut the three time pro bowler after missing most of last season with a triceps injury.

The Saints will not be able to acquire both Little and Williams unless they lose another free agent from their roster, due to the rules enacted under the uncapped season that prevent the final eight teams in last season’s playoffs from signing a free agent, unless they lose one of their own to another team.

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As the 2010 signing period progresses from it’s early stage, there are a bunch of juicy rumors, reports, and stories flowing out of the NFL world regarding just about every team, and three of them were recently mentioned in an interesting piece of information.

According to various sources (including the San Diego Union Tribune), Chargers’ RB Darren Sproles had visits planned to several cities over the weekend including St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Kansas City. He was scheduled to hit the open market after his team declined to offer him a restricted free agent tender, but yesterday they made a surprise move and slapped the highest possible contract tender on him, making it unlikely that he will sign elsewhere.

Of course, there is always a chance a team will make a run for Sproles and risk having to give away a 1st- and 3rd-round draft pick as compensation, but realistically, he will probably end up remaining in San Diego…at least for a good chunk of the off-season.

While the Rams, Chiefs, and Eagles all have their respected problems at the running back spot, Sproles is certainly not the only option at the position in free agency. Players like Thomas Jones, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Chester Taylor still remain unemployed, so it’s pretty likely they’ll draw at least some consideration from one or more of these clubs.

With the league’s best cornerback in Darrelle Revis locking down one side of the field every Sunday, New York’s opponents tend to throw the other way more often than not.

According to Fox Sports’s Jay Glazer, those days are all but over, as the Jets are on the verge of landing Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie in a trade, with San Diego receiving a high round pick in exchange from New York.

Cromartie has shown flashes of brilliance for the Chargers throughout his young career, but with multiple first round picks in the secondary pushing for playing time and a lack of draft picks, San Diego felt their best opportunity to maintain their level of talent was to trade away Cromartie to another club. Which round exactly that pick will be in is still up in the air, but it’s not likely to be less than a third, given Cromartie’s talent and age.

In a fairly surprising move, Chargers running back Darren Sproles has been told by the front office in San Diego that he will be a free agent this off-season, after the team decided not to tender him an offer.

Coming on the heels of their decision to release fellow running back and future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson, the Chargers are now facing the prospect of having a completely new backfield next fall. Sproles would have had to have been offered no less than $7.3 million by San Diego for this season, and while his value to the franchise is significant given his contributions in the return game, the cost likely made the choice much clearer for the Chargers brass.

Sproles could end up re-signing with the club at a team-friendly rate prior to the free agency period start, but for now it seems as though he is content with the ability to test his value on the open market. Teams that are likely to be interested include New England, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Seattle, and San Francisco.