Shane Lechler and the Oakland Raiders reached an agreement Wedneday night on a four-year, $16 million deal that keeps the punter off the market and sets a new salary benchmark for the position. The contract includes $9 million in guaranteed money.

Highly touted QB Matthew Stafford told NFL.com’s Gil Brandt on Wednesday that he will take part in the running drills at the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine.

NFL Network’s Adam Schefter reports that the San Diego Chargers have placed their franchise tag on RB Darren Sproles. The move almost ensures that Sproles will return to the team next season. It also points to a potential backfield committee with LaDainian Tomlinson, who will be 30 this year and showed signs of wear and tear in what was a disappointing 2008 campaign.

Before they had to designate their kicker as their franchise player, the Tennessee Titans reached agreement with Rob Bironas on a four-year, $12 million deal.

NFL Network’s Adam Schefter reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have placed their franchise tag on WR Antonio Bryant. A fantasy sleeper in his first season with the Bucs, Bryant came out of nowhere to produce 83 receptions for 1,248 yards and seven touchdowns.

As expected, the Ravens slapped their franchise tag on Terrell Suggs. Now, fellow LBs Ray Lewis and Bart Scott are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents, free to test the market.

The Chargers took a major step to resolve their running back issues. They designated Darren Sproles as their franchise player, which will limit his free-agent options but guarantee him $6.621 million for the 2009 season.

The Arizona Cardinals made Bill Davis‘ promotion to defensive coordinator official Wednesday and announced that defensive assistant Matt Raich has been promoted to linebackers coach. Davis replaces Clancy Pendergast, who was fired after the Cardinals’ Super Bowl XLIII loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

There is yet another wrinkle to introduce into the Julius Peppers-Carolina Panthers saga. Any team that trades for the Panthers Pro Bowl defensive end will have to satisfy not only Carolina but Peppers as well.

In his first mock draft, NFL.com’s Steve Wyche has the Detroit Lions taking Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Let history show that Steelers WR Santonio Holmes‘ 6-yard, game-winning touchdown catch in Super Bowl XLIII cost him $10,000.

The 2009 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place in Radio City Music Hall in New York on April 25-26. The first two rounds will take place on the first day and the final five rounds in Day 2.

The Charlotte Observer reports that Panthers DE Julius Pepper‘s trade wish list has just four teams, and three of them are in the NFC. The Panthers already have ruled out two of the teams, leading the newspaper source to believe those teams are in the NFC South, Carolina’s division.

The Jets can change head coaches, but their infatuation with former Patriots players continues. The Jets are bringing in former Patriots WR and special-teams ace Kelley Washington tonight for a visit, less than 24 hours after New England released him.

Hours after head coach Mike Singletary intimated that the 49ers could be interested in imprisoned QB Michael Vick, the team quickly moved to say that wasn’t the case, according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. While Singletary was kind of vague, the 49ers moved like the former linebacker filling a hole.