The 2009 NFL Free Agency began today, Friday, February 27, 2009 at 12:01 AM EST and the Denver Broncos have wasted no time getting busy. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Brian Dawkins, the free agent safety of the Philadelphia Eagles, has agreed to a deal with the Broncos and will hold a press conference on Saturday. However, ESPN.com refutes the report and says the deal is not yet completed.

Brian Dawkins is no spring chicken and at 35 years old there are questions about his ability to have a positive impact the Broncos defense.  In addition, the Broncos already have two starting safeties in Marlon McCree and Vernon Fox.

According to scouting reports, Dawkins is not the player he was a few years ago but still has the leadership qualities that could benefit the Broncos.

Dawkins, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary Team and 20/20 Club. He was selected by Philadelphia in the second round (61st pick) of the 1996 NFL Draft out of Clemson.

This deal is definitely not done and some football analysts are questioning whether the deal will be consummated.  We will know the outcome in less than 24 hours.

According to the AP, Federal prosecutors are urging a judge to sentence former National Football League player Dana Stubblefield to probation for lying to sports doping investigators about his drug use. 

They say the lenient sentence is warranted because he provided names of players, trainers and others associated with the NFL who he says used and distributed performance-enhancing drugs. Prosecutors say that NFL officials have interviewed Stubblefield and are investigating his claims.  It is expected that Stubblefield will receive 2 years probation when he is sentenced in San Francisco federal court later today.

Stubblefield’s played defensive line for the San Francisco 49ers (1993-1997 and  2001-2002), Washington Redskins (1998-2000) and Oakland Raiders (2003).  He was the NFL defensive player of the year in 1997 while with the 49ers.

Stubblefield’s name and those of several of his Oakland Raiders team members were found on the list of clients of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative that had given performance-enhancing drugs to Marion Jones, Barry Bonds and others.

On January 18, 2008, Stubblefield admitted lying to Federal Investigators about using performance-enhancing drugs during his career.