Taylor Mays

CB Jamar Taylor Visits Seahawks

Veteran cornerback Jamar Taylor is visiting with the Seahawks today, per Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network (via Twitter). After losing former slot corner Justin Coleman to the Lions, Seattle is looking for reinforcements in the secondary.

Taylor, a 2013 second-round pick, spent the first three seasons of his career with the Dolphins before being dealt to the Browns. He was productive during his two seasons with Cleveland, including a 2016 campaign where he had three interceptions and 13 passes defended. He finished the 2017 season having appeared in a career-high 16 games and finishing with a career-high 62 tackles.

Last May, the Browns traded him to the Cardinals, who hoped to deploy him as their No. 2 CB opposite Patrick Peterson. Taylor agreed to a significant pay cut to facilitate the trade, but things did not go well for him in the desert. Arizona cut him in November, and he caught on with the Broncos to finish out the 2018 season.

Still just 28, Taylor provides experience and can be a solid contributor in a CB rotation.

In other Seahawks news, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that safety Taylor Mays, whose last NFL action came in 2015, will work out with the team tomorrow. Mays a former USC Trojan, could be reunited with Pete Carroll, who was USC’s head coach during Mays’ collegiate career.

AFC Notes: Pats, Gronk, Brady, Dolphins

The Patriots‘ decision to deactivate Rob Gronkowski for Thursday night’s game could cost him major money at the end of the season, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss points out. Gronkowski has played in 70.5% of the team’s snaps this season, which puts him on pace for the lowest possible incentives tier of $6.75MM. He can still reach the first ($10.75MM) and second tiers ($8.75MM) based on receptions, receiving yards, touchdowns, or All-Pro selection, but those markers will also be hard to reach without a certain volume of snaps.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

  • Patriots quarterback Tom Brady suffered what is thought to be an AC joint sprain in his left, non-throwing shoulder, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). He says he’ll play on Sunday against the Jets.
  • The Dolphins are expected to bring back assistant Dave DeGuglielmo to take over as the team’s new offensive line coach, Jeff Darlington of ESPN.com reports (Twitter link).
  • Despite some recent optimism, it’s premature to say that Chargers first-round pick Mike Williams will be ready to make his NFL debut next week, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
  • Cody Latimer, one of the Broncos‘ top special teamers, underwent a blood injection procedure in his right knee and could be out for the next game or so, Mike Klis of 9 News writes. Latimer has excelled as a kick returner so far this year with an average of 28.4 per attempt. He’s also a gunner on punt and kickoff coverage.
  • Former NFL safety Taylor Mays has signed with the CFL’s Roughriders, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The former second-round pick was most recently with the Bengals.

Patriots To Audition S Taylor Mays

The Patriots are going to take a look at free agent Taylor Mays. The safety has a tryout for the Patriots at their rookie minicamp, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Taylor Mays (vertical)

The Bengals signed Mays last year with the knowledge that he would have to serve a four-game suspension for substance abuse. In the summer, they released him when they learned that Mays had yet another drug suspension heading his way. It all added up to an eight game ban, but we did not see Mays back on the field in 2016. Mays spent time in a treatment facility instead and he is hopefully back on the right path.

In his last season, 2015, Mays bounced all around the NFL and was yo-yo’ed on and off of the Raiders’ roster multiple times. The 28-year-old recorded 23 tackles and 5 passes defensed in his 14 Raiders games. The Patriots are now curious to see what the former second-round pick can offer.

It’s not common for veterans to partake in rookie minicamp, but it’s also not unprecedented. While Mays tries to catch on with the Pats, former Vikings running back Matt Asiata will be participating in the Lions’ rookie camp.

Extra Points: Johnson, Dolphins, Mays, Chiefs

Some assorted notes from around the NFL as we wrap up this Tuesday evening:

  • As expected, the Titans have placed veteran Andre Johnson on the reserve-retired list, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). The wide receiver announced his retirement earlier this week.
  • Dolphins safety Reshad Jones, who was recently ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn rotator cuff, told Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald that he played with the injury for the past two seasons (Twitter link). The reporter notes that the team discussed surgery with Jones about a year ago, but the player opted against it. The 28-year-old estimated that it would take four months to recover from the surgery.
  • Wilson reports (via Twitter) that safety Taylor Mays has had his suspension lifted. The 28-year-old signed with the Bengals this offseason, but he was released after he was disciplined for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Mays made five starts for the Raiders last season, compiling 26 tackles and five passes defended.
  • Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News wouldn’t be surprised if Knile Davis landed back with the Chiefs (Twitter link). The organization placed running back Jamaal Charles on the injured reserve earlier this evening, and they signed Bishop Sankey to compete with Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West. Davis, meanwhile, was cut by the Jets after having been claimed only hours before.

Taylor Mays Out Of Treatment Facility

Free agent safety Taylor Mays has spent the last several weeks in a treatment facility and is now finally healthy, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Mays comes off of suspension on Monday and several teams are showing interest in the former Bengal (Twitter link). Taylor Mays (vertical)

Mays was flagged for two substance abuse policy violations this year and his second suspension is about to wrap up. Rapoport notes that the Bengals kept an open mind on Mays and says that they “may have interest” when his suspension is up. It’s not clear if Rapoport has direct knowledge of the Bengals’ interest level or if that is just informed speculation.

This year, the Bengals were counting on Mays to help support starters George Iloka and Shawn Williams at safety. The Bengals already knew that they would be without the 28-year-old for the first four games of the 2016 season, but they decided to cut bait when they learned that his ban had doubled. In less than a week, we should know whether Cincinnati is willing to go down that road again.

Taylor Mays Handed Second Suspension

TUESDAY, 4:37pm: Mays will be suspended for an additional four games, giving him an eight-game ban in total, Howard Balzer of USA Today tweets.

MONDAY, 3:42pm: The Bengals signed safety Taylor Mays this spring knowing that he would be suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season due to a substance-abuse policy violation. Over the weekend, Cincinnati cut Mays before he could even suit up for training camp. The move was a head-scratcher for some, but it makes a lot more sense now. The Bengals dropped Mays because he is facing another drug suspension on top of his original four-game ban, according to Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Taylor Mays (vertical)

The Bengals were counting on Mays to help support starters George Iloka and Shawn Williams at safety. Now that he’s out of the picture, the Bengals currently have a seventh-round rookie, a sixth-round 2015 pick, and a ’15 UDFA in reserve at the position, as Roster Resource details.

Despite the headaches Mays has caused, the Bengals have not ruled out giving hm another shot if he is ready to play football after his suspensions are served, Rapoport hears (Twitter link).

Mays bounced all around the NFL last year and was yo-yo’ed on and off of the Raiders’ roster multiple times. The 28-year-old recorded 23 tackles and 5 passes defensed in his 14 Raiders games. Mays, entering his seventh-year in the NFL, was selected in the second round of the 2010 draft by the 49ers. Needless to say, the USC product has not exactly fulfilled his expectations.

For his career, Mays has appeared in 80 games and made 15 starts. In total, he has 107 tackles, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries, and 11 passes defended to his credit.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Bengals Release Taylor Mays

The Bengals signed Taylor Mays knowing he’d be suspended for the first four games this season due to a substance-abuse policy violation, but they’ve now opted to cut the journeyman safety, Jim Owczarski reports (on Twitter).

The franchise confirmed the move on its Twitter account.

Mays’ employer for most of his career, the Bengals will only incur a $25K dead money charge and will save $855K. Cincinnati reacquired Mays on a one-year worth $840K.

Mays played with the Bengals from 2011-14 before departing as a free agent and enjoying a nomadic 2015. He signed with the Vikings, Lions and Raiders only to be cut by each franchise, with Oakland bringing him back after injuries depleted its back line. Mays managed to start in five games and play in 14 with the Raiders, and he functioned decently when called upon despite being cut on several occasions last year.

Originally a second-round 49ers selection in 2010, Mays will now search for another team. With the suspension looming, that might not be as easy as it was last year. But the former USC safety has not experienced too much trouble finding teams willing to take a chance on him.

The Bengals, though, are now devoid of much seasoning at safety behind starters George Iloka and Shawn Williams. Reggie Nelson‘s departure to the Raiders and now Mays’ release leave the defending AFC North champions with a seventh-round rookie, a sixth-round 2015 pick and a ’15 UDFA, as Roster Resource details.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Bengals Sign Taylor Mays

APRIL 15: Nearly a month after they reportedly agreed to terms with him, the Bengals have finally made it official with Mays, signing him to a one-year contract (Twitter link). Details on the deal can be found right here.

MARCH 17: The Bengals have agreed to terms with Taylor Mays, according to Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter). The deal brings Mays back to the team where he spent the 2011-2014 seasons. Taylor Mays (vertical)

Today’s agreement comes on the heels of this week’s news that Mays will be suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season. The safety was apparently suspended for a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.

Mays bounced all around the NFL last year and was yo-yo’ed on and off of the Raiders’ roster multiple times. The 28-year-old recorded 23 tackles and 5 passes defensed in his 14 Raiders games. Mays, entering his seventh-year in the NFL, was selected in the second round of the 2010 draft by the 49ers. Needless to say, the USC product has not exactly fulfilled his expectations.

For his career, Mays has appeared in 80 games and made 15 starts. In total, he has 107 tackles, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries, and 11 passes defended to his credit.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Contract Details: RGIII, McLendon, Morris

Here are some specific details on contracts that have been agreed upon or signed within the last several days:

  • Robert Griffin III, QB (Browns): Two years, $15MM. $6.75MM guaranteed. $3.5MM signing bonus. $750K annually in per-game roster bonuses. Base salaries of $3.5MM (guaranteed) and $6MM. $750K roster bonus on third day of 2017 league year. Up to $3.5MM in annual incentives based on playing time, yards, and passer rating (Twitter links via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle and Tom Pelissero of USA Today).
  • Steve McLendon, DT (Jets): Three years, $10.5MM. $4MM guaranteed. $2.25MM signing bonus. $250K option bonus after 2017 season. $250K annually in per-game roster bonuses in 2017 and 2018. $750K escalator (Links via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com and Wilson).
  • Alfred Morris, RB (Cowboys): Two years, $3.5MM. $1.8MM fully guaranteed. $1MM signing bonus. Can be worth up to $5.5MM with incentives/escalator. $500K in per-game roster bonuses in 2017. $1MM rushing-yard escalator for 2017. Threshold for incentives begins at 1,000 yards (Twitter links via Todd Archer of ESPN.com, Pelissero, and Wilson).
  • Daryl Smith, LB (Buccaneers): One year, $2.5MM. $2MM guaranteed. $650K signing bonus. $500K in per-game roster bonuses (Twitter link via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times).
  • Taylor Mays, S (Bengals): One year, $840K. $25K signing bonus. $35K October 10th 53-man roster bonus (following suspension). $40K playing-time incentive (Twitter link via Wilson).

FA Rumors: Upshaw, Cowboys, Hall, Dansby, Mays

Free agent linebacker Courtney Upshaw will meet with the Jets on Thursday, reports Peter Schrager of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Upshaw has made 64 straight regular-season appearances (51 starts) since Baltimore took him in the second round of the 2012 draft. The 26-year-old recorded 51 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles last season. In terms of overall performance, Pro Football Focus ranked Upshaw 84th out of 110 qualifying edge defenders for his work during the 2015-16 campaign. He was an honorable mention on PFR’s Top 50 Free Agents list.

The latest on some other unsigned players around the NFL:

  • Linebacker Karlos Dansby, whom the Browns released Wednesday, would like to join the Cardinals, Bengals or Packers, writes Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. “Yeah, I think the Bengals are licking their chops right now,” he said. “I hope they are. We’ll see what it is.” Notably, Dansby started his career in Arizona as a second-round pick in 2004 and piled up 25.5 sacks before leaving at the close of the 2009 season.
  • The Cowboys aren’t working toward a deal with Wednesday visitor Leon Hall, per Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Twitter link). The veteran cornerback has thus far spent his entire career with the Bengals since they chose him in the first round of the 2007 draft. Hall started in four of 14 appearances last season, picked off two passes, and graded as Pro Football Focus’ 33rd-best corner (111 qualifiers). Like Upshaw, Hall also earned an honorable mention from PFR before free agency.
  • Even though Hall to the Cowboys doesn’t exactly appear imminent, they are working on a deal with restricted free agent Benson Mayowa, tweets Rand Getlin of NFL.com. The Raiders gave Mayowa, a defensive end, an original-round tender. As a former undrafted free agent, that means they won’t get any compensation for him if they decide against matching a hypothetical offer. Mayowa, 25 in August, has accrued 30 appearances (three starts) and two sacks during his three-year career.
  • The Bengals “have made good progress” on a contract with Taylor Mays, writes Geoff Hobson of their official website. Mays is scheduled to miss the first four games of next season because of a suspension. Nevertheless, Cincinnati wants him back as a nickel linebacker to replace Emmanuel Lamur – who signed with the Vikings – Hobson notes. Mays spent 2011-14 with the Bengals before joining the Raiders last season.
  • Linebacker O’Brien Schofield took to social media Wednesday to discuss his future. “By no means have I counted the Falcons out but I’m waiting for the right opportunity for my family and I. It’s a business so I’m patient,” Schofield tweeted. The 28-year-old signed with Atlanta last offseason and then made 30 tackles and two sacks in 16 appearances (11 starts). Schofield said last week that he and the Falcons “aren’t seeing eye-to-eye on a contract.”