2014 February - Pro Football Rumors

NFC East Notes: Joseph, Austin, Maclin

February 15th, 2014 at 5:51pm CST by Rob DiRe

Giants’ defensive tackle Linval Joseph took to Twitter on Friday to express his feelings on his impending free agency, writes Dan Benton of SportsMedia101.com. “I want to be back with the Giants next year,” said Joseph. “This where it all started; just want to take care of my family and put on that blue every Sunday.” This announcement was in response to the Redskins saying they would pursue him one free agency begins on March 11. While he is looking to command a very large contract, he would like to get that deal agreed upon with the Giants before he hits free agency. Here are some other rumors from across the NFC East:

The Giants‘ biggest need in free agency needs to be the offensive line, writes Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. The team is likely to cut Chris Snee and David Bass, and could let Kevin Boothe walk in free agency. They will also need to replace David Diehl, who retired this offseason, and despite not being the stalwart left tackle he once was, still provided value in his versatility. Graziano believes with all of these changes, the team will not be able to wait until the draft to retool, and therefore must be active in free agency to replace these players.
Miles Austin and Kyle Orton are likely cap casualties for the Cowboys, writes Todd Archer of ESPN.com. While the team may be able to restructure Orton’s deal if he still wants to remain with the team, Archer believes the writing has been on the wall for a while regarding Austin’s departure.
While earlier today our own Matt Feminis wrote about Jeremy Maclin‘s intentions to return to the Eagles in 2014, Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com was less than convinced. He writes that Riley Cooper is much more likely to return to the team as a cheaper option, and that the team will look to draft a receiver as well. Sheridan sees Maclin securing a long-term deal elsewhere, possibly with Chiefs or Jets, where he has more familiarity with the coaching staff.
With the likely retirement of London Fletcher and Perry Riley‘s free agency, the Redskins need to look outside the organization to replace their inside linebackers, writes Tarik El Bashir of CSNWashington.com. Bashir lists Karlos Dansby as the best available at the position, but believes the younger Donald Butler would be the best fit. Other notable options could be Brandon Spikes and Jon Beason, among others.

Free Agent Stock Watch: Hakeem Nicks

February 15th, 2014 at 4:26pm CST by Rob DiRe

When looking at the landscape of free agent receivers, Eric Decker has separated himself in the eyes of general managers as the top pass catcher on the market. Our own Luke Adams wrote about Decker’s spot as the top free agent receiver earlier this month, noting that the only receivers on the market who can even come close to his production are Anquan Boldin and Julian Edelman. However, Decker was not always the clear cut big name receiver teams were looking. Last summer, Hakeem Nicks was thought to be the guy who would command the most free agent dollars this offseason.

Unlike Decker, Nicks is coming off his worst season as a pro in his contract year. He caught only 56 passes, totaling 896 yards, and very notably finished the season without a touchdown. He spent the season alternating between looking disinterested and expressing his discontent. The New York media started raking him over the coals due to his effort level about halfway through the Giants’ 0-6 start, declared him a malcontent and seemed to close the door on his tenure with the team by midseason. Trade rumors began to swirl, first with the Giants looking for a second-round pick in return. By the trade deadline, the media was wondering if the Giants could even expect a fourth-round pick in return. All in all, 2013 fell short of expectations for Nicks to say the least.

While Nicks cost himself a ton of money with a down 2013, teams interested in acquiring a number one caliber receiver for a cheap price could be enamored with the 26-year-old. Coming into last season the only knock on Nicks was his durability, as he had trouble staying on the field for Big Blue and often when he was on the field, he was playing at less than 100%. Shoulder, ankle, and knee injuries nagged him throughout the 2011 and 2012 seasons. When teammate Victor Cruz signed his extension last offseason, the sentiment was for Nicks to prove he can stay healthy and his deal would follow. Nicks was mostly healthy last year, but to no avail.

For teams interested in finding a talented receiver in free agency, long-term memory may have them leaning toward Nicks. It feels like forever ago, but in 2010, Nicks caught 79 balls, for 1,052 yards and a whopping 11 touchdowns in 12 starts. He followed that up with 76 catches for 1,192 yards and seven more touchdowns in 15 games in 2011. His most impressive stretch came during the Giants’ Super Bowl run, where he was the team’s most dominant offensive player, putting impressive numbers as he propelled the Giants to victory:

Wild Card Round vs. Falcons – six catches, 115 yards, two touchdowns
Divisional Round at Packers – seven catches, 165 yards, two touchdowns
NFC Championship at 49ers – five catches, 55 yards (left with shoulder injury)
Super Bowl vs. Patriots – ten catches, 109 yards

Had he reached free agency that offseason, his value would be much different. An injury-plagued 2012 season leading into this past year has dimmed the light shining on a player who was recently thought of as one of the top young playmakers in the NFL. Nicks is unlikely to re-sign with the Giants, even at a reduced rate, although Cruz has pushed for him to return. He may find himself on a one-year “prove it” deal with some team. Brad Wells of StampedeBlue.com believes the Colts could be able to lure him in on a one-year, $2.2MM deal.

Andrew Cohen of OverTheCap.com broke down the wide receiver market earlier this month, he saw Nicks as still deserving of a bigger contract. Cohen predicted Nicks to the Lions on a three-year, $30MM deal with about $13MM in guaranteed money. The thinking behind this was that the Lions are ready to win now, and positioning a star like Nick across from Calvin Johnson could take the offense to new heights. If Nicks was willing to take a smaller deal, Cam Newton and the Panthers are in desperate need of a bigger receiver, and the North Carolina product might consider his hometown if the market didn’t present a more lucrative option.

While his durability and effort level have provided serious red flags to his pending free agency, there should be some team out there with money to spend on potential. The draft will provide teams with a number of options at receiver, as it is supposed to be a deep class highlighted by Sammy Watkins of Clemson, Mike Evans of Texas A&M, and Marquise Lee of USC, all three of which are expected to be drafted in the first round.

Nicks is a 6’1″, 208-pound wideout, with impressive speed and playmaking ability. At 26 years old, and with the numbers he put up only a few years ago, he could command more money than most expect in a year where the other top free agent options are Decker and Boldin. While some may think Decker is a number two wideout about to be paid like a number one, Nicks is the buy-low option, where a team can pay him like a number two and hold out hope that he produces like the number one option he was in 2010 and 2011.

Ndamukong Suh Extension Talks

February 15th, 2014 at 3:37pm CST by Rob DiRe

Ndamukong Suh‘s presence on the Lions’ roster comes with a hefty price tag of $22.4MM, which gives the team almost no flexibility to do anything else in free agency, writes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. In fact, he notes that even with the extra $11.5MM the team saved by releasing Louis Delmas and Nate Burleson, the Lions do not have enough cap space to sign all of the team’s prospective draft picks this May.

This is a huge problem for the Lions, but it is not unprecedented for the team. This current roster was built with cornerstone draft picks from the old CBA. With the team holding high draft choices, their top picks were able to negotiate big money contracts that could cripple an organization’s cap flexibility. The Lions were able to proceed smoothly in negotiating Calvin Johnson‘s contract extension, which made him the highest paid receiver in football, deservingly so. Then when Matthew Stafford approached the end of his rookie deal, his extension was negotiated in a similar manner.

Suh is the third piece to the puzzle, and McCosky writes that Lions president Tom Lewand would like to come to an agreement on another long-term contract to keep a top player in the mix for the long haul. Of course, Suh has just recently fired his agent, instead electing to join Jay-Z and Roc Nation Sports. Publicly, it is still unknown who will be negotiating his contract. Roc Nation has only one agent certified to negotiate a contract, and that agent’s only client is the Jets’ quarterback Geno Smith. Victor Cruz‘ brand is represented by Roc Nation, but his contract is handled by veteran agent Tom Condon.

McCoskey notes that Suh holds all the cards in this negotiation, because his mammoth extension is inevitable at this point. He will be the most highly paid defensive tackle in football. It is up to him whether or not he will work with the Lions and get the deal hammered out in the coming weeks, allowing the team to use the extra cap space cleared up this season to fill holes elsewhere on the roster and put together a team that can return to the playoffs in 2014.

Munnerlyn Wants To Stay With Panthers

February 15th, 2014 at 2:25pm CST by Rob DiRe

Captain Munnerlyn is coming off his best season, and is looking to cash in with a long-term deal. He stated in a phone interview on Friday that he would like to remain with the Panthers, after the team finished 13-3 behind a greatly improved defense, writes Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer.

“I think I had one of my best years. And I think my market value will be a little bit better than last year,” Munnerlyn said. “I want to stay with the Carolina Panthers because that’s the team that drafted me. I love the organization, and I feel that’s the best team that fits me personality-wise. I love the coaching staff. I want to stay there.”

However, the Panthers have not begun talks with the free agent cornerback. The team is in a very tight cap situation going forward, and have many free agents at key spots, including star defensive end Greg Hardy and the rest of the team’s secondary.

“It’s been real quiet, which is shocking. I don’t know what’s going on. I’m just waiting,” said Munnerlyn. “I guess they’re going to let everyone hit free agency.”

Munnerlyn is expected to be a priority for the team, with the Panthers scheduled to speak with his agent during the scouting combine next week. Despite the club’s cap situation, Munnerlyn is looking at a good raise compared to the $1.1MM deal he signed last offseason.

AFC South Notes: Colts, Verner, Babin

February 15th, 2014 at 1:45pm CST by Rob DiRe

One of the biggest question marks for the Colts this offseason is how the team will better develop Trent Richardson after a disappointing 2013 campaign. Since the team traded a first-round pick to acquire him, Richardson seems locked in to the top of the depth chart at least at the beginning of this season. Because of this, and the return of Vick Ballard from injury, Donald Brown and Ahmad Bradshaw will probably be searching for new teams in free agency, writes Mike Wells of ESPN.com. While they were arguably the Colts best running backs last season, they would most likely look for opportunities to start or split time elsewhere. Here are some other rumors from around the AFC South:

While the Colts will have more than $30MM to spend, Wells does not see the team bringing a bunch of big name free agents this offseason. With new contracts for T.Y. Hilton and most importantly Andrew Luck on the horizon, much of that cap space will be saved for re-signing current players or cheaper free agents.
Alterraun Verner has been thought of as a possible franchise tag candidate for the Titans, but Jim Wyatt of the Tennesseean does not see that as a likely scenario, as the team is already paying Jason McCourty a little over $8.6MM per year. Verner’s franchise price is expected to be around $11.2MM, and together it would be too much to invest in one position. The team will continue to work on a long-term deal with Verner.
Jason Babin is unlikely to be on the Jaguars roster next season at his current price tag of $4.225MM, but he is willing to renegotiate that figure to stay with the team, writes Michael Dirocco of ESPN.com. Babin was the Jaguars’ best pass rusher last season, totaling a team-high 7.5 sacks on the season.

Jeremy Maclin Wants To Stay Put

February 15th, 2014 at 12:12pm CST by Matt Feminis

While much of the Eagles’ off-season speculation has centered around the uncertainty of the receiving corps, free agent Jeremy Maclin desires to stay in Philadelphia. Speaking with Zach Berman of Philly.com, Maclin said, “I’ve always stated, this is where I want to be. The Eagles have stated the same thing. We’ll continue to get on the same page with all that and get something done.”

Berman also took to Twitter, reiterating Maclin’s genuineness: “FWIW, Maclin has remained in Philly area this offseason to work out and has been around team facility. Desire to stay is not lip service.”

Maclin, recovering from the second tear of his right ACL, will not be 100% when free agency opens in March, but his rehab is progressing well and the injury will not deter suitors wanting a 26-year-old playmaker. He expects to be cleared for non-contact activity in the spring and believes there is “no question” he’ll be ready for training camp. Berman explains the free agent’s looming decision by writing, “Maclin must decide between taking a short-term “show-me” deal, or sign a long-term deal that likely won’t be of the same value he would have earned had he been healthy in 2013.”

Devin Hester Likely To Leave Bears

February 15th, 2014 at 10:54am CST by Matt Feminis

Bears return man Devin Hester is without a contract for 2014, and Dan Pompei at Bleacher Report says, “It is starting to look like Devin Hester has brought back his last kick for the Bears.” Despite being used solely as a return specialist last season, Hester, 31, did not regain the explosiveness and productivity of his prime. Considering the Bears have less than $7MM in cap space with several needs to address, Pompei says the team is likely to seek a returner who also contributes on offense or defense.

As for Hester’s future, while his days of his superhuman impact appear a thing of the past, he still remains a viable upgrade for many teams. Hester ranked in the top third of return men in the league, averaging 27.6 yards per kickoff return and 14.2 yards per punt return, including a score. Pompei alludes to speculation that Hester could reunite with former head coach Lovie Smith in Tampa.

NFC Notes: Dimitroff, Shields, Orakpo, Eagles

February 15th, 2014 at 10:14am CST by Matt Feminis

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff was put under the microscope by the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Dawson Devitt, who published the first part of an exhaustive retrospective analysis of the GM’s transaction history 2008-09, including free agency, cuts, trades, extensions and drafts. The verdict? More good than bad.

Other opinions from NFC writers:

Packers free agent cornerback Sam Shields‘ arrow is pointing up, according to ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky, who says the 26-year-old is worth $7-8MM per year. Shields has blazing speed to run with outside burners and has improved leaps and bounds with his technique and tackling.
With Henry Melton, Jay Ratliff and Nate Collins set to hit free agency, defensive tackle “will have to be a top priority” for the Bears, according to ESPN Chicago’s Michael C. Wright, who believes the team will add interior defenders in the draft, via free agency and still attempt to bring back its own free agents.
The Redskins can re-sign both Brian Orakpo and Perry Riley provided both players don’t ask for unreasonable deals, says ESPN Washington’s John Keim.
Thanks to second-year head coach Chip Kelly’s familiarity with college players, Dallas Morning News writer Rick Gosselin believes the Eagles are in a window when they have a distinct draft advantage. Gosselin cites past examples of Jimmy Johnson‘s move from the University of Miami to the Cowboys, Jim Harbaugh‘s jump from Stanford to the 49ers and Pete Carroll’s escape from USC to the Seahawks when the coaches drafted players they were familiar with, creating the core of winning NFL teams. Kelly, who recruited nationally for Oregon, “spent four years with the Ducks so he has a four-year window when he’ll know the draft board better than the NFL lifers,” contends Gosselin.

Packers Notes: Cap, Dietrich-Smith, Draft

February 15th, 2014 at 8:52am CST by Matt Feminis

In an off-season, position-by-position analysis of the Packers, ESPN Wisconsin’s Jason Wilde provided an outlook on the team’s offensive line. While the depth chart isn’t settled, the team is relatively content with its depth and competition heading into 2014. Key points:

The Pack boasts nearly $30MM in cap space.
After losing starting left tackle Bryan Bulaga to a season-ending injury in training camp, rookie David Bakhtiari “stepped up in a big way,” but played with inconsistency you’d expect of a fourth-round rookie.
Left guard Josh Sitton was the most consistent blocker, according to Pro Football Focus, allowing just one sack and eight hurries. At 27, he’s also the oldest of the group.
Center Evan Dietrich-Smith‘s contract is up, but line coach James Campen wants him back: “I think [Dietrich-Smith] grew as the season went along,” said Campen. “He got better with communication [and] his command with tempo and getting people set and where they had to align. I think still he’s a player that has room to grow.” Wilde expects Dietrich-Smith to be re-signed.
Bulaga, Bakhtiari, 2013 right tackle starter Don Barclay and 2011 first-rounder Derek Sherrod are viable options and will compete for the starting tackle jobs.
The team “will almost certainly” add another lineman to the mix in the draft.

Saints Re-Sign Shayne Graham, Bryce Harris

February 14th, 2014 at 11:12pm CST by Matt Feminis

In addition to the re-signing of exclusive rights free agent Trevin Wade, the Saints have re-signed placekicker Shayne Graham and offensive tackle Bryce Harris, according to Sheldon Mickles of The Advocate.

Graham signed a one-year deal for $955K. The 36-year-old replaced Garrett Hartley in December, going 6-for-6 on field goals in the final two regular season games and wild-card win over Philadelphia before missing from 45 and 47 yards in a divisional round loss to Seattle.

Harris, an ERFA like Wade, signed a one-year, $570K tender after playing in all 16 regular season games, including one start at right tackle. Harris provides depth as a swing tackle, “jumbo” blocker and special-teams contributor.