2014 February - Pro Football Rumors

Austin Howard, Jets Negotiating New Deal

February 13th, 2014 at 11:06am CST by Luke Adams

The Jets have opened contract negotiations with free-agent-to-be Austin Howard, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. According to Mehta, the Jets hope to lock up Howard to a multiyear contract before free agency begins on March 11.

Earlier today, Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com suggested that the Jets would likely make a “strong push” to re-sign Howard, and it seems that push is already underway. The 26-year-old started all 16 games at right tackle for New York for a second consecutive season, allowing just two quarterback sacks and ranking as one of the best tackles in the league when it came to avoiding penalties, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Within his piece, Cimini suggested that Howard could be in line for a deal similar to the one signed by Patriots right tackle Sebastian Vollmer a year ago. Vollmer agreed to a four-year contract with the Pats worth about $17MM, though it could increase to an overall value of up to $27MM due to various incentives.

OverTheCap.com’s list of top contracts for right tackles suggest that’s probably about the right neighborhood for Howard’s next deal — signing for a contract equal to Vollmer’s would make him one of the top 10 highest-paid right tackles in the league. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Howard exceed that amount and approach the top five salaries at the position.

London Fletcher Still 99% Sure Of Retirement

February 13th, 2014 at 10:45am CST by Luke Adams

When London Fletcher announced in December that he expected to retire at season’s end, he left the door slightly open for a potential return, suggesting that he was “99% sure” he’d call it quits. Nearly two months later, Fletcher continues to stick by that assertion. Speaking to Robert Klemko of TheMMQB.com, Fletcher said of his retirement odds: “It’s still 99%. You have to leave that one percent out there.”

Fletcher, who will turn 39 this May, told ESPN.com’s John Keim toward the end of the 2013 regular season that the only scenario in which he’d return in 2014 would be on a playoff contender that had a few games left on its schedule. For now, as he tells Klemko, the longtime Redskin appears to be focused on transitioning into a television role.

“I still want to be around the sport, and I think I can give some insight about the game, because I’ve been around it so long. I think I could provide some good analysis,” Fletcher said. “I’ve done enough in the last four or five years to know how it goes. Coaching was a thought, and I’ll never say never, but I have three young kids, so the demand and hours that would come with coaching is not what I want to do.”

While Fletcher still started all 16 games for Washington this season and recorded 110 overall tackles, advanced metrics suggest that he’s slowed down significantly over the last couple years. Pro Football Focus ranked his performance 55th among inside linebackers in 2013 (subscription required).

East Notes: Nicks, Cowboys, Patriots, Jets

February 13th, 2014 at 9:57am CST by Luke Adams

Here are a few of the latest links of note from out of the NFC’s and AFC’s East divisions:

Victor Cruz has lobbied for fellow Giants receiver and pending free agent Hakeem Nicks to re-sign with New York, according to Conor Orr of the Star-Ledger. “Selfishly, I would love for him to stay,” Cruz said, confirming that he’s talked to Nicks about it.
As if the Cowboys didn’t already have enough 2014 cap commitments, running back DeMarco Murray will have a slightly higher cap number than expected, as Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com details. Murray triggered performance escalators that will bump his base salary from about $755K to nearly $1.4MM.
In a photo gallery, the Dallas Morning News suggests 10 free agent quarterbacks the Cowboys might consider as a No. 3 option behind Tony Romo or Kyle Orton.
Mike Reiss of ESPN.com attempts to gauge the free agent value of Aqib Talib around the NFL by compiling a few links to see where Talib ranks on various lists of top free agents. As Reiss writes, the veteran cornerback will be among the Patriots‘ top priorities this offseason.
In a separate blog entry, Reiss weighs in on a few other Patriots stories, indicating that he doesn’t think Josh McDaniels was as interested in the Browns’ head coaching job as an earlier report suggests, and that he believe the Pats will again have interest in free agent receiver Emmanuel Sanders this offseason.
With the right side of the Jets‘ offensive line poised to hit free agency, it would behoove the team to re-sign both guard Willie Colon and tackle Austin Howard, writes Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. Cimini expects the club to make a “strong push” to re-sign Howard, while perhaps taking a wait-and-see approach with Colon and the right guard position.

Latest On Browns’ Front Office

February 13th, 2014 at 8:43am CST by Luke Adams

After parting ways with the Browns, former Cleveland general manager Michael Lombardi doesn’t seem likely to rejoin the NFL Network or another media outlet. Instead, it appears Lombardi could reach an agreement with the Patriots to join New England’s front office. Chris Fedor of 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland first reported (via Twitter) that Lombardi seemed to be on track to join the Patriots, though he cautioned that nothing was finalized yet. Several other similar reports followed, most recently from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who tweets this morning that Lombardi has had discussions about joining the Pats, though “nothing is firm or official yet.”

While Lombardi talks to the Patriots, Ray Farmer is settling into his role as the Browns’ new GM, and CEO Joe Banner is in the process of transitioning out of the organization. We have a few more details on them and some leftovers from the Browns’ coaching search, so let’s round up the highlights….

League sources tell Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that Banner and Lombardi ended on bad terms with one another in Cleveland, with their discord prompting owner Jimmy Haslam to let go of both execs.
According to Cabot, Banner wanted to fire Lombardi by the end of the team’s lengthy coaching search. At the same time, Haslam had grown weary of Banner, feeling that some of the Browns’ head coaching targets weren’t willing to accept, or even interview for, the club’s coaching job because of Banner’s position in the front office.
Ken Whisenhunt and Bill O’Brien were among the candidates who had concerns about the Browns’ management team, according to Cabot.
In addition to there being internal discord over Greg Schiano‘s candidacy, as we heard yesterday, Haslam and Banner were also at odds over Josh McDaniels, says Cabot. Haslam was more enthusiastic about McDaniels, and while reports indicated McDaniels pulled out of the mix, the Patriots offensive coordinator actually contacted the Browns to get his name back into consideration. He remained in the running right up until the Browns decided on Mike Pettine, according to Cabot.
Cabot writes that Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase was the only candidate on the Browns’ list to actually decline an interview, which seems to contradict an earlier suggestion that O’Brien wasn’t interested in interviewing with the team. Perhaps O’Brien wasn’t formally on the Browns’ list of targets this time around, after interviewing with the club a year ago.
In the first installment of a two-part piece for ESPNCleveland.com, Tony Grossi spoke to Farmer about taking over as the Browns’ general manager.

Extra Points: Bills, Boldin, Brady, Browns

February 12th, 2014 at 10:32pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bills would be smart to add some competition at quarterback and trading for Kirk Cousins could be one way for them light a fire under E.J. Manuel. Mike Rodak of ESPN.com looked at why a deal for the Redskins‘ No. 2 QB could happen, why it might not happen, and what it would take to get it done. More from around the National Football League:

Consistent with what we’ve been hearing this offseason, the 49ers want wide receiver Anquan Boldin back and the feeling is mutual, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Would the Patriots ever trade Tom Brady? Bob Neumeier and Fred Toucher stopped by CSNNE.com (video link) for some friendly debate.
Andrew Cohen of OverTheCap wonders if the Browns‘ situation is really so bad despite their many question marks. The Browns have a tremendous talent in Josh Gordon and lots of cap room to work with this offseason.
The Bears announced that Pat Meyer has been promoted to offensive line coach, according to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter).
Veteran defensive tackle Vaughn Martin visited the Jets and Lions over the last two weeks and is fully recovered from the hernia surgery he underwent during last season, tweets Adam Caplan of SiriusXM. The Canadian has recorded 78 tackles and three sacks over the course of his NFL career.

Packers Rumors: Finley, Raji, Pickett

February 12th, 2014 at 9:32pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest on the Packers..

Free agent tight end Jermichael Finley and his agent are optimistic that he’ll be cleared to play soon, writes Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Meanwhile, Finley’s future with Green Bay remains uncertain. The Packers’ medical staff is conservative by league standards and did not clear safety Nick Collins after his C3/C4 neck fusion, a procedure that he is also believed to have also undergone. Given his past success and age (still only 26), Finley should pick up considerable interest around the league if he can show that he’s healthy.
The Packers want an athletic, Dom Capers-style defense, tweets Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. With a push towards athleticism and versatile personnel, that could mean the end of B.J. Raji‘s time in Green Bay. Don’t be surprised if the Packers’ defensive linemen are closer to 290 lbs than the 330 that Raji and Ryan Pickett weigh, Rapoport tweets.
The Packers could be getting ready to spend more on the open market than they have in recent years with about $30MM of cap room to burn, Rapoport tweets.

Jonathan Martin Return To Dolphins Still Possible

February 12th, 2014 at 7:55pm CST by Zachary Links

After a tumultuous 2013 season, the Dolphins are eager to move on from the chaos and move forward in 2014. They’ve openly said that Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin are highly unlikely to be back in Miami for this upcoming season, but Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (via Twitter) hears that the door could still be open for Martin.

Martin’s reps have talked with Miami and while a return can’t be handicapped as likely at this point, Rapoport hears that it’s not impossible that he’ll be staying put this year. For his part, Martin says he wants to continue playing in the NFL even though it would seem from the outside that the rigors of the game and the locker room gave him trouble lsat season.

“I understand opportunities in the NFL are fleeting,” Martin said. “I’m hopeful that I get another opportunity and I can make the most of it, because this is what I love to do. I don’t know what I would do if I wasn’t playing football.”

The 24-year-old tackle is on an affordable contract, with a cap number of about $1.3MM in 2014 and $1.52MM in 2015. A trade is also possible because even though his trade value isn’t sky high, clubs do have interest in the former second-round pick and may look to work directly with Miami in order to avoid worrying about waiver priority and competition from other clubs.

Poll: Will Mark Sanchez Find A Starting Job?

February 12th, 2014 at 6:16pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets are unlikely to find a trade partner for quarterback Mark Sanchez and they’re even more unlikely to bring him back for 2014, leaving only one likely outcome. In 2009, the USC product vaulted up draft boards thanks to his maturity, poise, and game management skills. The Jets moved up to snag Sanchez and even though his rookie season was promising, he appears to have regressed over the last few years. One would have thought that Sanchez’s legacy in green would be defined by two trips AFC Championship game and possibly a Super Bowl appearance to follow but his most memorable singular moment in New York may prove to be the infamous butt fumble.

To blame Sanchez for all of the Jets’ woes, however, would be unfair. The Jets’ offensive line was less-than-solid during his time under center and the club was unable to find a way to upgrade from struggling tackle Wayne Hunter. And while there were weapons like Santonio Holmes for him to work with, the conservative playcalling of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer (2006-2011) may not have given him the best chance to succeed.

Could Sanchez get back to being a starting QB in the NFL? He may not be the best available candidate on the open market, but there are numerous clubs with openings, including the Jaguars, Texans, Browns, Vikings, Buccaneers, and Raiders. He should also come at a fairly reasonable price. General Managers tell Rich Cimini of ESPN.com that Sanchez could get a deal worth ~$3.4MM with a chance to start. It’s also not like he has particularly strong competition out there. Beyond Michael Vick, regarded by many as the best QB on the 2014 free agent market, teams will be looking at the likes of Chad Henne and Matt Cassel. Considering all of that, will Sanchez wind up as someone’s starter in 2014?

Chiefs To Let Branden Albert Walk

February 12th, 2014 at 5:00pm CST by Luke Adams

The Chiefs have made the decision to let left tackle Branden Albert walk in free agency, according to Danny Parkins of AM 610 in Kansas City (Twitter link). Parkins adds that Donald Stephenson and Eric Fisher will be the starting tackles for the Chiefs in 2014.

Albert, 29, has been in Kansas City since the team drafted him 15th overall in 2008, starting 83 of 85 games over the course of his seasons with the club. However, after using their first overall pick on Fisher in 2013, the Chiefs will likely have the 23-year-old protect Alex Smith‘s blind side in 2014, with Stephenson manning right tackle.

As for Albert, he finished the season as the 28th-best tackle in the NFL in Pro Football Focus’ estimation (subscription required), including 18th among left tackles. While that ranking doesn’t place him among the league’s very best, he’s still just 28 years old, so he’ll likely receive some lucrative offers in free agency from teams looking to improve their offensive lines. Previous reports have suggested that the Cardinals and Dolphins figure to be squarely in the mix for Albert’s services.

Saints Waive Smith, Harper, Greer; Won’t Re-Sign Vilma

February 12th, 2014 at 4:51pm CST by Luke Adams

4:51pm: The Saints have officially issued a press release announcing that Smith, Harper, and Greer have been cut. The team also won’t re-sign Vilma, according to the release.

“These were not easy decisions to make,” said Saints GM Mickey Loomis in a statement. “Since we acquired them, Jabari, Roman, Will and Jonathan have all been excellent players on the field for us. Each of them were integral parts in turning this program around and winning a Super Bowl…. However, a new NFL year is about to begin and, with the start of free agency in March, these difficult moves allow us to position our team under the salary cap to move forward for 2014.”

4:48pm: The Saints will also release cornerback Jabari Greer, according to Florio (via Twitter). The Saints could create about $3.18MM in cap savings by cutting Greer, but it’s not possible the amount will be lower than that, since he could be eligible for $1MM+ in injury protection, as Rapoport explains in a pair of tweets.

4:34pm: NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport confirms (via Twitter) that Harper has been informed the Saints have released him.

4:18pm: Today’s list of NFL transactions didn’t include any from the Saints, so it looks like potential cap casualties have at least earned another day on the roster. Still, cuts are expected to come this week. According to Triplett (via Twitter), the Saints have informed Smith that he’ll be waived. Meanwhile, Harper sent out a thank-you tweet to Saints fans, suggesting that he has also been told he’ll be released.

9:11am: The Saints are expected to release a handful of veteran players to increase cap flexibility, and those cuts could begin as soon as today, a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Mike Triplett of ESPN.com (Twitter link) echoes that report, with both reports identifying safety Roman Harper and defensive end Will Smith as two potential cap casualties for the team.

As Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com details in his latest 2014 salary cap update, only one team (the Cowboys) has more money committed to ’14 salaries than the Saints, who are currently $13MM+ over the projected cap for next year. Waiving Smith represents the best way to immediately clear nearly that entire deficit — in the last year of his contract, Smith has a cap number of $13.9MM, which could be reduced to just $2.35MM in dead money by releasing him.

As for Harper, after starting nearly every game for the Saints in the previous six seasons, he was limited by injuries in 2013, and was ineffective in his limited playing time. The cap savings won’t be as significant for the Saints if and when they waive Harper, since the veteran still has $3.69MM in bonus money on the final two years of his deal, but the club could still clear $2.18MM in space by cutting him.

Florio notes in his report that a return to New Orleans for free agent linebacker Jonathan Vilma appears highly unlikely. The 31-year-old has been plagued by injuries, which limited him to just one game in 2013, and Vilma’s recent comments about having to share a locker room with a gay teammate aren’t likely to help his free agent stock much either.