HEADLINES

Month: February 2014

AFC Notes: Pats, Gaine, Browns, Harris

February 10th, 2014 at 11:53am CST by Luke Adams

Earlier today, we rounded up several Monday morning items from across the NFC. Now, we’ll turn attention to the conference which has been on the losing end of five of the last seven Super Bowls, the AFC:

  • The Patriots have a little over $8.5MM in dead money on their books for 2014, but the majority of that stems from Aaron Hernandez’s contract, as Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com outlines. The team continues to seek cap relief for Hernandez’s deal, but even if New England is unsuccessful in that endeavor, the dead money doesn’t cripple the club’s cap outlook, writes Yates.
  • After failing to land the general manager job in Miami, former Dolphins assistant GM Brian Gaine is joining the Texans as the team’s director of pro personnel, reports Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston (via Twitter).
  • While the Browns’ offensive line has remained “uncannily intact” for the last two seasons, the team has been stockpiling developmental players and could be in the market for three new starters in 2014, writes Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com.
  • Undergoing ACL surgery heading into his restricted free agency didn’t bode particularly well for Chris Harris’ stock, but the Broncos cornerback had no other ligament or cartilage damage and only a partial tear of the ACL, a source tells Mike Klis of the Denver Post. The injury may have cost Harris a first-rounder tender, but he should still receive a second-round tender from the Broncos, and his recovery looks promising.
  • In a Ravens notebook, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun examines the team’s need at center, James Ihedigbo’s impending free agency, and the odds of the club rolling the dice on troubled free agent linebacker Erin Henderson.

NFC Notes: Seahawks, Ryan, Packers, Saints

February 10th, 2014 at 9:47am CST by Luke Adams

Several players from the Super Bowl champion Seahawks had their 2014 salaries become fully guaranteed this week, notes Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com in his latest update on teams’ cap space. Percy Harvin, Cliff Avril, and Kam Chancellor had their contracts for 2014 vest from partially guaranteed to fully guaranteed, according to Fitzgerald, who notes that Matt Ryan of the Falcons was among the other players in that boat.

Here’s more from across the NFC:

  • Having drafted well and avoided bad contracts, the Packers will have significantly more cap flexibility this offseason than many of their NFC rivals, says Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  • 13 players from the Saints‘ Super Bowl win in 2010 remain on the team’s roster, but as many of nine of those players could depart this offseason, writes Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. As Triplett points out, four are unrestricted free agents, while five more are potential cap casualties.
  • Compensatory picks for the 2014 draft won’t be announced for a few more weeks, and the Falcons‘ situation is murky, as D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes. Based on projections by Craig Turner (via Philly.com), the Falcons could add as many as four compensatory picks, but may end up with just one or two, depending on where the cutoff is.
  • The Redskins have hired former Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams to their front office as a personnel executive, the team announced today in a press release.

Colts Sign David Sims

February 10th, 2014 at 8:37am CST by Luke Adams

The Colts have added another player to their roster, signing safety David Sims, according to Kevin Bowen of Colts.com (via Twitter). While details of the contract haven’t been reported or announced, it figures to be a minimum-salary reserve/futures deal.

Sims, 27, appeared in 15 games for the Eagles during the 2012 season, including one start. However, he was cut by the team before the 2013 campaign. In Indianapolis, Sims may have a chance to earn a roster spot, considering the club has multiple defensive backs facing free agency, and didn’t have an elite secondary to begin with. The 5’9″ safety could also provide depth on special teams.

PFR Originals: 2/3/14 – 2/9/14

February 9th, 2014 at 8:32pm CST by Ben Levine

On our first Sunday without any football, here’s original content posted by the Pro Football Rumors staff from this past week to ease you through the offseason blues…

  • The NFL’s new agreement with CBS will not only affect which channel you watch each Thursday but also the league’s revenue and, vicariously, the league’s salary cap.
  • Using Larry Fitzgerald‘s new extension as context, an explanation of how teams restructure contracts.
  • An analysis of Eric Decker‘s value in free agency.
  • A look at Michael Vick, Josh McCown and the other top free agent quarterbacks.
  • A guide to following individual players on Pro Football Rumors.
  • One poll asking which of the Seahawks‘ free agents the team should prioritize re-signing and another poll asking who the champs should play in next season’s opener.

NFC Notes: Murray, Austin, Cardinals

February 9th, 2014 at 7:53pm CST by Ben Levine

In spite of putting up career numbers in 2013, running back DeMarco Murray isn’t expected to receive an extension from the Cowboys any time soon, writes Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Murray ran for 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns this past season, which were solid improvements for the 25-year-old. Still, Archer refers to the Cowboys reluctance to re-sign former running back Julius Jones as a clue that the team may be patient with their third-year star. Here are some other notes from around the NFC:

  • Archer adds that the Cowboys want to move on from wide receiver Miles Austin. Hamstring injuries derailed Austin’s 2013 season, as the 29-year-old only had 24 receptions. Archer thinks there’s a chance Austin could return at a reduced rate, but he also believes the team may replace Austin in the draft or free agency. The writer names Robert Meachem as a possible target.
  • ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss feels there’s a possibility that the Cardinals don’t re-sign any of their top free agents, but suggests that Karlos Dansby, Matt Shaughnessy and Antoine Cason are among the players most likely to return.
  • Weinfuss also guesses that the Cardinals will not cut offensive guard Daryn Colledge. While the move would save the Cardinals $5MM, Weinfuss believes that the offensive guard played well enough in 2013 to stick around.

Week In Review: 2/3/14 – 2/9/14

February 9th, 2014 at 4:49pm CST by Dallas Robinson

With the conclusion of the Super Bowl, the offseason began in earnest this past week. Let’s take a look back at some of the bigger stories:

AFC West Notes: Raiders, English, Chiefs

February 9th, 2014 at 3:52pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Raiders have an impending salary cap quandary on their hands, according to Christopher Hansen of Bleacher Report. Due to language in the new collective bargaining agreement, teams must spend at least 89% of the salary cap for the 2013-2016 seasons. While the idea that the Raiders have over $60MM in cap space looks good on paper, this hides the fact that team must make up $16.4MM in spending over the next three seasons, while simultaneously meeting the 89% threshold. Compounding the problem is that the Raiders simply lack the type of quality players that the team could look to extend. This dilemma might force general manager Reggie McKenzie to eschew his policy, honed during his time with the Packers, of shunning big-name free agents.

Some other news from the AFC West:

  • Contrary to reports, Chargers linebacker Larry English will not become a free agent, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Team sources indicate English did not attain playing-time incentives required to allow him to void the final year of his contract. Instead, he will be paid $1.54MM. Of course, the Chargers could still release him, as he graded out poorly in Pro Football Focus’ rankings (subscription required).
  • The Chiefs could target receiver Jeremy Maclin, but can’t afford to get into a bidding war for him, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher. Maclin played under Chiefs coach Andy Reid in Philadelphia.
  • Teicher also thinks the Chiefs will allow offensive tackle Branden Albert to leave via free agency, due to the presence of 2013 first-round pick Eric Fisher.
  • Former Broncos offensive assistant Jim Bob Cooter, hired as the Lions’ quarterbacks coach, will be difficult to replace, writes Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com.

AFC South Links: Jaguars, Colts, Mitchell

February 9th, 2014 at 3:00pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com believes the Jaguars will select defensive end Jadeveon Clowney with the third overall selection, adding that while quarterback remains an obvious need, internal team sources may believe that none of the top QB prospects are ready to start from day one. Clowney certainly presents a safe option, and would allow the Jaguars to wait until a later round to select a quarterback, ostensibly to pair with a veteran like Chad Henne. DiRocco’s opinion meshes with comments made by Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell, who indicated the team would not be beholden to drafting a quarterback with the third pick.

  • Regarding Caldwell’s indication that the team has an internal consensus of the top five players available, DiRocco believes those players to be Clowney, Teddy Bridgewater, Anthony Barr, Khalil Mack, and one of Johnny Manziel or Blake Bortles.
  • Defensive end Michael Johnson is an option for the Jaguars as they look to bolster their defensive line.
  • The notion that the Colts’ hiring of Rob Chudzinkski is indicative of offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton’s performance last season is only partially true, according to Mike Wells of ESPN.com. While Wells believes the hire is more related to Chudzinski’s familiarity with Chuck Pagano, there is do denying that Hamilton’s run-heavy play-calling was widely panned last season.
  • Colts running back Donald Brown is among the best bargains available at the position this offseason, according to OverTheCap.com.
  • Defensive tackle Earl Mitchell will likely not be re-signed by the Texans, as they aim to find a more traditional 3-4 nose tackle, according to Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com.

NFC South Notes: Hardy, Panthers, Bucs

February 9th, 2014 at 1:57pm CST by Dallas Robinson

ESPN.com’s David Newton deems it likely that defensive end Greg Hardy will return to the Panthers, estimating the likelihood of a reunion at 67%. While a long-term contract would seem to be the in the best interests of both the team and the player, the franchise tag (at around $12MM) might be the most plausible option at this point. We noted yesterday that Hardy may not be re-signed due to financial constraints.

Meanwhile, other news abounds in the NFC South:

  • Within the same article, Newton notes that safety Charles Godfrey might be saved from being a cap casualty due to simple finances. Cutting Godfrey would leave the Panthers with $5MM in dead money, and, obviously, without Godfrey. A contract restructure could be the more likely result.
  • Newton writes that corners Josh Norman and Josh Thomas, each of whom were frequently inactive, could be released.
  • Offensive tackle Jordan Gross is expected back with the team, although the Panthers could draft a future replacement in the early rounds of the draft.
  • Back on the Hardy front, Pat Yasinkas of ESPN.com does not believe the Buccaneers are a realistic landing spot for the defensive end. While they have cap space, it may not be enough to sign a star like Hardy, so the draft might be a better route for adding pass rushers.
  • The Saints will likely attempt to add a veteran corner through free agency, and a young receiver through the draft, according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com.
  • Triplett also notes that while the Saints won’t add players with the specific intention of transforming to a more traditional 3-4-style defense, their most pressing need remains the front seven.

Extra Points: Roseman, Mack, Ponder

February 9th, 2014 at 12:59pm CST by Rory Parks

After the infamous failures of the Eagles’ “Dream Team” several seasons ago, GM Howie Roseman is trying to lead his team away from its big-spending traditions, writes Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com. Even before the “Dream Team” was assembled, the Eagles handed sizable contracts to Terrell Owens, Stacy Andrews, Asante Samuel, and many others besides. This year, though, Roseman does not plan to attack the team’s weaknesses by throwing money at the current crop of top free agents.

For instance, safeties T.J. Ward and Jairus Byrd would certainly go a long way towards addressing Philadelphia’s deficiencies in the middle of its defense. However, those players will command hefty contracts, and Roseman believes it is becoming more and more difficult to justify those types of deals.

Roseman indicated he would be “open” to a lucrative, long-term deal for a free agent who was young enough, who filled a need, and who played at a very high level. However, he says:

“You see there are fewer and fewer of those players available in free agency, so what happens is good players get great player money, pretty good players get really good player money, and then it throws around the whole structure of your roster.”

As a result, Roseman is attempting to build through the draft and sign those free agents who fit the city’s blue-collar identity rather than assembling a fantasy collection of big names.

Other news from around the league:

  • Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida-TImes Union thinks the Jaguars should target free agent C Alex Mack given the lack of experience that their in-house options have. Although it has been well-established that Mack stands to become the highest-paid center in the league, ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco says the Jags have enough room to make such a move. O’Halloran adds that, if Jacksonville were to land Mack, it could move one of those inexperienced internal candidates to left guard.
  • DiRocco says Jacksonville could also settle for a cheaper option at center like Ryan Wendell, and interior offensive linemen the team could target in the draft include Marcus Martin, Russell Bodine, and Trai Turner.
  • Although there has been plenty of speculation as to how the Vikings will address their quarterback situation this offseason–thereby implying that Christian Ponder is not seen as the long-term answer–new OC Norv Turner will give Ponder a real chance to win the starting job, says ESPN.com’s Tom Carpenter.
  • Meanwhile, ESPN.com’s Mel Kiper thinks the Vikings will take QB Blake Bortles with their first selection in the draft, adding a young and legitimate competitor for Ponder and possibly Matt Cassel.
Load More Posts