HEADLINES

Month: February 2014

49ers Roundup: Trades, Iupati, James

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

The 49ers are unlikely to trade any of their players who are set to become free agents at the end of the 2014 season simply because of their contract status, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Although G Mike Iupati may not be with the team beyond 2014, as was noted earlier, and although WR Michael Crabtree is sure to command a high-dollar contract after the upcoming season, San Francisco is not going to trade its key pieces for a little cap relief and draft picks. As they did last offseason, the 49ers will likely wait until late in training camp to assess where they have a surplus of talent and will try to deal from that surplus to add to its 2015 draft haul.

More from the Bay Area:

  • LaMichael James could be one of those players who finds himself on the trading block, according to Maiocco. The team does have a great deal of talent at running back, with Frank Gore, Marcus Lattimore (assuming he’s healthy), Kendall Hunter, and any other additions it may make in the offseason. However, the 49ers would have to first find a replacement in the return game if they were to deal James.
  • The 49ers want to keep free agent safety Donte Whitner, but if they are unable to do so, Maiocco thinks they will pursue a replacement who has the same physical traits as Eric Reid. That way, DC Vic Fangio could use Reid and the new safety interchangeably to add variety to his play-calling and schemes.
  • ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson agrees with Maiocco regarding Iupati. Although Iupati will not be a top priority given that the 49ers will have to lock down Colin Kaepernick, Aldon Smith, and Crabtree sooner rather than later, San Francisco is well-equipped to make a run at Super Bowl XLIX and “[p]ursuing a Super Bowl with Iupati is better than doing it without him.”

Bears Notes: Peppers, Jernigan, Harper

February 9th, 2014 at 11:07am CST by Rory Parks

With less than 30 days before the free agent market opens, the Bears cannot begin to think about pursuing any free agents before they decide what to do with DE Julius Peppers, says Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. It has already been noted that Peppers, who carries a cap hit of over $18MM for 2014, would be willing to restructure his contract, and it was previously reported that Peppers would simply have to take a pay cut if he wanted to remain in Chicago. Biggs notes that such a pay cut would have to be quite substantial, and Peppers has already restructured his deal twice over the last four seasons to create more cap room.

However, there are a number of factors that impact any decision regarding Peppers. Biggs notes that Peppers, despite his age (34) and disappointing 2013 season, is the only legitimate pass-rusher on the roster, and he must be replaced–or there must be a replacement on the radar–before the Bears let him go. Furthermore, releasing Peppers would create about $8.3MM of dead money, which could be spread out over two seasons if the Bears cut him after June 1. If they chose that route, they would create $14MM of cap space for 2014. If they cut him before June 1, they would eat all the dead money right away and would create $9.8MM of cap space.

Either way, the Bears would have some wiggle room if they released Peppers, though it is unclear what their cash budget is going to be after signing Jay Cutler, Tim Jennings, Matt Slauson, and Robbie Gould. Biggs lays out some of the ways they could spend the money saved by cutting Peppers to bring in another pass rusher. He lists Brian Orakpo, Michael Bennett, and Michael Johnson as potential targets, and notes that Everson Griffin of the Vikings and Willie Young of the Lions could also be considered.

The draft, meanwhile is likely not the place to replace Peppers, as there are not many top-flight 4-3 defensive ends in this year’s class, and Jadeveon Clowney will almost certainly not fall to the Bears with the fourteenth overall pick.

As the Bears decide what to do about their aging star, here are some other musings from Chicago:

  • Given the Bears’ struggles defending the run in 2o13, as well as the injuries to impending free agent defensive tackles Henry Melton and Nate Collins, ESPN.com’s Michael C. Wright thinks Florida State DT Timmy Jernigan would make a lot of sense for Chicago.
  • Wright does not believe the Bears will take a wideout in the later rounds, and he believes the team will give Marquess Wilson the opportunity to become the “speed element” of the passing game to complement Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.
  • Wright also does not think that the Bears will pursue Saints safety Roman Harper should he be cut by New Orleans. There would be value in pairing the veteran Harper with young safety Chris Conte, but Harper would likely demand more money than the Bears would be willing to pay.

Lions Notes: Pettigrew, Draft, Tate

February 9th, 2014 at 10:05am CST by Rory Parks

Now that the Lions have taken one of the top free agent centers off the market after re-signing the ever-loyal Dominic Raiola to a one-year contract, they can now turn their attention to free agent TE Brandon Pettigrew, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. New Lions OC Joe Lombardi, who recently indicated that he expects to be the Lions offensive play-caller in 2014 despite never having called a play in the NFL, observed that Pettigrew is an increasingly rare breed of tight end in that he can excel as a blocker and receiver.

However, the Lions may have a lot of competition for Pettigrew. The 29-year-old has two 70-plus catch seasons on his resume, which, combined with his blocking abilities and the relatively murky tight end market, could land him a big-money deal. Indeed, even if Tony Gonzalex changes his mind about retirement for the second consecutive year, he is hardly a long-term solution for any potential suitor, and it is unlikely he would go to a team other than the Falcons–or conceivably Kansas City–anyway. The Ravens are likely to either put the franchise tag on Dennis Pitta or re-sign him to a long-term contract, and the health concerns of Jermichael Finley make his future uncertain at best. Jimmy Graham, who would be the ultimate free agent prize, will either get the franchise tag or a multi-year deal with the Saints. By attrition, then, Pettigrew becomes the most attractive tight end available.

Given Detroit’s internal options at the position, though, the team may have no other choice but to somehow bring Pettigrew back. The only tight ends currently under contract are Michael Williams and the talented-but-raw Joseph Fauria. They also have control of restricted free agent Dorin Dickerson and the exclusive rights to free agent Matt Veldman. The cost of the 2014 franchise tag for tight ends is projected to be slightly over $6MM, and that may be the route the Lions choose to pursue with Pettigrew.

Some other notes from the Motor City:

  • Jimmy Kempski of Philly.com predicts Detroit will receive a fourth-round compensatory pick after losing tackle Gosder Cherilus to free agency last year, but because the Lions were active themselves in the free agent market in 2013, that will probably be the only compensatory selection they receive.
  • ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein thinks the Lions could draft Clemson WR Sammy Watkins with the tenth overall pick if he falls that far. Vanderbilt’s Jordan Matthews and Penn State’s Allen Robinson could be potential targets in the second round.
  • In any event, Rothstein thinks the Lions could target two wideouts in free agency, one as an outside receiver and one to play the slot. He notes that new head coach Jim Caldwell has traditionally preferred having receivers over 6 feet tall on his roster.
  • Seahawks WR Golden Tate is unlikely to be an option for Detroit, as he has previously expressed that he would be willing to take a “hometown discount” to remain in Seattle.

 

Patriots Notes: Franchise Tag, Wilfork

February 9th, 2014 at 8:57am CST by Rory Parks

Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald examines what, if anything, the Patriots will do with the franchise tag this offseason. She notes that, after the 2012 season, New England had three players who were considered legitimate candidates for the tag: Aqib Talib, Wes Welker, and Sebastian Vollmer. Of course, the Pats let Talib hit the open market, eventually re-signing him to a one-year deal. They locked up Vollmer to a long-term contract, and they let Welker walk.

This year, there are only two Patriots free agents who could realistically receive the tag: Talib and Julian Edelman. Although the cost of the franchise tag for cornerbacks and wide receives is fairly similar, somewhere in the $11MM ballpark, Guregian believes New England will not consider tagging Edelman. After all, Welker was not tagged last season–when the cost of the tag for wide receivers was $11.4MM– and he had a more extensive history of productivity and chemistry with Tom Brady.

However, given Talib’s importance to the defense and the possibility that the cost for all talented defensive backs might spike with the recent play of the Seahawks’ secondary, it will not be so easy to let him test free agency for the second straight year. Nonetheless, Guregian, perhaps with the Patriots’ relatively small cap space in mind, thinks Talib will indeed have a chance to shop his services to other teams, while New England will look to negotiate a long-term deal with him. She believes the team will not tag Talib to buy extra time to work out a deal, as they did with Vince Wilfork in 2010.

Speaking of Wilfork, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss believes the Patriots will not cut the big defensive tackle just yet. He will cost the team $11.5MM against the cap, but even at age 32, Reiss feels Wilfork’s performance will still justify the price. As noted previously, Joel Corry on CBSSports.com sees the Patriots trying to restructure Wilfork’s contract to gain some cap flexibility for 2014.

AFC Notes: Talib, Welker, Edelman

February 8th, 2014 at 10:48pm CST by Peter Sowards

Early indications are that free agent market for Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib will be “more robust” in 2014 than it was a year, ago, a league source told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

Talib returned to the Patriots in 2013 on a one-year, $5MM contract. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Albert Breer, Talib turned down a five-year deal in hopes of “cashing in afterward.”

Now is his chance.

Citing injury concerns, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss projected a three-to-four year deal for Talib with around $8MM per season and $12-14MM guaranteed. Talib totaled four interceptions and 13 passes defended in 2013, earning his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.

Other notes from the AFC:

  • Broncos receiver Wes Welker carries with him an $8MM hit against the cap in 2014, writes Florio.
  • Should the two sides want to work out a new deal, there is little time to do so, as Welker’s $6MM in compensation becomes official in March.
  • If no new deal can be reached, and the Broncos deem Welker too expensive, Florio names Patriots‘ receiver and Welker-clone Julian Edelman as a possible replacement.
  • Florio even goes so far as to mention New England as a possible landing spot for Welker, but is quick to point out how ludicrous that would be, given Bill Belichick‘s recent comments regarding his former Pro Bowl slot receiver.

Payton Talks Graham, Free Agency

February 8th, 2014 at 9:46pm CST by Peter Sowards

Saints head coach Sean Payton joined Fox Sports 1 on Friday and discussed the issues facing his team this offseason, according to Larry Holder of The Times-Picayune.

The most notable free agent in New Orleans, without a doubt, is tight end Jimmy Graham. Now, if it comes down to a franchise tag, Graham will contend that he should be paid as a wide receiver rather than a tight end. The difference figures to be nearly $5MM ($11.6MM for WR and $6.8MM for TE).

“I know that Mickey Loomis, CAA (Creative Artists Agency), Jimmy Sexton (Graham’s agent) and all parties involved are going to work very hard and very diligently, no different than they did with Drew (Brees) on his contract,” Payton said. “With that being said, the first thing that comes to my mind with free agency is your own roster. I think often times that gets overlooked.

“The most challenging part of your job as a coach, and I share that with Mickey or anyone that has been with an organization as long as we have been, going on year nine, is some of the tough decisions that have to be made with regards to your cap with the ability that you possibly can sign Jimmy Graham.”

Holder points out safety Malcolm Jenkins, tackle Zach Strief and center Brian de la Puente as “key potential free agents” the team would like to re-sign. Easier said than done, noted Payton.

“It’s very easy to say ‘you are certainly going to get this done’ but you have to understand there is a budget here. That’s the challenging part. You are going to read these names that have already come across the ticker from Atlanta last week (Asante Samuel and Stephen Nicholas) and we will be no different.”

According to Holder, players that could become cap-casualties to help the Saints be able to afford signing Graham to a long-term contract include (figures courtesy of Holder):

Wimbley Hopes To Remain With Titans

February 8th, 2014 at 8:25pm CST by Peter Sowards

After racking up 16 sacks in two seasons with the Raiders from 2010-11, Kamerion Wimbley signed a lucrative five-year, $35MM contract with the Titans.

Two seasons into his new deal and Wimbley has totaled only nine sacks. The ninth-year player from Florida State, set to earn $6MM in 2014, told Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean he doesn’t have any ideas of going elsewhere.

“I would love to be back,” Wimbley said, “and I expect to be back in a Titans uniform. They are doing some exciting things. My contract is not up, and I am training as hard if not harder than I’ve trained any other offseason. So yeah, that is what I am expecting. Unless I hear something different, I expect to be back.”

Wyatt notes that the Titans’ new defensive coordinator, Ray Horton, primarily runs a 3-4 scheme under which Wimbley has thrived in the past.

“I played my first six years in the 3-4 system, so I am familiar with it, and I feel it would be a great fit for me, and easy to pick up whatever they asked me to do,” Wimbley said.

Wimbley started just one game last season, relegated to third down and obvious passing situations. Spending $6MM on a backup tasked with rushing the passer who averages less than five sacks per season is not sound financial business, but Tennessee coaches will be banking on Wimbley reinventing himself in a new scheme.

Poll: Who Faces Seahawks In NFL Opener?

February 8th, 2014 at 7:33pm CST by Peter Sowards

One of the many perks of being Super Bowl champions, with the exception of last year’s Ravens, is hosting the following season’s opening game in primetime.

Though the official schedule for the 2014 season won’t be announced until April, we do know each team’s home and road opponents, which gives us some insight as to who might be heading to Seattle for the first of the league’s 256 contests.

Fresh off a 43-8 whooping in Super Bowl XLVIII, the Broncos could be an interesting choice for the opener. They opened the 2013 season as well, avenging a devastating loss in the divisional round to the Ravens with a 49-27 victory. The game was played in Denver because of a scheduling conflict with Baltimore’s MLB team, the Orioles. As you probably recall, Peyton Manning tied an NFL record with seven touchdown passes.

For a rematch of the most recent NFC championship — one of the better games played during the 2013 season — the league could call for the division-rival 49ers to open against Seattle. Plenty of sparks flew the last time these teams played (cough, Richard Sherman) and the rivalry is developing into Bears/Packers and Steelers/Ravens territory.

One of the more memorable regular season games the past few years is the “Fail Mary” game between the Packers and Seahawks, the last game played with replacement referees. With Green Bay set to travel to the Pacific Northwest in the 2014 season, pitting two of the top teams in the NFC up against one another in the NFL opener would be a great way to kick off the season.

Lastly, there’s always a chance that the league and networks will schedule the Cowboys in a must-see primetime game. This is probably the most improbable of all the scenarios, but it’s not impossible. “America’s Team” continues to draw monster ratings year after year with the unpredictable Tony Romo under center, and their 2006 playoff matchup with the infamous bobbled snap by the aforementioned Romo remains one of the most exciting finishes in postseason history.

Back up your vote with a comment as to why you think a certain team should open its season with a trip to Seattle.

AFC Notes: Wilkerson, Jets, Raiders

February 8th, 2014 at 6:13pm CST by Peter Sowards

After a dominant performance in 2013 in which he was arguably the team’s best overall player, Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson definitively stated that he will not hold out for a pay raise entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract. “It will be taken care of, definitely,” Wilkerson told Kristian Dyer of Metro New York. “But all that holdout and all that other talk that people were saying and everything – I never said anything like that. I’m not going to hold out. It’s not something I want; it’s not something I’m thinking about. I’m going to show up like everybody else and do what I’m told.” Rumors had been swirling that Wilkerson wanted a pay raise and would be “a possible holdout candidate,” reported Dyer, but the first-time All-Pro argued otherwise.

In a Raiders Twitter mailbag, ESPN.com’s Paul Gutierrez answered a number of fan questions relating to the team’s upcoming strategies for the draft and free agency:

  • Gutierrez said the Raiders should target a pass rusher, not a quarterback, with the No. 5 overall selection of the 2014 NFL Draft. In a division with Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and Alex Smith, and the possibility of South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney falling into their laps, the Raiders would be wise to target an instant playmaker on defense.
  • Jared Veldheer says he wants a long-term deal and that receiving the team’s franchise would be like a slap in the face. Gutierrez’s feeling is that Veldheer will be a Raider next year and that both sides will agree on a deal that keeps him in Oakland for the foreseeable future.
  • In order, Gutierrez lists Veldheer, Lamarr Houston, Rashad Jennings, Tracy Porter and Charles Woodson as the essential free agents to re-sign.
  • Referring back to his chats with GM Reggie McKenzie, Gutierrez opines that the team will rely “more heavily on free agency to get front-line starters” as opposed to hoping a rookie draft pick will fill the void. As the team with the most cap room entering the 2014 offseason, the Raiders are in prime position to add experienced talent to their roster.

NFC East Notes: Redskins, Eagles

February 8th, 2014 at 4:37pm CST by Rob DiRe

Redskins‘ new head coach Jay Gruden utilized multiple tight end sets with the Bengals, with both Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert providing big receiving threats for the offense. Last season, the Redskins found a potential star in Jordan Reed, and could benefit from another receiving threat to pair with him at the position, writes Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com. Unfortunately, both Tandler and his colleague Tarik El-Bashir agree that it is unlikely that the Redskins can afford to invest either a high draft pick or a significant amount of their cap dollars to find a second tight end. Here are some other notes from the NFC East:

  • Safety will also be a big area of need for the Redskins, with Brandon Meriweather and Reed Doughty hitting free agency, writes John Keim of ESPN.com. Without a backup in place that the team can be confident in, the Redskins may have to look to free agency to fill out the secondary. Chris Clemons (Dolphins) or Michael Mitchell (Panthers) could be cost effective solutions. Otherwise, Washington will have to look to the draft. Without a first round pick due to the Robert Griffin III trade, Keim believes they could target Jimmy Ward of Northern Illinois in the second or third round.
  • The Eagles are estimated to have approximately $20MM in cap space this offseason, leaving them in position to make a splash in free agency. Two intriguing options could be Jason Worilds (Steelers) and T.J. Ward (Browns), writes Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com. He writes that if the Steelers keep LaMarr Woodley, then Worilds would most likely be available and could be a great fit for the Eagles across from Connor Barwin. According to Mosher, even with the cap space, Ward will probably be too expensive to bring in.
  • The Eagles are moving forward with a defensive line built around Fletcher Cox, Cedric Thornton, and Bennie Logan, and while Mosher doubts they would add a big name to their line, he would not rule it out completely. He does not think the Eagles would bring in a veteran player as a starter, but if the team thought a young lineman such as B.J. Raji could be a game-changer, they might be willing to spend some money to acquire him.

 

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