HEADLINES

Month: February 2014

Draft Needs For Lions, Bears

February 8th, 2014 at 3:40pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Lions can go in a number of directions in the draft this year, writes Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. The two major questions that need to be addressed are receiver and cornerback. With the tenth pick, Sammy Wakins of Clemson and Mike Evans of Texas A&M would be ideal fits to line up across from Calvin Johnson, but trading down or taking a defensive back are also likely scenarios according to Rothstein.

If they do look to take a defensive back at their current pick, Rothstein writes that Justin Gilbert of Oklahoma State and Darqueze Dennard of Michigan State could be the Lions’ top choices. That is unless either Anthony Barr of UCLA or Khalil Mack of Buffalo drops to them, which could make them consider taking one of the two standout linebackers, and address the secondary later in the draft.

While the Lions are looking at a number of options in the first round, there is a consensus with the Bears’ first round pick. Both of ESPN’s draft experts Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr.’s mock drafts have the team selecting Timmy Jernigan of FSU to bolster the defensive line. Mock drafts from Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks of NFL.com both agree as well.

While the Bears could look to add to their defensive line early, Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com does not see the draft as a way for the team to improve its skill players. He doesn’t see the team investing many draft picks if any at all in receivers, runningbacks, or tight ends.

Vikings Rumors: Cassel, Cousins, Cook

February 8th, 2014 at 2:59pm CST by Rob DiRe

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman spoke about the Vikings’ offseason goals on Saturday during the 19th annual Arctic Blast snowmobile rally to benefit the Vikings Children’s Fund, reports Master Tesfatsion of the Star Tribune. Spielman stated his intention to acquire two more draft picks, and find a young quarterback in the draft, though not necessarily with their current first round pick. Here are some other rumors surrounding the team:

  • Tesfastsion also notes that Spielman spoke about Matt Cassel‘s free agency, saying the team will be in contact with the quarterback’s agents, leaving open the possibility of his return in 2014.
  • In their search for a young quarterback, Kirk Cousins could make sense, writes Ben Goessing of ESPN.com. However, with the Vikings looking to acquire draft picks rather than spend them, this could be a risky move. Goessing warns not to fall in love with the Redskins’ backup, as he sees similarities between his career and Matt Flynn.
  • For a secondary that struggled in 2013, a deep pool of free agent cornerbacks could provide a quick fix. Goessing sees Alterraun Verner and Sam Shields as great fits, even if they may prove to be expensive commodities. He also sees the Vikings re-signing Chris Cook, taking a chance on their own player on a cheap contract with some potential upside.
  • The Vikings also will have to replace Jared Allen at defensive end, which will be tough with other holes on the defense. Goessing sees the Vikings trying to re-sign Everson Griffin on a short term deal to give him a chance to prove himself. He also writes that if they do not spend money elsewhere, they may be able to make a run at Michael Johnson of the Bengals in free agency.

AFC North Notes: Dix, Ravens, Little

February 8th, 2014 at 1:59pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Steelers have a lot of questions when it comes to the depth of their runningback situation, writes Scott Brown of ESPN.com. While Le’Veon Bell stood out as the clear number one choice, Jonathan Dwyer, Felix Jones, and LaRod Stephens-Howling are all hitting free agency. Brown believes the Steelers will try to retain Dwyer and Stephens-Howling due to their unique skill sets, but if one of those two leaves for another situation, they will address their depth further in the draft. Here are some other notes from the AFC North:

  • The Steelers may need a free safety if Ryan Clark does not return, and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix could be a strong choice in round one, adds Scott Brown. Brown also writes that he expects the Steelers to add depth at corner later in the draft.
  • The Ravens also have a need at free safety, but may have to look to free agency to fill their need, writes Jamison Henley of ESPN.com. He highlights possible cap casualties Michael Griffin (Titans), Louis Delmas (Lions), and Thomas DeCoud (Falcons) as interesting fits, in addition to the free agent class.
  • Greg Little was thought to be a candidate for release, writes Pat McManamon of ESPN.com, as the Browns‘ receiver has underachieved since being drafted. While Little has struggled with consistency, McManamon feels like he might be a fit for new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s scheme.
  • McManamon also adds that if the Browns retain Little, Eric Decker would become far too expensive an option to join Little and Josh Gordon in the receiving corps.

Fitzgerald On ‘Boys Cap: “Really No Escape”

February 8th, 2014 at 1:32pm CST by Matt Feminis

OverTheCap.com editor Jason Fitzgerald joined the Pro Football Focus podcast (listen here) to discuss NFC salary cap situations. A chunk of the two-hour chat was focused on the Cowboys, as Fitzgerald details the team’s current woes and paints an even bleaker future. Highlights:

      • The Cowboys are currently $24MM over the salary cap.
      • The contracts of Tony Romo and Sean Lee were designed to be restructured, and doing so will bring the excess number down to $13MM or $14MM. “From there, they’ll do what they always do,” said Fitzgerald.“They will restructure, restructure, restructure every player on the roster, they’ll convert base salaries to signing bonus money. In some cases, they’ll add voidable contract years, which essentially are ‘dummy’ years thrown on to the end of the contract just for salary cap purposes to let you lower the cost down, and then at some point in time when their contracts void – automatically – that money will all just accelerate onto the cap in two years from now, three years from now.”
      • The team does not have prime candidates to cut for short-term cap relief.
      • Fitgerald also criticized the team’s reluctance to cut the chord with high-priced veterans:“They’re the one team that does not have willingness to let go from anyone they consider like a star player. You saw that last year with Anthony Spencer, that, really, they’re making a transition in defense, they have salary cap problems – he’s a player they really should have let walk. Instead, they franchised him for the second year in a row and they just can’t let go. . .And then he got hurt and never played a down, really, for them. This is what happens, is you have a roster like this which is just incredibly high cap charges for everybody on the team and really no escape.”
      • Defensive end DeMarcus Ware, who will be 32, began to deteriorate last season, and the day is fast approaching when the team will have to address his exorbitant deal [$16MM cap hit in 2014, $17.5MM in 2015].“Do they restructure him?” asks Fitzgerald. “Which basically means you’re going to be stuck with DeMarcus Ware for a very long time, or do they do the smart thing, which is approach him with a pay cut?”
      • Fitzgerald believes if the Cowboys slap the franchise tag on defensive tackle Jason Hatcher and/or restructure Ware’s deal, it portends continued shortsighted spending, insinuating the team either will have refused to change or simply not learned its lesson.
      • The roster is littered with too many players on the wrong side of 30, and each restructured deal makes it more difficult to release players.
      • The Cowboys’ cap situation is “probably going to be much worse” next year, and Fitzgerald posits the team will eventually have to bite the bullet, a la the Oakland Raiders.“[The Cowboys are] going to have to have one year where they just hit that emergency button, dump a lot of guys, take a $50MM or $60MM “dead money” hit for one year and basically field an expansion roster.”
      • And oh by the way, Dez Bryant’s deal is up after 2014.

Colts Add Rob Chudzinski To Staff

February 8th, 2014 at 11:15am CST by Matt Feminis

The Colts have hired Rob Chudzinski as special assistant to head coach Chuck Pagano (link). Chudzinski, who was canned after one season leading the Browns, has eight years experience working with Pagano, primarily at the University of Miami (Fla.).

The addition could boost the potency of the offense. Chudzinski has a history of maximizing tight end talent, and the Colts have two young, talented tight ends in Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, who went down in Week One with a season-ending hip injury.

AFC Notes: Jags, McCourty, Decker

February 8th, 2014 at 10:00am CST by Matt Feminis

The Jaguars have been upfront about the team’s desire to re-sign Chad Henne as well as draft at least one quarterback, but GM Dave Caldwell told Jacksonville.com’s Vito Stellino (subscription required) he won’t be a slave to need: “If we’re going to give into pressure (to take a quarterback high if they have other players rated higher), we’re going to make the wrong decision,’’ he said. “Our vision is to build a franchise that can sustain and win over a period of time. In that process, if a quarterback presents himself, we’ll grab him.’’

Panthers Could Let Hardy Walk

February 8th, 2014 at 8:49am CST by Matt Feminis

In a year’s time, Panthers second-year GM Dave Gettleman has taken the team from $16MM over the salary cap to approximately $16MM under the cap. Ostensibly, that’s enough to bring free agent defensive end Greg Hardy back into the fold, be it on a long-term deal or one-year franchise tender, but it’s not that simple, according to the Charlotte Observer’s Joseph Person.

Hardy’s bookend, veteran sack artist Charles Johnson, carries a team-high $16.24MM cap hit in 2014. So while retaining a budding pass rusher seems like an obvious move, sacrificing Hardy to maintain financial flexibility is a realistic scenario. Person also floats the idea of a “tag-and-trade” scenario, which would garner better compensation than the Panthers would receive if they just let Hardy sign elsewhere.

Also factoring in the decision is the uncertainty of left tackle Jordan Gross‘ future, looming big-money extensions for young stars Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly and other current free-agent priorities, including cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and receiver/returner Ted Ginn Jr. Person points out that Gettleman got creative last year by cutting veterans and restructuring others. If he goes that route again, safety Charles Godfrey, recovering from an Achilles injury, could be on the chopping block. Releasing Godfrey before June 1 would recoup $2.1MM in cap space, or $5.1MM post June 1.

Extra Points: Carr, Smith, Iupati, Zook

February 7th, 2014 at 10:07pm CST by Zachary Links

One of the top quarterbacks in the 2014 draft, Derek Carr, told 95.7 The Game (audio link) that he is undecided about taking part in the Indianapolis combine. The signal caller out of Fresno State has consulted with his brother, former first overall pick David Carr, about the decision but has yet to reach a conclusion. Derek is unlikely to go first overall when the Texans pick in May, but he could be a first round pick if he impresses the right team. More from around the NFL..

  • Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith saw his 2014 salary of $3.45MM become guaranteed today, cap expert Joel Corry tells Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter). With that kind of financial commitment, it’s a virtual guarantee that he’ll be back with KC in 2014.
  • There are several factors that could complicate a possible extension for 49ers guard Mike Iupati, explains Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Guards aren’t as valued as other positions and there could be a sizable gap that makes it unlikely that a fresh deal for Iupati will be a top priority for SF. Meanwhile, without an enticing offer, Iupati would probably be happy to hit the open market after the 2014 season.
  • Earlier today the Packers announced their coaching staff for the upcoming season. Four newcomers have joined the staff while five others acquired new titles. Among the newcomers: former University of Illinois and University of Florida head coach Ron Zook, who will now be pitching in on special teams.

NFC East Notes: Eagles, Kelce, Cowboys

February 7th, 2014 at 9:46pm CST by Zachary Links

Tonight’s glance at the NFC East..

  • The Eagles want to keep Jason Kelce for the long-term, writes Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com. A league source tells Frank the Eagles and the center’s agent, Jason Bernstein, haven’t started contract talks but plan to fairly soon. It would be surprising if by the start of training camp, Kelce doesn’t have a long-term multi-year deal worth about $4.5-$5MM per year.
  • The Cowboys‘ top priority this offseason should be fixing their disappointing defense, opines Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPNDallas.com. Their switch from the 3-4 defense to the 4-3 Tampa 2 scheme after the 2012 season wasn’t well thought out in Taylor’s view and the club doesn’t have the proper personnel for it. The Tampa 2 scheme requires a disruptive defensive tackle who plays on the outside shoulder of the right guard, a weakside linebacker who can make plays sideline to sideline, and a hard-hitting safety that can make receivers pay. Dallas, unfortunately, doesn’t have any of those by Taylor’s count.
  • The Eagles signing of wide receiver Joe Anderson will have no bearing on what they do with free agents Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper, writes ESPN.com’s Phil Sheridan. Anderson was added for his special teams experience and his signing probably will have more of an impact on Brad Smith and Jeff Maehl than on Maclin and Cooper.

Giants Void Contracts Of Myers, Webster

February 7th, 2014 at 8:17pm CST by Zachary Links

On Friday, tight end Brandon Myers and cornerback Corey Webster saw their deals automatically voided, writes Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News. The two deals were terminated at 3pm CT earlier today.

Myers inked a four-year deal with the Giants last season with three voidable years while Webster had one voidable year remaining on his contract. Myers, 29 in September, made a name for himself in 2012 with the Raiders by hauling in 79 receptions for 806 yards, including a brilliant 14 catch, 130 yard, and one touchdown showing against the Bears late in the season. However, he didn’t do much for Big Blue, recording 47 catches for 522 yards and a pivotal missed ball against those same Bears that dropped the Giants to 0-6.

Webster, 32 in March, appeared in just four games thanks to injuries and would have been largely out-of-action anyway after being leapfrogged by Trumaine McBride on the depth chart. Webster was once a top player at his position but he’s a couple of years away from when he was a feared CB. Ultimately, the Giants had little reason to retain either player.

Cutting ties with Myers and Webster helps to add to the Giants’ projected $13.7MM in cap space. However, the Giants have a lot of work to do after an embarrassing 2013. The Giants have to rebuild offensive line, find playmakers to possibly supplant Hakeem Nicks and David Wilson, and bolster one of the league’s weakest defenses.

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