HEADLINES

Month: February 2014

Lions Links: Suh, Isles, Tillman, Free Agents

February 4th, 2014 at 9:51am CST by Luke Adams

The Lions were awarded the first waiver claim of the offseason yesterday, grabbing safety Isa Abdul-Quddus from the Saints. That will be far from the last move in what figures to be a busy winter in Detroit, so let’s check in on a few links examining some of the decisions facing the team….

  • In a column for the Detroit Free Press, Drew Sharp argues that the Lions should move on from Ndamukong Suh, attempting to trade him for draft picks rather than working out a new deal that reduces his $22.4MM cap number for 2014. However, an extension is the likelier outcome. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the team plans to re-open talks when Suh hires a new agent.
  • Rugby speedster Carlin Isles signed a reserve/futures contract with the Lions a few weeks ago, but is still undecided on whether to pursue an NFL career or to focus on winning 2016 Olympic gold in rugby, according to a CNN report.
  • Asked if he’d consider signing with the Lions as a free agent this offseason, defensive back Charles Tillman acknowledged that it’d probably be “a little awkward in the beginning,” but sounded open to the possibility, writes Kyle Meinke of MLive.com.
  • Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com takes an extended look at all 22 of the Lions’ 2014 free agents.
  • Lions backup QB Shaun Hill is among the team’s unrestricted free agents, and his future will depend on whether he wants a better shot at playing time elsewhere and whether the club’s new coaching staff wants a backup more familiar with its system, as Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com outlines.

Perry Riley, Redskins Not Close On New Deal

February 4th, 2014 at 8:39am CST by Luke Adams

The Redskins have begun talking to Perry Riley‘s camp about a new contract for the linebacker, but the two sides don’t appear close to reaching a new deal yet, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post (via Twitter). Riley is one of several Redskins defensive starters poised to hit unrestricted free agency next month.

Riley isn’t necessarily viewed as one of the top free agents on the market, but he has started each of Washington’s last 40 games over three seasons, and is still just 25 years old. Considering London Fletcher plans to retire and Brian Orakpo is also eligible for free agency, retaining Riley figures to become one of the Redskins’ top priorities this offseason.

According to Jones (via Twitter), there are those who expect Riley to seek a contract similar to the one signed by Dolphins linebacker Dannell Ellerbe a year ago. Ellerbe inked a five-year pact that will pay him $7MM per year, with a $14MM overall guarantee. The Redskins have significantly more cap flexibility than usual this winter, but if Riley’s asking price is that high, the team figures to let him test the free agent waters in March to gauge his worth, tweets Jones.

Extra Points: Packers, Muamba, Polian

February 3rd, 2014 at 10:45pm CST by David Kipke

Weston Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette thinks that the Packers will be forced to lean heavily on a cadre of young defensive lineman that will step into starting roles next season. Defensive linemen Mike Daniels, Datone Jones, and Jerel Worthy will likely replace departing free agents B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, and Johnny Jolly on the defensive front of the Packers’ base 3-4 defense. Defensive line coach Mike Trgovac expects Jones and Worthy to mimic Daniels’ 2013 campaign with breakout performances next year.

A few more Monday night notes:

Poll: Who Should The Seahawks’ Top Priority Be This Offseason?

February 3rd, 2014 at 9:32pm CST by David Kipke

Yesterday, we passed along a report that suggested the Seahawks’ top priority this offseason is extending All-Pro safety Earl Thomas. However, giving Thomas a new contract would likely affect the team’s ability to negotiate a new contract with cornerback Richard Sherman this offseason. Both Thomas and Sherman are eligible for free agency a year from now, and if the Seahawks want to extend both players this offseason, they would likely have to cut receiver Sidney Rice.

Additionally, the Seahawks must decide if they want to table negotiations with the aforementioned players in order to retain receiver Golden Tate and/or defensive end Michael Bennett, who are hitting free agency this offseason. While the club may be able to re-sign or extend multiple players, it likely won’t be able to fit all of them under the cap.

Who do you think the Seahawks should prioritize this offseason?

Chargers Finalize Coaching Staff For 2014

February 3rd, 2014 at 7:20pm CST by David Kipke

The Chargers made several coaching moves today and have finalized their coaching staff for the upcoming season, according to the team’s website. These moves include the promotion of offensive quality control assistant Nick Sirianni to the role of quarterbacks coach; the hiring of Bobby King as assistant linebacking coach; and the hiring of Shane Steichen as quality control-offense.

Sirianni’s promotion comes in the wake of Head Coach Mike McCoy‘s decision to promote previous quarterbacks coach Frank Reich to offensive coordinator for the 2014 season. Prior to joining the Chargers last season, Sirianni served as a quality control coach with the Chiefs, where he was instrumental in helping Matt Cassel receive All-Pro honors in 2010.

King will be fulfilling the same assistant linebackers coach role in San Diego as he did last year for the Texans. King has enjoyed coaching success over the past few years. In 2009, as defensive line coach, he helped West Texas A&M reach its first bowl game since 1967. In the following years, he served on the Cowboys and Texans’ defensive staffs, helping the Houston defensive become one of the most effective in the NFL from 2010-2011.

Steichen worked for the Chargers as a defensive assistant from 2011-2012 and worked with the Browns last season as an offensive quality control coach.

Browns Hire Kyle Shanahan As OC

February 3rd, 2014 at 6:32pm CST by Zachary Links

MONDAY, 6:32: The Browns have officially announced the deal with Shanahan, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (via Twitter).

5:25pm: The Browns have finalized a three-year deal with Kyle Shanahan today, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (via Twitter). Shanahan will sign tomorrow.

1:37pm: Shanahan is in Cleveland to finalize the details of his agreement with the Browns and sign his contract, a source tells Cabot. Talks are expected to go smoothly and Shanahan’s deal could be completed this afternoon.

SATURDAY, 12:39pm: Shanahan is out of the country on vacation, but the deal will be finalized when he returns, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports (via Twitter).

11:45am: The Browns have decided on Shanahan, according to Fox Sports (via Alex Marvez’s Twitter).

9:31am: Shanahan remains a possibility, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot (via Twitter).

THURSDAY, 5:53pm: A league source told Nate Ulrich of the Beacon Journal it’s “very likely” that Loggains will become the Browns’ quarterbacks coach, meaning that the OC search is likely to continue.

5:35pm: The Browns have hired former Titans offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains to join their coaching staff, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). It’s quite possible that Loggains will be Cleveland’s new offensive coordinator but he could also end up serving as quarterbacks coach.

Meanwhile, Rapoport (link) would be surprised if the Browns hired Kyle Shanahan to be their next OC based on what he’s hearing. Earlier today, it was reported that the Browns had their eye on Shanahan, who missed out on the Ravens and Dolphins openings, for the gig. League sources have indicated that reported friction between Shanahan and Redskins star quarterback Robert Griffin III last season may have hurt his stock.

Loggains spent six season with the Titans and worked his way up the ladder during his time there. He served as quarterbacks/passing game coach for two-and-a-half seasons before being promoted to OC on November 26, 2012.

Free Agency Notes: Jones-Drew, Veldheer, Finley

February 3rd, 2014 at 6:25pm CST by David Kipke

With free agency looming, let’s discuss some of the veteran players that find themselves in uncertain contract situations…

Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com thinks that Maurice Jones-Drew‘s days playing for the Jaguars are over. DiRocco explains that because Jones-Drew will have likely have to take a less lucrative contract to stay in Jacksonville, he will likely leave to pursue a a free agent deal similar to the ones received by Steven Jackson, Reggie Bush, and Shonn Greene last offseason.

Packers Won’t Bring Back Morton

February 3rd, 2014 at 6:01pm CST by David Kipke

The Packers will not bring back assistant special teams coach Chad Morton next season, according to Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press-Gazette (Via Twitter). The decision is not surprising considering the Packers’ abysmal special teams performance this past season, as they ranked last in the NFL in opponents’ average starting field position following kickoffs (25.6-yard line) and were 30th in kickoff return average (20.3 yards). Their kickoff and punt coverage units were both ranked 29th in the NFL.

Morton, who played in the NFL for seven years, has been coaching in this role for the Packers since 2010.

NFC Notes: Lions, Bucs, Falcons, Eagles

February 3rd, 2014 at 5:00pm CST by Luke Adams

With Super Bowl XLVIII now comfortably in our rear-view mirrors, let’s round up a few Monday updates from around the NFC….

  • The Lions will have to clear significant money from their books over the next few weeks in order to get under the cap for 2014 and make room for draft picks, says Justin Rogers of MLive.com. In examining the team’s possible options, Rogers notes that Detroit could save about $5.5MM by releasing receiver Nate Burleson and another $5.5MM or so by cutting safety Louis Delmas.
  • A weekend report suggested that the Buccaneers are among the teams that will have interest in Michael Vick in free agency this offseason, but Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com isn’t convinced that signing Vick would be the right move for Tampa Bay.
  • In a pair of pieces for ESPN.com, Vaughn McClure examines the role that new assistant GM Scott Pioli will have in Atlanta this offseason, and looks into how the Falcons may try to replace Tony Gonzalez at tight end.
  • Tim McManus and Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com discuss the Eagles‘ defensive line situation, disagreeing slightly on how strong a priority it should be this offseason.
  • Wide receiver, cornerback, and center figure to be areas of focus in the draft for the 49ers, according to Bill Williamson of ESPN.com, who names a few potential targets at each of those positions.

Lions Claim Abdul-Quddus, Bengals Cut Powell

February 3rd, 2014 at 3:53pm CST by Luke Adams

The NFL’s waiver period got underway today, and the league announced that a single claim was made: The Lions claimed safety Isa Abdul-Quddus off waivers from the Saints (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN Boston). Additionally, the Bengals cut punter Shawn Powell, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link).

Abdul-Quddus, 25, has spent his first three seasons with the Saints, and will be eligible for restricted free agency this offseason. The Lions will have the option of making a tender offer to the Fordham alum, which would ensure that they could match any rival offers he received in free agency. Abdul-Quddus started three games for the Saints during the 2012 season, grabbing a pair of interceptions and recovering a fumble, but saw most of his action in 2013 on special teams.

Powell, meanwhile, had been slated to become an exclusive rights free agent following his second NFL season. Before filling in for the Bengals this season, Powell spent time with the Bills, replacing veteran punter Brian Moorman in 2012 in Buffalo.

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