HEADLINES

Month: February 2014

Eagles Rumors: Ryans, Mathis, Brown, FAs

February 25th, 2014 at 2:43pm CST by Luke Adams

DeMeco Ryans finished the 2013 season as the 54th-ranked inside linebacker of the 55 that qualified, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). But despite the subpar grades from PFF and a $6.9MM cap number in 2014, the Eagles linebacker isn’t going anywhere, writes Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Even asking Ryans to take a pay cut is unlikely, according to McLane, who says that the veteran commands more respect than virtually any other player in the locker room, and that “forcing” him to accept a reduced salary wouldn’t go over well with his teammates.

McLane also provided several other Eagles-related tidbits from the combine in Indianapolis, so let’s round them up….

  • All-Pro guard Evan Mathis figures to barely crack the top 15 highest-paid guards in the NFL next season, but don’t expect Philadelphia to increase his salary, says McLane, adding that a holdout from Mathis isn’t likely either.
  • Head coach Chip Kelly may prefer running back Chris Polk to Bryce Brown as LeSean McCoy‘s primary backup. That makes Brown a trade candidate this offseason, and there’s a “healthy market” for him, according to McLane. However, reaching a deal won’t be easy, due to the increasing salary cap.
  • According to McLane, several agents asked him at the combine if there was any chance of cornerback Brandon Boykin and linebacker Mychal Kendricks leaving their current reps. In other words, both players, who will enter their third seasons in 2014, are viewed as hot commodities. Boykin and Kendricks will be eligible for contract extensions after the ’14 season.
  • McLane can’t see the Eagles going into the 2014 season with Matt Barkley as the primary backup behind starting quarterback Nick Foles. Multiple scouts at the combine told McLane that they’ve seen enough to declare the former fourth-round pick a backup at best.
  • Cornerback Cary Williams is expected to remain on Philadelphia’s roster beyond the fifth day of the new league year, which would ensure that his $4.75MM base salary for 2014 becomes guaranteed.
  • “All signs” point to punter Donnie Jones re-signing with the Eagles, though other free agents like safety Kurt Coleman, defensive end Clifton Geathers, and linebacker Phillip Hunt look like good bets to hit the open market.

NFC Notes: Panthers, Rams, Saints, Vikings

February 25th, 2014 at 1:34pm CST by Luke Adams

Restructuring multiple contracts has helped the Panthers create some cap flexibility for 2014, which should increase the odds of prospective free agent Greg Hardy remaining with the team, writes ESPN.com’s David Newton. Still, as Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com writes, pushing back cap commitments to several players ensures that Carolina’s long-term cap outlook remains shaky at best. Additionally, while some outlets have reported that the latest moves will create nearly $29MM in cap room for the club, Fitzgerald and Joel Corry (Twitter link) believe that figure is closer to $19MM based on recent cap projections.

As the Panthers continue to maneuver to field a competitive roster under the 2014 cap, let’s check in on a few more Tuesday notes from across the NFC….

  • Although the Rams met with Rodger Saffold‘s representatives at the combine, the team has yet to make a contract offer, writes Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The club is expected to propose a new deal soon in an effort to lock up the free agent offensive lineman.
  • The Saints are holding early discussions with several of their own free agents, according to reports by ESPN.com’s Mike Triplett and Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. In addition to talking to Zach Strief, which we heard about yesterday, the Saints have approached wide receivers Joe Morgan and Robert Meachem, as well as linebacker Parys Haralson. There seems to be mutual interest in each case, though no deals appear imminent yet.
  • Redskins defensive lineman Adam Carriker has only played in two games in the last two seasons due to quadriceps issues, but he’s optimistic about returning for 2014 and is hopeful that the Redskins will give him that chance, as he tells John Keim of ESPN.com. Carriker is viewed as a likely cap casualty, since releasing him would create nearly $3MM in cap savings for Washington.
  • Dave Campbell of The Associated Press passes along comments from Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman on the organization’s search for a long-term answer at quarterback.

Martin Not Interested In Return To Dolphins

February 25th, 2014 at 12:35pm CST by Luke Adams

12:35pm: According to La Canfora (all Twitter links), Martin’s agent Rick Smith has released a statement saying La Canfora’s initial report isn’t true. “We have no idea where you got this information,” Smith said. “But it wasn’t even close.”

Despite Smith’s strong denial, it’s worth noting that Abramson published a separate report on Martin not wanting to return to the Dolphins (linked below), so it’s hard to believe there’s no truth to that aspect of the story. Perhaps Smith is shooting down some of the specific details reported by La Canfora about the meeting.

12:07pm: The Dolphins have publicly suggested that Jonathan Martin‘s time in Miami doesn’t necessarily have to come to an end this offseason, and while that was viewed as a tactic to attempt to boost his trade value, the team conveyed a similar sentiment at the combine, sources tell Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. According to La Canfora, Dolphins CEO Dawn Aponte, GM Dennis Hickey, and head coach Joe Philbin met with Martin’s agents in Indianapolis and expressed interest in retaining the offensive lineman. However, La Canfora continues, Martin’s reps informed the Miami decision-makers that their client isn’t interested in returning to the organization.

Hickey, who La Canfora says did most of the talking on the Dolphins’ side during the meeting, expressed a desire to bring Martin back into the fold. According to the CBS scribe though, Philbin was “staring daggers” across the room during the meeting, and blames Martin’s agents for the situation reaching this point — the head coach felt that the tackle’s discomfort could have been addressed more privately, and handled differently.

Richie Incognito and John Jerry are eligible for free agency this offseason and neither player will return to Miami, which eliminates a pair of the linemen implicated in the Ted Wells report. Still, center Mike Pouncey, who was also identified as one of Martin’s harassers in the report, remains under contract and doesn’t appear to be going anywhere for 2014. Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post was also told that Martin doesn’t want to return to the Dolphins, and Abramson’s source pointed to Pouncey’s presence as one reason why it wouldn’t work.

“How do you take him back?” the source said. “Do you get rid of Pouncey? All these guys talked s**** about him. I don’t even know how it’s possible.”

For his part, Martin has continually expressed a desire to continue his playing career. With his trade value at an all-time low and no interest in reporting to the Dolphins, the 24-year-old appears likely to be cut, which would give him a chance to join another NFL franchise. Nonetheless, Abramson notes that Miami owner Stephen Ross still intends to meet with Martin this week.

PFR Commenting Policy

February 25th, 2014 at 11:46am CST by Luke Adams

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Jordan Gross To Retire

February 25th, 2014 at 10:30am CST by Luke Adams

After taking a few weeks to mull his future, longtime Panthers offensive tackle Jordan Gross has decided to retire, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. Person reports that Gross will make an official announcement tomorrow, and the club has confirmed the Wednesday press conference.

Gross, 33, spent his entire 11-year career with the Panthers, starting all 167 games he played for the team since being drafted eighth overall in 2003. The Utah alum consistently graded as one of the league’s best tackles according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics, and earned three Pro Bowl berths, including one in 2013.

Gross had initially planned to play through 2014, but when the Panthers restructured his contract, it was set up to void this offseason, meaning the veteran was faced with a decision on whether or not to continue his career. Had he decided to keep playing, Gross almost certainly would’ve returned to Carolina.

As I noted yesterday in our look at the free agent market for offensive tackles, Panthers right tackle Byron Bell is also a free agent this offseason, albeit a restricted one. With Gross headed for retirement and Bell’s future not certain, tackle figures to be a primary area of focus for the team in the draft and perhaps in free agency.

AFC North Rumors: Browns, Bengals, Ravens

February 25th, 2014 at 10:28am CST by Luke Adams

CBS’ studio show will look a little different in 2014, with longtime analysts Dan Marino and Shannon Sharpe on the way out and a pair of recently-retired players on board. In addition to Tony Gonzalez, Bart Scott will also be joining the CBS team, according to the network. For Scott, who is still just 33 years old, it’s an early transition away from the field, and one that some NFL teams were hoping he’d put off. According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today, Scott had multiple workouts lined up before accepting the CBS job, and the Browns were among his most serious suitors.

Here’s more from around the AFC North:

  • A Browns source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that a Monday report suggesting Cleveland’s new coordinators reported to CEO Joe Banner before the team overhauled the front office was not accurate.
  • Some reports have suggested that the Bengals may let Michael Johnson walk after signing two other defensive linemen, Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins, to big contracts a year ago. However, according to Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com, the Bengals intend to make every effort to re-sign Johnson, who will “see a lot of activity” if he hits the open market.
  • Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun has been keeping close tabs on the players the Ravens have interviewed at this weekend’s combine in Indianapolis, and passes along a couple more updates today. According to Wilson, The Ravens met with a pair of linebackers, Alabama’s Adrian Hubbard and LSU’s Lamin Barrow, as well as Iowa tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz.

Raiders Extend Taiwan Jones

February 25th, 2014 at 9:51am CST by Luke Adams

TUESDAY, 9:51am: In a pair of tweets, Tom Pelissero of USA Today passes along the specifics of Jones’ new deal: The contract includes a roster bonus of $855K for the 2014 season, as well as annual $50K workout bonuses. Jones’ 2014 base salary remains at the minimum ($645K), while it will increase to $1.1MM for each of the following three seasons.

MONDAY, 1:18pm: Jones’ new three-year deal is worth $4.355MM, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports 1. That brings the four-year total for the special teams standout to $5MM.

12:56pm: The Raiders have signed cornerback Taiwan Jones to a three-year contract extension, the Raiders announced today in a press release. Jones, who had one year remaining on his rookie deal, will now be under contract through 2017.

“I was excited when they came to me about the extension,” Jones said in a statement. “It is definitely a blessing for a local kid to be part of the Raiders’ turnaround. I’ve been an underdog all my life, so I think it’s very fitting for me to remain here. I’m definitely excited about it.”

Jones, 25, came into the league as a running back, but made the transition to the defensive side of the ball last season. His real contributions have come on special teams though — not only does he play on the Raiders’ kick coverage units, but he also acted as a kick returner in 2013, averaging 24.0 yards per return in 26 chances.

The financial details of Jones’ new contract aren’t yet known, but he had been on a minimum salary deal that initially included a $405K signing bonus. I don’t imagine he’ll receive a significant bump in salary in the new agreement.

Lions Notes: Draft, Clemons, Fullback

February 25th, 2014 at 8:51am CST by Luke Adams

The Lions would be comfortable heading into the 2014 season with LaAdrian Waddle and Corey Hilliard as their right tackles, according to GM Martin Mayhew, who says both players played “really good football” for the team last season. However, while Detroit likely won’t pursue an upgrade in free agency, the club could be open to adding a tackle early in the draft if the opportunity arises, writes Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. I still expect the Lions to address their secondary or add a receiver with that No. 10 pick, but they certainly could go in any number of directions. Here’s more out of Detroit:

  • Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press looks at a few potential targets for the Lions in free agency and the draft, noting that free agent safety Chris Clemons could be an option for the team’s secondary. Birkett also acknowledges that the club could draft a tackle with the tenth overall pick, but currently has Detroit grabbing Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans — according to Birkett, several scouts he has spoken to in Indianapolis don’t believe the gap between Evans and top receiver Sammy Watkins is as big as it’s perceived to be.
  • Under their previous coaching staff, the Lions eliminated traditional free safety and strong safety designations for defensive backs, opting for players capable of playing both roles. Under Jim Caldwell though, Detroit will once again differentiate between the two positions, which could affect which players the team pursues this offseason. Justin Rogers of MLive.com has the details.
  • With Caldwell taking the reins, the team also could reintroduce a fullback to the offense, writes Birkett in a separate Free Press piece. We could see the Lions add a run-blocking fullback in free agency to compete with Montell Owens for the final spot in the backfield.
  • Over at MLive.com, Meinke has a full list of prospects the Lions interviewed at this weekend’s combine.

NFC Notes: Falcons, Packers, Bears

February 24th, 2014 at 10:30pm CST by Ben Levine

It was revealed yesterday that potential number-one pick Jadeveon Clowney wants to play for the Falcons. While team general manager Thomas Dimitroff brushed off Clowney’s comments, he did reveal his willingness to wheel and deal. Dimitroff spoke to NFL Network’s Kimberly Jones and discussed the Falcons’ draft plans (via D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution):

“I’ve been very clear about this, we will always be open for business,” Dimitroff said. “We will always be open to move up and back, depends on what’s right for us.”

Based on most mock draft, Clowney won’t be around for the Falcons’ pick. Even then, Dimitroff may instead be looking to move down.

“Again, I feel really comfortable with where we are at six,” he said, “but there are opportunities on both sides of six.”

Here are a couple more notes from around the NFC…

AFC East Links: Jets, Dolphins, Albert

February 24th, 2014 at 10:08pm CST by Ben Levine

While various reports may claim the contrary, the Jets are a “realistic possible landing spot” for quarterback Michael Vick, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports (video link). Rapoport cites the team’s desire for a veteran alternative to Geno Smith, as well as Vick’s connection to offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. 

A few other notes from one of the Jets’ rivals in the AFC East…

  • The Dolphins and Brent Grimes continue to make progress, and the cornerback is “pretty optimistic” about returning to Miami, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Grimes also said that the franchise tag has not been brought up in negotiations.
  • In the same article, Jackson mentions that the Dolphins have not yet made offers to impending free agents Randy Starks or Paul Soliai. The team has expressed interest in bringing back both players, though.
  • The Dolphins have made signing offensive tackle Branden Albert a “high priority,” league sources told Ian Rapoport (via NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal). The Cardinals are also zeroing in on Albert.
  • Dolphins’ Philip Wheeler isn’t likely to be a casualty of the June 1st cut day, writes Ryan Feder of OverTheCap.com.
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