2014 March - Pro Football Rumors

Jets To Sign Breno Giacomini

March 14th, 2014 at 3:33pm CST by Zachary Links

FRIDAY, 3:33pm: Giacomini’s four-year contract is worth $18MM, with $7MM fully guaranteed, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today, adding that the deal includes escalators based on playing time and Pro Bowl berths.

THURSDAY, 6:37pm: Giacomini’s contract is a four-year deal, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).

WEDNESDAY, 7:47pm: The Jets announced that they have agreed to terms with tackle Breno Giacomini. Details of the deal have not yet been released.

Randy Lange of NewYorkJets.com detailed the lineman’s career. It’s been a long journey for the 28-year-old, who was drafted in the fifth-round by the Packers in 2008 and appeared in only one game during his first three years in the league. He was acquired by the Seahawks from the Packers’ practice squad in 2010, was released and subsequently re-signed before the 2011 season.

That year, Giacomini played in 15 games, starting the final seven. He started all 18 games, including the playoffs, in 2012 before appearing in 12 games this past season. He missed seven games in the middle of the season rehabbing from knee surgery. A little more than a month ago, Giacomini was starting at right tackle for the Super Bowl Champion Seahawks.

John Idzik, the Jets general manager, was in the Seahawks’ front office when they acquired the tackle from the Packers in 2010.

Bucs To Sign Evan Dietrich-Smith

March 14th, 2014 at 3:23pm CST by Luke Adams

3:23pm: The deal includes $7.25MM in guaranteed money, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, adding that several teams were in the mix right up until the end.

3:09pm: The Buccaneers continue to be busy during free agency’s first week, announcing (via Twitter) that they have agreed to terms on a deal with Evan Dietrich-Smith. The former Packers center will ink a four-year deal worth $14.25MM, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).

With Alex Mack tied up by the Browns’ transition tag, Dietrich-Smith represented one of the top unrestricted centers on the free agent market this offseason. After starting nine games during his first three seasons in Green Bay, the Idaho State alum started all 16 games for the Packers in 2013, so he doesn’t have a ton of NFL experience. Still, he’s still in his prime at 27 years old, and played very well in his first full season, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required). PFF ranked him eighth out of 35 qualified centers, and Dietrich-Smith graded particularly well as a pass blocker.

For the Buccaneers, Dietrich-Smith represents the second major offensive line signing of free agency, as the team also locked up left tackle Anthony Collins. The two new Bucs will help protect new signal-caller Josh McCown in 2014, though it’s not clear if the club has penciled in Dietrich-Smith at center quite yet — Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times says the Bucs believe he could start at either guard or center (Twitter link).

As for the Packers, they’ll be heading into 2014 with a new starting center for the second consecutive season. It’s not clear yet whether they’ll pursue an outside target and turn to another in-house option, such as J.C. Tretter.

Eagles Cut Joe Anderson

March 14th, 2014 at 3:21pm CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles have cut wide receiver Joe Anderson, the team announced today (Twitter link). The move was first reported by Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com (via Twitter).

Anderson, 25, signed with the Eagles earlier this offseason, receiving a futures contract that included a $20K bonus. The 6’1″ receiver played six games for the Bears last season before being placed on injured reserve in November. While he has yet to record an NFL reception, Anderson returned five kicks for Chicago in 2013, for a total of 82 yards.

Giants Sign Jon Beason To Three-Year Deal

March 14th, 2014 at 3:05pm CST by Luke Adams

FRIDAY, 3:05pm: Beason’s deal with the Giants is now official, the team announced today.

THURSDAY, 9:02am: Beason’s new contract with the Giants is for three years and $19MM, including $7MM guaranteed, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.

WEDNESDAY, 12:50pm: The Giants have reached an agreement with free agent linebacker Jon Beason on a contract that will keep him in New York, reports Aditi Kinkhabwala of the NFL Network (Twitter link). The NFL Network’s Kimberly Jones first reported that a deal between the two sides was close (via Twitter).

Beason, 29, was said to be the Giants’ top priority even before free agency began, and the club was finally able to lock him up after he had a chance to test the market. Since he was representing himself, Beason wasn’t able to negotiate with clubs over the weekend, so he likely gauged his own value over the last 24 hours or so before deciding to re-sign in New York. The Broncos were among the teams rumored to have interest in the veteran linebacker.

Pro Football Focus’ metrics ranked Beason 47th out of 55 qualified inside linebackers last season, in large part due to poor grades in pass coverage. However, the ex-Panther piled up 93 tackles and an interception in just 12 games with the Giants.

Redskins Sign Jason Hatcher

March 14th, 2014 at 2:53pm CST by Rob DiRe

FRIDAY, 2:53pm: The Redskins have officially signed Hatcher, the team announced today (Twitter link).

THURSDAY, 5:20pm: Former Cowboy Jason Hatcher is signing with the Redskins, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the contract is a four-year deal (via Twitter), with Todd Archer of ESPN.com adding that the total worth of the contract is $27.5MM (via Twitter).

The defensive lineman was a valuable member of the Cowboys this past season, after recording 19.5 sacks as a defensive end and defensive tackle over the past three years. However, the team’s cap situation kept them from competing to retain his services. Hatcher will be the latest addition to the Redskins defense this afternoon.

FA Rumors: Vikings, 49ers, DRC, Cowboys

March 14th, 2014 at 2:48pm CST by Luke Adams

Vikings GM Rick Spielman spoke to reporters on a conference call today, and indicated that his team is “not by any means finished” in free agency, and will continue to be aggressive in exploring potential upgrades (Twitter links via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press). According to Spielman, the Vikings still have interest in free agents Charlie Johnson and Kevin Williams, and have spoken to Williams’ agent recently (Twitter links via Tomasson).

Here are plenty more afternoon free agent rumors from around the NFL:

After meeting with the Chiefs today, Emmanuel Sanders‘ next visit will be with the 49ers, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The free agent wide receiver, who has also visited the Jaguars and Buccaneers this week, will be staying in Kansas City overnight, so the Chiefs still have a chance to lock him up before he reaches San Francisco, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com gets the sense that Julian Edelman‘s visit with the 49ers is more a feeling out process for both sides than an indication anything is imminent (Twitter link).
Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is heading to New York tonight to meet with the Jets, reports Schefter (via Twitter).
The Seahawks have expressed interest in bringing back wide receiver Sidney Rice, who was released by the club earlier in the offseason, writes Jayson Jenks of the Seattle Times.
In addition to having some interest in Julius Peppers, as we heard earlier, the Cowboys are keeping an eye on Jared Allen and would be interested if his price falls, writes Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Free agent tight ends Jermichael Finley and Ed Dickson don’t appear to be in the Giants‘ plans for now, says Jordan Raanan of NJ.com (via Twitter).
Free agent guard Daryn Colledge met with the Rams today, and is now off to meet with the Raiders, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The Bengals have confirmed that two offensive linemen, Vlad Ducasse and Uche Nwaneri, both visited the team today, tweets Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Titans Release Ryan Fitzpatrick

March 14th, 2014 at 2:25pm CST by Luke Adams

2:25pm: The Titans have officially informed Fitzpatrick he has been released, says Wyatt (via Twitter).

2:09pm: The Titans are expected to release Ryan Fitzpatrick today, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter). The veteran signal-caller has a $500K roster bonus due on the fifth day of the league year, so the team figures to part ways with him before paying that bonus.

Fitzpatrick’s release had been viewed as a possibility this offseason, and his fate was likely sealed when the team agreed to sign Charlie Whitehurst this week. Whitehurst, the former Chargers backup, looks poised to enter the 2014 season as Jake Locker‘s primary backup.

As for Fitzpatrick, releasing him would create $3.25MM in cap savings for the Titans, leaving just $875K of his $4.125MM cap number on the books in dead money. He’ll immediately becoming an unrestricted free agent when the move becomes official, and given the lack of top-tier options on this year’s market, it may not take him long to find a new job — Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com (Twitter link) thinks Fitzpatrick could have a new deal in place within the next few days.

Vikings Re-Sign Jerome Simpson

March 14th, 2014 at 2:23pm CST by Luke Adams

2:23pm: GM Rick Spielman confirmed today that Simpson’s new deal is a one-year pact, and that the team felt comfortable re-signing him after the receiver met with Minnesota’s new coaches (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of USA Today).

1:32pm: The Vikings have re-signed Jerome Simpson to a new contract, according to the team. The wide receiver had been an unrestricted free agent.

Simpson, a former second-round pick, set a career-high in receiving yards in 2013, totaling 726 yards through the air on 48 receptions in his second year with the Vikings. Despite an off-field incident involving a DUI, the Vikings had interest in bringing the 28-year-old back for another season, as we heard earlier in the month.

With Simpson back in the fold, the Vikings will keep their 2013 group of receivers virtually entirely intact, with Greg Jennings, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Jarius Wright poised to return as well.

AFC East Notes: Jets, Delmas, Bills

March 14th, 2014 at 1:47pm CST by Luke Adams

Let’s take a quick tour around the AFC East:

The Jets had several discussions with Brandon Pettigrew‘s camp and were one of three finalists for the tight end, but never extended a formal offer, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
Robert Klemko of TheMMQB.com provides an interesting look at safety Louis Delmas‘ experience as a free agent, which included a two-hour window to decide on whether or not to accept the Dolphins‘ offer. Delmas ultimately decided to sign with Miami.
Despite reports to the contrary, the Bills have not reached a contract agreement with linebacker Brandon Spikes, who is visiting the team today, says Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Caplan adds in a second tweet that the two sides may eventually work something out, but nothing is particularly close at this point.

Giants Sign J.D. Walton

March 14th, 2014 at 1:12pm CST by Zachary Links

FRIDAY, 1:12pm: Walton’s deal is a two-year, $5MM contract with $3MM in guaranteed money, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link). That’s not an insignificant commitment for a player who has had so much trouble staying on the field.

WEDNESDAY, 4:11pm: The Giants have signed center J.D. Walton, tweets Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Walton hasn’t seen the field since Week 4 of the 2012 season.

The Broncos released Walton, who once looked to have serious upside at the center position, in December. The severely broken ankle that he suffered in 2012 took him out of action without a real return date in sight, leaving Denver with no other options. The Redskins quickly picked him up, but he couldn’t get back on the gridiron for the 2013 season. Now, he’ll try and get healthy once again in New York.