2014 March - Pro Football Rumors

Extra Points: Raiders, Bills, LaFell, Broncos

March 14th, 2014 at 10:12am CST by Luke Adams

Having already added LaMarr Woodley and Justin Tuck to their defense, the Raiders continue to eye veteran free agents, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who tweets that Antonio Smith is visiting the club today before meeting with the Rams tomorrow. Here’s more from around the NFL:

The Bills currently have no plans to add a veteran quarterback to their roster, GM Doug Whaley told WGR550 today (link via ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak).
The Jets have had multiple discussions with Brandon LaFell‘s camp, but no visit has been scheduled for the free agent receiver, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
Vikings defensive back Jamarca Sanford agreed to restructure his contract last week, reducing his base salary by $750K in exchange for a $400K guarantee and playing-time incentives, according to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.
Following the Broncos‘ defensive shopping spree, the team is still in the market for an interior offensive lineman, a wide receiver, and a middle linebacker, writes Mike Klis of the Denver Post.
The Ravens spoke to linebacker Wesley Woodyard before he reached a deal with the Titans, but Baltimore never got heavily involved, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
Examining a few of this week’s signings, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com explains how contract numbers are often artificially inflated when they’re first reported.

No Agreement For Vance Walker, Chiefs

March 14th, 2014 at 9:54am CST by Luke Adams

9:54am: Dougherty has now checked back in, admitting that he misinterpreted a text and that there’s no deal between Walker and the Chiefs (Twitter link).

9:16am: Agent Chad Speck has directly responded to Dougherty’s initial report, via Twitter, calling it “completely false” and adding that Walker has a visit lined up with the Seahawks on Sunday.

8:57am: A pair of Chiefs beat writers, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star and Adam Teicher of ESPN, suggest nothing is finalized between Walker and the team, though both reporters say it still could happen (Twitter links). ESPN’s Adam Caplan also tweets that Walker hasn’t signed anything and still has several visits lined up.

We’ve seen this happen with a few signings this week, and in almost every case, a deal has eventually been completed. Still, it’s worth reiterating that even if an apparent agreement has been reached, nothing is official until a player signs on the dotted line, and it sounds like there are still plenty of details to finalize here before the Chiefs lock up Walker.

8:21am: After visiting with him yesterday, the Chiefs are set to sign defensive tackle Vance Walker to a contract, a source tells Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Post-Gazette (Twitter link). The Packers had been trying to set up a visit for Walker, but he’ll be headed to Kansas City for 2014 instead.

Walker, 26, started 15 games for the Raiders last season, recording 40 tackles and three sacks for the club. Oakland reportedly extended a contract offer to Walker before the free agent period opened, but the Georgia Tech product was interested in the rare opportunity to test the market as an unrestricted free agent.

Wesley Woodyard To Sign With Titans

March 14th, 2014 at 9:41am CST by Luke Adams

Wesley Woodyard has decided on a team, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN, who tweets that the linebacker just told her he’ll sign with the Titans. Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports reports (via Twitter) that the two sides have agreed to a four-year deal worth up to $16MM. Woodyard had met with the Patriots earlier this week before visiting the Titans.

Woodyard, who spent the first six seasons of his career in Denver, started 24 games over the course of the last two years with the Broncos. In those two seasons as a full-time player, the 27-year-old recorded a slightly below-average grade, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics, but logged seven total sacks, forced three fumbles, and averaged over 100 tackles per season.

Linebacker had been an area of focus for the Titans this offseason, as the team had interest in Darryl Sharpton and LaMarr Woodley before those players agreed to sign elsewhere. Akeem Jordan is also visiting the Titans today.

Contract Details: Munnerlyn, Dawson, McBride

March 14th, 2014 at 9:37am CST by Luke Adams

Here are a few extra details on contracts that have been agreed to and signed in recent days:

Captain Munnerlyn‘s three-year contract with the Vikings, initially reported to be worth $14.25MM, is actually worth $11.25MM, but another $3.3MM can be added through escalators and incentives, says Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter). The deal includes $4.45MM guaranteed in guaranteed money, but Pelissero tweets that due to a small signing bonus, it could potentially just turn into a one-year contract if 2014 doesn’t go well.
According to Pelissero (via Twitter), the two-year contract Phil Dawson signed with the 49ers is worth a total of $6.134MM and came with a $2MM signing bonus.
The two-year deal Trumaine McBride inked with the Giants is worth $2.875MM, with a $100K signing bonus and $900K in roster bonuses, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
Wilson (via Twitter) has Will Herring‘s one-year contract with the Cowboys as an $855K base salary plus a $65K signing bonus. That would seem to suggest it’s a minimum salary benefit deal, but Wilson says the total is $1.02MM, which indicates there’s another $100K in bonuses somewhere. Either way, $300K of the deal is guaranteed, says Wilson.
According to Wilson (via Twitter), Phil Costa‘s contract with the Colts features base salaries of $1.2MM (2014) and $1.5MM (2015), with no bonuses. $450K of Costa’s first-year salary is guaranteed.
Wilson adds (via Twitter) that Henry Hynoski‘s $1MM contract with the Giants includes a $250K signing bonus.
Although we heard yesterday that Chris Williams‘ contract with the Bills included a 2016 “trigger point,” when Williams was owed a significant roster bonus, the deal has been modified since being entered in the NFLPA system, says ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak. Instead of having a $1.5MM signing bonus and $2.5MM roster bonus in ’16, the deal now features a $3.5MM signing bonus and $250K roster bonus.

Saints To Re-Sign Ramon Humber

March 14th, 2014 at 9:11am CST by Luke Adams

The Saints and linebacker Ramon Humber have agreed to terms on a new contract, according to Greg Bensel, the team’s senior VP of communications (Twitter link). It’ll be a one-year deal for Humber.

Humber, appeared on defense in 12 regular season games for the Saints in 2013, starting three of those contests, though his playing time was limited. The 26-year-old, who has played in New Orleans since 2010, was a primary contributor on special teams as well, recording eight tackles for that unit last season.

OL Rumors: Dolphins, Oher, Titans, Giants

March 14th, 2014 at 9:04am CST by Luke Adams

As rumors continue to trickle in on the fourth day of free agency, let’s check in on a few offensive lineman who remain on the market:

The Dolphins have extended a contract offer to offensive lineman Shelley Smith, according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). However, Beasley cautions that Smith has other offers on the table, adding that the situation remains fluid. According to Beasley (via Twitter), Smith and cornerback Cortland Finnegan are at the Dolphins’ headquarters this morning.
Free agent tackle Michael Oher is visiting with the Titans today, reports Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun adds (via Twitter) that Oher will meet with the Raiders tomorrow. With Eugene Monroe back in the fold in Baltimore, the subject of The Blind Side appears likely to land with a new team this offseason.
As of late yesterday, the Giants still had interest in re-signing veteran offensive lineman Kevin Boothe and pairing him with J.D. Walton at center, tweets Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.

Vikings Re-Sign Fred Evans

March 14th, 2014 at 8:17am CST by Luke Adams

FRIDAY, 8:17am: Evans’ one-year deal is worth $1MM, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

THURSDAY, 3:31pm: Defensive tackle Fred Evans has re-signed with the Vikings on a one-year contract, according to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). Evans, who started three games last season for the team, had been an unrestricted free agent.

Evans’ performance in 356 snaps for the Vikings last season was almost exactly average, according to Pro Football Focus, whose metrics had the 30-year-old ranked as one of three defensive tackles who recorded a grade between +1.0 and -1.0 (subscription required). Evans didn’t record a sack, but logged 20 tackles, a forced fumble, and nine quarterback pressures.

Chargers To Re-Sign Richard Marshall

March 14th, 2014 at 8:13am CST by Luke Adams

The Chargers have agreed to terms with cornerback Richard Marshall, and will re-sign him to a one-year contract, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).

After starting 45 games in four seasons with the Panthers, Cardinals, and Dolphins, Marshall played a part-time role in 2013 for San Diego. Starting six of 16 games for the Chargers and appearing in 637 defensive snaps, Marshall ranked as just the 101st cornerback out of 110 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). He was also a key contributor on special teams, recording 12 tackles for that unit.

FA Rumors: Campbell, Melton, Browner, Mack

March 14th, 2014 at 7:41am CST by Luke Adams

Offensive lineman Bruce Campbell, who was originally thought to have a deal with the Redskins, will visit the Giants today, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Last we heard on Campbell, there were some issues with his physical, but Washington remained on the table as a destination. According to Zac Boyer of the Washington Times (via Twitter), the Redskins’ offer stands, though perhaps it’s not the same offer that Campbell initially agreed to, given the health concerns.

Here are the latest updates on a few more free agents on the board, plus one that recently came off it:

After sticking around Minnesota overnight, defensive tackle Henry Melton is on his way to Seattle to visit with the Seahawks, says Josina Anderson of ESPN (via Twitter).
While his agent negotiates with the Patriots and Raiders, free agent cornerback Brandon Browner will first visit with the Redskins today and then head to New Orleans to meet with the Saints, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
Center Alex Mack is in no hurry to sign his transition tender from the Browns, agent Tim Younger tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. According to Mack’s agent, his client intends to make some visits to teams at some point, but there are none on the docket quite yet.
The Cowboys showed no signs of wanting to re-sign Jason Hatcher before he landed with the Redskins, the defensive lineman himself told KRLD-FM yesterday, according to Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I know the [Cowboys’] fans are upset. They should be,” Hatcher said. “They have all the right in the world to be. But I made the right decision for me. If we could’ve made it work out we would’ve, but I’m in a great place with the Redskins, a great organization. I’m looking forward to getting back to football.”

Extra Points: Smith, Munnerlyn, Neal

March 13th, 2014 at 10:36pm CST by Zachary Links

Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn told reporters, including Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter), that he wanted a three-year deal with the Vikings rather than four years so that he could get another contract before he turns 30. He added (link) that it was very tough for him to say goodbye to the Panthers, but Carolina couldn’t afford to give him the same contract. More from around the NFL..

Steve Smith‘s visit with the Ravens is going well so far, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
The Steelers were eyeing Mike Neal in free agency before he re-signed with Green Bay, tweets Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The linebacker got a two-year, $8MM deal from the Packers with a $2.5MM signing bonus.
Charlie Whitehurst had the same offer from the Chargers before he picked the Titans, tweets Paul Kuharsky of ESPN. The quarterback inked a two-year deal with a $4MM base with another $4MM in incentives and $2MM guaranteed.
New 49ers addition Jonathan Martin told reporters, including Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter), that he never considered retirement.
Former Bucs left tackle Donald Penn is flying to Oakland tonight to visit the Raiders, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Penn has been heavily linked to the Raiders since his release.
The 49ers don’t have much salary cap space and it’s hard to see them signing both a cornerback and a wide receiver, tweets Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
Larry Holder of The Times-Picayune (on Twitter) expects the market for Saints free agent center Brian de la Puente to heat up now that the first wave of free agency has come and gone.
Henry Melton‘s possible legal trouble won’t prevent the Bears from re-signing him, but they could use it as ammunition as they try to knock his price down, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com.