HEADLINES

Month: March 2014

Bucs Release Donald Penn

March 13th, 2014 at 12:56pm CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers announced that they have released offensive tackle Donald Penn, tweets Albert Breer of the NFL Network. The move will help to make way for Anthony Collins.

Penn was set to earn $7.5MM in 2014, but as Over The Cap explains, the Bucs won’t be on the hook for much over the remaining two years of the contract. Cutting ties with the soon-to-be 31-year-old will leave Tampa Bay on the hook for about $1MM in dead money.

Adam Schefter of ESPN (on Twitter) sees the Raiders and Redskins as logical landing spots for the veteran tackle.

Bengals Release James Harrison

March 13th, 2014 at 12:53pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bengals announced that they have released outside linebacker James Harrison, tweets Albert Breer of NFL Network. Although the veteran linebacker will turn 36 this spring, he wants to continue his playing career in 2014, and agent Bill Parise expects interest from NFL teams, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

Harrison had been on the books for a cap hit of about $2.034MM in 2014, which the Bengals can reduce to $600K in the move, creating about $1.434MM of cap savings. ’14 was the final year of Harrison’s contract.

After spending most of his career with the Steelers, Harrison joined the division-rival Bengals last year and helped the team take the AFC North crown. While he only played 409 defensive snaps and recorded just a pair of sacks, the longtime Steeler was one of the league’s best 4-3 outside linebackers against the run, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Harrison will continue training in Arizona as he ponders his next move, Parise tells Schefter.

Harrison To Move On From Bengals

March 13th, 2014 at 12:48pm CST by Zachary Links

12:48pm: Harrison and the Bengals have talked, but he has not been released yet, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com

12:32pm: There’s no official word yet, but it appears that James Harrison is set to move on from the Bengals.

“Many thanks to all the @Bengals fans for your support over the last year – I had a great time in Cincinnati,” Harrison tweeted.

Harrison joined the Bengals last year after being released by the Steelers and played a much smaller role than he did in Pittsburgh. Statistically, it was his lightest season in a long time. The veteran totaled just two sacks and 19 tackles across 15 games.

The soon-to-be 36-year-old was due $1.1MM with an additional $250K through per-game roster bonuses.

Jaguars To Sign Dekoda Watson

March 13th, 2014 at 12:06pm CST by Luke Adams

THURSDAY, 12:06pm: Watson’s three-year contract is worth $6.25MM, with $1.5MM in guaranteed money, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

WEDNESDAY, 9:33am: The Jaguars have agreed to terms with free agent linebacker Dekoda Watson, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). Jenna Laine of Sports Talk Florida first reported that Watson would ink a deal with Jacksonville.

Watson, 26, also drew interest from the Dolphins and reportedly had a visit planned with the Bills if he hadn’t yet reached an agreement, but the Jaguars didn’t let him get past Jacksonville. Watson, a Florida State product, had been a part-timer during his four seasons with the Buccaneers, logging his best season in 2013. In 15 games, Watson saw 263 defensive snaps, recording 34 tackles, sacking the quarterback twice, and recording a solid +5.2 grade, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). The former seventh-round pick was also a solid contributor on special teams.

Financial details of the agreement aren’t yet known.

Lions Expected To Sign James Ihedigbo

March 13th, 2014 at 12:02pm CST by Luke Adams

12:02pm: Ihedigbo left his visit with the Lions today without officially signing anything, but says it’s very possible he’ll sign soon, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Birkett adds that the free agent safety needs to get his agent situation “squared away” and is heading home to visit his pregnant wife (Twitter links).

8:49am: The Lions and safety James Ihedigbo are expected to reach a contract agreement soon, according to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press had reported earlier today that Ihedigbo was headed to Detroit for a visit.

Ihedigbo, 30, started all 16 games last season for the Ravens after recording just 15 starts in the first five years of his career. With the added playing time, Ihedigbo delivered, ranking 16th among 86 qualified safeties, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), and playing more defensive snaps (1,098) than all but seven of those safeties. As the team’s full-time strong safety, Ihedigbo racked up 100 tackles, grabbed three interceptions, and recovered a pair of fumbles.

Assuming Ihedigbo finalizes a deal with Detroit, he’ll be joining a secondary that lost Louis Delmas but still features Glover Quin. Like Ihedigbo, Quin had a very good season as a strong safety in 2013, so it’ll be interesting to see which player the team plans to move over to free safety. Ihedigbo would also be rejoining Teryl Austin, who served as the Ravens’ secondary coach for the last several seasons. Austin was hired as the Lions’ defensive coordinator earlier this offseason.

Hakeem Nicks Visiting Colts

March 13th, 2014 at 11:49am CST by Luke Adams

As we heard this morning, the Panthers have interest in Charlotte native Hakeem Nicks, but Carolina isn’t the only team in on the free agent receiver. Nicks tells Josina Anderson of ESPN (Twitter link) that he’s flying to Indianapolis tonight to meet with the Colts tomorrow.

With Eric Decker and Golden Tate off the market, Nicks looks like the top receiving option still available. However, after a pair of down years in 2012 and 2013, he may not see the kind of big-money, long-term offers signed by Decker and Tate. Nonetheless, it sounds like the former Giant is more interested in signing a multiyear deal than playing on a one-year contract to rebuild his value.

The Chargers are also believed to have interest in Nicks, writes Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk.

FA Rumors: DRC, Ginn, Whitehurst, Burleson

March 13th, 2014 at 11:21am CST by Luke Adams

As one of the few notable cornerbacks remaining on the market, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is still searching for a deal. According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter), the Jets are one team that has been in touch with DRC’s camp about the free agent, as New York remains in the market for cornerback help. Here are a few more Thursday free agent updates:

  • After missing out on receiver and return specialist Jacoby Jones, the Giants are eyeing Ted Ginn Jr., a player capable of filling a similar role, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
  • Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean thinks there’s a reasonable chance the Titans and quarterback Charlie Whitehurst will work something out (Twitter link). Wyatt reported earlier today that Whitehurst was visiting with the club.
  • The Titans are also exhibiting interest in wide receiver Nate Burleson, who was released by the Lions before the start of the free agent period, tweets Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com.
  • The Steelers are “really interested” in defensive end Alex Carrington, and will host him for a visit tonight, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Pittsburgh has already lost Ziggy Hood in free agency and may part ways with Brett Keisel as well.
  • Linebacker Darryl Tapp is among the players visiting the Lions today, reports Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter).
  • Free agent center Phil Costa is visiting the Colts today and Bengals tomorrow, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

Chargers To Sign Kavell Conner

March 13th, 2014 at 11:10am CST by Luke Adams

The Chargers have agreed to terms on a three-year deal with linebacker Kavell Conner, agent Tom Kleine tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune first reported (via Twitter) that the two sides were close to a deal with resolution expected soon, after Wilson reported on Tuesday that Conner was visiting with the team.

After starting 27 games for the Colts in 2011 and 2012, Conner played a reserve role in 2013, appearing in just 147 defensive snaps while also contributing on special teams. He was very good when he did play though, recording 11 special teams tackles and posting a +3.3 grade on defense, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Redskins To Sign Bruce Campbell?

March 13th, 2014 at 11:03am CST by Zachary Links

11:03am: There were some issues with Campbell’s physical, but he remains a possibility for the Redskins, tweets Mike Jones of the Washington Post.

THURSDAY, 9:43am: A league source tells Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com (Twitter link) that Campbell has still not signed his contract, and that it sounds as if the deal may not get finalized.

WEDNESDAY, 11:49am: The Redskins have agreed to sign offensive lineman Bruce Campbell, according to John Kelm of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The deal appears to be a one-year, $645K pact, which is the league minimum.

While the news just broke today, Tom Pelissero of USA Today (on Twitter) says the deal happened quietly yesterday. He adds that Campbell will receive a $25K signing bonus, while Keim notes (via Twitter) that the cap number will be $710K once modest roster and workout bonuses are taking into account.

Campbell, 26 in May, spent the first two years of his career with the Raiders and the last two with the Panthers. While he saw five games with Carolina in 2012, he did not take the field in 2013.

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