2014 March - Pro Football Rumors

Bills, Chris Williams Agree To Four-Year Deal

March 12th, 2014 at 9:45am CST by Luke Adams

Free agent guard Chris Williams has agreed to sign a four-year contract with the Bills, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). According to Schefter, the deal will be worth a total of $13.5MM, with $5.5MM guaranteed.

The 28-year-old has some previous experience at tackle but is expected to play left guard for Buffalo. Williams stands at 6’6″ and 326 pounds and should give the Bills an imposing presence on the offensive line. His new deal will give him a significant pay bump over his last contract as he made $2.75MM with the Rams last season.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher was vocal about his desire to see Williams back in St. Louis in 2014, but that just wasn’t in the cards for the 14th overall pick in the 2008 draft.

Steelers Re-Sign Greg Warren

March 12th, 2014 at 9:24am CST by Luke Adams

The Steelers have re-signed long snapper Greg Warren, tweets Howard Balzer of The SportsXchange. The team has since confirmed Warren’s new deal, which Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says is a one-year pact (Twitter link).

Warren, the Steelers’ longtime long snapper, has been with the team since the 2005 season. Coming off a minimum salary benefit deal that included a $65K bonus in 2013, Warren will almost certainly be in line for the same type of deal in 2014, though terms haven’t been disclosed.

FA Rumors: Broncos, Allen, LaFell, Redskins

March 12th, 2014 at 9:17am CST by Luke Adams

According to a Denver Post report, the Broncos are considering free agent linebackers Jon Beason and Daryl Smith. However, the report surfaced yesterday before word broke that the team had agreed to sign Aqib Talib and scheduled a visit with DeMarcus Ware, so it’s not clear whether Denver still has interest. The team certainly does seem to be going all-in to try to take advantage of Peyton Manning‘s final years though.

Here are several more Wednesday morning free agency updates:

The Bears don’t presently appear to be in the mix to sign veteran defensive end Jared Allen, sources tells Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com (Twitter link).
While Julian Edelman explores the open market, the Patriots will be hosting another free agent receiver, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, who tweets that Brandon LaFell will visit New England.
Free agent cornerback Corey Graham is set to visit the Redskins, says Mike Jones of the Washington Post. Graham has also reportedly drawn interest from a pair of Washington’s division rivals, the Giants and Eagles.
The Redskins are also hosting offensive lineman Bruce Campbell, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
The Lions will host free agent fullback Henry Hynoski on Thursday, says Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter).
Free agent guard Shelley Smith is visiting with the Giants today, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
The Bills have announced that free agents Chris Williams (OL) and Nolan Carroll (CB) will be visiting the team today, according to Joe Buscaglia of WGR550 (via Twitter).
Free agent wide receiver Kevin Cone didn’t receive a tender offer from the Falcons and will now be an unrestricted free agent, says D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Defensive end Ronald Talley, who was eligible for restricted free agency, also appears to have gone untendered, having tweeted that he won’t be back with the Cardinals in 2014 (hat tip to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com).

Jets, Two Other Teams Interested In Decker

March 12th, 2014 at 9:02am CST by Luke Adams

9:02am: Two other teams have interest in Decker, but the free agent receiver opted to give the Jets the first chance at signing him, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

8:40am: Eric Decker‘s first visit of free agency will be with the Jets, according to Kimberly Jones of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Manish Mehta and Seth Walder of the New York Daily News first reported the possibility of a Decker visit after doing some sleuthing involving a flight from Denver to Newark.

While the majority of my top 25 free agents came off the board early in free agency yesterday, Decker and fellow free agent receiver Hakeem Nicks were among the players who didn’t generate a whole lot of buzz. While Decker’s numbers, combined with recent contracts signed by top free agent receivers, suggests he should be in line for a huge payday, there are question marks about his ability to produce outside of the explosive Broncos’ offense, so it’ll be interesting to see what kind of offers he receives.

As for the Jets, they had been expected to be a suitor for Decker after compiling some of the league’s worst receiving numbers in 2013. With Santonio Holmes cut and no potential No. 1 options on the roster, the Jets could pursue receiving help in free agency and the draft whether or not they land Decker.

Eagles Agree To Sign Chris Maragos

March 12th, 2014 at 8:49am CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles have agreed to terms on a contract for safety and special teams standout Chris Maragos, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twittter link). According to Caplan, Maragos’ new deal will be a three-year pact worth $4MM, with $1MM guaranteed, and could max out at $5.3MM due to incentives (Twitter link).

Maragos, 27, spent the last three seasons with the Seahawks, playing occasionally on defense but primarily serving as a special teams ace. According to Pro Football Focus, the Wisconsin alum has recorded 26 tackles on special teams in the last three years.

Caplain notes (via Twitter) that several teams were in the mix for Maragos, including the Redskins.

Wilson On Steve Smith, Cuts, Daryl Smith

March 12th, 2014 at 8:05am CST by Luke Adams

Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun has provided plenty of interesting tidbits on Twitter this morning, so let’s round up a few of the highlights. All links go to Wilson’s Twitter….

Wilson first reported yesterday that if Steve Smith is cut by the Panthers, the veteran receiver would draw serious interest from the Ravens, and it sounds like that interest would be mutual. Sources tell Wilson that Smith would be “highly interested” in Baltimore if he becomes a free agent.
Daryn Colledge (Cardinals), Thomas DeCoud (Falcons), David Baas (Giants), LaMarr Woodley (Steelers), Carlos Rogers (49ers) were all designated as post-June 1 cuts by their respective teams, says Wilson.
There’s still a disconnect in negotiations between the Ravens and linebacker Daryl Smith, according to Wilson.
It looks like the first free agent visit for defensive lineman Antonio Smith will be with the Redskins, as Wilson reports that Smith is heading to Washington today. We heard yesterday that the longtime Texan would also meet with the Titans, Rams, and Raiders, though the visit to St. Louis was shot down in a later report.
Wilson provides the financial breakdown of Albert McClellan‘s two-year contract with the Ravens, which includes salary cap figures of $1MM for 2014 and $1.2MM for 2015.

Randy Starks, Dolphins Nearing Deal

March 12th, 2014 at 7:42am CST by Luke Adams

The Dolphins are nearing a contract agreement with defensive tackle Randy Starks that would keep him in Miami, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). While La Canfora suggests it’ll be worth $6MM per season, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (Twitter link) hears that figure is “way too ambitious.” Either way, it looks like the two sides are on their way to working something out.

Starks, 30, has traditionally been better at rushing the passer than stopping the run, but he was excellent in both facets of the game in 2013. He ranked seventh overall among 69 qualified defensive tackles last season, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required).

It seemed as if Miami might be prepared to let both Starks and fellow free agent DT Paul Soliai walk in free agency, as reports suggested last week the team had not offered either player a deal. Assuming Starks gets locked up though, he’ll join Earl Mitchell on the new-look Miami d-line, as the former Texan appears poised to join the Dolphins.

Broncos Are Favorites To Sign DeMarcus Ware

March 12th, 2014 at 7:31am CST by Zachary Links

WEDNESDAY, 7:31am: According to Schefter (Twitter link), Ware will visit the Broncos today. All signs seem to be pointing to Ware signing with Denver — as Schefter adds in a second tweet, an AFC West official who tried to get the ex-Cowboy in for a visit was told “you’re not going to like where he winds up.”

TUESDAY, 9:35pm: Ware is visiting with the Broncos and they’re his only scheduled visit so far, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

9:00pm: The Broncos have emerged as the favorites to sign veteran defensive end/linebacker DeMarcus Ware, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN. We learned earlier today that six teams, including the Browns, have interest in the former Cowboys standout.

Teams with both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes had their eye on Ware at the official start of free agency. After a few weeks of will they/won’t they with Dallas, Ware forced their hand this morning and got them to decide on his future in advance of the afternoon kickoff to free agency.

Ware would have accounted for a $16MM cap hit in 2014 for Dallas and was owed $26MM in total between ’14 and ’15. Ware, once among the NFL’s elite front seven personnel, is on the verge of turning 32 and isn’t the type of game-changing talent that he once was. The linebacker-turned-defensive end is a seven-time Pro Bowler and a four-time First-Team All-Pro, but he clearly lost a step in 2013. It sounds like Denver might be the place where he tries to rediscover his magic of years past.

If Ware winds up with the Broncos, that means one less suitor for fellow veteran defensive end Jared Allen.

Jets Rumors: Giacomini, Schaub, RBs, Howard

March 11th, 2014 at 11:43pm CST by Luke Adams

With Austin Howard headed to Oakland, the Jets are making a “strong push” to sign offensive tackle Breno Giacomini, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, who reports (via Twitter) that the free agent tackle will visit with the team on Wednesday. Here’s more on the AFC’s New York squad:

While it may seem logical to link the Jets to Matt Schaub, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com suggests (via Twitter) that New York is unlikely to seriously pursue or sign the Texans signal-caller if and when he’s released.
The Jets’ 2013 signing of Mike Goodson didn’t pan out, but the team is “nosing around” the free agent market for running backs again this year, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports.
According to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter), the difference between the Jets’ offer and Howard’s asking price wasn’t that significant. Cimini hears from a source that it was a case of GM John Idzik drawing a line in the sand.

Remaining Options At Cornerback

March 11th, 2014 at 11:18pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Aqib Talib contract is the latest free agent signing that has shaken up the NFL landscape, leaving few options at cornerback and many teams with a need at the position. There are still some very productive players, and even a few big names on the market that could fill those needs. Here’s a brief roundup:

Assuming Darrelle Revis gets cut by the Buccaneers, an assumption that seems safe at this point, he will become the top free agent left on the market. He could have many potential landing spots, and will most likely draw interest from the Patriots to replace Talib.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was in negotiations to return to the Broncos, but the team has reportedly pulled their offer after signing Talib, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post (via Twitter).
Tracy Porter is visiting with the Giants, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Porter was one of the few bright spots for the Raiders in 2013.
Charles Tillman and Cortland Finnegan are both veterans that could be available for small money on short term deals. Tillman was thought to be a fit with the Buccaneers before Verner signed there. Finnegan has not drawn much interest so far.
The Jets and Lions are both still in need of help at corner, and it would be risky to go into the draft without adding anything at the position.