HEADLINES

Month: March 2014

AFC North Rumors: Gerhart, Nwaneri, Sanders

March 11th, 2014 at 8:15pm CST by Zachary Links

Three teams are showing interest in free agent running back Toby Gerhart, including the Browns, a source tells Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The Niners and Jaguars are also in the mix. The latest from the AFC North..

  • Uche Nwaneri is visiting the Bengals this Thursday, reports Tania Ganguli os ESPN.com (via Twitter). Nwaneri was released by the Jaguars earlier this week.
  • The Ravens really like Emmanuel Sanders, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). They have not reached out to him yet, but would love to steal him away from their division rivals if the price is right.
  • The Steelers want to bring back Jerricho Cotchery, writes Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (via Twitter). The team has reached out to the veteran wide receiver, but no deal has been struck yet.

Rob DiRe contributed to this post.

Dolphins To Sign Branden Albert

March 11th, 2014 at 8:04pm CST by Luke Adams

TUESDAY, 8:04pm: Albert got an $8.5MM signing bonus on his deal with the Dolphins, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports. He’ll make $11.025MM in the first year. The total is $47MM over five years, potentially.

3:12pm: Albert has agreed to a five-year, $46MM deal that includes $25MM in guaranteed money, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

MONDAY, 3:05pm: Albert is line to sign with the Dolphins for $10MM per year, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).

10:58am: The Dolphins have made Branden Albert a top priority since being allowed to speak to his agent on Saturday, and it looks like their work on the offensive tackle will pay off. A day after Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wrote that the Dolphins would likely sign Albert, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald confirms (via Twitter) that the Chiefs free agent “will be a Dolphin.”

According to Salguero, an agreement between the two sides isn’t 100% in place, but it looks like it should be finalized tomorrow. Peter King of TheMMQB.com reported earlier today that Miami looked ready to “blow the opposition out of the water” for Albert, and it sounds like the lineman’s new long-term deal could be worth $10MM+ annually.

Left tackle was the Dolphins’ top priority this offseason as the team looked to repair an offensive line that will be decimated by free agency and last season’s bullying scandal. We heard last month that Miami intended to target Albert and Eugene Monroe, but Salguero tweets, with some surprise, that the club didn’t even have Monroe ranked as the second-best option at left tackle.

When I listed my picks for the top 25 free agents of 2014, I ranked Albert 11th overall, noting that he has recorded positive grades for four straight seasons, according to Pro Football Focus. I wrote that the Dolphins would have interest, but predicted Albert would land in Arizona on a four-year contract worth $8-9MM per year. It sounds like the 29-year-old will sign an even more lucrative deal with Miami, while the Cardinals are expected to shift their focus to Jared Veldheer or Rodger Saffold.

As for Albert’s old team, with whom he’s still under contract for one more day, the Chiefs will likely replace him by shifting Eric Fisher to left tackle and starting Donald Stephenson at right tackle.

FA Rumors: McCown, Allen, Mack, Hatcher

March 11th, 2014 at 7:49pm CST by Luke Adams

Josh McCown‘s first free agent visit, which is already underway, is with the Buccaneers, and the free agent quarterback and also meetings scheduled with the Texans and Jets, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he doesn’t make it to all his scheduled visits, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). Both La Canfora and Mehta suggest that a deal with the Bucs looks very possible for McCown. Here’s more on free agency:

  • Defensive end Jared Allen has narrowed down his free agent options, but may not sign all that quickly, says Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter). Meanwhile, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that the Broncos are interested in Allen, but perhaps not at his current asking price. There also may not be any other serious suitors involved at that price, says Florio.
  • The transition tag hasn’t stopped teams from contacting center Alex Mack, according to Mike Garafolo of USA Today (via Twitter). However, Garafalo adds that the Browns free agent center has yet to set up any visits with clubs.
  • Defensive end Antonio Smith would like to stay with the Texans, but has visits lined up with the Redskins, Titans, Rams, and Raiders, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
  • Jason Hatcher‘s visit with the Seahawks is the first of five meetings he has scheduled, tweets Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
  • Offensive lineman Rich Ohrnberger is drawing interest as a potential starting guard or center, says Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
  • Free agent running back Anthony Dixon will visit with the Titans, says Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.

AFC East Rumors: Vick, Jets, Carroll

March 11th, 2014 at 7:47pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets are very interested in Michael Vick, a source tells Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter). They’re hoping to get something wrapped up quickly, but the veteran has other suitors. Meanwhile, Vick is content to sit back and watch everything unfold, writes Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk. A source tells Florio that Vick knows he’s going to get a starting job, so he’ll wait to find the right fit. The latest from the AFC East..

  • Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter) hears nothing will happen quickly between Vick and the Jets. The Jets are interested, but it’s still too early to say how interested.
  • With Austin Howard unlikely to return to New York, the Jets have inquired on free agent right tackle Zach Strief, reports Seth Walder of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
  • Former Dolphins cornerback Nolan Carroll is in transit to the Bills for his first visit and others are scheduled, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Carroll is a big, physical corner who knows the AFC East.
  • A source says linebacker Wesley Woodyard also has plans to visit the Titans after meeting with Patriots on Wednesday, tweets Josina Anderson of ESPN. 

Contract Tenders: Tuesday

March 11th, 2014 at 7:42pm CST by Rob DiRe

Cam Johnson has signed his tender that should keep him with the Colts in 2014, according to Craig Kelley of Colts.com (via Twitter). The linebacker was traded to the Colts from the 49ers last year.

Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune reports that Buccaneers returner Eric Page has also signed his tender, but awaits for the deal to be made official (via Twitter).

While Johnson and Page signed their respective one-year deals, here are some other players from around the NFL who were not tendered and are now free agents:

  • The Texans will allow three players to test free agency, as none of Bryan Braman, Terrell McClain, and Lestar Jean received tenders from the team, reports John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).
  • Dezmon Briscoe did not receive a tender from the Redskins, reports Zac Boyer of the Washington Times (via Twitter). The 24-year-old receiver did not play in a game for the Redskins last season, but caught 35 passes for the Buccaneers in 2011.
  • The Bills chose not to tender Thomas Welch, reports Mike Rodak of ESPN NFL Nation (via Twitter). The offensive tackle is now an unrestricted free agent.
  • The Lions did not tender tight end Dorin Dickerson, reports Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter).
  • Safety M.D. Jennings was not tendered by the Packers, reports Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (via Twitter). Silverstein does leave open the possibility of the team still re-signing their starting free safety.

NFC FA Rumors: Cowboys, Seahawks, Lions

March 11th, 2014 at 7:31pm CST by Luke Adams

We’ve passed along word of all the free agents who have already found homes – old or new – but there are plenty of players still on the market. Let’s take a look around the NFC at some of the day’s free agent rumors….

  • Now that Julius Peppers is an unrestricted free agent, the Cowboys have interest in the veteran defensive end, tweets Dianna Russini of NBC Washington. It would have to be a pretty inexpensive deal, given Dallas’ cap limitations.
  • Jeff Sullivan of DallasCowboys.com (Twitter link) and Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com (Twitter link) both classify the Cowboys‘ interest in defensive lineman Henry Melton as strong, and Sullivan suggests there’s mutual interest. Melton will visit with the team and things could move quickly, according to the Dallas writers.
  • Free agent receiver Jacoby Jones will visit with the Giants on Wednesday, tweets Josina Anderson of ESPN. The Ravens are still discussing a potential return to Baltimore for Jones.
  • The Seahawks are in talks with defensive tackle Tony McDaniel on a new deal that would bring him back to Seattle, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Rapoport also tweets that the Seahawks will meet with free agent tight end Jermichael Finley and wide receiver Taylor Price, while Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link) adds defensive tackle Jason Hatcher to that list.
  • Meanwhile, former Seahawks receiver Golden Tate is visiting with the Lions tonight, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
  • Schefter passes along word via ESPN.com colleague Michael Rothstein (Twitter link) that the Lions have interest in safety Chris Clemons. The Steelers were also originally mentioned as a suitor, but they’re almost certainly out of the mix now that Mike Mitchell is headed to Pittsburgh.
  • In their pursuit of a tight end, the Lions are discussing a potential visit for free agent Scott Chandler, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
  • The Panthers would like to retain free agent receiver Domenik Hixon, but the Bears are also in talks with him, reports Rand Gatlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).

Florida Rumors: Tillman, Watson, Young

March 11th, 2014 at 7:29pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest from the Sunshine State..

  • Bears free agent cornerback Charles Tillman is visiting the Buccaneers, a source tells ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). It’s possible that they could be eyeing Tillman as a Darrelle Revis replacement.
  • Linebacker Dekoda Watson is on the Dolphins‘ radar, tweets Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Nothing is imminent, however.
  • Seahawks free agent cornerback Walter Thurmond is visiting the Jaguars in the next 24 hours, Schefter tweets.
  • Lions free agent Willie Young is also visiting the Jaguars, Schefter tweets.
  • The Jaguars have a visit lined up with Watson, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Thurmond also has a visit lined up with the Buccaneers.
  • If Watson doesn’t land with the Jaguars, he’ll visit the Bills, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports. But, Jacksonville could be his first and last visit.
  • The Buccaneers are active in free agency, and are meeting with linebacker Dane Fletcher tonight, says Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). Tampa Bay is also meeting with center Evan Dietrich-Smith, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter).

Falcons Release Tony Gonzalez

March 11th, 2014 at 7:02pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Falcons have officially released future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez, reports Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The move is a technicality, because Gonzalez has already announced that he is retiring and will not return to the team in 2014. Gonzalez must not have turned in his retirement paperwork, and releasing him will free up $7MM, as his upcoming salary would have still counted against the cap until he retired.

P. Schrager of Fox Sports agrees that the only reason this move was necessary must have been due to Gonzalez not officially submitting the paperwork, but notes that the team would have had to pay him a $3MM roster bonus if he was still on the roster in a few days (via Twitter).

Bengals Unlikely To Match Browns’ Offer For Hawkins

March 11th, 2014 at 7:00pm CST by Zachary Links

7:00pm: The offer sheet is worth $12.2MM over four years, with $4MM in guaranteed money and escalators that could increase the value to $14.9MM, according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter).

6:50pm: The Browns’ offer is believed to be in the neighborhood of $12MM over four years, tweets Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.

6:41pm: The Browns’ offer to Hawkins includes guaranteed money that’s more than three times the amount of the receiver’s RFA tender ($1.431MM), tweets Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com. As such, it’s unlikely that the Bengals match the offer.

5:55pm: Wide receiver Andrew Hawkins has recieved an offer sheet from the Browns, tweets Albert Breer of NFL Network (on Twitter). Hawkins plans to sign the offer sheet, leaving the Bengals with a decision to make (link).

Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal (on Twitter) says it’s a four-year deal for Hawkins.

Darrelle Revis Rumors: Tuesday

March 11th, 2014 at 6:57pm CST by Luke Adams

The Darrelle Revis rumor mill was firing on all cylinders last night, as reports suggested that the Buccaneers had been intensifying their efforts to move the star cornerback in a trade. A variety of details related to Revis’ contract status, including his $13MM base salary, upcoming bonus payments, the team’s ability to unilaterally restructure the deal, and the different draft pick compensation Tampa Bay receives if they release him this week, all contribute to creating a very murky situation. There have already been plenty of updates on Revis overnight and this morning, so we’ll round them up right here, with new updates added to the top of the list throughout the day:

  • A Revis trade is now considered unlikely, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). The Browns sound like the most interested team, but the cornerback isn’t willing to take a pay cut to join Cleveland, and other clubs are willing to wait to see if he hits the open market.
  • Resolution is expected on Revis by tomorrow afternoon, tweets Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. The Bucs will either move him by 3:00pm CT or release him if there are no takers.

Earlier updates:

  • A source tells Pro Football Talk that the Raiders aren’t currently pursuing Revis, but the Browns are (Twitter link).
  • Brian Costello of the New York Post hears from a source that Revis would love to return to the Jets (Twitter link).
  • The Bucs are trying to clear Revis’ salary – ideally via trade – in order to free up space for several other free agent moves, says Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune (via Twitter).
  • Revis rejected a request from the Bucs to accept a pay cut, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The cornerback’s deal gives Tampa Bay the ability to restructure at any time, but of course that doesn’t mean the club can simply slash Revis’ pay.
  • As we noted in a separate post on the Raiders, Oakland is a potential trade partner for the Bucs, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle.
  • Tampa Bay is receiving inquiries from teams with cap space, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Rapoport suggests that the Browns, with their abundance of cap room, will be a team to watch.
  • The Bucs aren’t seeking multiple first-rounders for Revis, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, who suggests (via Twitter) that anything above a mid-round pick might get it done.
  • Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report hears from general managers that the Bucs‘ initial asking price for Revis was two No. 1 picks, which drew laughs around the league (Twitter link).
  • Former Jets executive Ari Nissim identifies the Eagles, Raiders, Browns, and Jets as teams that would like to get their hands on Revis, but it sounds like those are the clubs who would be first in line if Revis is cut — they won’t necessarily try to trade for him (Twitter links).
  • Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer says (via Twitter) that the Eagles won’t trade for Revis “unless it’s [for] peanuts.”
  • The Eagles and Patriots are teams worth watching if and when the Bucs release Revis, says Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
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