HEADLINES

Month: March 2014

Falcons Sign Soliai, Jackson

March 11th, 2014 at 6:53pm CST by Zachary Links

6:53pm: Soliai’s contract is a five-year deal worth $32MM, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). $14MM of that is guaranteed, including a $7MM signing bonus.

4:29pm: The Falcons announced that they have signed defensive tackle Paul Soliai and defensive end Tyson Jackson. Adam Schefter of ESPN (on Twitter) first reported that Soliai was Atlanta-bound. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link) had the goods on Jackson.

Soliai gets $33MM over five years, tweets Albert Breer of the NFL Network. He has $14MM guaranteed over the life of the contract and can earn $11MM in 2014.

Jackson’s deal is also for five years and could be worth up to $25MM, Rapoport tweets.

Bears Sign Lamarr Houston

March 11th, 2014 at 6:44pm CST by Zachary Links

6:44pm: Houston’s contract includes a $4.95MM signing bonus, and a $3MM roster bonus this year, according to Aaron Wilson (via Twitter). While he reports that the guaranteed money is at $12.9MM, other reports such as Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune have the figure at closer to $15MM guaranteed (via Twitter).

3:19pm: Lamarr Houston reached agreement with the Bears on a five-year deal, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN. The former Raiders defensive end gets $35MM in total.

DeMarcus Ware Rumors: Tuesday

March 11th, 2014 at 6:43pm CST by Luke Adams

DeMarcus Ware‘s days of flirting with 20 sacks per season are almost certainly behind him, but the longtime Cowboy is still an intriguing option for teams in need of pass-rushing help. With Ware now on the open market, let’s round a few early rumors on him:

  • Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com hears the Browns may have interest in Ware (Twitter link).

Earlier updates:

  • In a statement issued by the Cowboys, owner Jerry Jones didn’t close the door on bringing Ware back to Dallas, suggesting that the team and the defensive end were in “very strong agreement” about exploring that possibility.
  • Former Eagles exec Louis Riddick of ESPN.com believes Philadelphia is likely working “very hard” to try to sign Ware (Twitter link).
  • Six playoff teams have already expressed some interest in Ware, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
  • Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk tweets that Ware is expected to have plenty of options, but will be selective about which ones he considers, and hopes to move quickly through the free agent process.

Saints Revisit Trade Options For Sproles

March 11th, 2014 at 6:21pm CST by Luke Adams

TUESDAY, 6:21pm: After receiving heavy interest in Sproles, the Saints are now planning to trade him rather than release him, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). While no trade agreement is in place yet, it looks like the veteran running back won’t become a free agent quite yet.

FRIDAY, 5:59pm: Shortly after parting ways with one of their longtime offensive weapons, Lance Moore, the Saints are expected to cut another one. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter) that New Orleans is releasing running back Darren Sproles. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the move isn’t official yet and the Saints are still trying to find a potential trade partner for Sproles, but will cut him if no deal can be found.

The Saints were said to be shopping both Moore and Sproles earlier this week, along with Pierre Thomas, in an effort to create some cap flexibility. With younger, less expensive players like receiver Kenny Stills and running back Khiry Robinson ready for larger roles, the team can better afford to part ways with veteran contributors like Sproles. The 30-year-old was on the Saints’ cap for a $4.25MM cap number in 2014, but that will now be reduced to $750K in dead money, creating $3.5MM in cap savings for the club.

When the move becomes official, Sproles should draw plenty of interest from teams looking to add running back depth. The ex-Charger had developed into one of the league’s best receiving threats out of the backfield, averaging more than 77 catches per season in his three years with the Saints.

Bears Release Julius Peppers

March 11th, 2014 at 6:16pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bears have opted to release veteran defensive end Julius Peppers, the team announced today (Twitter link). Assuming the move isn’t designated as a post-June 1 cut, it will create about $9.82MM in 2014 cap savings for the club.

The former second-overall pick of the Panthers joined the Bears before the 2010 season, tallying 37.5 sacks as a Bear. He has been to the Pro Bowl eight times (three times as a Bear), and been selected All Pro three times, most recently in 2010. Peppers is currently 17th on the career sack list, taking down the quarterback 118.5 times.

The 34-year-old pass rusher is now and a free agent, and only one year removed from a Pro Bowl appearance will look to add to his impressive career totals outside of Chicago.

Cardinals Re-Sign Jay Feely

March 11th, 2014 at 6:10pm CST by Dallas Robinson

TUESDAY, 6:10pm: It’s a minimum-salary pact for Feely, with a $65K roster bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Feely will earn $1.02MM in total.

MONDAY, 6:22pm: It’s a one-year deal for Feely, according to Kent Somers of AZCentral.com (via Twitter).

5:46pm: Kicker Jay Feely will re-sign with the Cardinals, according to a tweet from Feely’s personal account. The 37-year-old veteran, like most kickers, has made his rounds through the NFL, playing for six teams over the course of 13 seasons. He signed with the Cardinals before the 2010 season.

Last year, Feely made 30-of-36 field goals, with a long of 52 yards, and converted every extra point attempt. He rated 14th in terms of kickoff distance, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). For his career his field goal success rate stands at 82.7%.

Terms of the contract are not yet public, but Feely’s annual salary will likely be closer to the $1MM Billy Cundiff will earn on his new contract, rather than the multi-year, ~$3MM deals signed by Graham Gano and Dan Bailey.

Steelers To Sign Mike Mitchell

March 11th, 2014 at 6:04pm CST by Zachary Links

6:04pm: Mitchell’s deal with the Steelers will be a five-year pact worth about $25MM, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today.

5:30pm: The Steelers are set to sign safety Mike Mitchell, a source tells Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter). Mitchell is coming off a productive year with Carolina.

The Redskins were said to have interest in the former Panthers and Raiders safety, but earlier today we learned that they cooled on him. Mitchell, 27 in June, saw time in 15 games for the Panthers last season and started in 13. In total, he racked up 52 tackles, four sacks, and an eye-popping four interceptions.

Safeties have been flying off the board left and right today but the No. 1 prize – Jairus Byrd – remains available.

Falcons, Hawley Agree To Deal

March 11th, 2014 at 5:52pm CST by Zachary Links

5:52pm: Hawley gets $6.5MM over two years with $3MM of it guaranteed, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN (on Twitter).

2:47pm: The Falcons agreed to terms with Joe Hawley on a two-year deal, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN. Atlanta has been working diligently to lock the offensive lineman up.

Hawley has been an offseason priority for Atlanta even though he hasn’t had an extended run as a starter in his four years in red and black. Financial terms for the center/guard are not yet known.

Earlier today, the Falcons took care of another free agent in defensive end Jonathan Babineaux.

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