2014 March - Pro Football Rumors

Falcons, Babineaux Agree To Three-Year Deal

March 11th, 2014 at 12:47pm CST by Zachary Links

12:47pm: Babineaux’s new three-year contract includes $4MM in guaranteed money for the coming season, and is worth $9MM overall, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).

12:28pm: The Falcons and Jonathan Babineaux have agreed to a new three-year deal, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Earlier today, Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link) reported that the two sides were nearing agreement.

The 32-year-old has been in talks with Atlanta for several weeks and it now appears that they will keep him out of the free agent pool with a brand new deal. Babs was one of many Falcons unrestricted free agents this year and among the team’s higher priorities. Atlanta freed up extra space to re-sign Babineaux and others by convincing cornerback Asante Samuel to restructure his deal and provide the team with ~$4MM in savings. It was rumored that the team would also try and get defensive end Osi Umenyiora, set to earn $3.5MM in 2014, to take a pay cut, but that no longer appears to be the case.

Statistically, this was a less productive season for Babs than previous campaigns as he registered one sack and 28 tackles.

Browns Frontrunners For Karlos Dansby

March 11th, 2014 at 12:41pm CST by Luke Adams

The Browns have emerged as “the team to beat” in the Karlos Dansby sweepstakes, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The Titans and Cardinals have been the other teams frequently linked to Dansby, but both of those clubs feel like they may be out of the running, says Rapoport.

Although he’ll turn 33 in November, Dansby certainly didn’t show any signs of falling off in 2013, racking up 121 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and a career-high four interceptions, including two for touchdowns. The former 33rd overall pick also ranked fifth among inside linebackers, according to Pro Football Focus, grading exceptionally well in pass coverage. If Cleveland can lock him up, Dansby will replace D’Qwell Jackson at inside linebacker.

Mary Kay Cabot reported earlier today that the Browns were expected to seriously pursue Dansby.

Raiders Rumors: QBs, Revis, Jenkins, Jennings

March 11th, 2014 at 12:38pm CST by Luke Adams

The Raiders are interested in quarterback Josh McCown, but the team is also waiting to see what the Texans will do with Matt Schaub, says Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter). Additionally, many believe the McCown sweepstakes could be down to the Bears and Buccaneers, according to Tafur. Here’s more on the Raiders:

The Raiders are thought to be “strong players” in the Darrelle Revis sweepstakes, according to Tafur (via Twitter), who says the Browns are involved as well. Both clubs have a boatload of cap space available this offseason, which makes them logical destinations to either absorb Revis’ contract in a trade or outbid other teams should he reach free agency.
Five teams are interested in free agent cornerback Mike Jenkins, who may be harder for the Raiders to re-sign than they expected, tweets Tafur.
Rashad Jennings may make a decision today, and it appears the Raiders and Giants are his top two suitors, says Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (Twitter links).
There’s nothing new on the Raiders front when it comes to Jared Veldheer and Lamarr Houston, tweets Tafur. It continues to look like Veldheer will land in Arizona, and Houston could sign elsewhere too.

East Notes: Giants, Jennings, Woodyard

March 11th, 2014 at 12:00pm CST by Zachary Links

The Giants are still in the mix for center Evan Dietrich-Smith, but it appears that guard Geoff Schwartz is their more immediate priority, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger says the club appears to be looking in house at center. Offensive lineman Kevin Boothe, who started six games at center last season, is being viewed as the possible short-term answer.

The Giants have made an offer to free agent running back Rashad Jennings, a league source tells Fallon Smith of CSNBayArea.com (on Twitter). The Raiders, meanwhile, would like to hang on to the tailback.
Despite interest from the Cowboys, a source close to Wesley Woodyard told Brandon Krisztal of the Denver Post (on Twitter) that his first trip is to the Patriots with another team visit planned after.
Tyson Jackson is getting an impressive amount of interest with suitors including the Dolphins, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Browns and Falcons are also interested while the Chiefs are still in the mix.

Panthers Attempting To Trade Steve Smith

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

TUESDAY, 11:57am: If the Panthers can’t find a trade partner for Smith, there’s a strong possibility they’ll cut him, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. If that happens, the Ravens and Buccaneers could be among the clubs pursuing the wide receiver.

MONDAY, 4:10pm: The Panthers are attempting to move wide receiver Steve Smith, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). However, as Rapoport notes, Smith’s age (35 in May) and 2014 cap number ($7MM) make a deal unlikely.

There have been hints this offseason that Smith’s tenure with the Panthers may be coming to an end. GM Dave Gettleman acknowledged last month that cutting ties with the longtime Carolina receiver was a possibility, and Smith didn’t appreciate the public comments. The two reportedly met last week to try to clear the air, but as the veteran becomes less integral to the team’s offense, some sort of move appears likely.

Cutting Smith or trading him would result in $9MM in dead money for 2014 rather than a $7MM cap hit for the Panthers. So if Carolina doesn’t want to keep Smith at that cap number, the team may look into restructure possibilities or consider designating him as a post-June 1 cut.

Texans Rumors: Smith, Schaub, Crennel

March 11th, 2014 at 11:25am CST by Zachary Links

The Texans want defensive end Antonio Smith back, but it has to be at a price they can afford considering their needs on the offensive line and defensive line, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. More out of Houston with all links going to McClain’s Twitter.

Don’t expect the Texans to spend big in free agency (link). Instead, they’ll wait out the feeding frenzy and go after “lunch-pail” types from other teams.
With a thin free agent quarterback market, the Texans should hang on to Matt Schaub if he’ll re-do his contract that calls for a $14.12MM cap figure with a $10MM base (link). As McClain notes, if Houston cuts Schaub, he’ll be the hottest signal caller on the open market (link).
To suit Romeo Crennel’s 2-gap 3-4 scheme, the Texans need to find large starters on the defensive line and at inside linebacker (link).

Contract Details: Weatherford, Snee, Shields

March 11th, 2014 at 11:22am CST by Luke Adams

Giants punter Steve Weatherford accepted a pay cut to reduce his $2.025MM base salary for 2014, and Tom Pelissero of USA Today says (via Twitter) it was a $950K cut. However, Weatherford can make some of that money back, as he now has $350K available through incentives, rather than an initial $50K. Here are a few more details on contracts recently signed or restructured around the league:

Weatherford’s new deal includes $1.1MM in compensation for 2014 with $150K in new guarantees, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSports.com. His cap number is $1.9MM.
Chris Snee’s restructured deal with the Giants isn’t quite what was initially reported, according to Pelissero, who says the new contract features a $2MM base, $500K in per-game roster bonuses, and a $50K roster bonus (Twitter link).
Pelissero has the specifics on Sam Shields’ four-year deal with the Packers, which includes a $2.5MM roster bonus next March (Twitter links).
Darrin Walls avoided restricted free agency by re-signing with the Jets last week, and his two-year deal is worth $1.9MM, including a $350K roster bonus, tweets Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com.
The new two-year deal for Ravens linebacker Albert McClellan includes a $400K signing bonus, says Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).

NFC Rumors: Ware, Beason, Mitchell

March 11th, 2014 at 11:12am CST by Zachary Links

A look at the NFC..

DeMarcus Ware has requested the Cowboys decide future before start of free agency signing period today, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN. Werder is unsure of the Cowboys’ response at this time.
The Giants want to re-sign linebacker Jon Beason but Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears that he’s asking for more than Big Blue wants to pay. The Giants have 26 free agents and are alright with letting most of them go, but they’d like to keep the University of Miami product.
If Donte Whitner goes elsewhere, the 49ers are looking at Panthers safety Mike Mitchell as a backup plan, a source tells Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Mitchell, 26, had a career high four interceptions to go along with eight pass breakups in 2013.

Geoff Hangartner To Retire

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

2:24pm: The Panthers announced (via Twitter) that Hangartner has retired. Fellow O-Lineman Jeff Byers has also decided to retire.

11:10am: On the heels of Jordan Gross‘ retirement announcement, another Panthers offensive lineman has decided to call it a career, reports Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. According to Person, guard Geoff Hangartner has decided to retire.

“I’ve known for a while I was going to retire. I knew when I came back this was going to be my last year,” Hangartner told Person. “It was a good way for me to end because I got to come back and play for a team I loved playing for and finish out with my buddies. Luckily we had some success, which made it even more fun. It was a fitting way for me to end my career.”

A longtime starter in Carolina and Buffalo, Hangartner’s 2013 season was derailed by injuries, but he appeared in part-time action in eight games with the Panthers. While his loss won’t be felt as deeply by the team as Gross’ departure, Hangartner is another player the club will have to replace for 2014. The 31-year-old’s decision to retire won’t affect the Panthers’ cap, as Hangartner hadn’t been under contract for ’14.

Browns Rumors: Hawkins, Whitner, Moats

March 11th, 2014 at 10:59am CST by Zachary Links

Here’s what’s happening in Cleveland..

With Andre Roberts off the table and Julian Edelman possibly re-signing with the Pats, the Browns’ next move might be to go after Bengals wide receiver Andrew Hawkins, tweets Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com.
There’s a lot of talk that the Browns could bring Ohio State alum Donte Whitner home this offseason, tweets Albert Breer of NFL Network. Whitner would help anchor the secondary of new head coach Mike Pettine.
Kinkhabwala (link) hears the same with regards to Whitner and adds that things could be getting close with former Bills linebacker Arthur Moats. Of course, Pettine is familiar with Moats from their time together in Buffalo.