HEADLINES

Month: March 2014

NFC Rumors: Giants, Saints, Vikings, Lions

March 10th, 2014 at 12:59pm CST by Luke Adams

A few Monday afternoon updates on NFC teams:

  • The Giants have some level of interest in Brandon Pettigrew, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). With Jimmy Graham franchised and Dennis Pitta extended, Pettigrew may be the top unrestricted free agent tight end of the offseason.
  • Assuming Charles Tillman doesn’t re-sign with the Bears, the Panthers look like a potential destination for the veteran defensive back, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
  • The Saints brought safety Louis Delmas in for a visit after he was released by the Lions, but New Orleans doesn’t appear likely to sign Delmas, a source tells Mike Triplett of ESPN.com.
  • Adding a veteran safety doesn’t look like a top priority for the Vikings, but it could be worth keeping an eye on Ryan Clark as a possible fit, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
  • The Redskins have remained in contact with the reps for safety Mike Mitchell, says John Keim of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Keim adds that Kenny Britt and Andrew Hawkins are two potential WR targets to keep an eye on for the Redskins.
  • Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press says the Lions will definitely sign a wide receiver and a safety in free agency, but it’s not clear yet which specific players the team will land (Twitter link via Pro Football Talk).
  • As Lions GM Martin Mayhew suggested last month, while he’d like to have a new deal worked out with Ndamukong Suh by the time the 2014 league year begins tomorrow, he won’t consider it a setback if nothing is done, writes Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. Suh, who recently hired Jimmy Sexton of CAA to negotiate his next deal, has a cap number of $22MM+ for 2014 that the Lions would like to reduce.

FA Rumors: Saffold, Houston, Foote, Finnegan

March 10th, 2014 at 12:48pm CST by Luke Adams

We dedicated an early-morning post to passing along a few miscellaneous free agent updates, but the rumor mill been busy enough that it’s time to round up a few more. Here’s the latest:

  • Jared Allen, Jared Veldheer, Rodger Saffold, Arthur Jones, and James Jones are among the free agents expected to change teams this week, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
  • The Raiders are offering Saffold $8MM per year, with the potential to increase that offer, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link via John Middlekauff of 95.7 The Game).
  • Middlekauff (Twitter link) also spoke to multiple NFL executives about prospective free agent Lamarr Houston, and none thought the defensive end would be a very good fit for a 3-4 team.
  • After having been released by the Steelers last week, Larry Foote has no plans to retire and would like to sign with a contender, as he tells ESPN’s Josina Anderson (Twitter link).
  • Recently released defensive back Cortland Finnegan will be representing himself in free agency, according to Anderson (TwitLonger link). Typically, free agent players without agents wouldn’t be able to talk to teams until Tuesday, but Finnegan can seek out a new team now since he was cut.
  • One general manager suggests to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link) that NFL teams treat their equipment people better than they treat running backs. While that may be an exaggeration, it signals that this year’s group of free agent running backs probably isn’t drawing much interest yet.
  • Former first-round pick Rolando McClain is telling people that he plans to return to the NFL in 2014, according to Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times. However, a source tells Aaron Wilson (Twitter link) that there’s nothing imminent, and that talk of a McClain comeback is probably “premature.”

Chargers Re-Sign Chad Rinehart

March 10th, 2014 at 12:17pm CST by Luke Adams

12:17pm: Rinehart’s new deal is worth $6MM over two years, with $2MM guaranteed, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports.

12:00pm: The Chargers have officially re-signed Rinehart, the team announced today (Twitter link).

11:42am: Offensive lineman Chad Rinehart will be forgoing unrestricted free agency and re-signing with the Chargers, a source tells Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). Rinehart’s new deal will be a two-year pact, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link).

Rinehart, 28, has never started more than 12 games in any of his five NFL seasons, but has been effective when he’s healthy and playing. Appearing in all 16 games with the Bills in 2011, the former third-round pick recorded a +16.1 grade, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics, placing him ninth overall among guards. Last season, Rinehart stayed on the field for the Chargers’ playoff run, and played well in both of the team’s postseason contests.

When I evaluated the market for free agent guards, I ranked Rinehart in the second tier of potentially available options due to questions about his health. However, he has the upside to be an above-average starter, and the Chargers may have been able to retain him at a reduced rate due to those question marks.

Panthers Re-Sign Brockel, Williams

March 10th, 2014 at 12:11pm CST by Luke Adams

The Panthers have locked up a pair of players before they reached free agency, the team announced today in a press release. Tight end and fullback Richie Brockel has inked a two-year deal, forgoing restricted free agency, while offensive lineman Garry Williams has signed a one-year contract to avoid unrestricted free agency.

Brockel, 27, appeared in just over 200 offensive snaps last season and was also a productive special teams player for the Panthers. Williams, meanwhile, began the year as the team’s starting right guard, but went down with a torn ACL in the first week of the regular season. Williams may return to a starting role for the team in 2014, with Jordan Gross retiring and other linemen eligible for free agency.

Dolphins Interested In Jairus Byrd

March 10th, 2014 at 11:34am CST by Luke Adams

11:34am: Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald suggests pumping the brakes on any Byrd-to-Miami talk, since he hears it’s a smokescreen (Twitter link).

8:20am: The Dolphins are among the teams expressing “real interest” in prospective free agent safety Jairus Byrd, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). According to Rapoport, while there’s a new regime in place in Miami’s front office, the team appears to be “gearing up for another big year in free agency.”

With cornerback Brent Grimes having already re-signed, and safety Reshad Jones under contract for several more years, Miami’s secondary has a couple solid building blocks. Still, even if the team has other, more pressing needs, there are potential holes to address in that secondary — starting safety Chris Clemons is among the team’s prospective free agents.

Since the window opened for teams to talk to agents about their free agents on safeties, the reports on Byrd have downplayed the interest of clubs we expected to be squarely in the mix. Although the Rams reportedly inquired on the Bills safety, the Browns and Eagles apparently haven’t expressed serious interest. Of course, there’s still plenty of time for both teams, and others, to enter the hunt for the top safety in this year’s free agent class.

Peter King of TheMMQB.com reported this morning that Byrd is seeking a salary of $9MM per year on his new deal, which would make the 27-year-old the NFL’s highest-paid safety by annual average value. When I broke down 2014’s best free agents, I ranked Byrd third overall.

NFC East Rumors: Ware, Redskins, Giants, Eagles

March 10th, 2014 at 11:20am CST by Luke Adams

Free agency officially gets underway at 3:00pm central time tomorrow, and there could be resolution on DeMarcus Ware‘s situation in Dallas by then, according to ESPN.com’s Todd Archer. Archer reports that the Cowboys have had “consistent negotiations” with Ware on a reworked contract that would reduce his 2014 cap hit. If the two sides can reach a compromise, it sounds like the standout pass rusher will continue his career in Dallas. Otherwise, he may be cut by tomorrow afternoon.

Let’s round up a few more Monday rumors from out of the NFC East….

AFC Rumors: Jets, Howard, Titans, Steelers

March 10th, 2014 at 10:45am CST by Luke Adams

With Antonio Cromartie no longer in the mix in New York, the Jets have turned their attention to other notable free agent defensive backs. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported late last night that the Jets were eyeing safety T.J. Ward, and he hears today from a team source that the club has also inquired on several other DBs. According to Mehta (via Twitter), New York has “varying degrees of interest” in safety Chris Clemons and cornerbacks Alterraun Verner and Captain Munnerlyn. Here are a few more Monday rumors relating to AFC teams:

  • The Jets continue to negotiate with Austin Howard, but other teams have expressed interest in the free agent tackle, tweets Brian Costello of the New York Post.
  • We heard earlier today that defensive lineman Antonio Smith has drawn interest from four teams, and Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean thinks the Titans are probably one of those clubs (Twitter link).
  • The Steelers are among the clubs to inquire on free agent cornerback Nolan Carroll, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
  • Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (Twitter link) hears that there’s only $5.255MM of guaranteed money in Red Bryant‘s four-year contract with the Jaguars, making it a fairly low-risk move for the club.
  • Long snapper Danny Aiken‘s new one-year deal with the Patriots includes a $55K signing bonus and $25K workout bonus on top of his minimum base salary, says Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter).

Redskins Inquiring On Defensive Backs

March 10th, 2014 at 9:49am CST by Luke Adams

9:49am: The Redskins have also inquired on cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, according to Jones (via Twitter).

9:25am: The Redskins re-signed cornerback DeAngelo Hall last month, but still need to add more pieces to a secondary that was below average in 2013. With that need in mind, the team has expressed interest in prospective free agents Jairus Byrd and Corey Graham, reports Mike Jones of the Washington Post (Twitter links).

Byrd, considered the top safety available this offseason, has also reportedly received inquiries from the Rams and Dolphins, and is expected to draw interest from plenty of other clubs, including the Eagles and Browns. The Redskins’ talk with Byrd’s camp haven’t reached a serious point, according to Jones.

As for Graham, he had a positive grade in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics for cornerbacks (subscription required). However, having played primarily as a nickel back, he isn’t expected to command the lucrative long-term contracts that 2014’s top free agent corners will receive. One of those top corners, Aqib Talib, is considered a major target for the Redskins, so perhaps the club views Graham as a Plan B if Talib and other first-tier free agents sign elsewhere, or if they’re simply out of Washington’s price range.

Vikings Re-Sign Larry Dean

March 10th, 2014 at 9:40am CST by Luke Adams

The Vikings have re-signed linebacker and special-teamer Larry Dean, the team announced today in a press release. Dean had been eligible for restricted free agency this offseason.

A key contributor on kick and punt coverage, Dean has recorded 48 career special-teams tackles during his three seasons in Minnesota. The 25-year-old also forced and recovered the first fumbles of his career in 2013. While Dean has been a standout on special teams for the club, his defensive contributions have been limited — he appeared in just 12 snaps on defense last season.

Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press had reported on Friday that the Vikings were in discussions with Dean about a new contract.

Four Teams Eyeing Josh McCown

March 10th, 2014 at 9:06am CST by Luke Adams

Appearing on ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike this morning, Josh McCown confirmed that his agent has talked to four teams about a potential fit for the free agent quarterback, writes Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. One of those four teams is believed to be the Bears, and McCown hasn’t ruled out the possibility of returning to Chicago.

“If I leave Chicago, if that’s the case, [a starting job] is the opportunity I’m looking for,” McCown said. “And once those opportunities come, what’s the coaching staff? What are the players there in place?…. To leave Chicago, it would be a situation where I’m looking to be able to compete to start or grow more as a player. The only way you can do that as a player is on the field.”

According to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago (Twitter link), the Bears, Jets, Buccaneers, and Texans are believed to be the four teams to express genuine interest in McCown, who is one of the top signal-callers among this year’s class of free agents. The Jets look like they’re committed to giving Geno Smith a chance to keep the starting job, but may bring in a veteran to push him. Meanwhile, Mike Glennon may return to a backup role in Tampa Bay, and Matt Schaub will likely be released by Houston.

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