2014 March - Pro Football Rumors

AFC Notes: Edelman, Dolphins, Texans

March 6th, 2014 at 4:55pm CST by Luke Adams

We rounded up several updates on AFC teams this morning, but a few more have trickled in throughout the day, so let’s dive in and tackle those new items….

The Patriots and wide receiver Julian Edelman discussed a new deal today, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link via ESPN’s Field Yates). If the two sides don’t reach an agreement by Tuesday, Edelman will be free to sign with any team.
Names like Eugene Monroe and Branden Albert have frequently been linked to the Dolphins leading up to the free agency, but Miami will need to add more than just a left tackle, as Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes. Salguero explores a few other possible offensive line targets for the Dolphins in free agency.
The Texans are considering many quarterback options to back up the signal-caller they’re expected to select with their first-round pick, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. According to McClain, the Texans may sign two veteran QBs to go with the rookie they bring in.
There still hasn’t been any real movement in contract talks between the Titans and Alterraun Verner, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, who expects the free agent cornerback to reach the open market (Twitter link).
Former Dolphins trainer Kevin O’Neill is poised to fight his termination, writes Chris Perkins of the Sun Sentinel. O’Neill was among those implicated in the Wells Report.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

David Carr Aims To Sign With Team For ’14

March 6th, 2014 at 4:43pm CST by Luke Adams

Former first overall pick David Carr was cut by the Giants before last year’s regular season got underway and didn’t play in 2013, but the free agent quarterback intends to return to the NFL in 2014, according to Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle. Smith reports (via Twitter) that Carr is “fully committed” to landing with a team this season, and hopes to sign somewhere after the draft.

The 2014 draft, coincidentally, is where David’s brother Derek Carr will begin his NFL career, and it was Derek’s ongoing training sessions that inspired David’s comeback, tweets Smith. In fact, according to Smith (via Twitter), David’s ideal situation would be landing on the same team as his brother, acting as Derek’s backup.

At this point in his career, the former Texans starter is certainly no more than a No. 2, and may even have to settle for a No. 3 role. Still, Carr received multiple offers from NFL teams last season after being released by the Giants, which he turned down when his daughter was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes (Twitter link via Smith). The Fresno State product will turn 35 in July, so no NFL club will want its season to hinge on his right arm, but I expect he’ll find work somewhere, or at least a chance to compete for a roster spot.

Jaguars Expect To Re-Sign Chad Henne

March 6th, 2014 at 4:30pm CST by Luke Adams

The “expectation inside EverBank Field” is that the Jaguars will reach an agreement with Chad Henne on a new contract within the next couple days, reports Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (via Twitter). If Henne remains unsigned by Saturday, his agent can begin talking to teams besides the Jaguars, but it sounds like it may not reach that point.

Henne, 28, started 13 games for the Jaguars last season after taking over the job from Blaine Gabbert. The veteran signal-caller completed 60.6% of his attempts, compiling 3,241 passing yards and 13 touchdowns to go along with his 14 interceptions.

While those numbers aren’t spectacular, they make Henne one of the more desirable options among a underwhelming group of free agent quarterbacks that also includes Michael Vick, Josh McCown, and Matt Cassel. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter) suggested earlier today that the Jaguars shouldn’t be ruled out as a potential suitor for Vick or McCown. However, if Jacksonville finalizes a new deal with Henne, the team will likely turn to the draft to add a second quarterback.

Depending on how high the Jaguars select a quarterback, Henne may head into 2014 competing for the starting job in Jacksonville, assuming he re-signs with the club.

Contract Tenders: Saints, Colts, Cardinals

March 6th, 2014 at 4:22pm CST by Luke Adams

Players who have three years or less of NFL experience and no contract for 2014 continue to receive contract tenders from their current teams. For exclusive rights free agents, these tenders essentially represent the contracts they’ll be playing under in 2014, since ERFAs aren’t permitted to negotiate with any of the league’s other 31 teams. Restricted free agents, on the other hand, can accept these one-year contract offers, but will also have the freedom to negotiate with other suitors and perhaps sign an offer sheet once the free agent period begins.

Here are Thursday’s contract tenders from around the NFL:

The Saints have extended a $1.431MM tender offer to safety Rafael Bush, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link). Since Bush is a restricted free agent and went undrafted, New Orleans wouldn’t receive any draft compensation if the 26-year-old signs elsewhere.
The Colts extended tenders today to restricted free agents Josh Gordy and Joe Reitz, and to exclusive rights free agent Cam Johnson, says Craig Kelley of Colts.com (via Twitter). The two RFA tenders are expected to be worth $1.431MM, while Johnson’s tender will be worth the minimum.
Nose tackle Alameda Ta’amu received a tender from the Cardinals and has signed it, tweets Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. Ta’amu, who is recovering from an ACL injury, was an exclusive rights free agent.
Earlier today, we passed along word of contract tenders made by the Bills and Browns.

Chiefs Cut Dominique Jones, Robert James

March 6th, 2014 at 4:03pm CST by Luke Adams

The Chiefs waived a pair of players today, cutting tight end Dominique Jones and linebacker Robert James, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links). Both players had been on minimum-salary contracts and won’t have any dead money counting against the club’s cap for 2014.

Jones, 26, joined the Chiefs in the second half of the 2013 season and appeared in 43 snaps over the course of two games against the Redskins and Raiders. James, a fifth-round pick in 2008, didn’t see action during the regular season for Kansas City.

Texans Claim Paul Hazel Off Waivers

March 6th, 2014 at 3:57pm CST by Luke Adams

After being cut by the Browns yesterday, linebacker Paul Hazel won’t hit the open market. Instead, he has been claimed off waivers by the Texans, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link).

Hazel, 23, went undrafted before signing with the Browns in 2013. The Western Michigan alum appeared in just 14 snaps for the team last season.

Michael Bennett To Test Open Market

March 6th, 2014 at 3:48pm CST by Luke Adams

Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett won’t ink a new deal with Seattle before Tuesday, and will test the open market, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). After the Seahawks decided not to use their franchise tag on Bennett, he had appeared likely to reach unrestricted free agency.

After playing the 2013 season and winning the Super Bowl on a modest one-year deal worth about $5MM, Bennett figures to see a larger payday this time around. The former Buccaneer played a large part in the Seahawks’ strong pass rush last season, recording 8.5 sacks, forcing four fumbles, and recovering three more. He is viewed as one of the players available this offseason, and in fact ranks first overall on Pro Football Focus’ list of 2014’s top 75 free agents.

The Seahawks have made Bennett an offer, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), and there appears to be some mutual interest in a reunion. However, the 28-year-old wants to see what other potential suitors have to say. As Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports 1 tweets, the Jaguars and Raiders could be involved. The Bears are also expected to be in the mix, with Martellus Bennett attempting to recruit his brother to Chicago.

Giants Notes: Beason, Snee, D’Amato

March 6th, 2014 at 3:39pm CST by Luke Adams

Let’s round up a few quick items on the Giants, as free agency inches closer….

Linebacker Jon Beason, who is said to be the Giants’ top free agent priority, has been emailing teams to let them know he’s representing himself, tweets ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. As Schefter notes, the clubs can’t reply yet due to tampering rules. Beason also won’t be able to talk to any teams besides the Giants until Tuesday, since the three-day negotiating window that opens Saturday only applies to player agents talking to rival suitors on behalf of their clients.
Kimberley Jones of NFL Network hears from a source that a contract agreement between the Giants and offensive lineman Chris Snee “will get done” (Twitter link). Snee and the Giants have mutual interest in the veteran’s return to the team for next season, but are working to reduce his $11.3MM cap number for 2014.
The Giants have interest in Cal kicker Vincenzo D’Amato, who worked out for the Patriots today, says Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (link via National Football Post).

Bears Sign Trevor Scott

March 6th, 2014 at 3:27pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bears have signed free agent defensive end Trevor Scott to a one-year contract, the team announced today (via Twitter). Scott had been available since being released by the Buccaneers in October.

Scott, 29, started his career in Oakland before joining the Patriots and Bucs in the past two seasons. The former sixth-round pick hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2010, though he contributed three sacks as a reserve for New England in 2012.

Since Scott likely represents no more than than defensive line depth for the Bears, he’ll likely be in line for a minimum salary deal. For a player with his experience, that’d be a $730K salary for Scott, with a $570K cap hit for the team.

Cundiff, Browns Agree To One-Year Deal

March 6th, 2014 at 3:18pm CST by Luke Adams

Kicker Billy Cundiff will return to Cleveland for another season, having agreed to terms with the Browns on a one-year, $1.02MM contract, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

Cundiff, who will turn 34 later this month, made all 34 of his extra point tries for Cleveland in 2013, along with 21 of his 26 field goal attempts. While those numbers didn’t put him among the league’s most accurate kickers or top scorers, Cundiff’s production was solid and he performed particularly well on kickoffs, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

We’ve already seen kickers like Graham Gano, Nick Folk, and Dan Bailey sign contracts this offseason that will pay them in excess of $3MM per year, so a salary in the neighborhood of $1MM for Cundiff looks like a good deal for the Browns.