HEADLINES

Month: March 2014

NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers

March 4th, 2014 at 8:55am CST by Luke Adams

No NFC North teams used their franchise or transition tags yesterday, meaning players who looked like candidates, such as Packers cornerback Sam Shields and Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew, appear likely to hit the open market next week. While we wait to see if those players work out anything with their respective teams, let’s check out the latest on the Bears, Lions, and Packers….

  • Defensive lineman Corey Wootton is still rehabbing from hip surgery, but he expects to be fully healthy by July, as he tells Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. Although Wootton says he’d love to return to the Bears, the 26-year-old expects to “test the market and see what’s out there” in free agency. Assuming teams are confident in his full recovery, Wootton should receive plenty of interest beginning next week.
  • While he thinks the Bears could consider free agent safeties T.J. Ward and Jairus Byrd if the price is right, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times hears from a source that the club has not expressed any interest in Louis Delmas.
  • $370K of Roberto Garza‘s potential $1.5MM salary for 2014 is tied to weekly roster bonuses, so the Bears have a little built-in injury protection on their center, says Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
  • Because first-round picks don’t cost as much as they did under the old CBA, GM Martin Mayhew and the Lions are comfortable taking the best player available at No. 10 rather than feeling pressure to take someone at a key position, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press details.
  • In a separate piece for the Free Press, Birkett looks at a few Detroit free agents, writing that the Lions continue to work on a new deal for Pettigrew, but are comfortable letting him test the market next week if no agreement has been reached.
  • The Texans are talking to tight end Garrett Graham about a new contract, but if the team lets him reach the open market, the Packers will have interest, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who says Green Bay has liked Graham since he came out of Wisconsin in 2010 (Twitter links).

Cowboys To Rework Tony Romo’s Contract

March 4th, 2014 at 7:56am CST by Luke Adams

After restructuring a pair of defensive players’ contracts, the Cowboys have turned their attention to Tony Romo, and will rework their quarterback’s contract to reduce his 2014 cap hit, reports Todd Archer of ESPN.com. According to Archer, the team will convert all but $1MM of Romo’s base salary for ’14 into a signing bonus.

By reducing Romo’s 2014 salary by $12.5MM, the club will spread that amount over five seasons, meaning it will apply to the cap at a rate of $2.5MM per season. For 2014, Romo is now slated to have a $1MM base salary, plus $10.773MM in total prorated bonus money, for a total cap number of $11.773MM.

The move creates $10MM in cap savings for the Cowboys for 2014, meaning the club is well on its way to gaining a little cap room. According to Archer, Dallas will be less than $1MM above 2014’s $133MM salary cap once Romo’s restructure is official. The team has until next Tuesday afternoon to get under the cap for the new league year.

Of course, while restructuring Romo’s contract creates some breathing room for the Cowboys in 2014, another restructure will likely be required a year from now to reduce the signal-caller’s exorbitant 2015 cap hit. Adding $2.5MM in prorated bonus money to Romo’s ’15 cap number increases that figure to $27.773MM.

Greg Hardy Signs Franchise Tender

March 4th, 2014 at 7:42am CST by Luke Adams

Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy has become the first of this year’s franchised players to sign his one-year tender, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. By inking the one-year franchise deal, Hardy will be guaranteed a $13.116MM salary for the 2014 season, barring a long-term deal that shifts some of that money around.

Signing the franchise tender doesn’t preclude Hardy and the Panthers from negotiating a multiyear agreement at some point over the next few months. In fact, it may give the team more incentive to do so, in order to reduce the star pass rusher’s $13MM+ cap number for 2014.

Because he has signed the tender, Hardy can no longer negotiate with rival suitors in free agency, while the Panthers can no longer rescind their franchise offer. Essentially, Carolina and Hardy are down to three options: Hardy playing out the 2014 season on this one-year deal, the two sides working out a long-term agreement, or the team trading him.

Browns Notes: Manziel, Mack, Ward

March 3rd, 2014 at 10:51pm CST by Peter Sowards

At first glance, a headline of “Browns didn’t interview Johnny Manziel at NFL Combine” figures to draw the ire of Cleveland fans. The team needs a franchise quarterback, and Manziel projects to be a top-5 selection (The Browns own the No. 4 and No. 26 picks).

“We didn’t speak to him at the combine,” Browns coach Mike Pettine said Monday at the Cleveland Auto Show, per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “I didn’t personally. He was not part of the formal interviews.” 

However, as Cabot points out, the Browns still have ample time to bring Manziel in for an individual workout and interview, as well as the Texas A&M pro day on March 5.

It’s possible — and likely — that the Browns used their allotment of 60 combine interviews to speak with players whom they don’t plan on bringing in for private meetings.

More from the Browns and Cabot…

  • Center Alex Mack becomes the highest-paid center in the NFL with the application of the transition tag today, notes Cabot, in line to earn at least $10.039MM guaranteed in 2014 if not signed to an offer sheet.
  • Pettine doesn’t look at the transition tag as a one-year deal, but as a way to sign Mack long-term. “We felt that that was the best avenue for us to go,” Pettine said. “He’s an outstanding player. We want him to be a Cleveland Brown for a long time. The [transition tag] will allow us the opportunity to potentially do that.”
  • Since NFL rules dictate that each team can only tag one player per offseason, strong safety T.J. Ward did not receive a franchise or transition tag. “I wouldn’t read into it,” Pettine said. “It only eliminates the ability to have tagged him. He’s an outstanding player and he’s a Cleveland Brown and we’ll make the decision for what’s best for him moving forward.”

NFC Notes: Seahawks, Bryant, Rice, Harbaugh

March 3rd, 2014 at 9:44pm CST by Peter Sowards

The Super Bowl champion Seahawks debuted their season highlights tonight, and coach Pete Carroll left the door open on a possible return of two recently released players, defensive lineman Red Bryant and receiver Sidney Rice.

“Maybe we have a chance to get them back,” Carroll said via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. “Maybe we don’t. We’ll have to wait and see.”

The two were slated to earn a combined $17MM in 2014 before receiving the ax.

Other notes from the NFC…

  • 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh addressed rumors he will leave the team after next season. “No,” Harbaugh told SI.com’s Michael Rosenberg. “Zero opportunity or chance of that in my mind.” Harbaugh flatly denied the assertions that he wants more money and power, and he spoke of the respect shared between himself and GM Trent Baalke.
  • Cowboys quarterback Kyle Orton is set to earn $3.25MM in 2014, but the team still doesn’t if he plans on playing, according to ESPNDallas.com’s Todd Archer. Orton would have to repay $3MM of the $5MM signing bonus he received in 2012, so signs point to his return, but no declarative statement has been made.
  • Attempting to ease cap woes, the Cowboys converted base salary to bonus money for cornerback Orlando Scandrick and Sean Lee, per FOX Sports 1 NFL insider Mike Garafolo (Twitter link). This type of conversion lowers a cap number by spreading the hit over the length of the contract. Garafolo continued, saying the team will continue to rework contracts, and that Scandrick had $3.75MM converted. Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets that Dallas created $4.75MM in space with Lee and $8.5MM total.
  • With a $6.75MM salary and $11.3MM cap number in 2014, Giants offensive lineman Chris Snee reiterated his willingness to take a pay cut and “mentor the young guys,” from ESPN Giants reporter Dan Graziano.

Byrd Notes: Falcons, Browns, Jets, Bills

March 3rd, 2014 at 8:58pm CST by Peter Sowards

The deadline for teams to apply their franchise and transition tags has come and gone, and the Bills announced earlier today they would not tag three-time Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd.

Now it’s time for beat writers from safety-needy teams to look at whether the former Oregon product who played the 2013 season on a franchise tender would be worth his hefty price tag.

When D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta-Journal Constitution ranked his five free agent targets for the Falcons, he ranked Byrd No. 1. Atlanta will be $26.7MM beneath the salary cap once Tony Gonzalez‘s $7MM slot is removed, and Ledbetter cites the potential upgrade Byrd would present over incumbent free safety Thomas DeCoud, whom the Falcons are expected to release, as justification.

But, there’s only so much money you can invest in one position, as ESPN Atlanta Falcons reporter Vaughn McClure points out. Strong safety William Moore enters year two of a five-year, $29.51M contract, and Byrd figures to command a substantially larger deal.

Other Byrd notes from around the league…

  • When the Browns placed the transition tag on center Alex Mack earlier today, they gave up their exclusive rights of T.J. Ward, another top-tier safety hitting free agency. ESPN Browns reporter Pat McManamon looks at the potential for a Byrd/Ward swap of sorts, reuniting Byrd with Cleveland head coach and former Buffalo defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.
  • The Jets haven’t paid top dollar for a safety since Kerry Rhodes‘ $33.5MM deal in 2008, ESPNNewYork.com reporter Rich Cimini notes, but Byrd is worth investigating. Cimini’s gut tells him the team will likely look again to Dawan Landry and Antonio Allen in 2014, but with 22 interceptions since 2009 and six against the Jets, Byrd should draw the organization’s eye.
  • Aaron Williams, a second-round pick in 2011, tops the list of likely replacements for Byrd in Buffalo, with younger players Duke Williams, Jonathan Meeks and Jujuan Harley as long shots, per ESPN Bills reporter Mike Rodak.

South Rumors: Pollard, Texans, Buccaneers

March 3rd, 2014 at 8:07pm CST by Ben Levine

The Titans re-signed Bernard Pollard this afternoon and a couple interesting notes have trickled out since. According to Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com (via Twitter), Pollard did not use his agent and worked out the new deal himself. General manager Ruston Webster told Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean (via Twitter) that “getting this deal done today helps our overall plan for this offseason…. We still have work ahead of us trying to retain some of our other players, but we are glad to be able to get this one done.” Among the team’s other free agents are cornerback Alterraun Verner and receiver Kenny Britt.

Some more whispers from the teams down south…

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs

March 3rd, 2014 at 7:29pm CST by Ben Levine

D’Qwell Jackson was very impressed after meeting with the Broncos, but isn’t ready to make a decision, tweets Mike Klis of the Denver Post. In another tweet, Klis mentions that Jackson is heading to Miami to meet with the Dolphins before also meeting with an unknown team. Jackson should make a decision by the end of the week, Klis says in a final tweet.

A couple of notes from around the AFC West…

  • Eric Decker is not an elite player and the Broncos likely won’t pay him like one, says Jeffri Chadiha of ESPN.com. According to Chadiha, Decker’s disappearance in the Super Bowl confirmed that Decker is a number two receiver, not a number one. The writer refers to a number of receivers who cashed in and then struggled with new teams, like Mike Wallace last season.
  • Chad Rinehart and Richard Marshall should receive attention from the Chargers, writes Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. Neither player would break the bank and they’d also fill holes in the team’s lineup, Williams says.
  • The Chiefs signed receiver Weston Dressler about a month ago, and Adam Teicher of ESPN.com warns to not overlook the acquisition. Teicher says that Dressler is insurance in case the team cannot retain free agent Dexter McCluster, but he also quotes coach Andy Reid saying “If you told me I could have two Dexter McClusters, that would be a good thing. I wouldn’t mind that at all.’’

Chargers Restructure Eddie Royal’s Contract

March 3rd, 2014 at 7:19pm CST by Ben Levine

The Chargers have restructured the contract of wide receiver Eddie Royal, reports Michael Gehlkin of the U-T San Diego. The receiver was set to make $4.5MM in base salary next salary, with $6MM counting against the cap. Given the high number, Royal’s return to San Diego was questionable. It appears that question has been answered, although the specifics of the new deal are not yet known.

Royal was entering the final season of his contract and it’s unknown whether the restructuring will extend Royal’s deal. Cutting Royal would have saved the team $4.5MM in cap room, but would have cost the team $1.5MM in dead money.

Gehlkin believes that Royal’s restructuring may have helped in the Chargers keeping linebacker Donald Butler, who announced his re-signing with the team last week. Gehlkin refers to a Butler tweet to Royal from earlier today: “preciate u restructuring urs for me bruh!” Royal responded by tweeting “worked out for both of us.”

Royal had 47 catches for 631 yards last season while also grabbing a career-high eight touchdowns.

AFC North Links: Bengals, Ravens, Steelers

March 3rd, 2014 at 6:42pm CST by Ben Levine

Andy Dalton is entering the final year of his contract and Coley Harvey of ESPN.com discusses whether the Bengals should re-sign their quarterback prior to him reaching free agency. At this moment, Harvey thinks the team should pay its third-year player this offseason. It would certainly be a gamble by the Bengals either way, as an unsigned Dalton could lead his team deep in the playoffs and demand a huge payday next offseason. Reversely, Dalton could sign and continue to fail in leading the club through the postseason.

Other rumblings from the AFC North…

  • The Ravens have not started contract talks with Michael Oher and are not expected to, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Wilson says the team is instead focusing on re-signing Eugene Monroe.
  • The Ravens made the right choice in not using the franchise tag on Monroe, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com writes. While the team needs a left tackle (and while Monroe certainly played well in that role last season), Hensley believes that it wouldn’t have been worth it for the team to dedicate such a large portion of their cap to the position. The writer says it makes more sense to sign Monroe to a long-term deal.
  • The Steelers used their transition tag on Jason Worilds earlier today, but there’s no guarantee that he returns, Scott Brown of ESPN.com says. All it would take for Worilds to leave is one team slightly overpaying, and Brown doesn’t sound too optimistic that the Steelers would match a huge offer.
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