2014 April - Pro Football Rumors

Seahawks Re-Sign Sidney Rice

April 21st, 2014 at 9:45am CST by Zachary Links

MONDAY, 9:45am: Rice gets a $1MM base salary from the Seahawks, with a signing bonus of $150K, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. Seattle also covers its bases with a $500K split salary in case of injury, while Rice can earn up to $250K in per-game roster bonuses, tweets Pelissero.

WEDNESDAY, 6:55pm: The Seahawks have re-signed wide receiver Sidney Rice to a one-year deal, a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (on Twitter). Exact financial terms of the deal are not yet known, but Florio writes that it’s worth more than the league minimum.

Rice was in New York area to meet with the Jets today but he’ll try and help Seattle work towards a championship repeat rather than join up with Michael Vick and Chris Johnson. The 27-year-old has missed a good deal time with injuries across the course of his career and 2013 was no different. He started all 16 games for the Seahawks in 2012, but finished the season with fairly modest numbers — 50 receptions, 748 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. Although he may never again match the Pro Bowl numbers he posted in 2009 (83 catches, 1,312 yards), the former second-round pick still looks capable of providing a positive impact for an NFL team if he can stay healthy.

On Monday, Rice received clearance to return to football activities from Dr. James Andrews.

King’s Latest: Draft, Texans, Jags, Cards, Rams

April 21st, 2014 at 8:46am CST by Luke Adams

As usual, Peter King of TheMMQB.com has kicked off the week by sharing a number of interesting tidbits that can be found in his latest Monday Morning Quarterback column. Let’s dive right in and round up several of the highlights from King….

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman on this year’s crop of quarterbacks: “There’s no Andrew Luck, no Peyton Manning. It is such a mixed bag with each player — every one of them has positives, every one of them has negatives. And if that’s the way you end up feeling, why don’t you just wait till later in the draft, and take someone with the first pick you’re sure will help you right now?”
One friend of Texans general manager Rick Smith tells King that the GM prefers Buffalo’s Khalil Mack over Jadeveon Clowney. King adds that he thinks Houston will try to choose a sure thing with the No. 1 pick, which could mean Mack, Clowney, or Greg Robinson, but may rule out the top quarterbacks.
At No. 3 overall, the Jaguars want a pass rusher “badly” and would be a good fit for Mack or Clowney, depending on who is still available, says King.
Top tight end Eric Ebron recently suggested he thinks the Lions will draft him, though King is skeptical the club would go that route with its first pick.
The Cardinals are “sweet on” signal-callers Derek Carr and A.J. McCarron. King says he expects Arizona to draft a QB within the first two rounds and the Rams to take one within the first three.
Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandin Cooks are drawing interest from the Steelers, who are weighing the possibility of drafting a wideout in the first round.
In King’s view, current draft risers include Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier, Notre Dame offensive lineman Zack Martin, and Boise State defensive end Demarcus Lawrence. Players whose stock may be falling include Louisville signal-caller Teddy Bridgewater, UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr, and Alabama tackle Cyrus Kouandjio.

Draft Notes: Jets, RBs, Latimer, Donald

April 20th, 2014 at 10:32pm CST by Dallas Robinson

On this date in 1964, future NFL kicker John Carney was born in Hartford, Connecticut. Carney, a three-time All-Pro, would go on to play for eight teams, most notably the Chargers from 1990-2000. He played in four different decades, making him only the third player to do so (along with Jeff Feagles and George Blanda). Carney last played in 2010 with the Saints, the team with which he won a Super Bowl the prior season.

Carney, however, was undrafted, which differentiates him from the players discussed below in our latest edition of draft notes:

We noted earlier today that the Jets will meet with a trio of receiver prospects, and Mike Garafolo of FoxSports.com adds (in a series of tweets) that two more pass-catchers will be visiting with the team tomorrow: Texas A&M’s Mike Evans and Murray State’s Walter Powell. Evans is highly unlikely to last until pick No. 18, so the Jets would have to trade up to acquire him. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News thinks (on Twitter) it would take a trade involving Jets’ top four picks to move ahead of the Buccaneers at No. 7, who are rumored to be interested in the young wideout.
Late last month, PFR’s Rory Parks penned a piece discussing the degradation of the running back position in the modern NFL; today, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star takes a look at the same issue, and how it will affect the draft prospects of some collegiate RBs. For example, Arizona tailback Ka’Deem Carey said he was advised to leave school following his junior year: “They definitely were in my ear, saying you have a limited numbers of hits and running backs, you need to go while you have the chance,” said the 21-year-old.
Within the same post, Paylor cites an interesting quote from NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who observes that the Patriots could be surprising come draft day: “…[T]he Patriots are always kind of one step ahead of the curve and trying to be creative,” said Jeremiah. “I wouldn’t be shocked if they just sit there and said, ‘OK, everybody else wants to pass on all these running backs ― Carlos Hyde is a really good player. LeGarrette Blount is not here anymore, we’re going to pluck him, and we’ve got ourselves a back of the future.’” The Patriots hold the 29th overall selection.
In a Bears-centric post, the CSNChicago.com staff profiles Indiana receiver Cody Latimer, noting that while he may not be a fit in Chicago (what with the Bears’ depth at the position), the consensus among draftniks seems to be that Latimer lacks separation speed. Their fourth-to-fifth-round projection for Latimer is obviously outdated, however, as the wideout could possibly be a first-round-pick.
Speaking of the Bears, they are listed along with the Texans among several teams that could look to draft a defensive tackle in the draft in a piece by Nate Davis of USA Today.
In a separate piece, Davis adroitly profiles the top defensive tackles available in the draft, including Aaron Donald (“models his game after Bengals All-Pro Geno Atkins) and Timmy Jernigan (“lacks elite athleticism and size and probably is a bit short to play end for a 3-4 team”).

Johnny Manziel And The Jags, Browns

April 20th, 2014 at 9:04pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Johnny Manziel is unquestionably one of the most polarizing draft prospects in recent memory, prompting experts to rate him as anything from a first-round, surefire starter, to a mid-round project. Two franchises that could use an infusion of talent at the quarterback position — the Jaguars and the Browns — were recently used as backdrops for discussing Manziel’s attributes, both positive and negative.

Paris Moulden of the Florida Times-Union makes a three-pronged argument in favor of the Jags drafting Manziel, citing Jacksonville’s need for star power, Manziel’s ability, and the need for team to take a risk. While the first two reasons might be valid, I would question whether a general manager like Dave Caldwell, who has been methodical in his attempted rebuild of the Jags, would be willing to use the No. 3 pick on such an uncertain prospect.

Another team with an known interest in Manziel is the Browns, who own the No. 4 pick and a vacancy at quarterback. Ray Frager of CSNBaltimore.com parses the comments of NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell in arguing that Manziel may not make sense in Cleveland:

“You see a quarterback who creates his own problems with what appears to be a lack of understanding and discipline, and then once in a while he makes an unbelievable unstructured play. There’s a sense that he makes it up as he goes, a shoot-from-the-hip element that is so much fun and entertaining to watch. … Entertaining is great for fans and highlight shows, but it’s not a quarterback attribute. A QB cannot live on the edge, play randomly and be consistently successful against NFL defenses.”

Frager notes that it will take awhile for Manziel to develop, and that Browns fans aren’t willing to wait on another developmental quarterback. However, it remains to be seen whether any of the QBs in the 2014 class are immediate game-changers, and the Browns do have Brian Hoyer set as a place-holder at the position. Manizel would be an interesting addition to a Browns team that has several excellent pieces in place, and is still desperately yearning for a quarterback.

Poll: Should Ndamukong Suh Be With Team?

April 20th, 2014 at 7:51pm CST by Peter Sowards

Since joining the league as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has been a wrecking ball. He has made three Pro Bowls in four seasons, was the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, earned three All-Pro selections, and has totaled 27.5 sacks.

But, he has also been a lightning rod for criticism. As ESPN.com’s Jeffri Chadiha cites in this column, Suh has been suspended and fined nearly $217K in the past three seasons. With questions swirling about his character, along with an entirely new coaching staff, Suh showing up to the team’s offseason workouts would be a step in the right direction for a player whose name is too often referred to in a negative context.

Instead, Suh spent time in Las Vegas, negotiating a contract in its early stages that would likely place the former Heisman Trophy finalist among the top-paid defensive players in NFL history.

Chadiha goes all in on Suh and the Lions, chastising the player for not showing up and chastising the team for not forcing him to come: “What nobody was willing to say is what is plainly obvious to anybody watching this situation: It says plenty that Suh chose to not attend these workouts. Even if he’s getting into phenomenal shape on his own, this was the first opportunity that [head coach] Jim Caldwell and his assistants had to educate their players on the team’s new offensive and defensive schemes. If Suh wasn’t crazy about the team’s philosophies on strength and conditioning, he could’ve seen the upside in that. These are the types of gestures that leaders make in order to foster a winning atmosphere.”

This is not an uncommon occurrence. Players regularly choose to work out on their own, especially players who are in negotiations over their contract. But, as Chadiha points out, with a new coaching staff and Suh’s reputation, it was a chance for Suh to curry favor with the team.

So, do you think that Suh should have been with his team for its voluntary offseason program? Or does it even matter? Let us know your opinion in the comment section below.

Draft Notes: Wright, Robinson, Reilly

April 20th, 2014 at 6:38pm CST by Peter Sowards

When the Seahawks selected linebacker K.J. Wright with the No. 99 overall pick in 2011, no trumpets sounded or ticker-tape parades held — that’s about where he was slated to go, writes Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. But, since draft day three years ago, Wright has proven himself to be an anchor of an underrated linebacking corps, earning the No. 18 spot of the top 25 best Seahawks draft picks of all time. Wright has the third-most tackles of any defender from the 2011 draft class (164), behind Tampa Bay’s Mason Foster (199) and Houston’s J.J. Watt (192).

More draft notes below…

Auburn offensive lineman Greg Robinson will meet with the Rams, holders of the No. 2 overall pick, writes Joel A. Erickson of AL.com. But, since the Rams have already met with Robinson at the team’s facilities in St. Louis, the meeting will take place at Auburn or at Robinson’s high school in Thibodaux, Louisiana.
Utah end/linebacker Trevor Reilly is one of 11 prospects chronicling his journey to the NFL Draft for USA TODAY Sports. In this piece published today via Tom Pelissero, Reilly speaks of his recent team workouts and updates us on the condition of his knee:

“My workouts with the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars two weeks ago were positive. Both coaches were awesome. The linebacker coaches came out and worked me out, and we got in the film room. My body feels good and my knee feels good, and I think during the workouts, I showed I can move around well even though I’m a pretty tall guy.”

“My knee is 100 percent now. It’s never felt better. If there were a football game tomorrow, I’d be fine. I don’t even think I’ll have a brace going into my first practice of rookie minicamp. The reason why I wore it last year is I came back so early from ACL surgery – I had the surgery in December and I was back in August – my head coach and my trainer made me wear it just as a precaution. But to me it was more of an insurance policy. It wasn’t that I needed it. It was to make sure I didn’t reinjure myself. I think my surgeon did a great job with my ACL and with the cleanup of the meniscus, so it’s nothing out of the ordinary.”

Lindenwood cornerback Pierre Desir may come from a small school, but he plays with great size and experience, writes Arjuna Ramgopal of WEEI.com.
Baylor guard Cyril Richardson could be a depth pick for the Bears offensive line, but holes on defense might preclude the team from taking an offensive lineman that high, per CSNChicago.com.

Extra Points: Savage, Jets, Redskins, Draft

April 20th, 2014 at 4:48pm CST by Dallas Robinson

On Easter Sunday in 2009, the Eagles traded quarterback Donovan McNabb to the Redskins for a second-round pick (as noted on Twitter by Pro Football Talk). The transaction obviously occurred before the advent of Pro Football Rumors, but looking back, it was a clear win for the Eagles, as McNabb quickly entered his decline phase and Philadelphia prospered with Michael Vick at the helm. Of course, the division rivals were in the headlines again this offseason, as receiver DeSean Jackson was released by the Eagles and quickly bolted for the nation’s capital.

Here are some notes from around the league on this Sunday afternoon:

The Bengals visited with quarterback Tom Savage about a week ago in Cincinnati, and so far, he is the only QB the team has brought to its facilities, tweets Albert Breer of NFL.com. The Bengals are expected to select a quarterback at some point on day two or three of the draft.
Texas Tech tight end Jace Amaro will meet with Jets this week, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
Metha also notes (on Twitter) that the Jets will take a visit with Boise State edge player Demarcus Lawrence on Tuesday.
There are several options to replace the retired London Fletcher at middle linebacker in the Redskins’ 3-4 defense, but the top two choices seem to be Keenan Robinson and Darryl Sharpton, according to Rich Tandler and Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com.
Receiver prospects who know how to run option routes — rather the predetermined plays, which are becoming less popular due to the spread offense — could have an edge both in terms of draft position and NFL success, explains Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Cabot On Browns’ Draft Options

April 20th, 2014 at 4:12pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer posted a mailbag this morning with several interesting tidbits about the Browns’ strategy regarding the upcoming draft: Let’s look at the highlights:

The Browns are overwhelmingly likely to take a quarterback early in the draft, and have exhausted all options in terms of meeting with potential selections. The team worked out Johnny Manziel in College Station yesterday, and has also done its homework on big names like Blake Bortles and Derek Carr, plus lesser-known players such as Ball State’s Keith Wenning.
Another option at quarterback could be Redskins backup Kirk Cousins, who was reportedly available earlier this offseason. Cabot suggests the young QB, who has experience in new Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s system, could be had for a third-round pick.
Khalil Mack remains on the Browns radar, but Cabot thinks it is time for the team to use a top-five pick on a franchise quarterback. While Mack is undoubtedly an excellent prospect, Cleveland is already flush with pass-rushing talent, with the likes of Paul Kruger, Jabaal Sheard, and Barkevious Mingo manning the edge.
Greg Robinson is also a strong possibility to be selected with the fourth overall pick, with Cleveland rumored to be dissatisfied with incumbent right tackle Mitchell Schwartz. Schwartz, however, graded out rather well according to Pro Football Focus, finishing with a +8.2 rating.
A cornerback is also likely in the Browns’ plans, as the team could use a big, physical presence opposite Joe Haden. Buster Skrine is adept at covering the slot, but he is stretched when forced to play the outside.

Draft Notes: Jets, Patriots, Donald, Savage

April 20th, 2014 at 2:52pm CST by Dallas Robinson

A few notes as we get ever closer to the 2014 NFL Draft:

A trio of receivers will meet with the Jets in the upcoming days, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. The team will meet with Marqise Lee today and Monday, Odell Beckham on Monday and Tuesday, and Brandin Cooks later in the week.
Also in the market for defensive backfield help, the Jets will meet with two cornerbacks (according to Mehta on Twitter): Jason Verrett tomorrow and Darqueze Dennard on Friday.
The Patriots worked out Northern Arizona cornerback Anders Battle in early March, reports Zuri Berry of Boston.com. Battle, who has now earned his first mention in the pages of PFR, accrued 57 tackles and two interceptions last season, and reportedly ran a 4.57 40-yard-dash at his Pro Day.
Two Pittsburgh Panthers have turned down invitations to the draft proceedings at Radio City Music Hall. Jerry DiPaola of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that defensive tackle Aaron Donald rejected the offer due to personal reasons, while the Pitt Football Twitter account noted that quarterback Tom Savage turned down the invitation (without citing a reason). I would guess that Savage realizes he likely will not be a first-round pick and does not want to become a spectacle for the cameras.

NFC Notes: Lattimore, Vikings, Eagles, Lions

April 20th, 2014 at 1:52pm CST by Dallas Robinson

49ers running back Marcus Lattimore is poised to contribute to the team in a meaningful way in 2014, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. The 2013 second-round pick, who suffered a gruesome knee injury while playing at South Carolina, aims to settle in as the third running back behind Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter. Following the defection of Anthony Dixon to the Bills and the 49ers willingness to trade LaMichael James, Lattimore could see ample amounts of playing time, and he seems ready to capitalize on the opportunity. “…I’ve just got to go in there and work hard. I can pass-protect and run the ball. I’ve got to show that,” said the 22-year-old. “If I prove it in practice, I don’t think there’s no excuse why I can’t play. I’m ready.”

More notes from around the National Football Conference:

The Vikings‘ pay-as-you-go structure (not giving massive signing bonuses) allows the team to not only have more fluid cap management, but enables them to cut declining players with ease, writes Ben Goessling of ESPN.com.
NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah lists Odell Beckham, Kelvin Benjamin, and Brandin Cooks as options for the Eagles with the No. 22 pick (via Bo Wolf of PhiladelphiaEagles.com). While DeSean Jackson obviously needs to be replaced, it would surprise me if Philadelphia doesn’t target defense in the first round, hoping to improve upon their 22nd-ranked unit (according to Football Outsiders) by adding to an abysmal secondary.
Justin Rogers of MLive.com, citing this excellent paper by economics professors Richard Thaler and Cade Massey, makes the case that the Lions should trade down from pick No. 10 in the draft and acquire more selections in what is considered a tremendously deep draft class.