HEADLINES

Month: April 2014

Latest On Potential Bills Sale

April 19th, 2014 at 3:13pm CST by Luke Adams

The estate of late Bills owner Ralph Wilson has yet to appoint an investment banking firm to put an updated value on the franchise and oversee negotiations for the sale of the club, meaning the formal bidding process has yet to get underway. However, that doesn’t mean that potential bidders aren’t lining up to make a run at the Bills.

As John Wawrow of The Associated Press writes, the Bills were valued at $870MM by Forbes last year, but the sale price figures to be even higher, given the number of interested parties. Erie County deputy executive Richard Tobe said he has been approached by about 10 prospective ownership groups, which he has told to contact the team. Here’s a few updates from Wawrow on investors interested in making a bid on the Bills:

  • We’ve heard about Donald Trump‘s interest in buying the Bills, and Michael Cohen, Trump’s executive vice president, reiterated that the billionaire is serious about getting involved: “There’s nobody more serious than Donald Trump. Donald Trump has made it crystal clear that the Bills will remain in Buffalo.”
  • Bills legend and former quarterback Jim Kelly is expected to pursue an ownership role with the team as well, according to his brother – and the vice president of Jim Kelly Inc. – Dan Kelly. Despite undergoing treatment for a recurrence of sinus cancer, the former Bills signal-caller “will be an active participant in it moving forward,” says his brother.
  • Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs is another potential bidder for the Bills, according to Wawrow. Jacobs has yet to publicly announce his intentions, but a source tells Wawrow that the Jacobs family “is definitely a player.” The NFL doesn’t allow owners to control major sports franchise in separate markets, so Jacobs Sr. would have to sell the Bruins to own a stake in the Bills, which he has said he doesn’t intend to do. However, that doesn’t preclude his sons, Jeremy Jr., Lou and Charlie, from getting involved with the Bills.
  • As previously reported, rock star Jon Bon Jovi, who has a strong connection to Larry Tanenbaum of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment (the owner of the NHL’s Maple Leafs and NBA’s Raptors), has interest in owning an NFL team and may make a play for the Bills.

Pro Football Rumors On Facebook/Twitter

April 19th, 2014 at 2:28pm CST by Luke Adams

Not many notable free agents are still on the board, but the 2014 NFL draft is less than three weeks away, and there’s still no consensus on who will be picked in the top 10, the top five, or even at No. 1. There will be plenty of notable stories to track on Pro Football Rumors throughout the spring, and you don’t necessarily have to keep refreshing our site to keep tabs on them. There are a handful of different ways you can follow us to get the latest updates on NFL news and rumors all year.

You can like us on Facebook, and receive headlines and links for all our posts via your Facebook account. You can also follow us on Twitter to have all our posts and updates sent directly to your Twitter feed. Meanwhile, our Google+ page is located here, and if you’d like to follow us using your RSS reader of choice, you can find our RSS feed right here.

If you prefer to receive updates only on roster moves such as signings, cuts, and trades, you can follow our transactions-only feeds via RSS and Twitter.

AFC Notes: Pryor, Hill, Bills

April 19th, 2014 at 1:05pm CST by Matt Feminis

The Raiders will cut Terrelle Pryor if they can’t find a trade partner by Monday, reports Fox Sports’ Alex Marvez (via Twitter). The news portends an inevitable conclusion to Pryor’s time in Oakland, as the writing has been on the wall since the team traded for Matt Schaub and declared confidence in Matt McGloin as the backup.

Here’s a handful more AFC notes:

  • The Broncos are nearing decision time on Von Miller, who is eligible for a fifth-year option, and ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold details the figures, options and factors involved. Even if the team decides against the fifth-year option in the short-term, franchising Miller next year is a realistic possibility assuming he returns healthy from his ACL injury and gets back to his impact form (30 sacks between 2011 and 2012).
  • In a mailbag, ESPNNewYork.com’s Jane McManus shares her opinion that, in theory, the Jets “have already moved on” from 2012 second-rounder Stephen Hill, who has been a bust through two seasons.
  • The Bills are set at one safety spot with Aaron Williams, who is locked up until 2018. However, despite an uninspiring trio of competitors for the other starting position (Da’Norris Searcy, Duke Williams and Jonathan Meeks), the team does not seem motivated to pluck one of the top-rated safety prospects, writes Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. Rodak speculates the Bills likely won’t address safety in the draft until the middle or late rounds if at all, saying, “They could also wait another year, see what they have in those two second-year players, and re-assess the position after this season.”

Draft Notes: Manziel, Clowney, Easley

April 19th, 2014 at 12:13pm CST by Matt Feminis

Texas A&M quarterback prospect Johnny Manziel, who will visit with Cleveland brass this week, is working out for Browns officials in College Station today, per ESPN insider Adam Schefter (via Twitter).

Here’s several more draft news and notes:

  • Speaking of high-profile, scrutinized prospects, South Carolina’s Jadaveon Clowney has drawn heavy criticism, but Bleacher Report columnist Mike Freeman is skeptical about how much of it is legitimate and how much of it is draft propaganda. Meanwhile, Freeman thinks Clowney could set a precedent for how elite prospects handle (dictate?) the pre-draft process in the coming years.
  • “The biggest difference under [Chiefs] general manager John Dorsey is that the requirements for players seem to be a lot less rigid,” says ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher in response to a mailbag question asking about the difference between the team’s current draft philosophy and that of the previous regime. “Where former GM Scott Pioli wanted players to fit into a certain system and tried to fit the players to the system, now the Chiefs are more just looking for good players. They will mold the system around the abilities of the players.”
  • Chargers GM Tom Telesco and Jaguars GM David Caldwell have a good relationship, having known each other since high school, played together in college and worked together in Indianapolis. Accordingly, ESPN.com’s Eric D. Williams speculates the two could work together on a draft-day trade that would enable the Jags to reenter the first round and grab a quarterback, perhaps Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater, who is rumored to be sliding.
  • Florida defensive tackle Dominique Easley, reportedly 80% recovered from a torn ACL and meniscus, is embarking on busy pre-draft schedule, writes Aaron Wilson of National Football Post. Easley will visit with the Patriots and Cowboys after having worked out for 17 teams on Thursday, including the Bears, who had three representatives present. Though undersized, Easley shows the type of explosiveness and disruptive ability desired of a three-technique.
  • Clemson receiver Martavis Bryant, who possesses intriguing measurables, has 22 combined visits and private workouts, according to Wilson via the Baltimore Sun.
  • Georgia Tech pass rusher Jeremiah Attaochu, Southern Miss defensive tackle Khyri Thornton, Montana linebacker Jordan Tripp were among prospects who helped themselves with strong pro day efforts, according to NFL.com’s College Football 24/7 writer Bryan Fischer, who highlights defensive prospect risers.

Dolphins Notes: Kouandijo, Hartline, Linebackers, Draft

April 19th, 2014 at 10:00am CST by Matt Feminis

With the obligatory, pre-draft, take-with-a-grain-of-salt disclaimer in mind, the Dolphins reportedly have eyes for Alabama right tackle prospect Cyrus Kouandijo with the 19th overall pick, according to Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post.

Abramson’s piece included a few Dolphins news nuggets:

  • The team is not as high on Virginia tackle prospect Morgan Moses because of work ethic and off-the-field concerns. This is noteworthy because offensive coordinator Bill Lazor coached Moses for three seasons at UVA (2010-12).
  • The team is likely to go offense with its second-round pick, too, be it a guard or receiver.
  • According to a source, a second-round receiver “would likely mean the departure of receiver Brian Hartline after the 2014 season.” Releasing Hartline after next year would save $4MM.
  • Abramson quelled speculation the team will take Alabama inside linebacker C.J. Mosley: “Miami is planning to move Koa Misi from strong-side linebacker to middle linebacker. Dannell Ellerbe, who struggled last season, would move from the middle to the weak side. Philip Wheeler, who also had a sub-par year, would move from weak-side to strong-side linebacker.”
  • Ellerbe ($7.4MM cap hit) and Wheeler ($4.4MM) are candidates to be cut after the season with “minimal cap consequences if they don’t perform well in 2014.”
  • The team is high on Alabama defensive lineman Ed Stinson, a stout run defender who would be a mid-round option.

NFC Notes: Amukamara, Bears, Bucs

April 19th, 2014 at 9:00am CST by Matt Feminis

Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara, the 19th pick in the 2011 draft, is a candidate for a fifth-year option, but the team has “not made a decision about Amukamara’s option, and it’s not a slam-dunk decision,” says ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano: “The Giants like Amukamara. He plays hard, is a sound technician, keeps himself in shape and pays attention to detail.” However, the team could balk at paying a No. 2 cornerback $7.13MM.

In other NFC notes. . .

  • In a mailbag, ESPN.com’s Michael C. Wright points out the Bears have just two running backs on the roster, but second-year man Michael Ford will not be handed the No. 2 job behind Matt Forte. Additionally, Wright doesn’t think Shea McClellin will beat out Jon Bostic for a starting linebacker spot, which would relegate the 2012 first-rounder to a sub-package, pass-rush role.
  • The Bears are expected to draft a starter-caliber safety, and who they tab will be telling in terms of which positional traits the team prioritizes, speculates Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune.
  • Thanks to a “pay-as-you-go” method of operation, the Vikings sit with $30MM in cap space for 2015, notes ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling.
  • The Buccaneers have done their due diligence on the top quarterback prospects and would be ready to pounce if one slipped to No. 7, writes Josh Sanchez at NFL.SI.com, who relays a report from NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.

Extra Points: Bears, Watt, Lee, Patriots

April 18th, 2014 at 8:39pm CST by Zachary Links

Lindenwood cornerback Pierre Desir is on the Bears‘ radar, writes Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com. A relative unknown after spending two years at Washburn, followed by the two seasons at Lindenwood, Desir finished his college career with 25 total interceptions and 52 pass breakups en route to being named a Division II All-American three times. The cornerback is projected by some to go in the second round and the Bears might be looking at him as a possibility at No. 51. More from around the NFL..

  • Texans standout defensive end J.J. Watt will never play for his fifth year option, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. After the 2014 season he’s expected to sign a lucrative, long-term extension. As the Pro Football Rumors 2015 Fifth-Year Option Tracker shows, Watt’s option is worth $6.969MM.
  • The Texans have holes to fill all over the roster, writes John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. That could be part of the reason why there’s ostensibly several viable candidates for the No. 1 overall pick.
  • USC All-American wide receiver Marqise Lee visited the Patriots and Lions this week, league sources tell Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Lee was named the Pac-12 Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore, when he caught a career-high 118 passes for 1,712 yards and 14 touchdowns. As a junior last season, Lee’s production fell to 57 catches for 791 yards and four touchdowns as he dealt with injuries.
  • Alabama offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio worked out for the Buccaneers and Panthers, tweets Gil Brandt of NFL.com. The Crimson Tide standout has seven visits and workouts in total.

West Notes: James, Watkins, Raiders

April 18th, 2014 at 7:02pm CST by Zachary Links

With Jim Harbaugh at the 49ers‘ helm, not keeping issues in-house leads to the doghouse, writes Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. LaMichael James could be finding that out for himself this week as he’s reportedly being shopped. The 2012 second-round pick excelled at Oregon but he hasn’t seen a great deal of time on the field. Here’s more out of the AFC and NFC West..

  • In addition to Sammy Watkins, the Rams worked out fellow Clemson wide receiver Maravis Bryant today, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
  • Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter) crunched the numbers and found that no NFL team has more 30+-year-olds than the Raiders with 13. The Bears and 49ers are close behind with 12 while the Jaguars, Seahawks, and Rams have just three a piece.
  • The Seahawks have found success with tall, powerful cornerbacks and Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune wonders if the Chargers should do the same. One player that fits the bill is Utah’s Keith McGill, a prospect with a longer wingspan and bigger hands than Seattle star cornerback Richard Sherman.

NFC East Rumors: Redskins, Cowboys

April 18th, 2014 at 5:40pm CST by Zachary Links

The Redskins don’t need another pass-catching tight end but, hey, it never hurts to have extra. Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com runs down the possible tight end targets for Washington in next month’s draft. Washington’s current depth chart includes Jordan Reed, Logan Paulsen, and Niles Paul. El-Bashir highlights Washington’s Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Iowa’s C.J. Fiedorowicz, and Crockett Gillmore of Colorado State as tight ends worth considering. Here’s more out of the NFC East..

  • John Keim of ESPN.com compares the Redskins defense to the rest of the league in terms of salary. Safety Jairus Byrd could have upped the Redskins’ bill for 2014 but he wound up signing with the Saints instead.
  • If LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger is available for the Cowboys in the second round, they should pass, says Kevin Sherrington of the Dallas Morning News. While Mettenberger had a very strong pro day just a couple of months after surgery and the Cowboys should look into a QB for the future, it’s not a pressing need because of their commitment to Tony Romo. Instead, Dallas needs at least two walk-in starters on defense and that’s probably where their focus will be.
  • Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com looked back at the Cowboys‘ last five free agent classes and wrapped up today with a glance at 2013. The class, which amounted to the additions of Will Allen and Justin Durant, got Dallas a C grade from Watkins.

AFC North Rumors: McClain, Ravens, Browns

April 18th, 2014 at 4:07pm CST by Zachary Links

Terrence Cody spoke highly of Ravens teammate Rolando McClain, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. “He’s humbled himself a lot,” Cody said of McClain, who was reinstated off of the reserve list yesterday. “I’m real excited to have back an old teammate I went to war with. It’s awesome.” Here’s more out of the AFC North..

  • Oregon cornerback Terrance Mitchell, who boasts a 4.43 second 40-yard-dash, is quickly gaining buzz, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Ravens have interest in Mitchell, who has already worked out for the Colts and Raiders. Mitchell didn’t allow any touchdowns in 2013 for the Ducks.
  • The Ravens‘ interest in Indiana wide receiver Cody Latimer is growing, tweets Wilson. Ravens wide receivers coach Bobby Engram will attend Latimer’s private workout next Friday in Bloomington (link). The Chargers auditioned the rising prospect earlier this week and the Rams are said to have interest.
  • Utah State cornerback Nevin Lawson will visit the Browns next Wednesday and Thursday, a league source tells Wilson. Lawson, a physical corner who runs a 4.48 40-yard-dash with a 33-inch vertical leap, previously visited the Falcons.
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