2014 April - Pro Football Rumors

NFC Notes: Lions, Hawkins, Cooks

April 5th, 2014 at 4:50pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Lions hosted Clemson wide receiver Martavis Bryant, Washington State safety Deone Bucannon, and Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan this week.

Lewan could be in the mix for the team in the first round.

Here are some other notes from around the NFC:

The Lions first-round pick could change drastically depending on how many quarterbacks are selected in the nine picks ahead of them, writes Justin Rogers of MLive.com. Rogers notes that the ideal scenario would find four quarterbacks selected in before the Lions are called to the podium, but two or three would be more realistic.
The Buccaneers are finalizing their deal with wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins, reports Mark Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). The deal has already been agreed to in principle, but some specifics are being hammered out.
Oregon State’s Brandin Cooks has been busy, meeting with the Jets earlier this week. Cooks will also meet with the Seahawks, Panthers, and Patriots, according to Bryan Fischer of NFL.com.

AFC Notes: Mack, Burleson, Draft

April 5th, 2014 at 4:22pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Jaguars have met with free agent center Alex Mack, reports BigCatCountry.com (via Twitter). Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1 confirms that Mack has already visited with the team (via Twitter).

Mack received the transition tag from the Browns earlier this offseason, which gives the Browns the right to match any offer.

Here are some other notes from around the AFC:

The Browns have hosted former Lion Nate Burleson, according Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (via Twitter). Burleson, 32, had 191 catches between 2009 and 2011, but struggled to stay on the field the past two seasons.
The Titans brought in West Virginia running back Charles Sims for a visit, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter). With uncertainty at the position without Chris Johnson, the team is looking for long-term answers at the position.
Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle was taking Raiders questions on Twitter, and discussed if the recent signings of Jacoby Ford and DeSean Jackson would push the team to choose Clemson’s Sammy Watkins with the fifth pick in the draft. Tafur believes that Watkins and Kalil Mack of Buffalo are both in play for the Raiders.

Marcus Spears Retires

April 5th, 2014 at 3:27pm CST by Rob DiRe

Former Cowboy and Raven Marcus Spears is retiring from the NFL, after nine seasons. This was announced by the SEC network via twitter, as Spears and former NFL defensive lineman Anthony McFarland will be joining the network as college football analysts.

Spears spent most of his career with the Cowboys, playing defensive end. The team hoped that he would emerge as a pass rushing threat to complement DeMarcus Ware, but Spears struggled to produce, only amassing 10 sacks for his career. Spears also struggled in run defense at times during his NFL tenure. He had not started more than seven games since the 2009 season.

Spears took to Twitter to express his gratefulness to the SEC Network.

Rams Not Interested In Chris Johnson

April 5th, 2014 at 1:42pm CST by Rob DiRe

Since Chris Johnson‘s release from the Titans earlier this week, there has been some speculation that among his potential suitors he may find a home with his former coach Jeff Fisher and the Rams.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post Dispatch writes that a reunion between Fisher and Jackson is unlikely, as the organization and the coaching staff have expressed little interest in bringing in the former Pro Bowl running back.

The Rams are happy with current running back Zac Stacy, who had an impressive rookie year, tallying 973 yards in 14 games. While Johnson could supplement that production, he was scheduled to make $8MM with the Titans this year. Thomas writes that if Johnson can get even half that in the open market, then the Rams would not be able to afford him as a second back.

Even still, Fisher has a history of bringing in his former Titans, with Cortland Finnegan, Jared Cook, Will Witherspoon, and William Hayes. Most recently, the Rams brought troubled wide receiver Kenny Britt into the fold. If the price tag comes down closer to the veteran’s minimum, it is not impossible for the Rams to jump back into the mix.

Extra Points: Pats, Ravens, Bears, Keller

April 5th, 2014 at 12:52pm CST by Matt Feminis

The Patriots raised eyebrows this week with a string of quarterback draft prospect visits, and overthecap.com’s Aaron Fitzgerald says the team has structured its salary cap to allow for the addition of Tom Brady‘s successor.

Miscellaneous lunchtime news, notes and links. . .

The Ravens are expected to draft a safety, and ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley discusses the merits of three of the top available, saying Northern Illinois’ Jimmie Ward might be the best fit. Last year’s first-rounder, Matt Elam, who did not produce an abundance of impact plays as a rookie, is expected to be used closer to the line of scrimmage more often next season. Says Hensley: “The Ravens can’t afford for Elam to disappear so much in games this year.”
Dustin Keller, who tore his ACL, MCL and PCL and also dislocated the knee last August, is not yet 100 percent, but “hasn’t been ruled out and remains on the Dolphins’ radar,” writes ESPN.com’s James Walker.
A brief, position-by-position analysis of the Jaguars’ off-season moves is provided by Jacksonville.com’s Ryan O’Halloran, who describes under-the-radar free agent acquisition Dekoda Watson as an “ascending player.”
During an edition of ESPN’s First Draft podcast (listen here), ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay campaigns for the Bears to draft Pittsburgh three-technique Aaron Donald 14th overall, saying the team’s Plan B would be “panic” in a scenario where Donald is off the board. McShay also called Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert the most overrated player in the draft.
Georgia Tech pass rusher Jeremiah Attaochu, recovered from a torn hamstring injury, worked out for scouts at GT’s pro day yesterday, and has visits scheduled with the Colts, Eagles and Patriots.
A list of reported prospect workouts/visits as well as head coach and general manager sightings at various pro days can be found on NFL.com.

Redskins Cut Bellamy, Hull, Mouton

April 5th, 2014 at 11:49am CST by Matt Feminis

The Redskins have released Josh Bellamy, Josh Hull and Ryan Mouton, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post (via Twitter). All three were special-teams contributors/fringe roster players, though Hull paced the team with 14 special-teams tackles, points out CSN Washington’s Tarik El-Bashir (via Twitter). Hull became expendable thanks to the Redskins’ free-agent linebacker acquisitions.

Chris Johnson To Sign By Next Week?

April 5th, 2014 at 10:22am CST by Matt Feminis

Free agent running back Chris Johnson, recently cut by the Titans, should settle on his new team by the middle of next week, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who writes the Jets are the “strongest link” at the momentum, but it’s still unclear where Johnson will land.

As for contract terms, Florio says,

“The fact that a land rush apparently hasn’t immediately emerged for Johnson could be a bad sign. And if there aren’t multiple teams with a high level of motivation to get Johnson, it will be hard for agent Joel Segal to get a significant offer.

“Don’t be surprised if Johnson ultimately does a one-year deal that allows him to get back to the open market on the first day of 2015 free agency, and don’t be shocked if the base value is a lot closer to $3.5 million (the current top of the market) than $8 million.”

The Jets are interested in Johnson if the price is right, though the team has yet to reach out to Johnson’s representation, says the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta (via Twitter).

NFC Notes: Jackson, Hawkins, Coleman, Giants, Panthers

April 5th, 2014 at 9:02am CST by Matt Feminis

Former Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson claims the team never specified why he was cut. “I was sitting there waiting for the reason why, but that’s basically all I can (recall) from the conversation,” Jackson told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. “. … I got off the phone. I was like, ‘Are you sure? That’s it?’ We hung up. That was it.”

While the Eagles haven’t addressed the issue directly, more details of Jackson’s behavior have emerged thanks to Joseph Santoliquito of CBS Philly.

In other news and notes from around the NFC. . .

Receiver Lavelle Hawkins worked out for the Buccanneers, according to Aaron Wilson of National Football Post. Hawkins, who was cut by the Patriots last year, played for Bucs offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford at Cal.
Wilson also reports that former Eagles safety Kurt Coleman worked out for the Colts.
The Bears are not actively seeking to replace second-year right tackle Jordan Mills, writes ESPN.com’s Michael C. Wright in a mailbag piece. Says Wright: “…the Bears are fairly happy with Mills, and expect him to improve in his second year. Mills to me has a very bright future in the NFL, and has the right attitude in terms of doing what it takes day in and day out to be a pro.”
The Packers’ biggest defensive weakness is a lack of speed at inside linebacker, writes ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky, who suggests Alabama’s C.J. Mosley for the 21st pick.
The Panthers could very well draft two receivers and two offensive tackles, speculates ESPN.com’s David Newton, who also says the “Double Trouble” running back tandem of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart should remain intact for two more seasons.
The Giants earned a B-minus grade in free agency in the eyes of NJ.com’s Jordan Raanan, who recaps and reviews the team’s signings.

Extra Points: Roby, Knott, Freeman, Jones

April 4th, 2014 at 11:05pm CST by Peter Sowards

In this thorough write-up, the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Michael Gehlken looks at Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby‘s upcoming visit with the Chargers, scheduled for later this month. Roby’s collegiate career featured a plethora of ups and downs, the majority of a non-positive nature.

“I think I had obvious shortcomings, on and off the field,” Roby told Gehlken in a phone interview. “It’s not about what happens to you. It’s all about how you respond and if you really learned. If you don’t learn, then it’s going to keep happening over and over again. I believe in karma. I believe in learning from mistakes; that’s what they’re there for.”

Roby is projected by some experts as a first-round pick. The Chargers own the No. 25 overall pick and last selected a defensive back in the first round in 2008, when they drafted Arizona’s Antoine Cason 27th overall.

Other news and notes from Friday night…

Eagles linebacker Jake Knott has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2014 season, the team announced today. Knott violated the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances and is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games. “We’re very disappointed to learn of his suspension,” the team said in a statement. “We have spoken to Jake and he is fully aware of the mistake he made and owned it. The key for him, however, is to learn from that mistake and move forward with his preparation for the 2014 season.”
Receiver James Jones moved on from the Packers earlier this offseason, signing a three-year, $11.3MM deal with the Raiders. Another former Packers receiver, Antonio Freeman, shared his thoughts with Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, saying he wasn’t surprised with the move: “This game is about dollars and cents,” Freeman said. “It’s about cap value. That’s what these decisions come down to. It doesn’t come down to if James was a nice guy or a great locker room guy. He was a great guy. I met him a few times. I’ve heard great things about him. But it doesn’t come down to how nice of a guy you are. This is a business. This is Wall Street. This is Saks Fifth Avenue.”

Broncos, John Fox Agree To Extension

April 4th, 2014 at 10:12pm CST by Peter Sowards

10:12pm: Fox’s deal is worth between $5MM to $6MM per year, reports Ryan Parker of The Denver Post.

9:10pm: Rapoport’s sources describe the deal as “fair and generous” (via Twitter).

8:33pm: The Broncos and head coach John Fox have agreed to a new three-year extension, reports FOX NFL Insider Jay Glazer (via Twitter). As Glazer notes in his tweet, both Super Bowl head coaches — Fox and Seattle’s Pete Carroll — have agreed to new deals in a 24-hour span. It’s a “completely new” three-year deal, meaning the four-year, $14MM contract he signed in in 2011 was proverbially torn up.

Extending Fox’s contract was a top offseason priority for the Broncos, reported CBS Sports’ Jason LaCanfora in December. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweeted in the days leading up to Super Bowl XLVIII that negotiations were to begin after the big game.

The Broncos are 34-14 in three seasons under Fox’s tutelage, winning the AFC West each year. Before moving on to Denver, Fox coached the Carolina Panthers for nine seasons, including a Super Bowl appearance in February 2004.