HEADLINES

Month: June 2014

South Notes: Graham, Hilton, Panthers, Titans

June 13th, 2014 at 8:42am CST by Luke Adams

Jimmy Graham‘s hearing on the positional designation for his franchise tag is scheduled to get underway on Tuesday, and at least one Saints beat writer believes the Saints should win the decision. Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune points to Graham’s production during the rare instances when he was covered by a cornerback last season, arguing that his numbers in those cases don’t compare favorably at all to the league’s best receivers. The idea of determining a player’s value based on his position rather than his overall contributions to the team seems a little archaic to me, so I appreciate that Holder’s argument centers more around the pressure Graham puts on a defense rather than where he lines up — even if that may ultimately not affect the arbitrator’s decision. We’ll have to wait and see if the NFL management council makes a similar case during next week’s hearing.

Here’s more from around the NFL’s two South divisions:

  • After parting ways with agent Drew Rosenhaus, Colts wideout T.Y. Hilton has hired Maverick Carter and Erik Burkhardt to represent him, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Hilton still has two years left on his rookie deal.
  • In the wake of Jordan Gross‘ retirement, the Panthers still aren’t sure who will be protecting Cam Newton‘s blind side at left tackle this season, writes Steve Reed of The Associated Press.
  • Northern Colorado signal-caller Seth Lobato auditioned for the Titans yesterday, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Lobato went undrafted last month and signed with the Colts as a free agent, but was cut by the team earlier in June.
  • Former Dolphin Will Yeatman, who was converted from a tight end to an offensive lineman a couple years back, has visited the Texans this week, as well as the Vikings, according to Wilson. Yeatman is recovering from an ACL injury but is expected to be ready for the season.

NFC Notes: Williams, Lynch, Panthers, Orton

June 12th, 2014 at 9:36pm CST by Zachary Links

Kevin Williams signed with the Seahawks earlier today but he tells Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press that he turned down similar offers from the Vikings and other clubs.

“I’m not going to say they didn’t really want to, but things weren’t working out in our best interests,” Williams said. “I enjoyed my time there (in Minnesota), so I’m going to try my luck out in Seattle. … At first it was like (the Vikings said), ‘Were not going to have any money.’ But they came back (recently) in the picture.”

In addition to Seattle, Williams also visited with the Giants and Patriots, who also offered him similar deals. In 2013, Williams ranked as the 27th-best defensive tackle in the NFL among 69 qualified players at the position, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). He logged 29 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and an interception. Here’s more out of the NFC…

  • Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap explains why right now is the best time for Marshawn Lynch to seek a new contract from the Seahawks. Quarterback Russell Wilson figures to see a major pay bump in 2015 and wide receiver Percy Harvin is earning $13MM a year. There probably won’t be room to take care of Lynch next year or, worse, they could release him and go with their younger tailbacks. Meanwhile, Fitzgerald (on Twitter) doesn’t think retirement is a wise threat for Lynch since Seattle can go after $3MM in prorated money for 2014 and ’15.
  • Free agent offensive lineman Travelle Wharton appeared on SiriusXM NFL Radio today and discussed his current situation, admitting that he’s still on the fence about retirement. The longtime Panthers OL intends to make a decision and let teams know soon, and is staying in shape in the meantime. If he does return, Wharton would like to join a contending club (all Twitter links).
  • Cowboys coach Jason Garrett expects to speak with quarterback Kyle Orton soon, writes Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram. The 31-year-old has skipped the team’s voluntary offseason program and would have to repay the club $3MM of his $5MM signing bonus if he retires.

Vernon Davis Will Attend 49ers Minicamp

June 12th, 2014 at 6:58pm CST by Zachary Links

Marshawn Lynch plans on sitting out of next week’s minicamp but another NFC West notable will report. Vernon Davis told Henry Wofford on 95.7 The Game that he intends to take part in the 49ers’ mandatory minicamp next week in Santa Clara.

“You know what? I plan on being there,” Davis said, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. “I plan on being there.”

The star tight end is looking for a new contract and he stayed home during OTAs to show the 49ers that he means business. However, when the mandatory minicamp gets underway next week in Santa Clara, California, the tight end will be in attendance. Davis lost out on $200K by skipping SF’s voluntary workouts but he won’t cough up $70K by missing the minicamp.

Davis has two years left in a five-year extension he signed back in 2010, which had a total value of $36.75MM. The $7.35MM per-year figure on that deal continues to make the 30-year-old one of the highest-paid players at his position. Only Rob Gronkowski ($9MM) and Jason Witten ($7.4MM) have higher annual values on their contracts, though Jimmy Graham figures to join that group if he and the Saints reach a long-term agreement.

Still, Davis’ current contract was structured so that it included a significant chunk of money in the form of a signing bonus as well as roster bonuses and workout bonuses. His actual base salaries for 2014 and 2015, which are non-guaranteed, are only $4.7MM and $4.35MM respectively. The standout tight end may be worthy of a little raise, or at least a new deal that includes more upfront guarantees, but he’s not significantly underpaid, and the Niners may have more pressing contract concerns, including a new deal for Alex Boone and extensions for Michael Crabtree and Mike Iupati. San Francisco took care of one of its major needs recently when the team hammered out an extension with quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Minor Moves: Burton, Ogbuehi, Sims, Giants

June 12th, 2014 at 6:40pm CST by Zachary Links

Tonight’s minor moves..

  • The Colts claimed defensive back Brandon Burton and the Browns claimed tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports (via Twitter). Burton, 24, was taken by the Vikings in the fifth round of the 2011 draft and has since inked deals with the Bills and Bengals. Ogbuehi was waived by the Dolphins this week to make room for wide receiver Gerald Ford, who is not to be confused with former president Gerald Ford.
  • The Buccaneers tweeted that rookie running back Charles Sims has officially signed his contract with the club. The third-round pick spent four years at Houston before playing for West Virginia in 2013 and was named co-Big 12 newcomer of the year by rushing for 1,095 yards and eleven touchdowns.
  • The Giants cut Kris Adams with a failed physical designation, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Adams was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2011 by the Bears and has also been a member of the Rams, Vikings, and Colts.
  • The Vikings waived-injured former FAU wide receiver Lestar Jean, Wilson tweets.
  • The Colts cut former Ohio State guard Marcus Hall, according to Wilson (on Twitter).
  • The Cowboys placed former NAIA cornerback Jocquel Skinner on injured reserve after he cleared waivers after being waived-injured, Wilson tweets.

Rams Sign Robinson, Donald, Eight Others

June 12th, 2014 at 5:12pm CST by Luke Adams

5:12pm: Donald doesn’t have offsets in his deal either, Breer adds (on Twitter).

5:01pm: The Rams’ deal with Robinson does not have offsets, tweets Albert Breer of NFL Network. He’s the first player to get that concession this year and that could factor into the Jaguars’ talks with Blake Bortles, Breer adds.

4:34pm: The Rams may have waited the longest of any NFL team to get a draft pick under contract, but it didn’t take the team long to complete the process once it was started. According to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter), the Rams have signed all 11 of their 2014 draftees. In addition to the previously reported Lamarcus Joyner, that group includes first-rounders Greg Robinson and Aaron Donald and 249th overall pick Michael Sam.

A year ago, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that St. Louis head coach Jeff Fisher wanted to take the team’s rookies through “Financial Planning 101” before those players received their signing bonuses. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Rams did the same thing this year, delaying the signing process to ensure that their players know how to manage their money when they receive it.

Among those signing bonuses, Robinson’s will be the largest — according to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap, the signing bonus for the No. 2 pick should fall just short of $14MM. As the 13th overall pick, Donald will be in line for a bonus of $5.692MM. The remaining eight bonuses range from about $46K to $638K.

Besides Robinson, Donald, Joyner, and Sam, the Rams now have the following draftees under contract:

  • Tre Mason, RB, Auburn (3.75)
  • Maurice Alexander, S, Utah State (4.110)
  • E.J. Gaines, CB, Missouri (6.188)
  • Garrett Gilbert, QB, SMU (6.214)
  • Mitchell Van Dyk, OT, Portland State (7.226)
  • Christian Bryant, S, Ohio State (7.241)
  • Demetrius Rhaney, C, Tennessee State (7.250)

Dolphins Sign Second-Rounder Jarvis Landry

June 12th, 2014 at 4:59pm CST by Luke Adams

A flurry of draft picks, including several first-rounders, have signed their contracts so far this afternoon, and we can add one more to the list. Second-round wide receiver Jarvis Landry has inked his rookie deal with the Dolphins, the team announced today (via Twitter).

Landry, the 63rd overall pick, is the sixth of the Dolphins’ eight draftees to be locked up by the team. Only a pair of offensive tackles – first-rounder Ju’Wuan James and third-rounder Billy Turner – remain unsigned.

As Jason Fitzgerald’s figures at Over the Cap show, Landry should receive a signing bonus worth approximately $847K. Overall, the four-year value of the contract for the LSU product will be in the neighborhood of $3.475MM.

Marshawn Lynch Seeking New Contract

June 12th, 2014 at 4:39pm CST by Zachary Links

THURSDAY, 4:39pm: While Lynch hasn’t informed the Seahawks of any plans to skip the team’s minicamp, he does want a new contract, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). However, Rapoport adds (Twitter links) that Seattle isn’t inclined to work something out with the running back, since he’s already the fifth-highest-paid player at his position and it would set a precedent for players pushing for new contracts halfway through large extensions.

WEDNESDAY, 8:47pm: The Seahawks aren’t expecting Marshawn Lynch to attend next week’s mandatory minicamp, sources tell Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports. Lynch is thought to be unhappy with his contract, but it’s not clear if that’s the only reason for him boycotting OTAs and next week’s activities.

If Lynch does miss Seattle’s minicamp, it’ll be the first time he’s stayed at home for the mandatory practice in his career. The tailback is entering the third year of a four-year deal he signed with the Seahawks in 2012 and is set to earn a base salary of $5MM this year and $5.5MM in 2015. While Lynch didn’t play a big role in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl romp over the Broncos, he has been an integral part of the team for the past three seasons and change. The 28-year-old has racked up 4,624 yards on the ground to go with 41 rushing touchdowns.

Lynch finished the 2013 season with 1,257 yards, giving him his third straight thousand-yard season. He also registered 14 total touchdowns, a career-high. There’s no reason to expect Lynch to miss regular season action or demand a trade, but it appears that the tailback is rather dissatisfied with his situation.

Rams Sign Lamarcus Joyner

June 12th, 2014 at 4:25pm CST by Luke Adams

At last count, only 31 members of 2014’s draft class remained unsigned, and 11 of those belonged to the Rams. Head coach Jeff Fisher and his team have gotten into the habit of walking their rookies through “Financial Planning 101” before handing them big signing bonuses, but it seems St. Louis has finally begun to start locking up its draftees. According to agent Sunny Shah of 320 Sports (Twitter link), second-round cornerback Lamarcus Joyner inked his rookie contract today.

Joyner, a member of the Florida State squad that won last season’s BCS National Championship, earned First Team All-ACC and consensus All-American honors in his final year as a Seminole. For the season, the 23-year-old had 69 tackles, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, and 5.5 sacks.

Per Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap, Joyner’s signing bonus as the 41st overall pick should come in at about $1.978MM

Packers Sign Davante Adams, Richard Rodgers

June 12th, 2014 at 4:14pm CST by Luke Adams

4:14pm: Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun confirms (via Twitter) that the Packers have signed Rodgers to his four-year rookie contract, which includes a signing bonus of around $506K.

3:40pm: The Packers have signed second-round wideout Davante Adams to his four-year contract, according to Field Yates of ESPN Boston (Twitter link). Locking up Adams ensures that third-round tight end Richard Rodgers is the only Green Bay draftee who remains unsigned, though the team is also expected to get him under contract today, tweets Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.

Adams, who was selected 53rd overall out of Fresno State, will receive a signing bonus worth about $1.181MM, according to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap. In total, the four-year contract will have a value in the neighborhood of $3.933MM.

When the Packers get Rodgers signed, they should be the 19th team in the NFL to secure their entire 2014 draft class. You can follow all the draft pick signings using our tracker, right here.

North Notes: Archer, Lions, Suh, Pouncey

June 12th, 2014 at 3:55pm CST by Luke Adams

Bengals first-round cornerback Darqueze Dennard signed his contract with Cincinnati earlier this afternoon, as did Packers second-round receiver Davante Adams. According to Field Yates of ESPN Boston (Twitter link), one more player out of the NFL’s North divisions also inked his rookie deal today — Steelers third-round running back Dri Archer. The move leaves Pittsburgh with one draft pick left to lock up, in second-round defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt.

Here’s more from around the two North divisions:

  • Ndamukong Suh and the Lions have had “intermittent” contract talks since the owners’ meetings this spring, but the club’s minicap ended today without a new agreement in place between the two sides, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. In order to finalize the signing of first-round tight end Eric Ebron, the Lions will have to either restructure Suh’s deal or rework other smaller contracts.
  • The Lions worked out former San Diego State offensive tackle Bryce Quigley today, tweets Birkett. Quigley went undrafted last month.
  • The Steelers held a press conference today to announce Maurkice Pouncey‘s new contract extension, and the standout center told reporters, including Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Twitter link), that the possibility of testing free agency was “never on [his] mind,” particularly after last year’s knee injury.
  • Browns cornerback Buster Skrine vows to fight every step of way to remain starter despite arrival of Justin Gilbert, write Nate Ulrich and George Thomas of the Akron Beacon-Journal. Of course, from the outside, the eighth-overall pick out of Oklahoma State looks like the leading candidate to start opposite of Joe Haden.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

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