2014 June - Pro Football Rumors

Minor Moves: Cowboys, Falcons, Pats, Colts

June 11th, 2014 at 4:54pm CST by Luke Adams

Today’s minor moves include a veteran defender heading to IR, a CFL signing, and other smaller signings and cuts from around the NFL. Let’s dive in and round up Wednesday’s minor transactions, with additional moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:

Former Bethel cornerback Jocquel Skinner, who signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in May, has been waived-injured by the club, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Per Wilson, the Cowboys have also removed Marvin Robinson from their IR with an injury settlement.

Earlier updates:

Tight end Andrew Szczerba and punter Matt Yoklic have been cut by the Falcons, according to a team release. Szczerba spent last season on injured reserve, while Yoklic was signed by Atlanta a month ago as a rookie free agent.
The Patriots have waived offensive lineman R.J. Mattes, the team announced today in a press release. It’s the third time since last May that the former North Carolina State lineman has been cut by New England.
The Colts have placed defensive end Fili Moala on injured reserve, tweets Craig Kelley of Colts.com. Moala, who missed half of the 2012 season with a torn ACL, has suffered a similar injury, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Per Rapoport, the 28-year-old’s ACL is only partially torn, but it’s enough to sideline him for the 2014 season. To replace Moala, the Colts have signed former Arizona State defensive end Gannon Conway, who was waived by the Dolphins last month.
A former Valdosa State wideout with a presidential name has signed with the Dolphins, according the team, who announced today (via Twitter) that Gerald Ford has been added to the roster. Tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi has been cut to clear space on the roster for Ford.
Offensive lineman Mike Golic Jr. was cut by the Saints recently, has signed with the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (Twitter link).

NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Eagles

June 11th, 2014 at 4:43pm CST by Luke Adams

It took three years, but the Cowboys managed to turn a makeshift offensive line into one of the strengths of the roster, and should head into the 2014 season with a line that features three first-round picks, writes Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. As Archer outlines, Dallas’ defensive line is beginning to undergo the same retooling process that the O-line did. While they added several low-cost veterans with plenty of upside and question marks, it may take multiple seasons for the Cowboys to count the defensive line among the club’s strengths.

Here’s more from around the NFC East:

Former Rutgers linebacker Jamal Merrell was expected to be among the players working out for the Giants today, according to Conor Orr of the Star-Ledger. Merrell was signed by the Titans after going undrafted last month, but only lasted about a week on the roster.
Tight end Tom Crabtree is among the veteran players auditioning for the Giants recently, but tweeted today that the team didn’t offer him a contract right away. “No luck with NYG (yet),” Crabtree wrote, hinting that perhaps an offer could come later. “Grateful for the opportunity.”
Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer takes a look at the safety situation for the Eagles, examining which players are expected to see the most snaps, and which ones may be in danger of not making the regular-season roster.

North Notes: Browns, West, Lions, Steelers

June 11th, 2014 at 3:26pm CST by Luke Adams

We rounded up a few notes on the Bengals earlier today, but there’s plenty more happening within Cincinnati’s division, and across the way in the NFC North. Let’s check in on the NFL’s two North divisions and round up the latest…

Half of the NFL’s 32 teams have locked up all their 2014 draft picks to rookie contracts, but coming into today, the Browns had only signed two of their six draftees. However, third-rounder Terrance West appears to have become the third player to put pen to paper for Cleveland — the former Towson running back posted a photo on Instagram today that shows him signing his deal, with the caption announcing he’s “officially a Cleveland Brown.”
Kellen Moore says he’s “certainly” ready to be the Lions’ No. 2 quarterback if given the opportunity, but the team’s offseason search for an alternative option clouds Moore’s future in Detroit, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Before addressing a few questions from readers, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette discusses Jason Worilds, Maurkice Pouncey, and the Steelers‘ remaining unsigned draft picks. It may take some time for the club to sign second- and third-round picks Stephon Tuitt and Dri Archer, says Bouchette, though he adds that there’s no concern about either player.

Tony Scheffler Retires

June 11th, 2014 at 2:38pm CST by Luke Adams

Veteran tight end Tony Scheffler has decided to end his NFL playing career. Scheffler tells Larry Lage of The Associated Press that he has decided to retire after sustaining three concussions in the past four years.

Scheffler, 31, was selected by the Broncos in the second round of the 2006 draft and spent his first four NFL seasons in Denver before joining the Lions for four more years. Over the course of his eight-year career, Scheffler hauled in 258 passes for 3,207 yards and 22 touchdowns. The best season for the Western Michigan product was arguably 2007, when he appeared in all 16 games for the only time, and posted a career-high 49 receptions, for 549 yards and five touchdowns.

Scheffler last appeared in an NFL game for Detroit in October 2013, but was released by the club shortly after suffering his most recent concussion. The tight end later worked out for the Bears and Chiefs, and tells Lage that he received “moderate” interest this offseason, but opted not to pursue another NFL job.

According to Scheffler, his post-NFL plans include becoming a real estate agent and acting as an assistant high school football coach in his hometown of Chelsea, Michigan.

Extension Candidate: Tyron Smith

June 11th, 2014 at 1:49pm CST by Luke Adams

Cowboys wideout Dez Bryant is entering the final year of his rookie deal and should be in line for a big-money, long-term extension in the coming months. However, while Bryant may be the shorter-term priority for Dallas due to his expiring contract, offensive tackle Tyron Smith may ultimately be the more crucial piece for the Cowboys to lock up.

Because Smith was a first-round pick in 2011, the Cowboys were able to exercise their fifth-year team option to keep him under contract through 2015, but the clock is still ticking for the club to work out an agreement that will keep the Pro Bowler in Dallas for several years beyond that. Although we’ll have to wait and see whether the Cowboys choose to address the situation this year, it’s worth examining what kind of deal it would take to keep Smith in the fold.

Smith, 2011’s ninth overall pick, had his work on the outside of the Cowboys’ line recognized with a Pro Bowl nod last season for the first time, and his Pro Football Focus grades suggest he was worthy of that spot, with his performance placing him among the top five tackles in the NFL (subscription required).

It was the second time in three NFL seasons that PFF graded Smith as a top-five player at the position, though in his rookie season that ranking came at right tackle, rather than left. During his first year on the left side in 2012, Smith’s grades slipped a little, particularly as a pass-blocker, but his play in 2013, combined with his age (23) suggest we should expect to see the USC product continue to develop into one of the league’s elite offensive linemen.

If we’re assuming Smith should perform like one of the NFL’s best tackles, it stands to reason that he should be paid like one as well. So it makes sense to compare his potential contract to the ones signed by players like Joe Thomas, Ryan Clady, Branden Albert, and Trent Williams. As Over the Cap’s data shows, the average annual salaries for those tackles range from $9.4MM to $11.5MM, with their overall guarantees coming in between $15MM and $28.5MM.

By the time he negotiates an extension, Smith could be in position to argue he deserves to be paid more than any other left tackle in the NFL. After all, the salary cap is on the rise — by the time Smith’s new deal starts in 2016, teams will have significantly more cap space to work with than they did when many of those previous pacts were signed. Additionally, Smith will be in his prime years during his next deal. When the 2016 season gets underway, he’ll still be just 25 years old, so even if the Cowboys lock him up for several years past that, the club shouldn’t have to anticipate a drop in production over the course of the contract.

So what sort of figures would be fair for Smith? A per-year salary of $12MM+ seems within reach, and a full guarantee that significantly exceeds $20MM also makes sense. The length of the deal figures to depend on whether Smith wants another chance to hit free agency by age 30, or if he wants to commit to the Cowboys for most of his playing career. If it’s the latter, Thomas’ $80.5MM contract with the Browns might provide a reasonable point of comparison. Thomas established new high water marks for tackles with an $11.5MM annual salary and $28.5MM in guaranteed money on his seven-year deal. Assuming Smith continues to cement his place as one of the NFL’s most effective linemen in 2014, it wouldn’t be a shock if he surpasses Thomas and establishes new baselines for tackles with his next contract.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Bengals Rumors: Dalton, Extensions, Reynolds

June 11th, 2014 at 11:20am CST by Luke Adams

Earlier today, the Bengals announced a series of roster moves, signing offensive tackle Will Svitek and cornerback Victor Hampton, and cutting cornerback Brandon Burton and linebacker Bruce Taylor. That’s not the only news coming out of Cincinnati this morning though, so let’s check in on a few other items….

Andy Dalton and the Bengals have made some progress in talks on a new contract, but nothing is imminent at this point, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. According to Rapoport, both sides seem to have confidence that something will get done, but it looks like it will happen closer to – or during – training camp. When I asked yesterday about a possible Dalton extension, about 60% of you said Cincinnati shouldn’t hammer out an agreement with its quarterback yet.
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis appeared on SiriusXM NFL Radio and addressed the team’s negotiations with Dalton. Lewis that he’s being kept apprised on the potential numbers and structure of an extension, but that his main responsibility is to ensure that his quarterback isn’t getting too caught up in contract talk.
Lewis also added that reaching a deal with Dalton will allow the Bengals to focus on other players who may be next in line for a new contract. The head coach specifically mentioned his tight end and linebacker, so presumably he’s referring to Jermaine Gresham and Vontaze Burfict, both of whom are entering the final year of their contracts.
Prior to signing Svitek, the Bengals also worked out veteran offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds, tweets ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan. It’s not clear if Cincinnati chose Svitek over Reynolds, or if the club still may have interest in the ex-Falcon.

Bengals Sign Will Svitek, Cut Two Players

June 11th, 2014 at 10:14am CST by Luke Adams

The Bengals have announced a series of roster moves, officially signing two players and cutting two to make room. According to the club (via Twitter), offensive tackle Will Svitek and cornerback Victor Hampton have been signed, while cornerback Brandon Burton and linebacker Bruce Taylor have been waived.

Svitek, who entered the league as a sixth-round pick in 2005, has spent time with the Chiefs, Falcons, and Patriots. The 32-year-old played 238 offensive snaps for New England last season, earning a pair of starts at right tackle during the season in relief of Marcus Cannon. As for Hampton, his signing was first reported by his agent yesterday, a day before he was scheduled to visit the Giants.

Meanwhile, Taylor didn’t appear in a single game for the Bengals last season, while Burton played in five contests, primarily as a special-teamer.

Cardinals Talked To Bucs About Mike Glennon

June 11th, 2014 at 9:47am CST by Luke Adams

The Cardinals were one of the teams that talked to the Buccaneers before this year’s draft about the possibility of a Mike Glennon trade, Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht confirmed in a conversation with Fox Sports 910 Phoenix (audio link). Licht described talks with his friend and mentor Steve Keim as “casual,” joking that he wouldn’t let the Cardinals GM “bully” him into making a deal. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Arizona was one of a handful of teams with some interest in Glennon, which Licht confirmed.

“We had several teams that were investigating what our thoughts were and asking what our plan was for Mike,” Licht said. “And the plan was that we’re going to keep Mike.”

Several trade rumors swirled around Glennon prior to the draft, particularly after the Bucs signed Josh McCown and were linked to some of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft class. However, head coach Lovie Smith indicated last month that the club views Glennon as its quarterback of the future, and Licht made similar comments a couple weeks later.

With McCown in the mix, Glennon figures to enter the season as the Bucs’ No. 2 quarterback, but he could push the former Bear for the starting job in camp. During his rookie season, Glennon performed well for Tampa Bay, starting 13 games and racking up 2,608 passing yards to go along with 19 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.

The Falcons’ Options At Linebacker

June 11th, 2014 at 8:55am CST by Luke Adams

The Falcons will aim to bounce back from a disappointing 2013 season this year, and while there are several reasons for optimism, the team’s 2014 chances sustained a significant blow yesterday, when word broke that linebacker Sean Weatherspoon ruptured his Achilles tendon and will be out for the season.

Already a key contributor on defense for Atlanta, Weatherspoon may have assumed even greater importance this year, as the Falcons transition from a 4-3 base defense into a hybrid system that will incorporate more 3-4 looks. With Weatherspoon out of the picture, the pressure is on the remaining linebackers to fill his role, and it’s not an overwhelmingly deep group. The club is currently carrying 11 linebackers on the roster, but seven of those are rookies — either mid-to-late round draft picks or undrafted free agents.

As D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution notes, the Falcons spent most of last season with Joplo Bartu, Paul Worrilow, and Akeem Dent playing the majority of the snaps at the starting linebacker spots. Those players didn’t perform too badly — Worrilow led the team in tackles, and Bartu graded as about a league-average outside linebacker, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required).

If more linebacker snaps are necessary in the Falcons’ new defensive system though, Atlanta will need to rely on more than those three players to get by. Kroy Biermann is the other returning player on the unit, but he’s coming off a serious Achilles injury of his own, and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be fully returned to form. In some looks, the Falcons may line up 4-3 defensive ends such as Osi Umenyiora as 3-4 outside linebackers — still, the team will likely rotate players in and out of those spots depending on the situation.

Of the first-year players, Notre Dame’s Prince Shembo was the highest pick, selected in the fourth round at No. 139 overall. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be the player to make the most impact right away, but besides Shembo and fifth-rounder Marquis Spruill, all of the Falcons’ rookie LBs were seventh-round picks or undrafted free agents — that suggests most teams, including Atlanta, probably didn’t view those players as ready to step in as immediate contributors. Nonetheless, perhaps one or two players of a group that also includes Yawin Smallwood, Tyler Starr, Brenden Daley, Walker May, and Jacques Smith will provide unexpected production right away.

If the Falcons aren’t comfortable with their internal options, exploring free agency is an alternative. Although most impact players were snatched up months ago, linebacker is one spot where there are still a few notable names on the board. Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution suggests James Harrison is one player for the club to consider, while ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure wonders if Dan Connor, who worked out for Atlanta earlier in the offseason, is worth a longer look.

A glance at our list of remaining free agents reveals a few other possibilities. Pat Angerer and Jonathan Vilma are among the veterans who could have some value, and there are a pair of former Falcons still on the market as well, in Omar Gaither and Stephen Nicholas. Considering the team is implementing a new defensive system, the fact that Gaither and Nicholas played in Atlanta last year wouldn’t necessarily be a huge plus, though at least the Falcons have first-hand familiarity with those players’ strengths and weaknesses.

Ultimately, the Falcons may be content to see how their rookies and returning linebackers fare in Weatherspoon’s absence. However, considering how Atlanta’s defense performed in 2013, entering the 2014 campaign with a similar group of players at the LB position has to give the team pause. I’d expect the Falcons to peruse the free agent market with a little more urgency before training camp in search of a potential upgrade.

Extra Points: Cardinals, Rams, Orton, Adams

June 10th, 2014 at 9:43pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals are looking to possibly add some established veterans, but it’ll be a waiting game for those seeking employment, writes Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. The Cards worked out veteran right tackle Tyson Clabo recently but the two sides have been unable to come to an agreement. Urban is reminded of the dance that the Cards did with tackle Eric Winston last season before ultimately signing him to a below asking price deal right before training camp.

The Rams will not receive their $3MM offset on cornerback Cortland Finnegan‘s signing with the Dolphins until the 2015 cap year, writes Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. However, that bit of news had no bearing on the team’s decision to restructure the contract of center Scott Wells, which created some immediate salary relief. Finnegan signed a two-year deal with Miami in March.
The Kyle Orton watch will be on when the Cowboys hold their mandatory minicamp June 17-19, writes Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. Coach Jason Garrett reiterated that he anticipates Orton to take part in the minicamp, but he has not had any recent conversations with the Cowboys backup and he says he’s not sure Orton has a copy of the playbook to understand the changes implemented by new playcaller Scott Linehan.
Unrestricted free agent safety Mike Adams tells Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1 (on Twitter) that the 49ers, Browns, Jets, and Patriots are potential landing spots for him. However, he says the door for re-signing with the Broncos is likely closed.
Even though there is no long-term deal imminent, Steelers linebacker Jason Worilds is hoping that will change before the start of the season. “I hope so, but it is one day at a time,” said Worilds, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “If I continue with that approach, everything will fall in line.”
By the time training camp starts in late July, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter) expects Texans GM Rick Smith to sign a veteran offensive tackle to compete for the swing tackle job.
Browns coach Mike Pettine is already making a strong impression in Cleveland, writes Jim Corbett of USA Today Sports. The 47-year-old has instilled a strong work ethic in his new team and showed wisdom when he said no to HBO’s “Hard Knocks” for this offseason.