2014 June - Pro Football Rumors

Eagles Notes: Foles, Kendricks, OTAs, Casey

June 10th, 2014 at 8:52am CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles likely kept a close eye on negotiations between Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers and the new contract that eventually emerged from those talks, since it’s just a matter of time until Philadelphia will have to discuss an extension with its own quarterback. But for his part, Nick Foles insists he’s not thinking about cashing in, as Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com details.

“The most important thing is you get a contract like that because you’ve played well and you’ve shown that you can be that guy for the franchise, whereas I have to continue to prove that each and every day,” Foles said. “I have a lot of guys on this team that look to me to go out here and work hard. When I’m playing out there, there’s no dollar sign on me when I’m throwing the ball.”

As Foles continues to focus on proving his worth to the Eagles, let’s check in on a few other updates out of Philadelphia….

Linebacker Mychal Kendricks has been playing a vocal role on defense for the Eagles this spring, calling plays and taking on other responsibilities that are typically assigned to DeMeco Ryans, writes Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. McLane isn’t sure exactly why the club is leaning more heavily on Kendricks, but wonders if the Eagles are preparing for a time when Ryans is no longer on the roster.
McLane also passed along several observations from the Eagles’ latest practice sessions, including updates on Mark Sanchez, Matt Barkley, and Jordan Matthews.
Although tight end James Casey will accept whatever role the Eagles hand him, he hopes to prove his value on offense in addition to special teams this season, as he tells Kevin Rossi of CSNPhilly.com. Casey, who has two years left on his deal, is slated to earn $3.985MM in 2014.

Cardinals Sign Deone Bucannon

June 9th, 2014 at 9:35pm CST by Ben Levine

MONDAY, 9:35pm: ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss breaks down the rookie’s contract. Bucannon signed a four-year deal worth $7.71MM, $6.2MM guaranteed. The first three years of the contract are guaranteed, as is the safety’s $3.9MM signing bonus.

Bucannon will receive a base salary of $420K this season, but that will increase to $770K in 2015 and $1.12MM in 2016. In 2017, he has a non-guaranteed base salary of $934K in addition to a $537K roster bonus.

THURSDAY, 4:18pm: The Cardinals have signed first-round pick Deone Bucannon to a four-year deal, reports Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (via Twitter). As the writer points out, the team has now signed all seven of its draft picks.

The former Washington State standout was the third safety selected in this year’s draft, going 27th overall to Arizona. The team received that pick (along with a third-round selection) from the Saints for pick No. 20.

A four-year starter for the Cougars, Bucannon established himself as one of the best safeties in college football. Last season, the senior was chosen as a first-team All-American and a first-team All-Pac-12 selection. He finished his college career with 384 tackles and 15 interceptions.

NFC Links: Kluwe, Hayden, Ponder

June 9th, 2014 at 9:28pm CST by Ben Levine

The Chris Kluwe investigation is coming to an end. According to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the lawyers in charge of the case estimate that the process will be finished in the next ten days.

Kluwe, who claimed his 2013 release by the Vikings was related to his support for same-sex marriage, has yet to find a job this season. Former coach Leslie Frazier was fired in late December, but special-teams coordinator Mike Priefer (who Kluwe accused of making “homophobic remarks”) was retained by new coach Mike Zimmer.

Let’s see what else is happening in the NFC…

Christian Ponder doesn’t have better than “an outside chance” of being the Vikings starting quarterback, writes ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling. According to the writer, the former first-round pick hasn’t done anything “to suggest he’s changed enough to challenge for the job.”
D.J. Hayden missed another practice this afternoon, and Raiders coach Dennis Allen doesn’t sound too optimistic about a quick return. “It’s hard to tell,” Allen said (via Steve Corkran of The Mercury News). “Initially I was hopeful of (a quick return). Hopefully we’ll have him out here, because he needs the work.”
Former Lions (and current Bears) defensive end Willie Young doesn’t have any hard feeling against his former team. “They did [show interest] but we definitely broke ways on good terms,” Young said (via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com). “I definitely enjoyed my years here, I can say that. Thankful for the opportunity I was able to create for myself here and landing me in Chicago right now.”

No Deal For Cardinals, Tyson Clabo

June 9th, 2014 at 8:33pm CST by Matt Feminis

8:33pm: The Cardinals will not be inking Clabo to a contract, reports ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter). Caplan says the team was interested in signing the veteran following his workout earlier today, but the two sides could not come to an agreement.

6:55pm: Veteran right tackle Tyson Clabo was expected to work out for the Cardinals on Monday, reported ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter).

Clabo, 32, is a veteran of 10 NFL seasons and 116 career starts. After seven years in Atlanta, Clabo spent 2013 in Miami, where he made 15 starts, allowing 11 sacks and drawing a -0.9 overall rating from Pro Football Focus, including a poor -8.4 run blocking grade. At one point, Clabo was benched for a week in favor of Jonathan Martin before Martin left the team.

Whether Clabo is offered a contract by the Cardinals remains to be seen, but his presence in Arizona could be reason for concern, as the team is desperately hoping Bobby Massie, Bradley Sowell or Nate Potter emerges as a viable right tackle option. Sowell, who went undrafted out of Ole Miss in 2012, started 12 games last season, but did not establish himself as a long-term answer. Potter, a seventh-round choice in 2012, has 21 career games under his belt, including six starts as a rookie, though he is an underpowered blocker better-suited for a backup role. Massie, a fourth-round pick in 2012, is the most physically gifted of the group (including desirable 35-inch arms), but after he was thrown into the fire as a rookie starter, the presence of veteran Eric Winston made Massie a backup last season.

The fact the team is looking to a street free agent, particularly one clearly past his prime (who did not garner a free-agent contract in March), could indicate the unproven trio is not inspiring confidence. The Cardinals had one of, if not the worst offensive lines in football last season, and the team’s quarterback has been sacked 99 times the last two seasons. Jared Veldheer was signed to solidify the blind side, but it’s apparent right tackle remains a question mark.

Broncos Begin Contract Talks With Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas

June 9th, 2014 at 7:47pm CST by Ben Levine

The Broncos have opened contract talks with the agents of wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas, general manager John Elway told Mike Klis of The Denver Post. Elway was at the National Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame honoring veteran sportswriter Rick Reilly, but he took a few minutes to address the duo’s contract status.

“We’ve already talked to them to see if we can do something before the beginning of the year,” said Elway. “We’d like to get something done before the beginning of camp. We don’t want to do anything once training camp starts. They’re both in their last years and we’d like for them to stay and be Broncos for a long time.”

Demaryius Thomas had his second-straight All-Pro season in 2013, finishing with 1430 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. Thomas originally signed a five-year deal worth $9.35MM after being selected as the 22nd pick in the 2010 draft. Klis suggests the wideout could receive a contract worth $12MM annually.

Julius Thomas had a breakout season in 2013. The former fourth-round pick caught 65 passes for 788 yards and 12 touchdowns. Klis believes the tight end could command a contract worth $7MM a year.

The two players figure to be Peyton Manning‘s main targets in 2014, along with veteran Wes Welker. The team lost Eric Decker this offseason (to a five-year, $36MM contract from the Jets) but added Emmanuel Sanders (signed a three-year, $15MM deal) and rookie Cody Latimer.

NFC Notes: Jones, Rams, Cowboys, Nicks

June 9th, 2014 at 6:07pm CST by Matt Feminis

In a video interview with SI.com, Falcons receiver Julio Jones said he expects to sign a long-term contract extension before his rookie deal runs out. “I will not get to free agency,” said Jones. “They gave up a lot for me and they know how hard I work. They’re not going to let me go. And I love Atlanta, I love being here.” Jones also says teammate Roddy White, a free agent next year, wants to be in Atlanta three more years.

Here’s a few more NFC notes:

The Rams boast the league’s best front seven, while the Cowboys’ is the worst, according to Mike Tanier of Sports On Earth. On the Rams’ burgeoning front four (excluding first-round pick Aaron Donald), in particular, Tanier says, “Think of the Rams defensive line as starting each game with four three-and-outs that leave the opponent punting from about the 22-yard line, and you get a sense of their impact.”
Meanwhile, “The Cowboys lost DeMarcus Ware, Jason Hatcher and (in the saddest, most ridiculous minicamp story of the year) Sean Lee from a defense that allowed 2,056 rushing yards and recorded just 36 sacks last year,” writes Tanier. “Henry Melton arrives as a younger, more system-suited replacement for Hatcher, but everything else is a shambles. Bruce Carter, Justin Durant and DeVonte Holloman form the most anonymous linebacker corps in the league…And of course, the Cowboys are so cap-stressed that they wouldn’t be able to sign a veteran reinforcement, even if one becomes available this late in the offseason.”
Buccaneers veteran guard Carl Nicks‘ health status remains a question mark, writes ESPN’s Pat Yasinkas: “Nicks, who missed almost all of last season with a toe injury and a MRSA infection, previously has said he expects to be ready for training camp. But it remains to be seen if he still is on target. The team has been quiet about Nicks’ status.”
Seahawks pass rusher Bruce Irvin (hip) and running back Robert Turbin (knee) had off-season surgery, reports Bob Condotta in the Seattle Times.
The 49ers have approximately $6.4MM in cap space, probably enough to “extend a vet and have an emergency stash for the season,” according to ESPN’s Bill Williamson (via Twitter).

Minor Moves: Steelers, Jags, Browns, Cards, Pats

June 9th, 2014 at 4:58pm CST by Luke Adams

It’s been a fairly quiet day for transactions around the NFL, but a number of teams have completed minor moves, including signing mid-round draft picks. We’ll round up the day’s minor transactions right here:

The Steelers now have seven of their nine draftees under contract, announcing today (via Twitter) that they’ve officially signed fourth-round receiver Martavis Bryant. Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports first reported earlier this afternoon (via Twitter) that Pittsburgh was close to locking up Bryant, who will receive a signing bonus worth about $439K, according to Jason Fitzgerald’s figures at OverTheCap.com,
The Jaguars also signed one of their draft picks today, as third-round guard Brandon Linder formally inked his rookie deal, per John Oesher of Jaguars.com (via Twitter). Jacksonville has essentially been working backward through its picks, so first-round quarterback Blake Bortles and second-round receivers Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson remain unsigned.
2013 sixth-round defensive back Jamoris Slaughter has been cut by the Browns, the team confirmed today (Twitter link). Slaughter didn’t appear in a game for Cleveland during his rookie season. Meanwhile, the Browns added a couple new players to their roster (Twitter link), signing offensive lineman Alex Parsons and kicker Jake Rogers, who was let go by the Redskins last month.
Veteran center John Estes, who signed with the Cardinals in March and was cut in May, is back with the team on a new contract, tweets Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. Offensive lineman Christian Johnson was waived to make room.
The Patriots have signed former New Hampshire tight end Kyle Auffray and cut undrafted rookie receiver Derrick Johnson, according to a team release.

Scott Wells Reworks Contract With Rams

June 9th, 2014 at 4:22pm CST by Luke Adams

4:22pm: Wells’ 2015 bonuses actually amount to a $1MM payout on the third day of the league year and $1MM in per-game roster bonuses, according to Howard Balzer of The SportsXchange (Twitter link), who adds that Wells also has up to $2MM in not likely to be earned incentives in each of the next two seasons.

11:55am: Offensive lineman Scott Wells has restructured his contract with the Rams to reduce his 2014 cap hit, a league source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com. The veteran center had been slated to earn annual base salaries of $5.5MM this year and next, but will instead have a 2014 salary of $1MM and a 2015 salary of $2MM.

In exchange for accepting a cut on his base salary, Wells received an immediate payment of $1.65MM in the form of a roster bonus. The 33-year-old can also earn up to $850K in per-game roster bonuses depending on how many games he appears in during the 2014 regular season. For 2015, Wells will receive a $1.75MM roster bonus if he remains on the roster. The end result is $2.2MM+ in cap savings for St. Louis this year, and $1.75MM in cap savings for 2015.

The restructured deal provides a nice real-life example of the difference between incentives which are likely or not likely to be earned, which I explained earlier today. Wells appeared in 12 of 16 games last season, so only 75% of his 2014 per-game roster bonuses are considered LTBE, with the remainder viewed as NLTBE — that means only $637.5K of that $850K total applies to the Rams’ cap for now.

Wells, who finished last season on injured reserve, is slated to be the Rams’ starting center in 2014 on a talented offensive line that includes All-Pro tackle Jake Long and No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson.

Eagles Sign Marcus Smith, Lock Up Draft Class

June 9th, 2014 at 3:58pm CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles have signed first-round edge defender Marcus Smith to his four-year rookie contract, the team announced today (via Twitter). Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports first reported earlier this afternoon (via Twitter) that the Eagles were closing in on an agreement with Smith, whose deal will also include a fifth-year team option for 2018.

Smith’s selection at 26th overall was viewed as a bit of a surprise, considering the Eagles already have Trent Cole and Connor Barwin at the outside linebacker spots in their 3-4 defense. Brandon Graham also played well when given the opportunity last season. Still, Smith had an excellent senior season at Louisville in 2013, racking up 14.5 sacks and being named the AAC Defensive Player of the Year. Philadelphia picked up the selection used to draft Smith in a trade with the Browns — the Eagles sent Cleveland the No. 22 pick and also received the No. 83 pick in the swap.

As Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap details, Smith’s signing bonus comes in at just under $4MM, while his four-year total amounts to nearly $7.8MM. Based on what we’ve seen from first-round signings so far, most – but not all – of that money should be guaranteed.

By signing Smith, the Eagles have now locked up all seven members of their 2014 draft class. To keep tabs on all of this year’s draft pick signings, be sure to check out our tracker.

Extra Points: 49ers, Browns, Panthers, Rams

June 9th, 2014 at 2:54pm CST by Luke Adams

When Colin Kaepernick‘s new contract extension was announced, the 49ers signal-caller suggested that he inked a team-friendly contract in part because he hoped it would help San Francisco lock up some of its other key players. But the fact that Kaepernick accepted such a modest guarantee could complicate matters for the Niners when it comes to extending players like Michael Crabtree and Mike Iupati, says Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.

As Maiocco writes, the Niners aren’t in the business of handing out huge guarantees to outside free agents or their own players, so Crabtree and Iupati may have to make some concessions if they want to remain in San Francisco. Both players could potentially earn a larger guarantee on the open market than the Niners will be willing to pay.

Let’s round up several more Monday odds and ends from around the NFL….

Veteran edge defender Edgar Jones worked out for the Browns today, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Jones, who has played for the Ravens, Chiefs, and Cowboys, has appeared in 64 regular season contests, but has never started a game or played a significant defensive role.
The new Browns’ decision-makers, led by GM Ray Farmer, have made about 40 player transactions since taking control of roster decisions in February, so Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com decides to take stock of the additions and subtractions made by the club.
There hasn’t really been a market set for second-tier quarterbacks, so the Bengals and Chiefs will have tough decisions ahead of them as they decide what to do with Andy Dalton and Alex Smith, respectively. Albert Breer of the NFL Network takes a look at the limited options for the two clubs, proposing one “radical” alternative to signing their QBs to lucrative extensions.
Given the lack of reliable veteran options on the Panthers’ wide receiving corps, there could be an opening or two for an unheralded player to earn a roster spot. One such player may be Wofford’s Brenton Bersin, who has earned some praise from head coach Ron Rivera, as David Newton of ESPN.com details.
After signing with the Rams as a free agent this offseason, wide receiver Kenny Britt is enjoying his fresh start in St. Louis, writes Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Following DeSean Jackson‘s latest allegations against agent Drew Rosenhaus, the NFLPA issued a memo to all agents vowing to double the penalties for any infractions, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.