2014 June - Pro Football Rumors

Minor Moves: Browns, Titans, Chiefs, Giants

June 6th, 2014 at 10:16am CST by Luke Adams

We can expect plenty more transactions throughout the day as teams continue to sign draft picks and shuffle players around at the backs of their rosters, but we already have a handful of minor moves to round up this morning, so let’s dive right in….

In addition to cutting edge rusher Quentin Groves, as we noted earlier today, the Browns have also cut linebacker Larry Grant, the team announced (via Twitter). The Ohio State product, who has spent time with the Rams, Niners, and Bears, just signed with the Browns about two weeks ago, so his stint in Cleveland didn’t last long.
Wide receiver Josh Stewart, who was waived by the Titans earlier this week, received the waived-injured designation at the time, and has now been transferred to the club’s injured reserve list, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
When the Chiefs parted ways with defensive lineman Risean Broussard yesterday, it was with the waived-injured designation, tweets Wilson. As such, we can probably expect the 22-year-old to land on Kansas City’s IR.
Offensive lineman Stephen Goodin, who hit the Giants‘ IR after being waived last week, has been removed from the list with an injury settlement, says Wilson (via Twitter). Goodin, who had spent two seasons with the club, is now an unrestricted free agent.

No Contract Talks For Brian Hoyer, Browns

June 6th, 2014 at 8:54am CST by Luke Adams

Johnny Manziel will undoubtedly make more headlines, but it’s Brian Hoyer who enters the summer as the Browns’ No. 1 quarterback. Still, with Hoyer entering the final year of his contract, there haven’t been any real talks between agent Joe Linta and the Browns about a new deal, as Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com writes.

“Nothing of substance,” Linta said. “It’s too hard of a deal to do. I think (Browns GM) Ray Farmer realizes it’s too hard of a deal to do, too. The best thing for both sides is let the water seeks its own level. I can do a deal much better in September than I can do now. I can do a better deal in January.”

As Linta suggests, an extension for Hoyer is tricky since it’s not clear what his role will be for the Browns a year from now. The team didn’t draft Manziel to sit on the bench indefinitely, but there’s no guarantee he’ll have established himself as a productive starter by the end of the 2014 season either. Even if Hoyer isn’t Cleveland’s quarterback of the future, if he starts and plays well for much of the ’14 season, he’ll certainly be in line for a significant raise on his current two-year, $1.965MM pact. On the other hand, if Manziel wins the starting job sooner rather than later, Hoyer’s next contract may only be slightly larger than his current deal.

One point of comparison for Hoyer may be Chad Henne in Jacksonville. Henne posted respectable numbers during his stint as the Jaguars’ starter in 2013, and while Blake Bortles was drafted to be the team’s future starter, Henne still landed a two-year, $8MM extension in March. That sort of contract is inexpensive enough that even if Henne ultimately slides into the backup role, his salary won’t break the bank.

For what it’s worth, Linta says Hoyer “definitely” wants to remain with the Browns, his hometown team, for the long term. However, if the signal-caller reaches free agency in 2015 and receives an offer to start somewhere else while Cleveland is only offering a backup role, that would alter the equation.

“I think if it’s backup to backup, I think he would (want to stay),” Linta said. “If you’re comparing apples to apples, it’s always Cleveland. If it’s backup in Cleveland vs. starter somewhere else, I’m sure he’d like to start.”

Browns Release Quentin Groves

June 6th, 2014 at 7:15am CST by Zachary Links

The Browns have released linebacker Quentin Groves, a source tells Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The former Auburn standout finished the 2013 year on the injured reserve.

Groves was sidelined with ankle problems for much of last season but is doing better after undergoing surgery in November. The 29-year-old was expected to be a menacing pass rusher when he was taken with the 52nd overall pick in the 2008 draft, but he has yet to realize his potential. In six NFL seasons, Groves has recorded just 8.5 sacks for the Jaguars, Raiders, Cardinals, and Browns.

The linebacker came to the Browns over the offseason on a two-year, $2.28MM deal after he played for former Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton in Arizona. Horton, of course, has moved on, and it’s apparent that the new regime doesn’t see Groves in the same light as Horton did.

Extra Points: Newton, Foles, Romo, Bills

June 5th, 2014 at 9:54pm CST by Zachary Links

Good news for Los Angeles, Chicago, and Madison Square Garden landlord James Dolan: they’re all finalists to host the 2015 NFL Draft, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Radio City Music Hall has informed the NFL that it will not be available to host the NFL draft in April or May, because the Rockettes are more important, apparently. Here’s more from around the league…

Cam Newton‘s next contract with the Panthers is unlikely to mirror Colin Kaepernick‘s new deal with the 49ers, writes Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. “I’m sure the Carolina Panthers will go, ‘Hey, we’ll give you Kaepernick’s structure,’” said Joel Corry, a former NFL agent. “But (Newton’s agent) Bus Cook is not going to be too receptive to that.” Newton, selected No. 1 overall in the 2011 draft in which Kaepernick was picked in the second round, is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal. In April, the Panthers picked up the club option on Newton for 2015 at $14.67MM.
Eagles quarterback Nick Foles will set his own market, not Kaepernick, writes Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com. For now, Foles stands as the biggest QB bargain in the NFL, save for the Seahawks’ Russell Wilson, but the Eagles will have to give him big bucks after this season to wrap him up long term. For his career, Foles has thrown 33 touchdown passes and seven interceptions (27 TDs and two interceptions last year), completing 364 of 582 passes (62.5%) for 4,590 yards.
The relationship between Cowboys coach Jason Garrett and quarterback Tony Romo could wind up saving Garrett’s job, writes Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News. The Cowboys have bent over backwards to accommodate Romo and keeping Garrett would continue that trend.
Former Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano confirmed today that he has interest in bidding on the Bills when they are put up for sale, writes Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. “Everybody has a degree of reasonableness,” Golisano said. “If it costs way more than I’m willing to pay, then I won’t feel bad if I don’t get them. I’ll only feel bad if they move out of Western New York. If they get moved out of Western New York, I’m not going to feel very good about it. I might even feel partially responsible. Not totally, but partially responsible.”
While the deal seems hefty on the surface, Kaepernick’s new deal with the 49ers is actually quite team-friendly, writes Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Branch, like Person, checked in with Corry for his take on the deal and he says that while the contract works in SF’s favor, the QB’s agents at XAM Sports didn’t necessarily get taken advantage of. It’s very possible that Kaepernick, as others have suggested, specifically wanted an under-value deal in order to make new deals possible for others on the roster.

Minor Moves: Chiefs, Raiders, Bears

June 5th, 2014 at 9:46pm CST by Zachary Links

Tonight’s minor moves..

The Chiefs have signed former Troy quarterback and wide receiver Deon Anthony and former Richmond cornerback Justin Rogers, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (on Twitter). To make room, Kansas City waived defensive tackle Risean Broussard.
The Raiders announced the signing of third-round offensive lineman Gabe Jackson, tweets Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com. With Jackson in the fold, the Raiders have now signed all of their 2014 draft picks, as shown in PFR’s running list of draft pick signings.
To make room for the newly-signed Jimmy Clausen, the Bears waived linebacker Lawrence Wilson, tweets Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. The former UConn standout has spent time with the Bears and Panthers practice squads but has yet to see the field in the regular season.

West Notes: 49ers, Davis, Bradford

June 5th, 2014 at 7:58pm CST by Zachary Links

Everyone seems to be weighing in on Colin Kaepernick‘s deal, except for Andrew Luck. “I think it’s odd to comment on anybody’s contract in any industry,” the Colts QB said, according to Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star. When it comes time for Luck’s new deal, you can expect him to earn even more than the possible $21MM per season that Kaepernick will earn under his new deal.

Vernon Davis told ESPN’s NFL Live earlier today that he approached the 49ers last season about restructuring his deal, long before the current OTAs that he’s skipping, writes Cam Inman of the Mercury News. While the tight end, under contract through 2015, has taken some criticism for staying home, he doesn’t seem to stressed about it. “It’s not mandatory and that’s what I have to keep reminding people,” Davis said.
Through all the rumors and speculation, Rams QB Sam Bradford never doubted his place with the team, writes Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. “I didn’t [worry about my job security]” Bradford said. “Throughout the end of last year I was in communication with [general manager] Les [Snead] and (coach) Jeff [Fisher], and they made it very clear what their plan was. Throughout the offseason they continued to make that clear. I knew what my position on this team was.”
Broncos prized free agent addition Emmanuel Sanders believes that he DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, and T.J. Ward are bringing a new energy to Denver’s locker room, writes Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today Sports. “We are guys that are bringing a different hunger. More hunger to this team,” Sanders. “I feel like that’s what it needs, because these guys have been playing football since February, the offseason was so short, and you’ve got us coming in here being like, ‘Let’s go.’ It’s time to get back there and win it all this time.“

NFC North Notes: Rudolph, Greenway, Palmer

June 5th, 2014 at 6:49pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest out of the NFC North..

Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph is ready to talk extension with the team, writes Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. Rudolph, who signed a four-year, $3.9 million rookie contract in 2011, would become a free agent after next season if no extension can be reached by then. He missed the final eight games of 2013 because of a fractured left foot but he’s totally healthy heading into the 2014 campaign.
The end might be near for Chad Greenway‘s time with the Vikings, but the team still values him, writes Dave Campbell of the Associated Press. The veteran linebacker restructured his contract this offseason, taking a $1MM pay cut in exchange for a fully guaranteed $5.5MM salary. Greenway will be a free agent after the season and if he doesn’t get back to his Pro Bowl form, he could wind up elsewhere.
It may or may not be related to the Bears‘ signing of Jimmy Clausen, but Jordan Palmer didn’t participate in Tuesday’s OTAs, tweets Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. Jerron Johnson ran the No. 2 offense for the Bears in his stead.
The Bears are high on Clausen’s intelligence and mechanics, tweets Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. They also believe that the Notre Dame product showed mental toughness by dealing with his struggles in Carolina and the drafting of Cam Newton.

Bears Sign Jimmy Clausen

June 5th, 2014 at 5:08pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bears have signed quarterback Jimmy Clausen, quarterback coach Steve Clarkson announced on Twitter. Clausen, 26, hasn’t played in an NFL regular-season game since his rookie year in 2010.

Last September, Clausen underwent shoulder surgery and he says that he’s feeling healthy and ready to contribute. “I’m still really young,” Clausen told Tom Pelissero of USA Today. “I’m going into my fifth year in the league. I feel great. This is probably right now the healthiest I’ve been since my junior year in college, to be honest with you.”

Clausen indicated that he wanted an opportunity to be someone’s No. 2 quarterback to help set him up for a starting job down the line, and that’s exactly what Chicago could provide for him. The QB spoke with Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter links) and said that he would compete to be Jay Cutler’s first understudy but stopped short of any boastful projections.

The Bears already have three backup QBs in camp in Jordan Palmer, late draft pick David Fales, and practice squad holdover Jerrod Johnson. The signing of Johnson could indicate some level of dissatisfaction with the trio.

Since playing in 13 games (10 starts) in his rookie season with the Panthers, the former Notre Dame standout and longtime QB prodigy has barely seen the field. The Bears will have to cut someone in order to create space for Clausen but no such move has been announced yet.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Steelers Sign Ryan Shazier

June 5th, 2014 at 4:43pm CST by Ben Levine

The Steelers have signed first-round pick Ryan Shazier, the team announced (via Twitter). The former Ohio State linebacker was taken with the 15th overall selection.

The 6’1″, 237-pounder played three seasons with the Buckeyes, compiling 306 tackles, 14 sacks and nine forced fumbles. As a senior, Shazier was named as an Associated Press first-team All-American. While it may have been in the team’s best interest to add a cornerback to their aging defensive back core, the Steelers couldn’t pass up the talent of the 21-year-old.

“You have to put the blinders on to the ‘need’ word,” said general manager Kevin Colbert (via Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) . “We’re well aware of who we have on our team, but when we can add a player of quality it will over-ride a need any time.”

Shazier is likely to compete with last year’s starter, Vince Williams, for first-team reps.

Lions Sign Kyle Van Noy

June 5th, 2014 at 3:45pm CST by Zachary Links

THURSDAY, 3:45pm: ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein has some details on Van Noy’s contract (via Twitter). The player’s signing bonus will be worth just over $2MM, while he’s guaranteed just north of $3MM. His cap number next season will be worth a bit about $972K.

WEDNESDAY, 5:44pm: The Lions announced that they have signed second-round pick Kyle Van Noy, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. With Van Noy in the fold, first round pick Eric Ebron is the last player left to sign, as shown in PFR’s running list.

The Lions were high on Van Noy and traded their No. 45, No. 111 (fourth round), and No. 227 (seventh round) picks to Seattle to acquire the No. 40 selection. The BYU star saw his stock rise in the weeks heading into the draft and with the Broncos and others hot on his tail, Detroit wasn’t willing to take any chances. The Ravens, Jaguars, and Falcons also met with Van Noy and some saw him as a first-round talent.

Van Noy has been praised for his instincts and his leadership ability. However, some have expressed concern about his lack of athleticism, and that could be what ultimately kept him out of the first round.