2014 August - Pro Football Rumors

Extra Points: Decker, Dalton, 49ers, Watson

August 15th, 2014 at 10:18pm CST by Dallas Robinson

In an intriguing thought exercise for ESPN Insider (subscription required), former Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik attempts to put together the best possible 53-man team while staying below the NFL’s $133MM salary cap. Making the experiment more interesting was that Dominik didn’t simply select a squad of Pro Bowlers, but rather a club that would value attributes like special teams prowess — in short, a complete team. So in addition to stars like Tom Brady and Patrick Peterson, the roster contains lesser-known players such as J.R. Sweezy and Justin Bethel. It’s a fun piece that’s worth a full read. Let’s take a look at some news from around the league to close out this Friday night:

Eric Decker might not put up the same numbers with the Jets as he did in Denver, but New York receivers coach Sanjay Lal didn’t just use raw statistics to evaluate Decker’s 2013 performance. Instead, writes Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, Lal judged the former Minnesota Gopher in three areas: his ability to separate from defenders at the top of routes, his capacity to win against press coverage, and his potential to beat DBs on deep balls.
While Andy Dalton might be the definition of a league-average quarterback, it made sense for the Bengals to sign him to an extension, as it’s quite difficult to find even a mediocre QB, explains Neil Payne of FiveThirtyEight (with the mathematical data expected from a Nate Silver outlet).
In a video report, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com rounds up the latest 49ers news, including a look at San Francisco’s improved defensive line, and how Blaine Gabbert leads the battle for the No. 2 quarterback job.
Cornerback Jansen Watson has returned to Raiders camp after taking some time to decide whether to continue his NFL career, tweets Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times. Watson’s exempt-left squad designation period expired yesterday, so he once again counts against Oakland’s 90-man roster limit.

NFC Notes: Bryant, Underwood, Lattimore

August 15th, 2014 at 9:13pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Even after signing a deal that pays him an average of $4.75MM per season with the Jaguars, defensive lineman Red Bryant still isn’t happy about the way his tenure with the Seahawks ended. “It’s football,’’ Bryant told Terry Blount of ESPN.com. “What have you did for me lately? I guess what [Chris Clemons and I] did for them lately wasn’t good enough anymore.” Seattle, in part, let Bryant go in order to retain a far superior talent in Michael Bennett, but it’s not surprising to see a player a bit miffed at his former team. Let’s look at some more notes from the NFC:

Though Tiquan Underwood has struggled to distinguish himself during his time with the Panthers, the team is not yet giving up on him, Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer writes. Head coach Ron Rivera said the 27-year-old has “a skill set [Carolina would] like to have,” but if Underwood can’t crack the Panthers depleted receiving corps, his NFL future could be in doubt.
49ers running back Marcus Lattimore is almost a year removed from a suffering a gruesome knee injury while at South Carolina, but San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh says the young ball-carrier still isn’t ready for practice. “He’s been doing well,” Harbaugh told Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. “There’s been gains, but that’s where we’re at – not quite there yet.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones believes it’s possible that Rolando McClain “shakes things up” at linebacker, according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. Reports yesterday indicated that Bruce Carter could be losing his handle on Dallas’ weakside linebacker job, so perhaps McClain summon some of the talent that made him the No. 8 overall pick in 2010.
Chris Brown of Grantland pens an interesting look at Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, detailing not only the former Oregon head man’s offensive philosophies, but his unique approaches to sport science, nutrition, and practice regimens.

NFL Aims To Toughen Penalties For Domestic Violence

August 15th, 2014 at 7:44pm CST by Dallas Robinson

After Ravens running back Ray Rice was suspended just two games following an ugly domestic incident, the NFL was accused of being tone deaf. A two-game ban for a violent occurrence, juxtaposed with Browns receiver Josh Gordon facing a one-year suspension for using recreational drugs, seemed exceedingly light. In response, Mark Maske of the Washington Post reported yesterday that league officials were mulling harsher penalties for domestic abuse episodes, and, per Jane McManus of ESPN.com, they’ve decided to make some changes.

A source tells McManus that the NFL will seek the input of outside groups with expertise on the issue of domestic violence, and unveil a revamped program dedicated to the issue, which will focus on “everything from education, training, assistance and enhanced discipline.” The plan is expected to be officially announced soon, perhaps by next month. There’s no word yet as to how stiff the new penalties might be, but I’d expect them to be in line with the disciplinary action taken after a player is arrested for other offenses.

As McManus writes, while the league does have a human resource program for rookies that focuses on domestic abuse, there is no policy regarding such violence in the current collective bargaining agreement. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wrote yesterday that making changes to the CBA might present a challenge, as the players would want something in return for altering the league’s bylaws. It’s a valid point, but I doubt the union would risk the backlash of appearing to oppose policies against those who abuse women.

The Effect Of Dwayne Bowe’s Suspension

August 15th, 2014 at 6:27pm CST by Luke Adams

While we wait for the NFL to announce its decisions on players like Josh Gordon and Aldon Smith, who will likely face lengthy suspensions for the 2014 season, the league confirmed today that another player will be banned from his team’s Week 1 contest next month — Chiefs wideout Dwayne Bowe was suspended for a game as a result of his arrest for marijuana possession last fall.

On the surface, a one-game penalty for Bowe may not seem like a significant blow for him or his team, but as former agent Joel Corry of CBSSports.com points out (via Twitter), the remaining base salary guarantees on Bowe’s contract are voided as a result of his suspension. Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap breaks down the specifics, writing that the 29-year-old previously had his full $8.75MM salary for 2014 guaranteed, along with $1.5MM of his $10.75MM salary for 2015. Now that he’s been suspended, those guarantees are no longer in place.

According to Fitzgerald, the elimination of the guarantee on Bowe’s 2014 salary is merely semantic — in Fitzgerald’s view, we’re so close to the start of the regular season that it won’t make a huge difference for the Chiefs, who will rely on the receiver to be one of Alex Smith‘s favorite targets this season. On the other hand, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk outlines a scenario in which the voided guarantee could create a window for Kansas City to part ways with Bowe, likely by releasing him rather than trading him.

Prior to the suspension, Bowe’s contract, which has a cap number of $12MM for the 2014 season and $14MM for 2015, would have counted as $11.75MM in dead money this year and $10.5MM in dead money for next year if the Chiefs had cut him — in other words, the cap savings would have been minimal. Now, Kansas City could release him and take a 2014 cap penalty of just $3MM ($9MM in savings), with the remaining $9MM hitting next year’s cap. As Florio points out, such a move would not only create a sizable chunk of cap space immediately for the Chiefs – perhaps making it easier to sign Smith to a long-term extension – but it could open the door for Bowe to land with a receiver-needy team like the Browns.

For now though, that line of thought appears to just be speculative. While the lack of guaranteed money on Bowe’s 2015 salary will be something to consider for the Chiefs when they decide whether to keep him the veteran wideout around beyond this season, the odds of the club releasing him in the coming weeks are slim. As Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star tweets, as much as the Chiefs talk about liking their young wideouts, Bowe is still their No. 1 option, and cutting him would come off as a signal the club is punting on the 2014 season.

Bowe’s one-game suspension and voided guarantees will give the Chiefs something to think about as they consider their short- and long-term options at receiver. And perhaps one of the team’s other wideouts will shine in the game Bowe misses, setting the stage for a breakout season that makes the former Pro Bowler more expendable at year’s end. At the moment, however, it’s presumptuous to assume that his one-game ban will affect Bowe’s 2014 status in Kansas City.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Minor Moves: Friday

August 15th, 2014 at 5:55pm CST by Dallas Robinson

We’ll round up today’s minor transactions here, with the latest news appearing at the top.

The Raiders worked out a pair of tight ends today, and have opted to sign Kyle Auffray rather than Logan Brock, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Oakland will have to make a corresponding roster move to clear room for Auffray, who has already spent time with the Patriots and Browns this season, having been waived by Cleveland earlier this week.
Using the roster spot created when the team placed Zach Miller on injured reserve, the Bears have signed free agent wideout Kofi Hughes, the team announced today (via Twitter). Hughes hit free agency after being cut last week by the Texans.

Earlier updates:

Tight end Terrence Miller has been removed the Patriots‘ injured reserve list with a settlement, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter).
After suffering an injury in the Bears‘ preseason game last night, tight end Zach Miller is being placed on injured reserve, says Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (Twitter links). Miller, who played his college ball at Nebraska-Omaha and shouldn’t be confused with the Seahawks tight end of the same name, sustained a Lisfranc injury, tearing ligaments in his foot, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
The Dolphins have swapped kickers today, signing John Potter while waiving Danny Hrapmann, the team announced on Twitter. Potter was a Bills sixth-round pick in 2012, and has also spent time with Redskins and Lions. Hrapmann, meanwhile, was undrafted free agent out of Southern Mississippi in 2012, has logged time with the Steelers and Cardinals, and played in the AFL.

South Notes: Titans, Martin, Sims, Pasztor

August 15th, 2014 at 2:54pm CST by Luke Adams

Let’s check in on a few items from around the NFL’s two South divisions….

The Titans inquired last week about the possibility of bringing free agent defensive lineman Vaughn Martin in for a workout, but nothing has materialized on that front yet, says Terry McCormick of 247 Sports. Martin, a former fourth-round pick who has played for the Chargers and Dolphins, inked a minimum salary deal with the Lions near the start of the free agent period, but was cut by the team in June.
Buccaneers running back Charles Sims will undergo ankle surgery and is expected to be sidelined for 12-14 weeks, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (Twitter link). That timetable means the rookie rusher could return at some point this season, so we’ll have to wait and see what the Bucs decide to do with him. The club could either keep him on the active roster, place him on injured reserve (ending his season), or make him the one IR player with the designation to return.
Third-year offensive lineman Austin Pasztor, who was projected to start at right tackle for the Jaguars this season, has suffered a broken hand and will have surgery to repair the fracture. According to ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco, the exact timetable for Pasztor’s return isn’t yet known, but he’ll be back at some point this season — Jags coach Gus Bradley confirmed that the 23-year-old will be re-evaluated in a month. Until then, Jacksonville will have to fill his shoes at right tackle, either with an internal option or an outside addition.

Jones: No Need To Accelerate Dez Bryant Talks

August 15th, 2014 at 1:29pm CST by Luke Adams

Coming off a pair of seasons in which he averaged 92 receptions and 1,308 receiving yards, compiling 25 total touchdowns, Dez Bryant is entering a contract year and appears to be in line for a big extension. According to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones though, there’s no rush to accelerate contract talks with the team’s star wide receiver at this point, as Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News details.

“We have Dez for several more years, as it would be under contract as well as with the league-type structure that’s available to us with the franchise [tag] and the transition [tag] and all that,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “It’s an important thing. We think Dez has made a lot of progress, but it’s something that is going to be very impactful on our team, so it’s just not necessary to move at any faster rate than we’re moving.”

Although Jones confirmed that the two sides have begun negotiating, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that it’s unlikely a deal gets done before the season. A new contract for Bryant would be pricey at this point, but waiting until after the season could increase the cost even more for the Cowboys. Another huge season would increase the 25-year-old’s stock, and as Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap points out (via Twitter), other wideouts like Demaryius Thomas and Julio Jones could sign extension of their own soon — if they’re awarded huge money, it would be hard for Dallas to pay Bryant any less.

As Jones notes, the franchise or transition tag is also an option for Bryant. Those franchise and transition numbers will increase a little for 2015, but in 2014, the cost of franchising a receiver was $12.312MM, a figure oft-repeated during Jimmy Graham‘s fight to be classified as a wideout. The transition figure was $10.176MM.

Extra Points: Bowe, Bortles, Blue

August 15th, 2014 at 12:11pm CST by Matt Feminis

Chiefs receiver Dwayne Bowe will be suspended for the season opener as a result of his marijuana possession arrest last November, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Meanwhile, Bowe is dealing with a “shot” finger, as Andy Reid told the KC Star’s Terez Paylor.

Here’s some more miscellaneous links from around the league:

Jaguars rookie quarterback Blake Bortles’ second preseason game was televised nationally last night, and praise is pouring in. “It was against the second- and third-team defenders for the Bears, but there was no question Blake Bortles looked the part of a viable NFL quarterback on Thursday night in Chicago,” said CBS’ Will Brinson. Bortles “showed why he’s the future of the franchise, and why the future just might be now,” said Bleacher Reports Ty Schalter. “Bortles has looked to be every bit of the future Pro Bowl quarterback a team expects to get with a top three draft pick,” said USA Today’s Chris Strauss, who calls for the Jags to name Bortles the starter immediately. And ESPN’s Michael DiRocco says Bortles needs first-team reps this week.
Could the Ravens be trying to sneak sixth-round quarterback Keith Wenning onto the practice squad? Backup Tyrod Taylor is scheduled for most of the work in tomorrow’s preseason game, and ESPN’s Jamison Hensley makes an “educated guess” the team will limit Wenning’s exposure to other teams who might want to poach him. “The presumed plan is to develop Wenning into the primary backup by next season, when Taylor is a free agent,” says Hensley.
Another rookie making waves is Texans sixth-round running back Alfred Blue. ESPN’s Tania Ganguli relayed praise for Blue from Bill O’Brien, who assessed the rookie’s skill set: “Good teammate, hardworking guy, football smart, three-down back — he’s got to continue to improve catching the football. But good runner, good vision, good on special teams, understands football, asks good questions. I see some good things from Alfred.” An ACL injury and crowded LSU backfield limited Blue’s college exposure — he carried just 209 times in 40 games — but scouts took notice of his physical ability once he declared for the draft, forgoing another year of eligibility. In his NFL Draft Preview book, Nolan Nawrocki described Blue as “A physically gifted runner who would have been the No. 1 back at most schools given his combination of size, speed, power and competitiveness.” Nawrocki added that Blue is a prime candidate to be a “far more productive pro than college player if he proves he can stay healthy.”
ESPN’s staff spotlighted each team’s most intriguing skill-position battle. Among the most notable capsules, Mike Reiss talks about the Patriots’ trio of running backs, saying Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen or James White could be featured any given week.
Greg Toler and Donte Moncrief are among four standouts in Colts camp identified by IndyStar.com’s Stephen Holder. On Toler, Holder says, “Toler has been all over the field during camp, showing his superior ball skills and ability to play man coverage in the Colts defense. If he continues to perform like this heading into the regular season, the Colts won’t see much of a dropoff from franchise cornerback Vontae Davis to Toler.”
The Packers are deeper this season in the eyes of Journal Sentinel writer Bob McGinn, who analyzes the team’s projected roster position by position.

Bears Notes: Clausen, Safeties, Scott

August 15th, 2014 at 10:52am CST by Matt Feminis

The Bears played another flag-filled preseason game last night, and the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs provided his post-game thoughts:

The Bears have ongoing competition for backup quarterback — Jimmy Clausen and Jordan Palmer are both playing well — and running back, where Shaun Draughn and fourth-rounder Ka’Deem Carey are vying for carries behind Matt Forte.
The safety position remains a jumble, though Chris Conte is expected to be cleared for action in next week’s third preseason game, and the best estimation for the starting combination come opening day might be Conte and veteran Ryan Mundy.
In keeping with the question mark theme, the job of kick returner is also up for grabs because Chris Williams is hurt, and Eric Weems has done nothing to take ownership. “The Bears have gone from Devin Hester to who-knows-what entering the third preseason game,” says Biggs.
A week after starring in the first preseason game, tight end Zach Miller went down with a left foot injury. The team will get details on the injury today.
Defensive end Trevor Scott is emerging as the fourth defensive end, says Biggs: “[Scott] looked good again. He’s got legit speed and is being used with the first unit on special teams by Joe DeCamillis.”
Sixth-rounder Pat O’Donnell has all but locked up the punting job.
With Marquess Wilson injured, veteran Josh Morgan could position himself as the third receiver.
Shea McClellin, who is being scrutinized in Chicago, struggled again last night in his second game as a linebacker, says ESPN’s Michael C. Wright: “The Bears want to remain patient with Shea McClellin as he transitions to linebacker, but his play against the Jaguars seemed just about on par with his shoddy showing last week. McClellin did stuff the run once early on but continues to struggle at shedding blocks and making tackles in space.”

Latest On Josh Gordon

August 15th, 2014 at 9:46am CST by Dallas Robinson

Yesterday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that a decision in the Josh Gordon appeal hearing could be handed down by the end of next week. While that time frame would mesh with the original one to three week interval proposed after the hearing concluded on August 4, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk opines that the entire process has been mishandled, and argues that the NFL needs to begin expediting suspension proceedings.

While Schefter noted that the delays in the case are being attributed to the transcribing process, Florio, a former lawyer, questions this excuse, as transcripts can be prepared “almost instantaneously.” Using current transcription technology, hearing officer Harold Henderson could have likely had a copy of the meeting’s notes on hand the moment the proceedings had concluded. Critical facts in the case (which Florio estimates comprise about 5% of any hearing) could have been clarified instantly for Henderson by listening to the audio recording of the examination.

Henderson, Florio continues, probably had a decent idea of his impending decision the day the hearing had ended. While a lengthy written judgement is to be expected, a simple, early statement either upholding or vacating Gordon’s suspension would have been best for all parties. If Gordon’s one-year ban isn’t announced until late August, it could put the start of his 2015 season at risk, as well, as he wouldn’t be able to properly prepare for next year. Given the fallout to Ray Rice‘s seemingly light two-game suspension for a domestic incident, it’s odd that the NFL hasn’t at least sped up the process as to let Gordon and the Browns plan out the next stages of his career.