2014 August - Pro Football Rumors

Alex Smith, Chiefs Still Not Close To Deal

August 13th, 2014 at 5:30pm CST by Zachary Links

There’s mutual interest in a contract extension between the Chiefs and quarterback Alex Smith, but that doesn’t mean an agreement is around the corner. The two sides continue to chat, but a deal still doesn’t seem imminent, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1 (on Twitter).

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton recently agreed to a contract extension that many view as a pacesetter for the quarterback middle class and it is widely expected to have an impact on a QB like Smith. However, he recently said that the six-year, $115MM deal doesn’t make sense to him as a baseline since he’s seeking a deal that he will “play out.” Dalton’s deal, while potentially lucrative, allows the Bengals to cut bait midway through the pact with little penalty.

Smith has also rejected Colin Kaepernick‘s deal as a viable comp since he, like Dalton, was still on his rookie contract. Both players ostensibly ceded some long-term benefits in exchange for a 2014 pay bump. Smith probably wouldn’t make that kind of concession since he’s in line to earn a healthy $7.5MM in 2014.

It’s in the Chiefs best interest to work out a new deal with Smith since they’d rather not bid for him on the open market and they probably aren’t eager about franchise tagging him. The franchise tag for a quarterback would cost the Chiefs roughly $18MM in 2015. The Chiefs are willing to cut into their considerable cap space to get something done, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, but they are wary of making a sizable commitment to an older quarterback. After all, coach Andy Reid has a track record for developing QBs and KC could instead groom a younger, cheaper option for the role at some point.

Minor Moves: Wednesday

August 13th, 2014 at 4:40pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Wednesday’s minor transactions from around the NFL, with any additional moves added to the top of the page throughout the day:

In order to make room for incoming defensive tackle Jerel Worthy, the Patriots will waive tight end Terrence Miller with an injured designation, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
The Cowboys are expected to sign tight end Asa Watson, who was recently cut by the Patriots, but Dallas will still have to clear a roster spot on the 90-man roster, tweets Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com.

Earlier updates:

After signing with the 49ers as a free agent this offseason, linebacker and special teams contributor Blake Costanzo has been placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, the team announced in a press release. San Francisco signed linebacker Kion Wilson to replace Costanzo, who didn’t have to pass through waivers before hitting IR since he has more than four years of NFL experience.
The Saints have signed former Giants tight end Travis Beckum to a one-year deal, a source told Ramon Antonio Vargas and Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Advocate today. A third-round draft choice in 2009, Beckum has not played since suffering a knee injury in New York’s Super Bowl win after the 2011 season. He was on injured reserve for the duration of 2012 and out of the league in 2013.
Using the open roster spot they created after shuffling various running backs in and out earlier in the week, the Texans have added cornerback Junior Mertile to their roster, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston (Twitter link). An ex-Giant, Mertile has been a free agent since he was cut by New York in May, though he auditioned for the Jags in the interim.
Running back Stephen Houston has signed with the Steelers, according to the team’s PR man Burt Lauten (Twitter link). The former Indiana rusher got a partially guaranteed contract from the Patriots after the draft, but was waived by the team over the weekend.
According to John Oehser of Jaguars.com (via Twitter), the Jaguars have replaced one center with another, signing Antoine Caldwell and waiving Matt Stankiewitch, who sustained a wrist injury.

AFC East Notes: Spiller, Bills, Pats, Dolphins

August 13th, 2014 at 4:22pm CST by Luke Adams

After the Bills gave up a draft pick to acquire Bryce Brown from the Eagles, then signed Fred Jackson to a contract extension, there has been some speculation this offseason that C.J. Spiller could be on the trade block. But if that’s the case, he either isn’t drawing much interest or Buffalo GM Doug Whaley isn’t interested in acknowledging that interest. Whaley today told reporters, including ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak (Twitter link), that the Bills haven’t been contacted by any teams regarding Spiller, so it doesn’t sound like the 27-year-old is going anywhere anytime soon.

Here’s more out of the AFC East:

Although it’s not clear if he submitted a bid and remains involved in the Bills sale process, Raiders minority stakeholder David Abrams initially expressed interest and signed a non-disclosure agreement with the franchise, reports Tim Graham of the Buffalo News.
It had been six weeks since any NFL teams had made a trade, but the Patriots agreed to two swaps yesterday, adding a defensive lineman in both deals. Jeremy Gottlieb of the Boston Globe takes a look at the refurnishing job the Pats’ interior defensive line is undergoing.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald breaks down some of the key position battles taking place at Dolphins training camp.

Titans Sign Steve Vallos

August 13th, 2014 at 3:03pm CST by Luke Adams

The Titans completed a handful of roster moves today, announcing (via Twitter) that they’ve signed offensive lineman Steve Vallos and linebacker Kendrick Adams, cutting linebacker David Gilbert and lineman Viondy Merisma to clear spots for the newcomers. The series of transactions leaves Tennessee with a full 90-man roster.

Of the four players, Vallos is the only one with regular-season NFL experience, having been active for 59 total contests for the Seahawks, Browns, Jaguars, Eagles, and Broncos. The 30-year-old, who worked out for the Dolphins and Colts this offseason, spent the 2013 campaign with Denver, providing veteran insurance on the interior offensive line after center Dan Koppen suffered a season-ending injury. For Tennessee, he figures to compete for a roster spot, but even if he earns one, he likely won’t see much playing time if the line stays relatively healthy.

As for Adams, since going undrafted out of LSU, he has seen time on multiple clubs’ practice squads, including the Bucs’, Lions’, and Giants’. However, he was cut earlier in the month by New York when the team signed Israel Idonije.

Gilbert and Merisma will have to pass through waivers before becoming free agents.

Latest On Raiders’ Stadium Talks

August 13th, 2014 at 1:51pm CST by Luke Adams

There has been no progress in recent weeks between the Raiders and the City of Oakland on stadium talks, multiple NFL and city sources tell Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle. According to Tafur, Raiders owner Mark Davis has been ramping up his efforts to find a new stadium in another city, and he appears to have the NFL’s support in that endeavor, per Tafur’s sources.

The Raiders’ lease at the O.co Coliseum in Oakland expires at the end of the 2014 season, so it’s possible Davis could at some point attempt to come to a one-year extension agreement to by more time, but so far he hasn’t asked for that extension. And Tafur says the Raiders owner isn’t currently planning to ask for one. With the team’s long-term future in Oakland currently up in the air, here are a few more notes on the Raiders and potential possibilities for franchise:

San Antonio city officials “quietly and feverishly” prepared for Davis’ visit to Texas last month, making a “much more concerted effort” than had been previously reported to sell the Raiders on the city, according to Josh Baugh and Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. While a move to San Antonio is still viewed as a long shot – as reports by both the Express-News and the Chronicle indicate – a source discounted to Baugh and Orsborn the recent comments made by Spurs shareholder Charlie Amato, who suggested Spurs ownership would require controlling interest in any NFL team in the city.
That same source to the Express-News: “[Spurs majority owner] Peter [Holt] assured Mark that [the Spurs] would not be a roadblock to the Raiders relocating to San Antonio and would find ways to work with them.”
For his part, Davis indicated to Tafur that Oakland remains his first priority despite a productive visit to San Antonio: “It was a serious conversation. I don’t waste my time just having meetings. But we continue to try to get something done in Oakland.”
While San Antonio is one potential alternative for the Raiders, Los Angeles would be the more popular choice among fans. As Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com details, former Lakers star Magic Johnson, who owns a piece of MLB’s Dodgers, thinks L.A. is the most viable choice for the Raiders and hopes to see the franchise return to the city “in the next two years.”
Although Johnson’s timeline may be overly optimistic, it’s worth noting, as Jason Cole of Bleacher Report tweets, that Dodgers ownership has a plan for a football-only stadium beyond center field at Dodger Stadium

Browns Sign Rex Grossman

August 13th, 2014 at 12:57pm CST by Luke Adams

WEDNESDAY, 12:57pm: Grossman’s one-year deal with the Browns is worth the minimum but includes $50K in guaranteed money, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com.

TUESDAY, 8:40am: The Browns have reached an agreement to sign free agent quarterback Rex Grossman, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus (Twitter link via Pro Football Talk). The signing reunites Grossman with Cleveland offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, after the duo spent multiple seasons together in Washington.

Although Grossman hasn’t seen regular-season NFL action since starting 13 games for the Redskins during the 2011 season, he has spent the last few years in Washington, and continued to draw interest this offseason. In addition to frequent speculation throughout the spring and summer that the veteran signal-caller, who turns 34 this month, may land in Cleveland, Grossman also worked out for the Dolphins this week. After that audition, we heard that Grossman was scheduled to visit another club, so it appears that Cleveland was that team.

With Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel battling for the top spot on the Browns’ depth chart, there’s still an opening for the No. 3 job. Grossman figures to have the inside track on that spot, particularly since the team has announced the release of quarterback Tyler Thigpen (Twitter link).

During his last stint as a starter in 2011, Grossman threw for 3,151 yards and 16 touchdowns, though he also racked up 20 interceptions. Presumably, if he earns a spot on Cleveland’s regular-season roster, Grossman will be relied upon to provide veteran guidance for the rookie Manziel and the relatively inexperienced Hoyer. If Grossman ends up seeing any snaps for the Browns during the 2014 campaign, it’s likely a sign that the club’s season has gone off the rails.

Important Remaining 2014 NFL Dates

August 13th, 2014 at 12:12pm CST by Luke Adams

Way back in January, in the week leading up to the Super Bowl, we took a look ahead at many of the important offseason dates on the NFL calendar, including the opening of free agency and draft weekend. However, the last of those key dates came and went in July, so now that training camps and the preseason are in full swing, it’s time to revisit the NFL calendar and check out the most crucial remaining dates in 2014.

Here’s a breakdown of several of the key dates to keep an eye on in the coming weeks and months:

August 26: Teams must reduce their 90-man rosters to 75 players by 3:00pm central time.
August 27: Teams trying out players on this date and for the rest of the season must report those workouts to the commissioner’s office.
August 30: Teams must reduce their 75-man rosters to 53 players by 3:00pm central time. Any players on the active/PUP or active/non-football injury or illness lists may be moved to the reserve versions of those lists.
August 31: Claiming period for players waived during final roster cuts ends at 11:00am central time. After that point, teams may establish a practice squad of 10 players.

September 2: After 3:00pm central time, teams are permitted to place one player on the injured reserve list with the designation to return.
September 3: After 3:00pm central time, all contracts for each team must fit under the salary cap (top-51 rule expires at 11:00pm central time).
September 23: Waiver priority order adjusted to become based on the reverse order of 2014’s standings.

October 7-8: Fall league meetings in New York City.
October 14: Players who are on the reserve/PUP and reserve/NFI lists are allowed to begin practicing for the next 21 days. Players must be activated or placed on injured reserve by 3:00pm central time on the day following the expiration of that 21-day window.
October 28: Trade deadline at 3:00pm central time.
October 29: All released players subject to waivers for rest of regular season and postseason.

December 27: By 3:00pm central time, teams must provide written notice of the amount of unused 2014 salary cap space to be rolled over to the 2015 cap.
December 29: Teams may begin signing players to reserve/futures contracts for the 2015 season. Teams may also begin exercising fifth-year options on 2012 first-round picks and signing 2012 draftees to contract extensions.

NFL.com and The Phinsider were used in the creation of this post.

AFC South Links: Ronnie Brown, Colts, Oher

August 13th, 2014 at 10:23am CST by Luke Adams

Let’s check in on the latest items from around the AFC South….

Although Ronnie Brown will turn 33 later this year, making him one of the league’s oldest running backs, he only has 131 more career carries than Arian Foster, the man he’s now backing up in Houston, writes Dale Robertson of the Houston Chronicle. Having signed this week with the Texans, Brown still feels as if he has “a lot” left in the tank, as he tells Robertson.
In his latest mailbag at Colts.com, Kevin Bowen fields a handful of questions about the Colts‘ offensive line, addressing whether he thinks the club would have interest in signing Richie Incognito or trading for Alex Boone.
With Michael Roos still the Titans‘ starter at left tackle, there may not be room for both free agent signee Michael Oher and first-round pick Taylor Lewan on the team’s offensive line, but Oher isn’t pleased with any speculation that he’ll start the year on the bench, as he tells John Glennon of the Tennessean. “I’m kind of tired of getting disrespected by a lot of people who don’t know anything about the work I put in and how hard I work, and the love and passion I have for this game,” Oher said.
Considering Lewan has played predominantly on the Titans‘ second team at left tackle, and no one seems to be calling for him to start over Oher lately, Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com thinks maybe the former Raven “needs to chill a little with the disrespect deal.”

Patriots Work Out Quarterbacks

August 13th, 2014 at 8:49am CST by Luke Adams

Although a report suggesting the Patriots will sign free agent quarterback Dominique Davis is inaccurate, the former Falcon was among the signal-callers to work out for New England yesterday, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (via Twitter). Per Doug Kyed of NESN, former University of Washington QB Keith Price and Southern Illinois’ Kory Faulkner also auditioned for the Pats.

Unlike in Miami or Cleveland, where the Dolphins and Browns have recently added veteran quarterbacks Brady Quinn and Rex Grossman, respectively, it seems unlikely that the Patriots will add a QB who has a chance to earn a 53-man roster spot. Tom Brady and second-round pick Jimmy Garoppolo aren’t going anywhere, and despite Peter King’s suggestion this week that cutting Ryan Mallett is within the realm of possibility for New England, it’s hard to imagine the Pats replacing a player who has several years of experience in their system with an inexperienced newcomer halfway through August.

In all likelihood, the Pats were taking a look at the group of quarterbacks in case they’re needed later in the season or further down the road. The club could also be considering options for its practice squad.

Davis saw a little playing time for the Falcons last season, but became expendable and was cut in June following Atlanta’s acquisition of T.J. Yates. As for Price and Faukner, both players earned deals as undrafted rookies this spring, signing with the Seahawks and 49ers respectively, but they’ve since been waived.

West Notes: Cardinals, Iupati, Seahawks

August 12th, 2014 at 9:15pm CST by Zachary Links

Cardinals GM Steve Keim offered up extremely high praise for rookie wide receiver John Brown in a chat with Grantland’s Robert Mays. “I haven’t seen a rookie come in and do what he’s done — and it’s early still — since Anquan Boldin,” Keim told Mays on Monday. “This guy came through the first day, and being from Pittsburg State, has uncanny instincts, unbelievable understanding of route concepts, leverage, being in the right spot at the right time. On top of great ball skills, he has unusual speed and explosiveness.” Here’s more from the AFC and NFC West..

A source tells Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com it’s unlikely the 49ers believe they can exceed the contracts of their tackles with any deal for a guard, even one as talented as Mike Iupati. Joe Staley’s new extension increased his average-per-year salary to $7.44MM. Anthony Davis signed an extension in 2013 that pays him an average of $6.52MM through the 2019 season. There are no indications the 49ers and Iupati are close to a contract extension at this time.
Earlier today, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap finished up his best and worst contracts series with a look at the Seahawks. Seattle’s best contract, he writes, is the team’s agreement with center Max Unger. Unger’s contract, which was worth just under $25MM for four seasons, represented a 24% savings in annual value over Ryan Kalil’s contract with the Panthers. Meanwhile, the worst contract on the Seahawks’ books is for Percy Harvin, thanks to his limited track record of success and the lack of injury protection afforded in the deal.
Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan has a left medial tibial impaction fracture and is expected to miss six to eight weeks, according to the team’s official Twitter account.