2015 May - Pro Football Rumors

Latest On Adrian Peterson, Vikings

May 27th, 2015 at 9:00pm CST by Zachary Links

9:00pm: Peterson issued a statement to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (via Twitter). “The reason I’m not attending OTAs has nothing to do with wanting to be traded. It’s about securing my future with the Vikings. It’s business, not personal and I understand that firsthand. Go Vikings,” the running back said.

6:42pm: Adrian Peterson is unlikely to skip the entirety of the Vikings’ voluntary workouts, a league source tells Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report. The working theory is that the star running back will show up at some juncture so that he doesn’t miss out on his $250K workout bonus.

Freeman writes that Peterson gets his bonus if he attends 90% of OTAs and minicamps, in which case he could still recoup that bonus if he shows up to the Vikings’ facility next week. Joel Corry of CBSSports.com indicated yesterday that that’s not accurate, and that the running back forfeits his bonus by not participating in all of the club’s OTAs. However, if Peterson does report to Minnesota this spring, the team could decide to restore that bonus in an effort to help mend fences.

One rival exec told Freeman that he believes Peterson is simply stomping his feet over the fact that the Vikings won’t trade him. “He’s sending a message to the Vikings,” the exec said. “‘I’ll rejoin the team when I’m good and ready.'”

Meanwhile, AD is texting with teammates and, apparently, he has given no indication that he wants to be moved. Furthermore, Freeman has heard no indication that Peterson is serious about his threat to retire if he doesn’t get what he wants. Even if the Vikings have a chance of heart, they’ll have a hard time finding a suitable deal. One GM said the market for AD is “almost nonexistent.”

NFC East Notes: Moss, Pierre-Paul, Cowboys

May 27th, 2015 at 7:44pm CST by Zachary Links

Darren McFadden‘s new Cowboys teammates are bringing out the best in him, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News writes. “Once you’ve been in a place so long like Oakland you get set in your ways,” the running back said. “Coming out here and just being around guys who are working so hard, it just brings out the best in you and that’s something I really look forward to.”

Dallas boasted the league’s second-best rushing offense in 2014, averaging 147.1 yards per game with star DeMarco Murray in the backfield. Now, it’ll be up to Dallas’ new group of running backs to try and replicate that production. Here’s more from the NFC East..

Santana Moss says that he still wants to play in the NFL, but he might have to settle for an off-field role. As it turns out, Washington owner Daniel Snyder has already spoken with the veteran about a potential job, Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post writes. “I went up there and met with Dan a little before the draft, and we just talked basically about life, football, everything,” Moss told 106.7 The Fan’s Chad Dukes. “Dan has always been special to me from Day One when I became a Redskin, and he knows how much I love him and I appreciate him. So we sat down and talked for hours, and he just told me, ‘I know that you want to play so I’m not sure how things are gonna go, but if you’re not a ‘Skin, whenever you’re done, I want you back here to retire and everything. And when you’re done with that, if you want to do something with the team, give me a holler.’”
Giants coach Tom Coughlin told reporters, including Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (on Twitter), that he expects Jason Pierre-Paul will be at the mandatory minicamp in mid-June. However, he also knows that the star defensive end might not show.
Cowboys exec Will McClay has been given a new title for the third time in three years, as Todd Archer of ESPN.com writes. McClay is now the team’s senior director of college and pro scouting after being given the assistant director of player personnel title in 2014. The position is roughly the same as McClay will run the personnel department as he did last year.
The Giants got some good news on Robert Ayers, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Tests revealed no major damage to the defensive end’s knee or ankle. The defensive end was carted off the practice field earlier today.
The injury to left tackle Will Beatty forced the Giants to remake an offensive line that had received a makeover just a few months ago, Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News writes. Beatty tore a pectoral muscle while in the weight room and is expected to be out until November.

Minor Moves: Wednesday

May 27th, 2015 at 6:03pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves..

The Ravens cut Trey DePriest and re-signed linebacker Andrew Bose, Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun writes. Both players were UDFAs from this year’s class. DePriest, who got a $5K signing bonus from Baltimore earlier this month, was a starter at Alabama who registered 87 total tackles and five tackles for loss last season. Bose, meanwhile, tried out at the Ravens’ rookie minicamp and was a roster casualty after the signing of veteran cornerback Kyle Arrington.
The Raiders signed linebacker Horace Miller and wide receiver Milton Williams III, according to Wilson (on Twitter). The Panthers waived Miller in April.
Browns linebacker Keith Pough reverted to the team’s injured reserve after going unclaimed off waivers, Wilson tweets. Cowboys wide receiver Chris Boyd (link) and Colts defensive back Josh Mitchell (link) also went back to their team’s respective IRs after going unclaimed.
The Raiders cut Travell Dixon and Austin Hill, Wilson tweets. Oakland signed Hill after the wide receiver did not pass a physical to sign with Seahawks.

Browns Waive Nick McDonald

May 27th, 2015 at 5:12pm CST by Zachary Links

The Browns released center Nick McDonald with an injury settlement, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (on Twitter). McDonald started seven games at center last season while Alex Mack was sidelined with an injury.

McDonald was claimed off waivers by the Browns eleven months ago, just a day after he was cut loose by the Chargers. McDonald stepped into the starting role when he was needed, but the advanced metrics weren’t fond of his work. The 27-year-old (28 in June) graded out as the third worst qualified center in the NFL last season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

NFC North Notes: Ihedigbo, Kalil, Bears

May 27th, 2015 at 4:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier today, we passed along updates on Adrian Peterson and Matt Forte, two star NFC North running backs who aren’t satisfied with their current contract situations. We’ve got a few more items this afternoon from out of the division, including one note related to another player who is seeking a new deal. Here’s the latest:

Asked if he felt like he outperformed his contract in 2014, Lions safety James Ihedigbo replied, “I was a Pro Bowl alternate, so that answers that question,” writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Ihedigbo reported to the team’s OTAs, but still wants more money, more years, or both added onto his current contract, which calls for a $1.1MM base salary in 2015.
Vikings offensive tackle Matt Kalil said today that he’d like to play for “another five, six years,” according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link). Kalil, whose fifth-year option for 2016 was exercised by Minnesota earlier this offseason, turns 26 in July, so playing just five or six more seasons would mean retiring in his early-30s.
After releasing Ray McDonald earlier this week following his latest domestic violence arrest, Bears chairman George McCaskey spoke to reporters today, including Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times, taking responsibility for having brought the defensive lineman to the team. Even though the McDonald signing went south, the club still has “complete confidence” in new GM Ryan Pace, per McCaskey.

Washington Releases Chris Chester

May 27th, 2015 at 3:03pm CST by Luke Adams

3:03pm: Chester has officially hit the open market, with Washington formally announcing in a press release that the team has released the veteran guard.

9:46am: Washington has decided to make a change on its offensive line, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the club will release veteran guard Chris Chester. The move isn’t official yet, but when the team does formally announce it, Chester will become a free agent immediately without having to pass through waivers.

Chester, 32, signed a five-year, $20MM deal with Washington before the 2011 season, and has started every game the team has played since then, at right guard. While Chester hasn’t been consistently above-average at the position, he hasn’t been a major liability either. In 2014, he played the eighth-most offensive snaps among guards (1,091), and ranked 33rd among 78 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required).

While Chester’s performance likely would have secured him a roster spot if he were on a rookie contract, his rising cap number looks like Washington’s primary motive for cutting him. Chester had been on track to count for $4.8MM against the club’s cap this year, and releasing him will create $4MM in cap savings.

With Chester out of the mix, Spencer Long looks like the favorite to start at right guard for Washington to open the regular season, though other players – including fourth-round pick Arie Kouandjio – could challenge for playing time this summer.

Washington Cuts Tracy Porter

May 27th, 2015 at 3:02pm CST by Luke Adams

3:02pm: Washington has officially released Porter, the team announced today in a press release.

10:22am: Releasing Chris Chester won’t be the only roster move Washington makes today, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post, who reports (via Twitter) that the team is also cutting ties with veteran cornerback Tracy Porter. Like Chester, Porter had one season remaining on his contract with the team, so he’ll hit the open market a year early.

Porter, 28, was a full-time starter at cornerback for the Raiders in 2013, and signed a two-year, $6MM deal in free agency last year with Washington, but saw his role reduced significantly in 2014. Before he landed on the injured reserve list in November, ending his season, Porter only played 89 snaps for Washington, finding himself buried on the depth chart behind Bashaud Breeland, E.J. Biggers, David Amerson, and others for a good chunk of 2014.

Porter’s reduced role and his health problems make the decision to release him an unsurprising one, particularly with his cap number on the rise this year. The former second-round pick would have earned a $2.25MM base salary and up to $250K in per-game roster bonuses if he had remained with the team. Instead, he’ll count for just $1MM in dead money on Washington’s books.

Bills, Dareus Progressing On Contract Talks

May 27th, 2015 at 2:15pm CST by Luke Adams

Bills general manager Doug Whaley said earlier this offseason that locking up defensive lineman Marcell Dareus to a long-term contract extension would be the team’s No. 1 priority following the draft, and the GM stressed that point again today. According to John Wawrow of The Associated Press, Whaley called Dareus’ contract Buffalo’s top priority, and said he has had preliminary talks about a new deal.

Earlier today, Dareus expressed a desire for the Bills to advance those contract extension discussions, admitting that the situation is weighing on him a little. While he didn’t specify what sort of salary he’ll be seeking on his next contract, the All-Pro defensive tackle told Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (Twitter links), “Turn on the tape. It speaks for itself.”

Dareus’ comments could be interpreted as the 25-year-old hinting at a little frustration with the negotiations, but it appears both sides are on the same page in wanting to get something done. Whaley told Wawrow that he intends to meet with Jim Overdorf, the Bills’ chief negotiator, on Wednesday in an effort to move the talks along.

Dareus will serve a one-game suspension to start the 2014 season, but that penalty isn’t expected to have a real impact on his extension negotiations with the Bills. In 2014, Dareus was the league’s fourth-best defensive tackle, behind only Aaron Donald, Gerald McCoy, and Ndamukong Suh, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required). PFF also ranked the Bills star as the NFL’s best run defender among defensive tackles, with a +20.7 grade.

Colts Sign Phillip Dorsett

May 27th, 2015 at 12:55pm CST by Luke Adams

The Colts have signed wide receiver Phillip Dorsett to his rookie contract, the team announced today in a press release. The signing leaves Indianapolis with two draft picks still to sign.

Dorsett, who was selected 29th overall in the first round of the draft a few weeks ago, will get a signing bonus of $4.177MM, per Over The Cap. His four-year rookie contract will be worth approximately $8.135MM in total, and will include a fifth-year option allowing the Colts to keep the wideout under contract through 2019.

While Dorsett will give Andrew Luck another weapon in the passing game, and should immediately take over as the team’s primary return man, the pick was questioned by many observers, and reportedly even some Colts players themselves. The 2014 Colts had a dynamic passing attack, featuring T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief, and while the club moved on from Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks this offseason, Andre Johnson was brought in as a veteran replacement, so wideout wasn’t necessarily a position of need.

With Dorsett under contract, the Colts just need to sign a pair of third-rounders – cornerback D’Joun Smith and defensive end Henry Anderson – to finish locking up their draft class.

OTA Rumors: Peterson, Forte, A. Smith, Dez

May 27th, 2015 at 12:28pm CST by Luke Adams

With organized team activities getting underway this week, we’re keeping our eye on plenty of contract and roster situations around the NFL. Here are the latest updates on a few of those situations:

Addressing Adrian Peterson‘s absence from OTAs, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer issued another strong statement today, telling reporters – including Ben Goessling of ESPN.com (Twitter link) – that the running back has two choices: “He can play for us or not play.” A report yesterday suggested that Peterson is actually considering that second option (retirement), though I noted at the time that it sounded like the 30-year-old’s camp trying to regain some leverage.
After saying last week that he thought he had an idea of when Peterson would report to the Vikings, Zimmer admitted today that he has no idea when that’ll happen, tweets Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune.
Matt Forte, who reportedly wants a new contract, is present at the Bears‘ OTAs, but said today that “nobody likes playing on a one-year deal” (Twitter link via Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com). As Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune tweets, Forte added, “They said we’re not talking about that type of [contract] stuff right now, so all I can do is play football.”
Antonio Smith won’t participate in the Broncos‘ OTAs, as he continues to be investigated following a complaint of sexual child abuse, writes Mike Klis of 9NEWS. Although Smith has yet to be arrested or charged with a crime, the Broncos decided it would be “best for all involved” if the defensive lineman focuses on resolving his legal situation before reporting to the team.
As expected, Dez Bryant isn’t in attendance for the Cowboys‘ OTAs. However, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets that the club has been in communication with the wideout. Earlier today, I asked whether Bryant will sign a long-term extension with Dallas before the July 15 deadline, and so far more than half of you have indicated that won’t happen.