HEADLINES

Month: August 2015

Latest On T.Y. Hilton Extension Talks

August 4th, 2015 at 2:55pm CST by Luke Adams

The Colts and T.Y. Hilton are working “diligently” on a contract extension, but there’s no definitive timeline for a deal in place, Rand Getlin of NFL Network reported on Monday (Twitter link). Agent Drew Rosenhaus, appearing today at Colts camp to discuss Hilton’s deal in person, offered a possible timeline of his own, suggesting that the two sides would like to get something done by Labor Day, tweets Mike Wells of ESPN.com.

“It’s one of those things where we’ve made some progress and we’re working hard at it,” Rosenhaus told reporters, including Mike Chappell of IndySportsCentral.com. “What the time frame is . . . all we can do is give it our best effort, which both sides are doing.”

Rosenhaus appeared optimistic about the Hilton negotiations, telling reporters that the wide receiver “wants to be here for his career” (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). Colts owner Jim Irsay also seemed hopeful about locking up Hilton when he discussed the topic last week, indicating he didn’t see any reason why the two sides couldn’t work something out within the next several weeks.

For an agreement to be reached, the Colts and Rosenhaus will have to reach a compromise on Hilton’s value. The agent will undoubtedly be seeking the same sort of five-year, $70MM deal signed by Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas last month, making the case that his client is the Colts’ No. 1 receiver, having racked up over 160 receptions and 2,400 yards over the last two years.

On the other hand, the Colts could make the case that the 5’10” Hilton isn’t an elite No. 1 receiver or a red-zone threat like Bryant or Thomas, pointing to Randall Cobb as a more apt comparison — Cobb, who hauled in 91 balls and scored 12 touchdowns in 2014, signed a four-year, $40MM deal with the Packers earlier this year.

If the two sides do reach an agreement, I’d expect Hilton’s annual salary to fall somewhere in between the Cobb contract and the Bryant/Thomas deals, perhaps leaning more toward $14MM per year than $10MM per year. As Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap observes (via Twitter), the initial figures reported on any contract may be a little inflated as well, since Rosenhaus often negotiates incentives that would make a extension’s maximum value exceed its base value.

Arian Foster Will Require Groin Surgery

August 4th, 2015 at 1:40pm CST by Luke Adams

1:40pm: According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link), Foster will indeed require surgery on his groin. However, he’s expected to return to action during the regular season.

1:11pm: Texans running back Arian Foster sustained a groin injury during the Texans’ first fully-padded practice last night, reports Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com (Twitter links). According to Ganguli, the injury is “significant,” and there’s concern that the star back will require surgery. A source tells Jayson Braddock of ESPN 97.5 in Houston (Twitter link) that Foster may be a candidate for the injured reserve list with the designation to return.

Foster, who turns 29 later this month, has been slowed by injuries a few times during his six-year NFL career. While he posted excellent numbers for the Texans last season, he did so while missing three games due to a groin injury; in 2013, he only played eight games for Houston.

Depending on the severity of Foster’s injury, which has yet to be confirmed by the Texans, the team could explore the trade market or the free agent market, where veterans like Steven Jackson, Ahmad Bradshaw, Pierre Thomas, Chris Johnson, and ex-Texan Ben Tate remain unsigned. If Houston decides to roll with its in-house options, Alfred Blue would be first in line, with Chris Polk, Jonathan Grimes, and rookie Kenny Hilliard vying for touches as well.

As for Foster, if he does go under the knife and requires a lengthy recovery time, placing him on the IR with the designation to return is an option for the Texans, as Braddock notes. Such a move would force the veteran running back out of action for the first eight weeks of the regular season, however, so the club will have to be certain of the severity of the injury before making a final decision.

NFC East Notes: Washington, Bradford, Eagles

August 4th, 2015 at 12:55pm CST by Luke Adams

After rounding up a few items out of the AFC East this morning, we’ll shift our attention to the other East division, moving over to the NFC. Let’s dive in….

  • Washington is reportedly discussing a new contract with left tackle Trent Williams, and the team is believed to have some interest in extending running back Alfred Morris as well. However, there’s nothing imminent for either player on the extension front, tweets John Keim of ESPN.com.
  • Despite reports that Sam Bradford and the Eagles are discussing a possible short-term extension, it remains unlikely that the two sides will get something done anytime soon, writes Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. As McLane observes, it might make more sense for Bradford and the Eagles to finalize a new deal later in the season, if the veteran quarterback is healthy and productive.
  • After Eagles linebacker Travis Long tore his ACL, Chip Kelly confirmed that he’ll “look around” for an outside linebacker, tweets Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com. It’s not clear if that player will come from outside of the organization, or if an inside linebacker will move over, but the team doesn’t plan to move newly-acquired Kiko Alonso outside, per Kelly.
  • With Brandon Boykin having been sent to Pittsburgh, the Eagles will be looking for someone new to step up at the slot cornerback position. McLane examines the possibilities in a separate piece for the Inquirer.
  • Appearing on KRLD-FM 105.3 in Dallas, Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones suggests that the team’s pass rush may have cost Dallas a shot at the Super Bowl last year (link via Dallas Morning News). The Cowboys were aggressive in attempting to upgrade their pass rush in the offseason, signing Greg Hardy and drafting Randy Gregory.

Jaguars Not Expecting Blackmon To Play Again

August 4th, 2015 at 11:57am CST by Luke Adams

Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon hasn’t appeared in a regular season NFL game since October of 2013, and general manager Dave Caldwell has had no contact with the suspended wideout. According to Mike DiRocco of ESPN.com, Caldwell indicated that the Jaguars believe Blackmon’s extended absence from the NFL likely spells the end of his playing career.

“I have not heard anything and I guess I harbor a little bit of hope but realistically I think when you’re away from the game for two-and-a-half years what you were once is not what you probably will be,” Caldwell said. “Your skills do erode and especially if you’re not staying in tip-top shape and you’re not in football shape. … I don’t know [what] to expect, but I would say common sense would probably be if you haven’t played football in two-and-a-half years apparently that’s not a priority for you.”

Blackmon was suspended indefinitely in 2013 for repeated violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, and would have to apply for reinstatement and go through a lengthy vetting process before having the opportunity to get back on the field. The former fifth overall pick has been arrested on drug charges since being suspended, and completed a voluntary rehab program. However, there’s been no indication that he’s on his way back to the field anytime soon.

Despite their pessimism about Blackmon’s NFL future, the Jaguars will continue to keep the 25-year-old on their roster, on the reserve/suspended list. As Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union explains (via Twitter), the Jags hope to recoup some of the receiver’s signing bonus, which wouldn’t be possible if they release him.

Blackmon’s service-time clock remains on hold during his suspension, so if he were to ever return to the Jaguars, he’d still be under contract with the team for multiple seasons.

AFC East Notes: Gronk, Brady, Dolphins, Clay

August 4th, 2015 at 10:25am CST by Luke Adams

Earlier this summer, an excerpt from Rob Gronkowski‘s autobiography revealed that the Patriots tight end claims he hasn’t spent a dime of his NFL salary, living off of endorsement money instead. As of July 30, Gronkowski has a little more NFL money to save up — according to Field Yates of ESPN.com, the Pats reworked their star tight end’s contract, converting $4MM of his $10MM end-of-year option bonus to a signing bonus. The option, which is due before the end of the league year, is now worth $6MM, and New England appears more likely than ever to exercise it.

Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap breaks down the unusual cap ramifications of the move, suggesting that the restructure should increase Gronkowski’s 2015 cap hit by $2MM before reducing his 2016 charge by $2MM. After that, the cap numbers for the rest of Gronkowski’s contract should remain the same.

Here’s more from around the AFC East:

  • NFLPA executive George Atallah confirmed today (via Twitter) that Tom Brady and union reps will attend a conference in New York on August 12 to meet with the NFL and U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman. Roger Goodell will also attend the hearing in person, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN.com. Meanwhile, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe notes (via Twitter) that NFLPA and NFL attorneys had a telephone conference yesterday with Mag. Judge James C. Francis regarding the Patriots quarterback’s case.
  • Appearing on the Jose Rose Show on 560 WQAM in Miami, Dolphins VP of football operations Mike Tannenbaum didn’t rule out pursuing free agent guard Evan Mathis, as Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post details. The Dolphins’ interest in Mathis has been downplayed recently, but I imagine they’d be very interested if one of their current guards struggles or suffers an injury.
  • Having brought in Rex Ryan, LeSean McCoy, Percy Harvin, and Richie Incognito over the offseason, the Bills made plenty of newsworthy moves. However, no player received more guaranteed money from the team this year than tight end Charles Clay. Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News examines how Clay is fitting in so far in Buffalo.

Eagles, Bradford Talking Short-Term Extension

August 4th, 2015 at 8:42am CST by Luke Adams

A report last month suggested that new Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford was prepared to play out the final year of his contract without an extension, but it appears the two sides haven’t shelved talks entirely. According to Ed Werder of ESPN.com, the Eagles are discussing an extension with Bradford that would lock him up for the short term, rather than the long term.

Bradford, 27, came to the Eagles in a March trade that saw Nick Foles shipped out to St. Louis. The former first overall pick has battled injuries over the past two years, tearing his ACL twice and missing the entire 2014 campaign. In his last full season, Bradford threw for 3,702 yards, 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. During that 2012 campaign, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked him 21st among 38 quarterback candidates.

Despite Bradford’s injury concerns, he has made a strong first impression in Philadelphia, per Werder, and Chip Kelly and the Eagles believe he can be a franchise quarterback if he can stay healthy. In expressing optimism about Bradford, Kelly pointed to star quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Drew Brees who switched teams after injuries and excelled for their new clubs.

While Bradford’s injury history may make him more inclined to accept some long-term security, he made a ton of money on his rookie contract, and is slated to earn another $12.985MM in 2015, so he may not love the idea of signing a five-year extension when his value is at a low point. Similarly, the Eagles may not want to commit to Bradford for the next several years before he plays a regular season contest for the team. As such, it makes sense that a short-term agreement, perhaps adding two years onto Bradford’s current deal, could make for a good compromise.

West Notes: Raiders, Crabtree, McDaniel

August 3rd, 2015 at 9:57pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders believe Michael Crabtree is going to be playing himself into a big contract when the year is over, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com writes. Crabtree is having a tremendous camp and, so far, he has silenced questions about how he’ll perform after suffering lower-leg injuries earlier in his career. Here’s more out of the West divisions..

  • The Raiders have plenty of cap room to sign defensive lineman Tony McDaniel, Steve Corkran of RaiderBeat.com tweets. McDaniel, 30, can be had for a couple million or so this season and he could be a good fit for Oakland following his release from the Seahawks.
  • Britton Colquitt assured himself a sixth season as the Broncos‘ punter when he agreed to take a salary reduction on Monday. For his part, Colquitt isn’t “mad about it,” as Mike Klis of 9NEWS writes. “Demaryius Thomas had to be taken care of somehow,” said Colquitt. “Peyton Manning took a little hit (in March). I mean Peyton’s a good guy to follow, a good example. No, it’s one of those things where if the organization comes to you, and it’s a place I love and I want to be here and I want to help the team win, I think getting a little haircut is still a nice living for my family.”
  • While Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor continues his holdout, Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears that Michael Bennett and his representatives are monitoring the situation very closely.

NFC East Notes: JPP, Giants, Galette

August 3rd, 2015 at 9:04pm CST by Zachary Links

Giants GM Jerry Reese wouldn’t say much about his conversation with Jason Pierre-Paul, but Ed Werder of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears from a source that nothing has changed with his status. JPP still won’t sign a tender or report to the Giants until he can pass a physical. One person who has spoken with JPP described him (link) as being in good spirits. That source is confident that he’ll play this season, though he’s unsure of when that’ll happen. Here’s more from the NFC East..

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/3/15

August 3rd, 2015 at 9:01pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves and signings in the NFL..

  • Cowboys linebackers Justin Anderson and guard Reshod Fortenberry were waived/injured, Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram tweets. Linebackers Jonathan Brown and Ka’Lial Glaud were signed.
  • The Patriots have agreed to bring back second-year linebacker Cameron Gordon to address some depth concerns, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets. The Patriots also announced that they have claimed guard Harland Gunn off waivers from the Falcons.
  • The Chiefs announced that they have signed former Missouri wide receiver L’Damian Washington.
  • The Patriots waived-injured Kevin Hughes and cut Vince Taylor with a failed physical designation, Wilson tweets.
  • The Packers announced that they have signed wide receiver Ed Williams.
  • The Cowboys waived-injured Justin Jackson, who tore his ACL over the weekend, Wilson tweets.
  • The Broncos signed wideout Corbin Louks, Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post tweets. Louks, who was cut by the Chiefs in May, will fill the roster spot previously filled by Kyle Williams, who has hit the IR.
  • The Chargers signed former Packers defensive tackle Luther Robinson, Wilson tweets.
  • The Browns announced that they have signed running backs Timothy Flanders and Jalen Parmele and waived wide receiver Kevin Cone and defensive back Brandon Stephens, Nate Ulrich of the Beacon Journal tweets.
  • The Bills have signed free agent cornerback Merrill Noel, according to Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News (on Twitter). Noel was released by Buffalo back in June.

Earlier Updates:

  • The Chiefs waived backup defensive tackle Jerel Worthy, as Blair Kerkhoff of The Kansas City Star tweets. Worthy signed a futures deal with KC back in December. Worthy, a 2012 second-round pick out of Michigan State, tore his ACL in the final game of the 2012 season and played only 12 snaps in 2013. Worthy was traded from the Packers to the Pats in August of 2014 but he did not get on the field last season.
  • The Eagles signed rookie free agent wide receiver Mike Johnson, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. The Delaware product participated in the Eagles rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis and, apparently, he impressed the right people.
  • Linebacker/defensive end Austen Lane, who had stints with the Jaguars, Lions, and Bears, took to Twitter to announce his retirement.

Eagles Notes: Long, Roseman, Kelly

August 3rd, 2015 at 8:26pm CST by Zachary Links

We took a look at the Eagles this morning and now we have your evening update from Philly..

  • Eagles outside linebacker Travis Long tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee a year after suffering the same injury, NFL sources told Jeff McLane of Philadelphia Inquirer. The Eagles, who have since confirmed the news, were already light at outside linebacker. Long was expected to compete for the third spot behind starters Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham. In a recent interview, Long said that he nearly retired in the past due to his string of injuries.
  • Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com (on Twitter) expects the Eagles to go pick up a veteran outside linebacker after cutdown day rather than moving Kiko Alonso or Mychal Kendricks outside.
  • Eagles exec (and former GM) Howie Roseman was on the sideline watching practice today, Zach Berman of The Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. Roseman, by most accounts, wasn’t on the field in the spring after some organizational reshuffling transferred most of his power to coach Chip Kelly.
  • John Gonzalez of CSNPhilly.com wonders if Chip Kelly‘s decisions hurting the Eagles‘ depth. Over the weekend, Kelly shipped cornerback Brandon Boykin to the Steelers and it’s not clear who will be able to step up and take his place. Kelly also bounced other players this offseason including Evan Mathis and Todd Herremans.
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