HEADLINES

Month: August 2015

NFC Notes: Vikings, Saints, 49ers, Packers, Hill

August 1st, 2015 at 6:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

As we head into Saturday night, here’s the latest from around the NFC.

  • Panthers wideout Stephen Hill‘s bad week worsened Saturday in the form of a right leg injury that resulted in him being carted off the field, according to Steve Reed of the Associated Press. This comes a few days after his marijuana-related citation. Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer tweeted Hill’s status “doesn’t look good.” He has to be considered a longshot to play in North Carolina this season, considering what’s happened this week and the players residing ahead of the former second-round pick on the Panthers’ depth chart.
  • A starter at right tackle in Minnesota’s final five games last season, Mike Harris will receive the first crack at earning the Vikings‘ starting right guard job, coach Mike Zimmer confirmed to media (via Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune). Rookie T.J. Clemmings also figures to factor in there, but Harris has started 17 games since arriving in the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2012.
  • Adrian Peterson‘s game-action drought will likely continue until the Vikings take the field for the regular season, Ben Goessling of ESPN.com reports. Although this means the running back’s time without having suited up for a game will last more than a year, with the Vikings’ opener coming Sept. 14, Peterson hasn’t carried the ball in a preseason game since 2011.
  • Saints coach Sean Payton was not surprised by the suspension given to tight end Orson Charles‘ one-game suspension for a road-rage incident, telling media (including NOLA.com’s Evan Woodberry), “We were on top of all of that. None of that was a surprise, “Payton said. “He’s been very forthright in communicating. He’s been very open with the league and with ourselves.” Charles has started six games in three seasons, each coming with the Bengals as a rookie in 2012.
  • As part of his reworked contract, fifth-year 49er Aldon Smith collected a $300K roster bonus Saturday. The perpetually afoul-with-the-league linebacker’s earned $800K in bonuses since April 1, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
  • Sean Richardson‘s eventful offseason continued Saturday, with the safety receiving a $200K bonus for being on the roster on the third day of Packers training camp, per ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky (via Twitter). The Packers matched the Raiders’ $2.55MM contract offer and kept Richardson in Green Bay for another season.

Patriots Release Derek Cox

August 1st, 2015 at 5:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Patriots’ spree of cutting ties with cornerbacks continued Saturday, with the team parting ways with veteran Derek Cox, according to Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com.

A starter in 56 of the 63 regular-season games in which he’s played, Cox signed with New England in June after the Ravens cut him in Sept. 2014. Cox has sufficient service time to avoid waivers.

The third-round pick out of William & Mary by the Jaguars in 2009 has experienced an inconsistent career, with his only positive overall review from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) coming in 2011 in Jacksonville. Cox’s fortunes have taken a turn for the worse since signing a four-year, $20MM deal with the Chargers in 2013. He started 11 games for the Bolts that year before being released after playing just one season with the team.

Cox spent parts of 2014 with the Vikings and Ravens without accruing any game action.

New England did reach an agreement with Tarell Brown last week but remains thin on the flanks after losing Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner, Kyle Arrington and Alfonzo Dennard this offseason. Logan Ryan, Bradley Fletcher, Robert McClain and Malcolm Butler and possibly Brown figure to be in the running for the Pats’ top corner spots.

 

Browns Links: Haslam, Manziel, Thomas, Pryor

August 1st, 2015 at 4:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

A recent history of abandoning fledgling operations, the Browns may be ready to ride this one out in hopes of it completing a long-sought-after franchise rejuvenation. Owner Jimmy Haslam threw his support behind GM Ray Farmer and second-year coach Mike Pettine, vowing to not “blow things up” if the team sputters this season, according to Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com.

“I think we’re on the right track, so we’re not going to blow things up,” said Haslam, who axed the Browns’ previous power structure of Joe Banner, Mike Lombardi and Rob Chudzinski, along with the decision-making troika before that (Mike Holmgren/Tom Heckert/Pat Shurmur. “I understand why people might ask that after a couple of bumps in the road the first couple of years, but we’re not going to do that. I think we’re putting in place a good foundation.

“… (Farmer and Pettine are) quality people; they’re smart; they work hard; they’ve been around football all their life,” Haslam said. “Listen, if I would’ve said this time last year we were going to be 7-9, you all would’ve probably said that was pretty good, right?”

Instances like Textgate, a reported riff between Pettine and Farmer, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan fleeing Cleveland with two years remaining on his deal, and Johnny Manziel‘s disastrous rookie year have the organization in a rough spot.

Speaking of Manziel, here’s some news surrounding the Browns’ mercurial backup quarterback and from the rest of the team.

  • Haslam does not intend to give up on Manziel, contrary to some of the rumblings from anonymous sources around the league, and that the 2012 Heisman Trophy recipient doesn’t have to show he’s capable of succeeding in the league this year to receive another shot. “I think it’s important — everybody forgets he’s barely 22 years old,” said Haslam, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “He’s still young, so I think over the next couple of years we’ve got to see if Johnny can be a legitimate quarterback or not. I don’t want to put too much pressure on him or our coaches to say it has to happen this year.” Manziel seems to be entrenched as a backup behind journeyman Josh McCown.
  • A hallmark of consistency but not much of an offseason buzz-generator considering his sturdy status, Joe Thomas said he’s not looking to find a way out of Cleveland despite the Browns’ struggles throughout the All-Pro left tackle’s tenure, reports Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com. “It’s more important for me to take this Cleveland Browns team to the playoffs, for only the second time since they’ve come back, turn this team back into a contender year in and year out, than it is to go somewhere and latch on with an all-star team and go to the playoffs or win the Super Bowl. Because I don’t think it means as much,” Thomas told Grossi.
  • Grossi is 50-50 on Terrelle Pryor making the 53-man roster and advocates the team use him in short-yardage or two-point conversion scenarios, but the coaching staff is set on using him only at receiver. The former Raiders signal-caller has stood out early in camp but still an uphill battle with the likes of Travis Benjamin, Taylor Gabriel and 2015 draft choice Vince Mayle hovering as the Browns’ potential backups.
  • The ESPNCleveland scribe said the team doesn’t want to use versatile first-rounder Cameron Erving at right tackle in order to keep starter Mitchell Schwartz in the lineup and view what Michael Bowie can do with reserve reps.

AFC Rumors: Broncos, Ravens, Bills

August 1st, 2015 at 3:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Facing a suddenly thin defensive end situation, with Derek Wolfe‘s recent PEDs suspension and Malik Jackson‘s calf strain, the Broncos are in need of some good news on their line.

They’ll have to settle for Antonio Smith being able to practice and hoping his being investigated in a child sex-abuse complaint doesn’t deter his time in Denver. The Broncos previously excused him from OTAs in late May once word of this allegation emerged.

“I have faith in the end it’s going to be all right,” Smith told Arnie Stapleton of the Associated Press. “I love football. I love my teammates more than I love the game. To be away from them was definitely a hard situation.”

GM John Elway permitted the 33-year-old end who he signed as a depth piece earlier this offseason to practice since he hasn’t been arrested or charged.

Here’s some more news out of Denver and as well as the Broncos’ AFC brethren’s training camps.

  • A second consecutive preseason and third straight season for Broncos wideout Kyle Williams looks to have been marred by a severe injury, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. Williams, who suffered his previous injuries with the 49ers and Chiefs, confirmed on his Instagram page a knee injury sustained Saturday will end his 2015 season. The Broncos signed Williams to a futures contract in Dec. 2014 despite his missing the last six games of the 2013 season and all of the 2014 campaign with ACL and shoulder maladies. Most known for the fumble that propelled the Giants into the Super Bowl past the 49ers in overtime of the 2011 NFC championship game, the 27-year-old Williams has to be considered questionable at best to resume his career.
  • 2014 Bills second-rounder Cyrus Kouandjio‘s second chance appears to still be in full bloom, with Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News reporting the Bills’ right tackle job is his to lose despite a slow rookie year. Per Dunne, when Rex Ryan‘s staff arrived, they cleaned the slate of the former Alabama starter. This could mean a demotion for 16-game starter Seantrel Henderson, a 2014 seventh-rounder. “That absolutely could be his job,” Ryan said of Kouandjio. “That’s competition. Seantrel, I hope will feel differently. He’s going to think ‘I’m going to battle to win that job.’ But right now, he’s running with the 1’s so look at it any way you want.”
  • Scott Cohen will join the Ravens as a consultant after the Buccaneers fired him earlier this year, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Cohen previously worked as Mike Tannenbaum‘s assistant GM for five years with the Jets.

East Notes: Pats, Jets, Mathis, Goldson

August 1st, 2015 at 3:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

As our first weekend of 2015 training camp action is upon us, let’s look at some of the matters emerging from the Eastern divisions.

  • Adding to last night’s report of an August 12 conference involving Tom Brady and Roger Goodell, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes the transcript from Brady’s June appeal hearing with Goodell will become available if the case isn’t settled. Florio views Judge Richard M. Berman’s action of getting directly involved in trying to settle this case quickly one of the more active attempts by a judge to do so in his extensive law history. The PFT scribe notes that Berman probably already knows which way he’ll rule should both sides indeed join him for this summit as opposed to settling this matter beforehand.
  • The Patriots are not observing the latest Deflategate-related directive to tone it down, as Florio notes, and instead have launched a website aimed at uncovering what they believe is misinformation in the Ted Wells report. The first post on a site titled WellsReportcontext.com shows a chain of emails between Patriots general counsel Robyn Glaser and NFL general counsel Jeff Pash. While this means more Deflategate coverage more than six months after the story surfaced, it looks to now at least have created a job for a Patriots IT staffer.
  • Evan Mathis‘ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has engaged in preliminary talks with the Jets, reports Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (Twitter link) after speaking with Jets GM Mike Maccagnan. “We’ve had talks with Evan’s agent,” Maccagnan said, according to Justin Tasch of the New York Daily News. “They’re kind of getting a feel for where – they have a range for where they want to be. The other thing with a lot of teams honestly at this point in time, you almost want to kind of see what you have first to a certain degree.” The former All-Pro would certainly be an upgrade over Willie Colon, who’s battled a knee ailment all offseason before coming off the PUP list Saturday. Tasch, however, adds Nothing is imminent, with Mathis — who was slated to make $5.5MM with the Eagles this season before his release — searches for significant money. Gang Green has $5.5MM in cap room, per OverTheCap.
  • Shortly after Rod Graves vacated his spot in the Jets’ front office to take a job with the league office, the Jets will replace him as director of football administration with Jacqueline Davidson, according to Randy Lange of NewYorkJets.com. Joining Cardinals assistant Jen Welter, Raiders play-by-play voice Beth Mowins and newly appointed official Sarah Thomas as one of the highest-ranking women in the league, Davidson already serves as the Jets’ lead negotiator in player contracts and played a key role in the Jets’ reacquiring of Darrelle Revis.
  • Washington safety Dashon Goldson, as part of the renegotiated contract upon his trade from the Bucs, received a $2.3MM roster bonus today, per ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter).

NFC Links: Eagles, Mincey, Claiborne, 49ers

August 1st, 2015 at 12:38pm CST by Ben Levine

There have been a number of instances where Eagles coach Chip Kelly and agent Drew Rosenhaus haven’t necessarily seen eye to eye. It started when the organization shipped out Rosenhaus-client LeSean McCoy, and the Eagles followed that by releasing Evan Mathis. Later, Frank Gore, another of Rosenhaus’ players, spurned Philly to sign with the Colts.

Still, the agent told Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com that he’s not at odds with Kelly or the Eagles organization.

“I get along fine with Chip,” Rosenhaus said. “We’ve had a real good line of communication. LeSean, I had nothing to do with their decision to trade him. That was their call. That was contract-related. The notion that he traded LeSean because of me is, that’s just ridiculous. There was no friction. LeSean was a football decision that he explained fairly well.”

Kelly echoed that sentiment.

“I don’t really deal with agents. We have a real good relationship with Drew, I can tell you that,” Kelly said. “I think Drew has been very professional, very detailed. I think he gets a bad rap to be honest with you in my dealings with him.

“I think he’s been above board, straight ahead, detail-oriented, very organized and you know exactly where you stand. I think anybody will tell you that when you deal with Drew you know exactly where you stand. Wish more people acted like that to be honest with you.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes from around the NFC…

  • As defensive end Jeremy Mincey holds out for a new contract, the Cowboys have continued to fine him, writes David Moore of The Dallas Morning News. “There have been some discussions back and forth,” said coach Jason Garrett. “I don’t want to share much about them…We’re focused on the players that we have here in camp and trying to build our football team.”
  • Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News believes that Morris Claiborne will make the Cowboys roster, but 2015 will likely be the cornerback’s final season with the organization. George adds that the 25-year-old will have to produce if he has any hope of staying in Dallas.
  • Vernon Davis told Janie McCauley of the Associated Press that he fired an advisor who urged the tight end to get pushy with the 49ers regarding a new contract.“Last year I had a lot of people in my ear, particularly an adviser who kept telling me, ‘Hey, you should try to get another contract,'” Davis said. “As my fiduciary, he was right about a lot of things, so I listened to him, I took his advice. But during the course of that season, I had a chance to really think about it, like: ‘What am I doing? I don’t play this game for money. That’s not why I play.’ It’s good, it’s good to have that, to get rewarded and things, but what am I doing?”

Reactions to Sheldon Richardson Arrest

August 1st, 2015 at 11:55am CST by Ben Levine

Todd Bowles displayed a range of emotions when addressing the recent arrest of defensive end Sheldon Richardson, writes Brian Costello of the New York Post. However, the coach’s message was clear: the Jets were more concerned about the person than the player.

“Right now I’m just worried about getting him help,” Bowles said. “I’m not even worried about the football player. Like I said, we can win without him. It will probably be more fun with him, but we’re prepared to win without him. The biggest thing is working on him as a person. When things like that happen, it’s not when he’s getting back on the field, it’s: Can he get his life together?

“There’s a problem there and we’ve got to try to help him.”

Let’s take a look at some more reactions to the former first-rounder’s arrest…

  • Following Richardson’s arrest, Muhammad Wilkerson should gain some leverage in his quest for a new contract, writes George Willis of the New York Post.
  • Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post tweets a bit of irony: Richardson had previously been pushing the Jets to give Wilkerson an extension, and “his issues might force [the] team to do so.”
  • Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News believes Richardson deserves another chance and should be given an opportunity to regain the organization’s trust.
  • Several of Richardson’s teammates came out and defended the embattled defensive end. “That’s my brother and I have his back. I can’t turn my back on him right now. This is when he needs us the most,” Damon Harrison told Howie Kussoy of the New York Post. “Anytime your brother tells you something, you want to believe him. We’re here. We have no choice but to believe him. He may have to build some trust back with some people on an individual basis, but that comes with time. That’s nothing that’s going to happen overnight.”
  • “We just want the best for Sheldon,” added teammate Willie Colon. “It’s not about how we feel. It’s his career, it’s his lifestyle and we just want him to be a better person off the field and he knows that. We’re all rooting for him.”

Seahawks Notes: Wilson, Bennett, Chancellor, Thomas

August 1st, 2015 at 11:00am CST by Ben Levine

We learned some details of Russell Wilson‘s four-year, $87.6MM contract with the Seahawks yesterday, and CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora provides us with some more information on the extension.

The quarterback’s cap hit for 2015 will be $6.9MM, followed by cap hits of $18.5MM (2016), $18.8MM (2017), $21.7MM (2018) and $23.2MM (2019). As the writer notes, these numbers are “very manageable” for the organization, as they can convert some of the base salary to bonus money.

Wilson’s 2016 and 2017 salaries (as well as part of his 2018 salary) are guaranteed for injury, and the contract has the potential to be fully guaranteed later on. Therefore, the injury guarantee total of $61MM comes via $30MM in injury guaranties and $31MM in signing bonus money. $20MM of that bonus will be delivered in August, and Wilson will get the other $11MM in April.

The first three years of Wilson’s contract totals around $56.6MM, trailing the deals recently signed by Cam Newton and Ben Roethlisberger. As the cap continues to rise and quarterbacks keep signing extensions, La Canfora opines that the two sides could be talking about a new contract in 28-36 months.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com notes that the only guaranteed money in the entire contract is the signing bonus and Wilson’s $700K base salary for 2015.

Let’s take a look at some more notes out of Seattle…

  • Defensive end Michael Bennett showed up to training camp despite not receiving a new contract. “I’m still upset about my contract situation but it’s one of those things where it is what it is,” Bennett said (via Tim Booth of the Associated Press). “I’ve got to be professional and come out here and be a leader that I’ve always been and get this team back to where we need to be.”
  • Meanwhile, coach Pete Carroll said he has been in contract with safety Kam Chancellor, who decided to hold out. “He has his points. He got his thoughts,” Carroll said. “He’s a very smart guy. He’s thought this out. He’s made a clear choice. We’ll see how it goes. I miss him.”
  • Following offseason surgery on his left shoulder, safety Earl Thomas has indeed been placed on the PUP list to start Seahawks training camp (via the Associated Press). Carroll preached patience as the All-Pro recovers, saying he doesn’t want Thomas to return until he’s “safe and secure.”

NFC Quotes: Galette, Kalil, Forte, Foles

August 1st, 2015 at 10:17am CST by Ben Levine

As training camps have started around the league, we’ve compiled some assorted quotes from the NFC:

Recently-signed linebacker Junior Galette on the opportunity to play with Washington (via Mike Jones of The Washington Post):

“First of all, I’m thankful to be here. Just thankful to have the opportunity. Just blessed and grateful to be a [member of the organization], and now just want to move forward, not worry about the past, but just what’s ahead of me.

“I could’ve waited a little longer, but I love football and I didn’t want to be sitting around anymore. On the porch for five, six days is a little uncomfortable.”

Vikings lineman Matt Kalil on having his fifth-year option picked up (via Mark Craig of the Star Tribune):

“If I had a Pro Bowl season last year, I’m sure I would have already restructured, but I didn’t. I think it’s fair. You have to work to earn that money. For me, just playing well takes care of everything. I either get the fifth-year option money or they restructure my contract.”

Bears running back Matt Forte‘s reaction to not receiving an extension (via the Associated Press):

“I’m under contract anyway. When I was talking about the deal and that type of stuff, it really made sense. From my aspect I was trying to lower the cap number and then I’d be able to continue my career here as well. But you can’t have your cake and eat it, too. Like I’ve said plenty of times both sides have to want to do it.”

Rams GM Les Snead on potentially signing quarterback Nick Foles longterm (via the Associated Press):

“I always go to this: “Hey, if a quarterback is playing well and you’re winning, having team success, you have no problem asking your owner to write the check.”