Texans Meeting With LB Zach Orr
The Zach Orr free agency tour continues. The free agent linebacker is spending Monday afternoon with the Texans, according to NFL sources who spoke with Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
Already, Orr has visited the Lions, Colts, and Jets since announcing his intent to return to football. Reportedly, the Colts were uncomfortable with Orr’s medical status, and that could have also been a sticking point for the Lions and Jets.
The Texans signed Sio Moore in June as a low-cost depth option and Orr could be another late offseason addition to the linebacker group. After John Simon left in free agency to join the rival Colts, the Texans would like to sure up the unit as much as possible with the resources that are left.
Orr retired from football earlier this year, citing a congenital spinal condition. After gathering additional medical opinions, however, the 25-year-old changed course and decided that he wanted to play in 2017. Orr was initially a restricted free agent under the Ravens’ control, but he is now an UFA since the Ravens did not tender him an offer after he announced his retirement.
Orr had 130 tackles for the Ravens in 2016 – leading the Ravens by a wide margin – and earned second-team All-Pro honors. From a talent perspective, he’d be a huge addition to the Texans or any defense that would have him. However, teams will have to weigh out the upside against the potential risk associated with Orr taking the field.
Brett Veach To Control Chiefs’ Roster
When the Chiefs promoted Brett Veach into the GM role, there were questions about exactly how much control he would have. On Monday, owner Clark Hunt clarified things a bit. 
Veach will have final say over the 53-man roster, Hunt tells reporters. He’ll work in tandem with coach Andy Reid just like John Dorsey did when he was in GM, but it appears that Veach is in the driver’s seat.
There has been speculation that Reid helped to push Dorsey out the door and Hunt acknowledged that he spoke with Reid before making the decision. He did not get into specifics about Reid’s input but, as expected, the move was not made without the coach being consulted first.
There was no one single event that caused the firing of Dorsey, Hunt explained, saying that it was based on an overall evaluation of his work. That means the team’s awkward parting of ways with wide receiver Jeremy Maclin was not the impetus for canning Dorsey – if Hunt is to be believed.
Hunt says his goal is for the Chiefs to win a Super Bowl in the next 3-4 years, meaning that expectations are high for the young GM.
Free Agent Arthur Jones Has Hernia Surgery
Former Colts defensive lineman Arthur Jones had sports hernia surgery three weeks ago, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). He’ll need time to recover, so it is expected that he won’t be signing with a club until after Week 1, Rapoport adds. 
Jones has been on the market ever since the Colts cut him loose in March. The veteran came to Indianapolis on a five-year, $33MM deal prior to the 2014 season, but the deal wound up being a bust. In three years with the Colts, Jones played in just 17 combined regular season games, including a completely lost 2015 season. Between the so-so production, injuries, and a 2016 PED suspension, the Colts felt they had no choice but to cut their losses.
In eight games last year, Jones tallied 30 total tackles. When he was placed on IR in December, the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus had him ranked as the No. 120 defensive tackle out of 126 qualified players.
After healing up, Jones is hoping to show teams that he can be more like the old version of himself. He is now far removed 2013 when he tallied 4.0 sacks and 53 total tackles while starting at defensive tackle for the Ravens.
Safety David Bruton Retires
David Bruton is done with football. The former Broncos and Redskins safety confirmed that he is not seeking work for the 2017 season. 
“I’m burnt-out, definitely worry about my health,” Bruton said (via ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold). “Another season was cut short by a concussion [in 2016] — that’s six. I’m a guy who likes to use his brain. Especially back in school, I need as many brain cells as possible with all these science classes. It came down to health, and I’ve definitely had my time in the league. I’m ready to move on.”
The longtime special-teams captain of the Broncos also acknowledged that he had less passion for the game than when he started out. After playing 108 career games – 104 with the Broncos, four with the Redskins – Bruton is appreciative of his time in the NFL, but he’s also had enough.
In 2015, Bruton set career highs in several categories, including tackles (43), interceptions (two), and passes defended (seven). He left Denver the next year, joining the Redskins on a three-year, $9MM deal prior to the 2016 season. Unfortunately, a concussion put him out of commission in October, leading the Redskins to release him in December. Bruton auditioned for the Ravens after getting cut, but he tells Legwold that the audition “did not go well at all, because I just didn’t have it in me anymore to do it.”
We here at PFR wish Bruton the best in retirement.
NFC Notes: Packers, Vikings, Falcons, Cards
After taking a swing around the AFC earlier today, let’s take a look at a few NFC notes:
- Teddy Bridgewater is likely to begin camp on the Active/PUP list, but Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter) the rehabbing quarterback has enjoyed some productive training sessions in Florida recently. The 24-year-old passer has not been cleared to practice but did do some throwing while at Vikings OTAs in May. Apparently, Bridgewater’s progressed further in between minicamp and training camp. But he’s still less than a year removed from the gruesome knee injury that changed the course of his career.
- The Packers added defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois earlier this year to bolster a defensive line that badly needed reinforcements, and as Ryan Wood of PackersNews.com writes, Green Bay has been interested in the LSU product for years. The club wanted to sign him after the 2012 season, but Jean-Francois joined the Colts instead before moving on to Washington. The Redskins released him in March, clearing the way for his one-year pact with the Packers.
- Patrick Peterson‘s running mate at corner has served as one of the main discussion items of the Cardinals‘ offseason. Bruce Arians said Sunday (via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com) the position remains open and likely won’t be decided until the regular season begins. Arians, though, praised the work of Justin Bethel (Twitter link, via Urban) — less than a year after the coach labeled the corner a “failure in progress.” The Cardinals could still be in the market for a veteran corner, Urban writes, but as of now the battle is between Bethel and second-year man Brandon Williams.
- Falcons head coach Dan Quinn and assistant head coach/offensive pass game coordinator Raheem Morris have been close for years, and Quinn believes Morris will get another head coaching job in the NFL, as Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com writes. Morris, of course, coached the division-rival Buccaneers from 2009-11 and compiled a disappointing 17-31 record. Nonetheless, Quinn said Morris is more than equipped to handle a head coaching position and hopes he will get his next chance in the near future. Morris declined to talk about his head coaching ambitions out of respect for Quinn and the team.
Sam Robinson contributed to this report
Browns, Jabrill Peppers Agree To Terms
The Browns and safety Jabrill Peppers agreed to terms on a customary four-year rookie contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Cleveland now has its three first-rounders and entire draft class locked up.
It’s a $10.3MM deal with a signing bonus of approximately $5.6MM, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports, adding Peppers signed the contract.
There are now only three unsigned first round picks from this draft class — 49ers defensive end Solomon Thomas, Titans wide receiver Corey Davis and Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley. Raiders second round pick Obi Melifonwu also remains unsigned.
Guaranteed money was an issue between the Browns and the No. 25 overall pick, and Cabot specifies the holdup came from the guarantees in Year 4 of the deal, but Peppers’ camp has since found the terms agreeable. The Michigan product is signed before the Browns broke for camp. Cleveland begins its camp practice sessions on Thursday.
Peppers is expected to compete immediately for a starting job. The Browns did not have much in the way of safety depth prior to the draft. Now, they have Peppers and former Jets first-rounder Calvin Pryor in the fold.
Larry Fitzgerald Talks Retirement Plans
Despite Larry Fitzgerald putting together a 107-reception season in 2016, he was not certain to return for what will be his 14th NFL campaign. But the perennial Pro Bowler decided to come back in February.
The Cardinals star wideout addressed his status on Sunday as he prepares for another training camp.
Fitzgerald, who is set for his age-34 season, said he does not want to see his production diminish to the point he has to retire. The former No. 3 overall pick in 2004 went three consecutive seasons without a 1,000-yard campaign before reigniting in 2015 (109 catches, 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns) and playing a key role in Arizona’s NFC championship game push.
“The end is never really pretty for elite athletes,” Fitzgerald said, via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. “It never looks good for the most time. You watch Michael Jordan in a Washington Wizards uniform or see Tony Dorsett playing for the Denver Broncos or Shaquille O’Neal playing for the Boston Celtics. It’s weird because you’re used to seeing them play at their most dominant stage, or Willie Mays running around with bad knees 20 years in.
“It’s not pretty but for me, I really want to be able to play and do things at a high level and be able to walk away and still be someone who can play at a high level.”
Fitzgerald is the only wideout still playing from the ’04 class. At this point, he’s the most experienced receiver in football. (Former teammate Anquan Boldin, though, is still contemplating a return for a 15th season. He’s visiting the Bills Monday.)
Injuries have not been an issue for Fitz; he’s missed just two games across the past nine seasons. Health will play into Fitzgerald’s retirement decision, but he refused to say 2017 would be his last.
“I feel good right now. When that changes, I’ll let you know. … “I don’t really make any decisions based on anybody else. I never really have. I don’t know what the future holds. That’s why this year is so much more important because we don’t have to think about what we’re doing after Feb. 4.”
The motivation of being part of a Super Bowl-winning team serves as the driving force behind Fitzgerald, a 10-time Pro Bowler, deciding to come back.
“That’s huge. That’s the only reason I’m playing at this point. From a personal standpoint and the things I’ve accomplished, they’re fine. But the thing that you will say is out of you control because you’re in a team sport, is a championship.”
Teddy Bridgewater Likely To Land On PUP List To Start Camp
Mike Zimmer expects Teddy Bridgewater to begin training camp on the PUP list, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
The Vikings quarterback returned to the practice field in May, nine months after his gruesome knee injury sidetracked his career. Tomasson notes this re-emergence included Bridgewater throwing to wide receivers, but the former first-round pick wasn’t cleared to practice. The team will begin practice Thursday from Mankato, Minn.
Minnesota placing Bridgewater on the Active/PUP list does not mean its former starter is shelved for the first six weeks of the season. Were Bridgewater to remain on the PUP once the regular season begins, though, it would. And then the situation would become complicated.
Bridgewater landing on the Reserve/PUP list come Week 1 could cause his contract to toll, meaning he’d still be attached to his 2017 Vikings salary ($2.18MM) in 2018 instead of hitting free agency. The Vikings did not pick up Bridgewater’s fifth-year option. A report surfaced in May Bridgewater’s camp would fight a PUP designation, if it’s believed the passer could pass a physical.
But that is several weeks away. Tomasson reports Bridgewater, who wore a knee brace when he took the field to throw passes earlier this offseason, threw without a brace in a subsequent session.
Isaiah Crowell Hires Drew Rosenhaus
Isaiah Crowell and the Browns have been in discussions about a new contract for months, but there will be a new face in the middle of these negotiations. The fourth-year running back joined Drew Rosenhaus’ company, Rosenhaus Sports, the powerful agent tweeted Sunday.
Crowell parted ways with Universal Sports Management agents Robert Brown and Kevin Conner. Rosenahus also represents Joe Haden, but his most recent dealings with the Browns involved an interesting negotiation with Terrelle Pryor — one that saw the quarterback-turned-wideout depart Cleveland via modest one-year Washington deal, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com notes.
The Browns devoted considerable resources to upgrading their interior offensive line this offseason, which should benefit Crowell. The former UDFA rushed for a career-high 952 yards (4.8 per carry) without the likes of Kevin Zeitler or J.C. Tretter blocking for him. The Browns having signed that pair and extended Joel Bitonio should help Crowell be in a great position to become the team’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Peyton Hillis in 2010.
Crowell joined Browns OTAs after signing his second-round RFA tender (worth $2.746MM) in May. The 24-year-old runner said in late May the sides were working to get a deal done, but nothing has transpired since, perhaps explaining Crowell’s decision to change representation.
Should no extension come Crowell’s way, he stands to be a UFA in 2018. Running back free agency forays are not what they used to be, but the Browns’ current starter would be one of the more intriguing backs to reach the market. The Browns, though, have more than $53MM in cap space after authorizing the offensive line pacts and top-market deals for Jamie Collins and Christian Kirksey.
Eagles Cut Dwayne Gratz
As the Eagles convene for training camp, the team made a few moves on Sunday. One of them was jettisoning fifth-year cornerback Dwayne Gratz.
Philadelphia announced the release of Gratz, whom the team signed late last season to a two-year deal. No guaranteed money was attached to Gratz’s $775K contract. The Eagles also placed Sidney Jones and Beau Allen on the Active/NFI list. Philly will meet for camp on Monday and begin practice Thursday.
The Eagles are the third team since October 2016 to part ways with Gratz. The Jaguars cut him in October, but Gratz didn’t make it to free agency when the Rams claimed him. However, Los Angeles cut Gratz as well after deploying him in three games. The Eagles signed him in advance of Week 15 last season. The 27-year-old corner did not play any games for Philly. Gratz functioned as a primary starter for the 2014 Jags but has otherwise been a backup.
Philly does not have a particularly deep cornerback contingent, but Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes (on Twitter) 2016 UDFA C.J. Smith and CFL import Aaron Grymes performed better than Gratz during offseason workouts.
Jones could still miss the season due to his Achilles injury, and Allen suffered a chest injury while working out this offseason. The defensive tackle who has served as a rotational player is not expected to be ready by Week 1.