NFC North Notes: Bears, Glennon, Lions
The Bears poured lots of resources into the quarterback position this offseason, but ESPN.com’s Jeff Dickerson wonders if they are actually better as a result. Free agent addition Mike Glennon will earn $16MM guaranteed in 2017 and the Bears moved up from the No. 3 pick to the No. 2 pick for Mitch Trubisky, but neither player is a slam dunk to succeed. There were other changes in Chicago this offseason, but Dickerson writes that GM Ryan Pace‘s moves to solidify the quarterback position will dictate how everything is viewed five years from now. It’s hard to argue with that take – if Glennon and Trubisky don’t work out, then the Bears will be set back even further in their effort to rebuild.
Here’s a look at the NFC North:
- The Lions continue to show faith in their wide receiving corps by passing on big names like Jeremy Maclin and Eric Decker, MLive.com’s Nate Atkins writes. Last year, Marvin Jones and Golden Tate both topped 900 yards, but neither player had more than four touchdowns. One could argue that Maclin and Decker would have been big upgrades in the red zone, but the Lions didn’t feel the need to chase hard after either veteran. The team’s call to stay pat is also a sign that they expect big things from third round selection Kenny Golladay. Golladay officially signed his rookie deal on Monday morning.
- Packers standout Davante Adams could be positioning himself to become one of the NFL’s highest-paid wide receivers, Rob Reischel of the Journal Sentinel writes. In 2016 season, Adams tied for second in the league with 12 touchdown receptions and also caught 75 passes for nearly 1,000 receiving yards. Now, Adams, 25 in December, is entering his contract year. With another strong season, he could position himself as a top available WR along with DeAndre Hopkins, Alshon Jeffery, Sammy Watkins, and Allen Robinson.
- Over the weekend, the agent for Vikings wide receiver Michael Floyd addressed the recent rumors about his client.
Lions Wrap Up Draft Class
The Lions have signed third-round wide receiver Kenny Golladay, according to a team announcement. With Golladay signed, the Lions now have all of their draft picks officially under contract.
Golladay, who was taken with the No. 96 overall pick, will be competing with Jared Abbrederis, Jace Billingsley, and T.J. Jones for the No. 3 WR position. With defenses keying in on Golden Tate and Marvin Jones, there could be lots of opportunities for Golladay in the next spot.
At 6’4″, the Northern Illinois product should have the length to win jumpballs against most of his defenders. He has been knocked by some evaluators for his route running, but scouts fell in love with him for his height and speed leading up to the draft.
Here’s the complete rundown of the Lions’ 2017 class:
- 1-21: Jarrad Davis, LB (Florida)
- 2-53: Teez Tabor, CB (Florida)
- 3-96: Kenny Golladay, WR (Northern Illinois)
- 4-124: Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB, Tennessee
- 4-127: Michael Roberts, TE (Toledo)
- 5-165: Jamal Agnew, DB (San Diego)
- 6-205: Jeremiah Ledbetter, DT (Arkansas)
- 6-215: Brad Kaaya, QB (Miami)
- 7-250: Pat O’Connor, DE (Eastern Michigan)
Fred Jackson To Participate In July Showcase
Fred Jackson is still looking for an NFL job and he’s hoping that a mass audition next month will help make that happen. Today, the Spring League announced that it will host a special showcase game in California on July 15 featuring the former Bills running back (via PFT). 
In addition to Jackson’s debut, controversial defensive end Greg Hardy will also be making his return to the upstart league. Anthony “Boobie” Dixon, who was in Buffalo with Jackson in 2014 and 2015, will also be on hand at Napa Memorial Stadium in Napa, California. The game will be contested between the “Spring League California” and “Spring League East” teams. Terry Shea will coach the California team while Donnie Henderson will coach the East squad.
“The Spring League Showcase will provide the NFL with additional opportunities to evaluate players just before the start of training camps,” Spring League CEO Brian Woods said in the press release.
Jackson spent the 2015 season with the Seahawks and had just 26 carries for 100 yards and 32 receptions for 257 yards and two touchdowns. Last year, he was out of football. Still, at the age of 36, Jackson is out to prove that he can perform at a high level. Jackson’s last quality season as a runner was arguably back in 2013 when he ran for 890 yards off of 206 carries (4.3 yards per carry average) with nine scores. In 2014, he had a career-high 66 catches for 501 yards but didn’t fare as well carrying the ball.
Between 2011 and 2013, Hardy averaged 56 tackles and 10 sacks per season season. Even in a down year with Dallas in 2015, he ranked as the league’s 28th-best edge defender out of 110 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus. However, NFL teams have stayed away from Hardy due to all of his baggage.
Extra Points: Bills, Cowboys, Cards, Panthers
Bills first-round cornerback Tre’Davious White is performing so well during Buffalo practice sessions that new head coach Sean McDermott has scarcely noticed the rookie on the field, as Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News writes. “Really, I’ve had to sit back in my office up there and ask myself why haven’t I noticed Tre’Davious, in terms of why am I not concerned about him?” McDermott said. “As a defensive coordinator I was a lot closer to the defense at times, so I’ve been asking myself is it because of that or is it because he’s just integrated himself so smoothly into the NFL and what we do? He’s mature beyond his years.” The Bills traded down from No. 10 to No. 27 before selecting White, who projects as a Week 1 starter opposite Ronald Darby.
Here’s more from around the league:
- While finding a backup quarterback appeared to be an important item on the Cowboys‘ offseason itinerary, the club may be content with incumbent No. 2 Kellen Moore, according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. The Cowboys, who lost Tony Romo to retirement and Mark Sanchez to free agency, have expressed interest in veterans such as Josh McCown, but have yet to add another passer behind starter Dak Prescott. If Moore does stick as Dallas’ backup, it could be because he has a backer in offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, who refers to Moore as a “machine.”
- The most interesting Cardinals position battle will take place at backup quarterback, where Blaine Gabbert and Drew Stanton will square off for Arizona’s No. 2 QB job, opines Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. Gabbert offers a first-round pedigree and has a supporter in head coach Bruce Arians, but Stanton is more familiar with the club’s offense after three seasons in the desert. The Cardinals would absorb $2.5MM in dead money if they release Stanton.
- The Panthers announced that they’re hired former Illinois head coach Ron Turner as a consultant to the coaching staff. Turner’s most notable experience comes at the collegiate level (he spent the past three seasons leading FIU), but he also has an NFL resume. Notably, Turner served as the Bears’ offensive coordinator from 2005-09, a tenure that overlapped with that of Carolina head coach Ron Rivera, who acted as Chicago’s DC from 2004-06.
Titans Sign Eric Decker
The Titans have agreed to a one-year contract with free agent wide receiver Eric Decker, according to Paul Kuharsky of Midday 180 (Twitter link).
Decker, 30, becomes the latest addition to a Tennessee offense that has already seen numerous upgrades this offseason. The Titans used the fifth overall selection in April’s draft on Western Michigan wideout Corey Davis, and later drafted West Virginia pass-catcher Taywan Taylor in the third round. Third-rounder Jonnu Smith will pair with veteran Delanie Walker at tight end, while other wide receivers on Tennessee’s depth chart include Rishard Matthews, Tajae Sharpe, and Harry Douglas.
The Jets decided in early June that they would either release or trade Decker after his three seasons in New York, and after holding talks with the Ravens about a potential swap, Gang Green cut ties with Decker last week. In addition to the Titans, the Browns also reportedly had some level of interest in Decker. The Broncos, meanwhile, were not interested in a reunion with Decker, while the Eagles — despite finishing second in the Jeremy Maclin sweepstakes — also weren’t in on Decker.
Decker, who currently lives in the Nashville area, was excellent from 2012-15 with Denver and then New York, as he averaged 82 receptions, 1,085 yards, and 10 touchdowns per year during that span. 2016 was a down season for the seven-year pro, however, as Decker appeared in only three games thanks to a shoulder injury that ultimately landed him on injured reserve. Nine catches, 194 yards, and two touchdowns marked the only production for Decker in his final Jets campaign.
Details On Pats S Patrick Chung’s Incentives
As Field Yates of ESPN.com reported last week, the Patriots are affording safety Patrick Chung the opportunity to earn an additional $800K in 2017 through newly-formed incentives. Today, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com passed along the details of those incentive opportunities.
Most of Chung’s incentives are based on playing time, as he’ll earn $200K if he plays 65% of New England’s defensive snaps, $400K if he plays 75%, and $500K for 85 percent. Additionally, Chung can bring in $300K if he plays 80% of the club’s defensive snaps and the Patriots win 13 games, and $300K if he sees action on 80% of New England’s defensive plays and the team reaches the Super Bowl.
Based on Chung’s 2016 playtime percentages and the Patriots team performance, all of those incentives will be considered “likely to be earned” because Chung played 96.5% of New England’s defensive snaps a year ago, while the team won 14 games and won the Super Bowl. Chung played more snaps in 2016 than he had in either of the prior two seasons, as he reached only 81% playtime in 2015 and 78% in 2014.
The Patriots have often shown a willingness to restructure veteran contracts without asking for concessions in exchange. Recently, New England added extra incentives to Rob Gronkowski‘s contract that would enable him to become the highest-paid tight end in the NFL. In 2014, the Patriots eased the playtime thresholds on offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer in order him to more quickly reach his incentives.
5 Key Stories: 6/11/17 – 6/18/17
Ravens land a wide receiver. After surprisingly not adding a wideout during either free agency or the draft, Baltimore finally signed a pass-catcher last week, agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with former Chief Jeremy Maclin. Because Maclin was released, his addition won’t affect the Ravens’ 2018 compensatory picks. The Eagles were reportedly the runner-up for Maclin’s services, while the Bills and Browns also expressed interest. Maclin will earn $6MM in 2017.
A former No. 2 overall pick is traded. Offensive tackle Greg Robinson, the second selection in the 2014 draft, was dealt from the Rams to the Lions in exchange for a 2018 sixth-round pick, a trade that brings the (to this point) draft bust’s tenure with the Rams to an end. Robinson, selected over other offensive linemen such as Jake Matthews, Taylor Lewan, and Zack Martin, had recently lost his starting job with Los Angeles. Detroit, meanwhile, also signed former Bill Cyrus Kouandjio in an effort to make up for the loss of left tackle Taylor Decker.
Saints lose a key offensive piece. The Lions aren’t the club that could be without its blindside protector for some time, as Saints left tackle Terron Armstead is down for 4-6 months after suffering a torn labrum in practice. Armstead missed nine games in 2016, so New Orleans is used to getting by without him, but his absence will undoubtedly be felt. Former first-round pick Andrus Peat, who’s recently lined up at guard, is a candidate to take over at tackle, as is 2017 No. 32 overall selection Ryan Ramczyk.
Chargers lock up their franchise player. Roughly a month before the deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term extensions, Los Angeles inked defensive end Melvin Ingram to a four-year, $66MM deal.Ingram, who’s managed 18.5 sacks over the past two seasons, will transition from outside linebacker to end in new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley‘s scheme. With Ingram under contract, Kirk Cousins, Le’Veon Bell, and Trumaine Johnson are the only franchise players who don’t have extensions in place.
Eric Decker officially hits the market. The Jets released Decker last week after failing to find a trade partner, and Decker has now garnered interest from several clubs. Decker, who lives near Nashville, met with the Titans and has also reportedly been linked to the Browns. Meanwhile, the Broncos are not interested in a reunion with Decker, and the Eagles aren’t pursuing him, either.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/18/15
Today’s minor moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Waived with injury settlement: WR Antwan Goodley
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: CB Jeremy Cutrer (Twitter link via Mike Kaye of First Coast News)
AFC Notes: Patriots, Luck, Henne
The Patriots‘ best chance to replace the bruising and punishing running of LeGarrette Blount, who was a key part of the team’s success over the past few seasons, could come from a surprising source. In his first attempt to predict the Patriots’ 53-man roster, Jim McBride of the Boston Globe says that UDFA LeShun Daniels, Jr. might be the best-equipped of New England’s stacked running back group to fill Blount’s void. McBride does not believe Daniels will make the team out of camp, writing that he is more likely a practice squad candidate at the moment, but the future is bright for the 6-foot, 225-pounder, who excelled in his senior season at Iowa.
Now for more from the AFC:
- Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell was kept on the sideline during spring practices, but Mike Reiss of ESPN.com says there is nothing to worry about. Mitchell has a more extensive injury history than many second-year players, and New England is handling his workload accordingly to ensure they can keep him healthy for the long haul.
- We heard earlier this week that Andrew Luck may not be ready for training camp, leading some to wonder if he is also in danger of missing the start of the regular season. Kevin Bowen of Colts.com, however, does not believe that’s the case. Bowen says that if the team was really concerned about Luck’s availability for Week 1, the team would have brought in a veteran QB to compete with backup Scott Tolzien.
- Alex Marvez of NFL.com tweets that Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar is completely healed from the ACL tear that prematurely ended his 2016 season. Dzubnar has primarily served as a special teams contributor during his first two years in the league, but he has performed very well in that role.
- Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union takes his first crack at predicting the Jaguars‘ 53-man roster, and there do not seem to be any major surprises there. One point of intrigue is the quarterback position, as O’Halloran speculates that second-year signal-caller Brandon Allen, who was good enough in camp and the preseason last year to convince Jacksonville to keep a third QB for the first time since 2013, could unseat longtime backup Chad Henne.
- Earlier today we took a look at a few notes on the Steelers and Browns.
Community Tailgate: Jets’ Long-Term QB Solution?
As Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reported several days ago, Jets quarterback Christian Hackenberg exceeded expectations in minicamp and has narrowed the gap between himself and presumptive starter Josh McCown. Gang Green, of course, is in full tank mode, and the team wants to give Hackenberg a chance to show what he can do in 2017, even if McCown ultimately opens the season as the starting signal-caller.
That does not mean, however, that the Jets are married to their Hack for the long haul. As Cimini wrote this morning, New York’s rebuilding plan is centered around its selecting a quarterback from the allegedly QB-rich 2018 draft. Players like USC’s Sam Darnold, UCLA’s Josh Rosen, and Wyoming’s Josh Allen are generating the most buzz at the moment, though all are underclassmen and may choose to stay in college in 2018. Nonetheless, assuming (as most do) that the Jets will be bad enough in 2017 to have an early pick in next year’s draft, they could have their choice of elite quarterback prospects.
From a prospect standpoint, Hackenberg does not have the same upside as the above-mentioned collegiate passers, so there is plenty of doubt as to whether he can be a legitimate long-term starter in the league. Further complicating matters, as Brian Costello of the New York Post opines, is that it will be difficult to truly evaluate Hackenberg this year because of the fact that he really has no proven pass catcher to throw the ball to now that the team has cut ties with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. Costello, like Cimini, believes Hackenberg showed significant improvement this spring, but if he struggles in 2017, it will be hard to argue that he was given a fair shake.
But now we want you to weigh in on this matter. How do you see the Jets’ long-term quarterback situation shaping up? Do you think Hackenberg will seize control of the job, thereby allowing the team to pursue other options in the 2018 draft (which was mentioned as a distinct possibility several weeks ago)? Or do you think Hackenberg will struggle to produce or just not play well enough to convince the Jets that he is the answer under center?
Or maybe you see an entirely different scenario unfolding. Maybe you see the world through green-and-white glasses and think McCown will keep the team in contention this year, which would be a pleasant surprise for Jets fans but which would not help them in their search for a long-term solution at quarterback. Or do you think Bryce Petty will emerge from the shadows and throw his hat in the ring? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.