Golden Tate Addresses Contract Status
Earlier this week, Golden Tate quoted a Pro Football Focus tweet about his unmatched tackle-avoiding track record since joining the Lions and used it as a platform to suggest an extension. At a charity softball game Saturday, the eighth-year wide receiver clarified his stance.
First, Tate lobbed a brief response to reporters about his salary before returning to the softball field. After being asked if he’s underpaid, Tate shot back, “Yep,” per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. The NFL’s leader in yards after catch with 1,831 since he moved to Detroit in 2014, Tate explained he’s not demanding a new deal now but is eyeing one.
“Just saw my buddy (Julian Edelman) get extended and that’s obviously the goal,” Tate said of Edelman, who was entering the final year of his Patriots contract. “I have this season and next season until I can really think about it but it wasn’t nothing malicious or mean hinting at it. I mean, I’m hinting at it in a few years, of course. I’ve still got time.”
Tate signed a five-year deal worth $31MM in 2014 and has delivered for the Lions, recording the first two 1,000-yard seasons of his career and leading the Lions in receptions over the past three seasons. He joined the Lions as their No. 2 wideout, and Calvin Johnson‘s salary understandably dwarfed his. But Marvin Jones‘ now does as well after the former Bengals No. 2 wide receiver signed for five years and $40MM. The 28-year-old Tate stands to take up $8.3MM and $9.3MM of the Lions’ 2017 and ’18 salary caps, respectively, if an extension is not reached.
On the heels of three straight 90-catch seasons, Tate is now the 26th-highest-paid receiver in football. his $6.25MM AAV mark is well behind Jones’ $8MM-per-year average. The cap’s continued climb also resulted in players like Mohamed Sanu, Kenny Stills and Robert Woods (zero combined 1,000-yard slates) sign for more money annually.
But Tate insists he’s thinking long-term with his extension references and doesn’t sound like he’s going to be seeking one in 2017, which would be interesting given that he’s under team control for multiple years. Despite being brought in before the Bob Quinn regime took over, Tate wants to stay in Detroit long-term.
“I would love to stay here as long as you guys accept me and want me here,” Tate said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “Like I said, I’m having fun, we’re starting to win games and that’s important. So hopefully Bob Quinn and (team president) Rod Wood and (Jim) Caldwell and Jim Bob (Cooter) want me around, and I’ll stay around as long as they’ll have me.
“I think if, collectively if we win games and I do my part, I hope there’s talks. But we’ll see. It’s a long way away as far as I’m concerned.”
AFC East Notes: Jets, Hoyer, Patriots, Bills
Several quarterbacks appeared on the Jets‘ radar this offseason, one that moved the team into rebuilding territory. But Josh McCown arrived after the team made a “competitive offer” to another recent part-time starter. The Jets submitted a contract proposal to Brian Hoyer, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, but he was not keen on a pact with the team despite his desire for a starting job. Instead, the veteran wanted to reunite with Kyle Shanahan with the 49ers. This was the second straight year the Jets showed offseason interest in Hoyer, who is now affiliated with his fourth team in four years. The 31-year-old passer visited the Jets in April 2016 before signing with the Bears later that month. Hoyer signed with San Francisco for two years and $12MM, $9.85MM fully guaranteed at signing. That package beats the Jets’ eventual deal for McCown, but the 38-year-old presumptive New York starter still received $6MM fully guaranteed for 2017 in a pact that includes incentives as well.
Here’s the latest from New York and other AFC East cities.
- Also showing interest in Mike Glennon, Jay Cutler and Chase Daniel, the Jets wanted a “cheap, but experienced” game manager, per Cimini. McCown checked the boxes for the Jets, profiling as a classic stopgap quarterback who won’t cause trouble if/when he’s benched for Christian Hackenberg or Bryce Petty. This blueprint for the 2017 quarterback may have been part of the reason Gang Green and Cutler couldn’t line up a visit prior to the quarterback’s retirement.
- The Patriots‘ refusal to trade Jimmy Garoppolo — and the possibility that a quarterback franchise tag that could be worth around $24MM in 2018 — creates the appearance of a quarterback controversy, Tom Curran of CSNNE.com notes (video link). Tom Brady will almost certainly be the quarterback this season as long as he’s healthy, but the situation becomes murkier after 2017 when Garoppolo’s contract expires and Brady moves closer to his 41st birthday. Curran also notes the Patriots need more intel on Garoppolo before tagging him, which could be difficult if Brady stays healthy. The backup’s Deflategate audition lasting six quarters instead of 16 leaves an incomplete grade as far as durability goes, Curran notes.
- Jeremy Maclin participated in a two-day visit with the Bills earlier this week, and Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News believes the recently released wideout will end up in Buffalo if he’s willing to accept a short-term, incentive-laden deal. It’s unknown if Maclin, who was a No. 1 wideout for two years with the Chiefs, would be willing to do that. The 29-year-old pass-catcher has drawn interest from at least two teams, with the Ravens hosting him on a visit this week as well, and would profile as a fit on others too. The Bills have $12.6MM in cap space. Carucci notes the Bills don’t figure to be willing to pay Maclin big money given his injury history, and that the receiver profiles as a one- or two-year solution.
Extra Points: Seahawks, Villanueva, Jaguars
The Seahawks made several changes to their offensive line this summer, adding free agents Luke Joeckel and Oday Aboushi and drafting second-rounder Ethan Pocic. While offensive line coach Tom Cable is generally bullish about this unit prior to training camp, he was especially happy with the organization’s offseason additions.
“I’d like to get to camp, but I’m the most excited coach on the staff right now,” Cable told ESPN.com’s Sheil Kapadia. “That’s what I’ve told coach [Pete Carroll] and John [Schneider, Seahawks general manager]. I appreciate them putting this together in a year’s time and doing a fantastic job. Our personnel guys nailed this, so it’s just a matter of getting them in the right spots and going and playing ball.”
Let’s take a look at some other notes from around the NFL…
- Following news that Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman had been holding a grudge against both quarterback Russell Wilson and Carroll over the past two seasons, the veteran was quick to dismiss the story. “He asked a few questions to a few cowardly people,” Sherman said of USA Today writer Seth Wickersham (via, ironically, Liz Mathews of USA Today). “And I’ll be calling you cowards if you’re afraid to put your name on it. If you have a comment, if you’ve got something to say, you’ve got something to ask or something and you’re not willing to put your name on it, you’re kind of a coward. But maybe they’re not cowards and maybe these people never existed. Because who knows? You don’t even have to exist. You don’t have to prove anything in this world anymore…And that’s what I mean when I say there are a lot of TMZ-like media going on because guys like this — nobody is going to ever question him if they come to find out, hey, he could have fabricated this whole story and, I mean, outside of him saying there was an interaction at practice, none of the rest of it was true. But heck, what did he have to lose? I think it’s really unfortunate that’s it’s come to that.”
- Left tackle Alejandro Villanueva is currently without a contract ahead of the Steelers upcoming mandatory minicamp. When asked by ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler whether he’ll be in attendance, the 28-year-old indicated that he might be willing to hold out. “I’m obviously trying to be a Steeler but it’s something that my agent and the front office will work to sort out,” said Villanueva. The former Army standout didn’t sign his ERFA tender this offseason, although he did ink a waiver/agreement that allowed him to participate in OTAs.
- Jaguars safety Peyton Thompson has been cut six times during his career, including twice by Jacksonville. However, considering the injuries to the team’s secondary, Ryan O’Halloran of Jacksonville.com believes the 26-year-old finally has a chance to earn a more significant defensive role. The former undrafted free agent has played in 30 games for the Jaguars over the past two seasons, compiling 27 tackles.
Saints Shopping RB Travaris Cadet
Travaris Cadet may have re-signed with the Saints this offseason, but it’s sounding like the running back may not be sticking in New Orleans long term. According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter), the Saints are currently “exploring trade scenarios” for the veteran prior to training camp.
The Appalachian State product has spent the majority of his five-year career with the Saints. He played the first three seasons of his career in New Orleans, where he contributed mostly in the passing and return game. 2014 was arguably his most productive campaign, as Cadet finished that season with 38 receptions for 296 yards.
The running back had brief stints with the Patriots and 49ers before returning to the Saints in late 2015. This past season, Cadet appeared in 15 games (one start), hauling in 40 catches for 281 yards and four touchdowns. He ended up re-signing with the organization this past offseason.
The Saints are loaded at running back, so it would have been an up-hill battle for Cadet to make the roster, anyway. The 28-year-old will be competing with Alvin Kamara, Daniel Lasco, and Marcus Murphy for carries behind Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingram.
Cadet was reportedly choosing between the Saints, Jets, and Bills during the offseason. New Orleans might be able to find a trade partner in one of those two squads, although it’s uncertain if New York or Buffalo still have interest.
Latest On Eric Decker
We learned on Tuesday that the Jets were planning on trading or releasing veteran Eric Decker by the end of the week. However, it’s sounding like the wideout may be sticking around New York for a bit longer.
On Friday, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that Decker’s “situation” would continue through the weekend. Today, former NFL executive Michael Lombardi suggested (via Twitter) that the organization may be waiting for free agent wideout Jeremy Maclin to choose a destination. Once the talented receiver is off the board, the “trade market for Decker might increase.”
With the Jets going all-in on their rebuild efforts, they decided earlier this week that they’d be letting go of the veteran wideout. Decker originally joined the organization on a five-year, $36.25MM contract in 2014, and he averaged around 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns during his first two seasons with the team. However, an injury in 2016 limited him to only three games played. By trading or releasing Decker, the Jets will save $7.5MM in cap space in each of the next two seasons, so the financial incentives are rather obvious.
Since news broke of Decker’s impending release or trade, rumors emerged that the Jets had approached the Ravens regarding a potential swap. The Lions have also been mentioned as a logical landing spot, but the Vikings apparently don’t have much interest.
Calvin Pryor Discusses Trade, Jets, Cleveland
In a relatively unsurprising move, the Jets traded former first-rounder Calvin Pryor to the Browns last week. The safety’s tenure in New York ended up being a disappointment, as the Louisville product compiled only 129 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles through three seasons with the organization.
Now, Pryor has a fresh start in Cleveland, where he could realistically slot in as a starter. The 24-year-old is set to hit free agency following this season, so perhaps we’ll begin to see Pryor show more of his worth as he looks to cash in.
The safety sat down with Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot to discuss his hectic week. The whole article is worth checking it, but we’ve compiled some of the notable quotes below…
On his apparent demotion by the Jets:
“I can’t really speak on too much of that. That’s in the past…One thing I know — I can play football. It’s about being in the right situation and then going about things the right way.”
His feelings on the Jets organization:
“I mean, don’t get it twisted now. I had some great times in New York. My years that I was there, I really enjoyed playing football. It’s just a blessing to be in the NFL period, so it doesn’t really stop here. I’m looking forward a fresh start, having an opportunity to play with the Cleveland Browns. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most.”
His reactions to getting traded to Cleveland:
“I feel like it was a great opportunity – have a fresh start, learn a new system and buy into a new culture. I had a feeling [with the Jets] drafting two safeties, but I can’t control that. I’m excited. I can’t thank (the Browns) enough.”
On whether he’ll play alongside rookie Jabrill Peppers:
“I can’t speak on that because that’s the coaches’ job, but I do know that (Peppers) is one heck of a player. I do look forward to playing with him, whether it’s in different packages or we’re just on the field at the same time. I know that we both can play football. I look forward to being a great teammate and helping him out along the way.”
Rams Sign Top Three Picks
The Rams have finally begun to lock up their draft class. The club signed its top three picks – tight end Gerald Everett, wide receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive back Josh Johnson – on Friday, tweets Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com.
Trading up to No. 1 overall in 2016 for quarterback Jared Goff left the Rams without a first-rounder this year, meaning they didn’t pick until No. 44. That’s where they landed Everett, who transferred from UAB to South Alabama after the 2014 season and ended his college career with back-to-back 40-catch seasons. With the Rams having released their previous No. 1 tight end, Lance Kendricks, earlier this offseason, the 6-foot-3, 239-pound Everett is in line to open his NFL career as a starter. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com likens Everett to the Titans’ Delanie Walker, a pass-catching machine who has racked up 282 receptions and 23 touchdowns since 2013.
Kupp, the 69th pick and the first of two third-rounders for the Rams, thrived at Eastern Washington, where he combined for FCS-record-setting numbers (428 catches, 6,464 yards and 73 TDs) over four seasons. Along with free agent pickup Robert Woods, the 6-2, 204-pound Kupp is one of two prominent newcomers in LA’s receiving corps, which was among the league’s worst last year.
Johnson was the Rams’ second choice in Round 3 (No. 91), and is coming off back-to-back three-interception seasons at Boston College. The 6-0, 208-pounder has the coverage skills necessary to start right away, per Zierlein, and is capable of playing both safety and cornerback.
“I think I fit best as a safety, although I think I have a corner body type,” Johnson said in April (via Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times). “I came into Boston College as a corner, and I like covering man to man. I like covering the intermediate zone … but I think I would fit best as a safety.”
The Rams still have five more picks to sign, including two fourth-rounders.
Extra Points: 49ers, NFLPA, OBJ, Ihedigbo
Pass rusher Elvis Dumervil told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area that he spoke with a “handful of teams” between his release from the Ravens in March and his signing with the 49ers this week. In the end, Dumervil’s familiarity with general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan helped direct him to San Francisco. Dumervil played with Lynch in Denver from 2006-07, when Kyle Shanahan’s father, Mike Shanahan, was the Broncos’ coach. The elder Shanahan drafted Dumervil, who has since racked up 99 sacks. Now, even though he’s 33 and coming off an Achilles injury that limited him to eight games last season, Dumervil feels “great” and believes he has “a few years left, for sure.”
More from around the league:
- The NFL Players Association has taken issue with around 160 rookie contracts, believing those deals are in violation of the collective bargaining agreement, reports Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. The union is considering filing a grievance to void those agreements, with spokesman George Atallah stating, “The CBA explicitly prohibits players from some of the language that we have seen the clubs attempt to impose in these deals. We are considering all of our options to protect the players and enforce the CBA.” In the NFLPA’s estimation, the majority of the league’s 32 teams – 25 or 26 – have included prohibited language in rookie contracts this year.
- Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. could land a $100MM contract eventually. For now, though, the Giants have all the leverage, observes Bill Barnwell of ESPN.com. Beckham’s on a dirt-cheap $1.8MM salary this season, and he’s controllable in 2018 via an eminently affordable fifth-year option ($8.5MM). After that, Beckham could get the $18.3MM franchise tag in 2019, meaning he’d only cost Big Blue $28.6MM over the next three seasons. Even if the Giants were to tag Beckham again in 2020, the four-year total would still be a more-than-reasonable $50.6MM.
- Free agent safety James Ihedigbo was recently slapped with a four-game suspension and is coming off a season in which he landed on IR after breaking his leg, but he is optimistic about his chances of suiting up in 2017, as Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com writes. Ihedigbo says his leg is completely healed and that he has received interest from several teams in recent weeks.
- Patriots receiver Julian Edelman‘s two-year, $11MM extension comes with $500K workout and roster bonuses in both seasons, $500K in available incentives in 2018 and $3.5MM in available incentives in 2019, per Tom Curran of CSNNE.com.
Rory Parks contributed to this post.
Michael Oher Could Be Done In Carolina
Panthers offensive tackle Michael Oher still hasn’t passed the NFL’s concussion protocol since suffering a brain injury that ended his season last September. Further concern over Oher’s status arose Friday when he posted a since-deleted picture on Instagram that showed 10 pill bottles with the caption, “All for the brain smh” (via Mike Chiari of Bleacher Report).
Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman responded to the post, telling Bill Voth of the team’s website, “I don’t know if Michael posted that photo or not. Regardless, my primary interest is Michael’s health.”
Oher has been away from the Panthers this offseason, thanks to a combination of concussion issues, a May 4 citation in his hometown of Nashville for an alleged assault of an Uber driver and “personal reasons,” but he has met with Gettleman. The GM informed Voth that he flew to Nashville on May 5 and sat down with the 31-year-old.
“We really had a great visit. We talked for an hour, had lunch, it was a very comfortable conversation,” said Gettleman. “We talked about a lot of things – nothing about football. It was about him, how he was doing and the issues he was dealing with. It started and ended well. And after we met, Michael did follow up for a few days. However, the communication has stopped.”
With talks between Oher and the Panthers having ceased, Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer tweets that the lineman is likely done in Carolina. For now, Oher’s under contract through 2019 after signing a three-year, $21.6MM extension with the Panthers last summer. Carolina has a mandatory minicamp next week, but it’s unknown whether Oher will attend.
“Our No. 1 priority is a healthy Michael Oher,” noted Gettleman. “This is not about football, this is about Michael.”
Draft Pick Signings: 6/9/17
The latest draft signings:
- The Seahawks have announced the signing of second-round offensive lineman Ethan Pocic, the 58th overall pick. With Pocic under contract, the Seahawks have signed nine members of their 11-player draft class. After mostly serving as a center at LSU, where he was a first-team All-American in 2016, Pocic has lined up at both guard and right tackle with Seattle this spring. As of now, Oday Aboushi (LG), Mark Glowinski (RG) and Germain Ifedi (RT) are the Seahawks’ penciled-in starters at those positions.