HEADLINES

Month: March 2018

Earl Thomas Affirms Committment To Seahawks

March 24th, 2018 at 12:33pm CST by Ryan Posner

Seahawks safety Earl Thomas clarified some comments made Friday on an Ireland radio show in which he said it’s a “guessing game” as to whether he would be back in Seattle in 2018.

In a lengthy Twitter post, Thomas firmly stated his intentions of remaining with the Seahawks for the foreseeable future.

“Hold on everyone. Let’s not get it confused. I want to be a Seahawk,” Thomas said. “I want my jersey retired in the ring of honor with the other greats that came before me. I love being in Seattle. The winning culture we established I want to be apart of it for life!!”

Thomas, 28, went on to note how his family has embedded itself and enjoys the Seattle community. He also didn’t want his comments regarding the ambiguous nature of his future to be confused with him not wanting to remain in Seattle, and rather it was just being honest and confident in himself to be successful wherever he lands.

While the six-time Pro Bowler said he wishes to remain in Seattle, it may not be up to him. The team has reportedly been shopping Thomas around in trade talks this offseason, with his contract set to expire after next season. The Cowboys were one of the team’s to reportedly have shown interest in trading for Thomas.

Even if Thomas were to return, the Seahawks secondary will have a different look next season with the departure of Richard Sherman to the 49ers. Seattle also cut Jeremy Lane and Byron Maxwell remains unsigned as an unrestricted free agent.

East Notes: Bennett, Redskins, Osweiler, Patriots, Wallace

March 24th, 2018 at 11:56am CST by Ryan Posner

Zack Rosenblatt of NJ Advance Media looks at 10 unanswered questions stemming from the indictment of Eagles defensive end Michael Bennett, including whether the Eagles and Seahawks already knew, when the NFL found out and how it impacts his roster status with the Eagles.

Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reported Friday (on Twitter) that the Seahawks were unaware of the incident before Friday. Rosenblatt wonders whether Seattle may be forced to return the compensation it received by trading Bennett if it was discovered that they were previously aware of the incident. The Houston Police department reportedly attempted to reach out to Bennett and the NFL about the incident late last year, per Rosenblatt.

If the Eagles were to release Bennett, they’d save $5.65MM in cap space, without any dead cap. Rosenblatt points out that veteran leadership in the Eagles defense with players like Malcolm Jenkins could help fight off any off-field distractions that stem from the incident. It’s also possible the Eagles could make a precautionary move to add a defensive end, with Vinny Curry already released and signed with the Buccaneers. Chris Long reportedly signed a new deal to remain with the Eagles in 2018 earlier this week.

Here’s more from around the AFC/NFC East

  • By trading for Alex Smith rather than re-signing Kirk Cousins, the Redskins saved $10MM in cap space this year. In a mailbag piece, ESPN’s John Keim points to the team’s lack of spending this offseason as an indication of its desire to extend players currently on the roster. Some of those players who could be extended include Preston Smith, Jamison Crowder, Brandon Scherff and Matthew Ioannidis.
  • The Dolphins’ search for quarterback help this offseason did not end with the signing of Brock Osweiler to a one-year deal, sources told Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Osweiler will have to earn his role as the backup behind Ryan Tannehill as the team may still look to add a quarterback in the draft and have shown interest in several players expected to go in the first round.
  • In a response to a fan question, ESPN’s Mike Reiss said he could see the Patriots moving up in the first round of the upcoming draft to take a long-term option replacing Nate Solder at left tackle — if the right prospect were to slide down the draft board. Reiss also notes that the Patriots had just four picks in last year’s draft, which could keep them from dealing a package of picks once again. At the moment, Tony Garcia seems to be the likeliest candidate to take over at left tackle for New England.
  • While being introduced to the Philadelphia media, Mike Wallace said that playing with Carson Wentz was “99 percent” of the reason he signed with the Eagles, per Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Wallace also said he passed up other offers that would’ve netted him more money in signing his one-year deal with the Eagles.

Bills To Host CB Phillip Gaines

March 24th, 2018 at 10:32am CST by Ryan Posner

The Bills will host free-agent cornerback Phillip Gaines at some point next week, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (on Twitter). Gaines visited with the Colts last week and Garafolo believes his time with the Chiefs, who took him in the third round of the 2014 draft, is coming to an end. 

Buffalo recently lost out on cornerback E.J. Gaines, who signed with the Browns on Friday. At the moment, the Bills are set to role with Vontae Davis and TreDavious White at cornerback. Even if signed, Phillip Gaines would likely serve in a nickel or reserve capacity with the Bills. He could help fill the role of Leonard Johnson, who appeared in 15 games last year for the Bills mostly as a nickel cornerback and remains unsigned as an unrestricted free agent.

The Chiefs signaled that they were likely moving on from Phillip Gaines, who was ranked as the second-worst cornerback in the league in 2016, per Pro Football Focus, after signing David Amerson and Kendall Fuller.

Phillip Gaines, 26, appeared in 41 games in four seasons with the Chiefs, making 16 starts. He ended last season on the injured reserve due to an elbow injury and missed the team’s playoff loss to the Titans.

Raiders To Re-Sign Reggie Nelson

March 24th, 2018 at 9:36am CST by Ryan Posner

The Raiders are bringing back veteran safety Reggie Nelson on a one-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Rapoport notes that Nelson, who spent six seasons with the Bengals, can help teach new defensive coordinator Paul Guenther’s system. Guenther had been the Bengals’ defensive coordinator since 2014 before joining Jon Gruden’s staff this offseason.

Nelson, 34, started all 16 games at free safety for the Raiders last season and is the team’s second free-agent signing at safety this offseason, along with Marcus Gilchrist. It remains to be seen whether Oakland will opt to start Nelson or use him in a reserve capacity while having Karl Joseph and Gilchrist work as the starting safeties. Joseph had a Pro Football Focus grade of 80.8 last season, which was the highest of any defender currently on the Raiders’ roster outside of Khalil Mack.

Nelson was rated as our No. 9 safety available in free agency this offseason, with Gilchrist ranked at No. 7. Oakland also added cornerback Rashaan Melvin on a one-year deal earlier this offseason.

In two seasons with the Raiders, Nelson has yet to miss a start and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2016 for the second time in his career. He was first selected to the Pro Bowl in 2015 while with the Bengals after recording a career-high eight interceptions.

The Raiders also have last year’s second-round pick Obi Melifonwu at safety after he appeared in just five games his rookie season. Entering Saturday, the Raiders had $17.87MM in available cap space, which put them at No. 14 in the NFL.

Patriots S Duron Harmon Detained After Marijuana Smuggle Attempt In Costa Rica

March 24th, 2018 at 9:13am CST by Ryan Posner

Patriots safety Duron Harmon was denied entry into Costa Rica after attempting to bring marijuana into the country, according to Costa Rican newspaper La Nacion. Harmon was briefly detained before being sent back to the United States. 

The 27-year-old defensive back attempted to bring in 58 grams of marijuana inside a can of iced tea, three pipes with cannabis oil, a THC candy and four containers with compressed marijuana, weighing 4.3 grams. The Patriots issued a statement Saturday morning regarding the incident, via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (on Twitter):

“We are aware of the situation involving Duron Harmon Friday night in Costa Rica. He has since returned to the U.S. and we are seeking to gain more information. At this time, we have no further update.”

Harmon (via Instagram) issued an apology Saturday night.

Volin doesn’t expect the Patriots to release Harmon following the incident but does expect the Patriots or the NFL to step in and hand down some sort of punishment (on Twitter). The league has yet to comment on the incident.

The Patriots took Harmon in the third round of the 2013 draft and he’s missed just one game thus far in his career while making 15 starts. Last season, Harmon tallied a career-high four interceptions and seven pass defenses. Harmon is once again slated to work alongside Patrick Chung and Devin McCourty as a safety in the Patriots’ secondary.

Falcons Sign CB/ST Justin Bethel

March 24th, 2018 at 8:30am CST by Ryan Posner

The Falcons have signed former Cardinals cornerback and special teamer Justin Bethel, per a Falcons release. ESPN’s Field Yates first reported that a deal between the two sides was done (on Twitter) and ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss first reported that Bethel was likely headed to the Falcons (on Twitter).

Bethel’s deal will be for one year, though the terms have of the deal have yet to be revealed, per ESPN’s Vaughn McLure (on Twitter).

Bethel, 27, has been one of the NFL’s most prominent gunners, having already been selected to three Pro Bowls, and has seen more time at cornerback in recent years with the Cardinals.

Bethel represents the Falcons’ biggest free-agent offseason splash thus far. Up until Saturday, their only free-agent addition was signing former 49ers guard Brandon Fusco and re-signing defensive end Derrick Shelby. The Falcons had hosted Bethel for a visit on Wednesday.

The Cardinals are dealt another loss to their secondary having already watched Tyrann Mathieu sign with the Texans following his release. They added depth to their secondary Friday by signing Bene Benwikere to a one-year deal. Safety Tyvon Branch remains the Cardinals’ final unsigned unrestricted free agent in their secondary.

Bethel didn’t start a single game at cornerback in his first three years in the NFL after the Cardinals took him in the sixth round of the 2012 draft. Over the last three years, though, he’s accumulated 14 starts at cornerback opposite Patrick Peterson. He’s racked up four interceptions in that time, including a pick-six in each season.

The Falcons have Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford locked in at cornerback with long-term deals. While Bethel is likely to contribute on the Falcons’ special teams they are thin in their cornerback depth. Brian Poole, Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Marcelis Branch currently serve as the only other cornerbacks on the roster outside of Trufant and Alford.

Bears Re-Sign CB Marcus Cooper To 1-Year Deal

March 23rd, 2018 at 10:06pm CST by Ryan Posner

The Bears are bringing back free-agent cornerback Marcus Cooper with a one-year, $2.5MM deal, according to Adam Caplan (on Twitter). Cooper had a visit on Friday with the Cardinals, who agreed to a one-year deal with cornerback Bene Benwikere, but they were still reported to have interest.

Cooper appeared in 15 games last season for the Bears, making four starts. His most extensive playing time came with the Cardinals in 2016 when he played in 15 games (13 starts) and collected four interceptions. The metrics were not kind to him that season, though, as he ranked No. 62 among 84 qualifiers in Football Outsiders‘ success rate.

Chicago signed Cooper to a three-year, $16MM deal following his 2016 campaign with the Cardinals but released him last week. He played on just a quarter of the Bears’ defensive snaps last season, ranking fourth out of the team’s cornerbacks.

The Bears have made their secondary a priority this offseason, placing their transition tag on Kyle Fuller and re-signing Prince Amukamara. Cooper is set to work with the likes of Bryce Callahan and recently-signed Sherrick McManis as backups to Fuller and Amukamara.

The 49ers drafted Cooper in the seventh round of the 2013 draft out of Rutgers. He never suited up for the 49ers, though, and spent three seasons with the Chiefs before landing with the Cardinals in 2016.

Extra Points: Thomas, Cowboys, Saints, Falcons, Mettenberger

March 23rd, 2018 at 9:40pm CST by Ryan Posner

While appearing on the Ireland sports talk show “Off The Ball” Seahawks safety Earl Thomas didn’t sound overly confident in his status with the Seahawks for the upcoming season.

“Hopefully I stay,” Thomas said on the talk show via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. “But right now nobody knows. It’s a guessing game. So we’ll see.”

Thomas, a three-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, is set to enter the final season of his four-year, $40MM deal with Seattle. The Seahawks have reportedly shopped Thomas around in trade talks, with the Cowboys believed to be one of the teams interested in trading for the Texas native.

“In my case, whether I’m in Seattle or anywhere else, I’m going to be rich and happy regardless,” Thomas continued.

The Seahawks are reportedly seeking first- and third-round picks for Thomas’ services. He didn’t miss a game through the first six years of his career but has missed seven games over the last two seasons due to various injuries. The Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” has seen a shakeup this offseason, with the departure of Richard Sherman to the 49ers. Fellow cornerback Byron Maxwell is an unrestricted free agent this offseason as well.

Here’s more from around the NFL:

Contract Details: Burnett, Bodine, Williams

March 23rd, 2018 at 8:45pm CST by Ryan Posner

Let’s take a look at the most recent new contracts around the NFL:

AFC

NFC

AFC Notes: Pryor, Browns, Dolphins, Burfict, Rosen, Clowney

March 23rd, 2018 at 8:31pm CST by Ryan Posner

Terrelle Pryor had hoped to return to the Browns, prior to agreeing to a deal with the Jets, but the Browns offer didn’t come close to the Jets’ in terms of money, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. The former Ohio State and Raiders quarterback is coming off a disappointing season with the Redskins, in which he was ranked 109th out of 166 wide receiver candidates, per Pro Football Focus.

It’s not shocking that Pryor, 28, wished to return to Cleveland under Hue Jackson. The Browns converted him into a wide receiver full-time prior to the 2015 season and Pryor caught 77 passes for 1,007 yards receiving and four touchdowns in 2016.

Luckily for Pryor, one of the quarterbacks behind his superb 2016 campaign, Josh McCown, is back on a one-year deal with the Jets. The Browns have already added Jarvis Landry to their receiving corps this offseason but are still looking for upgrades at receiver, and were also reportedly interested in Allen Hurns before he signed with the Cowboys.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

  • Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was among the team’s contingent to take in Josh Allen‘s pro day Friday, per Kabot. The Browns hold the first and fourth overall picks in the upcoming draft. The Browns were one of 13 teams in attendance to watch the Wyoming quarterback throw but their group of eight officials was the largest of any team, according to Andrew Groover of NFL Network (on Twitter).
  • To help fill the shoes of Ndamukong Suh, who played 877 snaps last season — sixth-most of defensive tackles in the NFL — the Dolphins plan on using William Hayes at both defensive end and defensive tackle, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Jackson also expects defensive linemen Jordan Phillips, Davon Godchaux and Vincent Taylor to pick up extended playing time with the loss of Suh.
  • The suspension of Vontaze Burfict for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances didn’t come as a surprise to the Bengals. The team was aware of Burfict’s failed test before the regular season ended on Dec. 31 and were waiting for an arbitrator to hear Burfict’s appeal, according to Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The NFL has yet to comment on Burfict’s suspension, including what he tested positive for and when his appeal will be heard.
  • The Browns, Bills and Jets, along with the Giants, have held private workouts for Josh Rosen, the former UCLA quarterback said Friday on the Rich Eisen Show (via Calvin Watkins of Newsday)
  • While at an event in the Houston area Friday, Jadeveon Clowney expressed his interest in remaining with the Texans long term, including finishing his career with the team, per Mark Berman of Fox 26 KRIV (on Twitter). Clowney, 25, is entering the final season of his rookie deal. “I want to be here. Hopefully they lock me in [and] I’ll be here forever,” Clowney said. “It would mean a lot. It’s something I’ve always dreamed of. I want to finish my career here”
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