2018 March - Pro Football Rumors

Giants Release Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

March 11th, 2018 at 10:17am CST by Rory Parks

Apparently, the Giants and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie could not come to terms on a pay cut, as the club announced that it has terminated DRC’s contract. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com first reported that DRC would be released (Twitter link).

Just yesterday, we learned that New York asked the 31-year-old corner (32 in April) — whom they had already planned to move to safety — to take a significant pay cut. He was owed $6.48MM in 2018 and was scheduled to take up $8.5MM of cap space, which the Giants considered to be too steep of a price. We also heard that the two sides were not close to reaching any sort of agreement on a pay reduction, which makes today’s release fairly unsurprising.

One of the reasons DRC likely balked at accepting a reduction in pay is that he believes he can get at least close to what he was scheduled to earn with Big Blue this year on the open market. Indeed, $6.5MM does not seem to be too steep of a price to pay for a starting corner if a team believes he can effectively line up on the outside, and while he is on the wrong side of 30, he should have a couple of quality years left. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, DRC does, in fact, want to play as an outside CB again (Twitter link).

The Giants were sitting on just $15MM of cap space before making the move, and that number now jumps to roughly $21MM. They are expected to make a push for top free agent guard Andrew Norwell, who could command up to $12MM per year, and they also need to make other reinforcements along the O-line. New York also needs to invest in its running back and outside linebacker positions this offseason, and they may consider replacing DRC with divisional foe Patrick Robinson. As Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com opines, DRC’s release also makes retaining Ross Cockrell, who performed capably last season and who will become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, more important.

Rodgers-Cromartie entered the league in 2008 as a first-round pick of the Cardinals and has since suited up for the Eagles, Broncos, and Giants. He has two Pro Bowls to his credit to go along with 30 career interceptions and six TDs.

Michael Rubin Considered “Serious Bidder” For Panthers

March 11th, 2018 at 10:11am CST by Ben Levine

It appears that another bidder has expressed interest in buying the Carolina Panthers. ESPN.com’s Darren Rovell reports that Fanatics owner Michael Rubin is “considered a serious bidder in the race to buy” the organization.

Rubin, who owns a stake in the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils and Premier League team Crystal Palace, is estimated to be worth $3 billion. As Rovell notes, NFL owners are already familiar with Rubin, as Fanatics runs the NFL’s online store and sells more licensed gear than any other business. Last year, NFL owners paid $95MM for a three-percent stake in the company.

Rubin would be required to sell his stake in the 76ers, according to Rovell. The reporter notes that the part-owner has been popular among players in Philly due to his hands-on approach. At 45-years-old, Rubin would be the second-youngest owner behind Jed York of the 49ers (37 years old).

Rovell writes that Rubin is primarily competing with two other serious candidates: hedge fund billionaire David Tepper and debt collector Ben Navarro. However, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that there have been six to eight “viable bidders” for the team.

Formal bids are expected to be due in a couple of weeks, as the NFL would like to get a deal approved before the owners meetings in May. According to Rovell, Forbes previously valued the franchise at $2.3 billion. Following allegations of work misconduct, owner Jerry Richardson announced that he was selling the organization back in December.

NFC Notes: Sherman, Lions, Redskins, Bucs

March 11th, 2018 at 9:40am CST by Ben Levine

Richard Sherman‘s contract with the 49ers is not yet official, reports Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area (via Twitter). The reporter doesn’t anticipate any issues with the deal, but since Sherman is acting as his own agent, Maiocco expects the NFLPA “to spend a lot of time” going over the details of the contract.

Meanwhile, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com believes that details of the reported three-year, $39MM deal are a “mirage.” Most of the incentives and specifics of the contract were reported yesterday, but Florio is under the impression that the deal will ultimately come in at a much lower total. The writer notes that Sherman can only make $13MM next season if he “dresses for all 16 regular-season games, achieves the total playing-time threshold, and make it to the NFC Pro Bowl team (or, possibly, the AP All-Pro team).”

Let’s take a look at some other notes out of the NFC…

If a top-tier quarterback were to fall to the second round, ESPN.com’s John Keim is uncertain if the Redskins would use a pick on a future starter. The writer notes that the team is set to have Alex Smith under contract for at least three seasons, and Colt McCoy will still be around in 2018. Generally, head coach Jay Gruden has preferred to keep only two signal-callers on his roster. However, if someone like Lamar Jackson were to fall to pick number-44, Keim could see the Redskins trying to convince the quarterback to develop into a multi-purpose weapon for the time being.
If the Lions don’t envision tight end Eric Ebron being in their future plans, ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein believes it makes sense for the organization to get something for the player via trade. However, if the team plans to trade Ebron and replace him with someone like Jimmy Graham, Rothstein doesn’t understand the logic. The two tight ends put up similar numbers in 2017, and Graham is seven years older than Ebron. Ultimately, the writer doesn’t believe a player like Graham would provide a massive upgrade over Ebron.
The Lions do need an early-down running back, but Rothstein doesn’t believe veteran DeMarco Murray would be a good fit. The running back’s age and declining numbers make the writer wary, and he anticipates the Pro Bowler would earn more than his fellow free agents. Plus, Rothstein points out that there are younger, more intriguing options available via free agency.
With $28MM in cap space and six key contributors heading to free agency, the Lions will look the revamp their defense this offseason, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Detroit could conceivably be eyeing holes on every unit of their defense, including defensive line, linebacker, and defensive back. “From a needs standpoint, we’re going to make sure obviously we have enough competition in all the situations and you want to have good competition, the best competition you can possibly get,” head coach Matt Patricia said of his team’s offseason approach. “So you’re never going to really try to pass up an opportunity for a good player on your team, and whether that puts someone else that’s maybe a good player on your team in a hard spot or a competitive situation, then that’s probably good for you. So that’s what we’re going to do as we go through.” The Lions are apparently already looking to make some moves, as the team is set to meet with cornerback DeShawn Shead this week.
The Buccaneers want Brent Grimes back next season, reports Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). Of course, as the reporter notes, the veteran’s return will depend on the offer. The 34-year-old spent the past two seasons in Tampa Bay, compiling seven interceptions in 29 games.

Justin Pugh Cleared For Football Activities

March 11th, 2018 at 9:27am CST by Rory Parks

Justin Pugh‘s free agency prospects just got a bit brighter. Per Austin Knoblauch of NFL.com, the Giants lineman and free-agent-to-be has been cleared to resume all football activities after an MRI revealed no structural damage in his back.

New York drafted Pugh in the first round of the 2013 draft, and this year will mark the Syracuse product’s first venture into the open market. He has lined up all along the offensive line for the Giants, and his versatility will certainly make him more attractive to potential bidders. However, he has not suited up for a full 16-game campaign since his rookie year, and advanced metrics have never been overly fond of his play. He graded out as the No. 52 guard in the league in 2017, per Pro Football Focus, and he ended the year on season-ending IR with a back injury (he ultimately missed half of last season due to injury).

Nonetheless, his medical clearance and the fact that this year’s crop of free agent lineman is pretty slim (only Andrew Norwell and Nate Solder rank above him per PFR’s most recent rankings) should result in a fairly robust market for Pugh’s services. PFR lists him as a tackle, though an acquiring team may sign him as a guard with the ability to kick out to tackle if necessary.

The Giants, who are reportedly preparing to make a major push for Norwell, have not ruled out a reunion with Pugh.

Dolphins Still “Strongly” Considering Moving On From Ndamukong Suh

March 11th, 2018 at 9:05am CST by Ben Levine

Ndamukong Suh‘s future in Miami is still up in the air. CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora tweets that the Dolphins “continue to strongly consider moving on” from the defensive tackle. Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com notes (via Twitter) that the Dolphins would presumably either keep or trade Suh, as there’s little incentive to cutting him.

With Suh set to count towards $26.1MM of the Dolphins’ cap in 2018, there were already reports that the organization could cut the defensive lineman. Releasing the former second-overall pick as a post-June 1st cut could save the team $17MM, but our own Sam Robinson noted that the organization would be unable use this money until that date. Cutting Suh would also leave Miami with $13.MM worth of dead cap.

Suh joined the Dolphins back in 2015 on a then-record six-year, $114MM deal. The 31-year-old earned a Pro Bowl birth in 2016, but he appeared to take a step back in 2017. In 16 games, the defensive tackle finished with 48 tackles (his lowest total since 2012) and 4.5 sacks (his lowest total since 2011). Despite the declining numbers, Pro Football Focus still ranked Suh fifth among 122 interior defenders.

If the Dolphins were to move on from Suh, they could be eyeing some reinforcement at defensive tackle. Besides the veteran, Miami is currently rostering Davon Godchaux, Jordan Phillips, Vincent Taylor, and Gabe Martin.

Giants Ask DRC To Take Pay Cut

March 11th, 2018 at 8:49am CST by Sam Robinson

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie signed with the Giants four years ago, but the team has revamped its front office. And the new one doesn’t like how much money the defensive back will earn in 2018.

The Giants have asked DRC to take a “significant” pay cut, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). While it’s uncertain if the 11th-year defender will do so, Garafolo reports the sides are not believed to be close on terms at this point. However, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv expects a resolution to be reached before free agency opens on Wednesday. Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com says the team could also look to trade DRC, as his salary is reasonable for a team that believes he could start on the outside (Twitter link).

Rodgers-Cromartie will turn 32 in April and has just one year remaining on a five-year, $35MM contract he signed in March 2014. That year calls for a $6.48MM base salary — which the team would save by cutting him — and a $8.5MM cap number. DRC could balk at a major pay cut by believing he could fetch at least a per-year offer of close to what he’d make with the 2018 Giants, but he’s one of the players Big Blue could target as a cap casualty.

If the two sides can agree on a pay cut, the team plans to move DRC to safety next season. The Giants are expected to make a big push to sign Andrew Norwell to begin an offensive line overhaul Dave Gettleman has repeatedly hinted at. With Norwell possibly costing more than $12MM per year, and the Giants sitting on less than $15MM in cap space, adjustments will need to be made before a strong offer goes out to the UFA guard.

While the then-cornerback was part of a historically turbulent season for Giants corners, incurring a one-game suspension from then-HC Ben McAdoo, Pro Football Focus still graded DRC as a mid-level player. He would likely receive an opportunity elsewhere if the Giants moved on from him. The rangy defender is on his fourth team but has started 120 games in his career and has made two Pro Bowls.

Joe Thomas: Browns’ Moves Won’t Impact Retirement Decision

March 11th, 2018 at 8:39am CST by Ben Levine

Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas previously hinted that he was unsure if he’d continue playing in 2018. While the veteran told ESPN.com’s Pat McManamon that Cleveland’s recent moves were certainly encouraging, he also said that they’d have no impact on his decision to retire or not.

“My decision will be based purely on my health,” Thomas said. “But I’m excited by the moves [general manager] John [Dorsey] made.”

As the writer notes, Thomas previously said that his decision to continue playing would come down to three factors: “Does he still love the game? Can he play at a high level? And is he healthy enough?” After having never missed a start during his first 10 years in the league, Thomas was limited to only nine contests in 2017 after suffering a torn triceps tendon. However, the lineman indicated that it’s injuries to his knee and back that have him considering hanging up his cleats.

The Browns handed Thomas a $3MM raise in November, making him the league’s highest paid offensive lineman in 2018 at a $13.5MM salary. Thomas is due to collect on a $3MM bonus on March 18. His status as the highest-paid lineman is still well deserved, as Pro Football Focus ranked Thomas fourth among 81 offensive tackle candidates.

“I don’t think there’s any real rush at this point,” Thomas previously said about his decision. “Obviously, they want to know before the draft and free agency, so that if they have make different plans if I’m not going to be there, they want to know about it. I told them I’ll make a decision when I’m ready and let them know and give them as much time as I possibly can.”

The Browns were mighty busy last week. On Thomas’ side of the ball, the team added quarterback Tyrod Taylor and wideout Jarvis Landry. With Josh Gordon and a pair of top-five picks, Cleveland could be eyeing their most talented offense in seasons.

Odell Beckham Jr. Involved In “Troubling” Video

March 11th, 2018 at 8:30am CST by Rory Parks

Star Giants wideout Odell Beckham Jr. is featured in a potentially disturbing video clip that was leaked on Friday while Beckham was on a Nike-sponsored trip in Europe, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. As Raanan writes, the clip is seven seconds long and shows Beckham in a bed holding what appears to be some sort of brown cigarette or cigar. The video also shows a woman next to Beckham holding a credit card, and there is a powdery white substance aligned in rows nearby.

Needless to say, this video has emerged at a very inopportune time for Beckham. After reportedly seeking a $100MM+ contract before the 2017 campaign got underway — and given how productive he had been in his first three years in the league, those ambitions did not seem unreasonable — Beckham managed to play just four games in 2017 due to a broken ankle, which cast his chances of landing a record-breaking extension into doubt. Nonetheless, he is still hoping for a lucrative long-term deal to come his way this offseason, as he is set to play out the 2018 season on his fifth-year option, which will pay him $8.5MM.

The Giants, of course, have a new GM and head coach, both of whom have indicated that they are in Beckham’s corner and want him to be with the club for the foreseeable future. Team ownership has never wavered in its desire to make Beckham a Giant for life, but Big Blue was surely hoping that Beckham had moved past his ankle injury as well as his past enigmatic behavior, and this video will not help matters.

ESPN has been unable to confirm where or when the video was filmed, but the NFL and the Giants are aware of its existence. Both the league and the team have declined to comment beyond that, and Beckham’s camp has not returned requests for comment.

Patriots Never Reached Out To Sherman

March 11th, 2018 at 8:20am CST by Ben Levine

We heard earlier this month that cornerback Richard Sherman would have been receptive to joining the Patriots. However, as Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald points out (via Twitter), New England never reached out to the free agent before he ultimately signed with the 49ers. The reporter notes that the veteran defensive back “wants to play with Tom Brady,” and his interest in the organization “has been real.”

After having played just one special teams snap in the Super Bowl, it looks like Malcolm Butler‘s tenure in New England is essentially over. Therefore, unless the Patriots are willing to roll with one of their younger options opposite Stephon Gilmore, it makes sense that they’d be hunting for a veteran defensive back. As things currently stand, New England would be eyeing one of Jonathan Jones, Eric Rowe, Cyrus Jones, Jomal Wiltz, or Ryan Lewis as a starter.

After being released by the Seahawks on Friday, Sherman inked a three-year deal with their division rivals on Saturday. The veteran is still rehabbing from surgery to fix a torn Achilles, but he expects to be ready by June. The three-time First-Team All-Pro was relatively productive in nine games last season, compiling 35 tackles, two interceptions, and seven passes defended.

Receiver Notes: Landry, Dez, A-Rob, Evans

March 10th, 2018 at 10:06pm CST by Micah Powell

No players have dominated the news more in the last two days than Jarvis Landry and Richard Sherman. On Friday, the Browns kicked off their trading spree by landing the Dolphins wideout in a deal for draft picks. Earlier in the day, Sherman was released from the Seahawks and then signed with the division-rival 49ers Saturday Night.

The two possibly could have been connected on the transaction wire earlier in the 2017 season if a blockbuster deal would have gone through. That’s according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, who tweets that Seattle rejected a potential Landry-for-Sherman swap in 2017.

At the time of the proposed deal, presumably before the trade deadline, Sherman was healthy and the Seahawks were looking to advance to the postseason for the sixth consecutive. Trading away a key member of the secondary and an influential figure in the locker room doesn’t appear to make much sense.

Regardless, it is interesting both teams were looking to move on from their respective stars as early as October.

Here’s more receivers making news:

Before both of those deals went down, Mike Evans grabbed headlines by signing a five-year deal with the Buccaneers worth $82.5 MM. Breaking down the details, CBS Sports’ Joel Corry tweets the Bucs will $5 MM of salary cap space in 2018 and he now takes up $18.25 MM of cap room.
During a chat with the Dallas Morning News on Friday, Matt Mosley said his gut feeling is that Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant will be back in 2018. He said that could change if the team lands a receiver in the first round. Alabama’s Calvin Ridley, among others, could be on the board when the Cowboys pick at No. 19.
Though they didn’t place the franchise tag on him, the Jaguars do in fact like Allen Robinson and would like to have him back at the right price, general manager Dave Caldwell told Pro Football Talk. “At some point in time, just like other free agents, we’ve walked away. We don’t want to do that with Allen because he’s ours. We’ll see. We have a lot of options on the table with that.”