Cards, Mike Iupati Agree To Five-Year Deal
WEDNESDAY, 11:43am: The Cardinals’ five-year deal with Iupati is now official, tweets Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com.
TUESDAY, 4:24pm: Iupati’s deal is worth $40MM over five years with incentives that can take the total package up to $41MM, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. In total, the deal has $22.5MM in guaranteed cash.
MONDAY, 5:40pm: Free agent guard Mike Iupati has told people he plans to sign with the Cardinals, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Iupati was widely viewed as the top available interior offensive lineman of the offseason. Financial terms of the possible agreement are not yet known.
The Raiders were said to be “hot after” Iupati and he also had serious interest from the Bills and Jets. The Cardinals, meanwhile, weren’t really mentioned as a leading suitor for his services. The marriage makes quite a bit of sense, however, as Arizona could use a boost on the interior of their offensive line. That’s a role that 2013 first-round choice Jonathan Cooper was expected to fill, but so far he hasn’t realized his potential. Assuming Iupati stays on the left side, Cooper could wind up shifting over to right guard.
The three-time Pro Bowler graded out as the 14th best guard in the NFL out of 78 qualified players, according to the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Iupati, a former first-round pick who’s started missed only five games during his career, is regarded as a much better run-blocker than pass-blocker. The Cardinals, therefore, could look to add a running back in the coming days, and have been tied to both Adrian Peterson and DeMarco Murray.
Iupati will be just the latest player to leave the Bay Area in recent days. Justin Smith and Patrick Willis are expected to retire, Frank Gore will sign with the Eagles, Stevie Johnson will be released, and Michael Crabtree isn’t expected to be retained.
Cardinals Sign Sean Weatherspoon
WEDNESDAY, 11:42am: The Cardinals’ deal with Weatherspoon is official, Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com tweets.
MONDAY, 7:05am: The Cardinals have reached an agreement with linebacker Sean Weatherspoon and will sign him to a one-year deal when free agency opens on Tuesday, reports Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Per Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (Twitter link), Weatherspoon’s new one-year deal with the Cards will be worth close to $4MM.
Weatherspoon, 27, was viewed as a priority for the Falcons, though we heard last week that Arizona would be waiting with its arms “wide open” if the linebacker didn’t work something out with Atlanta. The Saints were also believed to have interest in Weatherspoon, who has missed all but seven games during the last two seasons due to an Achilles injury in 2014, and knee and foot issues in 2013.
In spite of Weatherspoon’s health problems, I still listed him as one of the top options when I explored the free agent market for 4-3 outside linebackers last month, noting that he averaged 110 tackles per season in 2011 and 2012. In Arizona’s 3-4 scheme, the former first-round pick looks like a good bet to assume one of the inside linebacker spots.
En route to a playoff berth in 2014, the Cardinals had to make do with a depleted linebacking corps that was without Karlos Dansby (departed via free agency), John Abraham (out with concussion issues), and Daryl Washington (suspended for the season). The club heavily relied on Larry Foote on the inside, but it appears the veteran Foote will be transitioning to the coaching staff for the 2015 season, unless he changes his mind later this summer. A healthy Weatherspoon would go a long way toward solidifying a linebacking group that has seen plenty of turnover in the last year.
Cardinals Sign Corey Peters
WEDNESDAY, 11:42am: The Cardinals have officially announced their three-year deal for Peters, per Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (Twitter link).
MONDAY, 9:58pm: Adding their second former Falcon in the past 24 hours, the Cardinals are expected to sign defensive tackle Corey Peters, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (Twitter link). While Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets that it’s a three-year $9MM deal, McClure says (via Twitter) Peters will average close to $3.5MM per year. We’ll probably learn more specifics once the contract is finalized tomorrow, but Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun adds (Twitter link) that more than half of Peters’ deal is guaranteed.
The 26-year-old Peters will join ex-Atlanta teammate Sean Weatherspoon in Arizona, with the latter having agreed to a one-year pact with the Cards earlier today. Peters didn’t draw a ton of known interest, but the Dolphins were thought to be intrigued, and the Falcons were interested in retaining him. Ultimately, he’ll head to the desert, where his signing could mean the end of free agent Dan Williams‘ tenure in Arizona.
Peters, a former third-round pick, had spent the entirety of his career with the Falcons, starting 55 games in five seasons.
NFC Rumors: Cox, Boykin, Orakpo, Moore
Let’s take a look at the latest news from the NFC…
- Free agent cornerback Perrish Cox will visit with Washington tomorrow, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). The 28-year-old Cox started 14 games for the 49ers last season, but isn’t expected back in San Francisco, as Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle adds (via Twitter).
- On the lookout for help at the receiver position, the Panthers will meet with ex-Packers Jarrett Boykin, tweets Rapoport. Boykin was phased out of Green Bay’s offense in 2014 in favor of rookie Davante Adams.
- We’ve already heard that Brian Orakpo will meet with the Titans today, and if he’s allowed to leave without a contract, the edge rusher will visit with the Cardinals, a source tells John Keim of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
- The Giants are “heavily considering” signing safety Rahim Moore, according to Cecil Lammey of ESPN.com (via Twitter). With Antrel Rolle looking for a big deal in free agency, Moore could be a fit in New York’s secondary.
- Though Washington has interest in running back Justin Forsett, he has yet to receive an offer or schedule a visit, per Keim (on Twitter).
FA Links: Forsett, Royal, Melton, Cameron
The latest free agent rumors on Day 1 …
- Justin Forsett will be Ravens‘ the primary backfield target after they cleared some cap room, Baltimore Sun reporter Aaron Wilson said via Twitter. The runner’s also drawn interest from the Falcons, Colts and Washington. The Colts’ signing Frank Gore today should limit their interest, however.
- Contrary to earlier reports, there is no agreement in place or visit scheduled between Eddie Royal and the Bears, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Michael Gehlken on Twitter.
- The Bucs set up three more visits, with the team set to bring in Henry Melton, Stefen Wisniewski and Bruce Carter, Sports Talk Florida’s Jenna Laine reports.
- The Browns remain interested in bringing Jordan Cameron back to be their tight end, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports on Twitter. But ex-Bengals veteran Jermaine Gresham‘s drawn interest from the eastern Ohio team as well. Despite not having a season like Cameron’s 80-catch, 917-yard 2013 on his resume, Gresham’s made two Pro Bowls. But he saw his yards per reception drop drastically to 7.4 last season.
- Leonard Hankerson will visit the Falcons tonight, Yahoo! Sports’ Rand Getlin tweets. Missing all but one game in 2014 to injury, Hankerson played for current Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan with Washington.
- Despite cutting Shelley Smith earlier today, the Dolphins aren’t dismissing the chance at bringing him back at a reduced cost, the Miami Herald’s Adam Beasley notes via Twitter. The Dolphins like backup tackle Billy Turner, however.
- The Cardinals will host center A.Q. Shipley, ESPN’s Adam Caplan said on Twitter. The Colts did not tender Shipley, their starting center in 2012 and 2014, a contract offer, sending him to the market.
FA Rumors: Orakpo, Rolle, Gilchrist, Conte
After also being linked to the Cardinals earlier today, Brian Orakpo will visit the Titans to start his first free agency foray, according to Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com on Twitter.
The Titans have more than $44MM in cap room, according to OverTheCap, and do not have much money currently allocated to their linebacking corps as free agency enters warp speed. Tennessee’s highest-paid linebacker is 3-4 inside man Wesley Woodyard, who signed with the Titans last year, with a $3.5MM number for this season.
An older first-time free agent who enters his age-29 season, Orakpo made more than triple that on the franchise tag for Washington last season before suffering a pectoral tear for the third time in his career, weakening the edge-rusher’s momentum.
In other news in the opening stage of real free agency …
- Antrel Rolle will visit the Bears, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus’ Twitter, but has no agreement in place. The Bears are the highest bidder for the 32-year-old free safety’s services, according to ESPN’s Michael C. Wright on Twitter.
- The player Rolle could be replacing in Chicago, 26-year-old Chris Conte, will visit the Buccaneers, ESPN Falcons reporter Vaughn McClure notes on Twitter. Conte was the fourth-worst safety Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded last year.
- More from the safety market: the Jets will host former Chargers back-line starter Marcus Gilchrist tonight, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). Gilchrist started all 16 games for the Chargers the past two years.
- Kendrick Lewis and the Texans engaged in preliminary discussions on keeping the free safety in Houston, reports Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle on Twitter.
- Veteran defensive end Cory Redding announced (Twitter link) he intends to visit the Cardinals on Wednesday. Now 34, Redding started at least 14 games for the Colts the past three years.
- Chargers backup linebacker Andrew Gachkar has visits booked with two potential suitors, the Panthers and Vikings, notes Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link). The Vikings appear to be the frontrunner for Gachkar’s second contract, adds Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Twitter.
Cardinals Sign LaMarr Woodley
1:57pm: The deal is official, according to Cards VP media relations Mark Dalton (on Twitter).
1:44pm: Woodley’s deal is a one-year contract for the minimum salary of $870K, according to Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic (on Twitter).
1:17pm: It’ll be a one-year deal for Woodley with the Cards, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
1:06pm: The Cardinals are expected to sign LaMarr Woodley, according to Peter Schrager and Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
Last season was something of a lost year for Woodley, who spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Steelers. After playing strictly as an outside linebacker in Pittsburgh’s 3-4 scheme, Woodley moved to defensive end in Oakland’s 4-3 look, and didn’t adjust particularly well, ranking 44th out of 59 qualified 4-3 DEs per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). The Michigan alum played in just six games before tearing his biceps and missing the remainder of the season.
Woodley is no stranger to the disabled list as he missed a total of 14 games from 2011-2013 but still amassed 18 sacks during that span. The three years prior to that were Woodley’s absolute best as he recorded 34.5 sacks and established himself as one of the most nightmare-inducing players for NFL quarterbacks. Between his time off to heal and his move back to a 3-4 scheme, it seems very possible that Woodley could be in line for a bounce back year in 2015.
Latest On Brian Orakpo
1:37pm: The Cardinals are poised to sign LaMarr Woodley, but that doesn’t necessarily take them out of the running for Orakpo, tweets Keim.
12:33pm: The Titans and Cardinals are in the mix for Brian Orakpo along with Washington, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Cardinals, he adds, are the team to watch as they badly want an edge presence in 2015. John Keim of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears that the Cards are making a big push for the veteran linebacker.
When Washington made Orakpo its highest-paid player with an $11.455MM deal last year (off of the franchise tender), the club had much higher hopes for him than an injury-riddled year that would be cut short by Week 7. Still, Orakpo is one of the best at his position when he’s healthy and Washington knows that his talent would be hard to replace, so they find themselves chasing him today. Right now, it sounds like the Cardinals could blow them away, however, and the Titans are also getting involved.
Orakpo recorded just 0.5 sacks in his first seven games before a torn pectoral wiped out the second half of his season.
Latest On Antonio Cromartie
Free agent cornerback Antonio Cromartie told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith that he’s down to the Cowboys, Jets, and Cardinals, according to Dom Consentino of the Star-Ledger (via Twitter). Cromartie has been almost exclusively linked to the Jets, but there’s no agreement in place between the two sides.
Earlier this morning it was reported that the Cards were unlikely to retain Cromartie, but now it seems that they’re one of the finalists for him. The veteran cornerback enjoyed something of a career resurgence in Arizona last season but his former sensei, Todd Bowles, has gone from the Cards’ defensive coordinator to taking the Jets’ head coaching job.
Last month, when asked about the possibility of rejoining the Jets, whom he spent the 2010-13 seasons with before they released him last year, Cromartie said, “It would be an easy choice, if the opportunity presented itself.”
Still, in an interview on ESPN’s First Take on Tuesday, Cromartie explained that he would be a good addition in Dallas as well.
“They’re only missing one key piece and that’s the piece in the secondary,” Cromartie said, according to Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. “I feel like I can be that piece to help and go in and win a championship and get the Dallas Cowboys back where they’re supposed to be.”
NFC FA Rumors: Irving, Cowboys, Falcons
The Cardinals are expected to lock up former Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon to a new contract once free agency opens, but the team has interest in adding two free agent linebackers, not just one, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Rapoport reports that Nate Irving could be that second linebacker, as the former Bronco is likely to visit Arizona this week.
- The Cowboys have some interest in free agent cornerback Antonio Cromartie, tweets Rapoport. Cromartie has been almost exclusively linked to the Jets, but there’s no agreement in place between the two sides yet.
- Mike Jones of the Washington Post tweets that he has been told “repeatedly” that the Falcons aren’t real players for Brian Orakpo. However, Jones adds that Atlanta does appear to have interest in another Washington free agent, wide receiver Leonard Hankerson.
- Running back Antone Smith has yet to hear a whole lot about his free agent status, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com, who says (via Twitter) that the Falcons would like to bring him back. Smith has also reportedly drawn some interest from the Giants.
- In the wake of the Saints‘ release of Curtis Lofton, there’s mutual interest between the team and Ramon Humber in getting a deal done to help bolster the inside linebacker spot, tweets Katherine Terrell of NOLA.com.
- No longer a free agent, Randall Cobb told reporters today, including Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Twitter link) that he had five other offers when he decided to return to the Packers, and got a sixth after he had made his decision.
- After offering him a contract, the Vikings remain in contact with quarterback Shaun Hill, who has yet to make a decision, tweets Ben Goessling of ESPN.com.