Rookie Notes: Clowney, Bortles, Manziel, Beckham Jr., Cooks
This week, Texans top overall pick Jedeveon Clowney opened up about the sports hernia injury he had surgically repaired two weeks ago, admitting the injury bothered him as far back as last football season. The Houston Chronicle’s John McClain has the story of Clowney revealing the information to Gil Brandt, while Pro Football Talk wonders if the Texans should have known.
In other rookie news and notes…
- Jaguars third-overall pick Blake Bortles will receive first-team reps in training camp, writes NFL.com’s Mike Coppinger.
- Meanwhile, Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel continues to be a lightning rod even during the slowest of news periods, as he told Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, “I’m not going to change for anybody.” A couple of Hall of Famers advise Manziel to stay out of the non-football headlines, though. Joe Montana weighed in on NFL Network, while Warren Moon talked to Alex Marvez and Pat Kirwan SiriusXM NFL Radio.
- “[Draft picks] better all contribute right away, whether it be on special teams, defense, offense, whatever it is they’re going to be,” Giants head coach Tom Coughlin tells Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. “There’s no waiting around in this game today.” With that in mind, Raanan examined realistic expectations for rookie receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
- The ingenuity of the Saints’ offensive system should enable first-rounder Brandin Cooks to thrive given the rookie’s explosiveness, playmaking and versatility, asserts SI.com’s Doug Farrar.
- Bleacher Report’s Dan Hope highlights ten rookies already making favorable impressions and earning early reps, including the Raiders’ Gabe Jackson, the Cardinals’ John Brown.
NFC West Notes: Peterson, Seahawks, 49ers
The league’s current Collective Bargaining Agreement, which features fifth-year options for first-round picks, is ensuring that 2011 first-rounders will have a hard time securing contract extensions this year, writes Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic. As Somers notes, agent Joel Segal has discussed a new deal for Patrick Peterson with the Cardinals, but the two sides haven’t made significant progress. With two years still remaining on their rookie contracts thanks to those 2015 options, Peterson and his fellow 2011 first-rounders have little leverage at the moment, as teams aren’t feeling the pressure to offer anything but discounted deals.
Here’s more from around the NFC West:
- The Seahawks have signed former University of Washington receiver Kevin Smith to fill the last spot on their 90-man roster, reports Adam Jude of the Seattle Times (via Twitter). Smith has bounced around among several teams over the last few weeks, having spent time with the Cardinals and Jaguars as well. He was cut by Jacksonville last week.
- Bill Williamson of ESPN.com wasn’t surprised to hear the 49ers had Brandon Flowers in for a visit but he also wasn’t surprised that they couldn’t do enough to drag him away from the Chargers. Williamson thinks San Francisco will be fine going into the season with its current group of cornerbacks, but if another established CB becomes available, the team will investigate.
- Former 49ers coach Mike Singletary wants Vernon Davis to talk it out with San Francisco brass, writes Cam Inman of the Mercury News. “I think one of the most important things for Vernon is to make sure that right now with all of the things that are out there – the negative media, however it is – the most important thing in any holdout is the communication,” Singletary said Tuesday on NFL Network’s Total Access.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Extra Points: Cardinals, Lions, Redskins
Here are a handful of extra notes to wrap up this Saturday evening…
- ESPN.com’s Cardinals writer Josh Weinfuss can’t imagine Ryan Lindley overtaking Logan Thomas on the quarterback depth chart.
- Chris McCosky of The Detroit News warns Lions fans to temper their expectations for the “beasts of spring.” The writer notes that last year’s minicamp standouts failed to make much of a difference during the regular season.
- Based on his veteran presence and dependability, ESPN.com’s John Keim sees Santana Moss making the Redskins roster. The veteran certainly dropped a lot of passes last season, but the writers points to the lack of depth behind the 35-year-old.
- Keim also thinks that the Redskins three offseason acquisitions at linebacker, Darryl Sharpton, Akeem Jordan and Adam Hayward, will all end up making the roster.
NFC Notes: Gabbert, Cromartie, Peterson
The 49ers acquired Blaine Gabbert from the Jaguars earlier this offseason, with the hopes that he could become the backup to Colin Kaepernick. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman had good early impressions of Gabbert, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. “(I’m) excited about Blaine,” said Roman. “He asks all the right questions.”
Gabbert appears humbled in his time with Jacksonville, and is ready to make a new start. “I just came in here and tried to put my best foot forward every day and really enjoy the process and get better on a consistent basis,” Gabbert said. “That’s what you look for in the spring — just consistent improvement and getting comfortable in the offense and with the new surroundings and the new guys you’re working with.”
Here are some other notes from around the NFC:
- While Cardinals‘ superstar Patrick Peterson has emerged as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, but his new teammate Antonio Cromartie is not sold on his skills, writes Nate Davis of USAToday.com. “You got three young guys that are up and coming, but right now it’s either me or (Revis) when we’re healthy. … We have zero help at all; we tell the safety to roll up to the other side. So we know what we can do,” said Cromartie. “I want these guys (Sherman, Peterson and Haden) to be on an island by themselves and play zero coverage (no safety help) – they (haven’t done) it yet. They haven’t done anything that me and Revis have done in a Rex Ryan defense.”
- As new offensive coordinator Norv Turner implements his offense on the Vikings, one key aspect he would like is increasing Adrian Peterson‘s role in the passing game, writes Derek Wetmore of 1500ESPN.com. “A big part of that is finding ways for Adrian to not have to run in such crowded areas all the time. He’s going to have to do that, that’s part of his job, he’s the best in the league at it.,” said Turner. “But if we can get him more space we can take advantage of his great abilities.”
- The Packers have an open starting job at tight end with Jermichael Finley not re-signed, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Andrew Quarless filled in well for Finley last season, but has not reported for OTAs this season as he looks for a new contract. In his absence, rookie Richard Rogers has emerged as a possible frontrunner for the starting job.
- T.J. Yates, who was traded from the Texans to the Falcons on Wednesday night, tells D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he couldn’t be happier with his change of scenery.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
NFC West Links: 49ers, Mayowa, Pryor, Cards
During this slow time between OTAs and training camp in the NFL, one topic that stays in the public mind is the talk of contract extensions. Bob McManaman of AZCentral.com takes a look at a few players who are up for extensions and discusses who actually deserves the raise. Among his favorite NFC West players who have earned big money are the 49ers‘ Alex Boone and the Cardinals‘ Patrick Peterson. Although Vernon Davis and Seahawks‘ running back Marshawn Lynch are threatening holdouts, they are less serious candidates in McManaman’s opinion.
Here are some other stories from around the NFC West:
- The 49ers have upgraded their receiving corps and now the onus is on Colin Kaepernick to succeed, writes Mark Purdy of the Mercury News.
- The 49ers have a number of storylines to watch for as they prepare for training camp, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Barrows discusses the holdout, new faces, and position battles among other things in his round up.
- Seahawks‘ pass rusher Benson Mayowa is ready to contribute to the team’s vaunted defense, writes Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Benson added 15-20 pounds of bulk to his frame, and could be in contention for the famous LEO spot in the defensive scheme, behind projected starter Cliff Avril.
- Terrelle Pryor is working hard and diligently to win the Seahawks‘ backup quarterback job behind Russell Wilson, writes Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times. Pryor did rule out a position change. “I don’t know how to catch. I don’t know how to run the ball as a running back,” said Pryor. “I’ve been a quarterback my whole life.”
- The Cardinals are still looking for a starting right tackle, and former Ole Miss teammates Bobby Massie and Bradley Sowell are competing for the job, writes Justin Janssen of ArizonaSports.com. General manager Steve Keim has been impressed with the competition, particularly Massie. “Both those guys have been battling hard,” said Keim. “Bobby actually showed some real strides as we got to the middle of OTAs and our final minicamp. He did a nice job. He’s got all the physical tools.”
- While the Cardinals are excited about their rookie class, Keim has tried to temper expectations, writes Janssen. “When you sit in my chair, you have to temper your enthusiasm a bit and wait until the pads come on,” said Keim. “Because we all know that a lot of guys can look great running around in shorts and helmets, but when the lights come on and the big boy pads come on, things can quickly change.” That being said, he had some great things to say about Deone Bucannon, Troy Niklas, and John Brown.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Extra Points: Gratz, Boswell, Massie
Let’s round up some assorted links from around the league:
- Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union looks at five players who finished the 2013 season with the Jaguars but who might be on the bubble of Jacksonville’s improved roster this season.
- In a separate piece, O’Halloran describes the strong performance that Jaguars cornerback Dwayne Gratz had at the end of OTAs, and he notes that the Jags need Gratz to win a the starting corner spot opposite Alan Ball.
- Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer provides a detailed piece on the new additions to the Panthers‘ secondary and writes that the Panthers hope the patchwork unit they assembled this season will have as much success as the makeshift group of 2013.
- In a video piece on HoustonTexans.com, Texans undrafted rookie kicker Chris Boswell describes the kicking competition this offseason with incumbent Randy Bullock.
- Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News describes the players that performed well and those that struggled in the Lions‘ offseason program and how those performances might carry over to training camp in July.
- Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com writes that Bobby Massie is currently the clubhouse leader for the Cardinals‘ starting right tackle spot, but the fact that the team tried to sign Tyson Clabo demonstrates how the team feels about Massie and Bradley Sowell. Weinfuss adds that depending on how Massie and Sowell look early in training camp, the Cardinals may yet choose to look outside the organization. Eric Winston remains an option.
- Adam Teicher of ESPN.com believes the Chiefs need to make a move at cornerback now after the release of Brandon Flowers, and he adds that Donnie Avery appears locked in at the team’s No. 2 receiver.
- Charley Walters of TwinCities.com writes that Vikings are not likely to release quarterback Christian Ponder but hope to trade him. Although Ponder would only fetch, at best, a late-round draft pick, the team would save $1.8MM by dealing him.
NFC Notes: Cards, Lions, 49ers, Rams
The Cardinals have plenty of time to evaluate the players on their roster before they have to cut it down to 53 men, but Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com has predicted which 53 will be suiting up for the team Week 1. Weinfuss writes that the first 45 were easy, but narrowing down the final eight was a difficult decision. Paul Fanaika, Brittan Golden and Jaron Brown were some of the toughest cuts on this list.
Here are some other notes from around the NFC:
- Since the Lions released veteran cornerback Chris Houston, they are left with a thin secondary, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Rashean Mathis should be slotted to be the team’s top corner, but the 33-year old veteran is not what he once was. After Mathis, the team has last year’s second-round pick Darius Slay, who struggled mightily in 2013. Aside from those two, there is a long list of question marks rounding out the depth chart.
- The 49ers acquired Jonathan Martin earlier this offseason, and are now trying to move him inside from tackle to guard, writes Tyson Langland of Bleacher Report. However, Langland is far from optimistic about Martin’s ability to change positions with his new team. Although he has struggled at both left and right tackle, his inexperience at the position as well as his alleged lack of arm strength and aggressiveness make Langland believe he will be a bad fit at guard.
- With Radio City Music Hall unavailable for the 2015 NFL Draft, other cities aside from New York are getting excited at the prospect of hosting the draft either next year or down the road. With Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York (at Madison Square Garden) fighting to host the draft, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post Dispatch reports that the Rams are getting into the mix as well. Rams executive vice president Kevin Demoff and President of the St. Louis Sports Committee Frank Viverito have discussed a willingness to bring the Draft to St. Louis. “We’ve had conversation about what it would take, and would be interested if the NFL winds up doing this on a long-term basis,” Demoff said. While the 2015 NFL Draft might not be a possibility, the city is open to the possibility of obtaining a future NFL Draft.
- Eagles‘ kicker Alex Henery struggled in 2013, including a missed field goal and short kickoffs in a playoff loss to the Saints. Even still, he is not worried about his job security, writes Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Competition can always make you better, but it’s not like I’m worried about it,” Henery said recently. “I’m here to do my thing and do it the best I can. . . . I’m a perfectionist. That’s what drives me.”
Extra Points: Clowney, Mathieu, Slay, Carrington, Kalil, Turner
- Texans No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, who was bothered by a groin injury, underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia, relays Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle. Clowney is expected to be ready for training camp.
- The Cardinals are taking a patient approach with defensive back Tyran Mathieu and nose tackle Alameda Ta’amu, both of whom are recovering from torn ACL injuries, writes NFL.com’s Dan Hanzus. “I had Oct. 1, or after the (bye week) as the target date for me personally,” says head coach Bruce Arians. “If they do something better than that, God bless ’em.” The Cardinals’ bye comes in Week 4 before a road game at Denver.
- Detroit Free Press columnist Drew Sharp says the Lions were wise not to “cave to public pressure” and reach for a cornerback in the first round because he expects 2013 second-rounder Darius Slay to make strides in year two. That said, in light of Chris Houston‘s release, Sharp says Slay must be the Lions’ most improved defensive player in 2014. Meanwhile, in a rundown of the team’s cornerbacks, Sharp’s colleague Dave Birkett calls Slay a work in progress, “But he’s long and athletic and after struggling with zone concepts will be a better fit in Teryl Austin’s new defense.”
- Could Alex Carrington be an under-the-radar steal for the Rams? St. Louis Post-Dispatch writer Joe Lyons says, the 26-year-old, 6-5, 300-pound defensive lineman “seemed to be on the verge of a breakout season with the Buffalo Bills last year when a torn quadriceps tendon ended his campaign after just three games.” In fact, entering last season, Carrington was viewed by Pro Football Focus as a “secret superstar,” calling him “one of the league’s most promising young pass-rushing DTs.”
- A right knee injury was to blame for Vikings tackle Matt Kalil‘s sophomore dropoff, writes Chris Tomasson in the Pioneer Press.
- “Other than being 20, there’s not much negative you can say” about Panthers third-round guard Trai Turner, says ESPN’s David Newton.
- The contracts of the NFL’s highest-paid centers – Maurkice Pouncey, Alex Mack and Ryan Kalil – were examined by OverTheCap.com’s Jason Fitzgerald, who says annual value can be misleading.
NFC West Notes: Peterson, Joseph, Rams
Earlier today we learned that the Cardinals were one of the teams that talked to the Buccaneers before this year’s draft about the possibility of a Mike Glennon trade. Glennon would have been groomed to be the club’s next quarterback while backing up starter Carson Palmer, but the talks ultimately didn’t go anywhere. The latest out of the NFC West..
- Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter) hears that extension talks between cornerback Patrick Peterson and the Cardinals are active and some progress has been made. While there has been more movement on a new deal between the two sides than most teams have had with standouts from the 2011 class, nothing is iminnent at this time, however. Recently, our own Luke Adams looked at Peterson’s case for an extension. The cornerback is probably pushing to exceed the $14MM annual salary that Richard Sherman got on his four-year deal and the $22MM guaranteed that Joe Haden received on his five-year deal. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him match one or both of those marks when all is said and done.
- It was a long road that led guard Davin Joseph to the Rams, writes Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. The Rams wound up re-signing Rodger Saffold after his deal with the Raiders fell through and some assumed that would have 86’d any hope of a deal between Joseph and St. Louis. However, the Rams maintained their interest and signed Joseph after watching the market play out. The former first-round pick had interest from the Cowboys and Patriots but ultimately chose the Rams this offseason.
- The Rams‘ home stadium, the Edward Jones Dome, is running out of money, writes David Hunn of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In six years, the authority that oversees the stadium will have burned through its $16MM savings and they project to be ~$62MM in the hole in 15 years. With increased talk of a team picking up and moving to Los Angeles, that’s not great news for the city of St. Louis.
Cardinals Talked To Bucs About Mike Glennon
The Cardinals were one of the teams that talked to the Buccaneers before this year’s draft about the possibility of a Mike Glennon trade, Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht confirmed in a conversation with Fox Sports 910 Phoenix (audio link). Licht described talks with his friend and mentor Steve Keim as “casual,” joking that he wouldn’t let the Cardinals GM “bully” him into making a deal. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Arizona was one of a handful of teams with some interest in Glennon, which Licht confirmed.
“We had several teams that were investigating what our thoughts were and asking what our plan was for Mike,” Licht said. “And the plan was that we’re going to keep Mike.”
Several trade rumors swirled around Glennon prior to the draft, particularly after the Bucs signed Josh McCown and were linked to some of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft class. However, head coach Lovie Smith indicated last month that the club views Glennon as its quarterback of the future, and Licht made similar comments a couple weeks later.
With McCown in the mix, Glennon figures to enter the season as the Bucs’ No. 2 quarterback, but he could push the former Bear for the starting job in camp. During his rookie season, Glennon performed well for Tampa Bay, starting 13 games and racking up 2,608 passing yards to go along with 19 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.