Cardinals Release Daryn Colledge
7:32pm: The release of Colledge will be designated as a post June 1 cut, so his $4.55MM cap hit will be spread over two years, per Kent Somers of azcentral.com (via Twitter).
7:06pm: The Cardinals have released offensive guard Daryn Colledge, according to a tweet from the eight-year pro: “Wanna thank you the fans and the Cardinals for an amazing opportunity. A great organization headed in the right direction. Wish ya the best.”
Colledge would have counted $7.28MM against the cap in 2014, but the move carries with it a dead money hit of $4.55MM. Overall, Arizona will save roughly $2.73MM, per OverTheCap.com.
Never having missed a game as a professional, there figures to be a decent market for Colledge, who turns 33 in August. FOX Sports 1 Senior NFL reporter Alex Marvez, who knows South Florida well, projects the Dolphins as a potential landing spot (via Twitter). Colledge and Miami head coach Joe Philbin were together with the Packers from 2006-’10.
NFC West Notes: 49ers, Quinn, Cardinals
The 49ers have big-money decisions to make, while the Cardinals eye offensive line help in a batch of NFC West division tidbits:
- Last season, 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers declined a pay cut, but the team had no recourse because they needed him on the field. A year later, the team is prepared to release Rogers if he does not agree to a pay cut, as the veteran is scheduled to earn a $6.25MM base salary and count nearly $8.1MM against the cap, writes Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. Releasing Rogers after June 1 would save $6.6 on the 2014 cap, but the team would incur $1.5MM in dead money on the 2015 cap. If the team swallowed the entire cap hit in 2014, the immediate cap savings would be $5.1MM with no dead money in future years.
- The escalating salary cap helps the 49ers long-term, especially given the team’s desire to retain 2015 free agents Colin Kaepernick, Aldon Smith, Michael Crabtree and Mike Iupati, but the extra $10MM the rest of the league has to play with in the short term could make it difficult to retain this year’s free agents, including Donte Whitner, Tarell Brown and Phil Dawson, writes Eric Branch of sfgate.com.
- Robert Quinn is entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract, but a provision in the new CBA (instituted in 2011 when Quinn was drafted 14th overall) allows the Rams to keep the reigning Defensive Player of the Year through 2015, notes Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. By virtue of Quinn being selected between No. 11 overall to No. 32, the team can pay Quinn the average salary made by the third- through 25th-highest paid players at the defensive end position ($6.9MM).
- The Cardinals are targeting Branden Albert and Rodger Saffold in that order, according to Kent Somers of azcentral.com (via Twitter).
Extra Points: Saints, Bears, Gore, Eagles
Earlier tonight, franchise player Jimmy Graham tweeted that he’s “shocked and disappointed” about everything that’s happened in New Orleans this offseason. Graham is likely referencing the Saints’ decisions to cut offensive weapons Lance Moore and Darren Sproles. According to John Breech of CBSSports.com, there’s a chance the team could release running back Pierre Thomas as well. Albert Breer of the NFL Network tweeted that the decision to cut Moore and Sproles likely stemmed from the large cap numbers of Jahri Evans, Ben Grubbs, Marques Colston, and Brodrick Bunkley.
Let’s look at some other news tidbits from this Friday evening…
- Lance Briggs expressed similar frustrations to Graham with the Bears‘ front office on Friday, saying that if he ran the team, he would “trade all the draft picks and bring my brothers back.” Briggs was presumably referencing players like Charles Tillman, Devin Hester, and Brian Urlacher. While Urlacher retired after last season, the team seems ready to cut ties with Hester and Tillman. It is widely expected that the Bears will also part ways with Julius Peppers due to the eight-time Pro Bowler’s huge cap figure.
- 49ers GM Trent Baalke has said that, considering Frank Gore “had a A++ season” in 2013, the team doesn’t feel it needs to restructure the five-time Pro Bowl running back’s contract this offseason, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (via Twitter).
- Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer thinks that the Eagles should pursue safety Malcolm Jenkins in free agency. McLane argues that the new free agent would be a better schematic fit for the Eagles than more prominent free agent safeties such as Jairus Byrd and T.J. Ward. He thinks the Eagles could also pursue the Panthers’ Michael Mitchell and the Dolphins’ Chris Clemons, among others.
- Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune (via Twitter) thinks that because of the departures of Sproles and Moore, the Saints will be looking for a return specialist this offseason. Duncan speculates that the team could address this void by targeting Devin Hester, New Orleans native Jacoby Jones, or perhaps even a prospect like LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham.
- Desmond Bryant, defensive end for the Browns, says he’s been medically cleared to play after a health scare, according to Marc Sessler of NFL.com and Bryant’s personal Twitter account.
- Tom Reed of the Northeast Ohio Media Group identifies six free agent offensive lineman that could interest the Browns, including San Diego’s Chad Rinehart and Kansas City’s Geoff Schwartz.
- Ravens defensive tackle Terrence Cody, whose contract situation is currently up in the air, has signed with Authentic Athletix NFL agent Peter Schaffer, according to a tweet by Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journalism. Cody had been previously represented by Athletes First.
- Ben Tate told Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston that he can become an “elite” running back next season. Tate has not been shy about his plans to test free agency and finally step into a starting role on another team.
- Darnell Dockett called free agent tackle Branden Albert his teammate in a tweet earlier today, according to Joel Thorman of Arrowhead Pride. While Albert’s response to the tweet, which was quickly deleted, deflected Dockett’s comments, it did not directly dispute the teammate comment.
FA Rumors: Falcons, Finley, Winston, Neal
Let’s follow up on this morning’s free agent rumors with another round of them for the afternoon….
- The Falcons are engaged in active talks to bring back offensive lineman Mike Johnson, but appear ready to part ways with defensive tackle Peria Jerry, reports D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Consitution.
- Tight end Jermichael Finley has drawn interest from the Jets, Chiefs, Seahawks, Giants, and Steelers, tweets Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. The former Packers standout still hasn’t been medically cleared, however.
- The Cardinals have maintained interest in offensive lineman Eric Winston, but with no deal imminent, the veteran tackle could hit the open market, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- The Packers have had meaningful discussions with outside linebacker Mike Neal, but they haven’t come up with a large enough offer to keep him from testing the open market, tweets Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
- Wilson also passes along an update on former Ravens defensive tackle Bryan Hall, who worked out for eight NFL teams at Arkansas State today. Hall was converted to linebacker by Baltimore, but is back to playing on the line now (Twitter links).
- According to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (Twitter link), defensive tackle Antonio Johnson continues to talk to the Titans, as the team tries to re-sign some of its players scheduled to be unrestricted free agents
- Having re-signed Marcus Sherels, the Vikings have one restricted free agent left, in linebacker Larry Dean. A source tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link) the team is having ongoing discussions on the possibility of bringing Dean back.
- Tight end Dustin Keller, who was doing exceptionally well in camp with the Dolphins last offseason before tearing his ACL, is on track to return for this season, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. Keller is an unrestricted free agent.
Cardinals Sign John Carlson
3:15pm: Carlson’s two-year contract is worth $4.65MM, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
3:05pm: The Cardinals have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with free agent tight end John Carlson, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic first reported this afternoon (via Twitter) that the Cards were “working on a deal” for Carlson, who met with the team yesterday after being released by the Vikings earlier this week.
Carlson, who was also drawing interest from the Jets and Packers, as we heard yesterday, recorded a total of 40 receptions for 387 yards in his two seasons with the Vikings as the team’s second tight end behind Kyle Rudolph. Carlson was said to be considering retirement this offseason after suffering his third concussion during the 2013 season, but decided to continue his playing career.
The 29-year-old can be an effective weapon in a team’s passing game when he’s healthy, but as Tom Pelissero of USA Today notes (via Twitter), Carlson hasn’t really been 100% since the 2010 season. He’ll join an Arizona team that didn’t feature a top receiving threat at tight end during the 2013 season. Rob Housler and Jim Dray led the way in tight end receptions for the club, combining to catch 65 balls.
Cardinals Sign John Estes
FRIDAY, 11:58am: Estes signed a two-year contract worth the minimum salary, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The deal also has injury waivers each year.
TUESDAY, 12:46pm: The Cardinals have signed free agent center John Estes to a contract, the team announced today (Twitter link). Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but it figures to be a minimum-salary pact.
Estes, who appeared briefly for the Jaguars during the 2011 regular season, underwent knee surgery in 2012 and spent the year on injured reverse. The Hawaii alum hasn’t returned to action for an NFL team since then, but should get the chance to compete for a spot on Arizona’s roster this summer.
David Akers, Rian Lindell Won’t Be Re-Signed
A pair of NFC teams won’t re-sign their kickers, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports, who reports (via Twitter) that the Lions and Buccaneers won’t bring back David Akers and Rian Lindell respectively. Cardinals kicker Jay Feely also appears set to hit the open market next week, says Marvez.
Lions GM Martin Mayhew told reporters at the combine in Indianapolis that the team didn’t expect to bring back Akers, so that doesn’t come as a real surprise. Detroit has signed two kickers – John Potter and Giorgio Tavecchio – to futures contracts, so one of them will likely take over for the veteran Akers. In Tampa Bay, Connor Barth should be recovered from a torn Achilles in time for the 2014 season, so Lindell’s services will no longer be needed.
Feely’s case is a little trickier. The 37-year-old has been the Cardinals’ kicker for the last four seasons, and converted 30 of 36 field goal tries in 2013. The team doesn’t have a logical in-house replacement for Feely, so if he’s not re-signed, perhaps other free agents like Phil Dawson or Josh Brown could become targets.
Contract Tenders: Saints, Colts, Cardinals
Players who have three years or less of NFL experience and no contract for 2014 continue to receive contract tenders from their current teams. For exclusive rights free agents, these tenders essentially represent the contracts they’ll be playing under in 2014, since ERFAs aren’t permitted to negotiate with any of the league’s other 31 teams. Restricted free agents, on the other hand, can accept these one-year contract offers, but will also have the freedom to negotiate with other suitors and perhaps sign an offer sheet once the free agent period begins.
Here are Thursday’s contract tenders from around the NFL:
- The Saints have extended a $1.431MM tender offer to safety Rafael Bush, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link). Since Bush is a restricted free agent and went undrafted, New Orleans wouldn’t receive any draft compensation if the 26-year-old signs elsewhere.
- The Colts extended tenders today to restricted free agents Josh Gordy and Joe Reitz, and to exclusive rights free agent Cam Johnson, says Craig Kelley of Colts.com (via Twitter). The two RFA tenders are expected to be worth $1.431MM, while Johnson’s tender will be worth the minimum.
- Nose tackle Alameda Ta’amu received a tender from the Cardinals and has signed it, tweets Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. Ta’amu, who is recovering from an ACL injury, was an exclusive rights free agent.
- Earlier today, we passed along word of contract tenders made by the Bills and Browns.
NFC West Rumors: 49ers, Carlson, Bryant
When they locked him up to a three-year extension last week, the 49ers made Daniel Kilgore one of the first members of the 2011 draft class to receive a second contract, and seemingly signaled that he’ll be the team’s new starting center. However, in his latest piece for the San Francisco Chronicle, Eric Branch explains why he thinks the Niners might bring in a free agent center to compete with Kilgore for the job. Here’s more out of the NFC West:
- The 49ers and cornerback Tarell Brown are still talking as the start of the free agency period looms, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. The 29-year-old unknowingly forfeited a $2MM workout bonus by training at home instead of Santa Clara last season and suffered a rib injury in November that caused him to miss three games, allowing Tramaine Brock to take over as the starter. Brown, however, started all three of the 49ers’ playoff games, showing that the club values him.
- John Carlson, who was released by the Vikings yesterday, hasn’t wasted any time in looking for a new home. The free agent tight end is meeting with the Cardinals today, tweets Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic.
- There’s a strong market for free agent defensive tackle Red Bryant, who was released last week by the Seahawks, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Rapoport believes that it’s likely that Bryant will land a deal before the start of the free agency period.
- In his latest Insider-only piece for ESPN.com, Mike Sando details five free agent fits he likes, including defensive tackle Earl Mitchell to the Seahawks.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
FA Rumors: Tatupu, Graham, Shaughnessy
Former Seahawks linebacker and three-time Pro Bowler Lofa Tatupu is working out today for the Broncos, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Knee and pectoral injuries derailed the career of Tatupu, who hasn’t played a regular season game since 2010, but he’s still just 31 years old, so a comeback isn’t out of the question. The former All-Pro linebacker is an unrestricted free agent right now, but the rest of the players in this roundup will have to wait another week before getting the chance to hit the open market. Let’s dive in and check out the latest….
- While Jimmy Graham will have the ability to field offers from suitors in free agency, the franchise tag will limit his options. In any case, Saints GM Mickey Loomis is confident that his club will find a way to reach a long-term deal with the star tight end, as he said today on SiriusXM NFL Radio (link via Pro Football Talk). “I had hoped and I’m sure he had hoped we’d come to some conclusion on a longer-term deal before this,” Loomis said. “But we haven’t yet, and hopefully we will…. We’ll just let it play out, and I’m sure we’ll get something resolved.”
- The Cardinals are in talks with Matt Shaughnessy‘s agent Rick Rosa in hopes of signing the free agent DE/LB to a new deal, according to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic. “They are actively trying to re-sign him,” Rosa said. “He wants to be there, so we’ll see how it goes.”
- Although cornerback Alterraun Verner acknowledges that he loves Tennessee and his Titans teammates, he sounds lukewarm on the idea of giving the club a “hometown discount” in free agency, as Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean writes.
- The Broncos have the cap room in 2014 to bring back prospective free agent Eric Decker, but future obligations to Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas will make the team wary about investing too heavily in Decker, says Mike Klis of the Denver Post, who spoke to the wide receiver about his impending free agency.