Contract Details: Vick, Campbell, Jenkins
The one-year deal Michael Vick inked with the Jets is worth a guaranteed $4MM, including a $2MM signing bonus and $2MM guaranteed base salary, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. The contract was originally reported as a $5MM pact, so perhaps there are incentives related to playing time or performance.
Here are several more contract details from around the NFL:
- Jason Campbell‘s one-year, $1.5MM contract with the Bengals features a $400K signing bonus, according to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com. Mike Jenkins also received $1.5MM on a one-year contract from the Buccaneers, but Jenkins’ salary is fully guaranteed, as Fitzgerald details.
- Darian Stewart signed a one-year, $1.3MM contract with the Ravens, with a $300K signing bonus, tweets Pelissero.
- Pelissero and Fitzgerald have also provided details on a number of other contracts, including Devin Hester‘s three-year, $9MM contract with the Falcons (Twitter/OTC chart), Tiquan Underwood‘s two-year, $2.1MM contract with the Panthers (Twitter/OTC chart), and Charles Woodson‘s one-year, $3.5MM pact with the Raiders (Twitter/OTC chart).
- Bruce Miller’s three-year contract extension with the 49ers created $300K+ in 2014 cap savings for the club, a source tells Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Maiocco also has the details on Miller’s contract, which is worth $6.831MM over the next four years.
- Lance Moore‘s two-year deal with the Steelers includes non-guaranteed base salaries of $855K (2014) and $1.5MM (2015), tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- John Jerry‘s contract with the Giants is a minimum salary benefit deal, according to OverTheCap.com.
2014 NFL Compensatory Draft Picks
The NFL has officially announced the 32 compensatory draft picks for 24 that have been handed out to teams who had the most significant losses in free agency a year ago. These picks are determined by a formula that accounts for salary, playing time, and postseason honors. Teams can’t receive more than four picks each, and this year’s selections were divided up among 13 clubs. Here’s the list of 2014 compensatory picks by team, with the round and overall selection number included:
- 49ers: 3rd (100)
- Bears: None
- Bengals: 6th (212), 7th (252)
- Bills: None
- Broncos: None
- Browns: None
- Buccaneers: None
- Cardinals: None
- Chargers: None
- Chiefs: None
- Colts: None
- Cowboys: 7th (248), 7th (251), 7th (254)
- Dolphins: None
- Eagles: None
- Falcons: 4th (139), 7th (253), 7th (255)
- Giants: 5th (174)
- Jaguars: None
- Jets: 4th (137), 6th (209), 6th (210), 6th (213)
- Lions: 4th (133), 4th (136)
- Packers: 3rd (98), 5th (176)
- Panthers: None
- Patriots: 4th (140)
- Raiders: None
- Rams: 6th (214), 7th (249), 7th (250)
- Ravens: 3rd (99), 4th (134), 4th (138), 5th (175)
- Redskins: None
- Saints: None
- Seahawks: None
- Steelers: 3rd (97), 5th (173), 6th (215)
- Texans: 4th (135), 6th (211), 7th (256)
- Titans: None
- Vikings: None
Umenyiora, Biermann To Stay With Falcons
Falcons defensive ends Osi Umenyiora and Kroy Biermann will be back with the team in 2014 without having to restructure their contracts, reports Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
There had been speculation that Umenyiora, scheduled to count $4.75MM against the cap in 2014, would have to take a pay cut or be released, but Ledbetter says the team was pleased with the 32-year-old veteran’s mentoring of young players. Umenyiora became more of a situational pass rusher down the stretch, finishing the season with 47 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three batted passes and three forced fumbles.
Biermann, 28, is coming off Achilles tendon surgery which ended his season in Week Two. Primarily a situational player with the exception of 2010 when he started 14 games, Biermann has notched 16.5 sacks in 82 career games. He will count $5.1MM against the cap.
NFC Notes: Rams, Redskins, Cowboys, Falcons
The upcoming season has long been targeted as the year the Rams will be legitimate contenders. Accordingly, the team has “margin for error next to zero in the NFL draft,” says ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner. The Rams have been quiet in free agency, instead relying on the development of their young team and the potential to bolster the roster with draft picks, including two in the top 13, the first of which (No. 2 overall) is on the auction block. Wagoner asserts the time is now for the team to close the gap on Seattle and San Francisco, especially in the trenches. “…the most glaring difference between the Rams and their NFC West foes last year was how overmatched they were on the offensive line,” says Wagoner, who mentions tackles Greg Robinson (Auburn) and Jake Matthews (Texas A&M) as potential plug-and-play, impact options.
Other morning news and notes in the NFC:
- The Redskins have signed three inside linebackers this offseason, but the linebacker corps isn’t settled yet, writes Mike Jones of the Washington Post: “The Redskins would like for [Perry] Riley to emerge as the leader of the defense, and become an extension of [defensive coordinator] Jim Haslett. But that could take some time. Riley led Washington in tackles last season, but he tended to disappear at times.” Meanwhile, the other inside linebacker spot is “up for grabs” with Adam Hayward, Akeem Jordan and Darryl Sharpton set to compete.
- With Miles Austin out of the Cowboys’ plans, the team is open to adding a veteran receiver, writes ESPNDallas.com’s Calvin Watkins, who calls free agent Nate Burleson a “perfect fit.”
- The Cardinals will look to add depth and size on defense in the draft, writes ESPN.com’s John Weinfuss. More specifically, the team is searching for a prospect to groom as Darnell Dockett‘s replacement, a taller, more athletic safety capable of matching with tight ends and another body at inside linebacker.
- The Falcons, in desperate need of pass rush, will have a private workout with with UCLA rush linebacker Anthony Barr before the end of the month, according to ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure. Barr could be an option for the No. 6 pick if South Carolina’s Jadaveon Clowney is off the board. Buffalo’s Khalil Mack could also fit the bill, but he does not have a visit scheduled with the Falcons as of Friday.
- The Lions could have their pick of defensive backs with the 10th overall selection, speculates Dustin Hockensmith of pennlive.com.
Falcons Release Bradie Ewing
The Falcons have announced that fullback Bradie Ewing has been released (via Twitter). The second-year player suited up for only two games in 2013, registering two catches for the team.
Falcons, Hester Agree To Three-Year Deal
FRIDAY, 9:40am: Speaking to reporters today, including ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure and D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (all Twitter links), Hester confirmed he had been seeking $3-4MM per year. The veteran return man added that he received interest from 13 teams, and that he had also been considering the Bucs, Niners, Dolphins, and Seahawks before reaching an agreement with Atlanta. As Ledbetter writes, Hester ultimately signed a three-year, $9MM pact with the Falcons, including a $2.5MM signing bonus.
THURSDAY, 2:18pm: The Falcons have bolstered their special teams unit, agreeing to terms on a three-year contract with free agent return specialist Devin Hester, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Hester had visited with the team earlier in the week.
One of NFL’s all-time great kick and punt returners, Hester has played increasingly less on offense in recent years for the Bears, contributing exclusively in the return game in 2013. Although he turned 31 in November, Hester still led the NFL with 1,436 kick returns on 52 attempts, good for a 27.6 average, and threw in a punt return touchdown for good measure. For his career, Hester has 19 return TDs, tied for an NFL record.
Earlier in the week, we heard that Hester was seeking an annual salary in the $4MM range, but it would be surprising if Atlanta went that high, unless very little of the total amount was guaranteed. Still, it sounds as if he won’t necessarily be used exclusively on returns in Atlanta. ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure tweets that the Falcons told Hester they’d find creative ways to use him, which suggests the longtime Bear may see some snaps on offense.
Draft Rumors: Bishop, Webster, Archer, Carr
Northern Illinois defensive tackle Ken Bishop is set to work out for the Dolphins, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Bishop, an All-Mid-American conference selection projected as a later-round draft pick, had 59 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, and an interception last season. Here’s the latest draft news..
- The Lions are hosting defensive end Larry Webster for a pre-draft visit today, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. Webster, who stands at 6’6″, 252 pounds, had 12.5 sacks for Bloomsburg University in 2013 and boasts a 4.58 second 40-yard-dash time.
- Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon-Journal (on Twitter) spoke with Kent State running back Dri Archer, who says that he has workouts scheduled with the Dolphins, Patriots, Cardinals, and Colts.
- Fresno State standout quarterback Derek Carr has met with Raiders, Titans, Vikings, and Browns since last night, tweets Marek Warszawski of the Fresno Bee (on Twitter).
- Stanford safety Ed Reynolds has meetings scheduled with the Lions and Falcons, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter). Reynolds has a 38-inch vertical jump and ran a 4.41 second 40-yard-dash earlier today at his pro day.
- The Giants will work out Maine outside linebacker/defensive end Michael Cole on April 10th, a league source tells Aaron Wilson. Cole had eight sacks last season and finished his career with 29 sacks, making him the all-time sack leader for the Black Bears.
- One scouting director gave Albert Breer of NFL Network (Twitter link) a rundown of what he was looking for from Michael Sam today at the linebacker’s Pro Day. “He needs to show good movement in linebacker drills — Bend quickness and good feet and quickness in pass rush drills. Hopefully he is staying in good shape and not letting that go.”
Falcons Re-Sign Peria Jerry
THURSDAY, 9:39am: According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Twitter), Jerry’s deal with the Falcons is for one year and $890K. Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets that the contract includes a $730K base salary, which is the minimum, so it’s a bit surprising that the team would exceed the $65K bonus limit for a minimum salary benefit deal.
WEDNESDAY, 5:02pm: The Falcons have re-signed defensive lineman Peria Jerry, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The five-year veteran had been an unrestricted free agent.
Jerry, 29, started 14 games for the Falcons in 2013, but may not see such a significant role for the team in 2014 as the defensive line undergoes an overhaul. The former first-round pick logged 3.5 sacks to go along with 33 tackles last season, but didn’t post good grades against the run, according to Pro Football Focus, whose metrics ranked him 64th of 69 qualified defensive tackles (subscription required).
Earlier this month, it appeared the Falcons and Jerry were ready to part ways. Perhaps Jerry didn’t generate as much interest on the open market as he anticipated, or perhaps the club was unimpressed with the alternatives.
Extra Points: Browns, Goodson, Dolphins, Rams
After initially suggesting that he’d be open to returning to the Seahawks on a “hometown discount,” Golden Tate ultimately landed with the Lions, inking the second-largest deal of the offseason for a wide receiver. In retrospect, Tate may regret making the comment about giving Seattle a discount, as he explained on 710 ESPN in Seattle (link via Terry Blount of ESPN.com).
“I didn’t mean a 40% discount,” Tate said. “I’m going to earn in one year at Detroit what Seattle was going to pay me for two years. Seattle offered numbers that were laughable. I thought, ‘I’ve given you everything and this is what you give me?'”
As Tate looks forward to teaming up with Calvin Johnson in Detroit, let’s check in on a few more odds and ends from around the NFL….
- Free agent offensive lineman Paul McQuistan and defensive lineman Alex Carrington visited with the Browns, tweets Pat McManamon of ESPN.com.
- The Jets have converted Mike Goodson’s $650K roster bonus into a different form of roster bonus that can be obtained if he’s on the roster for all 16 games, as Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com details (via Twitter). The move takes the bonus charge off the cap, creating some modest savings for the Jets.
- Before he re-signed with the Jets, Willie Colon drew interest from the Falcons and Vikings, but those teams both ultimately “backed off,” the lineman told reporters today (Twitter link via Brian Costello of the New York Post).
- The Redskins hosted free agent guard Mike McGlynn for a visit today, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Washington is clearly in the market for at least one interior lineman after cutting Will Montgomery, considering we heard earlier in the afternoon that the club will also host Brian De La Puente.
- The conditional draft pick the Dolphins sent to the Ravens for Bryant McKinnie last season will be a seventh-rounder, a league source tells Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (Twitter link).
- The Vikings‘ offer to Henry Melton was competitive with the Cowboys‘ proposal in terms of salary, but the free agent defensive lineman simply chose Dallas instead, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
- A little over a week into free agency, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch examines where the Rams stand, and takes an in-depth look at Rodger Saffold‘s new contract.
- Javier Arenas‘ one-year deal with the Falcons is a minimum salary benefit contract with a $65K signing bonus, says Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
- Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has the details on the new additions to the NFLPA’s executive committee.
Falcons To Sign Javier Arenas
The Falcons have agreed to terms on a contract with Javier Arenas, agent Hadley Engelhard tells D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The defensive back and return man will ink a one-year deal with the team, according to Ledbetter.
Arenas, 26, has spent the first four seasons playing for the Chiefs and Cardinals since being selected in the second round of the 2010 draft. Although he started nine games on defense for Kansas City in 2012, he has primarily played a reserve role in the secondary, contributing more on special teams.
We know that the Falcons have been in the market for a returner, having hosted Devin Hester for a visit today. It’s not clear if the team views Arenas as the answer for that role — despite his experience as a return man, the Alabama product hasn’t scored a touchdown in 180 career kick and punt returns, and has fairly modest averages (9.7 yards per punt, 21.2 per kick).