AFC Notes: Titans, Dodd, Kearse, Manziel, Patriots,
It’s a crucial offseason for Titans linebacker Kevin Dodd. Despite being the first pick of the second round back in 2016, his early draft status doesn’t assure him of anything due to his lack of production his first two years in the league. Dodd is apparently skipping voluntary OTAs, and will find himself squarely on the roster bubble heading into the 2018 season writes Jim Wyatt of Titansonline.com, who says “he’s going to have to earn his spot on the team.”
With a brand new coaching staff that has no ties to him, it’s a puzzling move for Dodd to be skipping OTAs. He was a much hyped prospect coming out of college, but has appeared in just 18 games through two seasons, making only 12 total tackles.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel has repeatedly deflected when asked about Dodd, and as Wyatt points out, the Titans have a lot of bodies at outside linebacker. The team recently drafted Harold Landry in the second round, a sign that their patience with Dodd is wearing thin. If he doesn’t turn it around soon, Dodd might not be on the team that spent the 33rd overall pick on him just two years ago much longer.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- Jermaine Kearse is due a non-guaranteed $5MM salary this season, leading some to speculate he could be cut by the Jets. He’s currently no higher than fourth on their wide receiver depth chart and is quite expensive for a fourth option. But Darryl Slater of NJ.com thinks Kearse will make it through final cuts, saying “ultimately, I think Kearse sticks with the Jets in 2018.” As Slater points out, Quincy Enunwa and Terrelle Pryor are both working their way back from injuries, while Robby Anderson still might be suspended by the league, so the Jets may end up counting on Kearse far more than a typical fourth wide receiver.
- Former Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel made his return to professional football yesterday, playing in a preseason game with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Manziel finished the night going 9-of-12 for 80 yards (Twitter link via Mike Rodak of ESPN). After recently signing with the Tiger-Cats, Manziel will have to spend at least the next two seasons in Canada as he attempts to make a return to the NFL.
- Patriots rookie undrafted cornerback J.C. Jackson is receiving first-team reps at OTAs and seems to be in good position to make the team, according to Doug Kyed of NESN.com. Kyed notes that the Patriots have a history of discovering undrafted gems at cornerback, including Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler. Jackson was seen as a day three prospect by evaluators based on talent, but went undrafted due to off-field concerns according to Kyed.
This Date In Transactions History: Terrell Owens
In 2008, Terrell Owens was coming off a Pro Bowl season and was one of the league’s best, and most controversial, players. On June 2nd 2008, The Cowboys rewarded Owens’ stellar play with a 4-year, $34MM extension, giving him a substantial raise from his previous $7MM annual salary.
Perhaps no player in the history of the league has had as much contract drama as Owens, who famously complained loudly and often about his compensation during his time with the Eagles, which eventually led to his release. Owens signed a seven-year deal with the Eagles, and only ended up playing two seasons for them. His extension from the Cowboys followed a similar pattern. Despite a solid 2008 season in which he racked up 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns, the Cowboys decided he was simply too much of a headache and released him one-year into his new four-year deal. Owens was reportedly blindsided by his release, saying publicly that owner Jerry Jones had assured him his roster spot was safe.
Owens’ contracts were always a big deal during his playing days, and often overshadowed his on-field production. After being a notable snub from the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2017 class, Owens was recently announced as a member of the 2018 class, and will be enshrined in Canton this August. Owens has also repeatedly stated he’s still not giving up hope of an NFL comeback, recently saying he’d like to play for Andy Reid and the Chiefs.
Owens’ 2008 deal was the last multi-year contract he would ever get in the NFL, settling for a few one-year deals with three different teams after his release before eventually finding himself out of the league altogether. Still performing at a high level in 2008, not many would’ve guessed at the time that it would be the last big payday in Owens’ illustrious career.
NFC Notes: Rodgers, Eagles, Johnson
It was reported by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network on Thursday that Aaron Rodgers was looking to have more control over his future, perhaps in the form of an out clause in his next contract with the Packers. Now more information has been revealed by Garafolo and his colleague Ian Rapoport (Twitter links).
Garafolo followed up his original report by saying there won’t be an “automatic trigger” to void years of the contract like some had speculated, but that Rodgers was “looking for more player control over his deal than the average NFL contract.”
Rapoport added that he was hearing “A proposed contract would include a series of player options.” As Rapoport notes, it’s a fascinating situation. After Kirk Cousins became the first quarterback to ever get a multi-year fully guaranteed deal, it isn’t surprising that more of the league’s top signal-callers will be looking for unconventional contracts. For years, contracts in the NFL more or less all followed the same rigid process that was very much controlled by the teams and owners, a dynamic that appears to now finally be shifting. Whatever contract extension Rodgers does end up signing, it’ll likely make him the NFL’s highest paid player.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood is a “long-shot” to make the 53-man roster, according to Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com. Smallwood played a big role as a rookie in 2016, carrying the ball 77 times for 312 yards, but saw his role greatly diminished last season. Now Shorr-Parks thinks the Eagles’ suddenly crowded running backs room will end up pushing Smallwood off the team altogether, saying “At this point Smallwood is facing a steep uphill battle to make the roster.”
- Shorr-Parks also thinks cornerback Ronald Darby may not be on the team much longer. He writes that the Eagles have been impressed with fourth-year undrafted cornerback De’Vante Bausby, who’s been running with the first-team during OTAs. Shorr-Parks says “The Eagles won’t cut Darby, but a strong training camp from Bausby could put Darby on the trade block.”
- The Lions have apparently been impressed with second-round running back Kerryon Johnson, and envision him playing a big role as a rookie. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the Lions see Johnson as a three-down back. If Johnson is playing the majority of snaps, with recently signed LeGarrette Blount in the fold, it could mean the end of the Ameer Abdullah era in Detroit. Abdullah has been mentioned as a possible cut-candidate by Lions reporters all offseason, and Johnson’s emergence could seal his fate.
No Contract Talks Between Titans, Taylor Lewan
Nate Solder recently re-set the market for top left tackles when he signed a four-year $62MM deal with the Giants back in March. The next player to threaten Solder’s spot as the highest paid tackle in the game might be the Titans’ Taylor Lewan, set to be a free agent after this season.
Lewan is playing 2018 in the final year of his rookie deal after the Titans exercised his fifth-year option. He’ll earn a $9.34MM salary this year which is most likely well below what he’ll command on the open market.
Lewan spoke with the media recently, and gave an update on talks, or lack thereof, with Titans management regarding a new contract, via Terry McCormick of Titaninsider.com. Lewan said there was “nothing worth talking about” when asked about the status of any negotiations.
While Lewan said there hasn’t been much progress recently, he isn’t sweating it, and is instead staying focuses on football. He has no plans to holdout or miss any time due to contract concerns, saying “When it comes to this kind of stuff, that’s why I have an agent. I don’t give them three percent to sit on their (expletive). I’m being serious.”
Lewan also said he’d be willing to negotiate during the season if nothing gets done this offseason. He even specifically referenced Solder, making it clear he knows his own worth, saying “I’m a professional athlete. Obviously you’re going to see those things. I see Nate Solder getting the contract he did. That’s awesome.”
Whether or not an extension gets done this summer, Lewan will sooner or later be one of the highest paid linemen in football. He’s racked up accolades since entering the league as the 11th pick in the 2014 draft, earning two Pro Bowl selections. Whether it’s by the Titans or someone else, Lewan will be getting paid next year, and he could very well best Solder’s $15.5MM per year salary.
North Notes: Steelers, Packers, Vikings
When the Packers signed Byron Bell earlier today, most assumed it was for a reserve, depth role. But now Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press Gazette writes that Bell may end up starting for the Packers. Wood notes that there is concern in the organization about longtime right tackle Bryan Bulaga‘s recovery from his ACL tear.
Bulaga, the Packers’ first-round pick back in 2010, tore his left ACL in week nine of last season. According to Wood, Bulaga is unlikely to be ready for week one, and there’s no real timetable for when he might be ready. Wood thinks placing Bulaga on the PUP list and holding him out at least the first six weeks of the season is a real possibility.
The good news for the Packers is that Bell has plenty of starting experience. He’s started 74 games since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2011. There was some talk earlier this offseason that the team could move on from Bulaga after he refused to take a pay cut, but the Packers seem committed to his return for now.
Here’s more from around the league’s northern divisions:
- It’s yet to be officially diagnosed by team doctors, but Steelers tight end Jake McGee appears to have suffered a torn Achilles in practice, according to Mike Garafalo of NFL Network (Twitter link). McGee spent last year on the practice squad but Garafalo notes that some thought he could make the 53-man roster this year. If it is confirmed to be a torn Achilles, his season will be over.
- The Steelers suffered another injury during Wednesday’s workout when backup offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins went down with a torn quad (Twitter link via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN). Fowler notes that Hawkins could go on injured reserve, but if he follows the normal timeline for a torn quad, he could be back in time for the regular season.
- It was reported yesterday that Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr had reported to OTAs after skipping the first few sessions. Now, Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune says that he “wouldn’t be surprised if there were some candid talks in the last week” and adds that the Vikings have a “long and productive” relationship with Barr’s agent (Twitter link). It’s nothing concrete, but it’s another sign that Barr and the Vikings could be inching closer to working something out.
East Notes: Pats, Marsh, Fins, Carroo, Eagles
Former Patriots defensive end Cassius Marsh recently trashed the legendary “Patriot way,” saying the Patriots’ uptight nature didn’t allow him to have any fun and that his time in New England almost caused him to walk away from the game.
Now a member of the 49ers, Marsh provided details on his experience with the Patriots in an interview with Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Marsh revealed that he “wanted to get waived” and facilitated a meeting with Bill Belichick with that goal in mind. He said the Patriots misused him, asking him to do things he had never done before, saying they had him “covering running backs and receivers and basically almost never rushing the passer” which is what he was used to.
Marsh ultimately got what he wanted, and was claimed off waivers by the 49ers. He’ll be playing on the opposite side of the country now for a team with a much different culture. It’s very rare for a player to openly criticize Belichick and the Patriots like this, and whatever you think of Marsh’s comments, it’s refreshing to see a player speak this honestly.
Here are more notes from the league’s eastern divisions:
- Dolphins receiver Leonte Carroo will undergo “minor knee surgery” according to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald (Twitter link). Salguero adds that Carroo is expected to miss the rest of OTAs and minicamp, but should be back on the field by the time training camp starts in July. Carroo was a third-round pick in 2016, but has done little his first two years in the league. Dolphins beat reporters have already predicted he won’t make the team this year without a strong offseason, and this injury definitely doesn’t help his chances of making the team’s 53-man roster.
- Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is always active in the trade market during the summer months, and The Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski expects that to continue this year. Kempski speculates that several players could be on the move, including cornerback Ronald Darby. Kempski notes that Darby is heading into the final year of his contract, whereas all the Eagles’ other corners are locked up for multiple years. Kempski speculates that the Eagles may let Darby walk in free agency anyway, so they might try to trade him now and get something for him, perhaps a third-round pick.
- In case you missed it, Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory is still going through the reinstatement process. Read all the latest here.
Vikings OL Nick Easton Pushing For Extension
When talking to the media at OTAs, Vikings guard Nick Easton made it clear he’d like to stay in Minnesota longterm and would like an extension sooner rather than later. He told The St. Paul Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson that he’d “love to be here long-term” and answered “I hope so” when asked about the possibility of the Vikings giving him an extension soon (Twitter link).
Easton is playing under a one-year $2.9MM restricted free agent tender after he was tendered at the second-round level by the Vikings. Easton signed the tender back in April and will be a free agent after the season.
While Easton has now made his preference publicly known, he may have to wait a while. After giving Kirk Cousins a historic fully guaranteed contract, the Vikings currently don’t have a ton of cap space with which to sign their impending free agents, and will have to allocate their limited resources wisely. They have a slew of young players all set to be free agents at the end of the year. Young defensive studs Anthony Barr, Danielle Hunter, and Eric Kendricks are all heading into the final year of their contracts, as is star wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
The Vikings may decide to let Easton walk in favor of signing some of their other young guys. What they decide to do will likely depend on how they feel about the rest of their interior linemen. Easton is locked in as the starting left guard, and the other guards on the roster are underwhelming and not realistic options to replace him. If the Vikings don’t add more guard help between now and next offseason, there’s a good chance Easton will get the extension he’s looking for.
Latest on Cowboys, Zack Martin
Although no deal is done, the Cowboys and All-Pro guard Zack Martin appear to be inching closer to an extension. Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones spoke to the media recently and offered some details on the negotiations with Martin’s camp.
Jones revealed that he’s met with Martin’s agent, Tom Condon, within the last two weeks. While he said there’s no timeframe for a deal, he’s confident one will get done.
“We think he’s one of the best offensive linemen in the league,” said Jones (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). “Certainly we think the best offensive guard in the league (and) should be paid accordingly.”
Jones added that the holdup was just a “matter of structures.” In the meantime, while there remains no deal, Martin continues to be absent from OTAs.
Jones’ assertion that Martin is the best guard in the league and should be paid “accordingly” seems to suggest Martin will receive more than Andrew Norwell, the league’s highest paid guard. Norwell signed a five-year $66.5MM contract with the Jaguars back in March. His $13.3MM annual salary was the highest ever for a guard, but that might not last for much longer. Martin, who has anchored the Cowboys’ dominant offensive line the past several seasons, should reset the market for interior offensive linemen.
AFC Notes: Rivers, McCain, Browns
Before the dust had even settled after Hunter Henry‘s season-ending ACL tear, rumors began to swirl about the Chargers potentially bringing back Antonio Gates. It had just recently been reported that the Chargers were moving on from Gates after his historic 15-year run with the team.
A wrench was possibly thrown into those plans when Henry went down with a devastating non-contact injury during OTAs. Chargers general manager Tom Telesco refused to rule out re-signing Gates when asked about it last week. Now, Gates has at least one public supporter in his longtime quarterback Philip Rivers.
“Well, shoot, I’d always be excited if he walked back in the door obviously,” Rivers said (transcription via PFT). “That’s something that [GM] Tom [Telesco] and [owner] John [Spanos] and coach [Anthony Lynn] and those guys I’m sure will discuss and see about bringing anybody in for that matter, but certainly [Gates’ return] would get my vote.”
Rivers sounds excited about the potential reunion, which makes sense considering his history of utilizing tight ends. For years, Rivers had a reliable target in Gates and he continued that trend last year with Henry. Now, with Gates in limbo and Henry sidelined, Rivers lacks a quality middle-of-the-field and red zone threat at the tight end position.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- The Dolphins will look to extend cornerback Bobby McCain, Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald (Twitter link) speculaties. McCain, a fifth-round pick back in 2015, is heading into the final year of his contract. Salguero thinks the Dolphins will look to lock up McCain with an extension sometime after June 1, when the cap space they freed up from the release of Ndamukong Suh becomes available.
- The Browns may look to trade one of their surplus wide receivers, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer opines. After trading for Jarvis Landry and drafting Antonio Callaway and Damion Ratley, the Browns’ wide receiver room is a bit crowded. Cabot thinks returning players Corey Coleman, Ricardo Louis, and Rashard Higgins all will be available for trade at some point this summer. With Josh Gordon in the mix as well, the Browns simply have too many receivers, and will need to deal or cut at least a couple of them.
Mychal Kendricks Visits Vikings
Former Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks is in Minnesota to visit the Vikings, reports Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune (Twitter link). Kendricks was released by the defending champs last week after spending the first six years of his career in Philadelphia.
Kendricks’ trip to Minnesota marks his first known visit since becoming a free agent. Kendricks’ release came as a surprise to some, but his relationship with the Eagles had been worsening for a while. After a dip in playing time in 2016, he requested a trade before the 2017 season started but his request was denied. Kendricks went on to have a pretty good season, receiving very high marks from Pro Football Focus. He ended up starting the Super Bowl, notching four tackles in the Eagles’ win over the Patriots.
Still able to play at a high level, Kendricks should have his pick of teams to play for. One possible angle drawing him to the Vikings is that his little brother Eric Kendricks currently plays for Minnesota.
The Vikings are currently a bit thin at inside linebacker, and could definitely use Kendricks. As one of the biggest name free agents left on the market, word on his decision should be coming sooner rather than later.
Kendricks, 28 in September, totaled 73 tackles and two sacks in 15 games last year. He also notched 16 tackles in the playoffs as the Eagles captured their first ever Super Bowl win.