AFC Notes: Wilkerson, Aldon, Turbin
The Jets and standout defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson are far apart on contract talks as Sunday’s opener draws ever closer, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports. It’s unlikely the two will continue negotiating when the season begins, according to La Canfora, which means the 25-year-old could be on the eve of beginning his final season with the Jets. La Canfora writes that the Jets haven’t been willing to give Wilkerson similar guaranteed money to what Cameron Jordan ($23.96MM) and Cameron Heyward ($15MM) received from New Orleans and Pittsburgh, respectively. Further, given the massive extension AFC East rival Buffalo signed Marcell Dareus to earlier this week, the Jets’ offers to Wilkerson look even less appealing to the defender. The team’s latest offer to Wilkerson is far lower than what Dareus received from the Bills, per La Canfora, even though Wilkerson – like Dareus – has established himself as one of the NFL’s best D-linemen.
While Wilkerson is displeased with the Jets’ negotiating tactics, his agent, Chad Wiesteling, says it won’t affect his on-field performance.
“Mo loves being a Jet, and nothing less than a Super Bowl for New York will satisfy him this season. He will play his heart out for this team regardless of his contract situation.”
More from around the AFC:
- Newly signed Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith‘s on-field dominance has been overshadowed by off-field issues throughout his four-year career, but his Oakland teammates are excited to have him, writes Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. “The only thing we expect is that he comes in and works hard,” 18th-year man Charles Woodson said. “We’ve been working hard all offseason. He needs to contribute and help make this team great. That’s what we want. I’m sure he wants the same thing.”
- Running back Robert Turbin‘s injury settlement with Seattle was for five weeks. That means he could debut with his new team – the Browns – around mid-October (Twitter link via ESPN’s Field Yates).
- Chargers tight end John Phillips will be on the roster Sunday against Detroit, so he’ll be guaranteed his full 2015 salary of $745k. His cap hit will be $585k (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune).
Extra Points: Panthers, Chargers, Browns
The Panthers locked up star linebacker Luke Kuechly to a long-term deal Thursday, but it doesn’t appear that teammate and fellow defensive linchpin Josh Norman will receive similar treatment. Negotiations between the Panthers and the cornerback stalled this week, reports Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer. Because general manager Dave Gettleman doesn’t negotiate new deals during the season, Norman looks poised to play out 2015 as a contract year.
Norman, whom the Panthers took in the fifth round of the 2012 draft, is coming off a season in which he totaled 48 tackles and a career-best two interceptions. More impressively, Norman held opposing quarterbacks to a paltry 53.2 rating when they attacked him, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). That ranked fourth out of the 70 corners who played at least 50 percent of their teams’ defensive snaps in 2014.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer set a Friday deadline for the city and the Chargers to agree on a new stadium that would keep the team from heading to Los Angeles next year. The two sides failed to meet it, according to Elliot Spagat of The Associated Press. That means there won’t be time for a measure to be put to voters on a Jan. 12 ballot, which Faulconer wanted. It seems, then, that the Chargers’ potential relocation to L.A. is becoming likelier.
- The Browns finished last season in a tie for the league’s third-lowest yards-per-carry average, and they’re still without an obvious solution at running back. Current starter Isiah Crowell, who averaged 4.1 per carry and scored eight touchdowns in 2014, thinks he can fill the role. “I’m ready,” he said, according to Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com. “I always knew I had what it takes.” Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo added, “Nothing has shown to me that Crow can’t be that workhorse for us.”
- Like Cleveland, the Cowboys also lack a top-end running back. They had the league’s rushing champion last season in DeMarco Murray, but he signed with Philadelphia in the offseason. So, Dallas will try to replace him with a committee consisting of Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar and Christine Michael. Owner Jerry Jones is optimistic about the quartet. “If they are healthy, I will take the skill and what they can bring to our offense,” he said, per Eric Prisbell of USA Today.
- Rookie free agent quarterback Phillip Sims will work out for the Seahawks on Monday, reports ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter). Simms, whom NFC West rival Arizona released last week, went undrafted out of Winston-Salem State this year.
AFC Notes: Von, Texans, Browns, Pats
Broncos linebacker Von Miller is a rarity – a star from the 2011 draft class who hasn’t yet signed a mega-extension, writes Mike Klis of 9News.
Miller, who went second overall, has piled up 49 sacks in 56 regular-season games, three Pro Bowl bids and a pair of All-Pro selections. While he’s had to watch as fellow draft class members Cam Newton, Marcell Dareus, A.J. Green and J.J. Watt have signed huge deals, Miller isn’t concerned.
“I’d like to think that the way I handle stuff, I handle stuff a whole lot different than a normal guy would. I’m good,” he said.
The Broncos are currently maxed out on their 2015 payroll and won’t be able to extend Miller until next offseason, according to Klis, so Miller will have to wait a little longer for his colossal payday. In the meantime, Miller’s in a contract year and will look to build on last season’s 14-sack output.
Here’s more from the AFC:
- The Texans won’t be particularly adventurous with their two-point conversion usage this year, head coach Bill O’Brien told Jeff Adams of the Houston Chronicle. “As far as going for two, we probably don’t think much about it much until the fourth quarter unless it’s something that an oddity comes up during the game and we feel like we have to do that.”
- Browns head coach Mike Pettine is confident that recently released Terrelle Pryor will turn into a quality NFL receiver, but the timing wasn’t right in Cleveland. “The fact is that [Pryor] wasn’t [healthy] and that he was not prepared at this point to be a viable productive member,” Pettine said, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. “I’m not saying that he never will be. I’m very confident that he will be knowing his work ethic. Knowing his skill set, he will be. Like I said, it’s timing and it’s circumstances.”
- The Patriots worked out a linebacker, Darius Eubanks, and two defensive backs, Tay Glover-Wright and Joel Ross, on Friday (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com).
Pats’ Dominique Easley Has Hip Pointer
The Patriots’ defense may have avoided a significant blow in Thursday’s 28-21 win over the Steelers. The injury which caused lineman Dominique Easley to exit in the first quarter is a hip pointer that should only keep him out a week or two, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
New England is counting on Easley, a second-year man, to help replace longtime run-stopping stalwart Vince Wilfork – who signed with the Texans in the offseason. The Patriots struggled to slow down the Steelers’ ground attack with and without Easley on Thursday, allowing 134 yards on just 25 carries. Nearly all of those yards – 127, to be exact – were accumulated by DeAngelo Williams, who amassed 21 carries.
Injuries have long been an issue for Easley, who tore the ACL in both of his knees during his college career at Florida (in 2011 and ’13, respectively). Nonetheless, the Patriots used a first-round pick in the 2014 draft on Easley, whose rookie season was subsequently cut short because of yet another knee injury. He ended up playing in 11 games, totaling 10 tackles and a sack. So far, his attempt to stay healthy and fill a bigger role with the 2015 Pats isn’t off to an auspicious start.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/11/15
Today’s minor moves:
- The Titans reached an injury settlement with linebacker Zaviar Gooden and subsequently placed him on waivers, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Twitter link).
- The Bills reached an injury settlement with receiver Deonte Thompson, who was previously on IR, per ESPN’s Mike Rodak (Twitter link).
- The Texans reached injury settlements with linebackers Lynden Trail and Tony Washington, both of whom were on injured reserve (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- The Bengals waived linebacker Jayson DiManche and fullback Mark Weisman from injured reserve, according to ESPN’s Coley Harvey (via Twitter). DiManche got an injury settlement.
- The Jaguars signed third-year long snapper Carson Tinker to a contract extension that will keep him in Jacksonville for the next four seasons, reports Hays Carlyon of Jacksonville.com.
Pats Cleared Of Headset-Related Wrongdoing
The NFL has cleared the Patriots of any wrongdoing related to the headset issues the opposing Steelers had in Gillette Stadium during Thursday night’s opener.
“The Patriots had nothing to do with it. The issue was promptly resolved and there were no further problems,” the league said, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com (Twitter link).
A league spokesman added that the problems the Steelers had with their headsets during their 28-21 loss were “entirely attributable to an electrical issue made worse by the inclement weather,” per Breer (via Twitter). The league will next “determine if there are technical steps that can be taken to avoid similar problems,” Breer tweeted.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was frustrated with his team’s headset issues Thursday and made it clear after the game. “That’s always the case,” he said, implying that the Steelers had previously dealt with communication problems in New England. However, the Steelers opted not to file a formal complaint with the league.
NFC West Notes: Chancellor, Rams, 49ers
A look at the latest regarding the NFC West:
- There’s nothing new to report regarding star safety Kam Chancellor‘s holdout, according to Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll (Twitter link via The Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta). “We all want Kam here,” said Carroll. Chancellor is poised to miss Seattle’s opener against St. Louis on Sunday.
- Prior to signing with Oakland on Friday, outside linebacker Aldon Smith drew interest from a handful of teams. The Rams weren’t among his serious suitors, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Twitter link). While the Rams discussed Smith internally, Thomas added that they never contacted the 25-year-old (via Twitter).
- Speaking of Smith, his ex-teammates and coaches in San Francisco don’t harbor any ill will toward him after his tenure with the 49ers ended because of off-field issues. “I’m really happy for him. He’s a guy that I had great experience with,” said defensive coordinator Eric Mangini, according to Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News. Added linebacker Eli Harold, who is tasked with trying to replace Smith, “Everyone deserves a second chance. I’m happy for him.”
- The 49ers’ Ahmad Brooks, another linebacker beset by off-field problems, will be a full go for the team’s opener against Minnesota on Monday. “I don’t expect any restrictions on Ahmad at all,” Mangini said, per Eric Branch of SFGate.com. Mangini also showered praise on Brooks, saying, “Ahmad has been a guy — throughout the spring and throughout camp — I’ve really been impressed with his work ethic, his toughness, his consistency, his approach in the classroom.”
Raiders’ Aldon Smith Likely To Play Week 1
The Raiders plan to play newly signed outside linebacker Aldon Smith in Sunday’s season opener against Cincinnati, according to Ed Werder of ESPN (Twitter link). The 25-year-old practiced with the Raiders and impressed their coaching staff, per Werder.
Prior to Werder’s report, there was question as to whether Smith would play this week – not only because he’s new to the Raiders’ roster, but because of a looming suspension regarding his most recent off-field troubles. Earlier Friday, the Santa Clara County DA filed three misdemeanor charges against Smith – DUI with prior conviction, hit and run with property damage, and vandalism – stemming from an August incident. An arraignment date for the ex-49er is set for Oct. 6, and the NFL is conducting its own investigation into the incident. Thus, a suspension figures to be coming for Smith, who has already faced multiple penalties for past legal run-ins.
However, barring something unforeseen happening before Sunday, it appears the Raiders’ defense will be bolstered (at least temporarily) by one of the league’s premier pass rushers. Smith has been a dominant force throughout his career, tallying 44 sacks in 50 regular-season games, and should aid an Oakland team that took down opposing quarterbacks just 22 times last season – the second fewest in the league.
Seahawks Sign Fred Jackson
MONDAY, 1:13pm: The Seahawks have officially signed Jackson, according to the club’s website.
FRIDAY, 6:29pm: The Seahawks and free agent running back Fred Jackson have agreed to a one-year contract, tweets ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Financial details of the deal are not yet available.
Jackson, whom the Bills released earlier this week, visited the Seahawks on Tuesday. They were just one of several playoff 
teams that expressed interest in Jackson, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Seahawks head coach Pete Caroll was excited about Jackson after his visit with the team, saying, “I really, really like the kid. We all did,” per The Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta.
Despite being the oldest running back in the NFL, Jackson, 34, was in high demand after a terrific eight-year tenure in Buffalo. He totaled 5,646 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns on the ground as a Bill after signing with the club as an undrafted free agent out of Division III Coe College. In addition to his prowess as a runner, Jackson was also a quality blocking back and receiving option for the Bills, catching 322 passes (including a career-best 66 last year) and seven more scores.
In Seattle, Jackson will reunite with ex-Bills teammate Marshawn Lynch to once again form a dynamic one-two punch in the backfield and further beef up the league’s reigning top-ranked ground attack. The two played together in Buffalo from 2007-10 and combined for three 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported earlier this week that the friendship between Jackson and Lynch was the primary reason for the interest Jackson and the Seahawks had in each other.
Jackson is expected to supplant Robert Turbin, who’s currently felled by a high ankle sprain, and Christine Michael as the Seahawks’ primary backup to Lynch.
Photo Courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Buccaneers Place Demar Dotson On IR-DTR
MONDAY, 11:12am: The Bucs have officially placed Dotson on IR, with the designation to return, according to a team release.
SUNDAY, 2:30pm: The Buccaneers will place offensive tackle Demar Dotson on the IR/designated list, reports Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). Dotson will miss at least the first eight games of the season as a result, according to Greg Auman of the Times (Twitter link). This move will free up a spot on the team’s 53-man roster for newly signed cornerback Tim Jennings.
Dotson, who suffered a sprained MCL last month, has been a steady presence on the right side of Tampa Bay’s line, starting all but one of the team’s regular-season games since 2012. The 29-year-old has recorded a positive grade in each of the last three seasons, per Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), and he ranked 28th out of 84 qualified tackles last year.
With Dotson down, fellow veteran Gosder Cherilus will start at right tackle for Tampa. The Bucs signed Cherilus after Dotson got hurt last month.