Dolphins LB Koa Misi Still Not Cleared
Dolphins linebacker Koa Misi is still recovering from spinal fusion surgery and has yet to be medically cleared, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Misi recently with a doctor and will do so again in July, but it’s unclear whether he’ll be allowed to participate in training camp, per Jackson.
When Misi was originally placed on injured reserve last October, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported that Misi’s neck injury had the possibility to be career-threatening. To this point, that hasn’t been the case, as Misi expressed confidence in March that he’d be ready to suit up for the 2017 campaign. But the severity of his ailment clearly (and understandably) is giving the Dolphins pause.
Miami made several additions to its linebacking unit during the offseason, and Misi isn’t being counted on as a starter. The Dolphins signed former Steelers ‘backer Lawrence Timmons to a two-year, $12MM deal in March, and then used a second-round draft choice on Ohio State’s Raekwon McMillan. Both Timmons and McMillan figure to start alongside Kiko Alonso, while depth options include Mike Hull, Neville Hewitt, and Trevor Reilly.
Misi, 30, managed only 127 defensive snaps in 2016 before going down with injury, and hasn’t appeared in a full 16-game slate since his rookie campaign in 2010. Earlier this year, Misi accepted a paycut for the second consecutive year, as he agreed to slash his salary by ~$3MM.
Top Remaining NFL Free Agents: Offense
Any NFL club aiming to seriously upgrade its roster through free agency in June is clearly not adept at personnel management, but small tweaks can still be made as the summer begins. While headliners such as Colin Kaepernick and Anquan Boldin remain unsigned, it’s often lesser-known players that can make incremental differences once the season gets underway.
Using our master list of 2017 free agents, let’s take a look at the best remaining free agents on the offensive side of the ball:
Quarterback
Based on pure talent, Colin Kaepernick is far and away the best free agent quarterback remaining on the board. But the myriad of explanations — or as may label them, excuses — for his inability to land a contract thus far have been well-documented. Concerns about Kaepernick’s political views, his workout regimen, and even his diet have been used as justifications for his never-ending free agent status, and the only club that’s expressed serious interest thus far is the Seahawks, who ultimately passed on the former 49ers signal-caller in favor of Austin Davis.
Christian Ponder‘s place as the No. 2 free agent quarterback speaks volumes about the lack of available passers, as the 29-year-old hasn’t attempted a pass since 2014. Still, he’s a former first-round pick with a more successful track record of playing from the pocket than any other QB on this list. Hill, meanwhile, is now 37 years old, but had a decent showing as the Vikings’ opening day starter last season, and was mildly effective as a seven-game starter in 2014.
While Robert Griffin III may possess the largest upside of any free agent quarterback aside from Kaepernick, he simply hasn’t shown the ability to remain on the field for any substantial amount of time. Signed to a two-year contract by the Browns prior to last season, Griffin managed to play in only five total games was subsequently released. His persistent difficulty with reading defenses and staying in the pocket could limit his opportunities.
Running back
Chris Johnson‘s 2016 campaign never got off the ground, as injuries limited him to only four games and 95 rushing yards. But the 32-year-old ran for more than 800 yards the year prior, and teams have reportedly reached out to express interest this offseason. The same can’t be said for Rashad Jennings, who is now touring with Dancing With The Stars, but his ability as a third-down back should help him garner interest if he’s serious about continuing his career.
While DWTS wasn’t in the cards for DeAngelo Williams, he is set to make his pro wrestling debut on July 2. It’s unclear if Williams, now 34, is ready to hang up his cleats, but his yards per carry average dropped a full yard in 2016. Denard Robinson and Bobby Rainey, meanwhile, are back-end roster types who will only earn a roster spot based on their receiving ability and special teams prowess.
Running back, clearly, is a young man’s position, and if teams are interested in more youthful players, there are backs with age on their side. Karlos Williams, George Farmer, Tyler Gaffney, Jonathan Grimes, Ronnie Hillman, and Antonio Andrews are all unsigned and age-27 or younger.
Fullback
While players such as Kyle Juszczyk and Patrick DiMarco landed healthy contracts this offseason, most NFL clubs aren’t deploying a fullback with regularity, lessening the demand for lead blockers such as Jerome Felton. While he, Zach Line, and Paul Lasike may have to wait for an injury to strike before finding a new home, Marcel Reece‘s excellent receiving ability could allow to ink a contract sooner rather than later.
Reaction To Chiefs Firing GM John Dorsey
On the same day they announced a four-year extension for head coach Andy Reid, the Chiefs shocked the NFL world by firing general manager John Dorsey. Let’s take a look at some of the reaction and fallout from Dorsey’s dismissal:
- Despite what owner Clark Hunt stated in the Chiefs’ press release, Kansas City and Dorsey did not “agree to part ways,” a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Rather, the Chiefs decided to fire Dorsey, and the decision was made by Hunt, not Reid, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
- The Chiefs weren’t pleased with how Dorsey handled contract negotiations with the team’s premier players such as Justin Houston and Eric Berry, reports Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link). Kansas City waited until the last minute to work out deals with Houston and Berry (after using the franchise tag on both), and the delay in talks ended up costing the Chiefs down the line.
- Dorsey reportedly told a confidant that he and Hunt were “butting heads” within the past two months, tweets Jason Cole of Bleacher Report. Dorsey didn’t elaborate on the issue at hand, but it conceivably could have been related to how Dorsey handled Houston and Berry’s contracts, or about Dorsey’s own pact with the Chiefs.
- Reactions to Dorsey’s firing — both inside and outside the Chiefs organization — were ones of immense surprise. Those around were the league were “stunned” and “dumbfounded,” per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), while Kansas City staffers were just as shocked,as Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star writes. “It caught everybody off guard,” said a team source. “Nobody saw it coming. Nobody knows (what happened) because everybody is out of the building.”
- Reid will not take on a more active role in personnel, according to Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star. Reid, notably, was the Eagles’ de facto general manager from 2001-12. Additionally, Reid and the new general manager will both separately report to Hunt, the same arrangement utilized by the Reid and Dorsey tandem.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/22/17
Today’s minor moves:
- The Patriots have waived wide receiver DeAndrew White in order to create roster space for newly-signed veteran linebacker David Harris, the club announced today. White, 25, signed with the 49ers in 2015 after going undrafted out of Alabama. He spent his rookie season solely as a return man, appearing in four games while returning six kickoffs and one punt. White spent the majority of the 2016 campaign on New England’s practice squad, and had just re-signed with the club last month.
John Dorsey Unlikely To Return To Packers?
After being fired as the Chiefs’ general manager earlier today, John Dorsey is unlikely to return to the Packers, with whom he’s the spent the majority of his professional career, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter links: 1, 2, 3, 4).
Dorsey has been mentioned as a candidate to succeed Green Bay GM Ted Thompson since January, when a report indicated Dorsey could head to Green Bay when his Kansas City contract expired after 2017. Dorsey helped to build the Packers into a consistent contender, first as a college scout from 1991-97 and then as director of college scouting in 1998. After a one-year stint as the Seahawks’ director of player personnel in 1999, Dorsey returned to the Packers, where he served as the team’s director of college scouting from 2000-11 and as the director of football operations in 2012.
However, the next Packers general manager is more likely to be one of director of football operations Eliot Wolf, director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst, or vice president of football administration Russ Ball, per Robinson. Wolf and Gutekunst, specifically, have turned down opportunities to interview elsewhere (including San Francisco earlier this year) in order to remain in Green Bay, while Ball has been “working to broaden his knowledge base” in order to be prepared for a jump to GM.
That’s not to say Dorsey doesn’t have interest in returning to the Packers, as Robinson reports Dorsey has “overwhelming respect” for Thomspson and is “very fond” of the Packers organization. But his presence on Green Bay’s personnel staff could “ruffle some feathers,” per Robinson, especially because the trio of Wolf, Gutekunst, and Ball have remained on board instead of pursuing other jobs.
Tyrunn Walker Accused Of Rape
Free agent defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker is accused of raping a woman in Louisiana in February, report Jim Mustian and Ramon Antonio Vargas of the Advocate. Walker was released by the Rams today just two hours after the Advocate scribes offered his agent an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
Walker and another man are alleged to have sexually assaulted two women in a hotel following a celebration of Mardi Gras in late February. At least one woman believes she was drugged before the assault occurred, and both women have filed restraining orders against Walker and the other male. An investigation began in March, but the Lafayette, La. district attorney hasn’t yet decided whether the case will be sent to a grand jury.
Los Angeles cut the 27-year-old Walker just three months after signing him to a one-year deal. Under the NFL’s personal conduct policy, Walker could face a league-imposed suspension regardless of whether he’s found guilty or charges are officially filed.
Chiefs To Start GM Search Immediately
After firing general manager John Dorsey earlier today, the Chiefs intend to begin their search for a new GM immediately, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Kansas City will consider both internal and external candidates for the position, per Yates, and has a “loose goal” of finding a general manager by the start of training camp, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
The Chiefs’ most natural internal contender for the job may have been Chris Ballard, who’d worked under Dorsey for four years. But Ballard has already landed a new job this offseason, as he was named the Colts’ general manager in January. Other incumbent candidates for the Kansas City position may include co-directors of player personnel Mike Borgonzi and Brett Veach, the latter of whom was linked to the Bills’ GM vacancy. Indeed, both Borgonzi and Veach are expected to garner GM interviews, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
Any number of external candidates could vie for the Chiefs’ general manager gig, and PFR’s 2017 GM Search Tracker — which documented every executive named in relation to the 49ers, Colts, and Bills general manager searches — could work as a list of possible contenders. Based on those hiring processes, possible interviewees could include Scott Fitterer and Trent Kirchner (Seahawks), George Paton (Vikings), Eliot Wolf and Brian Gutekunst (Packers), Chris Polian (Jaguars), Eric DeCosta (Ravens), and Nick Caserio (Patriots).
Saints Sign First-Round OT Ryan Ramczyk
The Saints have agreed to terms with the last of their unsigned draft picks, as they’ve inked first-round tackle Ryan Ramczyk to a four-year deal, the club announced today.
Ramczyk, who had been one of only a dozen unsigned picks league-wide, had been battling a hip issue, leading to a delay in contract negotiation. Although the Saints drafted the Wisconsin product at No. 32 overall with an eye towards the future, Ramczyk may instead be called on to play immediately. Incumbent left tackle Terron Armstead recently suffered a labrum injury and will be sidelined 4-6 months, meaning Ramcyzk could start at left tackle from day one.
Like all first-round selections, Ramczyk will sign a four-year contract that comes with a fifth-year option (for the 2021 campaign) attached. In total, Ramczyk’s deal will be worth approximately $8.892MM, including a signing bonus of $4.607MM and 2017 cap charge of $1.617MM.
Here’s a complete overview of the Saints’ 2017 draft class:
- 1-11: Marshon Lattimore, CB (Ohio State)
- 1-32: Ryan Ramczyk, T (Wisconsin)
- 2-42: Marcus Williams, S (Utah)
- 3-67: Alvin Kamara, RB (Tennessee)
- 3-76: Alex Anzalone, LB (Florida)
- 3-103: Trey Hendrickson, DE (Florida Atlantic)
- 6-196: Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE (Miami)
South Notes: O’Callaghan, Falcons, Decker
Former Chiefs and Patriots offensive tackle Ryan O’Callaghan has come out as gay, as Cyd Ziegler of OutSports.com writes. O’Callaghan, a former fifth-round pick who played in the NFL from 2006-11, describes a deeply dark period in his life during which he used painkillers extensively in order to cope with injuries and his mixed feelings regarding his own sexuality. Sadly, O’Callaghan admits he was on the verge of committing suicide before meeting with a clinical psychologist linked to the Chiefs. Slowly, O’Callaghan began coming out to family and friends — including former Chiefs GM Scott Pioli and college teammate Aaron Rodgers — and is now working with an LGBT organization in his native Redding, California. O’Callaghan’s story is one of courage and inspiration, and Ziegler’s article is well worth a full read.
Here’s more from the NFL’s two South divisions:
- As Tom Pelissero of USA Today reported yesterday, Eric Decker‘s one-year contract with the Titans can be worth as much as $5.35MM, and today Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk details exactly how Decker can reach that figure. In addition to his $2.5MM signing bonus and $1.35MM base salary, Decker can earn another $150K in gameday active roster bonuses. Additionally, Decker can get $250K if he scores four touchdowns, per Florio. He’ll receive $125K for every 10 catches starting at 30 and maxing out at 70 (netting him as much as $625K), and can earn another $125K for every 100 yards receiving starting at 450 and maxing out at 850 (potential total: $625K).
- If recent history is any guide, cornerback Marcus Peters shouldn’t expect an extension from the Chiefs when he becomes a free agent in 2020, opines Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. Kansas City has liberally used the franchise tag on its elite defenders, including edge rusher Justin Houston and safety Eric Berry in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Of course, both of those players eventually garnered long-term deals, and are each among the top-three at their position in annual salary. Still, the Chiefs are likely to exercise Peters’ fifth-year option for 2019, then use the franchise tag in 2020 before extending him.
- A one-year deal is seemingly never a bad investment, but some single season pacts are more valuable than others, leading Field Yates of ESPN.com (Insider subscription required) to examine the best one-year contracts handed out this offseason. Decker is the most recent signee to make the list, as he’s expected to act as a veteran presence on a young Titans receiving corps. Other featured players from the NFL’s South divisions include Falcons defensive tackle Dontari Poe ($10MM), Chiefs defensive tackle Bennie Logan ($8MM), and Colts wide receiver Kamar Aiken ($5MM).
Corey Coleman Not Charged In Assault
Browns wideout Corey Coleman was not charged in relation to a December assault that occurred at his apartment building, but Coleman’s brother and another man were indicated, as Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. However, the incident remains under investigation, so it’s unclear if Coleman could be charged at some point in the future.
“Corey has cooperated with the authorities,” Coleman’s attorney Kevin Spellacy tells Ulrich. “He continues to cooperate with the authorities. And he’s maintained he was not involved in a physical altercation at that incident whatsoever. Whether that be encouraging somebody, whether that be participating in fighting, he wasn’t involved. Period.”
As Ulrich details, the December 31 police report regarding the episode states Adam Sapp was assaulted as he walked towards an elevator in Coleman’s apartment complex. Sapp doesn’t remember the altercation, but a woman who was with him has accused Coleman of being involved in the fight and claims Coleman “beat up Sapp.” Sapp reportedly suffered a concussion, a ruptured eardrum, and other minor injuries, per Ulrich.
Even if Coleman isn’t eventually charged with a crime, he could still be subject to NFL discipline. As previous investigations have shown, the league often doesn’t take its cue from the legal process, preferring to mete out punishment of its own volition.