Rams Unlikely To Extend Trumaine Johnson
The odds of the Rams reaching a long-term agreement with franchise-tagged cornerback Trumaine Johnson are extremely slim, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Los Angeles spoke with Johnson’s representatives regarding an extension only once, and the discussions weren’t fruitful enough to warrant another round of talks.
If he’s not extended, Johnson will play under the franchise tag for the second consecutive season. As such, his fully guaranteed base salary for the 2017 campaign will be $16.742MM, a 20% raise over his 2016 salary and the highest figure among cornerbacks for the upcoming year. The 27-year-old Johnson will have earned north of $30MM for the 2016-17 seasons.
The Rams explored trading Johnson this offseason, and while the Browns and Saints reportedly expressed interest, Johnson is now expected to stay put in Los Angeles. New head coach Sean McVay recently indicated that Johnson “fits any system. You’re talking about a big corner who can run, he’s physical, he can tackle and he has great ball skills.”
The NFL has pushed back the deadline for franchise players to sign extensions to July 17, meaning the Rams and Johnson have a little less than a month to agree to a long-term deal.
Saints WR Willie Snead Changes Agents
Saints wide receiver Willie Snead is now represented by Rosenhaus Sports, according to Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal (Twitter link). Snead’s previous agency was Off Tackle Sports Management.
At first glance, Snead’s agent change isn’t much of a story, especially given that the 24-year-old pass-catcher is a exclusive rights free agent at the moment. But despite the fact that New Orleans isn’t obligated to pay Snead more than the minimum salary in 2017, the club is reportedly working on a “more lucrative” deal for the former undrafted free agent.
“I think the guys upstairs are working on it,” Snead said last week. “I’m hopeful, and I just have to keep worrying about myself and staying healthy and doing all the right things. I know it’s going to be a handled, it’s going to take time, but I feel like we’ll get it done sooner or later.”
Snead has been a revelation for the Saints since entering the league out of Ball State in 2015. In two seasons in New Orleans, Snead has averaged 70 receptions for 940 yards and four touchdowns. He’ll return as one of the Saints’ top receivers in 2017 alongside Michael Thomas, filling the void left by the Brandin Cooks trade.
Extra Points: Bills, Cowboys, Cards, Panthers
Bills first-round cornerback Tre’Davious White is performing so well during Buffalo practice sessions that new head coach Sean McDermott has scarcely noticed the rookie on the field, as Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News writes. “Really, I’ve had to sit back in my office up there and ask myself why haven’t I noticed Tre’Davious, in terms of why am I not concerned about him?” McDermott said. “As a defensive coordinator I was a lot closer to the defense at times, so I’ve been asking myself is it because of that or is it because he’s just integrated himself so smoothly into the NFL and what we do? He’s mature beyond his years.” The Bills traded down from No. 10 to No. 27 before selecting White, who projects as a Week 1 starter opposite Ronald Darby.
Here’s more from around the league:
- While finding a backup quarterback appeared to be an important item on the Cowboys‘ offseason itinerary, the club may be content with incumbent No. 2 Kellen Moore, according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. The Cowboys, who lost Tony Romo to retirement and Mark Sanchez to free agency, have expressed interest in veterans such as Josh McCown, but have yet to add another passer behind starter Dak Prescott. If Moore does stick as Dallas’ backup, it could be because he has a backer in offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, who refers to Moore as a “machine.”
- The most interesting Cardinals position battle will take place at backup quarterback, where Blaine Gabbert and Drew Stanton will square off for Arizona’s No. 2 QB job, opines Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. Gabbert offers a first-round pedigree and has a supporter in head coach Bruce Arians, but Stanton is more familiar with the club’s offense after three seasons in the desert. The Cardinals would absorb $2.5MM in dead money if they release Stanton.
- The Panthers announced that they’re hired former Illinois head coach Ron Turner as a consultant to the coaching staff. Turner’s most notable experience comes at the collegiate level (he spent the past three seasons leading FIU), but he also has an NFL resume. Notably, Turner served as the Bears’ offensive coordinator from 2005-09, a tenure that overlapped with that of Carolina head coach Ron Rivera, who acted as Chicago’s DC from 2004-06.
Titans Sign Eric Decker
The Titans have agreed to a one-year contract with free agent wide receiver Eric Decker, according to Paul Kuharsky of Midday 180 (Twitter link).
Decker, 30, becomes the latest addition to a Tennessee offense that has already seen numerous upgrades this offseason. The Titans used the fifth overall selection in April’s draft on Western Michigan wideout Corey Davis, and later drafted West Virginia pass-catcher Taywan Taylor in the third round. Third-rounder Jonnu Smith will pair with veteran Delanie Walker at tight end, while other wide receivers on Tennessee’s depth chart include Rishard Matthews, Tajae Sharpe, and Harry Douglas.
The Jets decided in early June that they would either release or trade Decker after his three seasons in New York, and after holding talks with the Ravens about a potential swap, Gang Green cut ties with Decker last week. In addition to the Titans, the Browns also reportedly had some level of interest in Decker. The Broncos, meanwhile, were not interested in a reunion with Decker, while the Eagles — despite finishing second in the Jeremy Maclin sweepstakes — also weren’t in on Decker.
Decker, who currently lives in the Nashville area, was excellent from 2012-15 with Denver and then New York, as he averaged 82 receptions, 1,085 yards, and 10 touchdowns per year during that span. 2016 was a down season for the seven-year pro, however, as Decker appeared in only three games thanks to a shoulder injury that ultimately landed him on injured reserve. Nine catches, 194 yards, and two touchdowns marked the only production for Decker in his final Jets campaign.
Details On Pats S Patrick Chung’s Incentives
As Field Yates of ESPN.com reported last week, the Patriots are affording safety Patrick Chung the opportunity to earn an additional $800K in 2017 through newly-formed incentives. Today, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com passed along the details of those incentive opportunities.
Most of Chung’s incentives are based on playing time, as he’ll earn $200K if he plays 65% of New England’s defensive snaps, $400K if he plays 75%, and $500K for 85 percent. Additionally, Chung can bring in $300K if he plays 80% of the club’s defensive snaps and the Patriots win 13 games, and $300K if he sees action on 80% of New England’s defensive plays and the team reaches the Super Bowl.
Based on Chung’s 2016 playtime percentages and the Patriots team performance, all of those incentives will be considered “likely to be earned” because Chung played 96.5% of New England’s defensive snaps a year ago, while the team won 14 games and won the Super Bowl. Chung played more snaps in 2016 than he had in either of the prior two seasons, as he reached only 81% playtime in 2015 and 78% in 2014.
The Patriots have often shown a willingness to restructure veteran contracts without asking for concessions in exchange. Recently, New England added extra incentives to Rob Gronkowski‘s contract that would enable him to become the highest-paid tight end in the NFL. In 2014, the Patriots eased the playtime thresholds on offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer in order him to more quickly reach his incentives.
5 Key Stories: 6/11/17 – 6/18/17
Ravens land a wide receiver. After surprisingly not adding a wideout during either free agency or the draft, Baltimore finally signed a pass-catcher last week, agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with former Chief Jeremy Maclin. Because Maclin was released, his addition won’t affect the Ravens’ 2018 compensatory picks. The Eagles were reportedly the runner-up for Maclin’s services, while the Bills and Browns also expressed interest. Maclin will earn $6MM in 2017.
A former No. 2 overall pick is traded. Offensive tackle Greg Robinson, the second selection in the 2014 draft, was dealt from the Rams to the Lions in exchange for a 2018 sixth-round pick, a trade that brings the (to this point) draft bust’s tenure with the Rams to an end. Robinson, selected over other offensive linemen such as Jake Matthews, Taylor Lewan, and Zack Martin, had recently lost his starting job with Los Angeles. Detroit, meanwhile, also signed former Bill Cyrus Kouandjio in an effort to make up for the loss of left tackle Taylor Decker.
Saints lose a key offensive piece. The Lions aren’t the club that could be without its blindside protector for some time, as Saints left tackle Terron Armstead is down for 4-6 months after suffering a torn labrum in practice. Armstead missed nine games in 2016, so New Orleans is used to getting by without him, but his absence will undoubtedly be felt. Former first-round pick Andrus Peat, who’s recently lined up at guard, is a candidate to take over at tackle, as is 2017 No. 32 overall selection Ryan Ramczyk.
Chargers lock up their franchise player. Roughly a month before the deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term extensions, Los Angeles inked defensive end Melvin Ingram to a four-year, $66MM deal.Ingram, who’s managed 18.5 sacks over the past two seasons, will transition from outside linebacker to end in new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley‘s scheme. With Ingram under contract, Kirk Cousins, Le’Veon Bell, and Trumaine Johnson are the only franchise players who don’t have extensions in place.
Eric Decker officially hits the market. The Jets released Decker last week after failing to find a trade partner, and Decker has now garnered interest from several clubs. Decker, who lives near Nashville, met with the Titans and has also reportedly been linked to the Browns. Meanwhile, the Broncos are not interested in a reunion with Decker, and the Eagles aren’t pursuing him, either.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/18/15
Today’s minor moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Waived with injury settlement: WR Antwan Goodley
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: CB Jeremy Cutrer (Twitter link via Mike Kaye of First Coast News)
AFC East Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Patriots
With free agent signee T.J. Yates the favorite to act as the Bills‘ backup quarterback behind Tyrod Taylor, and fifth-round pick Nathan Peterman now in tow, Cardale Jones — a fourth-round selection just a year ago — is not a lock to make the Buffalo roster, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com writes. The Bills are unlikely to keep four signal-callers in 2017, meaning Jones could be the odd man out. “You kind of sit around all day, try to go in there. You wait on your opportunity all day,” Jones said. “Your number is called, and you kind of didn’t take advantage of it.” Jones, 24, appeared in only one game in 2016 (the season finale), during which he completed six of 11 attempts for 96 yards and one interception. For what it’s worth, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said Thursday that Jones is “absolutely in the mix” for a roster spot, tweets Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News.
Here’s more from the AFC East:
- Searching for versatility in their defensive backfield, the Dolphins haven’t yet decided whether Walt Aikens will play cornerback or safety, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald details. “[Aikens] is a big athlete,” said defensive coordinator Matt Burke. “He’s obviously a huge asset to us on (special) teams. We like having a versatile player in that role on the roster, so Walt has done a good job. Again, we’re trying to put him maybe in a spot that he’s not as comfortable and see how he responds, and he’s done a good job working for us so far.” No matter where the 25-year-old Aikens lands position-wise, he’s likely to act as a reserve, as he saw only 15 defensive snaps in 2016. But as Burke suggested, Aikens is a key special teams player, as he played on nearly 80% of the Dolphins’ ST snaps last year.
- The Patriots auditioned a number of special teams players last week, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, who reports punters Spencer Lanning and Drew Butler, kicker Adam Griffith, and long snapper Cole Mazza recently worked out for New England. Lanning hasn’t seen an NFL field since 2015, but does offer experience, as he was the Browns’ regular punter from 2013-14. He worked out for the Saints last summer. Butler, meanwhile, appeared in 54 games over four seasons with the Cardinals, but was waived on two separate occasions last year.
- Former Dolphins executive Dawn Aponte has been hired as the NFL’s chief administrator of football operations, reports Daniel Kaplan of SportsBusiness Journal (Twitter link). Aponte, who had also spent time with the Browns and Jets, left Miami’s front office in September to work for Dolphins owner Stephen Ross‘ Drone Racing League. Per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, Aponte will now report to vice president of football operations Troy Vincent in the league office.
Bears Auditioning OL Tre’ Jackson
The Bears are working out free agent offensive lineman Tre’ Jackson during their minicamp, tweets Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun Times.
Jackson, 24, was a fourth-round pick in 2015, and played a significant amount of snaps during his rookie campaign as he started nine games for New England. According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson was roughly average in 2015, grading as the NFL’s No. 47 guard. Knee injuries knocked Jackson out at the end of that season, however, and forced him to spend the entire 2016 campaign on the PUP list.
Jackson has already had a busy offseason, as he was waived by the Patriots in April. Claimed off waivers the following day by the Rams, Jackson never got a chance in Los Angeles after failing his physical. The Rams placed him back on the free agent market, and Jackson hasn’t drawn any known interest since.
If he signs with the Bears, Jackson would join the roster as a clear backup. Chicago already boasts one of the league’s best guard pairings in Kyle Long and Josh Sitton, while center Cody Whitehair was also excellent during his rookie season in 2016. Jackson would conceivably compete with Eric Kush, Hroniss Grasu, and rookie Jordan Morgan for a reserve role.
David Harris Not Planning To Retire
Veteran linebacker David Harris is not planning to retire after being released by the Jets last week, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com.
Harris, 33, was cut loose by New York as Gang Green continues its rebuilding effort, but as Harris’ agent suggested last week, Harris has already drawn interest from other clubs. As far as speculative fits for Harris, Cimini lists the Browns (who recently traded Demario Davis back to the Jets) and the Chargers, led by former New York staffer Anthony Lynn, as potential destinations. The Chiefs, Raiders, Giants, and Packers also stand out as possible landing spots, though that’s simply my own speculation.
In his 10th season with the Jets, Harris appeared in 15 games and played on 86.8% of the club’s defensive snaps. In that time, Harris managed 94 tackles, two passes defensed, and a half-sack, while grading as the league’s No. 35 linebacker, per Pro Football Focus. He had been scheduled to earn a base salary of $6.5MM in 2017.