Browns RB Isaiah Crowell Signs RFA Tender
Browns running back Isaiah Crowell has signed his restricted free agent tender, according to his agents as Universal Sports Management (Twitter link).
Because Crowell was tendered at the second-round level, he’s scheduled to earn a non-guaranteed $2.746MM base salary for the 2017 season. While Crowell reportedly drew interest as an RFA earlier this year, it was always unlikely another team would sacrifice a second-round pick in order to add a running back with limited results at the NFL level. Crowell didn’t attend early Cleveland workouts in April (perhaps in something of a mini-protest), but he’s now under contract and set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2018.
Crowell, 24, is coming off the best season of his three-year career, as he posted career highs in carries, rushing yards, and receiving yards while scoring seven touchdowns. He’ll return as the Browns’ lead ball-carrier in a backfield that also includes Duke Johnson Jr., George Atkinson, Darius Jackson, and seventh-round pick Matthew Dayes.
Bears Willing To Trade TE Zach Miller?
The Bears told rival clubs at the scouting combine earlier this year that if they selected a tight end in the draft, they could be willing to deal veteran tight end Zach Miller, Michael Lombardi reported on The Ringer NFL Show (SoundCloud link).
Chicago did indeed draft a tight end, picking up Ashland’s Adam Shaheen in the second round. Additionally, the Bears signed free agent tight end Dion Sims to a three-year, $18MM deal this offseason that included $6MM in guaranteed money. Other tight ends on Chicago’s roster include Daniel Brown, Ben Braunecker, and MyCole Pruitt.
Miller, 32, finished the 2016 campaign on injured reserve after suffering a broken foot in Week 11. In only 10 games, however, Miller had already surpassed his 2015 reception and yardage totals while scoring four touchdowns. In his two seasons with the Bears, Miller has averaged 52 catches for 592 yards and four touchdowns on a per 16-game rate.
Entering the final year of his contract, Miller is due a $1MM base salary in 2017. Any club that acquires Miller would be responsible for that figure, as well as $1MM in per-game roster bonuses. The Bears, meanwhile, would incur $500K in dead money if they trade Miller.
LeGarrette Blount Had Been Nearing Deal
Had the Patriots not assigned a May 9 tender to LeGarrette Blount, the veteran running back may landed a new deal by now, as at least two clubs were “poised” to work a contract with Blount, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Top 8 Fits For LeGarrette Blount]
While it’s not clear exactly which teams were willing to offer Blount a pact, it’s fair to wonder if the Lions and Giants were involved. Thus far, Detroit and New York are the only two clubs known to have serious interest in Blount, as Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports recently reported that both teams were “in play” for Blount.
The Patriots’ decision to tender Blount complicates matters, but only slightly. Blount can still negotiate with other clubs but will now count against the 2018 compensatory formula. However, the last compensatory pick is currently tied to a $2.05MM annual salary, so the club that inks Blount would only sacrifice a 2018 comp selection if Blount earns more than that total.
The Lions don’t have to consider any possible compensatory pick forfeiture, as they aren’t projected to earn any comp selections in 2018. The Giants, meanwhile, are currently entitled to a 2018 fourth-rounder as a result of losing defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins. But, as Nick Korte of Over the Cap writes, Big Blue could take measures to sign Blount and ensure they retain a compensatory pick.
If Blount doesn’t sign by July 22, the Patriots will own exclusive negotiating rights through Week 10 of the regular season. If Blount doesn’t sign his tender (or agree to another deal) with New England before then, he’ll be forced to sit out the entire 2017 campaign.
Latest On Ex-Redskins GM Scot McCloughan
Former Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan is working on a severance package with the club, according to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report. McCloughan, who was fired on the first day of the free agent period, had two years left on his contract. Meanwhile, NFL executives believe McCloughan will soon be hired by another team, either in an advisory capacity or another personnel position. Presumably, McCloughan won’t be able to take another job until his severance is finalized.
Even given his ouster in Washington, most around the NFL would agree McCloughan is an excellent talent evaluator. Prior to his stint with the Redskins, McCloughan was the driving force behind the 49ers’ run of success in the early 2010s, and also helped build the Seahawks’ core during his tenure in Seattle.
McCloughan has exhibited openness and honesty about his struggles with alcohol, and reports vary as to whether his alcohol abuse contributed to his exit from Washington. Mike Jones of the Washington Post was told team management would one day use McCloughan’s drinking as an excuse to fire him. Redskins president Bruce Allen reportedly told McCloughan “nobody wants you here” earlier this year, just one documented instance of strain in what was apparently a disastrous relationship.
At present, McCloughan is operating his personal scouting service (as he did before landing the Redskins GM job). McCloughan advised teams during the draft, but didn’t divulge Washington’s scouting insights, only his own, as Mike Garafolo of NFL.com writes.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/10/17
Today’s minor moves:
- The Eagles have waived wide receiver Rasheed Bailey, the club announced today. Philadelphia had signed Bailey, 23, to a futures contract in January. Originally an undrafted free agent out of Division III Delaware Valley State in 2015, Bailey landed with the Eagles before bouncing between the Canadian Football League, the Jaguars, and the Chargers. Bailey, who has yet to appear in an NFL game, would’ve been hard-pressed to earn a roster spot with Philadelphia, especially after the club inked free agents Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith and drafted Mack Hollins and Shelton Gibson.
- The Cardinals announced that they’ve waived the following four players: wide receivers Harvey Binford, Marvin Hall, and Chris Hubert, and safety Trevon Hartfield. Binford, 26, participated in Arizona’s “pro combine” earlier this year. Of the four cut loose by the Cardinals, only Hartfield has ever played in an NFL contest, as he appeared in two games for Arizona last season.
- The Vikings have waived offensive tackle Nick Fett, tweets Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune. Fett, an undrafted free agent out of Iowa State, had just signed with Minnesota earlier this month. His release will make room for veteran receiver Michael Floyd, whom the Vikings signed today.
Extra Points: Browns, Bengals, Oher, Raiders
Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon is currently without an agent, tweets Jason Cole of Bleacher Report, who adds Gordon has utilized three different agents in three years. Gordon, 26, is in limbo at the moment after applying for reinstatement in March. He’s yet to hear back from the league regarding his status, and Gordon’s fate with Cleveland is also in question. While reports have indicated the Browns may look to trade Gordon, executive VP of football operations Sashi Brown said the club is open to a Gordon return.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- The Bengals have agreed to pay first-round wide receiver John Ross his entire 2017 base salary even if he lands on the non-football injury list, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Though Ross suffered injuries (including a torn labrum) while playing football, he wasn’t yet in the NFL when those issues cropped, so the NFI list is still a viable option. Clubs aren’t required to pay players on NFI, but will typically negotiate some sort of compensation if a unique situation arises, and that’s especially true if the player was injured upon arrival in the NFL. Cincinnati inked Ross to a four-year deal worth $17.116MM earlier this week.
- Given that Max Unger may miss the start of the 2017 campaign, the Saints could turn to reserve interior lineman Senio Kelemete to man the center position until Unger returns to full health. Taking over the starting job could be financially beneficial to Kelemete, as he can earn a $200K incentive if he plays 50% of New Orleans’ snaps next season, according to Nick Underhill of the Advocate (Twitter link). Kelemete, 26, can bring in another $200K for hitting the 60% and 70% snap mark, as well. In 2016, Kelemete played on 57.5% of the Saints’ offensive plays.
- Panthers offensive tackle Michael Oher turned himself in to Nashville police on Tuesday and will now appear in court on June 6, according to Joseph Person and Lavendrick Smith of the Charlotte Observer. Oher was cited for misdemeanor assault last week following an altercation with an Uber driver in which Oher allegedly knocked the driver to the ground. Carolina selected Western Michigan tackle Taylor Moton in the second round, so Oher — who is still dealing with concussion concerns on top of his legal issues — isn’t a lock to return as a starter, or even make the roster, in 2017.
- The Raiders were “impressed” by undrafted safety Marcus McWilson, and are expected to sign him to a contract following his tryout at the club’s rookie minicamp, per Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal (Twitter link). McWilson, a Kentucky product, played in 13 games for the Wildcats in 2016, racking up 108 tackles (4.5 for loss) and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown. Oakland has already signed 17 UDFAs and two additional tryout players, but hasn’t yet announced the signing of McWilson.
East Rumors: Pats, Blount, Pugh, Mangold
The Patriots could offer a tender to free agent running back LeGarrette Blount in an attempt to retain him for the 2017 season, as Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap details (Twitter links). Unrestricted free agents that aren’t signed by May 9 are eligible to be tendered a one-year contract by the player’s original club for 110% of his prior year salary (for Blount, that would amount to roughly $1.1MM). Not only would such a maneuver allow New England to be in line for a 2018 compensatory pick if Blount signs elsewhere, but it would give the Patriots exclusive negotiating rights with the veteran back if he doesn’t land a contract by July 22. This option isn’t exclusive to New England — any team can do this with its unsigned UFAs — but Fitzgerald notes that such a move would be a typical Patriots strategy.
Here’s more from the NFL’s two East divisions:
- After playing out his fifth-year option in 2017, Giants guard Justin Pugh will become a free agent next spring, and he’s aware of the rising price tags for interior offensive linemen. “The guard market has gone up,” said Pugh, according to Dan Duggan of NJ.com. “Do you even know who some of those guys are that were getting paid? I feel good about where I’m at.” New York is reportedly interested in signing Pugh to an extension, but the 26-year-old will likely have expensive demands after grading out as the No. 16 guard in the league last season, per Pro Football Focus. Kevin Zeitler reset the guard market this offseason after inking a deal with Cleveland that pays him $12MM annually.
- Free agent center Nick Mangold confirmed previous reports that the Jets didn’t make a real effort to keep him on the roster at a lower price before releasing him outright (Twitter links via SiriusXM NFL Radio). Mangold, 33, was later asked about the possibility of joining the Patriots and quipped Bill Belichick isn’t overly fond of him after the pair’s “battles” in the AFC East. On Monday, Mangold indicated he is still working to get back to full health and didn’t rule out the possibility of retiring. Recently, PFR listed Mangold as a potential external option for the Saints if they need a fill-in for injured center Max Unger.
- Giants linebacker Mark Herzlich is changing his jersey number from 94 to 44 so that can appear eligible on offensive plays, as Tom Rock of Newsday writes. While Herzlich didn’t identify which offensive position he’ll be playing, tight end and/or fullback would seem to make the most sense. Herzlich has played tight end on New York’s scout team, per Rock, but otherwise hasn’t seen time on offense since high school.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/9/17
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed exclusive rights tender: LB Patrick Onwuasor
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: LB Khaseem Greene
New York Jets
- Waived: WR Deshon Foxx
Oakland Raiders
- Waived: LB Dwayne Norman
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: LS Dax Dellenbach (Twitter link via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times)
Bills Sign LB Carl Bradford
The Bills announced that they’ve free agent linebacker Carl Bradford after hosting him on a visit earlier today.
Bradford, a former draft choice of the Packers, never lived up to his fourth-round billing in Green Bay, as he didn’t appear in a regular season game until his third year in the NFL. After spending his first two campaigns on the inactive list and the practice squad, Bradford finally played in four games for the Packers in 2016 before being waived. The 24-year-old was claimed by the 49ers, with whom he finished out the 2016 campaign.
While Buffalo didn’t add any free agent linebackers to a group that already includes Reggie Ragland, Preston Brown, and Ramon Humber, it did select two ‘backers — Matt Milano (Boston College) and Tanner Vallejo (Boise State) — on Day 3 of the draft. Bradford will likely present the primary competition for those draft picks as the Bills seek to replace some of the production void left by Zach Brown‘s absence.
Because Bradford has only accrued one NFL season, the Bills would hold his rights for the next several years if he makes the roster and plays well. Assuming he sticks for most of the year, Bradford would become a restricted free agent in 2019 and a unrestricted free agent in 2020.
Colts To Add Front Office Staff Members
New Colts general manager Chris Ballard is initiating a revamp of the club’s front office by hiring former Jets senior director of college scouting Rex Hogan, according to Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link). Hogan and former Seahawks senior personnel executive Ed Dodds — who is also expected to be hired soon — will be named co-vice presidents of player personnel, per Breer. Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday (Twitter link) reported earlier today that Indianapolis would likely add Hogan and Dodds.
Indianapolis had been expected to make several changes to its personnel department, and those alterations began last week when the club parted ways with scouting director T.J. McCreight and several other members of that department. Given his title in New York, Hogan would seem to be a natural fit to take over McCreight’s duties, and he offers familiarity with Ballard, as well, as the pair previously worked together in Chicago.
Dodds, meanwhile, has been linked to the Colts since March, as Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported at the time that Ballard was interested in bringing Dodds to Indianapolis. He’d been expected to land a promotion over his current role in Seattle, and he could help fill the void left by former vice president of football operations Jimmy Raye III, who was let go earlier this month.
Meanwhile, the Colts have also hired Brian Decker, a former Green Beret, as player personnel strategist, tweets Seth Wickersham of ESPN.com. As Wickersham detailed in a fascinating piece last summer, Decker previously worked for the Browns’ front office, creating character assessments under former Cleveland decision-makers Joe Banner, Michael Lombardi, and Ray Farmer.