Dolphins Work Out RB Boom Herron
Running back Dan “Boom” Herron hasn’t seen much action in free agency since being non-tendered by the Colts in March earlier this year, but things might be picking up for the 27-year-old. According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link), Herron worked out for the Dolphins today.
2015 was a somewhat tumultuous year for Herron, who was waived off the Colts’ injured reserve at the beginning of the season. After working out for the Patriots, Herron latched on with the Bills, appearing in four games and registering 11 rushing attempts. Buffalo cut bait with Herron relatively quickly, but Indianapolis, once again the market for a back, claimed him off waivers in order to secure a reunion with the former Ohio State Buckeye. Herron didn’t play much down the stretch, and was let go during the restricted free agent tender period.
Miami could certainly use help in its backfield, having struck out in its attempts to lure C.J. Anderson, Chris Johnson, and James Starks to South Beach. Second-year man Jay Ajayi is considered the favorite to start, while rookie Kenyan Drake and backup Damien Williams could also be in the picture. Arian Foster, perhaps the best free agent runner still available, is also on the Dolphins’ radar.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Goodell: Deflategate Settlement Unlikely
Settlement talks between the NFL and Tom Brady don’t appear to be gaining traction, as John Wawrow of the Associated Press writes. “At this stage, no,” commissioner Roger Goodell said today when asked if a settlement was likely. “The courts will make their decisions, and we’ll move forward on that basis.”
Brady, of course, will be suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season after a three-judge panel reinstated the ban that was incurred as a result of the Patriots quarterback’s role in the Deflategate controversy. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit overturned the 2015 decision by Judge Richard Berman, stating that Brady’s suspension should be upheld.
“We hold that the Commissioner properly exercised his broad discretion under the collective bargaining agreement and that his procedural rulings were properly grounded in that agreement and did not deprive Brady of fundamental fairness,” read the ruling from the Court of Appeals.“Accordingly, we REVERSE the judgment of the district court and REMAND with instructions to confirm the award.”
Brady and his legal team have since filed a petition for the case to be reheard, but reports have indicated that such appeals are rarely heard. The Wells report commissioned by the NFL more than a year ago determined that Brady was “more likely than not” to have been aware of footballs being deflated below their usual levels during the AFC Championship Game against the Colts in January 2015. The league issued a four-game suspension for Brady as a result of those findings, and that penalty was overturned by Judge Berman last summer, prior to the start of the 2015 campaign, allowing Brady to play the full season. The NFL appealed Berman’s decision.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Rams To Sign Cam Thomas
The Rams have agreed to terms with defensive tackle Cam Thomas, his agent David Canter announced (Twitter link). The six-year NFL veteran has been on the free agent market since March when his two-year contract with the Steelers expired.
Signed to act as a cog in the middle of Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defense, Thomas never became a key factor in the Steel City, starting only 10 games during his time with the club. After playing on more than 40% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps in 2014, Thomas struggled to get on the field in 2015, seeing action on less than 17% of plays. A 330-pound run stuffer is never going to generate much in the way of traditional stats, but Pro Football Focus wasn’t a fan of Thomas’ work last season, assigning him below-average grades against both the pass and the run.
Nevertheless, the 29-year-old Thomas, who spent the first four years of his career with the Chargers, can still find a role as an early-down player in today’s NFL. Thomas has 85 games of experience under his belt, and he didn’t go completely unnoticed on the open market, as he took a March visit with the Seahawks. Seattle ended up re-signing its own defensive tackle free agent, Ahtyba Rubin, and Thomas has languished in free agency since.
Thomas isn’t a lock for the Los Angeles roster, as the Rams will field Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers in their starting lineup, while fellow free agent signee Dominique Easley is probably safe thanks to his youth and upside. Thomas, then, will have to compete with Ethan Brooks and Louis Trinca-Pasat in order to secure a spot on the Ram’s final 53.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Broncos’ Aqib Tailb Shot At Dallas Nightclub
MONDAY, 4:13pm: Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said Talib has been released from the hospital and the hope is for him to be in Denver tomorrow or Wednesday, James Palmer of NFL.com tweets.
9:12am: The bullet entered and exited Talib’s leg without hitting any arteries or tearing any ligaments, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Facebook). Talib got stitches but he did not require surgery.
SUNDAY, 10:51pm: The Broncos announced that Talib is expected to be released from the hospital on Monday. However, he will not be able to join the team for their visit to Washington D.C. and photo op with President Obama.
6:42pm: The Broncos have released a statement (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports), disclosing that Talib was shot in the lower right leg and is still recovering at a Dallas hospital. He is expected to make a full recovery.
4:35pm: Broncos PR man Patrick Smyth confirms (via Twitter) that the club has spoken with Talib and says he is “OK,” though he is still in the hospital. For what it’s worth, a source tells Klis (Twitter link) that the gunshot was “accidental.”
3:43pm: Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib was one of multiple people shot this morning following a fight at Dallas nightclub, according to Liz Farmer of the Dallas Morning News. Farmer reports that Talib is one of two shooting victims, while Rebecca Lopez of WFAA (Twitter links) puts the total number shot at three. Per Mike Klis of 9NEWS (Twitter link), Talib suffered a minor leg injury from a gunshot wound, and the Broncos have been in contact with him. Talib was previously at Medical City Hospital in Dallas, but Jeff Darlington of NFL.com tweets that the Denver defensive back has been released.
Per Farmer, one person entered the club and shot another patron who was already inside — a fight continued outside the club, where another attendee was then shot. Again, reports on the situation are quite murky, but it sounds like Talib was one of those two victims. Troy Renck of the Denver Post (Twitter link) confirms that Talib was shot in the leg, and was told that his Broncos teammates believe that Talib is not seriously hurt.
Without knowing more details about the situation at the present time, it’s difficult to offer more than a hope that all those involved in the altercation and its aftermath ultimately prevail. According to Farmer’s report, those who were shot were taken to medical centers with “non-life-threatening” injuries, so while the situation is obviously serious, perhaps no one will involved will face the most dire consequences.
This incident isn’t the first time that Talib has been in the middle of off-the-field trouble, and as Farmer notes in her story, Talib was involved in a similar incident in Dallas last year, when he and his brother were allegedly part of a fracas at a separate nightclub. In 2011, Talib was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly firing a gun at his sister’s boyfriend — those charges were ultimately dropped.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
AFC Notes: Lee, Marshall, Robinson, Chargers
First-round linebacker Darron Lee is the only remaining unsigned Jets draft pick, and Rich Cimini of ESPN.com examines why that might be the case, noting that players drafted 18th overall or lower in the first round have a little bit of space to negotiate. Lee, selected with pick No. 20, might be arguing for a full guarantee in the fourth year of his rookie contract, as Cimini notes that Ryan Kelly (No. 19 overall) has a full 2020 guarantee, while Josh Doctson (No. 22 overall) only has a partial guarantee. With rookie deals being essentially slotted, minor guarantee disputes are just about the only area for agents to actually negotiate.
More from the AFC…
- Brandon Marshall‘s current contract with the Jets runs through the 2017 season, and while he didn’t give a definitive answer when pressed on whether he could play beyond that, he did acknowledge that he would retire if he didn’t feel the drive to compete any longer. “Some players, they know they don’t got it anymore and their heart is not in it, and they still take the money,” Marshall told Darryl Slater of NJ.com. “That’s taking advantage of your team. I get that it’s a business and get everything you want, but you’ve still got to hold yourself accountable and be accountable to your teammates. When I no longer have it, I’ll walk away.”
- After Allen Hurns inked a four-year, $40MM extension with the Jaguars last week, fellow receiver Allen Robinson is likely the next in line, according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com, who adds that that Robinson could garner $70-80MM over a five-year term. Robinson can’t be extended until after the 2016 season, nor can quarterback Blake Bortles or center Brandon Linder, both of could also be up for long-term deals. Linebacker Telvin Smith, meanwhile, could the be the odd man out, in DiRocco’s view.
- The Chargers‘ offensive line should be better if it’s simply healthier, but relying on oft-injured players to stay healthy is not always a good strategy, as Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com writes. San Diego will count on two players — left tackle King Dunlap and center Matt Slauson — who are already 30 years old and have dealt with various ailments in the past. At center, at least, the Chargers do have a young option in third-round pick Max Tuerk.
NFC East Notes: Nassib, McKelvin, Doctson
Since being selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft, quarterback Ryan Nassib hasn’t made a single start for the Giants, and given that Eli Manning has remained remarkably healthy, Nassib has only managed 10 pass attempts during his career, all coming in garbage time. Thus, as Jordan Raanan of NJ.com explains, the Giants can’t be completely sure of what they have in Nassib as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. Though Nassib has reportedly grown through his practice reps over the past several seasons, New York isn’t going to invest in another quarterback while Manning has four years left on his deal. Signal-callers always draw interest on the open market, but whether another club will trust a QB with virtually no regular season experience like Nassib is an open question.
Here’s more from the NFC East…
- In addition to Rodney McLeod and Ron Brooks, the Eagles signed cornerback Leodis McKelvin to shore up their secondary, and he (like Brooks) has experience playing under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. As Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer details, it looks as though McKelvin will start on the outside opposite Nolan Carroll, with Brooks acting as the nickel corner and second-year corner Eric Rowe continuing to develop.
- Ryan Mathews, rookie Wendell Smallwood, and (if he’s not traded) Darren Sproles look like sure bets for the Eagles‘ 53-man roster, but Kenjon Barner could make the club as the fourth running back, as Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice writes in an excellent piece with plenty of game film cutups of the former Oregon Duck. The Eagles could always add another back before the season starts, and I listed them as one team that could have interest in free agent Arian Foster.
- Redskins rookie wideout Josh Doctson injured his foot during Tuesday’s OTA and was held out of drills on Wednesday, but X-rays came back negative and Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com said the injury is no cause for concern, adding that the ailment is something that wasn’t even reported had it happened later in the year. Doctson, Washington’s first-round pick, is expected to serve as the club’s third receiver at minimum, and could earn even more playing time if either DeSean Jackson or Pierre Garcon is released.
Rory Parks contributed to this post.
NFC North Notes: Bakhtiari, Lang, Bears, Vikes
David Bakhtiari is one of three Packers starting offensive lineman who will hit free agency next spring, and the fourth-year left tackle isn’t denying that he’s thought about the prospect of the open market. “We’ve got a lot of guys up, and if I’m gambling, I’m going to bet that not all of us come back,” Bakhtiari told Jason Wilde of ESPN.com. “But that’s something you don’t want to think about and that shouldn’t be our topic of conversation. Do I know what has happened [with other left tackles]? Yes. I’m not living under a rock. But [I’m not] coming in every day with a notebook researching finances and wondering what I’m going to do.”
The Packers selected Indiana left tackle Jason Spriggs in the second round of this year’s draft, so the club has a fallback plan if Bakhtiari finds a better offer in free agency. Given the recent extensions handed out to Trent Williams, Terron Armstead, and Cordy Glenn, Bakhtiari could be in line for a multi-year deal with an average salary of more than $11MM.
Here’s more from the NFC North, including another item on the green Bay offensive line…
- Like Bakhtiari, Packers right guard T.J. Lang is both entering the final year of his contract and dealing with the after-effects of a physical ailment, as the 29-year-old underwent shoulder surgery in February. As Lang details to Wilde, however, he expects to be ready for the start of training camp in late July. “Especially going into a contract year, you want to be as healthy as possible,” said Lang, who is set to earn $6.85MM in the last year of his four-year, ~$21MM extension.
- The Bears are in the midst of a major transition, and only 21 players on the current roster predate the arrival of GM Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox, who were hired in January 2015. Rich Campbell of The Chicago Tribune looks at six players who must elevate their performance in the second year of the Pace/Fox era, including safety Adrian Amos, last year’s fifth-round pick who will be asked to play in the box more often than he did in his rookie campaign to take advantage of his tackling ability while masking his weaknesses in coverage.
- Vikings tackle T.J. Clemmings, who started all 16 games in 2015 at right tackle in place of the injured Phil Loadholt, is being asked to shift back to left tackle now that Loadholt and Andre Smith appear poised to battle for his old spot, and as such, Clemmings is now behind Matt Kalil on the depth chart and no longer has a starting role. But the second-year player is trying to stay positive, saying, “I’m just trying to become better, that’s the plan.” As for the move to left tackle, Clemmings said, “Adjusting (at first) is kind of tough, but I have a good amount of weeks to get a feel for it” (Twitter links via Chris Tomasson of The St. Paul Pioneer Press).
Rory Parks contributed to this post.
NFC West Notes: Jackson, Kaep, Gabbert, Rams
It sounds as though the Seahawks are still open to re-signing backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, but until that happens, undrafted free agent Trevone Boykin is acting as Seattle’s No. 2 signal-caller, writes Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. As Condotta notes, Jackson didn’t ink a new deal with the Seahawks until mid-June of last year, so it “wouldn’t break precedent” for him to re-join the club this late in the offseason this time around. A report at the end of April indicated that general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll were still in talks with Jackson, whom I listed as a honorable mention in PFR’s list of the best remaining offensive free agents.
Here’s more out of the NFC West…
- 49ers head coach Chip Kelly made a radio appearance on 95.7 The Game (audio link), touching on everything to the club’s selection of DeForest Buckner, the role of Bruce Miller, and the stress his offensive scheme will put on San Francisco’s defense. Perhaps of the most note, though, were Kelly’s comments on his quarterback room, which contains both Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert (thanks to Niners Nation for the transcript). “They have a similar skill set,” said Kelly. “They’re both 6’4″+. They both can really run, which will help keep plays alive. Obviously we’re not a quarterback-run offense, but if the quarterback can run, you can use a little of that to your advantage. And they both have extremely strong arms.”
- Stedman Bailey isn’t likely to be cleared for the 2016 season after being shot in the head last fall, but he is attending Rams camp and working as a “de facto coach,” according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. Head coach Jeff Fisher said last year that Bailey’s NFL career was likely over, but the wide receiver hasn’t accepted that outcome, as he’s continued to meet with doctors while hoping to make a return. Per Wagoner, Los Angeles will likely move Bailey to the non-football injury list at some point (as they did last season), allowing Bailey to remain a part of the team while simultaneously clearing a roster spot.
- Bailey won’t be a part of the Rams‘ receiving corps, but the club does like its group of undrafted wide receivers, as Wagoner writes in his latest mailbag. Nelson Spruce, Marquez North, Paul McRoberts, and Duke Williams are four players that have been repeatedly mentioned to the ESPN scribe as standing out at camp, though there obviously won’t be room for all of them on the roster. Tavon Austin, Kenny Britt, Brian Quick, and fourth-round rookie Pharaoh Cooper figure to be locks for the club’s final 53.
PFR Originals: 5/29/16 – 6/5/16
The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:
- Arian Foster is one of the best free agents still left on the board, and with reports indicating that he could begin to work out for clubs near the end of July, I examined eight teams that could make sense for the free agent back. The Dolphins, Broncos, Eagles, and Raiders were among the clubs that I saw as potential fits for Foster, who suffered a torn Achilles in October of last year and is still working his way back to full health.
- Zach Links rounded up the best of the football blogs in the latest edition of Pigskin Links, with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Nick Foles, Tramon Williams, Charles Woodson, and the Giants’ running backs among the topics covered this week.
Week In Review: 5/29/16 – 6/5/16
Headlines:
- The Jaguars locked up one of their young stars to a long-term deal, inking wide receiver Allen Hurns to a four-year, $40MM extension that will keep him in Jacksonville through the 2020 campaign.
- Defensive back Walter Thurmond officially decided to retire at the age of 28 after a six-year NFL career with the Seahawks, Giants, and Eagles.
- The Bears are unlikely to reach an extension with wide receiver Alshon Jeffery this summer, meaning he’ll likely play out the 2016 season under the franchise tag.
- Dolphins safety Reshad Jones is considering sitting out the entire 2016 season if Miami isn’t willing to sign him to a new contract.
- Nick Foles is not attending Rams camp, and he’s reportedly unhappy with his role on the team, sparking rumors that he could be dealt.
Free Agent Rumors:
- The Jets are reportedly offering Ryan Fitzpatrick a three-year deal worth $24MM, with $12MM available in 2016. The veteran quarterback would prefer a one-year, $12MM contract, but New York isn’t interested in that option, though the club does have some concern that Fitzpatrick could take less money to play elsewhere.
- Edge rusher Dwight Freeney is “95%” certain he will continue playing in 2016, although he probably won’t be seeing action with the Falcons, who apparently won’t sign Freeney (at least right now).
- Arian Foster isn’t yet at full health, and he’ll likely wait until the end of July before working out for teams and/or signing a new deal.
- Free agent running back Joique Bell says he has two or three offers on the table.
- The Dolphins are not considering free agent defensive backs Leon Hall and Antonio Cromartie, nor running back Knowshon Moreno.
- The Redskins could be in the market for a running back, and a reunion with Pierre Thomas is possible.
Signed:
- Bears – Nate Chandler, OL (link)
- Bills – Jamari Lattimore, LB (link)
Retired:
- Stephen Bowen, DL (link)