Rams RB Tre Mason Arrested
Rams running back Tre Mason was arrested in Hollywood on Saturday, according to Paradise Afshar of ABC 10. Mason was charged with resisting arrest, possession of cannabis, reckless driving, and failure to register a motor vehicle.
Clearly, the arrest not only means Mason will likely face a suspension, but it could also put his status on the Los Angeles roster in question. Mason, 22, acted as Todd Gurley‘s backup in 2015, rushing for 2.8 yards per carry on 75 attempts and scoring once. As a starter in 2014, Mason was performed much better, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt in 12 games. Mason is signed thorough 2017 at near-minimum rates.
The Rams are still “gathering information” on the situation, tweets Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com, and while it’s doubtful the club will take any action before the league does, Mason’s arrest could force Los Angeles to look for another running back in the coming weeks. Besides Mason, the Rams also have Benny Cunningham and Malcolm Brown, among others, behind Gurley.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Week In Review: 2/28/16 – 3/6/16
Headlines:
- After 18 years in the NFL, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning will announce his retirement on Monday.
- The Ravens and quarterback Joe Flacco agreed to an extension through the 2021 season.
- The Patriots are close to extending quarterback Tom Brady.
- Center Alex Mack opted out of his Browns contract, making him a free agent.
Franchise/Transition Tags:
- Bears – Alshon Jeffery, WR (assigned franchise)
- Bills – Cordy Glenn, T (signed franchise)
- Broncos – Von Miller, LB (assigned exclusive franchise)
- Chiefs – Eric Berry, S (assigned franchise)
- Dolphins – Olivier Vernon, DE (assigned transition)
- Jets – Muhammad Wilkerson, DE (assigned franchise)
- Panthers – Josh Norman, CB (assigned franchise)
- Rams – Trumaine Johnson, CB (accepted franchise)
- Ravens – Justin Tuck, K (signed franchise)
- Washington – Kirk Cousins, QB (signed franchise)
Released:
- Bills – Anthony Dixon, RB (link), Leodis McKelvin, CB (link), Kraig Urbik, G and Mario Williams, DE (link)
- Chargers – Donald Brown, RB (link) and Donald Butler, LB (link)
- Colts – Andre Johnson, WR (link)
- Dolphins – Greg Jennings, WR (link)
- Falcons – Roddy White, WR (link)
- Jaguars – Zane Beadles, G (link) and Chris Clemons, DE (link)
- Panthers – Nate Chandler, T and Dwan Edwards, DT (link), Charles Johnson, DE (link)
- Patriots – Scott Chandler, TE and Brandon LaFell, WR (link)
- Ravens – Daryl Smith, LB (link)
- Saints – Marques Colston, WR (link)
- Texans – Arian Foster, RB (link), Garrett Graham, TE and Rahim Moore, S (link)
Rumors:
- Buccaneers RB Doug Martin expected to hit open market
- Broncos increase offer to QB Brock Osweiler
- Bears working to trade TE Martellus Bennett
- Free agent DE Mario Williams visits Dolphins
- Giants interested in Charles Johnson and Mario Williams
- LB James Laurinaitis to visit Saints and Falcons
Signed/Re-Signed:
- 49ers – Shaun Draughn, RB (link)
- Eagles – Sam Bradford, QB (link)
- Lions – Tyrunn Walker, DL (link)
- Packers – Mason Crosby, K (link)
- Raiders – Marquette King, P (link)
- Saints – Josh Scobee, K (link)
- Titans – Brice McCain, CB (link)
- Vikings – Kenrick Ellis, DT (link) and Andrew Sendejo, S (link)
Suspended:
- Browns – Armonty Bryant, DL (four games)
Bucs Expected To Cut LB Bruce Carter
The Buccaneers are expected to release linebacker Bruce Carter on Monday, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). Carter will get a slight jump on free agency, hitting the market two days before the majority of UFAs.
[RELATED: Free agent DE Charles Johnson to visit Buccaneers]
Tampa Bay rarely employs signing bonuses, and because it didn’t use one when signing Carter prior to last season, the club won’t incur any dead money. Instead, the Buccaneers will not only avoid paying a $750K roster bonus, but they’ll clear Carter’s scheduled base salaries of $4.25MM over the next three seasons. Following Carter’s release, Tampa will have more than $50MM in cap space when the free agent period begins.
Carter, 28, will last only a single season with the Buccaneers after spending the first four years of his career with the Cowboys. An outside linebacker in Dallas, Carter was expected to serve as Tampa’s middle linebacker, but quickly lost the job to rookie Kwon Alexander, and ended up playing less than 30% of the Bucs’ defensive snaps.
We learned last week that the Buccaneers won’t tender an offer to restricted free agent Danny Lansanah, so with Carter also gone, the club will need at least one new linebacker to play alongside Alexander and LaVonte David.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Panthers, Mike Tolbert Discussing Extension
The Panthers have been talking with Mike Tolbert‘s agent about a new deal in advance of free agency, according to Rand Getlin of NFL Network (Twitter link). Tolbert is an unrestricted free agent, so his representatives can begin talking with other clubs tomorrow, and he can hit the open market on Wednesday.
[RELATED: Panthers release defensive end Charles Johnson]
A 2015 Pro Bowler, the 30-year-old Tolbert is coming off a four-year contract during which he made $2.5MM annually. He’s an excellent fit for Carolina’s run-based offense, and his ability to handle both running back and fullback makes him all the more valuable. As I wrote in my preview of the Panthers’ offseason, Tolbert seems likely to see a slight pay increase, though he probably won’t garner a four-year term again.
Tolbert isn’t the only Carolina free agent who is projected to hit the open market this week. Receiver Jerricho Cotchery, safety Roman Harper, cornerback Charles Tillman, and punter Brad Nortman are just a few of the players whom the Panthers may see sign with other clubs in the coming weeks. Carolina has almost $29MM in cap space to work with, which currently ranks 14th in the NFL.
For his part, Tolbert ranked as our No. 1 free agent fullback, though PFR’s Luke Adams did note that listing Tolbert among the available fullbacks did seem a little like cheating, given that the Panthers frequently use him at running back as well.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Dolphins Notes: Cameron, Vernon, Wake
The Dolphins have approached tight end Jordan Cameron about restructuring his contract, reports Rand Getlin of NFL Network (Twitter links). Because Cameron is in the final year of his deal, Miami doesn’t have the option of converting any of his base salary into a signing bonus and spreading it across future seasons. Therefore, any reworking of the deal would likely involve a paycut, but Getlin adds that any reduction in Cameron’s overall compensation would probably be minor. Cameron, 27, currently has a $9.5MM cap charge for 2016.
Here are a few more notes out of South Beach, courtesy of Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald…
- The Dolphins placed the transition tag on defensive end Olivier Vernon, meaning he stands to earn $12.734MM on a one-year contract in 2016. And while Miami has the option match any offer that Vernon gets on the open market, Jackson writes that if another signs Vernon to an offer sheet with an annual value that exceeds that $12.7MM figure, the Dolphins may simply let him walk, and use that money to sign two free agent defensive ends.
- Miami’s other starting end from 2015 — veteran Cameron Wake — is reportedly in talks to restructure his deal, but negotiations have not gone smoothly. Wake is 34 years old and due a $9.8MM cap figure in 2016, but per Jackson, the Dolphins have not threatened to release Wake if he doesn’t agree to a pay reduction. Additionally, the club has told one NFL official that Wake is in the team’s 2016 plans, and that they’d like for him to retire as a Dolphin.
- Free agent Mario Williams was in town visiting the Dolphins yesterday, but Jackson cautions that the 31-year-old may be on a “sharp decline,” citing Williams’ lackluster numbers in Buffalo last season.
Extra Points: Manning, Vikings, Suggs, Jets
Peyton Manning‘s 2016 base salary of $19MM becomes fully guaranteed on March 9, and according to his agent, Manning knows that he needs to make a retirement decision before that date or risk being released by the Broncos. “There’s a time when the contract becomes guaranteed, so they’ll just have to make a move before then,” said Tom Condon on The Mighty 1090 in San Diego (link via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk). “He’s completely aware of the guarantee obligation from the club on a date certain, and he knows that there has to be some accommodation prior to that.”
Here’s a quick look at some news and notes from around the NFL:
- The Vikings are expected to target several Bengals free agents, writes Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in large part due to head coach Mike Zimmer‘s familiarity with Cincinnati players — Zimmer was the Bengals’ defensive coordinator from 2008-13. According to Tomasson, Minnesota will look hard at safeties George Iloka and Reggie Nelson even after agreeing to re-sign Andrew Sendejo earlier today.
- Ravens edge rusher Terrell Suggs was arrested in Arizona on Friday morning and charged with driving on a suspended license and leaving the scene of an accident, reports Jeff Zriebec of the Baltimore Sun. Both are seemingly minor offenses, but Zriebec notes that both can be tied to jail time in Arizona (though apparently the more common penalty is a fine). In a separate piece, Florio writes that the leaving the scene charge makes the situation appear more “ominous,” and he wonders if the league might look to impose discipline.
- Pending further roster cuts, the Jets will enter the free agent period will less than $7MM to work with, leading Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News to observe that the club won’t be able to target high-priced free agents like it did in 2015. Affordable players like Ladarius Green or Alfred Morris might be more the Jets’ speed this year, opines Mehta.
- This year’s receiver draft class is not expected to be special, leading Albert Breer of NFL.com (Twitter link) to believe that clubs needing pass-catchers could overspend — and potentially, make mistakes — in free agency.
- The Chiefs made a number of changes to their offensive staff following the departure of play-caller Doug Pederson, and head coach Andy Reid told reporters, including Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link), tonight that assistant quarterbacks coach Corey Matthaei will be helping out in coaching the team’s offensive line this season.
FA Rumors: J. Jones, Incognito, Asiata, Butler
Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio earlier today (SoundCloud link), veteran receiver James Jones said that while he’d like to return to the Packers in 2016, it appears as though he’ll hit the open market once again. Jones, who will turn 32 later this month, had an excellent season in Green Bay, averaging nearly 18 yards per reception and scoring eight touchdowns. His age will be hindrance, but Jones should be able to latch on with another club early in free agency.
Free agency opens in less than four days, so let’s dive into the latest news and rumors…
- The Bills never made guard Richie Incognito an extension offer during the season, according to Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News, and they’ve since “lowballed” Incognito and have gone several-day stretches without contacting his agent. If that’s the case, it’s perhaps no wonder Incognito is reportedly frustrated with how the talks are proceeding.
- Like Jones, running back Matt Asiata has spent a lot of time in the NFC North, and he tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link) that he’d like to re-sign with the Vikings. If Minnesota doesn’t offer a contract to Asiata’s liking, however, he’s perfectly willing to listen to other clubs when the legal tampering period begins on Monday.
- Linebacker Donald Butler, released by the Chargers on Thursday, tells Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter link) that he expected to be released, especially after San Diego drafted fellow linebacker Denzel Perryman last year. Additionally, Butler says he has’t draw much (if any) interest on the free agent market yet.
- The Steelers don’t often spend in free agency, but every rule has an exception, and Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune argues that the club should look to the open market as they search for a Heath Miller replacement at tight end. Coby Fleener, Dwayne Allen, and Ladarius Green are a few of the top options who might be available next week.
Dolphins Cut Greg Jennings, Restructure Suh
7:38pm: Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports that the Suh restructure saves the Dolphins $18.18MM in 2016, while reworking Misi’s contract created another $1.7MM. Add in the $4MM saved by the release of Jennings, and Miami should now have ~$14.9MM in cap room (though, by using Over the Cap‘s figures, that number is closer to $20MM).
6:06pm: The Dolphins have created some extra cap space heading into free agency, announcing today that they’ve released receiver Greg Jennings and restructured the contract of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Miami also confirmed the previously-reported restructuring of linebacker Koa Misi‘s deal.
[RELATED: DE Mario Williams visits Dolphins]
The 32-year-old Jennings was widely expected to be a cap casualty this offseason, as the results of his first season with the Dolphins was wholly uninspiring. He posted career-lows in nearly every statistical category, catching just 19 passes for 208 yards and one touchdown. Jennings signed a two-year contract prior to the 2015 season that did contain some signing bonus money, so while Miami will save $4MM on its salary cap, it will also incur $1.5MM in dead money.
That $4MM savings is a relative pittance compared to what the Dolphins figure to save by restructuring the contract of Suh, however. Suh, entering the second year of his deal with Miami, was set to count $28.6MM against the cap in 2016, the second-highest cap figure in the NFL behind only Drew Brees. But Suh’s pact contains a built-in restructure option for the Dolphins, and as we learned in January, the club had been fully expected to exercise that clause.
The Dolphins didn’t announce the exact terms of the Suh restructure, but as Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap noted in that link above, Miami could create about $18MM worth of cap space by doing a full restructure — converting most Suh’s base salary into a signing bonus and spreading that hit over the course of the next several seasons. Such a drastic move is obviously kicking the can down the road, but if the Dolphins want the cap room necessary to be aggressive in free agency, it may have been their only option.
Misi had reportedly agreed to rework his deal earlier in the week, and while no specific terms of the new deal have been announced, previous reports indicated that no additional years would be added to Misi’s contract, which runs through 2017. As such, Misi has likely agreed to a simple paycut that will lower his cap charge from its current $4.88MM, perhaps in exchange for some increased guarantees.
As a result of these three moves, the Dolphins should now have around $20MM to work with when free agency begins on March 9.
Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
South Notes: Lovie, Bucs, Mankins, Norman
Former Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith is expected to become the new head coach at the University of Illinois, according to Ryan Baker of CBS Chicago (Twitter link). Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports has also confirmed the likely hire. Smith’s move back to the state of Illinois — where he coached the Bears for nine seasons — has repercussions in Tampa Bay, as Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports (Twitter link) that Smith’s contract with the Bucs contained offset language pertaining to any football job, not just those in the NFL. Therefore, Tampa is likely to going to recoup some of the $10MM it owes to Smith under the terms of his old deal.
Let’s take a look at more out from Tampa Bay and the NFL’s other South division clubs…
- Free agent offensive lineman Nate Chandler was released by the Panthers earlier this week, but he’s now getting attention from another NFC South team, as Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the Buccaneers are interested in Chandler. As Auman writes, Tampa’s interest in Chandler — who can play both tackle and guard — could be a sign that the club expects veteran Logan Mankins to retire. Mankins hasn’t yet made a final decision, per Auman, but he will let the Bucs know his choice before free agency starts.
- Panthers cornerback Josh Norman isn’t going to accept a long-term deal that he considers to be below his market value, and he’s fine with playing out the season on the franchise tag, writes Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer. Norman won’t accept a hometown discount, as he tells Jones, but he dispensed with any notion that he would hold out of training camp in an attempt to spur Carolina into offering more money.
- Safety Earl Wolff, who signed a futures contract with the Jaguars in January, was abducted by a group of armed men in Fayetteville, North Carolina on February 23, according to Thomas Pope of the Fayetteville Observer. Wolff was released unharmed, and one of alleged kidnappers was arrested on Wednesday.
Giants Interested In Charles Johnson, Mario Williams
Pass rush was thought to be an area of focus for the Giants this offseason, and with that in mind, the club is expressing interest in two veterans who have spent their careers getting after opposing quarterbacks. According to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link), the Giants will meet with free agent defensive end Charles Johnson on Sunday, while the team has also contacted the agent for fellow defensive lineman Mario Williams, reports Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
[RELATED: PFR previews the Giants’ offseason]
Johnson, 29, was released earlier this week after spending nine seasons with the Panthers, and his trip to New York will comprise his first reported free agent visit. Though he played in only nine games in 2015 and posted only a single sack, Johnson was also hampered by injury, so his performance can be somewhat excused. Johnson isn’t exactly washed up, either, as he’s still under 30 years old, and averaged 11 sacks per season from 2012-14.
The 31-year-old Williams, meanwhile, has already garnered interest from at least one other club, as he was in Miami today to meet with the Dolphins. Highly ineffective in the Bills’ 3-4 scheme last year, Williams posted his lowest full-season sack total (five) since his rookie season in 2006, and was thus released on Tuesday. Still, like Johnson, Williams was successful in the three years prior, having averaged 13 sacks per year from ’12-’14.
The Giants are armed with a great deal of cap space, as their $55MM+ in reserves currently ranks third in the league. Per Vacchiano, the team is expected to “spend big” on defensive reinforcements, with the defensive line being a particular area of need. New York would prefer to bring a younger pass rusher, but Johnson and Williams would represent fallback plans if the team isn’t able to lure more youthful talent.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.