Extra Points: Peterson, Jimbo, Mariota, Draft
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is not expected to face any further discipline when he comes off the commissioner’s exempt list, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. For Peterson, being clear of any more punishment was a key goal of today’s meeting with league officials in New York, per Rapoport. Peterson is eligible to be reinstated next Wednesday.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- Appearing on Pro Football Talk Live, Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher told Mike Florio that he’s received interest from NFL teams in the past, allowing that he “would never say never” to a pro opportunity. With a NCAA title under his belt, and a history of developing quarterbacks, it’s unsurprising that NFL clubs would inquire as to Fisher’s availability.
- Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, having already worked out for the Titans privately, will meet with Tennessee again on Thursday, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com (Twitter link).
- The Dolphins are assessing collegiate linebackers, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, going as far as to send linebackers coach Mark Duffner to spend private time with Clemson’s Stephon Anthony. Miami has also met with Georgia’s Ramik Wilson and Anthony’s teammate, Vic Beasley, and have had several conversations with Utah State’s Zach Vigil, a potential late-round pick, says Jackson.
- Purdue tight end Gabe Holmes, who has already drawn interest from the Cardinals and Raiders, will work out for the Dolphins on Friday, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- Searching for a replacement for Mike Iupati, the 49ers have scheduled an official visit for Utah guard Jeremiah Poutasi which will take place later this month, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
- Both the city and county of San Diego independently voted to pay the cost of hiring consultants with stadium experience as they look for a new home for the Chargers, according to David Garrick of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Vikings Interested In Tony Carter
We’ve already seen one restricted free agent defensive back sign an offer sheet with another club earlier today, as Packers safety Sean Richardson inked a (possible) deal with the Raiders. Another RFA — Broncos cornerback Tony Carter — could also draw interest from around the league in the coming weeks, and the Vikings have the 28-year-old on their “radar,” according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (Twitter link).
Carter, who spent some time on the Vikings’ offseason roster in 2011, has been the subject of acquisition rumors before, as he generated trade interest leading up to last year’s trade deadline. He ultimately stayed in Denver, but he’s see his role on the club’s defense greatly reduced behind Chris Harris, Aqib Talib, and Bradley Roby. An undrafted free agent in 2009, Carter is certainly capable of posting high-quality production, as evidenced by his 2012 season, when he posted two interceptions and earned a +6.9 grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
The Broncos tendered Carter at the lowest level (a salary of $1.542MM), meaning that while they’ll have the right to match any offer that Carter receives, they won’t be entitled to compensation if they don’t match. Given that they’re already paying large salaries to both Harris and Talib, I doubt they’d be willing to match any significant offer sheet that Carter might sign. Along with the Vikings, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Ravens were also interested in Carter, as they discussed the corner with Denver prior to last year’s trade deadline.
Wolfson stresses that nothing is imminent between Minnesota and Carter, adding that Carter could become an option for the club if they don’t select a corner in the draft. As such, this is a situation which could play out over several weeks.
Minor Moves: Tuesday
Let’s take a look at today’s minor moves:
- 49ers defensive tackle Tony Jerod-Eddie has signed his exclusive rights tender, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (Twitter link). The 25-year-old Jerod-Eddie was active for all 16 games last season — starting two — and posted 12 tackles. Maiocco adds that although fellow San Francisco ERFA Michael Wilhoite has not yet signed his contract, he is participating in the club’s offseason program.
- Rams running back Chase Reynolds has also signed his ERFA contract, Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun tweets. Reynolds didn’t log a single carry in 2014, but did contribute on special teams, where he played more than 60% of the snaps.
- The Buccaneers signed tackle Ben Gottschalk, per Wilson (Twitter link). The Southern Methodist product went undrafted in 2014 before spending a brief time on the Chiefs’ practice squad. He originally worked out for Tampa Bay last Thursday.
Rob Housler To Visit Browns
After narrowly losing out on re-signing free agent Jordan Cameron, the Browns will take a look at another FA tight end in the hopes of adding another piece to their offense. According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, former Cardinals tight end Rob Housler will meet with Cleveland on Wednesday.
Housler, 27, had a disappointing 2014 season, as he notched just nine receptions for 129 yards — from 2012-13, however, he posted respectable numbers, averaging 42 catches for 436 yards. With most of the top tight end options picked over, Housler, along with Jermaine Gresham and Zach Miller, are probably the best available at the position. Housler has also met with the Bengals and Falcons this offseason, while, according to Wilson, the Ravens have offered him a contract.
With the Browns, Housler would vault to the top of the depth chart, where his competition at tight end would be Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray. Housler, a Florida Atlantic product, isn’t much of a blocker, but he could add a pass-catching element at TE that is sorely needed in Cleveland. The Browns have added Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline at receiver in the past month, but the 6’5”, 250-pound Housler could add a different dimension to the club’s offense.
We first heard about two weeks ago that the Browns were “considering” Housler, so it will be interesting to see if anything comes of tomorrow’s visit.
James Ihedigbo Aiming For New Contract
Entering the final season of a two-year deal he signed last March, Lion safety James Ihedigbo doesn’t plan to report to any offseason activities unless he receives a new contract, his agent told Brad Galli of WXYZ in Detroit. Ihedigbo is set to earn a base salary of $1.1MM for the upcoming season.
The 31-year-old Ihedigbo started 13 games for the Lions last season, teaming with Glover Quin to form a strong safety duo in the back end of a stout Detroit defense. In what was his seventh NFL season, he registered 66 tackles, four interceptions, and two sacks, also forced three fumbles. Using either raw statistics or Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics, 2014 was the best season of Ihedigbo’s career — he graded as the league’s 14th-best safety last year, per PFF (subscription required).
Obviously a key piece on Detroit’s defense, Ihedigbo has a history with Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin that dates back to the two’s time in Baltimore, so Detroit presumably wants Ihedigbo around for the 2015 season. But whether that means the team is willing to tack on years or add salary to the contract of a player entering his thirties is another question.
Ihedigbo was due a $500K roster bonus that was already paid on the third day of the league year, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Furthermore, tweets Wilson, the Lions knew of Ihedigbo’s displeasure with his current contract before they paid the bonus. The fact that Detroit paid the bonus while abreast of Ihedigbo’s desire for a new deal, then, should seem to bode well for the chances of the two sides working out a solution.
Part of the reason for Ihedigbo’s current mindset is the new contract given to teammate, and fellow safety, Isa Abdul-Quddus last month, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). Abdul-Quddus will earn $1.2MM in base salary next season ($100K more than Ihedigbo), and is a reserve who played approximately 550 snaps fewer in ’14 than did Ihedigbo. Of course, in terms of total compensation (bonuses included), Ihedigbo will earn more than Abdul-Quddus, but it’s fair for the former to view the situation as a slight.
Contract Details: Sullivan, Morgan, Wilson
Here are the details on some recently-signed contracts, all courtesy of the Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson on Twitter:
- John Sullivan, C (Vikings): Extended through 2017. $1MM guaranteed. Annual $100K workout bonus, plus $500K escalator for 2017 with 90% playing time in 2015 and 2016 (Twitter links).
- Will Montgomery, C (Bears): One year, $950K base value. $120K guaranteed (link).
- Joe Morgan, WR (Saints): One year, $600K base value. $15K signing bonus (link).
- Josh Wilson, CB (Lions): One year, $950K base value. $200K guaranteed (link).
- Nick Bellore, LB (49ers): Two years, $1.69MM base value. $30K signing bonus. $505K available through incentives (link).
LeGarrette Blount Suspended For One Game
The Super Bowl champions will be without their top running back for the first contest of the 2015 season, as the NFL has suspended Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount for one game, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link). Blount’s ban is due to a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy, adds Garafolo (via Twitter), and is related to his August 2014 arrest.
Blount was arrested last fall, along with former Steelers teammate Le’Veon Bell, for marijuana possession, but the charges were later dropped after Blount completed community service. Pittsburgh ended up releasing the 28-year-old Blount in November, and after he cleared waivers, he signed on with New England, inking a two-year deal. During five games with the Patriots, Blount rushed for 281 yards and three touchdowns, and added another 189 yards and three scores during the postseason.
The Pats running back depth chart is currently a bit thin, as Blount’s backups are free agent acquisition Travaris Cadet, and second-year players James White and Tyler Gaffney. That trio is probably capable of getting New England through one game without Blount, but it would still be a surprise if the club doesn’t add another RB option, likely through the draft.
As a result of his suspension, Blount will lose about $49K in base salary, and will forfeit another $6,250 in per game roster bonuses.
Extra Points: A. Smith, Draft, Lions, Eagles
After being released by the Raiders on March 31, defensive lineman Antonio Smith received a phone call from the Broncos just hours later, according to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. Smith, who agreed with Denver on a one-year deal worth $2MM, is pleased to be joining a contender. “I am excited. Every piece that you need is on this team, and I know what [the coaching staff] can do with a good quarterback and good offense,” said Smith. “It will be a dangerous combination. I believe wholeheartedly we have a chance of making the last dance.”
Let’s take a look at some more notes from around the NFL…
- Utah defensive back Eric Rowe is flying up draft boards, and while he’s already worked out for the Eagles, he has another workout planned with the Lions, per Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net. The Packers are also interested, per Pauline, but they haven’t scheduled a visit.
- We heard earlier tonight the Cowboys will visit with Arizona State safety Damarious Randall, and Pauline reports that the Lions and Falcons will do so, as well.
- Oklahoma cornerback Julian Wilson has worked out for the Eagles and Patriots and is scheduled to work out for the Falcons, league sources Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. At the NFL scouting combine, Wilson ran a 4.58 40-yard-dash and had a 36-inch vertical leap.
- Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson will is expected to visit the Cowboys, according to Wilson (Twitter link), who adds that Johnson has already worked out for Chargers, Falcons, and Eagles, and will work out for the Ravens, Patriots, and Cardinals. Per Wilson (link), Johnson also had a dinner meeting with the Steelers.
- Using his expected contract value metric, Bryce Johnston of Over the Cap examines the free agent contracts handed out to quarterbacks this offseason.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
NFL Won’t Vote On LA Proposals For 6 Months
Though a total of three clubs have produced two plans for stadiums in Los Angeles, — the Rams have proposed a location in Inglewood while the Chargers and Raiders have announced a joint proposal for a stadium in Carson — the NFL isn’t likely to vote on either project for at least six months, according to Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times.
NFL executive Eric Grubman, who had lead the LA efforts, confirmed the league won’t vote on the issue at the owners’ meeting next month. “…[T]here’s been an awful lot of progress made on the two sites in Los Angeles, and it’s beginning to be tangible,” said Grubman. “But the fact is we’re not planning for a vote in May or any time soon. We have a process. It’s deliberate. There are steps that need to be taken, and I think that’s much more likely to be later in this calendar year at the soonest.”
Per Farmer, Grubman presented the latest on the LA situation to NFL owners last month in Phoenix, and he’ll do the same in San Francisco next month. Proponents of both the Inglewood and Carson plans will brief the owners on their respective proposals. But the league won’t vote on anything until both design and financing plans are finished, and a temporary stadium has been decided upon. As such, a vote isn’t likely until later this year, possibly in October or November.
Sean Smith Willing To Play Out Contract
Though he’s entering his contract year, Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith doesn’t seem too concerned about his expiring deal, as his agent told Brandon Kiley of KTGR that the 27-year-old Smith is “very comfortable” playing out the 2015 season (Twitter link via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star).
A former Dolphin, Smith signed a three-year deal worth $18MM with Kansas City prior to the 2013 season. He’s been well worth the money, as he’s started 31 games during that span, improving greatly from year one to year two. After grading as the league’s 48th-best CB in ’13, Smith moved up to No. 5 in 2014, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required); he ranked third in terms of pure coverage.
Following the release of Brandon Flowers before last season, Smith is the Chiefs’ unquestioned No. 1 corner, and given his relative youth, he should be expected to find a large payday on his next deal, either in free agency or via an extension with Kansas City. If, as his agent alluded to, Smith plays out the 2015 season without signing a multi-year deal, his performance this season will obviously play a large part in determining his value. If he plays as well as he did in 2014, though, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be able to secure an average annual value of more than $9MM, putting him in line with Flowers, Leon Hall, Aqib Talib, and Sam Shields.