NFC West Notes: Witherspoon, Starks, Abraham
Though he has yet to officially retire, linebacker Will Witherspoon is taking steps in that direction, as Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports (on Twitter) that Witherspoon has taken a job as the Rams‘ radio sideline reporter. Witherspoon, 33, is a veteran of 12 NFL seasons, having spent time with the Panthers, Rams, Eagles, and Titans. He reportedly engaged in contract talks with both the Rams and the Falcons earlier in the offseason, but it looks as if he’ll get started on his media career rather than continue as a player.
More from the NFC West:
- After the 49ers drafted Marcus Martin in the third round, some figured he might get a chance to challenge Daniel Kilgore for the right to replace Jonathan Goodwin as San Francisco’s center. But, as Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes, Martin’s sprained ankle has disallowed him from even practicing, let alone acting as a serious threat to Kilgore.
- Newly-signed Cardinals tackle Max Starks is excited to be reunited with head Bruce Arians’ familiar playbook, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. “All the terminology seems to be the old terminology, so it’s starting to click again,” said Stark, who played under Arians’ coordination with the Steelers. “Obviously it’s been two years since I was with [Arians] so just getting used to that lingo and getting that going.”
- Per Weinfuss on Twitter, Starks has already begun working with the second-team offense at Cardinals camp, supplanting Bradley Sowell.
- The Cardinals expect veteran linebacker John Abraham, who is sorting through legal issues, to report to camp “within five or six days,” Arians told reporters, including Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic.
- Undrafted linebacker Shayne Skov, who played under Jim Harbaugh at Stanford, is impressing at 49ers camp, writes Bill Williamson of ESPN.com.
Offseason In Review: Atlanta Falcons
Notable signings:
- Paul Soliai (DT): Five years, $32MM. $11MM guaranteed.
- Tyson Jackson (DL): Five years, $25MM. $9.5MM guaranteed.
- Jon Asamoah (G): Five years, $22.5MM. $6MM guaranteed.
- Jonathan Babineaux (DT): Three years, $9MM. $4MM guaranteed.
- Devin Hester (WR/KR): Three years, $9MM. $3.5MM guaranteed.
- Joe Hawley (OL): Two years, $6MM. $2MM guaranteed.
- Gabe Carimi (OL): One year, $840K. $65K guaranteed.
- Javier Arenas (CB): One year, minimum salary benefit. $65K guaranteed.
- Josh Wilson (CB): One year, minimum salary benefit. $65K guaranteed.
- Mike Johnson (OL): One year, $675K. $30K guaranteed.
- Dwight Lowery (S): One year, minimum salary benefit. $30K guaranteed.
- Corey Peters (DT): One year, $1.5MM.
- Robert McClain (CB): One year, $1.431MM. Accepted RFA tender.
- Pat Angerer (LB): One year, minimum salary benefit.
- Tim Dobbins (LB): One year, minimum salary benefit.
- Bear Pascoe (TE): One year, minimum salary benefit.
Notable losses:
- Chase Coffman (TE)
- Dominique Davis (QB): Waived
- Thomas DeCoud (S): Released
- Bradie Ewing (FB): Waived
- Dominique Franks (CB)
- Omar Gaither (LB)
- Tony Gonzalez (TE): Released/Retired
- Peria Jerry (DT): Retired
- Darius Johnson (WR): Waived
- Stephen Nicholas (LB): Released
- Garrett Reynolds (OL): Waived
- Asante Samuel (CB): Released
- Jason Snelling (RB): Retired
- Jeremy Trueblood (OT)
Extensions and restructures:
- Roddy White (WR): Extended through 2017. Specific terms not yet known. Reportedly includes up to $30MM, including $10MM guaranteed.
Trades:
- Acquired a fifth-round pick (No. 168) from the Vikings in exchange for a sixth-round pick (No. 182) and a seventh-round pick (No. 220).
- Acquired T.J. Yates from the Texans in exchange for Akeem Dent.
Draft picks:
- Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M (1.6): Signed
- Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota (2.37): Signed
- Dezmen Southward, S, Wisconsin (3.68): Signed
- Devonta Freeman, RB, Florida State (4.103): Signed
- Prince Shembo, OLB, Notre Dame (4.139): Signed
- Ricardo Allen, CB, Purdue (5.147): Signed
- Marquis Spruill, LB, Syracuse (5.168): Signed
- Yawin Smallwood, LB, Connecticut (7.253): Signed
- Tyler Starr, LB, South Dakota (7.255): Signed
Other:
- Extended contracts of head coach Mike Smith and GM Thomas Dimitroff through 2015.
- Extended contract of president/CEO Rich McKay through 2019.
- Exercised Julio Jones‘ fifth-year option for 2015 ($10.176MM).
- Learned that Sean Weatherspoon will be sidelined for the 2014 season with an Achilles injury.
- Received three compensatory draft picks.
- Signed 20 rookie free agents after the draft.
Expectations were high for the Falcons last year — after a 2012 season that saw the team go 13-3 and narrowly miss a Super Bowl appearance, many assumed the NFC South would once again be Atlanta’s for the taking. However, injuries and ineffectiveness took their toll, and the Falcons collapsed, finishing 2013 with a 4-12 record. Ownership, realizing that a solid staff is in place, did not overreact to the lost season, and in fact extended both general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith, the two figures who lead Atlanta’s offseason reboot.
The first item on Dimitroff and Smith’s to-do list was to revamp a defense that struggled immensely in 2013. In addition to giving up the second-most rushing yards per game, the Falcons finished 29th in the league in sacks, and were ranked dead last in pass-rushing per Football Outsiders’ advanced metrics. Atlanta used a lot of 3-4 looks last season, but will make the complete transition to coordinator Mike Nolan’s favored defensive scheme in 2014. With that in mind, the team made several additions to strengthen its front seven.
Along the line, the Falcons brought in former Dolphin Paul Soliai on five-year, $32MM deal to handle nose tackle duties, and signed Tyson Jackson, who has played 3-4 end his entire career, to a five-year pact worth $25MM. Atlanta re-signed both Jonathan Babineaux and Corey Peters, and drafted the gargantuan Ra’Shede Hageman, who can probably play at either tackle or end, in the second round. Each of these moves was designed to add size, strength, and versatility to a line that, quite frankly, was manhandled last year.
The Falcons’ linebacking unit withstood a devastating blow before training camp even got underway, as veteran Sean Weatherspoon suffered a torn ACL, which will cause him to miss the 2014 season. Veterans Omar Gaither and Stephen Nicholas won’t be returning next year, but Atlanta replaced them with Tim Dobbins and Pat Angerer. Fourth-rounder Prince Shembo is a player to watch, as he experienced life in a 3-4 defense while at Notre Dame. Fellow rookies Marquis Spruill, Yawin Smallwood, and Tyler Starr could all contribute to a unit that is fairly shallow.
Atlanta’s secondary saw the release of veterans Thomas DeCoud and Asante Samuel, two players who are on the downside of their respective careers. Josh Wilson and Javier Arenas, each of whom has special team prowess, were brought in on cheap deals, but the most intriguing addition is probably the team’s third-round pick, safety Dezmen Southward. The Wisconsin product will compete with another new signee, Dwight Lowery, for the right to play next to stalwart William Moore.
The offensive unit (which rated 14th in terms of DVOA) wasn’t the nightmare that was the defense in Atlanta, but Dimitroff and Co. obviously wanted to add bulk to the front five. Guard Jon Asamoah, formerly of the Chiefs, was signed to a five-year, $22.5MM pact, and Jake Matthews was drafted with the sixth overall pick. Matthews figures to start the year playing right tackle, but don’t be shocked if he takes over Matt Ryan‘s blindside (currently manned by the subpar Sam Baker) by the end of 2014. Center Joe Hawley (re-signed for two years, $6MM) will start at center, and former first-rounder Gabe Carimi (one year, $840K) will serve as depth.
The offensive skill positions didn’t see much overhaul, as the team is mostly banking on the healthy return of fourth-year receiver Julio Jones, who missed much of last season (but did have his fifth-year option exercised). Jones’ running mate, 32-year-old Roddy White, was extended on a deal that could contain as much as $10MM guaranteed. Longtime Bear and special teams ace Devin Hester was signed to a three-year, $9MM contract to handle kick and punt returns.
At running back, fourth-rounder Devonta Freeman will compete for snaps with Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers. Future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez retired (and figures to stay that way), and no draftee was added, meaning tight end will be left to second-year player Levine Toilolo. Quarterback depth was bolstered, as T.J. Yates was added via trade, and figures to serves as Ryan’s primary backup.
The Falcons are a team ripe for positive regression. Bill Barnwell of Grantland recently laid out the case for a bouceback season by Atlanta, estimating the Falcons will win 10 games and claim a playoff spot. With improved line play, continued development by Desmond Trufant and the rest of the secondary, and less injuries, 9-10 wins sounds right. The NFC South is a tough division, however, and another good season by the Saints or the Panthers, or a rebound by the Buccaneers, could leave the Falcons outside the playoff picture.
Spotrac and Over The Cap were used in the creation of this post.
49ers Sign Alfonso Smith
It appears the 49ers have signed veteran running back Alfonso Smith; the 27-year-old published a photo of the 49ers logo on Instagram, along with the caption “I’m A Niner [Baby !]” (h/t to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com). Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group tweeted earlier today that he expected San Francisco to sign a ball-carrier soon, and it looks they’ve done so.
Smith is entering his fifth NFL season after going undrafted out of Kentucky in 2010. He spent the past four years with the Cardinals, working as a backup. For his career, Smith has 48 carries for 156 yards and two touchdowns. In 2013, he played on nearly 50% of Arizona’s special teams snaps, and he’ll likely be asked to contribute in that capacity in San Francisco.
Earlier this year, it seemed the Niners were well-stocked with RB talent — second-round rookie Carlos Hyde was set to join Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James, and a rehabbing Marcus Lattimore behind starter Frank Gore. However, Hunter will miss the season after tearing his ACL on Saturday, James has a dislocated elbow, and Lattimore is still dealing with a multitude of injuries. Smith will presumably battle with Hyde for backup duties while the rest of the corps gets healthy.
North Notes: Keisel, Gordon, Franklin, Suh
The Steelers have not ruled out re-signing veteran defensive end Brett Keisel, general manager Kevin Colbert told Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “We haven’t eliminated any players from consideration…because we don’t know what’s going to happen over the preseason, even into the season,” Colbert said. “There have been times when we’ve brought back veteran players due to injury. We won’t eliminate anybody. If we eliminated a player, we always tell a player don’t keep us in your thought process.” A reunion between Keisel, 35, and the Steelers has always seemed likely, even if doesn’t come until the end of training camp.
More from the North divisions:
- Browns receiver Josh Gordon has hired attorney Maurice Suh to assist him in the appeal of his suspension, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter). Suh, who helped Richard Sherman win his appeal in 2012, will work with Heather McPhee of the NFLPA in an attempt to lessen Gordon’s ban.
- Though Johnathan Franklin was forced to retire last month due to a neck injury, the 24-year-old would like to find a non-playing role with the Packers, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.
- For the time being, Craig Robertson is holding on to his starting linebacker spot with the Browns, despite a challenge from rookie Chris Kirksey, Jeff Schudel of the Morning Journal writes. Robertson graded out as the fourth-worst inside linebacker in the league last year, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
- The Lions’ decision to table extension discussions with Ndamukong Suh until the offseason is precarious for both parties, according to Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com.
Browns Sign Marlon Moore
The Browns announced they have signed free agent receiver Marlon Moore (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal). Terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but I’d guess it’s a one-year deal with little to no guaranteed money. Moore will have to wait until Week 2 to debut for Cleveland, as he is suspended for the first game of 2014.
Moore, 26, signed with the Dolphins in 2010 as an undrafted free agent out of Fresno State. He joined the 49ers after reaching unrestricted free agency in 2013, but was released following Week 7. He subsequently returned to Miami for the final six games of last season. Moore has always played a small role on offense — his seven receptions last year were a career high. However, as Brian McIntyre notes (on Twitter), Moore is regarded as a special teams ace, and will likely fill that role in Cleveland.
With the Browns, Moore joins a receiver depth chart that looks barren behind Josh Gordon, who is expected to be suspended for a large part (if not all) of 2014. Andrew Hawkins was an intriguing addition through restricted free agency, but Nate Burleson, Miles Austin, and Anthony Armstrong are uninspiring options.
West Notes: Lynch, Boone, Smith, Bradford
Though Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch seems intent on holding out for a new contract, his financial incentive to show up for training camp ramps up tomorrow, writes Terry Blount of ESPN.com. Lynch is currently being fined $30K for each missed practice session, but the more serious penalties can begin Tuesday, the sixth day of Lynch’s absence. The 28-year-old is subject to losing 15% of his signing bonus, which would amount to $900K. For his next 10 absences (starting Tuesday), Lynch could be fined an additional 1% per day. In total, Lynch could lose 25% of his signing bonus, or $1.5MM.
Blount adds that Lynch could lose one regular season game check (for Lynch, roughly $313K) for each preseason game that he misses. However, as Joel Corry of CBS Sports tweets, this particular rule only applies to players who signed as unrestricted free agents. Lynch, whose contract was signed about a week before free agency began in 2012, won’t be affected by this stipulation.
More from the NFL’s two West divisions:
- Like Lynch, 49ers guard Alex Boone is in the middle of a holdout, and Bill Williamson of ESPN.com doesn’t expect Boone to show to camp any time soon. The two sides are “far apart” in talks, and because San Francisco isn’t inclined to deal with Boone until he reports to practice, this battle could go on for awhile.
- Alex Smith is only signed through 2014, but the Chiefs are hoping to a new deal can be worked out soon. “…[T]here’s communication going on,” head coach Andy Reid told reporters, including the Kansas City Star’s Terez A. Paylor, at a press conference. “They’re working through it so we’ll see what happens. These things take [time]. You know how the game goes. Alex isn’t worried about it and I’m not not worried about it.”
- Sam Bradford is facing yet another “make or break” season with the Rams, per USA Today. St. Louis can save almost $13MM by cutting Bradford after 2014.
Josh Gordon Appeal Set For August 1
JULY 24: Gordon’s appeal is now scheduled for August 1, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
JULY 3: Gordon’s appeal hearing has been set for late July, a league source tells Florio. That hearing wouldn’t be necessary if the NFL and NFLPA reached an agreement on a reduced suspension before that point.
JUNE 23: Browns receiver Josh Gordon has appealed his looming season-long suspension for repeated violations of the league’s drug policy, but a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that a hearing on the matter has yet to be scheduled. Gordon missed two games in 2013 for drug-related offenses, and is facing his current ban as a result of marijuana use.
As Florio details, the Browns (and Gordon) surely want the situation resolved as swiftly as possible. A full-year ban would mean that Gordon cannot be with the team from the moment the suspension begins. If he loses his appeal in, say, August of this year, he would miss out on almost all training and workouts prior to the 2015 season, leaving him ill-prepared for regular season action.
It remains to be seen if a settlement could be in the works, continues Florio. Gordon was originally slapped with a four-game suspension in 2013, but that ban was negotiated down to two games. Reports have indicated that the league may lessen its penalties related to marijuana use, so perhaps a reduced suspension for Gordon would be a first step in that process. The Browns certainly want Gordon to return as soon as possible, as Cleveland’s depth chart at receiver is currently headlined by Andrew Hawkins, Miles Austin, and Nate Burleson.
Meanwhile, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer tweets that even if Gordon’s suspension is lessened, he may still be banished from the Browns’ facility. While suspended players are not allowed to practice with their team, they are typically permitted to be present at the team’s headquarters, so this would deviate from the league’s standard procedure.
Chris Snee Mulls Retirement
9:47pm: Several team sources expect Snee to make his retirement official tomorrow, writes Ralph Vacchiano of the Daily News. A source tells Vacchiano that a final decision has yet to be made, but Dan Graziano of ESPN.com hears that he’ll retire.
5:30pm: Giants guard Chris Snee will meet with the Giants’ staff tomorrow, and retirement is a possibility, tweets Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1. Some reports had indicated the Snee was definitely going to hang up his cleats, but apparently his consultation with team brass will help him make his decision.
Snee has been dealing with complications to his surgically-repaired elbow, which caused him to miss spring practices. According to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Post (on Twitter), Snee’s elbow is “not good.” After undergoing hip surgery last year, he was only able to play in three games, so perhaps the continuously mounting injuries have caught up with Snee.
Snee, 32, was a second-round pick in 2004, and has spent his entire career in New York. He has started a total of 141 games over his 10-year career. If he opts to retire, the Giants would likely to turn to either veteran John Jerry (who is also injured) or 2012 fourth-rounder Brandon Mosley to man right guard.
Extra Points: Dunbar, Bengals, McKnight, Bucs
Two central ideas are evident in the NFL as teams enter training camp, John Clayton of ESPN.com writes. First, offensive units are trying to run more plays per game than ever before. Perhaps due to the influence of Chip Kelly, Clayton can envision at least a half-dozen teams running over 70 plays per game next season. On defense, teams will have to react to the news that the league plans to call more pass defense penalties. Clubs like the Seahawks and the Patriots, who emphasize physicality in the secondary, might have to tone it down in order to avoid the ire of officials.
- Rams linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar was arrested and charged with battery and disorderly conduct after an incident at a Miami nightclub on Sunday, reports CBS Miami. Dunbar, an undrafted free agent in 2008, missed the first four games of the 2013 season after being suspended for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
- LakKendrick Ross, an undrafted free agent out Virginia-Lynchburg, will work out for the Bengals on Monday, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link). Ross was eligible for the supplemental draft, but was not selected.
- Chiefs running back Joe McKnight had an offseason knee scope and is still recovering, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
- The Buccaneers are pinning their hopes on a veteran, journeyman quarterback in Josh McCown, writes Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, and history shows that isn’t the best decision. An ideal scenario entails McCown continuing his late-career revival à la Rich Gannon, continues Stroud.
- Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times runs through the Seahawks’ 2013 draft class, and examines what each player drafted last year can contribute in 2014.
- There are 10 players who will be crucial to the Bears’ success in 2014, opines Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times, who lists Lance Briggs, Jared Allen, and Jordan Mills in that camp.
AFC Links: Dareus, Ravens, Bortles, Raiders
Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus was placed on the active/non-football injury list yesterday, and today we have learned the reason: Dareus has yet to pass a conditioning test, per Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Dareus has had a tumultuous offseason — he was arrested in both May and June, and could face an NFL suspension. His 2015 fifth-year option was exercised, but the pair of legal incidents, combined with a failure to stay in shape, could conceivably dissuade Buffalo from offering the 2011 third overall pick a contract extension. More from the AFC:
- 2013 wasn’t as kind to the Ravens as was 2012, but Lardarius Webb is more optimistic about 2014.“Oh yeah, my team is going to bounce back,” Webb told Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. “Last year wasn’t that bad. A lot of people want to say it was bad just because we didn’t make the playoffs. We don’t usually not make the playoffs…There were a few games that left us out of the playoffs. We just have to learn from it. We have some young guys, and we just have to keep growing up with all those guys. I like where we’re at and we just have to keep on going.”
- Wilson’s colleague at the Sun, Jeff Zrebiec, previews the Ravens’ defensive line, and believes Baltimore will keep seven players at the position group.
- In an interview with Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida-Times Union, Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley allows that rookie quarterback Blake Bortles has a chance to start a preseason game. “It would be late [in the preseason] if he did, and we’ll see how things go,” said Bradley. “We’re really excited about Chad [Henne] and what he’s going to do so we’ll see how it goes with him until that fourth preseason game.”
- The Raiders want to implement a run-heavy offense in 2014, and Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com previews an offensive line that will need to improve if Oakland is to succeed in that goal.