Extension Candidate: Mike Iupati
The 49ers have been forced to pick their battles when it comes to handing out fresh contracts — while they have yet to pony up new money for Vernon Davis or Alex Boone, San Francisco has extended both Colin Kaepernick and Joe Staley, and seem likely to do the same for Michael Crabtree (whom PFR’s Luke Adams examined as an extension candidate last week). Guard Mike Iupati appears to be on the outside looking in when it comes to a new deal; his contract, which is set to pay him a base salary of $2.97MM, expires after 2014, and it’s unlikely he will return to the Bay Area.
Offensive guard isn’t typically a highly-valued position, even when the player in question is as talented as Iupati. As Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle writes, only eight guards have been selected in the first round of the draft since 2000. Additionally, the 49ers have already heavily invested along the offensive line, handing both Staley and right tackle Anthony Davis new contracts over the past 18 months, so the team, with only about $5MM in cap space with which to work, might be wary about pouring more money into its front five.
Additionally, San Francisco has set itself up well in the event that Iupati does leave via free agency. In fact, the team held “behind-closed-doors conversations” last season regarding its options if Iupati leaves, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. In May, with their seemingly endless supply of draft picks, the 49ers added viable guard replacements in the third round. Pick No. 70 Marcus Martin was viewed as one of the top centers available in the draft, but if Daniel Kilgore cements that position for San Francisco, Martin could conceivably be shifted to guard. Clemson product Brandon Thomas, picked 30 spots after Martin, is a natural guard, but will miss the upcoming season after tearing his ACL during predraft workouts. He’ll be ready for the 2015 opener, however, and his presence could allow San Francisco to let Iupati walk.
In the likely event that the Iupati departs the 49ers, he will draw plenty of interest around the league. After being selected with the 17th pick in 2010, the 27-year-old Iupati has started 60 out of a possible 64 games. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in both 2012 and 2013, and was named an All-Pro in 2012. Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required) have fluctuated on Iupati: During his first three seasons, Iupati never ranked lower than 13th among guards, and topped out at 5th overall in 2012. Last season, however, Iupati fell all the way to 35th at his position, largely due to his subpar pass blocking grade.
2013’s poor performance aside, Iupati is in line for a hefty payday, with Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee opining that Iupati could become the highest-paid guard in the league. Working in his favor is the lack of competition among prospective free agents at his position group next offseason. The Broncos’ Orlando Franklin had a nice season as a tackle last season, and if he succeeds in his transition to guard, could be looking at large contract. The rest of the 2015 free agent guard class, however, is filled with second- and third-tier options like Jeromey Clary, Willie Colon, James Carpenter, and Lance Louis.
Currently, the highest-paid guards in the league on an average annual value basis are Carl Nicks, Logan Mankins, and Jahri Evans, who earn $9.5MM, $8.5MM, and $8.1MM, respectively. Nicks also received the largest guarantee at $25MM, good for an guarantee per year of $5MM; 52.6% of his contract was guaranteed. After those three players, the total values and guarantees fall quickly into a second tier, Andy Levitre, Ben Grubbs, and Josh Sitton all earning between $6.5-8MM per season.
Iupati’s new deal will almost certainly fall into the first tier of guards. After his declining level of play in 2013, a lot hinges on his 2014 performance. With a solid season, I could see him topping Nicks’ contract, and perhaps even cracking the $10MM per season barrier. He could be looking at a guarantee in the neighborhood of $26-28MM. It’s a lot of money for a non-premier position, but I think Iupati is well-regarded enough around the league that a bidding war could ensue. Even with a lackluster season, Iupati should still match Evans’ $8.1MM average salary.
An extension with the 49ers can’t be completely ignored. Perhaps Iupati wants to stay in San Francisco, where he plays on perhaps the league’s best offensive line. The Niners’ coaching staff and front office are solid, and the team is expected to remain competitive for some time. If that means enough to Iupati, maybe he would take a discount to stay in San Francisco. But the more likely scenario entails him leaving the Bay Area, and seeking the highest contract for his services.
East Notes: Bills, Coughlin, Ryan, Eagles
The Toronto-based group bidding on the Bills, which involves rocker Jon Bon Jovi, Larry Tanenbaum of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and the Rogers family, would keep the team in Buffalo, sources tell John Kryk of the Toronto Sun. While neither of the parties mentioned has even publicly confirmed interest in purchasing the team, it sounds like the group is not planning on relocating the franchise to Canada. However, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com writes, any talk of moving the team would be pointless as of right now, since the Bills can’t be relocated until at least 2020; anything potential buyers say in 2014 could just be lip service to placate Buffalo fans. More from the NFL’s two Eastern divisions:
- Giants owner John Mara on whether head coach Tom Coughlin has earned the right to leave on his own terms: “Does anybody ever earn that right? That’s just not the way this business is in this day and age. Let’s hope that it goes that way, but we haven’t even had that discussion yet,” Mara told Steve Serby of the New York Post. “We’re just looking forward to the next couple of seasons.”
- Jets head man Rex Ryan is never lacking confidence, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News writes. “Do I think that I’m a great coach? I absolutely know I’m a great coach,” said Ryan. “But it’s not just about me. What makes a great coach is the people that surround you, the people that are with you every day.”
- Chip Kelly is more of a strict disciplinarian than previous Eagles coach Andy Reid, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the new team attitude is showing itself during year two of Kelly’s reign.
- As Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland tells Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer, center Jason Kelce might be the most under-appreciated player in Philadelphia.
- Zuri Berry of the Boston Globe looks at some key questions for the Patriots as they head to training camp, including Rob Gronkowski‘s health and depth at receiver.
- The New England previews continue, as Tom Curran of CSSNE.com examines the Patriots’ offensive identity.
PFR Originals: 7/13/14 – 7/20/14
The original content produced by the PFR staff during the past week:
- We continued our Offseason in Review series, as Rory Parks covered the Lions, David Kipke covered the Packers, and Zach Links evaluated the Bears and the Redskins.
- Prior to Jimmy Graham‘s new deal with the Saints, Luke Adams took a look at the potential outcomes for the tight end.
- In our latest Free Agent Stock Watch piece, Rory profiled receiver Santonio Holmes, who is still looking for a job after being released by the Jets in March.
- Zach rounded up the best of the football blogs in the latest edition of Pigskin Links.
- Our Extension Candidate series plugged along, as Luke examined the case for 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree.
- Alex Boone and Vernon Davis are both unhappy with their current contracts, and Crabtree and Mike Iupati are among the other 49ers who could be searching for new deals. With that in mind, Zach asked which Niners will get extensions. Thanks for voting!
- I spoke with Chris Kluwe‘s lawyer, Clayton Halunen, as the former punter prepares his lawsuit against the Vikings following his 2012 release.
Week In Review: 7/13/14 – 7/20/14
The headlines from the past week at PFR:
Major Move:
- Following his appeal of his positional designation, tight end Jimmy Graham agreed to a four-year, $40MM contract with the Saints; $21MM is guaranteed.
Extended:
- 49ers – OT Joe Staley, through 2019 (link)
Signed:
- Colts – OL Chad Anderson (link)
- Redskins – FB Stephen Campbell (link)
- Bills – LB Stevenson Sylvester (link)
- Cowboys – TE Dallas Walker (link)
- Lions – OL Garrett Reynolds (link)
- Patriots – TE Nate Byham (link)
Released:
- Cowboys – QB Kyle Orton (link)
Suspended:
- Vikings special teams coach Mike Priefer: three games (link)
Retired:
- DT Armond Armstead (link)
Other:
- Franchise tag designees Brian Orakpo (Redskins) and Greg Hardy (Panthers) failed to reach long-term deals by Tuesday’s deadline (link)
- Browns owner Jimmy Haslam’s company, Pilot Flying J, avoided criminal charges (link)
- Chiefs LB Justin Houston likely to report to training camp (link)
- Former NFL punter Chris Kluwe to sue Vikings (link)
- NFL considering financing a stadium in Los Angeles (link)
West Notes: Boone, Smith, Williams, Cardinals
49ers guard Alex Boone will not report to training camp unless he is given a new deal, reports Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports. It’s not clear how much of a raise Boone wants over his scheduled $2MM and $1.2MM base salaries for 2014 and 2015, respectively, but as Getlin tweets, the crux of this disagreement is “valuation.” While San Francisco believes Boone is worth top-20 guard money, the sixth-year player believes he is in an even higher stratum. Sources also tell Getlin that Joe Staley‘s extension was, in part, a signal to Boone that new contracts can be struck, but only for players who attend workouts. More from the NFL’s two West divisions:
- Extension talks continue between Alex Smith and the Chiefs, but there are “significant differences” between the two parties, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).
- Paylor lists the backup QB competition as the #1 training camp battle on the Chiefs roster; Chase Daniel, Tyler Bray, and Aaron Murray are all fighting for the job.
- The 49ers placed defensive lineman Ian Williams on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list, tweets Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. The active/PUP list means a player is unable to perform during preseason workouts at the current time; as soon as the player is healthy, he can come off the list. Placement on the active/PUP list makes a player eligible for the more well-known reserve/PUP list, which mandates that a player miss the first weeks of the regular season.
- Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com takes a look at the more interesting position battles on the Cardinals, listing the right side of the offensive line and cornerback as two areas where competition and depth are abundant.
- Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com projects the Broncos’ 53-man roster, and veteran tight end Joel Dreessen doesn’t make the cut.
Chris Kluwe To Sue Vikings, Mike Priefer Suspended
9:30pm: I spoke with Kluwe’s lawyer, Clayton Halunen, over the phone about his client’s situation. He told me the Vikings have not contacted him since they have released their preliminary findings, and that the lawsuit is going to be filed early next week, likely on Wednesday. As to whether Priefer’s three-game suspension is acceptable, Halunen said, “It’s something — but not enough,” noting that the only way for the Vikings to ameliorate the situation is to release the full report and give the full $1MM to LGBT causes (essentially, meet Kluwe’s previously stated terms).
I asked Halunen if he advised his client to stay off social media while the lawsuit is in flux, and he said he told Kluwe to “tweet all day long,” as he feels that Twitter is a good avenue for Kluwe to tell his side of the story. Additionally, I wondered if Kluwe’s age, salary, declining performance (at least, according to Pro Football Focus), and the presence of rookie Jeff Locke would allow Halunen to accept that Kluwe’s release could have been performance-based. Halunen said that Kluwe’s numbers declined because he “took the directive of Preifer every time he punted,” employing kicking strategies that he did not agree with at the behest of his coach. Regarding Kluwe’s salary, Halunen says the punter “would have considered taking less money” if asked by the Vikings.
8:42pm: The Vikings have released a 29-page summary of their investigation (PDF provided by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune), which makes many of the same points as the statement released earlier by the team, including that Kluwe’s release was based on performance, not his views on same-sex issues.
7:50pm: Kluwe has now responded to the Vikings’ statement, per Tomasson (Twitter links), claiming that the report is full of “lies”: “It just shows that the Vikings clearly don’t want to get to the bottom of a culture that clearly protects homophobic behavior.”
Additionally, Kluwe’s attorney says that although he knows the report may be unflattering to Kluwe, he still wants it released, and still plans to sue. Regarding the supposed July 8 email in which he asked that the report not be published, Halunen claims that he only wanted certain footnotes with personal information to be redacted, per Ben Goessling of ESPN.com (Twitter links).
Kluwe himself is tweeting about the situation, saying that he knows the Vikings are playing “dirty” with him, as well as admitting the Sandusky remarks.
7:36pm: According to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter), Kluwe’s lawyer, in a July 8 email, asked that the report not be released.
Also, the Vikings have released a lengthy statement (not the ~150-page report), in which they find evidence that Priefer made inappropriate remarks, but deny that the team tried to quiet Kluwe’s views or that Kluwe’s release was tied to the situation. Priefer himself offers an apology within the statement:
I owe an apology to many people – the Wilf family, the Minnesota Vikings organization and fans, my family, the LGBT community, Chris Kluwe and anyone else that I offended with my insensitive remark. I regret what has occurred and what I said. I am extremely sorry but I will learn from this situation and will work on educating others to create more tolerance and respect.
7:27pm: Kluwe has responded to Priefer’s three-game suspension, per Tomasson (Twitter links): “I think that’s completely unacceptable…Are we going to know (in what is released by Vikings) what exactly are they suspending him for?”
Additionally, a source tells Pro Football Talk that information will surface in the report that Kluwe “made light of the Jerry Sandusky situation” by engaging in inappropriate activity (Twitter links). If true, this could hurt Kluwe’s case, as well as sully his image as someone who is sensitive to such issues.
7:14pm: Former NFL punter Chris Kluwe will file a lawsuit against the Vikings as early as Monday, reports Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Kluwe will claim that he was released from the Vikings due to his candid views on homosexuality and same-sex marriage.
We learned on Tuesday that Kluwe, who played for Minnesota from 2005-2012, would consider dropping the suit if the Vikings released the full findings of their investigation into the matter. Additionally, he asked that the team suspend special teams coach Mike Priefer, whom Kluwe claims made homophobic remarks, for four to eight games, and that $1MM be donated to LGBT causes.
However, Kluwe’s attorney, Clayton Halunen, asserts that the Vikings will only release a “scrubbed down” verison of their report and offered to donate just $100K to LGBT groups. As for Priefer, he will be suspended three games, apologize, and attend sensitivity training, according to Master Tesfatsion of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune (via Twitter). Tomasson specifies that Priefer’s sentence will be reduced to two games if he undergoes said training, and that while the coach “acknowledged” making incendiary remarks, he didn’t “flat out admit it” (Twitter links).
Per Tesfatsion, Kluwe will “claim discrimination on the grounds of human rights, religion, defamation and ‘tortious interference for contractual relations.'” The former special-teamer has stated that any money he is awarded will be given to charity, and his lawyer tells Tomasson that that amount could be significant. “We’ll go after everything he’d be entitled for his wrongful termination,’’ said Halunen. “Compensation for wages and benefits lost, emotional distress, damage to his reputation. It could be sizable. It could be over $10MM.’’
The Vikings will release a report of “decent length” tonight regarding the Kluwe ordeal, tweets Tesfatsion, although it isn’t clear if this refers to a summary of the original investigation’s findings, or simply a rebuttal to Kluwe.
Minor Moves: Lions, Patriots
Today’s minor moves:
- The Lions were awarded receiver Reese Wiggins off waivers from the Patriots, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link). The East Carolina product signed with New England after going undrafted.
- In a corresponding roster move, the Lions waived receiver Naaman Roosevelt (per Wilson on Twitter), who had his best season with the Bills in 2011, catching 16 passes for 257 yards and one touchdown.
- The Patriots have filled one of their open roster spots by signing receiver Tyler McDonald, according to his agency ARN Sports and Entertainment (via Twitter). McDonald went undrafted out of South Carolina State.
- More from New England and Detroit: Wilson tweets that Jeremy Johnson (Patriots) and J.B. Shugarts (Lions) went unclaimed off waivers.
Latest On Aldon Smith
A Santa Clara Superior Court judge sentenced 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith to 12 days in jail following his arrests for DUI and weapons offenses, but he can serve the time on a work crew while being placed on probation, reports Tracey Kaplan of the Bay Area News Group (via Twitter). Smith will also face $2K fine, be banned from owning guns or ammunition during his three-year probation period, and be forced to serve an additional 235 hours of community service, according to Kaplan’s colleague at the Bay Area News Group, Cam Inman.
Per Kaplan, the work crew sessions will take place on Mondays, and with Mondays being the usual 49ers off day, Smith won’t miss any practice time, tweets Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea,com. As Mike Garafolo of Fox Sport 1 adds (on Twitter), Smith’s Monday work sessions “magically” conclude the week before San Francisco’s first Monday Night Football game with the Rams.
On the whole, it appears as though Smith won’t face any serious punishment for his transgressions, and any legal ramifications shouldn’t affect his ability to play for the 49ers. However, the 24-year-old isn’t out of the woods just yet, as an NFL suspension could be in the works. Jim Trotter of Sports Illustrated tweets a “complete guess” as to Smith’s possible NFL penalty — a four-game ban that is negotiated down to two or three contests, which sounds fair to me.
Additionally, although Smith’s 2015 fifth-year option was exercised, but that contract is guaranteed for injury only until the first day of the 2015 league year. Smith got off lightly following this situation, but if similar incidents continue to occur, it’s fair to wonder if the Niners might decide to part ways with the talented, but mercurial, pass-rusher. General manager Trent Baalke did release a statement, saying that the team “will continue to support Aldon’s efforts to grow personally from this experience.”
AFC South Links: Texans, Jaguars, Brazill
A panel of NFL writers at ESPN.com ranked all 32 teams in order of future projected success — that is, how each franchise will fare over the next three seasons — by assigning grades for components like quarterback, front office, and coaching staff. Unsurprisingly, the Seahawks finished first in the exercise, but one underlying point was the brutal future prognosticated for the teams in the AFC South. The Colts ranked as the top team in the division, but were listed at just No. 20 overall, while the Jaguars, Titans, and Texans registered as Nos. 23, 25, and 27, respectively. I might quibble with the Texans’ projected futility, but as a whole, the AFC South looks like the weakest division in football, and could remain that way for some time.
- The Texans have several interesting position battles that need to be resolved during training camp, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle writes. Left guard will come down to either incumbent Ben Jones or rookie Xavier Su’a-Filo, while Randy Bullock will try to keep undrafted rookie Chris Boswell from taking the kicking job.
- In a video link, McClain and his Houston Chronicle colleague Brian T. Smith run down the top storylines on both sides of the ball for the Texans.
- The Jaguars don’t have much experience at receiver behind Cecil Shorts, but Jacksonville receivers coach Jerry Sullivan isn’t worried that his young players, including 2014 second-rounders Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson, will buckle under the NFL lights. “I never think about that,” Sullivan told Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. “I put the pressure on myself to get them trained to perform at the NFL level.”
- In the wake of LaVon Brazill‘s suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, ESPN.com’s Mike Wells opines that the 25-year-old ex-Colt has no one to blame but himself.
NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins
The latest from the NFC East…
- Todd Archer of ESPN.com answered several Cowboys questions, and a few are noteworthy (all links go to Twitter). Archer believes that Tyron Smith is more likely to receive a contract extension than Dez Bryant by the time training cam opens on July 24.
- Archer added that the Cowboys definitely expect Kyle Orton to report at some point, and that running back DeMarco Murray will eventually be re-signed.
- The Eagles have a long list of veterans who might not make the 53-man squad, but as Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com writes, defensive end Brandon Graham and cornerback Bradley Fletcher are the two players who are most likely to be cut during training camp.
- Assessing the Redskins’ right tackle situation, both Tarik El-Bashir and Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com believe they Tyler Polumbus will remain the starter. However, 2014 third-rounder Morgan Moses will probably take over the position in 2015.
- In a piece for RealRedskins.com, Tandler writes that he has some doubt as to whether Colt McCoy will be able to stick as the Redskins’ third quarterback.
- Eli Manning regressed last season, but according to Kevin Armstrong of the New York Daily News, the 33-year-old is excited about new Giants offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s scheme. “It’s re-energized me,” said Manning. “I’m trying to speed up the process of getting comfortable in the new system. I don’t have 10 years. I have a few months.”
- Connor Orr of the Star-Ledger profiles Brandon Mosley, a fourth-round pick of the Giants in 2012 who is pushing Chris Snee for the starting right guard job.