NFC Notes: Saints, Lofton, Eagles, Packers
The staff at ESPN.com examined the key questions for the NFC South heading into 2014, and Mike Triplett writes that despite popular opinion, the Saints don’t have a salary cap emergency on their hands. While New Orleans is constantly up against the cap, it hasn’t stopped them from signing big-ticket free agents; this offseason, they were able to bring in Jairus Byrd at a $9MM AAV. General manager Mickey Loomis’ roster management means that the team can’t afford to miss in the draft, or else the Saint could end up in the Cowboys’ situation — no cap space and bereft of talent.
More from the NFC South:
- It’s been a rough offseason injury-wise for linebackers around the league, and a few NFC LBs (Sean Weatherspoon and Sean Lee among them) have been affected, according to Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today.
- Curtis Lofton comes in at No. 11 on the Times-Picayune’s Larry Holder’s ranking of the top Saints players; in 2014, Lofton led New Orleans in tackles for the second straight season.
- The Eagles will probably retain kicker Alex Henery, writes Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com, and Phildelphia special teams coach Dave Fipp highlights the difficulty in finding a versatile kicker. “If you get a guy who’s a better kicker than him kicking field goals and a better touchback guy, let me know where he is,” said Fipp. “Every team in the league wants him. There’s not a lot of those guys floating around out there. It’s going to be hard to beat him out, but he’s got to get better at a bunch of things, too.”
- 2013 first-rounder Datone Jones didn’t play many snaps last season for the Packers, but he seems insatiable regarding his future plans for success, per Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “I won’t be satisfied until I’m the best in the league,” said Jones. “That’s the only way I’d be satisfied. Other than that, I still won’t be satisfied until I retire. No matter what year I have next year or the years to come, I don’t think I’ll ever be satisfied.” Jones will likely be used in sub packages as a pass-rush specialist in 2014.
Offseason In Review: Tennessee Titans
Notable signings:
- Michael Oher (OT): Four years, $20MM. $6MM guaranteed.
- Wesley Woodyard (ILB): Four years, $15.75MM. $4.75MM guaranteed.
- Dexter McCluster (WR/KR): Three years, $9MM. $4MM guaranteed.
- Ropati Pitoitua (DT): Three years, $9.6MM. $3.15MM guaranteed.
- Charlie Whitehurst (QB): Two years, $4.25MM. $2MM guaranteed.
- Al Woods (DT): Two years, $4MM. $1MM guaranteed.
- Bernard Pollard (S): Two years, $6.3MM. $850K guaranteed.
- Shaun Phillips (DE/OLB): Two years, $5MM. $750K guaranteed.
- Antonio “Mookie” Johnson (DT): Two years, $2.35MM. $175K guaranteed.
- Leon Washington (RB/KR): One year, minimum salary benefit. $65K guaranteed.
- Chris Spencer (OL): One year, minimum salary benefit. $35K guaranteed.
- Jackie Battle (RB): One year, minimum salary benefit.
- Dorin Dickerson (TE): One year, minimum salary benefit.
- Marc Mariani (WR/KR): One year, $610K.
Notable losses:
- Rob Bironas (K): Released
- Kenny Britt (WR)
- Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB): Released
- Chris Johnson (RB): Released
- Quinn Johnson (FB)
- Kevin Matthews (OL)
- Michael Otto (OT)
- Rusty Smith (QB)
- David Stewart (OT): Released
- Robert Turner (C)
- Alterraun Verner (CB)
- Kevin Walter (WR)
Extensions and restructures:
- Kamerion Wimbley (DE/OLB): Restructured contract. Base salaries and cap hits reduced for 2014, 2015, and 2016. Received $2.55MM in total roster bonuses and workout bonuses (not all guaranteed).
- Craig Stevens (TE): Restructured contract. Base salary for 2014 reduced from $3.4MM to $1.6MM in exchange for $500K guaranteed and up to $100K in roster bonuses.
Trades:
- Acquired a second-round pick (No. 54) and a fourth-round pick (No. 122) from the Eagles in exchange for a second-round pick (No. 42).
- Acquired a sixth-round pick (No. 178) from the Redskins in exchange for a sixth-round pick (No. 186) and a seventh-round pick (No. 228).
Draft picks:
- Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan (1.11)
- Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington (2.54): Signed
- Daquan Jones, DT, Penn State (4.112): Signed
- Marqueston Huff, CB Wyoming (4.122): Signed
- Avery Williamson, LB, Kentucky (5.151): Signed
- Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU (6.178): Signed
Other:
- Hired Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt as head coach.
- Hired Jason Michael and Ray Horton as offensive and defensive coordinators.
- Have discussed extension for Jurrell Casey.
- Declined Jake Locker‘s fifth-year option for 2015 ($14.666MM).
- Signed 13 rookie free agents after the draft.
In the years following the departure of former head coach Jeff Fisher, the Titans struggled to remain relevant, finishing 9-7, 6-10, and 7-9 in three seasons with Mike Munchak at the helm. Tennessee seemed rudderless, especially on offense, and questionable personnel decisions by general manager Ruston Webster only exacerbated the team’s lack of direction. A coaching staff overhaul might be the first step towards determining a team identity, but the Titans’ offseason moves leave much to be desired, as it simply doesn’t appear the team got any better.
Replacing Munchak as head coach will be Ken Whisenhunt, the former Cardinals head coach, who spent 2013 as the Chargers’ offensive coordinator. While he brought former San Diego tight end coach Jason Michael with him to Tennessee to serve as offensive coordinator, Whisenhunt will call the plays himself. In addition to changing the Titans’ scheme (he favors a more spread out attack than the previous regime), the 52-year-old will bring Super Bowl experience to Nashville.
Whisenhunt is known as something of a quarterback guru — he helped develop Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh, and revived the careers of Kurt Warner and Philip Rivers in Arizona and San Diego, respectively. In Tennessee, he faces perhaps his most difficult challenge in reversing the fortunes of 2011 first-rounder Jake Locker. The Titans declined their 2015 option on the fourth-year QB, meaning 2014 is perhaps his best and final chance to prove he is an NFL-caliber starter. If he fails in-season, the team can turn to backup Charlie Whitehurst, who signed a two-year, $4.25MM deal after spending last season under Whisenhunt in San Diego, or sixth-round rookie Zach Mettenberger, who fits the mold of big-bodied quarterbacks that Whisenhunt has favored over his career.
While the Titans are using 2014 as a decision-making year at the quarterback position, they acted more swiftly at the running back spot. They released longtime ball-carrier Chris Johnson, creating $6MM in cap space in the process. Tennessee selected Washington product Bishop Sankey in the second round, and will pair him with holdover Shonn Greene to form a 1-2 punch at RB. Joining them will Dexter McCluster, added on a three-year $9MM pact, who despite playing primarily receiver in his career, is expected to play the Danny Woodhead-role in Whisenhunt’s offense. If McCluster does see time at pass-catcher, he will join an impressive position group, headlined by Kendall Wright, Nate Washington, and Justin Hunter, that hasn’t seen much turnover since 2013 (Kenny Britt left for St. Louis, but he wasn’t a factor last year).
Tennessee’s most questionable roster machinations over the past few months have involved the offensive line. First, the Titans released longtime right tackle David Stewart, a reasonable move both because Stewart’s play had suffered and it cleared over $6MM off the books. However, Stewart is to be replaced in the starting lineup by free agent signee Michael Oher (four years, $20MM), who was even worse in 2013, grading out just the 68th-best tackle in the league, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Compounding that move was another head-scratcher — the drafting of Taylor Lewan at pick No. 11. With stalwart Michael Roos manning the left side, one of Oher or Lewan will have no place to play, meaning the Titans seemingly misused either $20MM or a first-round pick.
While the Titans’ offense might face a learning curve in 2014, the defense, which will also undergo a scheme change, boasts more talent, and should improve upon last season’s 22nd-ranked DVOA. New coordinator Ray Horton ostensibly runs a 3-4 look, but is a major proponent of multiple fronts, meaning versatility will be key. The most visible difference will probably be at linebacker, where Derrick Morgan (entering a contract year) and Kamerion Wimbley will be asked to switch from hand-in-the-ground ends to stand-up outside linebackers. Joining them in the LB rotation will be inside ‘backer Wesley Woodyard, who signed a four-year contract worth $15.75MM, and OLB Shaun Phillips, added from Denver on a two-year, $5MM deal.
Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, a 2013 breakout star who finished as PFF’s fifth-best DT, will be making the switch to nose tackle in Horton’s front. In a typical 3-4 defense, a NT would be asked to fill two gaps (essentially take up space); in Horton’s modified look, however, Casey will still only be assigned one gap, meaning he will still have the freedom to do what he does best — rush the passer. To help solidify the line, Tennessee re-signed Ropati Pitoitua on a three-year deal, added Al Woods from Pittsburgh, and drafted Daquan Jones in the fourth round. Pitoitua and Woods will help at end, while Jones is more of a classic 3-4 tackle, but all three exhibit the requirement of Horton-coached player — versatility.
The secondary will see some change — while safety will continue to be a three-man rotation between Michael Griffin, Bernard Pollard (re-signed on a two-year pact), and George Wilson, the cornerback position suffered the loss of Alterraun Verner, who signed with the Buccaneers. The Titans selected CB Marqueston Huff out of Wyoming in the fourth round, but Verner’s vacated spot will be filled by the winner of a Blidi Wreh-Wilson/Coty Sensabaugh/Tommie Campbell battle; the victor will play opposite veteran Jason McCourty.
Work is left to be done in Tennessee; extensions for Casey and Morgan are possible, and the offensive line needs to be sorted out. But 2014 will be an important year for the Titans. Failure could result in wholesale changes at key positions like quarterback and offensive tackle, while success could mean a new contract for Locker and praise for Whisenhunt and his staff. A winning season isn’t necessarily expected for the Titans next season, but improvement is — how well new schemes on both sides of the ball fare will determine how much more development is needed.
Spotrac and Over the Cap were used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Latest On Josh Gordon
We learned yesterday that Browns receiver Josh Gordon, facing a year-long suspension after violating the league’s substance abuse policy, will be able to appeal at a hearing in late July. If the ban is upheld, Gordon, whose reinstatement would come only at the discretion of commissioner Roger Goodell, would be barred from interacting with his teammates or showing up at Cleveland’s facilities. This loss of a “support system,” writes Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, has some close to Gordon worried that the 23-year-old might never make it back to the NFL.
Sources close to Gordon draw parallels to Jaguars receiver Justin Blackmon, who was banned from the first four games of 2013, and then suspended indefinitely following Week 8 after violating the substance abuse policy; he is not expected to reinstated for the 2014 season. The fear is that without the encouragement offered by fellow Browns, as well Cleveland’s coaching staff, Gordon won’t be able to properly manage his life decisions, forcing Goodell to conclude that the young pass-catcher is not prepared to re-enter the league.
There is the possibility that this situation could be nullified by an agreement resulting in a reduced suspension. Gordon was originally suspended for four games last season, and although he was ultimately docked four game checks, he only missed playing in two contests. However, Cabot has previously reported that even if Godron’s ban was reduced to something like eight games, he would not be permitted to engage with the team while he was banished.
Without Gordon, the Browns will look to implement a run-heavy offense under new coordinator Kyle Shanahan, utilizing their standout offensive line to block for new additions Ben Tate and Terrance West. However, if Gordon is allowed to return to the field in 2014, Cleveland’s offense would be able to feature a true No. 1 receiver who could garner much of the defense’s focus. In just 14 games last year, Gordon led the league with 1,646 receiving yards, catching 87 balls and nine touchdowns. The receivers on the Browns depth chart behind Gordon include Miles Austin, Andrew Hawkins, Nate Burleson, and Anthony Armstrong.
Cowboys Acquire Rolando McClain, Place Sean Lee On IR
THURSDAY, 11:04am: The Cowboys’ official site has provided clarity on the draft picks potentially changing hands in this deal. Here are the details:
- If McClain plays 50% or more of the Cowboys’ defensive snaps in 2014, the Ravens receive a 2015 sixth-round pick and the Cowboys receive a 2015 seventh-round pick.
- If McClain doesn’t play 50% of the defensive snaps but is on the 53-man roster for five games or the 46-man roster for three games, the Cowboys will swap 2016 seventh-round picks with Baltimore, assuming Dallas’ pick is higher.
- Otherwise, no picks will change hands.
WEDNESDAY, 4:59pm: According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), the Cowboys now say they sent a seventh-round pick to Baltimore in the McClain deal, and that the seventh-rounders going both ways are for 2016, rather than 2015.
9:35am: The sixth-round pick the Cowboys are including in the deal is conditional based on McClain’s playing time, says Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (via Twitter). It’s not clear what picks, if any, would change hands if McClain doesn’t play, but presumably the Ravens’ seventh-rounder wouldn’t go anywhere in that case either.
TUESDAY, 5:00pm: The Cowboys have acquired linebacker Rolando McClain and a 2015 seventh-round pick from the Ravens in exchange for a 2015 sixth-rounder, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter). In a corresponding roster move, Dallas has placed linebacker Sean Lee, who tore his ACL last month, on injured reserve, tweets ESPN.com’s Field Yates.
McClain, 24, was selected by the Raiders at pick No. 8 in the 2010 draft. After being released in April 2013, he signed with Baltimore, but retired a month later. In March of this year, he announced his intentions to return to the NFL, but retired a second time in April. He was once again reinstated from the reserve/retired list today. Over the course of three seasons, McClain has amassed 175 tackles and 6.5 sacks, while grading out positively each year per Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required).
Dallas will assume the contract McClain signed with Baltimore, which pays him $700K in non-guaranteed base salary, and contains another $400K in incentives based on playing time, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link). Provided he commits to playing out the season, McClain could be a worthwhile addition for the Cowboys, especially given the low cost to acquire him.
McClain will presumably compete with Justin Durant and fourth-round pick Anthony Hitchens to replace Lee at middle linebacker. Lee, who signed a six-year extension worth $42.6MM last August, has now suffered three ACL injuries (two on his left leg) in a six-year span.
Extra Points: Winston, Buccaneers, Eagles
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston has taken out an insurance policy that would pay $8-10MM in the event of disability or loss of value, reports Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports. The policy is predicated on the expectation that Winston will be picked in the top-10 of the 2015 draft; if he is not selected in the first round due to injury or illness, the policy will presumably pay out. Though Winston has designs on spending two more years at FSU, Getlin writes that this policy makes that scenario unlikely. Premiums on coverage plans such as Winston’s are often in excess of $50K annually, meaning the Heisman winner will probably need to earn an NFL salary to pay off the fee.
- Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap zeroes in on the Buccaneers’ secondary while dissecting the team’s best and worst contract, labeling Alterraun Verner‘s deal as the most team-friendly, and Dashon Goldson‘s pact as the most perilous to Tampa Bay’s cap situation.
- The Eagles have several intriguing candidates for the return jobs on special teams, writes Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com. During minicamp, Darren Sproles was used as the main punt returner, while rookie Josh Huff was the primary option on kick returns.
- Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton, and Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell top Pat Kirwan of CBSSports.com’s list of assistants who are likely to get a head job soon.
AFC Notes: Bills, Steelers, Garoppolo
The Bills were dealt a devastating blow tonight, as second-year linebacker Kiko Alonso tore his ACL and is expected to miss all of the upcoming season. Let’s look at some more notes from Buffalo and the rest of the AFC:
- New York governor Andrew Cuomo has argued that the Bills don’t need a new stadium in order to remain in Buffalo, and today he reiterated that view. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” said Cuomo, per Dave McKinley of WGRZ.com. “Everyone wants the Bills to stay in Western New York. And, if everyone agreed that the only way the Bills could stay was a new stadium, then we should talk about a new stadium. But I don’t know that that’s the case.” However, the state has tasked a consulting firm with surveying locations for a new Bills home, and it has delivered a preliminary report.
- Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley offered praise for new line coach Mike Munchak, who like Haley, has head coaching experience, writes Scott Brown of ESPN.com. “Not all great players are great coaches. But he’s definitely one of those great players that transitioned into being a great coach,” said Haley. “The head coaching experience is a benefit because he doesn’t just see it from his position group or his perspective. He sees the big picture…”
- kSpeaking of Haley, he conducted an interesting interview with Mary Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review focusing on analytics, and how the burgeoning use of statistics in the NFL affects the Steelers’ offensive philosophy.
- Gil Brandt of NFL.com tweets that three non-first-round AFC rookies have caught his eye throughout minicamps and OTAs: Allen Robinson and Brandon Linder of the Jaguars, and Jimmy Garoppolo of the Patriots.
Kiko Alonso Tears ACL, Will Miss 2014 Season
8:48pm: Alonso has in fact torn his ACL, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter). He will miss the 2014 season, and is facing a seven-to-nine month recovery.
8:45pm: Alonso will likely undergo an MRI tomorrow, tweets Albert Breer of NFL.com, who reiterates that “every indication” points toward a torn ACL.
8:28pm: The fear is that Alonso has torn his ACL, a team source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
8:12pm: Bills linebacker Kiko Alonso has injured his knee while working out in Oregon, according to a team statement. Per Buffalo general manager Doug Whaley, while the details of the injury are not yet known, “early indications are that it may be significant.” While an MRI has yet to be performed, the team probably wouldn’t feel comfortable releasing a statement on the matter if the injury wasn’t severe. In fact, a team source tells ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter) that it would be an upset if the Bills did receive good news on Alonso’s knee.
After being selected in the second round of the 2013 draft, Alonso went on to win Defensive Rookie of the Year after totaling 87 tackles, four interceptions, and two sacks. The 23-year-old was one of only three linebackers to play 100% of his team’s snaps, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com. Though he played middle linebacker in Mike Pettine’s 3-4 defense last season, Alonso was being moved to the weak side in 2014, where he might’ve fit better in Jim Schwartz’s 4-3 scheme.
According to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (Twitter link), third-year player Nigel Bradham is next up on the depth chart at the WILL position; he started 11 games in 2012 but only three last year. Preston Brown, the Bills’ third-round pick, is also an option, though he mostly played in the middle during college. Among unsigned players, our free agent tracker shows that Will Witherspoon and Michael Boley might be Buffalo’s best external options.
West Notes: Singletary, Poe, Flowers, McGloin
Mike Singletary wants to return to the NFL in a head coaching capacity, and has signed with agent Gil Scott in the hopes of pursuing that goal, according to Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal (Twitter links). The Hall of Fame linebacker has been coaching in the league for 11 years, most notably as the head coach of the 49ers from 2009-10. The 55-year-old spent the past three seasons as the assistant head coach of the Vikings, but will not return to Minnesota after Leslie Frazier’s firing. Singletary is certainly respected around the league, but I’d be surprised if he got another chance at a head job; San Francisco’s immediate turnaround following his departure probably won’t help his case.
- Dontari Poe rarely came off the field last season, and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid doesn’t think things will change in 2014. “To get him off the field you have to pull him off,” Reid told Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. “He’s not one to tap out. That’s not how he goes. You monitor that the best way you can. We didn’t see a decline in his play as the season wore on. There are a handful of teams that do what we do where you play certain guys a high percent of the plays.’’ Poe played on 1004 snaps last season, the most among all defensive tackles.
- Many Chargers veterans were hoping the team would sign Brandon Flowers following his release from the Chiefs, none more so than Flowers’ college teammate, and current Charger, Eddie Royal. “I shot him a text,” said Royal, per Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego. “I called him shortly after. Even before I knew our team was interested, I wanted to put it out there that I would love to play with him again.”
- Matt McGloin, who started six games as an undrafted rookie for the Raiders last season, now sits third on Oakland’s quarterback depth chart, but he is still optimistic about his career, writes Scott Walsh of Citizens’ Voice.
- The coaching staffs of the 49ers and the Seahawks claimed the top two spots in Alessandro Miglio of Bleacher Report’s ranking of all 32 coaching cadres.
NFC North Links: Vereen, Weems, Perry, Tretter
In his latest chat, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune writes that Bears fourth-rounder Brock Vereen is “absolutely in the running” to be the starter at free safety. Chicago secondary coach Jon Hoke was apparently impressed with the rookie’s performance during OTAs and minicamp, and will stage a training camp battle between Vereen and Chris Conte, who struggled in 2013, specifically in stopping the run. The entire Q&A, which touches on Shea McClellin‘s position switch and the signing of Adrian Wilson, is worth a read. Here’s more from the NFC North.
- The Bears have several players vying to replace Devin Hester as the team’s primary return man, including offseason additions Micheal Spurlock and Armanti Edwards, but veteran Eric Weems might have the best chance to take up the mantle, and he admits he wants the job. “Most definitely I’ve missed doing it,” Weems told Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com. “It’s still in the blood. I love doing it. That’s what I was in Atlanta doing. That’s what I made the Pro Bowl doing. There’s no question in my mind that I love doing it.”
- As part of his series looking at Packers who will need to show improvement in 2014, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com profiles 2012 first-round pick Nick Perry, who, due to injuries, has only played in 17 games over his first two seasons. The 24-year-old will be playing the “Elephant” role in Green Bay’s 3-4 defense this season, meaning he will roam from linebacker to defensive end, and maybe even see snaps at tackle.
- In a separate piece, Demovsky offers an early Packers depth chart, with Micah Hyde, who played mostly slot corner in 2013, being listed ahead of first-round pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at free safety.
- Packers center J.C. Tretter, a fourth-round pick last year, has never played a snap in the NFL, but following the departure of Evan Dietrich-Smith, he might be the most important player on Green Bay’s offensive line, writes Rob Reischel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Extra Points: Greco, Jolly, Chargers, Jackson
In his latest mailbag, ESPN.com’s John Clayton begins by examining the prolific turnover at the cornerback position this offseason. Teams are seemingly following the Seahawks’ model in the secondary, searching for taller defensive backs who can shut down the league’s No. 1 receivers, who themselves are growing eve- larger in stature. Clayton points to the Chiefs, Patriots, and Broncos as teams who have prioritized length at corner by releasing the 5’10” Brandon Flowers, signing Brandon Browner, and adding Aqib Talib, respectively.
More assorted notes from the NFL:
- John Greco, who signed a four-year extension with the Browns last summer, is slated to be Cleveland’s starting right guard, but he knows that competition is inevitable, writes George M. Thomas of the Akron Beacon Journal. “There’s always someone at your footsteps banging on the door so you know at any time you can be easily replaced if there’s a mistake,” said Greco. “It just makes you that much more focused to work harder to keep your spot.” The 29-year-old’s contract makes it easy for the Browns release him if he does falter, as it contains no more guaranteed money.
- We learned earlier today that Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly has been medically cleared, but as Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes, Jolly must now play the waiting game, hoping that a team will show interest in him. Green Bay, specifically, already re-signed B.J. Raji, and are counting on pass-rush help from Datone Jones, Josh Boyd, and third-rounder Khyri Thorton, so they might not need any help up front.
- The Chargers’ defense was among the league’s worst units in 2013; they ranked dead last in terms of defensive DVOA (per Football Outsiders). As such, San Diego defensive coordinator John Pagano is only penciling in three definite starters — Eric Weddle, Donald Butler, and Corey Liuget, while the rest of the spots are up for grabs, writes Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. Sean Lissemore will be the nominal starter at nose tackle, adds Pagano, but the Chargers will only be in their base defense 30-35% of snaps.
- Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com profiles Broncos defensive lineman Malik Jackson, a fifth-round pick in 2012 who performed very well last season in his first real opportunity at playing time.