NFC East Notes: Redskins, Bryant, Giants
After surprising many with a 10-6 record in 2012, the Redskins stumbled to disappointing 3-13 record in 2013 while regressing on both sides of the ball. While Washington fans are surely hoping a rebound season is in the cards, Rich Tandler of RealRedskins.com stifles that hope with a dose of pessimism, listing several reasons that the Redskins could flounder once again this year. Pointing to a rookie head coach in Jay Gruden, injuries along the defensive front, and a offensive line in flux, Tandler cautions that this year’s ‘Skins might more closely resemble 2013’s team than the squad of two years ago.
- In an assessment of the Redskins’ 2013 draft class, John Keim of ESPN.com points to the team’s top two selections, cornerback David Amerson and tight end Jordan Reed, as successes, but notes that Washington hopes to get more production out of a few later-round picks, such as safeties Phillip Thomas and Bacarri Rambo, and linebacker Brandon Jenkins.
- Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus takes a in-depth look at both quarterbacks who started games for the Redskins last season (Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins), and writes that although Griffin was among the league’s best on short passes, he struggled with deep balls and utilizing play-action. Cousins (whose small sample size should be taken into account) performed well against the blitz, but was below-average when using deep dropbacks.
- As part of a series breaking down the Cowboys position-by-position, Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News analyzes the team’s receiving corps. Because new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan likes to feature his best playmaker, Sabin expects Dez Bryant to receive even more chances to catch the ball. Of course, more impressive statistics for Bryant, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, will lead to extremely hefty contract demands.
- The Giants ranked near the bottom of the league in both kick and punt return average, but New York special teams coach Tom Quinn is excited about the team’s options in 2014, and he singled out three players who could add explosiveness to both units, per Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. “You’ve got three different types of returners when you talk about [Odell] Beckham [Jr.], [Trindon] Holliday, and [Quintin] Demps,” Quinn said. “Obviously, with the speed of Holliday and the shiftiness, the undersized guy. And then you’ve got Demps, who’s got a little more size and does that the straight-line speed. And then you’ve got Beckham, who’s probably a combination of the two. We’re real happy with all three of those guys.”
The Dolphins’ Options At Center
The Dolphins’ offensive line has been the subject of scrutiny both on- and off-the-field over the past 12 months — the unit not only dealt with the Jonathan Martin/Richie Incognito bullying scandal that marred Miami’s entire 2013 season, but struggled both in run-blocking and protecting Ryan Tannehill, ranking 18th and 30th in those areas, respectively, according to Football Outsiders’ metrics. The team added reinforcements in Branden Albert, Shelley Smith, and Ju’Wuan James during the offseason, but was dealt another blow today, losing center Mike Pouncey for at least three months after he went underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip.
Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the tear was “significant,” and the postulated 90-day absence is the absolute minimum for Pouncey; on such a timetable, the 24-year-old would miss three or four games. However, as Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes, any unforeseen complications involving the injury and/or recovery could conceivably force Miami to place Pouncey on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, causing him to miss a minimum of six games.
Losing Pouncey for any amount of time would be significant for the Dolphins, as the 2013 Pro Bowler is one of the best centers in the NFL. After being drafted 15th overall in the 2011 draft, he has started 46 out of possible 48 games, and graded out as a top-13 center in both 2012 and 2013, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced ratings.
Miami has several replacement options on its roster if it chooses to look internally for help. 2013 undrafted free agent Sam Brenner would probably get the first crack at the job, writes James Walker of ESPN.com; in fact, Walker tweets a projected Pouncey-less offensive line consisting of Albert, Dallas Thomas, Brenner, Smith, and James from left-to-right. Brenner, though, struggled in his limited opportunities at guard last season. Nate Garner is also capable of playing center in a pinch, as he replaced Pouncey for two games last year.
Chris Perkins of the Sun-Sentinel posits that Smith could also be a candidate to play center, though that would force the Dolphins to find a new right guard. And though unsigned rookie Billy Turner could potentially fill that role, the right side of Miami’s line would then consist of two first-year players. Complicating matters is that Turner had primarily been practicing at left guard — putting Smith at center and Turner at right guard would mean the Dolphins’ front five would have two players lining up at new positions.
A scan of our list of remaining free agents shows that there are several unsigned centers who could, if not start, at least add depth in Miami. Fernando Velasco and Kyle Cook were the primary starters for the Steelers and Bengals, respectively, in 2013, but both were below-average according to PFF. Robert Turner, Ryan Cook, and Dan Koppen all played well in 2012, but none played significant snaps last season. David Baas was also above-average two seasons ago, but is battling injuries and his return to the NFL is questionable. However, none of these players has experience in the type of up-tempo offense that new Dolphins coordinator Bill Lazor is implementing — a scheme that will require a center to “be smart and in shape,” tweets Walker.
The Dolphins head into 2014 expected to compete to for a playoff spot, and head coach Joe Philbin and his staff could be ousted if the team falters. Miami won’t want to risk fielding an offensive line that lacks competence at center, so even if Brenner ends up as Pouncey’s replacement, I’d expect them to at least bring in a veteran as depth during training camp and the early part of the regular season.
AFC South Notes: Jaguars, Texans, McAfee
The Jaguars drafted receivers Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson to complement Cecil Shorts, but it was the unheralded Allen Hurns who made waves at minicamp, writes Mike Sando for ESPN Insider (subscription required). Hurns, who went undrafted out of Miami, saw quite a few snaps during practice sessions and made the most of them, even earning praise from quarterback Chad Henne. By signing with Jacksonville, Hurns reunites with offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch, who served in the same capacity with the Hurricanes from from 2011-2012.
- Speaking of Shorts, he is one of many Jaguars veterans who feels that the team will take a step forward in 2014, per John Oehser of Jaguars.com. “I believe we’ve gotten better from where we were last year. I believe we’re way ahead of where we were last year,” said Shorts. “…Last year, we were about learning the plays and trying to figure out what to do…Now, we have the same playbook. Now, we understand everything.”
- In a piece kicking off his Best and Worst Contracts series, Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap examines the Texans roster, labeling Andre Johnson as the player on the most team-friendly deal, and Arian Foster as having the least favorable contract from management’s perspective.
- New Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel knows it will be a challenge to repair a unit that struggled last season, but he tells ESPN.com’s Tania Ganguli that he doesn’t think the 2013 team was lacking effort. “…[E]veryone thinks when you are 2-14 that you are no good,” said Crennel. “Your record is what it is, but from what I saw on tape, I saw guys hustling, I saw guys giving effort and guys being in the game in the fourth quarter. That indicated to me that maybe they weren’t that far away.” Houston ranked 18th in DVOA and forced a league-low 11 turnovers in 2013.
- Colts punter Pat McAfee wants to add another job title to his résumé — placekicker. He hit several attempts from over 60 yards during minicamp, writes Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis, but the 27-year-old doesn’t expect to get a chance at the kicking job any time soon, what with the presence of veteran Adam Vinatieri on the roster. Handing the two duties to a single player would be an interesting idea, though, as it would free up an active roster spot on gameday.
Minor Moves: Waivers, Ravens, Saints
Even as the NFL enters something of a quiet period before training camps begin, teams will continue to manipulate their rosters, mostly through low-key transactions involving lesser-known players. We’ll keep track of the latest minor moves here, with the latest updates being added to the top of the list.
- The following players have cleared waivers, making them free agents (Twitter links via Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post): cornerback Avery Patterson, safety Dexter Moody, quarterback Jerrod Johnson, tight end Fendi Onobun, tight end Terrence Miller, and running back Johnathan Franklin. Franklin is expected to retire following a neck injury.
- In a full article, Wilson adds that Ravens rookie linebacker Xavius Boyd has reverted back to the team’s injured reserve after clearing waivers following a failed physical designation.
- The Saints have signed linebacker Todd Davis, who went undrafted out of Sacramento State in 2013, the team announced in a press release. We had heard this afternoon that a union between the two parties was likely. In a corresponding move, the team waived cornerback A.J. Davis (no relation) with a failed physical designation.
AFC Notes: Flowers, Fitzpatrick, Ravens, ‘Fins
Free agent cornerback Brandon Flowers, released by the Chiefs on June 13, is expected to sign with a new team by the middle of the week, reports Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (Twitter link). We heard similar news a few days ago, so it appears that Flowers, whom La Canfora notes has “plenty of suitors,” has at least narrowed down his possible destinations. Our own Luke Adams mentioned the Lions as a landing spot for Flowers, given that Detroit has not downplayed its interest in the 2013 Pro Bowler. I would posit that the Chargers, who are in desperate need of secondary help, and the Ravens, who have a history of signing high-level players who have been cut, could also be options for the 28-year-old Flowers.
More from around the AFC:
- Yesterday, we passed along several tweets from the Houston Chronicle’s Brian T. Smith regarding Ryan Fitzpatrick, with some analysts opining that the quarterback is “too much of a gunslinger with not enough of an arm.” In a new article, Smith fleshes out more opinions on Fitzpatrick, and wonders if he is capable of leading the Texans in the right direction. For his part, head coach Bill O’Brien has expressed confidence in his starter. “Ryan has come in here and learned well,” said O’Brien. “He’s a good guy. He’s a fun guy to coach. He works extremely hard. He’s thrown the ball accurately in these practices that we’ve had. He’s picked up the system well.”
- Jacoby Jones and Gary Kubiak worked together with the Texans, and now that two are reunited on the Ravens, Jones is excited about the prospects of working in a Kubiak-run offense again, writes Ray Frager of CSNBaltimore.com. “Don’t sleep on [the deep pass], but the way he is, he’s going to take what you give us,” said Jones. “If you’re going to sit there and play that all game — you’re going to give it to us — why not? Just chip away and throw it down the field. It’s football. It’s a chess match.”
- Some executives thought Dolphins first-rounder Ju’Waun James, who signed his rookie contract on Thursday, was a reach at pick No. 19, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. “We had James as a late-first rounder,” said an NFC scout. “He has first-round talent but you want more of a finisher, more production for a player with his size and skill level. He’s a quiet country kid. I’m not sure he wants to lead a unit.”
- Within the same piece, Jackson spoke with an NFC executive who said that veteran cornerback Cortland Finnegan could rebound with the Dolphins this season, and pointed to the failures of ex-Rams defensive coordinator Tim Walton as the reason for Finnegan’s 2013 struggles. Finnegan overwhelmingly agreed with that assessment, saying Walton’s scheme was “atrocious. From the game plan to technique to fundamentals, they weren’t in line with a defensive coordinator who knew what he was doing. He was a great defensive backs coach, but when you’re in over your head, it’s kind of tough.”
Broncos Notes: Franklin, Knighton, Gase
The Broncos have done some reshuffling along their offensive line this offseason — Ryan Clady will return from injury to protect Peyton Manning‘s blindside at left tackle, meaning his replacement last season, Chris Clark, will move to right tackle to compete with Winston Justice. In turn, Orlando Franklin, the 2013 starter on the right side, will find a new home at left guard, taking over for the departed Zane Beadles. As Mike Klis of the Denver Post writes, Franklin initially perceived the position switch as a slight, before deciding to embrace the move for the good of the team. The 6’7″, 320-pound Franklin is larger than a typical guard, and he admits he still has some work to do in order to master the position. “I’m definitely not a finished product, but I’m more comfortable today than what I was nine weeks ago at the position,” said Franklin. “It’s like learning all over again. Offensive tackle is a little different. They’ve got a lot more moves and there’s a lot more space. Being inside, yeah, they’re a lot bigger in there, but it’s like fighting in a phone booth.”
- In a separate piece, Klis expounds on the confidence of defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, who excelled last season after signing a two-year contract with Denver. “…I think I’m in the prime of my career. I honestly don’t feel like there’s a center that can block me,” said the 27-year-old. “I’ll just keep working at it. I’ve watched film from last year, and I’ve watched future opponents. Right now, I’m just trying to go out there and dominate and continue where I left off.” Knighton, who will earn a base salary of $1.5MM in 2014, could be in line for a sizeable deal next offseason if he continues to perform well.
- Offensive coordinator Adam Gase was the hot name among head coaching candidates this offseason, and was atop the Browns’ wishlist, writes Woody Paige of the Denver Post. However, Gase admits he made some poor play-calls in the Super Bowl, and feels the Broncos can accomplish even more on offense in 2014. Of course, that would lead to his being even more in demand next offseason, but Paige thinks Gase might stick around in Denver for the remainder of Manning’s tenure, and even posits that the 36-year-old could become the Broncos’ head coach at some point in the future.
- Fielding an imposing pass rush shouldn’t be a problem for the Broncos given the presence of Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, but ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold thinks 2013 fifth-rounder Quanterus Smith could be a wild card next season. Smith was leading the nation in sacks while at Western Kentucky in 2012 before he tore his ACL; he then spent all of last season on injured reserve.
- In a separate piece focusing on OTA highlights, Legwold opines that receiver Emmanuel Sanders, signed to a three-year deal in the offseason, has exhibited versatility and put in extra work with Manning, leading Legwold to believe that rapport could continue into the regular season.
NFC South Notes: Bucs, Falcons, Panthers
The Buccaneers revamped both their front office and their coaching staff this offseason, but that doesn’t mean the situation in Tampa Bay is entirely negative. The team is actually in decent shape with regards to the salary cap, thanks in no small part to several players whose performance far exceeds their compensation. With that in mind, Pat Yasinkas of ESPN.com examines the top five bargains on the Bucs roster, with linebacker Lavonte David taking the top spot. David, a 2013 All-Pro, graded out as Pro Football Focus’ second-best 4-3 outside linebacker (subscription required), but his base salary is just $705K. Likewise, running back Doug Martin, who has shown flashes of brilliance when not impaired by injuries, will make only $1MM in 2014 and count just $1.8MM against the cap. Of course, both of these players are on their rookie contracts, and hefty extensions for both would certainly repeal each’s “bargain” label.
More from the NFC South:
- Change is definitely afoot in Tampa, as Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune notes (on Twitter) that the Buccaneers could have 11 new starters in 2014, including eight on offense alone.
- Kaufman also tweets that the primary goal for the Buccaneers should be to avoid last place in the NFC South; Tampa Bay has finished in the basement six times in the past 12 years, while the other teams in the division have only done so twice each.
- The Falcons bolstered their offensive line this offseason, adding Jon Asamoah in free agency and Jake Matthews in the draft, and quarterback Matt Ryan is hopeful that the changes will be a step towards Atlanta improving upon its 2013 4-12 record (per Daniel Cox of AtlantaFalcons.com). “I think our offensive line has done a really nice job during the OTA period as well as during minicamp,” said Ryan, who was sacked 44 times last year (third-most in the NFL). “From a communication standpoint, we’ve got a few changes from what we’ve done around here in the past and those guys are working through those changes. I think one of the big things that [head coach] Mike [Smith] preaches is communication at the line of scrimmage. You can hear those guys talking a bunch and making sure they’re on the same page.“
- Smith, who was notably unhappy with the presence of HBO’s Hard Knocks series in Baltimore when he was a position coach with the Ravens, has embraced the cameras this time around because he believes the show will handle sensitive Falcons issues, such as cuts, with tact, writes D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- In his latest mailbag, ESPN.com’s David Newton writes that rookie Kelvin Benjamin is the Panthers’ nominal No. 1 receiver, adding that his size (6’5″, 240 pounds) will make him an ideal red zone target.
PFR Originals: 6/15/14 – 6/22/14
The original content produced by the PFR staff during the past week:
- We continued our Extension Candidate series, as I examined Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (link), Rory Parks looked at Steelers right tackle Marcus Gilbert (link), Luke Adams wrote about Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas (link), and Rob DiRe profiled Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant (link).
- In a poll, Luke asked where you think free agent cornerback Brandon Flowers will sign; the Chargers, Patriots, and a “mystery team” were the most popular answers. Thanks for voting!
- As always, you can follow PFR on a variety of social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and more.
Browns Sign Second-Rounder Joel Bitonio
The Browns announced they have agreed to terms with their second-round pick, offensive lineman Joel Bitonio (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal). According to our draft tracker, Bitonio’s signing means there are only six draft picks who remain unsigned, including one of Cleveland’s first-rounders, cornerback Justin Gilbert.
Bitonio, 22, was selected with the No. 35 overall pick out of Nevada. Though he started 38 games at tackle while in college, he is expected to serve as the left guard on the Browns’ offensive front, where he will line up between All-Pros Joe Thomas and Alex Mack. In this scenario, John Greco, who played the majority of snaps at left guard for Cleveland in 2013, will likely shift to the right side, replacing the departed Shawn Lauvao.
According to Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap, Bitonio is in line for a four-year deal with a total value of ~$5.462MM, with a signing bonus of approximately $2.292MM, and a 2014 cap hit of about $993K.
Week In Review: 6/15/14 – 6/22/14
The headlines from the past week at PFR:
Signed:
- Giants – LB Terrell Manning (link)
- Titans – WR Derek Hagan (link)
- Falcons – LB Tim Dobbins (link)
- Titans – TE Dorin Dickerson (link)
- Ravens – CB Aaron Ross (link)
- Ravens – CB Dominique Franks (link)
Traded:
- Falcons – acquired QB T.J. Yates from the Texans in exchange for LB Akeem Dent
First-Round Pick Signings:
- Cowboys – G Zack Martin (link)
- Browns – QB Johnny Manziel (link)
- Jaguars – QB Blake Bortles (link)
- Dolphins – OT Ja’Waun James (link)
Extensions:
- Panthers – OT Nate Chandler, three years; DE Mario Addison, two years; S Colin Jones, two years (link)
Released:
- Browns – WR Earl Bennett (link)
- Jets – RB Mike Goodson (link)
- Jaguars – DE Jason Babin (link)
- Chargers – S Brandon Taylor (link)
Retired:
- TE Dallas Clark (link)
- CB Eric Wright (link)
- LS Patrick Mannelly (link)
- RB Johnathan Franklin (link)
Minicamp Attendance:
- Texans WR Andre Johnson – absent (link)
- 49ers TE Vernon Davis – absent (link)
- Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch – present (link)
Other:
- Jimmy Graham franchise tag positional designation hearing begins (link)
- U.S. Patent Office cancels Redskins’ trademark (link)
- New developmental league will launch in October (link)
- Appeals court reopens NFL collusion case (link)