PFR Originals: 6/1/14 – 6/8/14
Here’s the original content produced by the PFR staff:
- We continued our Extension Candidate series, as I looked at Bengals QB Andy Dalton (link) and Luke Adams examined Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey (link).
- Our Trade Candidate series also got underway, as I wrote up Chiefs CB Brandon Flowers (link) and Rory Parks profiled Titans OT Michael Roos (link).
- Polls during the past week: I asked whether L.A. or London would get an NFL team first (L.A. was the heavy favorite), Zach Links wondered which franchise would be the first to move (with the Rams just edging out the Jaguars and Raiders), Luke questioned whether Andrew Luck or Russell Wilson should get the larger contract extension (with Luck being the preferred option), Luke also asked where free agent TE Jermichael Finley will sign (with the Patriots garnering about 28% of the vote), and Rory queried as to whether the Cowboys should bring back Josh Brent (with about two-thirds saying “no”). Thanks for voting!
- Luke offered an update on remaining unsigned draft picks; as of June 4, nearly 80% had signed.
Week In Review: 6/1/14 – 6/8/14
The headlines from the past week at PFR:
Major Move:
- The 49ers signed quarterback Colin Kaepernick to a seven-year extension with a signing bonus of $12.328MM. Full details of the deal are available here.
Signings:
- Browns – CB Aaron Berry (link)
- Saints – C Jonathan Goodwin (link)
- Saints – DT Brandon Deaderick (link)
- 49ers – LB Blake Costanzo (link)
- Bears – WR Micheal Spurlock (link)
- Bears – WR Armanti Edwards (link)
- Cardinals – LB Ernie Sims (link)
- Patriots – LB James Anderson (link)
- Bears – QB Jimmy Clausen (link)
Extension:
- Eagles – OL Allen Barbre, three years (link)
First-Round Pick Signings:
- Jets – S Calvin Pryor (link)
- Panthers – WR Kelvin Benjamin (link)
- Cardinals – S Deone Bucannon (link)
- Steelers – LB Ryan Shazier (link)
- Texans – LB/DE Jadeveon Clowney (link)
Released:
- Lions – DT Vaughn Martin (link)
- Giants – S Will Hill (link)
- Browns – LB Quentin Groves (link)
Other:
- Steve Smith had planned to retire as a Panther following the 2014 season (link)
- NFL searching for a new draft venue (link)
NFC North Notes: Super Bowl, Vikings, Nelson
Minneapolis was awarded the 2018 Super Bowl, but not before it agreed to a lengthy list of demands from the NFL, according to Mike Kaszuba and Rochelle Olson of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The 154-page document listing the league’s requirements is available in its entirety at the link, and it includes stipulations ranging from the waiving of government licensing fees to the installation of “NFL-preferred ATMs” inside the Vikings’ new stadium. The Minneapolis host committee claims that it did not agree to every demand issued by the league, but some are angry at the seemingly secret nature of the entire process, especially given that the new stadium will be financed using a good amount of public money.
More items from the NFC North:
- The naming rights to the aforementioned new Vikings stadium (opening in 2016) are expected to go U.S. Bank, reports Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
- Matt Cassel, competing with rookie Teddy Bridgewater to be the Vikings’ starting quarterback, is excited about new offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s presence in Minnesota, per the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “I’m pleasantly surprised, because like I said I think he creates a sense of urgency in practice that we need,” said Cassel. “That’s the way you get better. If you don’t have a sense of urgency in practice, then it’s hard to carry that over on game day. And he coaches everybody. It’s not just certain guys. It’s the first person up, the second person up, the third person up. He’s talking about all the little details, and that’s huge.”
- Jordy Nelson was recently labeled an extension candidate by PFR’s Peter Sowards, and Nelson, speaking at his charity softball game, sounds like he wants to remain with the Packers (courtesy of Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). “We don’t want to go anywhere else,” said the Green Bay receiver. “We love it here. We want to be here. Hopefully, we can get to that point.”
- In his latest mailbag, ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky observes it would be too risky for the Packers to let either Nelson or Randall Cobb leave via free agency. Both receivers are entering the final year of their respective contracts.
- Scott Tolzien is hoping he can stick as the Packers’ third quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers and Matt Flynn, according to Tom Oates of the Wisconsin State Journal.
- 2013 Bears seventh-rounder Marquess Wilson, in an effort to be Chicago’s third receiver, has bulked up to 207 pounds, after weighing in at 194 pounds at the combine, reports Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune.
Extra Points: Zimmer, 49ers, Texans, Bengals
A few assorted items to close out this Monday evening:
- The union between the Vikings and new head coach Mike Zimmer almost didn’t happen, writes Mike Garafolo of FoxSports.com. Having missed out on the Titans job, Zimmer felt as though his opportunity for a head coaching job might never come. “I almost didn’t go (on the second interview with Minnesota), yeah. I was so disappointed,” said Zimmer. “It was like, ‘Why even do this?’ It was to that point. I figured I was getting too old. I thought, ‘Forget this.'” Zimmer had been a successful defensive coordinator for the past 14 seasons.
- The 49ers are creating more cap space to make room for a Colin Kaepernick extension, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. San Francisco got $6.6MM in relief when Carlos Rogers‘ contract (a post-June 1 designation) was cleared off the books, and received another $2.6MM after NaVorro Bowman converted some of his base salary into a signing bonus.
- Keshawn Martin will face competition for the Texans’ returner job, per David Barron of the Houston Chronicle. “There are many candidates for those jobs,” said head coach Bill O’Brien. “Preseason is when we really have to get a true evaluation of the guys who are back there and who is going to return punts, who are going to be the kickoff return guys, and who will be the emergency guys if something happens to the starters.”
- New Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson thinks that right tackle Andre Smith is entering the upcoming season with a new fire, writes Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “In my opinion, this Andre Smith is a different Andre Smith than the one I’ve ever seen,” said Jackson. “He’s a more focused, agile, hungry guy after something.” Pro Football Focus rated Smith as the 20th-best offensive tackle in the NFL last season (subscription required).
- It might just be the usual preseason platitudes, but Raiders coach Dennis Allen claims there is no official depth chart as of yet, and states he is especially looking forward to the running back competition between Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew. “We’re going to put the best players on the field, and the guys that give us the best opportunity to win, whoever that may be,” said Allen. “I do know this: I do know throughout the course of a 16-game season, you’re going to need everybody. I think it’s great when you have multiple players that you feel confident that they can come in and do the job. We’ll let the competition dictate who plays and how much they play. It’s a good feeling to know that you’ve got some qualified people in the running back room that can carry the loads for you.”
Trade Candidate: Brandon Flowers
Days before last month’s draft, reports surfaced indicating that Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers was a trade possibility as Kansas City looked to acquire more picks. Such a deal never occurred, but rumors persist that Flowers is a poor fit for Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton’s scheme. Flowers wasn’t present for last week’s OTAs, leading many to wonder if he was angling for clarification regarding his role and future with the team.
A trade of Flowers would have to clear several hurdles, first of which would be his play in 2013. Though Flowers, who accrued one interception and 65 tackles in 13 games last season, was selected as a Pro Bowler, advanced metrics show he was anything but — his -5.9 Pro Football Focus grade (subscription required) ranked him as just the 87th-best CB in the league last year. However, PFF rated Flowers as a top-10 corner in both 2011 and 2012, so perhaps the scheme concerns are valid (2013 was Sutton’s first year in Kansas City).
The Chiefs, having gone 11-5 in 2013, are a team in win-now mode, so ridding themselves of a talented player like Flowers might not be the most ideal route. Sans Flowers, Kansas City would be left with Sean Smith and Marcus Cooper as starters, with rookie Phillip Gaines manning the slot — not exactly the most exciting trifecta. Another season learning Sutton’s defense could only help, and with more experience in the system, Flowers might flourish and begin to exhibit his prowess once again.
The final, and most pressing, issue regarding a trade of Flowers is his contract, which is set to pay him base salaries totaling $18MM over the next three seasons. He is also due $4MM in roster bonuses and $500K in workout bonuses during that span. It could be tough to find a team willing to assume that responsibility, especially given Flowers’ lackluster play last year. Additionally, Flowers hasn’t been the most durable player over his career (having played the entire 16-game slate only once, in 2011), so a team probably wouldn’t feel comfortable paying for a player who can’t stay on the field.
For the Chiefs, a trade of Flowers could help alleviate their salary cap situation. Currently sitting at about $3.5MM under the cap, Kansas City could use the money saved by trading Flowers on extensions for quarterback Alex Smith or linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. While Flowers has a pretty good track record, and is still young at 28, the value of freeing up cap room cannot be overstated. While cornerback is certainly a premier position in today’s passing league, the ability to retain Smith is probably more enticing in Kansas City.
Most teams could use another talented corner on their roster, but Flowers’ salary limits his potential destinations. The Jets have the cap room to bring in Flowers, but he probably wouldn’t fit in Rex Ryan’s scheme. Two teams that pop out as fits are the Buccaneers and the Titans, each of whom lost an excellent corner during the offseason (Darrelle Revis and Alterraun Verner, respectively). Both franchises have the financial wherewithal to make such a move, and Flowers would be a welcome addition to either team’s defensive backfield.
Having said that, I still think a trade is unlikely. The salary obligations and Flowers’ subpar 2013 season make him a risky investment. If a trade were to occur, I wouldn’t expect Kansas City to receive more than a fifth-round pick, at the very best.
Data from Over The Cap was used in the creation of this post.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFC East Notes: Maclin, Henery, Cowboys
Onlookers held their breath today during the Eagles’ OTAs after receiver Jeremy Maclin fell to the ground holding his knee, writes Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. While Maclin tore the ACL in his right knee last year, causing him to miss the entire season, today’s incident left him clutching his left knee. Still, any injury to Maclin, who is expected to be leaned on heavily following the release of DeSean Jackson, would have terrified the Eagles’ coaching staff. Luckily, Maclin quickly got to his feet, and later noted that he felt fine.
More from around the NFC East:
- While Eagles kicker Alex Henery‘s accuracy has decreased each season during his time in the NFL, he remains confident he can win a competition with undrafted free agent Carey Spear (nickamed “Murderleg”), according to Kevin Rossi of CSNPhilly.com.
- Justin Durant has some experience at middle linebacker, and is also is well-versed in the 4-3 defense after playing under Rod Marinelli with the Lions, so he’s the most natural replacement for the Cowboys at the MIKE position following the loss of Sean Lee, per Calvin Watikins of ESPNDallas.com.
- Fourth-round rookie linebacker Anthony Hitchens, who signed with the Cowboys yesterday, is also trying to help offset the loss of Lee by adjusting to middle linebacker after playing on the outside while at Iowa, according to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- Mackenzy Bernadeau isn’t complaining after losing the Cowboys right guard job to rookie Zack Martin, writes Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Bernadeau started all 16 games at RG for Dallas last season, but is taking reps at all three interior line positions during OTAs in an attempt to become more versatile. “It’s like learning to write with your left hand instead of your right hand,” Bernadeau said about playing left guard. “The only difference is that I was able to play the left side before, so I have some experience there, and it’s just getting used to the technique and the guys end up playing next to you. It’s more important to get used to the guys next to you and what their steps are than the techniques because I’ve played both sides before.”
- As of yet, Jermichael Finley has no plans to work out for the Giants, but that could change, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. New York’s tight end depth chart is currently headlined by Adrien Robinson and Kellen Davis.
AFC East Notes: Marino, Dareus, Patriots
Former Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino has joined 14 former players in suing the NFL, reports Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times. In an 18-page complaint, the litigants claim that the league withheld ” information about football-related brain injuries and misled players,” allegations that the NFL has long denied. Marino, who retired in 1999, had been a broadcaster with CBS’ The NFL Today from 2002 until January 2014, leading Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post to wonder (via Twitter) if Marino would have been involved in the lawsuit had his relationship with CBS (and tangentially, the NFL) not been terminated.
More news from the AFC East:
- Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, already facing felony charges in Alabama stemming from a May incident, was arrested last week and charged on seven counts regarding a car race, according to James Staas of the Buffalo News. Dareus, whose 2015 option was exercised in April, could face an NFL suspension. This latest episode could also dissuade the Bills from offering Dareus an extension; in February, Buffalo general manager Doug Whaley said a new deal was “on the radar,” but perhaps not a priority.
- The Bills have several options regarding Dareus, writes ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak, which include releasing the Pro Bowler immediately (unlikely), releasing him following the 2014 season (his 2015 option is guaranteed for injury only) or allowing him to play out his contract.
- ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss and Field Yates offer opinions on several complementary free agents who have been linked to the Patriots, opining that New England should sign linebacker James Anderson and tight end Dustin Keller, while passing on tight end Jermichael Finley (who visited the team last week) and running back Michael Bush.
- New Dolphins running back Knowshon Moreno appears to be out of shape at OTAs, and is playing behind Lamar Miller, writes James Walker of ESPN.com.
- Walker, in a series of tweets, adds that free agent signee Louis Delmas is happy with the Dolphins’ roster: “I see a group of guys that want to win. We don’t have any 14- or 15-year vets on the team,” said Delmas. “This is a very young group that’s determined to get better each and every day. I plan on being a part of that.”
West Notes: Tebow, Thomas, 49ers, Seahawks
Tim Tebow still has hopes of returning to the NFL someday, even as he continues his television work with the new SEC Network, writes Mike Organ of the Tennessean. Tebow, who lead the Broncos to the playoffs in 2012, spent one season with the Jets before attending training camp with the Patriots in 2013. “I’m training every day and feel like I’m the best that I’ve ever been,” said Tebow. “I still love it, love playing, talking about it, and I’m just excited about whatever the future holds. Who knows what could happen? But I’m excited about it, though.”
More notes from the West divisions:
- Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas is looking at a huge payday, says Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. Thomas, an unrestricted free agent following the upcoming season, could be in line for a contract close to that of Larry Fitzgerald, who earns over $16MM annually and received $27MM in guarantees.
- Raiders safety Charles Woodson might have retired had the Oakland not re-signed him in March, but that doesn’t mean that 2014 will be the veteran’s final NFL season, tweets ESPN.com’s Paul Gutierrez. Woodson, 37, graded out as the league’s 28th-best safety in 2014 per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), excelling more in coverage than in run defense.
- Sio Moore will likely play more weak-side linebacker for the Raiders next season, says Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com (via Twitter). Moore spent most of 2013 on the strong side, but Oakland’s first-round pick, Khalil Mack, will move into the SAM position.
- Chargers offensive lineman Jeromey Clary, already recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, recently underwent hip surgery, leaving his training camp availability in question, according to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego.
- The 49ers, along with the Ravens and Packers, are masters of the compensatory pick system, and Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com thinks that San Francisco could be in line for additional picks in the sixth and seventh rounds, citing the losses of Donte Whitner and Tarell Brown.
- Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin had hip surgery today, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link). While Condotta notes “there is not real prognosis yet,” Irvin himself chimes in on Twitter, saying that he will return by training camp.
- Several lesser-known players are getting opportunities for the Seahawks, as defensive lineman Jordan Hill is receiving some playing time in nickel packages (filling the void left by Clinton McDonald), and rookie offensive lineman Justin Britt is manning right tackle while Michael Bowie deals with a minor injury, per Jayson Jenks of the Seattle Times.
Poll: Will L.A. Or London Get An NFL Team First?
The NFL is already a multi-billion dollar industry, and its growth doesn’t figure to slow down any time soon. The next logical step in its progression figures to involve placing a franchise in a foreign city, such as London, or a major, currently NFL-free American metropolis like Los Angeles, which has been without an NFL team since the Raiders moved to Oakland in 1995.
One regular season game has been played each year in London since 2007, and Falcons owner Arthur Blank tells Peter King of TheMMQB.com that this could be a precursor to moving a team to Europe full-time:
“I think it will lead to [a team]. I think it will start with an increased number of games. That will be translated into a very successful series of games, and eventually, I think a franchise. And maybe more than one. London’s a big city … I think eventually having that many games says that we really are playing a season in London, so we probably ought to have a team here. I think it will be a natural progression to a team.”
Blank also told King that he believes there will be “one or more teams” in L.A. in the near future. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross agrees, telling the Wall Street Journal’s Kevin Clark last week that he sees a team in L.A. “within five years” (Twitter link).
Along the same lines, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk examined which teams could be moved to London or L.A., and listed the Bills (who cannot move until 2020), the Jaguars (who will play one game in London through 2016), and the Raiders, Rams, and Chargers, each of whom has been headquartered in L.A at one time.
I think that L.A. is the likelier destination for an NFL franchise. A London-based team would cause all sorts of logistical nightmares for teams, and it makes much more sense to place a team in the second-largest city in the United States. What do you think? Will L.A. or London get a franchise first?
Which city will get an NFL franchise first?
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Los Angeles 87% (428)
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London 13% (65)
Total votes: 493
Ed Reed Hopes To Play In 2014
Veteran free agent safety Ed Reed aims to play in 2014, he told reporters at Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb‘s charity event. Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, and Aaron Wilson and Jeff Zriebec of the Baltimore Sun were on hand to document Reed’s comments (all links go to Twitter).
Reed, 35, signed with Texans before the 2013 season, having spent his entire career in Baltimore. After losing his starting job in Houston, he was released in November, and signed by the Jets. He finished the season with 38 tackles and four interceptions, grading as the league’s 30th-best safety per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Reed said he is preparing as if he will play, but that doesn’t mean he will be attending training camp with any team. The veteran said he knows there are teams in the league that “need safeties,” and believes that he can still contribute. He also noted that he could see himself “being a part of [the Ravens]” if he does not play, presumably in a coaching capacity. Additionally, Reed, enigmatic as ever, referenced Barry Sanders in saying that he could choose to abruptly retire without any fanfare.