Steelers Notes: Moats, RBs, Harrison
The Steelers will meet with free agent inside linebacker Arthur Moats, likely on Monday, tweets Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Moats, 26, has drawn a surprising lack of interest during free agency. He started 12 games last season for the Bills, accruing 54 tackles and grading as the 12th-best inside linebacker in the league, especially excelling in run defense, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He would slot in next to Lawrence Timmons in the Steelers 3-4 defense.
Some other Steelers items:
- Robinson also tweets the Steelers will add a veteran running back, and corroborates an earlier report that the team will meet with LeGarrette Blount on Friday.
- Continuing on the running back theme, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette chimes in, adding that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin “felt good” about last week’s visit with RB Maurice Jones-Drew, and that Pittsburgh remains amenable to signing the veteran (Twitter link).
- Dulac also adds that the team maintains interest in bringing back linebacker James Harrison, quoting general manager Kevin Colbert as saying the team is “never going to close the door on any possibility, especially with a guy who was a huge part of our success” (via Twitter).
- Dulac tweets that recently-signed Cam Thomas will work as a defensive end, but could also get time at defensive tackle.
- Robinson reports that the Steelers scouting staff will attend the pro days of North Carolina, Duke, and Texas A&M, with Colbert and Tomlin likely attending the Aggies event (Twitter link).
- Signing a steady, low-cost free agent like receiver Lance Moore is symbolic of the Steelers free agency strategy, writes Scott Brown of ESPN.com.
49ers, Eagles Not Discussing DeSean Jackson
The 49ers have not contacted the Eagles regarding the availability of DeSean Jackson, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. 49ers general manager Trent Baalke denied having any discussions involving Jackson, who is expected to either be traded or released shortly.
The 49ers have shown interest in multiple wide receivers during free agency, but have yet to land a player to complement current starters Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin. While Jackson would add an electrifying option to the San Francisco offense, his $10.5MM base salary in 2014 poses a problem, as the 49ers only have roughly $3.7MM in cap space available, and need to keep room for an expected Colin Kaepernick extension.
Baalke did add one interesting statement, perhaps not specifically about Jackson, but about roster construction as a whole, that could point to a trade being unlikely: “I do believe you’re never one player away because too much can happen,” said the GM. “You could acquire that player and the very next day that player gets injured and he’s done for the year. And then you’re back to square one and you have to tell yourself, ‘Well, we’re still one player away.’ I don’t buy that philosophy.”
Jets Re-Sign Calvin Pace
TUESDAY, 6:01pm: The Jets officially announced the signing via Twitter.
SUNDAY, 2:57pm: The Jets have re-signed veteran linebacker Calvin Pace, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The deal is for $5MM over two years.
Pace, 33, originally signed withe Jets in 2008, after spending the first five seasons of his career with the Cardinals. He was released in February 2013, but subsequently re-signed in April to a one-year contract. He had something of a comeback season in 2013, starting all 16 games and accruing 10 sacks and 37 tackles. According to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics, he struggled in pass rushing, but excelled in coverage.
Raiders, Browns Considering Matt Schaub Trade?
MONDAY, 2:45pm: The Texans continue to push to trade Schaub, according to Ian Rapoport (via Twitter), who identifies the Raiders and Browns as teams with some interest. As Rapoport notes (via Twitter), even though both Oakland and Cleveland have plenty of cap room, it will still be tough for the Texans to find a deal that works.
SUNDAY, 4:38pm: The Raiders are in “serious talks” about acquiring quarterback Matt Schaub from the Texans, according to Garrett Heinrich of Sports Radio 610 in Houston. The report also notes that the Texans will look to find a QB who can start immediately in 2014, either in the form of a draft pick or a free agent.
Reports on Friday indicated that Raiders might be interested in Schaub, along with other veteran options like Michael Vick, Mark Sanchez, and Josh Freeman. The Raiders, who had the most cap space in the league heading into free agency, could easily absorb Schaub’s contract, which calls for base salaries totaling $37MM over the next three seasons. The Texans, meanwhile, would suffer a $10.5MM 2015 cap hit in the form of dead money in the event of a trade. Houston, holding the No. 1 overall selection in May’s draft, is expected to seriously consider drafting one of Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel, or Blake Bortles to take over as its quarterback.
Schaub, who has also been linked to the Browns, struggled last season, throwing just 10 touchdowns against 14 interceptions, and ranked 35th in quarterback DYAR and quarterback rating. However, he has been largely successful as a starter; just two seasons ago, in 2012, he threw for 4,008 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Extra Points: Welker, Burleson, Cromartie
A few assorted notes from around the league:
- Broncos receiver Wes Welker‘s $3MM roster bonus and $3MM base salary became fully guaranteed on Wednesday, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post (via Twitter).
- Receiver Nate Burleson tweets that he is not retiring, noting that he was hampered last season by his broken arm.
- The Jets remain interested in cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, tweets Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. The tweet also notes that fellow cornerback (and Rodgers-Cromartie’s cousin) Antonio Cromartie, recently released by the Jets, is interested in returning to the team.
- Quarterback Shaun Hill will visit the Rams on Monday, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Twitter link).
- With reports that Anthony Spencer is set to visit the Giants, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano writes that signing the pass-rusher only makes sense if he comes on the cheap.
- The best recruiting tool for the Buccaneers, who have signed several free agents such as Michael Johnson, Anthony Collins, and Josh McCown, is new head coach Lovie Smith, opines Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.
Visit Updates: Manningham, Britt, Bridgewater
Several notes on player visits:
- Receiver Mario Manningham will meet the Giants on Monday, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN. Manningham played for the Giants from 2008-2011 before signing with the 49ers.
- Receiver Kenny Britt will meet with the Redskins after he visits the Patriots, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. We noted earlier today that Washington was attempting to schedule a visit with the free agent.
- Linebacker Will Herring visited the Cowboys on Saturday, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. A previous deal between the two parties fell through.
- The Chiefs met with offensive tackle J’Marcus Webb, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan (Twitter link).
- Caplan also tweets that fullback Erik Lorig met the Saints, who do not have a fullback on the roster after non-tendering Jed Collins.
- Linebacker Rob Jackson will meet with the Raiders, per Mike Jones of the Washington Post (via Twitter).
- Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater met with the Vikings staff, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Week In Review: 3/10/14 – 3/16/14
The onset of free agency brought a flurry of news this past week:
- The Jets released receiver Santonio Holmes.
- Defensive end, Michael Bennett, perhaps the top free agent available, re-signed with the Seahawks.
- The Dolphins signed safety Louis Delmas.
- Veteran cornerback Carlos Rogers was released by the 49ers.
- Slot receiver Andre Roberts agreed to a four-year deal with the Redskins.
- Offensive guard Jon Asamoah struck a deal with the Falcons.
- The Buccaneers signed defensive end Michael Johnson to a five-year contract.
- Longtime Texans tight end Owen Daniels was released by the team.
- Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux re-signed with the Falcons.
- The Browns signed linebacker Karlos Dansby to a four-year deal.
- The Falcons released safety Thomas DeCoud.
- The Browns signed safety Donte Whitner to a four-year contract.
- Receiver/special teamer Dexter McCluster signed with the Titans.
- The Ravens re-signed offensive tackle Eugene Monroe.
- Cornerback Vontae Davis re-signed with the Colts on a four-year pact.
- The Eagles added to their defensive backfield by signing safety Malcolm Jenkins.
- Safety T.J. Ward signed on with the Broncos.
- The Raiders re-signed running back Darren McFadden to a one-year deal.
- Safety Mike Mitchell signed with the Steelers.
- The Bears signed defensive end Lamarr Houston to a five-year contract.
- The Falcons bolstered their defensive line by signing defensive lineman Paul Soliai and Tyson Jackson.
- The Browns signed Bengals restricted free agent wide receiver Andrew Hawkins to an offers sheet which the Bengals are unlikely to match.
- The oft-rumored deal between offensive tackle Branden Albert and the Dolphins officially came to fruition.
- The Colts signed defensive lineman Arthur Jones to a five-year deal.
- Cornerback Aqib Talib signed with the Broncos.
- Running back Donald Brown signed with the Chargers.
- Defensive tackle Earl Mitchell agreed to a deal with the Dolphins.
- The Buccaneers signed quarterback Josh McCown, and coach Lovie Smith immediately named him the starter.
- The Giants and offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz agreed to a deal.
- Defensive tackle Randy Starks re-signed with the Dolphins.
- The Browns released former first-round quarterback Brandon Weeden.
- The 49ers signed safety Antoine Bethea to replace Donte Whitner.
- The Lions signed receiver Golden Tate to start opposite Calvin Johnson.
- Running back Rashad Jennings agreed to a pact with the Giants.
- Receiver Jacoby Jones re-signed with the Ravens.
- The Buccaneers signed cornerback Alterraun Verner.
- The Jaguars signed running back Toby Gerhart.
- Cornerback Corey Graham agreed to a four-year deal with the Bills.
- The Broncos signed veteran linebacker DeMarcus Ware to a three-year contract.
- The Saints signed safety Jairus Byrd to a six-year pact.
- Offensive tackle Austin Howard signed a five-year deal with the Raiders.
- The Cardinals signed offensive tackle Jared Veldheer.
- Defensive tackle Linval Joseph signed with the Vikings.
- The Eagles acquired running back Darren Sproles from the Saints in exchange for a fifth-round-pick.
- The Buccaneers signed offensive tackle Anthony Collins to five-year deal.
- Receiver Eric Decker agreed to a deal with the Jets.
- The Patriots signed cornerback Darrelle Revis to a one-year contract.
- Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork asked the Patriots for his release.
- The Raiders signed defensive lineman Justin Tuck to a two-year pact.
- Defensive lineman Ziggy Hood signed with the Jaguars.
- The Jaguars signed defensive end Chris Clemons.
- Offensive lineman Rodger Saffold agreed to re-sign with the Rams after his contract with the Raiders fell through.
- The Vikings signed cornerback Captain Munnerlyn.
- Defensive lineman LaMarr Woodley agreed to a two-year deal with the Raiders.
- The 49ers acquired offensive tackle Jonathan Martin from the Dolphins.
- Receiver Ted Ginn signed a three-year contract with the Cardinals.
- The Titans signed linebacker Wesley Woodyard.
- Tight end Brandon Pettigrew re-signed with the Lions on a four-year deal.
- Linebacker Daryl Smith returned to the Ravens on a four-year pact.
- The Redskins signed defensive lineman Jason Hatcher.
- The Giants re-signed linebacker Jon Beason.
- Center Evan Dietrich-Smith signed with the Buccaneers.
- The Jets signed offensive tackle Breno Giacomini.
- Veteran cornerback Cortland Finnegan signed a two-year deal with the Dolphins.
- The Bears brought back cornerback Charles Tillman on a one-year contract.
- Receiver Steve Smith signed a three-year pact with the Ravens.
- Defensive lineman B.J. Raji re-signed with the Packers.
- The Titans signed offensive lineman Michael Oher.
- Receiver Hakeem Nicks signed a one-year deal with the Colts.
- The Bills signed linebacker Brandon Spikes.
- Defensive lineman Julius Peppers signed with the Packers.
- The Patriots signed cornerback Brandon Browner to a three-year contract.
- The Patriots also re-signed receiver Julian Edelman.
- Running back Ben Tate signed with the Browns.
- Receiver Brandon LaFell agreed to a three-year deal with the Patriots.
- The Broncos signed receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
You can view the rest of the week’s many moves at the PFR Transactions Page.
Bucs Sign Dane Fletcher
The Buccaneers have signed linebacker Dane Fletcher, tweets Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. The deal is for one year (via Twitter). The team has also confirmed the transaction (Twitter link). NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that the contract contains $1.2MM guaranteed, and Mike Garafolo of FoxSports1 tweets that the deal has a maximum value of over $2MM.
Fletcher, 27, signed with the Patriots in 2010 as an undrafted free agent out of Montana State. He started just one game last season, but his value comes in the form of depth and special teams prowess. He will likely act as a backup to an impressive Bucs linebacking unit that includes Lavonte David and Mason Foster.
FA Rumors: Montgomery, Cotchery, Jones
A few free agent notes from around the league:
- The Broncos will meet with free agent center Will Montgomery, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Montgomery was released by the Redskins on Thursday. A seventh-round-pick by the Panthers in 2006, Montgomery had started 16 games in each of the last three seasons in Washington, and graded out as the 14th-best center in football by Pro Football Focus’ metrics. If Montgomery were to sign in Denver, current center Manny Ramirez would move to left guard to replace the departed Zane Beadles.
- Receiver Jerricho Cotchery will visit with the Panthers, writes Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. With the loss of both Steve Smith and Ted Ginn, the Panthers receiver depth chart is now headlined by the likes of Tavarres King and Marvin McNutt. Cotchery, 32, had 46 receptions for 602 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
- Receiver James Jones tells ESPN’s Josina Anderson that he would “love to play for the Carolina Panthers” (via TwitLonger).
- Having failed thus far to add to either its receiving corps or its defensive backfield, the 49ers likely won’t sign any name free agents, writes Bill Williamson of ESPN.com.
Cardinals Re-Sign Jay Feely
TUESDAY, 6:10pm: It’s a minimum-salary pact for Feely, with a $65K roster bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Feely will earn $1.02MM in total.
MONDAY, 6:22pm: It’s a one-year deal for Feely, according to Kent Somers of AZCentral.com (via Twitter).
5:46pm: Kicker Jay Feely will re-sign with the Cardinals, according to a tweet from Feely’s personal account. The 37-year-old veteran, like most kickers, has made his rounds through the NFL, playing for six teams over the course of 13 seasons. He signed with the Cardinals before the 2010 season.
Last year, Feely made 30-of-36 field goals, with a long of 52 yards, and converted every extra point attempt. He rated 14th in terms of kickoff distance, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). For his career his field goal success rate stands at 82.7%.
Terms of the contract are not yet public, but Feely’s annual salary will likely be closer to the $1MM Billy Cundiff will earn on his new contract, rather than the multi-year, ~$3MM deals signed by Graham Gano and Dan Bailey.