Colts, Fili Moala Agree To Terms
TUESDAY, 5:52pm: Moala’s one-year contract is worth $1.4MM, with $300,000 guaranteed and another $600,000 in possible incentives, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter).
MONDAY, 9:48pm: Moala’s contract is for one year, tweets ESPN’s Adam Caplan.
8:01pm: The Colts have agreed to terms with defensive end Fili Moala, reports Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star (via Twitter). The team has confirmed the transaction.
Moala, a second-round pick in 2009, was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. He played 2013 under a one-year deal, after missing much of 2012 due to a torn ACL. He has started 45 games over the course of his career. Last season, he started only six games, accruing 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks, and ended the season on injured reserve.
Redskins Re-Sign Perry Riley
9:32am: The Redskins have officially re-signed Riley, the team announced today (Twitter link).
TUESDAY, 8:21am: Riley’s new contract with the Redskins is for three years and is worth $13MM, reports Russini (via Twitter).
MONDAY, 8:57pm: The Redskins have agreed to re-sign linebacker Perry Riley, according to Dianna Russini of NBC Washington (via Twitter).
Riley, 25, was a fourth-round-draft pick in the 2010 draft. He became a full-time starter during 2012, and last season racked up 115 tackles, three sacks, and one interception. However, he graded out as just the 46th best 3-4 inside linebacker according to Pro Football Focus. The Redskins will add him to linebacking core that includes Brian Orakpo, who was recently franchise-tagged, and Ryan Kerrigan, but is likely losing veteran London Fletcher to retirement.
Buccaneers Favorites For Johnson, Collins
TUESDAY, 9:31am: Johnson’s deal will average $8.5MM per year with around $24MM guaranteed, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
8:49am: The Buccaneers and Johnson are in “serious discussions,” according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Meanwhile, La Canfora tweets that GMs and agents are treating the tackle market as if Collins is headed to Tampa Bay.
MONDAY, 9:10pm: The Buccaneers are the favorites to sign defensive end Michael Johnson, likely at a salary of over $8MM per year, according to CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora (via Twitter). La Canfora also notes that Bucs will make a “strong push” for Johnson’s teammate on the Bengals, offensive tackle Anthony Collins.
Johnson, rated as the fifth best free agent by PFR’s Luke Adams, was expected to draw heavy interest from the Vikings, but they are no longer seen as viable contenders for his services after re-signing Everson Griffen. He graded out as the fourth-best 4-3 defensive end in the league last season, according to Pro Football Focus, and was especially effective against the run. The Bucs could hope to pair him with another formidable lineman in Gerald McCoy and help to create a very stout front four.
Collins stepped in at left tackle for the Bengals as part of a reshuffling of the offensive line, and performed very well. He has experience at both tackle and guard, but likely wants to stay at tackle. Collins could slide in left tackle if the Bucs choose to release Donald Penn.
Bucs Intensifying Darrelle Revis Trade Efforts
11:50pm: The Bucs are receiving calls on Revis from interested teams, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
8:47pm: If Revis is released Wednesday, the Jets would only receive the Bucs fourth-round-pick, not their third-rounder, as per the terms last year’s trade, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
8:37pm: In addition to attempting to trade Revis, the Bucs are also trying to rework his contact, tweets Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.
8:18pm: As of now, the Bucs haven’t found any takers for Revis, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter). If no trade partner is found, Revis will likely be released by 4pm on Wednesday, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.
7:45pm: The Buccaneers are “stepping up” their efforts to trade cornerback Darrelle Revis, according to Alex Marvez of FoxSports1 (via Twitter). 2013 was Revis’ first season in Tampa Bay, after the Bucs sent a first-round-pick to the Jets to acquire him. Upon his arrival, he signed a six-year, $96MM contract, none of which was guaranteed.
After missing 2012 with a torn ACL, Revis once again ascended to the top of Pro Football Focus’ cornerback rankings. While Bucs coach Lovie Smith has stated that Revis and his fondness for playing man-to-man coverage could fit in Tampa’s Cover-2 defense, some believe this scheme incongruity might be driving the Revis rumors. But NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports on Twitter that the team is simply “uncomfortable” with paying Revis’ schedule $13MM base salary. In fact, his high salary leads several executives to believe that the Bucs might have to just release Revis, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter).
The talks could get serious this week, as Revis is due a $1.5MM roster bonus on Thursday, as ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweets. Last week, we noted that both the Broncos and Patriots have expressed interest in acquiring Revis. On the Bucs side, Caplan tweets that some executives believe Alterraun Verner will land in Tampa in the event of Revis being cut or traded, noting that Verner would fit well in Tampa’s Cover-2 scheme.
FA Roundup: Woodley, Allen, Tuck, Mack
The latest on the free agent front:
- Many in the Steelers organization believe that linebacker LaMarr Woodley will end up in Tennessee, where he would be reunited with former Steelers secondary coach Ray Horton, who is now the defensive coordinator with the Titans, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
- La Canfora also notes that those involved in the defensive end market expect Jared Allen to sign with the Broncos, and Justin Tuck to return to the Giants (Twitter link).
- Alex Mack‘s agent tells Peter King of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link) that he believes he can find his client an offer sheet the Browns may not match. That’s not to say that Mack wants out of Cleveland. However, as a transition player, his best chance of a long-term payday involves signing an offer sheet, and no rival teams will spend time negotiating that offer if they expect the Browns to simply match it.
- The Buccaneers have not yet asked left tackle Donald Penn to take a pay cut, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.
- With Alterraun Verner expected to be out of their price range, the Giants are eyeing other cornerbacks, and have expressed interest in Corey Graham, a source tells Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
- Offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz will not return to the Chiefs, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).
- Defensive tackle Earl Mitchell will not return to the Texans, writes Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com. We noted earlier today that the Chargers will pursue Mitchell.
- The Cardinals have interest in cornerback Mike Jenkins, tweets Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910.
- Re-signing with the Buccaneers remains a possibility for linebacker Dekoda Watson, but he’ll test the market and begin visiting other teams, starting tomorrow, tweets Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times.
- The Eagles have contacted several free agents, and among them are Lamarr Houston, Graham, and Nolan Carroll, according to Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
WR Rumors: Britt, Hawkins, Edelman, Jones
With about 17 hours left to go until the official start of free agency, here’s a look at some of the rumors regarding receivers:
- The Redskins have interest in both Kenny Britt and Andrew Hawkins, writes Mike Jones of the Washington Post. Britt is an unrestricted free agent who has had his share of struggles both on and off the field, but he can still be a playmaker. Hawkins is a restricted free agent who was tendered at the original-pick level; because he was an undrafted free agent, the Redskins would not have to sacrifice a draft pick to sign him. Hawkins played under Redskins head coach Jay Gruden the past three seasons with the Bengals.
- The Patriots are heavily engaged in contract talks with Julian Edelman, reports Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. Edelman was on the free agent market for over a month last offseason before re-upping with the Pats, but that would assuredly not happen were he to reach free agency tomorrow.
- James Jones is receiving interest from both the Lions and the Jets, but a return to the Packers is not out of the question, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net.
- The 49ers could be interested in Dexter McCluster, says ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson (via Twitter).
Browns Interested In Matt Schaub, Grossman
Quarterback Matt Schaub is a “serious possibility” for the Browns, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com agrees, noting the Browns will monitor the QB market, and sign one of Schaub or Rex Grossman, both of whom are familiar with new Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan (via Twitter).
Schaub is still under contract with the Texans, but is expected to be released, as he is due a $10MM base salary for 2014. He struggled mightily last season, but flourished under Shanahan’s tutelage from 2007-2009 (Shanahan was Houston’s quarterbacks coach in 2007, and their offensive coordinator in 2008-09). Grossman is a free agent, and also knows Shanahan, having played under him in both Houston and Washington.
Either quarterback would likely be part of a three-way competition in Cleveland, joined by Brian Hoyer, who is coming off a torn ACL, and a rookie, perhaps one selected with the fourth overall pick. Jason Campbell, who took over for Hoyer after his injury, is expected to be released.
CB Rumors: Talib, Rogers, Verner, Davis
Perhaps the best corner in the league appears to be available via trade, but let’s look at some news regarding free agent cornerbacks:
- Aqib Talib is “very close” to a new contract with the Patriots, tweets Dianna Russini of NBC Washington.
- Russini also tweets that the Redskins want Talib, but that the Patriots are offering a better deal.
- Meanwhile, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com doesn’t expect the Redskins to “heavily pursue” Talib (via Twitter).
- Carlos Rogers would “love” to return to the Redskins after being released by the 49ers, and the two sides are discussing a reunion, according to Russini (on Twitter).
- It would be an upset if the Jets don’t sign either Vontae Davis or Alterraun Verner to replace Antonio Cromartie, as the Jets defense is based around solid cornerback play, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. We previously noted that Jets could be the mystery team in on Davis, who is expected to sign tomorrow.
- Verner has interest in both the Jets and the Giants, saying “both those teams could win and have capabilities,” according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (on Sulia).
- The Titans remain in conversation with Verner, but they probably won’t be able to match the money offered by other teams, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
- The Ravens would like to retain Corey Graham, but he’s drawn interest from the Redskins, Giants, and Eagles, according to Clifton Brown of CSNBaltimore.com (on Twitter).
Ike Taylor Accepts Pay Cut
8:25pm: It’s a straight pay cut for Taylor, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (via Twitter). Taylor’s salary is reduced from $7MM to $2.75MM, saving the Steelers $4.25MM in cap space. No extra years were tacked on to the deal.
6:18pm: Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor has appeared to restructure his contract, accepting a pay cut in the process, according to a tweet from Taylor himself. The veteran corner sent out a message stating: “The INK is about to dry on this paper…im a lifer…will retire as a ROONEY and a LEBEAU,” referencing Steelers owner Dan Rooney and Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com indicated that the restructure will involve a pay cut (via Twitter). Taylor was scheduled to earn a base salary of $7MM in 2014.
Taylor, 33, has spent his entire career in Pittsburgh after being drafted in 2004. In 2013, he accrued 63 tackles but no interceptions, and graded as just the 97th-best corner according to Pro Football Focus. For the Steelers, the move comes out of necessity as the team desperately needs salary cap space. They also restructured the deals of Antonio Brown, Troy Polamalu, and Heath Miller, and released Levi Brown and Larry Foote.
Vontae Davis Expected To Sign Tomorrow
7:24pm: The mystery team could be the Jets, as Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net reports that the team is “going hard” after the cornerback (on Twitter).
5:18pm: Cornerback Vontae Davis is expected to sign a deal within the first hours of free agency on Tuesday, but he will likely not be re-upping with the Colts, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. There were reports late last month the Davis and the Colts were in the early stages of contract talks, but those appear to have fizzled. The Colts opted not to use their franchise tag on the free agent corner.
Though the cornerback is deep, Davis is considered one of the best options still available after the Dolphins re-signed Brent Grimes. In fact, only Darrelle Revis and Grimes had higher ratings among corners according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics. Grimes’ four-year, $32MM extension should set the floor for Davis, who is six years younger. Davis could make for an interesting addition to a defensive-back needy team like the Broncos or Chargers, or perhaps he could reunite with his brother, 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, by signing in San Francisco.