AFC West Notes: Jennings, Avant, Mitchell
The latest from the AFC West:
- Raiders free-agent-to-be Rashad Jennings tells Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com that he’d “love to return” to Oakland, but acknowledges that a new deal with the team is no sure thing. “I never look for a promise from anyone,” Jennings said. “Every year, I want an opportunity. Nothing is a given in this league. All I want is a chance to play in a system that fits my style of play.”
- Blair also tweeted that the “Raiders remain a major player for” Jennings.
- Although he thought the Chiefs might have interest in free agent safety Mike Mitchell, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star tweets that there’s nothing doing on that front for now.
- Paylor tweeted that the Chiefs have interest in recently-released receiver Jason Avant. Avant played under Chiefs coach Andy Reid in Philadelphia.
- Looking to improve their defensive line, the Chargers will pursue nose tackle Earl Mitchell early in free agency, according to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
D-Line Notes: Houston, Allen, Johnson
A few notes from the National Football Conference:
- The Bears are “pushing hard” for defensive end Lamarr Houston, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The Bears missed out on Michael Bennett when he re-signed with the Seahawks earlier today.
- A source tell Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that they would be “shocked” if defensive end Jared Allen does not sign with the Broncos (via Twitter). I speculated as much yesterday after Allen said he would not return to the Vikings, and hoped to play for a contending team. The Broncos need pass-rush help, and a short-term deal would makes sense for both sides.
- Tomasson also tweets that the Vikings are “definitely out of the running” for defensive end Michael Johnson. Johnson had been linked to the team, primarily based on his familiarity with new head coach Mike Zimmer. The Vikings signed fellow end Everson Griffen to a five-year extension yesterday.
- Kevin Williams, the Vikings‘ longest-tenured player, hasn’t ruled out the possibility of re-signing with the team, as he tells Tomasson. The big defensive lineman has been with Minnesota since the club drafted him ninth overall in 2003.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Jarret Johnson Agrees To Pay Cut
Chargers linebacker Jarret Johnson has agreed to take a pay cut, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (in an article by Eric Williams of ESPN.com). Johnson was scheduled to earn a base salary of $4MM in 2014. $2MM of that will now be converted into a signing bonus, and he will earn a $1MM base salary, saving the Chargers $2MM in total 2014 cap space, tweets Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego.
Johnson, 32, joined the Chargers on a four-year deal in 2012, after spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Ravens. In 2013, he started nine games, accruing 33 tackles and three sacks. Despite those pedestrian numbers, he was still able to rate as the 18th-best 3-4 outside linebacker, per Pro Football Focus.
Chris Snee Restructures Contract
Giants guard Chris Snee has agreed to restructure his contract, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). It appears to be a straight pay cut, as Schefter reports that Snee’s base salary will lower from $7.2MM to just $1.1MM, with another $1MM available through incentives. The move allows to keep a stalwart of their offensive line on the same day that they released center David Baas.
Snee, 32, was a fourth-round-pick of the Giants in 2004, and has spent his entire career in New York. He was entering the final year of a six-year extension he signed in 2008. He played in only three games in 2013 due to hip injuries.
Eugene Monroe, Ravens Negotiating
Offensive tackle Eugene Monroe might yet return to the Ravens, as Albert Breer of NFL.com remains the two parties are “deep in constructive talks” (via Twitter). The offensive tackle market appears to be rounding in to form, as Branden Albert is overwhelmingly likely to sign with the Dolphins tomorrow, and rumors abound that Jared Veldheer will be heading to the Cardinals. Monroe, however, rated higher than either of them in Pro Football Focus’ metrics, coming in as the tenth best left tackle last season.
The Ravens, who acquired Monroe last season from the Jaguars, reportedly would like to pay the left tackle $8-9MM per season, while Monroe would like to average closer to $10MM annually. Monroe might be able to reach his asking price, as reports say that the Dolphins are likely to pay Albert around $10MM per season. Monroe is three years younger than Albert. The Ravens, meanwhile, need to solidify their offensive line, as right tackle Michael Oher is also a free agent.
Chris Kuper To Retire
Veteran Broncos guard Chris Kuper will retire, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Kuper, 31, was a fifth-round-pick in 2006, and has spent all eight of his NFL seasons in Denver. He became a full-time starter in 2007, and remained a mainstay on the offensive line until he dislocated his ankle late in 2011. He would have been entering the final season of a five-year, $25.5MM deal he signed in June 2010.
Although Louis Vasquez is now firmly entrenched at right guard, Kuper’s announcement adds more intrigue to a Broncos offseason that is already in flux. Left guard Zane Beadles is a free agent, and left tackle Ryan Clady will be returning from a torn ACL. The Broncos offense also faces a decision on running back Knowshon Moreno, and the likely defection of receiver Eric Decker.
Ravens Sign Albert McClellan
The Ravens have agreed to terms on a two-year deal with linebacker Albert McClellan, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. He was set to become a restricted free agent.
McClellan, 27, was signed out of Marshall University as an undrafted free agent following the 2010 draft. He started 11 games in 2012, but none last season. Regarded as a special teams ace, McClellan could challenge for playing time on the defensive unit in 2014. The Ravens need depth at linebacker, as they recently released Jameel McClain, and Daryl Smith is entering free agency.
PFR Originals: 3/3/14 – 3/9/14
Here’s the original content produced by the PFR staff this week:
- We recapped all the news surrounding franchise and transition tags.
- Here is a look the free agent market for offensive guards, headlined by Jon Asamoah and Geoff Schwartz.
- Luke Adams published PFR’s Top 25 Free Agents, with defensive end Michael Bennett topping the list.
- Peter Sowards took a look at the legal tampering period.
Titans To Attempt To Trade Chris Johnson
The Titans will try to trade running back Chris Johnson before releasing him, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Johnson does not have any upcoming roster bonuses due, so the Titans could wait all the way until the first week of the regular season to cut without owing him any base salary. Releasing the running back would result in a $4MM cap charge.
It is unclear what the Titans could hope to receive in exchange for Johnson. He once ran for over 2,000 yards, but the was four years ago. He still has elite speed, but he graded out as just the 42nd-best running back in the league last season according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Even if a team was willing to sacrifice a late-round pick for Johnson, it is not going to want to retain him at his current salary levels. A release still seems like the overwhelmingly likely outcome.
FA Roundup: Veldheer, Ward, Byrd, Jets
The Cardinals are expected to heavily pursue free agent offensive tackle Jared Veldheer, according to Kent Somers of AZCentral.com. The team is looking to improve their offensive line by upgrading at left tackle, where incumbent Bradley Sowell struggled mightily last season. Veldheer, 26, was somewhat surprisingly not franchise-tagged by the Raiders, who have ample cap space and could have aimed to sign him to a long-term contract. Now the Cardinals (whose top target, Branden Albert, will likely sign with the Dolphins) will look to swoop in and sign the young lineman.
Other free agent notes:
- ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner seconds Somers’ reports, and tweets the the Cardinals have “cooled” on free agent offensive lineman Rodger Saffold.
- Completing the offensive linemen circle, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets the the Raiders may be interested in Saffold.
- Approximately a dozen teams have expressed interest in free agent safety T.J. Ward, according to the National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson.
- The Eagles have yet to show much interest in free agent safety Jairus Byrd, but they could be interested in Mike Mitchell, who would cost much less, writes Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com.
- Safety Donte Whitner and running back Maurice Jones-Drew are two players that are of interest to the Jets, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.