Schneider On Tag, Bennett, DBs, Draft
The Seahawks are unlikely to use the franchise tag on defensive end Michael Bennett, writes Todd Dybas of the News Tribune. Bennett, who was part of a formidable defensive line featuring Cliff Avril, Brandon Mebane, and Red Bryant, is a free agent after playing the 2013 season under a one-year, $4.8MM contract. Bennett has indicated he will not give the Super Bowl champions a discount in negotiations, which is understandable given his soft market after the 2012 season. That year, he finished with nine sacks and was rated the seventh-best 4-3 defensive end in football by Pro Football Focus, yet still was only able to garner the one-year deal with Seattle. Seahawks general manager John Schneider insisted Bennett will remain a priority. “He had a great season,” said Schneider. “Proved to be versatile. Is a great guy, a fun guy to be around. Hopefully we can get something worked out.”
A few more notes on the Seahawks, courtesy of Dybas’ piece:
- The Seahawks not only won’t use the franchise tag on Bennett, but they probably will not utilize it all.
- Schneider wouldn’t give any details on the status of coach Pete Carroll’s contract, which has one year remaining. Schneider, somewhat cryptically, stated Carroll is “doing great,” and refused to give any updates regarding tweaks in the head coach’s deal.
- The Seahawks will try to keep the “Legion of Boom” intact, but extending both cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Earl Thomas might be tricky. “We have days ahead that are going to be hard because they are going to be tough decisions,” said Schneider. “If you want to be a championship-caliber football team, you have to make those tough decisions. You can’t keep everybody. It’s actually a sad thing.” We previously noted that Thomas is likely to be the higher priority of the two.
- Regarding the draft, Schneider noted his aversion to need-based selections: “We’re not going to have this player, so we have to draft this position? I think that’s where you get in trouble. Any of the draft rooms I’ve ever been in, the biggest mistakes you make are when you [draft based on position scarcity].”
- Seattle’s draft meetings began the Wednesday following their Super Bowl victory, with more work being required than usual due to the large amount of declaring underclassmen.
Raiders Notes: Jennings, McFadden, Houston, Draft
The Raiders have an important offseason ahead of them, as general manager Reggie McKenzie and coach Dennis Allen try to turn the franchise around. Here are some notes from Oakland:
- Allen identified running back Rashad Jennings as an important piece for the Raiders to re-sign this offseason, while failing to mention fellow ball-carrier Darren McFadden, also a free agent, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. McFadden struggled with in 2013 not only with his usual array of injuries, but with ineffectiveness. Jennings picked up the slack on his way to rushing for 733 yards and six touchdowns. We learned this morning that McFadden’s representatives will speak with Raiders management at the combine on Saturday.
- In addition to Jennings, defensive end Lamarr Houston and offensive tackle Jared Veldheer are offseason priorities, writes Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. Allen noted that the trio’s mindset will be key during negotiations. “They want to be here, and we want them here,” said the Raiders coach. “And I think when you add those two elements together, usually you’re able to get something done.”
- In a separate piece, Bair reports the Raiders are leaning towards taking a quarterback with the fifth overall selection in the draft. Allen did note that the Raiders won’t pick a signal caller just for the sake of doing so, saying that “when you try to force a quarterback, it really sets your franchise back.” But if a QB the team likes is available at No. 5, will the Raiders take him? “Oh, sure, yeah. If they’re at the same page, if we were drafting tomorrow, probably,” said Allen, which is about as much “certainty” as a coach will offer at draft time.
- Continuing on the quarterback theme, Allen said former Texas A&M star Johnny Manziel will be a “fun guy to…evaluate,” according to Paul Sheridan of ESPN.com.
Falcons Sign Gabe Carimi
WEDNESDAY, 3:17pm: Carimi’s one-year contract with the Falcons is worth a total of $840K, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter). The deal includes a $645K base salary, a $65K signing bonus, and $140K in “per game” roster bonuses.
MONDAY, 3:55pm: The Falcons have signed offensive lineman Gabe Carimi, according to their team website. He had been released by the Buccaneers on February 10.
Carimi, 25, was a 2011 first-round pick of the Bears. He started 16 games over two seasons, before being traded to Tampa in 2013, where he started three games. He has experience at both tackle and guard.
As Alex Marvez of Fox Sports notes on Twitter, Carimi played under current Falcons offensive line coach Mike Tice when they both were with the Bears. Additionally, ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure notes that Carimi played with Tice’s son while at Wisconsin (Twitter link).
Draft Notes: Underclassmen, Mayock, QBs
The NFL scouting combine begins this weekend, and young players will make their presence felt, writes John Clayton of ESPN.com. An unprecedented 98 underclassmen declared for this year’s draft. Clayton chalks up this trend to the language in the new collective bargaining agreement which sets precise slotting values for each selection. While the youth movement will deepen the talent pool, negative effects will inevitably be felt in future drafts, where gifted players may be hard to find.
More draft notes:
- Within the same piece, Clayton notes that the Texans, Jaguars, and Browns will all consider trading to lower slots within the top ten selections. He also pegs Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who excelled at the Senior Bowl, as someone to watch.
- Clayton continues, writing that impressive workout numbers are especially critical for pass-rushers like Anthony Barr and Khalil Mack, both of whom could solidify their top ten draft statuses with good combines.
- Draft guru Mike Mayock of the NFL Network released his positional rankings, and there weren’t too many surprises. Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater got the nod as the top quarterback over Johnny Manziel and Blake Bortles, while Ohio State’s Carlos Hyde comes in as Mayock’s top running back.
- The Seahawks and 49ers displayed the advantages of having a young, inexpensive quarterback, as both teams were able to fill in their rosters with money that otherwise would have been spent on a QB, writes Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. Seifert highlights several quarterbacks who could fill the same role, with Garoppolo, Alabama’s A.J. McCarron, and Virginia Tech’s Logan Thomas among them.
Cam Newton Will Not Hold Out
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will not hold out in the hopes of getting a contract extension, he told Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio (who was guest hosting The Dan Patrick Show). While Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson may use a hold-out as a way to angle for an extension, Newton says he won’t follow suit. “I think our positions are completely different,” he told Florio. “Being the leader of this team, I don’t think that would be a good look for me.”
Newton continued, noting that his priorities are on the field. “My main focus is trying to become a better player. I think Russell Wilson put a lot of pressure on young quarterbacks [by winning the Super Bowl], but needless to say, we don’t have that fallback answer no more. We’re no longer young quarterbacks.”
Newton is in the fourth year of his rookie deal, and is set to earn about $3.4MM. Under the new CBA, the Panthers hold a fifth-year option on the star quarterback. Newton’s free agency will make for an interesting precedent. Not only will he be the first franchise quarterback to get an extension who was drafted under the new CBA (as Gregg Rosenthal notes), but he will also be the first star QB signed since Michael Vick who is valued for his running ability as much as his passing acumen. Newton’s rushing prowess obviously adds to his overall value, but it could also make the Panthers worried about his risk of injury.
DB Notes: Delmas, Finnegan, Ward
Saftey Louis Delmas will start off his free agent tour by meeting with the Steelers, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Delmas, 26, was released by the Lions on February 13. After missing time due to injuries in 2011-12, Delmas played all 16 games in 2013, finishing with 64 tackles and three interceptions, while grading out better against the pass than the run, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Steelers‘ interest derives from two factors: the impending free agency of Ryan Clark, and the contract of Troy Polamalu. Clark is 34 years old and struggled last season, and while Polamalu is still playing at a high level, he has a cap number of approximately $10.9MM, and was listed among Joel Corry’s list of pay cut candidates. Florio suggests that signing Delmas could give the Steelers leverage when asking Polamalu to reduce his salary.
A few more notes regarding defensive backs:
- Rams cornerback Cortland Finnegan struggled mightily last season, ranking as the second-worst corner in the league according to Pro Football Focus, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport speculates he could be a candidate for release (via Twitter). Cutting Finnegan would save the Rams $4MM against the cap.
- Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com responded to Rapoport’s tweet, and noted that Finnegan is guaranteed $3MM in base salary, so asking him to take a pay cut, at least initially, would make the most fiscal sense.
- Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com has an extensive breakdown of safety T.J. Ward using All-22 footage, and speculates he could be a fit for the Eagles. Ward played under Eagles coach Chip Kelly while at Oregon.
- Continuing the Eagles-safety theme, Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com takes a look at several options to improve the defensive backfield woes in Philadelphia.
- While there will be much interest in Ward, the Browns don’t intend to let him get away, according to Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com.
Bears Sign Austen Lane
The Bears have signed defensive lineman Austen Lane, according to a tweet by his agent, Scott Smith.
Lane, 26, was a 2010 fifth-round-pick of the Jaguars out of Murray State. He was released in 2013, and spent time with both the Chiefs and the Lions last season, but did not record any statistics. While in Jacksonville, he played under current Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker.
The Bears’ defensive line struggled last season, due to both injuries and ineffectiveness. Tackle Henry Melton is a free agent and coming off a torn ACL, and end Julius Peppers is a candidate for release. 2012 first-round-pick Shea McClellin‘s play was lackluster, and the team has since announced plans to move him to linebacker.
Extra Points: Franchise Tag, Pitta, Eagles
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com compiled a list of players who could possibly be franchise-tagged, including three he labeled as “no-brainers” in Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, and Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes. The most intriguing note, however, is that the Browns might not franchise safety T.J. Ward because head coach Mike Pettine, formerly the defensive coordinator in Buffalo, may want Bills safety Jairus Byrd in Cleveland quarterbacking his defense. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com chimed in on Twitter with the same idea.
Other news from around the NFL:
- The Ravens face a Jimmy Graham-like dilemma with pass-catcher Dennis Pitta (whom Rosenthal thinks will get the tag), as far as whether he will receive the receiver or the tight end designation, writes Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. Cap expert Joel Corry noted within the article that a potential grievance would be messy, and that a long-term deal is the best option for all parties.
- Jimmy Kempski of Philly.com lists several free agents for the Eagles to consider, and among them is veteran linebacker Marcus Benard, who graded positively as a pass rusher, but came in just below average against the run, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
- The Steelers need to draft a tall wide receiver to play opposite Antonio Brown, argues Scott Brown of ESPN.com.
- Chargers GM Tom Telesco is looking for defensive players with the attitude and style of the Seahawks, or what he deems a “run-and-hit mentality,” according to Derek Togerson of NBC San Diego. The Chargers defense improved down the stretch, but the team will need to look to the draft and/or free agency to strengthen the unit even further.
PFR Originals: 2/10/14 – 2/16/14
Let’s take a gander at the original content produced last week by the PFR staff:
- We asked if Jimmy Graham should be franchise-tagged as a tight end or as a wide receiver.
- A guide to reserve/futures contracts.
- The Pro Football Rumors iPhone/iPad app is now available on the iTunes store. And it’s free!
- Following the front office shakeup in Cleveland, we asked if the Browns are moving in the right direction.
- A poll asking if quarterback Mark Sanchez will find a starting job.
- We looked at the free agent market for running backs, and then asked who represents the cream of the crop among said free agent running backs.
- We introduced Pigskin Links, where readers can suggest interesting football-related blogs.
- A guide to the NFL’s minimum salary.
- A look at the free agent stock of receiver Hakeem Nicks.
- A summary of the implications of Ted Wells’ report for the Dolphins’ roster.
Week In Review: 2/10/14 – 2/16/14
The NFL offseason surged on this week, so let’s take a look back at the flurry of moves:
- The Colts signed safety David Sims, and waived offensive lineman Justin Anderson.
- The Buccaneers cut four players: quarterback Jordan Rodgers, running back Michael Hill, offensive lineman Gabe Carimi, and defensive lineman Derek Landri.
- The Seahawks signed three players: linebacker Mike Taylor, tight end Travis Beckum, and defensive back Terrance Parks.
- Leadership turnover continued in Cleveland, where the Browns announced Ray Farmer as their new general manager. Former GM Mike Lombardi was fired, and team president Joe Banner will transition out of the organization by May.
- One-time star quarterback Vince Young hopes to continue his playing career.
- Offensive lineman Greg Van Roten was released by the Packers, but caught on with the Seahawks just three days later.
- The Broncos gave John Elway a three-year contract extension, and added “general manager” to his title.
- The Raiders signed running back Kory Sheets of the CFL.
- The Saints cleared cap space by waiving safety Roman Harper, defensive lineman Will Smith, and cornerback Jabari Greer, as well as announcing they will not re-sign linebacker Jonathan Vilma.
- The Chiefs will not re-sign offensive tackle Branden Albert.
- Veteran Redskins linebacker London Fletcher is still 99% sure he will retire.
- The Lions released receiver Nate Burleson, and waived safety Louis Delmas.
- The Browns plan to void the guarantee in receiver Davone Bess‘ contract, citing his off-the-field issues.
- Former Giants defensive end Dave Tollefson announced his retirement.
- The Buccaneers signed quarterback Mike Kafka.
- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell earned over $44MM last year.
- The Chargers signed linebacker Cordarro Law of the CFL.
- The Saints re-signed kicker Shayne Graham and offensive lineman Bryce Harris.