Eagles WR Notes: Maclin, Cooper, McCluster
The Eagles face a difficult decision this offseason when it comes to their wide receiver group, as both Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper enter free agency. Each player offers promise, but each also carries considerable risk, as the team at Pro Football Focus notes in their latest “Free Agent Duel” piece.
Maclin, who missed the 2013 season with a torn ACL, has the higher pedigree as a former first-round pick, and his speed would fit nicely in Chip Kelly’s offense, which features many screens and quick out patterns. However, Maclin has always been higher on promise than productivity, as he has never surpassed 1,000 yards receiving, and graded out poorly in 2012 by PFF’s metrics. Cooper, whose roster spot was in peril due to offseason drama until Maclin’s injury, had a breakout season as the number two option for the Eagles in 2013. He was even better at catching deep passes than fellow receiver DeSean Jackson, and he built rapport with quarterback Nick Foles. Cooper has only produced at this level for one season, however, while Maclin has offered roughly the same results for a few more years.
Their price tags figure to be roughly similar, as Maclin will be forced to take a discount due to his recent injury, and Cooper may be seen as having only succeeded in a stats-friendly system. Maclin has shown a willingness to return to the Eagles, so perhaps that will swing the pendulum in his favor. Ultimately, it seems unlikely the Eagles will be able to retain both, as they have other needs, specifically on defense, that need to be met.
A few other Eagles morsels:
- Phil Sheridan chimes on the receiver situation as well, noting that he believes Cooper is the most likely to remain with the Eagles. Cooper might find that his league-wide value is not as high as thinks, and staying in Philadelphia will be the most logical decision.
- Maclin, meanwhile, could end up with the Chiefs or the Jets, where he would have familiarity with Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinwheg, respectively.
- Sheridan thinks that receiver Dexter McCluster could be an interesting add for the Eagles, as he could offer some versatility on offense, as well as help on special teams.
- Finally, Sheridan speculates that the top four options on the 2014 Eagles receiver depth chart will be Jackson, Cooper, a first-round pick, and Arrelious Benn.
Reiss On Patriots: McDaniels, Lombardi, Smith
Mike Reiss of ESPN.com believes Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ hesitation regarding the Browns head coaching vacancy was related to his desire not to become the next Eric Mangini. Mangini, also once a Patriots assistant, took head coaching jobs with both the Jets and the Browns. After uninspiring results at each stop, he is now 43 years old and might struggle to get another opportunity. McDaniels might look to take a more cautious, forward-thinking approach, aiming for the perfect fit rather than jumping at the first opportunity presented.
More Patriots notes from Reiss:
- The notion that McDaniels actually did want the Browns job all along doesn’t seem to make sense, according to Reiss. Given the Browns perceived desperation regarding their coaching search, it seems unlikely they wouldn’t have tried to lock down McDaniels if there was any chance to do so.
- Speaking of the Browns, if former Cleveland GM Mike Lombardi does end up joining the Patriots front office, it will likely be in a consultant-type role, similar to that previously held by Floyd Reese in New England.
- Even if the Patriots get any more cap room based on the Aaron Hernandez contract situation, it is unlikely to be resolved quickly enough to affect this offseason’s spending.
- Reiss elaborates on his earlier contention that the recently released Will Smith could be an option for the Patriots.
Week In Review: 2/3/14 – 2/9/14
With the conclusion of the Super Bowl, the offseason began in earnest this past week. Let’s take a look back at some of the bigger stories:
- The Lions kicked off the offseason by claiming safety Isa Abdul-Quddus from the Saints, and the Bengals released punter Shawn Powell.
- The Browns officially hired Kyle Shanahan as their offensive coordinator.
- Former Packers safety Nick Collins is attempting an NFL comeback, his career having been derailed by a neck injury.
- Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald restructured his contract.
- Seahawks receiver Golden Tate is willing to take a hometown discount to stay in Seattle.
- The Colts signed offensive lineman Jack Breckner.
- The Falcons released veteran corner Asante Samuel and linebacker Stephen Nicholas.
- The Chiefs signed long-snapper Thomas Gafford.
- The Redskins re-signed receiver Aldrick Robinson to a one-year deal.
- The Chiefs signed receiver Weston Dressler of the CFL.
- Saints quarterback Drew Brees is contemplating a run for president of the Players’ Association.
- The Broncos re-signed defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio to a two-year contract.
- The Colts signed linebacker Henoc Muamba of the CFL.
- The Redskins re-signed exclusive rights free agent Doug Worthington to a one-year deal.
- Heisman winner Jameis Winston of Florida State plans to stay in college for two more seasons.
- Matt Cassel opted out of his contract with the Vikings, making him a free agent.
- The Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Lamar Mady.
- The Cardinals and punter Dave Zastudil agreed to a two-year extension last month.
- The Lions re-signed veteran center Dominic Raiola to a one-year contract.
- The Vikings released linebacker Erin Henderson.
- The Eagles and receiver Joe Anderson agreed to a deal.
- The Chiefs parted ways with defensive back Dunta Robinson.
- The Giants voided the contracts of tight end Brandon Myers and defensive back Corey Webster.
- The Colts hired former Browns head coach Rob Chudzinksi as a special assistant to Chuck Pagano.
- Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson said he won’t hold out of training camp.
AFC West Notes: Raiders, English, Chiefs
The Raiders have an impending salary cap quandary on their hands, according to Christopher Hansen of Bleacher Report. Due to language in the new collective bargaining agreement, teams must spend at least 89% of the salary cap for the 2013-2016 seasons. While the idea that the Raiders have over $60MM in cap space looks good on paper, this hides the fact that team must make up $16.4MM in spending over the next three seasons, while simultaneously meeting the 89% threshold. Compounding the problem is that the Raiders simply lack the type of quality players that the team could look to extend. This dilemma might force general manager Reggie McKenzie to eschew his policy, honed during his time with the Packers, of shunning big-name free agents.
Some other news from the AFC West:
- Contrary to reports, Chargers linebacker Larry English will not become a free agent, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Team sources indicate English did not attain playing-time incentives required to allow him to void the final year of his contract. Instead, he will be paid $1.54MM. Of course, the Chargers could still release him, as he graded out poorly in Pro Football Focus’ rankings (subscription required).
- The Chiefs could target receiver Jeremy Maclin, but can’t afford to get into a bidding war for him, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher. Maclin played under Chiefs coach Andy Reid in Philadelphia.
- Teicher also thinks the Chiefs will allow offensive tackle Branden Albert to leave via free agency, due to the presence of 2013 first-round pick Eric Fisher.
- Former Broncos offensive assistant Jim Bob Cooter, hired as the Lions’ quarterbacks coach, will be difficult to replace, writes Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com.
AFC South Links: Jaguars, Colts, Mitchell
Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com believes the Jaguars will select defensive end Jadeveon Clowney with the third overall selection, adding that while quarterback remains an obvious need, internal team sources may believe that none of the top QB prospects are ready to start from day one. Clowney certainly presents a safe option, and would allow the Jaguars to wait until a later round to select a quarterback, ostensibly to pair with a veteran like Chad Henne. DiRocco’s opinion meshes with comments made by Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell, who indicated the team would not be beholden to drafting a quarterback with the third pick.
- Regarding Caldwell’s indication that the team has an internal consensus of the top five players available, DiRocco believes those players to be Clowney, Teddy Bridgewater, Anthony Barr, Khalil Mack, and one of Johnny Manziel or Blake Bortles.
- Defensive end Michael Johnson is an option for the Jaguars as they look to bolster their defensive line.
- The notion that the Colts’ hiring of Rob Chudzinkski is indicative of offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton’s performance last season is only partially true, according to Mike Wells of ESPN.com. While Wells believes the hire is more related to Chudzinski’s familiarity with Chuck Pagano, there is do denying that Hamilton’s run-heavy play-calling was widely panned last season.
- Colts running back Donald Brown is among the best bargains available at the position this offseason, according to OverTheCap.com.
- Defensive tackle Earl Mitchell will likely not be re-signed by the Texans, as they aim to find a more traditional 3-4 nose tackle, according to Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com.
NFC South Notes: Hardy, Panthers, Bucs
ESPN.com’s David Newton deems it likely that defensive end Greg Hardy will return to the Panthers, estimating the likelihood of a reunion at 67%. While a long-term contract would seem to be the in the best interests of both the team and the player, the franchise tag (at around $12MM) might be the most plausible option at this point. We noted yesterday that Hardy may not be re-signed due to financial constraints.
Meanwhile, other news abounds in the NFC South:
- Within the same article, Newton notes that safety Charles Godfrey might be saved from being a cap casualty due to simple finances. Cutting Godfrey would leave the Panthers with $5MM in dead money, and, obviously, without Godfrey. A contract restructure could be the more likely result.
- Newton writes that corners Josh Norman and Josh Thomas, each of whom were frequently inactive, could be released.
- Offensive tackle Jordan Gross is expected back with the team, although the Panthers could draft a future replacement in the early rounds of the draft.
- Back on the Hardy front, Pat Yasinkas of ESPN.com does not believe the Buccaneers are a realistic landing spot for the defensive end. While they have cap space, it may not be enough to sign a star like Hardy, so the draft might be a better route for adding pass rushers.
- The Saints will likely attempt to add a veteran corner through free agency, and a young receiver through the draft, according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com.
- Triplett also notes that while the Saints won’t add players with the specific intention of transforming to a more traditional 3-4-style defense, their most pressing need remains the front seven.
Extra Points: Hoyer, Harbaugh, Foles, Miller
Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer speculates that the Texans might be interested in Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer. New Texans coach Bill O’Brien and Hoyer worked together with the Patriots, where O’Brien was the offensive coordinator. If the Browns select a quarterback with the fourth overall pick, Hoyer could become expendable. If the Texans opt to not to draft a quarterback with the first overall pick, they could use a player like Hoyer to stabilize the quarterback position, presuming they release Matt Schaub.
A few more pre-Super Bowl notes:
- The 49ers and coach Jim Harbaugh may have different ideas regarding Harbaugh’s value, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. The 49ers might want Harbaugh, who is entering the fourth year of five-year contract, to take slightly less guaranteed money and more incentive-based pay.
- While the Eagles cannot extend quarterback Nick Foles until after the 2014 season (as per the CBA), they need to take a page from the Seahawks’ playbook and try to contend while their signal-caller is under a low-paying contract, writes Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com.
- Broncos linebacker Von Miller will get to keep the more than $1MM that the Broncos were attempting to recoup as part of his six-game suspension, tweets ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk further explains that “partial bonus forfeiture is automatic,” so the Broncos were not actively trying to reclaim money.
- Manish Mehta notes that an impressive Super Bowl performance can often lead to a big payday for impending free agents, and cites Eric Decker, Knowshon Moreno, and Golden Tate as players with a lot of money at stake in tonight’s game.
Thomas Extension Top Priority For Seahawks
Re-signing safety Earl Thomas will be the Seahawks’ number one priority this offseason, tweets NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. An extension for Thomas will take precedence over re-signing cornerback Richard Sherman, with whom the Seahawks may table discussions until more cap room is available. Rapoport further noted that extending both Thomas and Sherman this offseason may require other roster machinations, such as cutting receiver Sidney Rice (Twitter link).
Thomas, 24, was selected in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. A three time All-Pro, he finished the 2013 with five interceptions and 10 passes deflected, and was graded as the league’s ninth-best safety by Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Along with his “Legion of Boom” teammates Sherman, Brandon Browner, and Kam Chancellor, Thomas helped the Seahawks rank first in defensive DVOA.
Thomas will look for a contract similar to the one signed by Eric Weddle in 2011, who received $19MM guaranteed over the course of a five-year deal. The Seahawks face will face other decisions with regards to free agency this offseason, as receiver Golden Tate, defensive end Michael Bennett, and cornerback Walter Thurmond are all free to test the market.
Decker Will Test Free Agency
Broncos receiver Eric Decker will hit the free agent market, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Broncos view the 26-year-old receiver as a number two wideout, rather than a true number one option. Rapoport also indicates that the Broncos would like Decker to give them a chance to match the best offer he receives, but there are no guarantees that will happen (Twitter link).
The Broncos have many looming contract concerns, as running back Knowshon Moreno and guard Zane Beadles join Decker as free agents on offense, and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and defensive end Shaun Phillips are free agents on the defensive side. Perhaps most importantly, star receiver Demaryius Thomas will be a free agent following the 2014 season. With an offense lead by Peyton Manning and complemented by Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, and Wes Welker, perhaps the Broncos feel they can lose Decker and still remain an elite offensive unit.
Though the Broncos may view Decker as a secondary receiver, other teams may view him as a number one option, as Brian McIntyre notes on Twitter. Decker’s numbers certainly support this notion, at least with Manning as his quarterback. Over the past two seasons, Decker has averaged 86 receptions for 1,176 yards and 12 touchdowns, and he rated fourth in DYAR for the 2013 season.
The receiver market looks to be relatively barren, and Decker will be the clear top choice available, ahead of players like Julian Edelman, Hakeem Nicks, and Anquan Boldin. With this leverage, Decker will look to match or exceed recent contracts handed out to similar receivers. Dwayne Bowe and Mike Wallace, each older than Decker, received $20MM and $27MM guaranteed, respectively, on five-year deals.
Suh’s Future With The Lions
Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was a behavioral problem in the locker room, the NFL Network’s Heath Evans tells 105.1 Detroit (audio link). Evans claims several Lions players told him Suh was uncoachable and disrespectful towards the coaching staff. “The consistent message that came out of there is that Suh was uncontrollable and that he would constantly do things to kind of show his power over Jim Schwartz, whether it was team meetings, showing up late, or whatever it may be.” The Lions have disputed the assertions, releasing a statement by Schwartz, who says “Ndamukong Suh was not late for any team meeting, practice or team travel in any of our four years together with the Lions.”
This news is relevant as Suh and the Lions prepare to engage in extension discussions. Suh, who recently fired his agent, is set to count an enormous $22.4MM against the cap in 2014, so the Lions have an obvious need to restructure his contract. Suh, who is under contract for two more seasons, already restructured once last year, allowing the Lions to save about $8MM. If an extension cannot be worked out, the franchise tag would not seem to be an option, as it would cost the Lions nearly $27MM.
The longer the contract talks go on, the more likely it is that Suh will test the free agent market, according to Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. The Lions would prefer any new deal to come together before free agency begins in March, in order to alleviate their cap strain. For comparison, Geno Atkins of the Bengals recently got $15MM guaranteed on a five-year contract. Suh, who rated as the second-best defensive tackle according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), would likely command more.