Jared Allen: “I’m Not Going To Play For Another Team”
After coming over from the Bears in an early-season trade, veteran defensive end Jared Allen has been enjoying the ride with the undefeated Panthers, so much so that he apparently wants to finish his career with the team. Retirement is one option this offseason for Allen, who may have to undergo back surgery, but if he continues to play, he wants that to happen in Carolina, as Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer writes.
“I’m not going to play for another team,” Allen said. “I take every year for what it is. I make assessments after the year on how my body feels. It’s going to be a tough offseason. I’ve got things I’ve got to get fixed. I go through the same process year in and year out. We’ll see what happens at the end of the year.”
Allen, 33, has managed to stay on the field for nearly every game over the last two seasons, even as he battles health issues, but his production has been on the decline. After recording no fewer than 11 sacks in every season from 2007 to 2013, Allen had 5.5 last year for the Bears, and has just two for the Bears and Panthers this year. Pro Football Focus ranks him 85th out of 107 edge defenders in 2015.
The Panthers can live with a part-time role and limited production from Allen this year, since the team is paying him less than $1MM, with the bulk of his 2015 earnings having been paid by Chicago. However, the veteran’s salary jumps to $8.5MM in 2016, the final year of his contract, and Carolina could clear that entire amount from its cap by releasing him. So if Allen is going to return to the Panthers, he’d have to take a pay cut to do so.
Extra Points: Comp Picks, Salary Cap, Titans
NFL agents aren’t happy with the league’s decision to allow teams to trade compensatory draft picks beginning in 2017, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). As Cole outlines, the move makes compensatory picks more valuable, meaning teams may be more inclined to try to collect those picks by not investing heavily on free agents, particularly their own. It’s not hard to see why agents wouldn’t be thrilled with that development.
Here are a few more Wednesday odds and ends from around the NFL:
- The NFL’s salary cap figures to exceed $150MM in 2016, with one source telling Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that it could get up to $155MM+. As Florio notes, once you factor in player benefit costs, 2016 could be the first year when teams are spending more than $200MM each on players.
- Nick Korte of Over the Cap previews the 2016 free agent market for offensive linemen, suggesting that there are several players that are candidates for five-year investments, including Seahawks tackle Russell Okung, Steelers tackle Kelvin Beachum, and Ravens guard Kelechi Osemele.
- Ruston Webster‘s tenure as Titans general manager has been much-maligned, but as Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com writes, Webster has started to turn things around in Tennessee, as evidenced by his offseason moves. Webster lead the charge to draft quarterback Marcus Mariota, brought in solid defensive free agents Brian Orakpo and Perrish Cox, and increased the club’s depth.
- While cautioning that nearly $9MM per season is a bit extravagant for a No. 2 receiver, Frank Schwab of Yahoo! Sports lauds the Raiders‘ extension of Michael Crabtree, pointing to soft factors in his reasoning. It wasn’t long ago, writes Schwab, that Oakland’s team culture had become so toxic that players like Jared Veldheer and Lamarr Houston refused to even consider re-signing with the club.
- Another recently extended Raider, fullback/running back Jamize Olawale, is highly valued by the Oakland staff due to his versatility, writes Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. Olawale, who would have been a restricted free agent after this season, signed a three-year extension yesterday. As head coach Jack Del Rio notes in the piece, the new Raiders regime tried to e open-minded when taking over earlier this year, which allowed unheralded players like Olawale to emerge.
Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/9/15
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from across the NFL:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: QB Bryn Renner (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun)
- Cut: S Nick Perry
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: TE Marcel Jensen, C Ronald Patrick (Twitter links via Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: RB Jahwan Edwards (Twitter link via team)
- Cut: QB Jeff Tuel
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Eric Martin (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: RB Bronson Hill (Twitter link via Evan Woodbery of the New Orleans Times-Picayune)
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: TE Tim Semisch (press release via team)
- Placed on PS-IR: TE Alex Bayer
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Douglas McNeil (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times)
Ronnie Stanley, Shaq Lawson To Enter Draft
Notre Dame offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley is entering the 2016 NFL draft, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (via Twitter). Stanley will forgo his senior season with the Fighting Irish to begin his NFL career next year.
The left tackle for Notre Dame, Stanley projects as one of the top offensive linemen available in this year’s draft. Miller has Stanley ranked fifth overall, and first among offensive linemen, on his most recent big board, while CBSSports.com places him 11th overall, and second among linemen.
Here are a few more Wednesday draft rumors and notes:
- Another projected first-round pick, Clemson edge defender Shaq Lawson, told Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston that he’ll forgo his final year of college eligibility and enter the 2016 NFL draft. “It was a tough decision,” Lawson said. “I sat down with my family, sat down with the support staff at Clemson. I enjoyed being at Clemson, but it’s time. I’m ready for the next level.” Lawson ranks among the top 25 prospects for 2016, according the previously-linked big boards by Miller and CBSSports.com.
- While there’s no official word yet, the expectation from some in the scouting community is that Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch will declare for the 2016 draft, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. In Matt Miller’s latest mock draft, Lynch is projected to come off the board first overall, to the Browns.
- Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith and Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander are leaning toward entering the 2016 draft, reports Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (Twitter links).
Saints Place Mark Ingram On IR
4:01pm: The Saints have filled Ingram’s roster spot by promoting fullback Austin Johnson from their practice squad, per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
3:59pm: As feared, Mark Ingram‘s shoulder injury is serious enough to prematurely bring his 2015 season to an end. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter) that the Saints have placed Ingram on injured reserve, officially ruling him out for the rest of the year.
Ingram, who turns 26 later this month, posted career numbers in 2014, earning a Pro Bowl berth and a new four-year contract from New Orleans. Through 12 games, Ingram was on track for another productive year, with 769 rushing yards and six touchdowns to go along with 405 yards through the air.
In Ingram’s absence, Tim Hightower and C.J. Spiller figure to shoulder the load, with rookie Marcus Murphy potentially in the mix as well. The Saints have an open roster spot now that Ingram is on IR, though the team may not use it on a running back, with three other viable options still on the 53-man squad.
East Notes: Kelly, Bills, McCoy, Murray
We touched on some Eagles and Bills news items this morning, with a focus on the two teams’ highly-paid running backs. Since then though, those clubs – and running backs – have continued to be hot topics, creating a few headlines throughout the day. So let’s round up the latest out of Philadelphia and Buffalo, as the two East clubs prepare for a big Week 14 matchup.
- In a conference call today with Buffalo reporters, including Mike Rodak of ESPN.com, Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said it’s a “false assumption” to call him the team’s general manager. “I just have final say over the roster,” Kelly said. While he may not officially hold the GM title, Kelly is clearly the one making personnel decisions in Philadelphia, so his objections seem to be over a matter of semantics.
- Kelly also said earlier today that he regretted not getting a chance to talk to LeSean McCoy before word of the trade that sent to the running back to Buffalo broke, adding that he’d like to shake McCoy’s hand. Shady wasn’t having any of that though, telling Bills reporters, including Mike Rodak of ESPN.com, that Kelly “can’t shake s—.” McCoy continued: “We’re not enemies. I won’t say anything wrong to him. But there’s nothing for us to talk about, at all.”
- The Bills‘ offseason acquisition of McCoy was a factor in Tyrod Taylor‘s decision to sign with Buffalo, the quarterback said today, noting that he wanted to be around playmakers (Twitter link via Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News). For his part, Bills head coach Rex Ryan said his team “couldn’t be happier” with the McCoy/Kiko Alonso swap, as Dunne details.
- While McCoy was making headlines with his comments today, it was Eagles running back DeMarco Murray that was in the news yesterday, following a report that he spoke to team owner Jeffrey Lurie about his unhappiness with his role. According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link), Kelly said that Murray has expressed those frustrations to him as well. The head coach also suggested that Murray’s conversation with Lurie was happenstance, though he couldn’t explain how it leaked to ESPN (Twitter link via Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News).
NFC South Notes: Ingram, Reed, Allen
It’s a big week in the NFC South, where the Buccaneers will try to continue pushing for a playoff spot against the Saints, while the Falcons will look to hand the Panthers their first loss of the season. Earlier today, we asked you whether Carolina will finish the season with a 16-0 record. Now, we’re checking in on some more NFC South notes. Let’s dive in…
- Saints running back Mark Ingram is battling a serious shoulder injury, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network, who tweets that it could be a season-ender. Ingram is undergoing tests to determine the severity of the injury, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN.com.
- After signing a five-year, $22.5MM contract that featured $9MM in guaranteed money, linebacker Brooks Reed hasn’t been able to make a major impact for the Falcons this season, and he knows it, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. “All I can say is I’m working to be a better football player,” Reed said. “It’s going to take just a lot of hard at work. All I can say is that I’m working at it and it’s going to come. I promise that.”
- Panthers defensive end Jared Allen remains under contract for next season, but he may have to undergo back surgery in the offseason, and says he’s taking every year as it comes, per Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link). While Allen may very well continue his playing career in 2016, there’s not much chance he’ll do so on his current deal, which calls for a non-guaranteed $8.5MM salary next year.
Chargers Sign Vincent Brown
WEDNESDAY, 12:54pm: The Chargers have officially signed Brown, cutting safety Adrian Phillips to make room on their 53-man roster, the team announced today in a press release.
TUESDAY, 2:38pm: In need of a healthy wide receiver, the Chargers are signing a familiar face, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune, who reports (via Twitter) that Vincent Brown is rejoining the club.
Brown, who turns 27 next month, was part of a group of a wideouts that worked out for the Chargers today, after Dontrelle Inman and Steve Johnson left Sunday’s loss with injuries. Austin Pettis, another former Charger, was among the other free agents involved in the audition, according to Gehlken.
Having been selected by the Chargers in the third round of the 2011 draft out of nearby San Diego State, Brown was never able to deliver on the promise he once had. In his three years with the Chargers, he caught 60 balls in 30 games, with his best run coming in 2013. Brown played for the Raiders last season, and spent time with the Colts this summer before being released during preseason cutdowns. He earned a look from the Rams last month, but ultimately didn’t get another shot until now.
Brown will join a depleted receiving corps that also lost Keenan Allen earlier this season, and currently features Malcom Floyd, Javontee Herndon, and Tyrell Williams.
AFC North Notes: Harrison, Manziel, Steelers
Following an up-and-down 2013 season with the Bengals, veteran linebacker James Harrison looked like he was on his way to retirement. However, he changed course when an opportunity arose to rejoin the Steelers, and in his last two seasons, Harrison has been an effective part-time player for the club, most recently racking up three sacks against the Colts on Sunday night.
There aren’t many NFL players born in the 1970s who are still active, and it’s possible that this year could be Harrison’s latest. However, the 37-year-old doesn’t sound ready to call it a career quite yet, as Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes.
“You know, I still got another year on the contract,” Harrison said. “So we will play this year out; I’m not even thinking about that at this point to be honest with you. I can’t think any further ahead than the next game. We’re right now in a situation where we have to.”
As Harrison and the Steelers prepare for an AFC North showdown against the Bengals, and attempt to continue their push for a playoff spot, let’s check in on the latest out of the division:
- While head coach Mike Pettine wouldn’t go so far as to say that the Browns will have a zero-tolerance policy for Johnny Manziel going forward, he did admit that repercussions would likely be harsh if the quarterback has another off-field incident (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal).
- In his examination of the NFL’s most underpaid extension-eligible players, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com identifies Steelers receiver Antonio Brown, Browns tight end Gary Barnidge, and Ravens guard Kelechi Osemele as a few AFC North players who fit the bill. Barnidge and Osemele are headed for unrestricted free agency, and Brown could very well get an extension from Pittsburgh this offseason, so I don’t expect the trio to remain underpaid for long.
- Veteran running back DeAngelo Williams has been excellent in an increased role for the Steelers, having averaged 137.2 yards from scrimmage over his last five games. As Corry observes (via Twitter), Williams’ performance not only helps Pittsburgh win now — it also provides the team some leverage in upcoming extension negotiations with starting running back Le’Veon Bell, who will be entering a contract year in 2016.
Community Tailgate: Will Panthers Go 16-0?
As the NFL regular season nears its home stretch, there are plenty of topics and storylines to discuss, and PFR’s Community Tailgate is designed to address those stories. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. We’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.
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Several weeks ago, when we surveyed PFR readers on whether the Patriots and Panthers could go undefeated, the general consensus was that New England had a better shot than Carolina at finishing 16-0. Since then, however, the Pats’ injury issues have caught up to them, and the club has lost consecutive games against the Broncos and Eagles.
The Panthers, on the other hand, continue to roll, surviving a Week 13 scare in New Orleans to sneak past the Saints and run their record to 12-0. With four weeks left in the season, the Panthers still have to play the Falcons, the Giants, the Falcons again, and the Bucs — Carolina should be favored in all four games, but each of those teams are fighting for a playoff spot in the NFC, so wins won’t come easy.
At the same time, the Panthers figure to face an interesting decision within the next couple weeks — do they go all-out in an effort to stay undefeated, or do they dial it back and rest some key players if and when they clinch a first-round bye and the NFC’s No. 1 seed?
Today’s discussion question is a two-parter, then. Will the Panthers run the table to finish with a 16-0 record? And should that even be a priority for the team? We’ve seen clubs in the past take the pedal off the gas with a week or two left in the season and have that decision backfire in the playoffs, when the long layoff for key players results in some rust in the divisional round. On the other hand, head coach Ron Rivera and his staff would likely get ripped by media and fans alike if Cam Newton were to go down with an injury in Week 16 or 17, after Carolina had already clinched home-field advantage.
So what do you think? Should the Panthers try to go 16-0 even if they’ve clinched a No. 1 seed with a couple weeks remaining? If they do go for it, will the Panthers be able to get by the Falcons, Giants, and Bucs to go undefeated? And either way, what sort of postseason outcome do you see for Carolina? Weigh in below with your thoughts!