Panthers Sign Jordan Todman
The Panthers have signed a free agent running back, adding Jordan Todman to their backfield on a one-year deal, the team announced today (via Twitter).
Todman, who turned 25 last month, was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 draft by the Chargers, and spent time in San Diego and Minnesota before landing with the Jaguars. Todman has played for Jacksonville since 2012, totaling 450 rushing yards on 111 carries and 314 receiving yards on 40 catches during his 33 games with the Jags. The Connecticut product is also a special teams contributor, and was Jacksonville’s primary kick returner in 2014, averaging 25.6 yards on 38 returns.
In Carolina, Todman will join a group of running backs led by Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert. Darrin Reaves and Fozzy Whittaker are also under contract with the Panthers, so Todman will have to fight for a roster spot and for playing time. One player he won’t have to beat out is longtime Panthers back DeAngelo Williams, who was released by the team earlier in the offseason.
Falcons Fined $350K, Lose Fifth-Round Pick
After announcing the penalties levied against the Browns for their “Textgate” scandal, the NFL has also confirmed the discipline for the Falcons for piping artificial crowd noise into their home stadium. According to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (Twitter links), the Falcons have been fined $350K, and will lose a fifth-round pick in 2016.
Per McClure (via Twitter), team president Rich McKay will also be suspended from the league’s competition committee, as Adam Schefter reported earlier today. That ban will begin on April 1, and McKay can’t be reinstated until at least June 30. As for the draft pick, McClure notes that if the team ends up holding multiple fifth-rounders, the higher pick will be taken away.
The Falcons’ former director of event marketing, Roddy White (not to be confused with the wide receiver of the same name), was found responsible for implementing the fake crowd noise at the club’s home games in 2013 and 2014. According to McClure (via Twitter), White will face an eight-week suspension if he gets a job with another team.
The penalty for the Falcons’ rule violations is perhaps a little harsher than the one the Browns received after GM Ray Farmer was found to have sent text messages to the sidelines during games. Cleveland was hit with a $250K fine, and Farmer will have to stay away from the team during the first four weeks of the regular season, but the Browns didn’t lose a draft pick.
Browns Fined $250K, GM Suspended Four Games
The Browns have been hit with a $250K fine and general manager Ray Farmer has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2015 season, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (via Twitter). The penalties from the league come as a result of Farmer sending text messages to members of the Browns on the sidelines during games in 2014.
The NFL and executive VP Troy Vincent released the following statement on the matter, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com:
“The use of a cell phone on multiple occasions during games in 2014 by Cleveland Browns General Manager Ray Farmer was a violation of NFL rules that prohibit certain uses of electronic devices during games. Based on these violations, the Browns have been fined $250,000 and Ray Farmer will be suspended without pay for the first four regular-season games of the 2015 season. The suspension will start on midnight of the Sunday preceding the Browns’ first regular-season game and will end immediately after the Browns’ fourth regular-season game. During the period of the suspension, Farmer cannot be involved in any club matters and is prohibited from being at the Browns’ offices, practice facility, or at Browns games.
“There was no evidence in the NFL’s review that Browns ownership or any other team executives had knowledge of the prohibited conduct. Once the violation was discovered, Browns management implemented new processes to ensure future compliance.
“We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation the Browns organization extended during our inquiry.”
As Schefter reported earlier today, the Browns won’t lose a draft pick for their violations of league rules. That’s good news for the franchise, as Cleveland heads into next month’s draft in good position, armed with multiple first-round picks and fourth-round picks.
Discipline Imminent For Falcons, Browns
10:33am: According to Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal Consitution (via Twitter), the Falcons expect to lose a draft pick for 2016, rather than 2015.
9:55am: An announcement regarding the discipline for rules violations by the Falcons and the Browns is expected to come by Tuesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The NFL has been looking into violations by both teams for several weeks.
The Falcons, who admitted to piping artificial crowd noise in at their home games, are expected to lose a draft pick, sources tell Schefter (Twitter link). While Schefter doesn’t specify which pick Atlanta will lose, I doubt it would be an early-round selection. The NFL will also likely suspend team president Rich McKay from the league’s competition committee, per Schefter.
As for the Browns, general manager Ray Farmer, who reportedly sent text messages to coaches on the team’s sideline during games, figures to be suspended for his role in the “Textgate” scandal. However, the Browns aren’t expected to lose a draft pick, according to Schefter (via Twitter).
Schefter adds that both teams may also receive “hefty fines” for running afoul of NFL rules.
The investigations into the Falcons and Browns are just two of a handful of notable ongoing cases for the league — Peter King of TheMMQB.com noted today that the league still has “a while to go” on tampering allegations made by the Jets and Patriots regarding Darrelle Revis. It doesn’t appear as if the Deflategate investigation, led by Ted Wells, is close to wrapping up either. The NFL is also reportedly looking into potential violations by more than half the teams in the league during this month’s “legal tampering” period prior to free agency.
Hakeem Nicks To Visit 49ers
As the 49ers continue to weigh their options at wide receiver, they’ll host a veteran free agent for a visit, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Anderson reports that former Giant and Colt Hakeem Nicks is paying a visit to San Francisco to meet with the Niners.
While fellow 2009 first-round wideout Jeremy Maclin parlayed a one-year, prove-it deal in 2014 into a huge, long-term contract, Nicks was unable to do the same in Indianapolis. After receiving 100 or more targets in each of his previous four seasons in New York, Nicks saw a career-low 68 passes thrown his way in 2014, as Andrew Luck and the Colts relied more on T.Y. Hilton, Reggie Wayne, and Coby Fleener in the passing game. Nicks finished the season with 405 yards and three touchdowns on 38 receptions.
The Niners made a big splash in free agency when they landed Torrey Smith on a lucrative five-year contract, and the ex-Raven should be a nice complement for former teammate Anquan Boldin. However, San Francisco has seen a number of receivers depart this offseason, with Michael Crabtree and Brandon Lloyd hitting the free agent market, while Steve Johnson was released. As such, the team is in need of some additional depth at the position.
San Francisco will be the first team Nicks has visited this offseason. The former 29th overall pick just turned 27 in June and has a pair of 1,000-yard seasons on his résumé, but doesn’t seem to be generating a ton of interest on the open market this year after posting pedestrian numbers for the Colts.
NFC Notes: Guion, Seahawks, Rams, Falcons
With Letroy Guion‘s legal case now resolved, the Packers continue to explore a potential reunion with the free agent defensive lineman, but it sounds like he’s drawing interest from the team that knocked Green Bay out of the postseason earlier this year. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Guion visited the Seahawks today.
More than other most other teams in the NFL, Seattle has shown a willingness to bring in players for visits without necessarily pushing hard to sign him, so there’s certainly no guarantee Guion will become a Seahawk, but it appears the Packers aren’t his only suitor.
Let’s check in on a few more Friday items from across the NFC….
- Despite acquiring Nick Foles from the Eagles, the Rams still intend to draft a quarterback, according to head coach Jeff Fisher (link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch). Foles is entering the final year of his rookie contract, so St. Louis figures to use the 2015 season to determine whether or not the ex-Eagle can be the Rams’ QB of the future.
- For now, T.J. Yates appears to be the favorite to back up starting quarterback Matt Ryan in Atlanta, but Falcons head coach Dan Quinn hasn’t ruled out the possibility of signing a veteran like Matt Schaub, writes Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. “Schaub is certainly somebody that we could [add],” Quinn said. “As we get through it, we’ll let you know if we go down that road.”
- The Giants‘ five-year, $17.5MM contract for Dwayne Harris, which includes $7.1MM in guaranteed money, has taken its share of criticism over the last couple weeks. However, agent Chad Speck tells Jordan Raanan of NJ.com that 14 teams reached out to him about Harris, and the Giants “weren’t the only team involved in the numbers that Dwayne ultimately signed for.”
- A pair of prospects who were dismissed from their respective college teams will visit the Vikings, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities, who reports (via Twitter) that the team is scheduled to host cornerback Marcus Peters and wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham.
Panthers Claim Jonathan Martin Off Waivers
A day after he was cut by the 49ers, offensive tackle Jonathan Martin will be heading to a new team rather than reaching the free agent market. According to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter), the Panthers have claimed Martin off waivers from San Francisco.
Martin, who was at the center of the Dolphins’ bullying scandal in 2013, reportedly receiving verbal abuse from Richie Incognito and others, was sent to the 49ers in a trade last March. Although he started nine games last season at right tackle for San Francisco, Martin wasn’t particularly effective, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). PFF graded Martin as a below-average run blocker and pass blocker, placing him 60th out of 84 qualified offensive tackles.
With Jim Harbaugh, who coached Martin at Stanford, no longer in the picture for the Niners, the team decided to move on from the young tackle as well. As he enters the final year of his rookie contract, Martin is set to earn $1.042MM for the 2015 season. The Panthers will take on that salary by claiming him, though it’s not guaranteed.
The offensive line was an area of concern for the Panthers heading into the offseason after the team shuffled a number of players in and out of the lineup last year, receiving underwhelming production from starting left tackle Byron Bell. Free agent signee Michael Oher is currently penciled in as Carolina’s left tackle for 2015, so Martin could compete for playing time on the right side, or serve as a swing tackle for the team. The Panthers will likely add a lineman or two in the draft as well.
Bills Notes: Free Agency, Spikes, Draft
The Bills have been active during the first couple weeks of free agency, landing LeSean McCoy and Matt Cassel in trades, re-signing Jerry Hughes, and adding Percy Harvin and Charles Clay in free agency. What’s next for the team? According to GM Doug Whaley (Twitter link via Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News), Buffalo is still considering adding a veteran receiver, and would also like to bring back linebacker Brandon Spikes.
Here’s more on the Bills:
- Offensive line is another spot the Bills need to address, but that will happen in the draft rather than in free agency, tweets Carucci. As Carucci notes, Buffalo pursued offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga in free agency and tried to trade for Saints guard Jahri Evans, but didn’t land either player.
- Whaley tells Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that the Bills are open to the idea of drafting a quarterback. However, as Rodak points out, that could be tricky, since the salaries of both E.J. Manuel and Tyrod Taylor are guaranteed for 2015. Drafting a quarterback would mean either carrying four on the roster, or parting ways with one of Cassel (just acquired), Taylor (just signed), or Manuel (guaranteed salary; former first-rounder).
- In his look at 20 contract situations around the league, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com examines a pair of Bills-related issues, discussing Buffalo’s offer to Clay and the increasing price of the team’s defensive line.
Panthers Sign Jarrett Boykin
The Panthers have made an addition to their wide receiving corps, signing Jarrett Boykin, the team announced today in a press release. According to the club, it’s a one-year contract for the former Packer.
Boykin, 25, had a productive run during the 2013 season when Green Bay’s receiving depth was hit hard by injuries. Subbing in for Randall Cobb and other sidelined players, Boykin accumulated 49 receptions for 681 yards and three touchdowns. However, he returned to a very part-time role in 2014, catching just three balls on the year. At season’s end, the Packers opted not to assign him an RFA tender, making him an unrestricted free agent.
For the Panthers, Boykin joins a group of receivers led by Kelvin Benjamin. While the Panthers figure to address the position in the draft, Boykin and former second-round pick Stephen Hill could provide some potential upside.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Rolando McClain
Less than a year ago, on April 22, 2014, linebacker Rolando McClain retired from the NFL. After being reinstated by the Ravens and working out for the team, McClain had such a poor showing at that workout that he decided to give up his comeback attempt and end his NFL career.
“I’m done,” McClain said at the time in a text message to Seth Wickersham of ESPN.com. “If football made me complete I would play. But whenever I think of it my heart pulls me away [for] whatever reason.”
About two and a half months later, the Cowboys unexpectedly swung a deal for McClain, sending a late-round draft pick to Baltimore to acquire the former eighth overall pick. Apparently, the veteran linebacker, who has been plagued by off-field troubles since entering the NFL, wasn’t quite as retired as he had suggested back in April. Still, it seemed unlikely that he’d contribute much for the Cowboys after having not appeared in a regular season game since 2012, and having announced his retirement twice in the interim.
As such, McClain’s performance in 2014 was one of the most surprising storylines of the year. In 13 games for Dallas, McClain racked up 87 tackles and a sack to go along with two interceptions. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked McClain eighth out of 60 qualified inside linebackers, and he excelled in every aspect of the game — PFF’s grades placed him eighth as a pass rusher, seventh as a cover man, and 11th as a run defender, among inside linebackers.
Based on that impressive performance, and his pedigree as a former top-10 draft pick, I ranked McClain as the 35th-best free agent available this offseason. However, it’s becoming increasingly clear that teams around the league aren’t necessarily on board with that assessment. Of our top 50 free agents, only four remain unsigned, and only one (Michael Crabtree) ranked higher on our list than McClain.
That wariness is certainly justified. After all, less than 12 months ago, McClain was talking about his heart pulling away from football, which could very well make any team reluctant to offer him a multiyear contract. Additionally, the former Raider failed a third drug test earlier this year — the league’s new substance abuse policy simply calls for a fine for a third failed test, but a fourth violation of the policy would result in an automatic four-game suspension. Potential suitors for McClain may try to alleviate the risk of a possible suspension by include significant per-game roster bonuses in their contract offers, like the Cowboys did with Greg Hardy.
Those off-field concerns surrounding McClain may limit his market, or result in short-term offers, which could help to explain why he remains available. From McClain’s perspective, some long-term security would be preferable, but if he signs a one-year deal and stays healthy, productive, and out of trouble in 2015, it could increase teams’ willingness to commit to him on a longer-term contract a year from now.
As far as potential fits go, Dallas was clearly a good one for McClain, and it certainly wouldn’t hurt the team to bring him back for 2015. Linebackers Justin Durant and Bruce Carter, who were regular contributors in 2014, have signed elsewhere this month, replaced by incoming free agents Jasper Brinkley and Andrew Gachkar. With the linebacking corps undergoing an overhaul this offseason, re-signing McClain to anchor the unit in the middle would at least provide some stability and continuity.
If McClain doesn’t return to Dallas, teams like the Saints, Dolphins, Vikings are among the clubs who run a 4-3 scheme and could use some help at the middle linebacker position. Of course, New Orleans may not be an ideal match for McClain, given his history with former Raiders head coach Dennis Allen, who is now a defensive assistant for the Saints. Free agent players often end up reconnecting with former coaches on new teams, but in the case of McClain and Allen, the relationship in Oakland was somewhat strained.
As far as other former coaches go, McClain could explore the idea of rejoining Tom Cable in Seattle, or Hue Jackson in Cincinnati, though neither of those teams look like the fit that Dallas, Miami, or Minnesota would be.
Ultimately, McClain may be forced to settle for the sort of short-term, prove-it contract that notable free agents like Nick Fairley and Terrance Knighton signed. An impressive 2014 season in Dallas helped to partially rebuild McClain’s value, but it doesn’t appear that any team is ready to spend big on him, particularly since he plays a position where huge free agent deals are somewhat rare. A one-year agreement heavy on incentives and per-game roster bonuses wouldn’t be a surprise.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.