Dolphins Re-Sign Derrick Shelby
Dolphins defensive end Derrick Shelby, one of several restricted free agents to receive a second-round RFA tender from his team, has signed that contract offer, and will officially return to Miami for the 2015 season, the team announced today (via Twitter).
By placing the second-round tender on Shelby, the Dolphins ensured that any other team hoping to sign the 26-year-old to an offer sheet would have to give up a second-round pick to land him. That decision essentially guaranteed that Shelby would return to the Fins. The one-year contract he signed today is worth $2.356MM, and will expire at season’s end, making him eligible for unrestricted free agency next March.
Shelby, a former undrafted free agent out of Utah, had 26 tackles, three sacks, a fumble recovery, and an interception in part-time action for the Dolphins last season. Miami’s depth chart at defensive end features Cameron Wake, Olivier Vernon, and Dion Jordan, so Shelby likely won’t become a full-time contributor anytime soon, but managed to see nearly 400 defensive snaps last year.
Back in October, Shelby was arrested for trespassing and resisting arrest, prompting the Dolphins to suspend him. However, the team reinstated him just a week later, and Shelby presented a much different account of the night’s events than authorities did.
Steelers Re-Sign Darrius Heyward-Bey
Having been quiet for most of free agency, the Steelers made a move today, announcing in a press release that they’ve re-signed free agent wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey. According to the club, it’s a one-year contract for Heyward-Bey.
Heyward-Bey, 28, was active for all 16 games for the Steelers last season, but didn’t see much action, earning just five targets on the year. He grabbed three balls for 33 yards, both career-worst marks. It was also Heyward-Bey’s first year without a receiving touchdown. Still, the veteran wideout was enthusiastic about returning to Pittsburgh.
“It’s great to be back,” Heyward-Bey said. “I just wanted to stay here and be a part of a great organization and play for a great coach. That is what Coach [Mike] Tomlin is. I wanted to be back. For most guys free agency is tough, but I knew what I wanted. I knew the timing would take a little bit. For some guys it’s tough dealing with the unknown, but I knew what I wanted. I wanted to come back here.”
Having spent a year getting comfortable with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers’ offense, perhaps the former seventh overall pick will see his role expanded a little for 2015, but he’ll still fall behind Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Markus Wheaton, and perhaps others on the team’s depth chart. In all likelihood, Heyward-Bey will contribute primarily on special teams, as he did in 2014.
Financial terms weren’t disclosed, but I’d expect a minimum salary benefit contract for Heyward-Bey.
Poll: How Should NFL Adjust Extra Point?
The NFL announced a number of rule changes at this week’s league meetings in Phoenix, but one issue which inspired a lively discussion has been tabled for a few weeks. According to Falcons president Rich McKay, who is the co-chairman of the competition committee, a number of ideas related to the extra point after touchdowns are being considered, and will likely be put to a vote in May.
Here are a few of the ideas that appear to be receiving serious consideration from the league:
- Placing the ball on the 1.5-yard line rather than the two-yard line, to encourage more frequent two-point tries.
- Moving the line of scrimmage for all extra-point attempts back to the 15-yard line.
- Moving the line of scrimmage for a PAT attempt back to the 15-yard line, unless the team wants to go for two, in which case the line of scrimmage would be the 1.5-yard line.
- Eliminating the extra-point kick entirely, requiring teams to run a play from scrimmage. My understanding of this proposal is that a touchdown would automatically be worth seven points, and a team could get the eighth point by converting the extra play from scrimmage.
- Allowing the defense to score when the ball is fumbled or intercepted on a two-point try, as in college football.
That last item could be implemented into a number of different solutions for the extra point, but the preceding proposals would create a variety of challenges and decisions for teams. In general, team owners are in favor of having the extra point become more of a football play, rather than the afterthought it has become as kicking accuracy has improved.
What do you think? Does it make more sense to move the line of scrimmage closer to the end zone, or further away? Should that line of scrimmage be the same whether a team intends to go for one point or two? Or are you in favor of abolishing the kicking aspect of the extra point entirely? Feel free to expand on your vote in the comments section below.
Randy Gregory Failed Combine Drug Test
Nebraska pass rusher Randy Gregory projects as a potential top-10 pick in the upcoming draft, but his stock may take a hit after he revealed to Kimberly Jones of NFL.com that he failed the drug test at this year’s combine. According to Gregory, he tested positive for marijuana.
Based on talent alone, Gregory appears to be a lock to come off the board early next month. Todd McShay’s latest mock draft at ESPN.com (Insider link) has Washington selecting Gregory fifth overall, while Mel Kiper’s latest mock (Insider link) has Gregory landing with the Bears at No. 7. Now, there’s no guarantee that the former Cornhusker will be a top-10 selection.
“Am I worried? Yeah, I’m worried,” Gregory told Jones. “At the same time, I’m confident. I know I’m going to be all right in the end.”
As Matt Miller of Bleacher Report notes (Twitter links), most NFL teams aren’t too worried about a player smoking marijuana. However, failing a drug test that had been scheduled for months is a cause for concern. Still, it’s hard to say exactly how the failed test will affect Gregory’s stock, since some teams will care a lot and other might care very little, says Miller.
Albert Breer of the NFL Network points out (via Twitter) that Timmy Jernigan and Zach Mettenberger had their stock plummet last year after producing diluted samples at the combine — neither player even failed his drug test. Miller also identifies Justin Houston as one impact player who failed the combine drug test (Twitter link). Houston, ultimately a third-round pick, has turned into one of the league’s best pass rushers.
Josh Gordon provides one case study for how quickly suspensions can pile up for a player if he continues to fail drug tests once he enters the NFL, so teams figure to take an extra long look at Gregory when considering whether to draft him. It’ll be interesting to see what club decides that his talent is worth the potential risk.
Bucs Notes: Winston, Mariota, Glennon
The Buccaneers are coming off a 2-14 season, but all eyes will be on Lovie Smith and company over the next weeks, as the 2015 NFL draft nears, since Tampa Bay holds the first overall pick. With most observers, reporters, and fans believing the Bucs will snag Jameis Winston, that pick may be lacking a little intrigue, but speaking to the media today, Smith didn’t fully commit to the Florida State quarterback. Here’s what the Bucs head coach had to say about Winston and a handful of other topics:
- Smith said today that he’s never done so much research on a player as the Bucs have done on Winston, tweets John Kryk of the Toronto Sun. The team has also done plenty of work on Marcus Mariota, but has spent more time on Winston, tweets Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. Bucs ownership has given the OK to both players (link via ESPN.com).
- Odds are good that either Winston or Mariota will be Tampa Bay’s pick at No. 1, but Smith belives “you have to keep your options open.” According to the head coach, the Bucs would be “very comfortable” selecting one of the quarterbacks, but there’s no rush to make the decision yet, and Smith points out that “there are mega-deals that have come up” in past drafts (all Twitter links via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times).
- More from Smith on having the first overall pick, via Stroud (Twitter link): “We realize how important that position is and very seldom do you get a chance to have your pick of the litter like that.”
- Putting a bow on the No. 1 pick talk, Smith indicated that it wouldn’t be an erroneous assumption to forecast Winston as the first overall pick, tweets Stroud. However, the team continues to go through the research process.
- With the Bucs preparing to draft a quarterback, one signal-caller on their roster has drawn trade interest. According to Smith, teams have inquired on a potential Mike Glennon deal (Twitter link via Stroud). I’d imagine that’s something the Bucs will consider as the draft nears if they’re comfortable with Winston (or Mariota). For now though, Glennon and Seth Lobato are the only QBs on the roster, so the team may have to sign a veteran if Glennon is dealt, and there aren’t many still on the market.
- Asked about how much longer veteran guard Logan Mankins wants to continue playing, Smith replied, “Forever. He’ll tell you forever.” So it doesn’t sound as if retirement is imminent for the former Patriot (Twitter link via Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald).
Goodell Talks L.A., Peterson, Investigations
Unsurprisingly, there were no earth-shattering revelations from commissioner Roger Goodell during his press conference at the league’s annual meetings today in Arizona. However, Goodell did answer questions about a number of pertinent issues, so let’s check out his answers on a few of those topics, with all links pointed toward the Twitter accounts of reporters in attendance:
- The NFL isn’t necessarily focused on getting a team (or two) to Los Angeles in time for the 2016 season, but if that happens, it would have to be in temporary stadium. Goodell expects more discussion about L.A. possibilities at the league’s May meeting, adding that there’s “a great deal of work being done.”
- The league’s relocation window is typically January 1 to February 15, but the NFL has discussed the possibility of moving that window forward, with the race to L.A. heating up. As Albert Breer of the NFL Network notes, there’s a good chance the Los Angeles situation crystallizes by the fall, in which case moving up the deadline for relocation could help to allow an L.A. stadium break ground by year’s end.
- The NFL still appears to be handling Adrian Peterson‘s situation as if the league’s original suspension of the running back is in place. Goodell says he expects to meet with Peterson by April 15 to make a “determination on his status,” which is the same timeline initially announced by the league, before a judge ruled that the suspension should be overturned.
- Asked if Ted Wells‘ DeflateGate investigation needs to be finished by the draft, Goodell said there’s no timetable for its completion. Obviously, if the Patriots were to lose a 2015 draft pick for the incident, the NFL would need to announce that within the next few weeks.
- The Browns’ TextGate investigation appears poised to conclude sooner. Goodell said today that Troy Vincent is heading that case, and the commissioner expects to be brought up to speed on it within the next few days. The fact that GM Ray Farmer was reportedly texting his opinions to the team’s sideline may be a mitigating factor when determining discipline for the franchise, per Goodell.
- Goodell said today that the league is looking into the pre-free-agency actions of “several” teams to determine if the NFL’s tampering rules were violated. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears that more than 20 teams are being investigated, though there’s no word on potential penalties for those clubs.
- A decision on Greg Hardy‘s discipline – or lack thereof – is expected in the “near future.”
NFL Adjusts 2015 Compensatory Picks
No one outside of the NFL quite has a full handle on the formula the league uses to determine the 32 compensatory draft picks that are handed out on an annual basis. And as it turns out, the formula is complicated enough that even the NFL itself made a few errors when it announced 2015’s compensatory picks earlier this week.
While the majority of this year’s picks remain unchanged, the Panthers, Broncos, and Steelers were all affected by today’s changes. Here are the adjustments made by the league:
- Panthers‘ sixth-round pick (No. 213) becomes fifth-round pick (No. 174), per Bryan Strickland of Panthers.com (via Twitter).
- Broncos‘ sixth-round pick (No. 208) becomes seventh-round pick (No. 250), per Mike Klis of the Denver Post (via Twitter).
- Steelers‘ seventh-round pick (No. 252) becomes sixth-round pick (No. 212), per the team (via Twitter).
While those are the only picks to undergo significant changes, many other fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-round picks will move up or down a spot, based on these adjustments.
You can view the complete draft order for 2015, which has been updated to reflect today’s news, right here. We also have an updated breakdown of 2015’s picks by team.
Bears Sign Mason Foster
WEDNESDAY, 3:26pm: The Bears have officially signed Foster, the team announced today (via Twitter).
TUESDAY, 5:15pm: It’s a one-year deal for Foster, tweets Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune.
4:43pm: The Bears have reached an agreement with free agent linebacker Mason Foster, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Jen Lada of CSNChicago.com, who reported nearly two weeks ago that Foster and the Bears were getting close to a three-year deal, tweeted this afternoon that Foster was “finally in.”
Foster, who turned 26 earlier in March, appeared in 10 games for the Buccaneers last season and started all of them. In that time, he recorded 62 total tackles and three pass deflections. The former third-round pick also impressed with 105 tackles in 2012, and 92 tackles – to go along with three interceptions and two sacks – in 2013.
For the Bears, it’s their third notable defensive addition of the day, as they continue to add talent to fit new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio‘s 3-4 scheme. The team also agreed to terms with defensive linemen Jarvis Jenkins and Ray McDonald today. When Jenkins’ deal was reported, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune noted that Jenkins and Foster had been texting frequently, indicating that the linebacker was a good bet to land in Chicago.
Foster also reportedly drew interest from the Dolphins and 49ers.
Eagles Notes: Bradford, Mathis, Barwin
Eagles head coach Chip Kelly drew a big crowd at this morning’s NFC coaches’ breakfast in Arizona, and many of those reporters in attendance passed along noteworthy comments and quotes from the team’s de facto GM. Here are a few of the highlights from Kelly, with all links going to the Twitter accounts of various reporters in Phoenix:
- Since being offered a first-round pick shortly after he acquired Sam Bradford from the Rams, Kelly hasn’t received any other trade inquiries involving the quarterback. As for that original offer, Kelly declined to confirm which team offered the first-rounder pick for Bradford, but it was certainly the Browns, who also offered the Rams the 19th overall pick for the QB.
- Discussing the Bradford trade, Kelly said the Eagles had originally tried to get the deal done with just picks, in the hopes of keeping Nick Foles, but the Rams wanted Foles as part of the package.
- According to Kelly, the Eagles haven’t actively shopped guard Evan Mathis, but the club has given Mathis and his agent permission to seek a possible trade. At the end of the day, Kelly said, he’s willing to listen to offers for any player.
- Explaining the decision to spend big on cornerback Byron Maxwell and not wideout Jeremy Maclin, Kelly indicated that there had been an imbalance of money devoted to the offensive side of the ball, as opposed to the defensive side of the ball, and “it showed” on the field.
- Kelly confirmed that Connor Barwin‘s contract restructure didn’t help the Eagles’ cap at all — Kelly reworked the deal simply because he felt like Barwin had exceeded and outperformed his initial contract.
- It sounds as if wide receiver will be an area the club targets in the draft. Kelly said today that wide receiver may be the position with the most depth in this year’s draft class.
- The Eagles remain active in some discussions with free agents, but Kelly isn’t sure if the team will sign any more players.
- Although Kelly said today that LeSean McCoy wasn’t “moving off” his large cap number – prompting the team to part ways with him – Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer hears from sources that the team never approached the running back about restructuring his deal.
Zimmer: No Plans To Trade Adrian Peterson
The Vikings recently came out and said that they have no intentions of releasing Adrian Peterson, and it appears that same stance applies to a possible trade of a running back. As Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press details, head coach Mike Zimmer told reporters today that the team has “no plans to trade Adrian.” According to the Vikes coach, there haven’t even been any discussions with other teams about a deal (Twitter link via Ed Werder of ESPN.com).
Although Zimmer doesn’t want the star running back to be unhappy, he notes that Peterson is under contract for three more years with the team, and told reporters – including Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com (Twitter link) – that he never once said he would “accommodate” the 30-year-old if that means assenting to a trade request.
Asked about a potential next step for Peterson, Zimmer acknowledged that the back will have to officially come off the exempt list following his suspension. “[Besides that], I don’t know that there is a next step,” Zimmer said, per Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link). “We’re good to go.”
Zimmer’s comments may be a bargaining tool, intended to either encourage Peterson to keep an open mind about a return to Minnesota, or to help improve the club’s position if trade talks do occur. Still, the Vikings’ stance shows that the team has most of the leverage over Peterson at this point — after paying him for not playing last year, the Vikes are willing to pay him again this year at a rate that’s very fair, if not generous, for a 30-year-old running back ($12.75MM base salary for 2015).
According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link), Peterson’s current unease is about money as much as it’s about a lack of trust with the Vikings. Cole indicates that, whether or not Peterson changes teams, the former MVP wants either a raise or a portion of his salary guaranteed for additional security. Presumably, as he enters his 30s, Peterson recognizes that this could be his last chance at a significant payday. But I’d be surprised if there are other teams willing to guarantee him significantly more money than the $12.75MM Minnesota is prepared to pay him for the 2015 season.
The Cowboys, Cardinals, and Colts are among the most frequently cited potential trade partners for the Vikings, in the event that Minnesota does eventually put Peterson on the block.