Vikings Notes: Berger, Johnson, Ponder, FAs
The Vikings have at least a dozen potential free agents on their roster at the moment, though not all of those players will have the opportunity to reach the open market. Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press spoke to several of those potential free-agents-to-be about their futures, so we’ll round up the notable comments right here:
- Offensive lineman Joe Berger had been considering retirement, but may elect to continue his career after receiving plenty of playing time in the second half this season. “I’ve had fun playing and it’s been great the last eight, nine weeks, so I don’t know that [retirement] is what I’d want to do yet,” Berger said, adding that if he returns for an 11th season, he’d like to stay in Minnesota.
- While Berger would be fine with another one-year contract, that’s not the case for defensive tackle Tom Johnson. “I’m trying to get more than a year deal somewhere,” Johnson said. “I want to go somewhere where I can pretty much end my career at. I got a couple of more years left in these legs.”
- As Tomasson points out, Johnson may be the Vikings’ most sought-after free agent, but quarterback Christian Ponder will be the club’s biggest name available. Asked about what he’ll be looking for if he hits the open market, Ponder indicated that his top priority would be potential playing time. “Whether it’s (being with) a guy who is older and will be out of the league soon or a questionable quarterback situation where I can go in and compete,” Ponder said.
- Linebacker Jasper Brinkley says he “definitely” wants to re-sign with the Vikings.
- Of Minnesota’s two free agents, running back Matt Asiata is very likely to return, while tackle Mike Harris has a chance to be back, according to Tomasson.
East Notes: Bills, Spiller, Jets, Giants
Former Bills general manager Bill Polian, who currently works for ESPN, refuted a report suggesting that he could be returning to the organization as soon as Monday, writes Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News.
“It’s about as wrong as can be,” Polian said. “I’m not going to work for anybody Monday morning except ESPN.”
The Bills aren’t expected to make any changes to their football operations this week, though meetings will be held and there are no guarantees, a source tells Tim Graham of the Buffalo News (Twitter link). There has been speculation since Terry Pegula and Kim Pegula assumed ownership of the team that changes could be on the way, but for now it looks as if general manager Doug Whaley and head coach Doug Marrone will keep their jobs.
Carucci notes that sources believes there may have been third-party contact between the Bills and Polian to gauge his interest in a role with the organization, perhaps as a consultant. However, “there have been no substantive talks of any kind,” according to those sources.
Here’s more on the Bills and a few other teams from the NFL’s two East divisions:
- C.J. Spiller‘s contract with the Bills does not include a player option, and is set to void at the end of this season, as Jason Fitzgerald explains in a piece at OverTheCap.com.
- If the Jets want to land a top-tier head coach like Jim Harbaugh this offseason, they’ll have to attempt an all-out blitz this week, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. As Mehta notes, current Jets consultant Charley Casserly has previously stated that he believes the value of an elite coach is “two No. 1 picks, plus something else,” so if the team is interested in Harbaugh, Casserly may suggest offering the Niners multiple draft picks.
- After signing a one-year, minimum-salary contract with the Giants last offseason, offensive lineman John Jerry, who was involved in last year’s bullying scandal in Miami, has rebuilt his reputation, says Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. Jerry’s actual on-field performance hasn’t been great, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required), but if the veteran guard is no longer viewed as a character risk, that will serve him well in free agency this winter.
- In spite of finishing below .500 in back-to-back seasons, the Giants would be making the right call by continuing to employ GM Jerry Reese and head coach Tom Coughlin, in the view of Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
Washington Places Jason Hatcher On IR
With defensive lineman Jason Hatcher doubtful to play in Washington’s regular season finale tomorrow, the team has placed him on injured reserve, ending his season, per Zac Boyer of the Washington Times (via Twitter). The move allows the club to pick up defensive tackle Travian Robertson off waivers from the Seahawks, as was reported earlier this afternoon.
Hatcher, 32, signed a four-year, $27MM contract with Washington in the offseason that caused some eyebrow-raising around the league. Hatcher did play well when he was healthy this season, recording 5.5 sacks and a +17.1 grade according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required). However, he has battled a knee injury in recent weeks that will result in his season ending prematurely.
After counting for $3.75MM against the cap in 2014, Hatcher’s cap hit will increase to $5.25MM next year, which is a reasonable price to pay for Washington. The team may have a decision to make in 2016, when Hatcher’s cap number jumps to $8.75MM.
Andre Johnson Open To Pay Cut
Earlier this month, a report suggested that the Texans will release longtime wideout Andre Johnson this offseason if the veteran refuses a pay cut. Asked about that report, Johnson acknowledged the possibility of reworking his deal, and reiterated his desire to remain in Houston, as Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle details.
“Nobody wants to hear that,” Johnson said about the possibility of a pay cut. “But it’s the nature of the business. I’ve seen it happen, heard it happen, had it happen to friends of mine. I understand that.”
Johnson, 33, will see his base salary increase to $10.5MM in 2015 and $11MM in 2016, with respective cap hits of $16MM+ and $14.675MM. While those figures would be fair for an elite receiver, Johnson is no longer that sort of player, having ceded the role of the Texans’ No. 1 wideout to DeAndre Hopkins this year. The former third overall pick has still had a productive season, hauling in 75 passes, but he has only accumulated 802 receiving yards, and his two touchdowns would match a career low. As such, Johnson’s advisor and uncle, Andre Melton, recognizes that his nephew will be asked to restructure his contract.
“We understand it’s a business and we’re willing to deal with that,” Melton said. “And Andre doesn’t mind having a pay cut.”
If Johnson is indeed willing to discuss a pay cut, it seems likely that the two sides will work something out, given the wideout’s recent declaration that he’d like to play his entire career with the Texans. Still, Johnson and the Texans were at odds during the 2014 offseason, and there’s a chance that the 2015 offseason could be even more contentious, so the possibility of a divorce shouldn’t be ruled out.
“They’re going to come in the offseason and say, ‘Hey, Andre: This is what we need to do,’” Melton said. “If we can come to some type of common ground with everybody where everybody can be happy, then we’ll work on that, that’ll be fine. And if we can’t, it will be sad to say. … But we’ll see who can give (us) a shot at a ring.”
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Minor Moves: Wednesday
As teams prepare for the final weekend of the 2014 regular season, we’ll round up Wednesday’s minor roster moves in this space, with the latest transactions added to the top of the list throughout the day:
- The Raiders announced a series of roster moves. The team placed tight end Brian Leonhardt on the IR and activated defensive end Shelby Harris to take his place. The Raiders also added kicker/punter Michael Palardy to the practice squad.
Earlier updates:
- Filling the final open spot on their 53-man roster, the Vikings have signed running back Henry Josey from off of the Jaguars’ practice squad, tweets Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. Josey, who has spent the entire season on Jacksonville’s practice squad, will replace veteran back Ben Tate, whom the Vikings released yesterday.
- Long snapper Charley Hughlett has signed a three-year contract with the Browns, according to his agent Brett Tessler (via Twitter). While Tessler indicates that the signing is official, the team has yet to formally announce it, and will need to make a corresponding move to make room for Hughlett. Johnny Manziel could be headed to IR, but the team also reportedly intends to activate defensive lineman John Hughes, so a second move will be required.
Vikings Release Ben Tate
WEDNESDAY, 4:15pm: Tate has cleared waivers and is free to sign with any team, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. While the Colts and Cardinals had previously placed claims on the running back when he was waived by the Browns, the two teams apparently decided against adding an outsider prior to the playoffs.
TUESDAY, 4:52pm: Running back Ben Tate has been cut for the second time this season, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the Vikings have parted ways with Tate. As was the case when Tate was dropped by the Browns earlier in the season, teams will have an opportunity to put in waiver claims before the running back becomes eligible for free agency.
Tate, 26, was viewed as one of the more high-profile running backs available in free agency this past offseason, and inked a two-year deal with the Browns in the hopes of assuming the role of the No. 1 back in Cleveland. However, he was surpassed on the team’s depth chart by rookies Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West, and was released in November, at which point the Vikings claimed him off waivers. Since then, Tate has done little to impress in Minnesota, recording 38 yards on 13 carries, for 2.9 yards per carry, an average even worse than his 3.1 mark with the Browns.
When Cleveland cut Tate, the Colts and Cardinals both submitted claims, but were behind the Vikings in waiver priority. Unlike Minnesota, Indianapolis and Arizona will both see their seasons continue beyond Week 17, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if both teams took another long look at Tate — particularly since both clubs are missing their top backs, in Ahmad Bradshaw and Andre Ellington respectively. Tate’s stint with the Vikings didn’t inspire much confidence in his postseason potential, but he at least represents an inexpensive gamble.
If the Colts, Cardinals, or any other club were to claim Tate, they’d take on his current contract, which calls for a non-guaranteed base salary of $2.2MM in 2015.
Workout Updates: Wednesday
Although NFL teams have been working out players all season, most of this week’s auditions will be conducted with an eye on the future, since clubs will soon be able to start signing players to reserve/futures deals for the 2015 season. Listed below are the most recently reported workouts from around the league, with all links pointed to Aaron Wilson’s Twitter account, unless otherwise indicated…
- Prior to signing long snapper Charley Hughlett, the Browns auditioned several other long snappers, taking a look at Dax Dellenbach, Brandon Hartson, and Luke Ingram. The club also worked out defensive tackle Torell Troup.
- While the Raiders elected to sign linebacker Justin Jackson to their practice squad yesterday, the team also tried out fellow linebacker Terrance Bullitt. Bullitt reached an agreement as an undrafted free agent with the Ravens in May, but it fell through due to a shoulder issue.
- The Vikings brought in defensive end Leon Mackey and linebacker Justin Anderson for tryouts this week — the latter ended up signing to Minnesota’s practice squad.
- A pair of running backs and a pair of defensive backs worked out for the Falcons this week. Atlanta opted to sign RB Ronnie Wingo and DB Brandan Bishop to its taxi squad, passing on RB Michael Ford and DB Malcolm Branson.
- In addition to working out for the Jaguars this week, defensive end Shawn Lemon auditioned for the Colts.
- Undrafted free agent center Jared Wheeler tried out for the Buccaneers, along with kicker Travis Coons, wide receiver Derrick Johnson, defensive back Shelton Johnson, and offensive linemen Adrian Battles, Stetson Burnett, Brett Van Sloten, and Brett Jones.
- The Seahawks auditioned wide receivers Lamont Bryant, Mike Davis, Jeremy Gallon, and Douglas McNeil, along with ex-Ravens outside linebacker Michael McAdoo, per Wilson. Adam Caplan of ESPN.com adds (via Twitter) that Seattle also looked at quarterback Brett Smith, who was waived by the Buccaneers in May.
- Caplan also passes along word of one more workout, tweeting that former seventh-round kicker Zach Hocker tried out for the 49ers.
Practice Squad Updates: Wednesday
In addition to tweaking their 53-man rosters, teams across the NFL are also making changes to their practice squads today. Here’s the latest:
- Linebacker Justin Anderson, who has been off and on the Giants’ roster for much of the season, has joined the Vikings‘ taxi squad, the team announced today (via Twitter). The signing gets Minnesota’s unit back up to the maximum 10 players.
- After promoting running back Jerome Smith to their active roster, the Falcons replaced Smith on the practice squad by adding former North Carolina State safety Brandan Bishop, tweets Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com.
Coaching Rumors: Raiders, Harbaugh, Jets
Teams around the NFL will celebrate Christmas tomorrow, but a more noteworthy “holiday” looms for a number of coaches and club executives, with Black Monday right around the corner. Here’s the latest on a handful of coaches and coaching situations across the league:
- Having recently spoken to Raiders owner Mark Davis, Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News says the team has yet to conduct any interviews for potential head coaches yet, adding that the process will likely get underway next Monday and Tuesday (Twitter links).
- Jim Harbaugh figures to draw interest from the Raiders, and Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report hears from several team officials that there’s still “great interest” in the 49ers’ head coach. However, Freeman cautions that interest has decreased slightly, as teams have done their homework on Harbaugh. While his coaching talent isn’t being questioned, clubs may be wary of Harbaugh’s “tendency to burn out people around him quickly,” writes Freeman. The Bleacher Report scribe adds that sources view Harbaugh’s odds of landing with an NFL team vs. coaching at the University of Michigan as a 50/50 proposition.
- Clarifying a report from last night, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweets that the Jets haven’t actually reached out to Ron Wolf about a consulting role yet, but Charley Casserly has. Mehta adds that there’s a “growing sense” that general manager John Idzik and head coach Rex Ryan will both be let go at season’s end.
- Speaking of Ryan, the current Jets coach may be out of work a week from now, but he still believes he’ll eventually win a Super Bowl as a head coach, as Dan Martin of the New York Post details.