Eric Winston Re-Elected As NFLPA President
Veteran offensive tackle Eric Winston was re-elected today as the president of the NFL Players Association, the union confirmed in a press release. Winston, who is currently under contract with the Bengals, ran unopposed and will now serve his second two-year term at the head of the NFLPA.
With the NFLPA’s board of player representatives meeting this weekend in Hawaii, the union also made some changes to its executive committee. Ryan Clark, Jay Feely, Brian Waters, and Scott Wells, who are no longer NFL players, are now no longer a part of the NFLPA executive committee.
The newest additions to the executive committee, replacing the four departing members, are Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham, and Patriots offensive lineman Ryan Wendell. They’ll join a group that already includes Lorenzo Alexander, Zak DeOssie, Matt Hasselbeck, Mark Herzlich, Adam Vinatieri, and Ben Watson.
While the NFLPA’s new group of reps figure to deal with plenty of contentious issues over the next couple years, they won’t have to deal with the possibility of a looming lockout — the current CBA isn’t set to expire until after the 2020 season.
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Alfred Morris To Visit Cowboys
Free agent running back Alfred Morris will make his first visit of the offseason on Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who reports (via Twitter) that Morris will head to Dallas to meet with the Cowboys. Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com first tweeted that the Cowboys were expected to host Morris on Monday.
A sixth-round pick in the 2012 draft, Morris made an immediate impact during his rookie season in Washington, amassing the third-most carries in the NFL (335) and finishing second in both rushing yards (1,613) and touchdowns (13). Morris declined the next two years, though he was still a productive workhorse, with at least 265 carries, 1,000 yards and seven TDs in both seasons.
The wheels came off in 2015, however, as the 224-pounder recorded personal worsts in carries (202), rushing yards (751), yards per attempt (3.7) and scores (one). Despite his statistical drop-off last season, which coincided with the arrival of 2015 third-rounder Matt Jones, it’s worth mentioning that Morris played his fourth consecutive 16-game season.
According to Mike Jones of the Washington Post (Twitter link), Morris received some interest from the Broncos before they brought back C.J. Anderson. However, with Denver presumably out of the mix, Morris will make his first visit with the Cowboys, who re-signed Lance Dunbar on Thursday. Darren McFadden is currently projected to be the top back on Dallas’ depth chart.
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West Rumors: Kaepernick, Clady, Mathieu
It looked increasingly likely last week that 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick would be on the move, with the Broncos and Browns among the teams exploring a potential deal. However, the tide appears to have turned on Kaepernick this week — at least for now.
Adam Schefter of ESPN.com is the latest to report that the 49ers look poised to keep Kaepernick on their roster beyond April 1, the date when his $11.9MM base salary for 2016 becomes fully guaranteed. That guarantee date won’t preclude the Niners from surveying trade options for the QB prior to – or during – this year’s draft though, so it’s possible that talks with the Broncos, Browns, or another club could re-ignite in a few weeks.
Let’s round up some other Friday updates from out of the NFL’s West divisions….
- There are four or five teams considering a trade for Broncos left tackle Ryan Clady, a source tells Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Clady is available now that Denver has added Russell Okung. Still, given the modest contracts signed by Okung and Kelvin Beachum this week (both deals have team opt-outs after year one), I’d be a little surprised if any clubs are willing to give up much to take on Clady’s $9.5MM salary. Like Okung and Beachum, Clady is no sure thing going forward when it comes to health.
- During an appearance on PFT Live, Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu acknowledged that his lack of a defined position in Arizona’s secondary could complicate extension talks with the team. “It’s gonna be kind of a wrestling match,” Mathieu said of those contract negotiations. “But at the end of the day as long as we understand it’s a business and as long as we take care of our relationships I think it’ll be all right.”
- The Raiders have already had an extremely eventful offseason, but there’s a case to be made that they should still make one more splash. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com lays out that case, making an argument for why general manager Reggie McKenzie should make an effort to land Muhammad Wilkerson in a trade with the Jets.
- The 49ers have officially announced five coaching additions for Chip Kelly‘s staff, with the most notable changes coming on defense — Joe Bowden takes over as the team’s inside linebackers coach, replacing Hardy Nickerson, who left to become Illinois’ defensive coordinator.
Bills Sign Robert Blanton
After hosting free agent safety Robert Blanton for a visit today, the Bills didn’t let him leave without a new deal. According to agent Jason Bernstein (via Twitter), Blanton signed a contract with Buffalo.
Blanton, a fifth-round pick in the 2012 draft, spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Vikings. Although he primarily served as a special-teamer and the first safety off the bench during his time in Minnesota, Blanton did start 13 games in 2014, racking up 105 tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery.
For the Bills, Blanton projects as the third safety on the depth chart, replacing Bacarri Rambo, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com tweets. Rodak notes that the signing probably isn’t great news for players like Duke Williams or Jonathan Meeks, who may find themselves on the roster bubble in Buffalo.
Financial terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but it’s a one-year pact, per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
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Vikings Sign Andre Smith
FRIDAY, 12:57pm: The Vikings have officially announced their deal with Smith, confirming the signing in a press release.
THURSDAY, 11:12am: Smith’s one-year deal has a base value of $3.5MM, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
11:05am: The Vikings continue to fortify their offensive line, with free agent tackle Andre Smith announcing today (via Twitter) that he’s heading to Minnesota, having agreed to a one-year contract with the club.
“Minneapolis here I come,” Smith tweeted. “Excited to join the great Vikings organization today on a 1-yr deal!!#SKOLVikings!!”
Smith, the sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft, has been the Bengals’ starting right tackle for the last several seasons, making 73 starts in Cincinnati since first joining the club seven years ago. Although he has been a steady performer throughout his career, the 29-year-old became expendable in Cincinnati after the Bengals used their first two picks in the 2015 draft on offensive tackles.
Smith’s new deal with the Vikings will pay him up to $4.5MM, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News. Ben Goessling of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter) that it will feature $1MM in guaranteed money, while Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports says (via Twitter) that it sounds as if other options were on the table for Smith, who “really liked” the Vikings.
Earlier this week, Smith was said to be deciding between the Vikings and Cardinals, though Arizona GM Steve Keim downplayed his team’s interest in the veteran tackle in a radio interview this morning. It’s not clear whether the Cards’ interest in Smith was overstated, or whether Keim knew at that point that the free agent would end up in Minnesota.
Having initially pursued Kelechi Osemele in free agency, the Vikings have now added two solid veterans in Smith and Alex Boone. While Boone will be penciled in as a starter at guard, Smith may have to beat out Phil Loadholt and T.J. Clemmings to win the right tackle job.
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Vikings Re-Sign Terence Newman
FRIDAY, 12:48pm: The Vikings have issued a press release formally announcing their new deal with Newman.
TUESDAY, 12:54pm: The Vikings will bring back the NFL’s oldest defensive back for one more season, reports Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link). According to Pelissero, Minnesota has agreed to terms with veteran free agent Terence Newman on a one-year, $3MM deal.
Newman, who will turn 38 in September, started all 16 regular-season games for the Vikings in 2015, his 13th NFL season. The veteran cornerback racked up 61 tackles, three interceptions, and 12 passes defended, and ranked a respectable 39th out of 111 qualified corners, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades.
Assuming the Vikings continue to view Newman as a cornerback, and don’t intend to move him over to safety, he’ll join returning teammates Captain Munnerlyn and Xavier Rhodes atop Minnesota’s depth chart at the position.
With 39-year-old Charles Woodson having retired after the 2015 season, Newman is on track to be the oldest defensive back in the NFL in 2016, and could also be the oldest defender at any position. James Harrison, who has not yet announced whether he’ll play another season, is only about four months older than Newman.
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FA Rumors: N. Robinson, Blanton, Bills, 49ers
Veteran NBA guard Nate Robinson raised some eyebrows last week when he suggested that he intended to try his hand at earning a spot on an NFL roster. It seemed that Robinson’s NFL dream may have fallen by the wayside several days later, when he signed to play basketball in Israel, but apparently the 31-year-old hasn’t given up quite yet on the idea of making a move to football.
“After I get back from playing [in Israel], I’m going to go get ready to train, and get ready to go to the NFL,” Robinson told basketball reporter David Pick (Twitter link).
Despite the fact that Robinson originally attended the University of Washington on a football scholarship, his age and his lack of football experience over the past decade makes him a long shot to realize his NFL dream, but it could be a fun story to follow if he commits to making it happen.
Here’s more from around the NFL as free agency continues:
- Free agent safety Robert Blanton is paying a visit to the Bills on Friday, marking the first time this month that Buffalo has hosted a defensive free agent, the team announced in a press release. Although Blanton made 13 starts for the Vikings in 2014, he has primarily been a special-teamer and a part-time defensive player during his four NFL seasons.
- Before he agreed to re-sign with the Packers, running back James Starks drew interest from the Dolphins, tweets Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. According to Jackson, the team and Starks’ agent had “multiple conversations” in recent days. Having also missed out on Lamar Miller, C.J. Anderson, and Chris Johnson, the Dolphins continue to search for running back help.
- Free agent cornerback Antwon Blake ultimately agreed to sign with the Titans, but he had no shortage of potential suitors when he was on the market. Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com tweets that Blake garnered interest from the Steelers, Patriots, Jets, Lions, and Giants.
- Head coach Chip Kelly is perfectly fine with the 49ers not venturing much into free agency this offseason, suggesting that the team doesn’t want to pay solid players like superstars. Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle has the details and the quotes from Kelly.
NFC North Notes: H. Smith, Lions, Packers
It looks like a matter of when, not if, standout safety Harrison Smith will sign an extension with the Vikings, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News. Wolfson hears that talks between the two sides are expected to pick up before the end of the month.
Smith, 27, is entering the final year of his contract and is coming off his first Pro Bowl season. So far this offseason, most of the new deals signed by noteworthy safeties – including Malcolm Jenkins, Tashaun Gipson, Rodney McLeod, and George Iloka – have ranged from $6-9MM per year, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Smith exceed all of those when he eventually re-ups with the Vikings.
Here’s more from around the NFC North:
- Free agent wide receiver and return man Jordan Norwood is paying a visit to the Lions today, per Mike Klis of 9NEWS (Twitter link). Norwood, who visited the Jets earlier this week, appeared in 11 regular-season games for the Broncos last season, amassing 22 receptions and 11 returns — he also set a new record for the longest punt return in a Super Bowl (61 yards).
- With Russell Okung headed to Denver, the Lions may have to address the left tackle position via trade or in the draft, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Riley Reiff is currently penciled in as the starter, but some in the organization feel he’s better suited to play right tackle, and he’s only under contract for one more season anyway.
- Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com offers one reason why Packers GM Ted Thompson may be mostly avoiding free agency in 2016, suggesting that Green Bay will need plenty of cap space a year from now for potential free agents like David Bakhtiari, T.J. Lang, Josh Sitton, and others.
Ravens’ Tray Walker Seriously Injured In Motorcycle Accident
Ravens cornerback Tray Walker is in critical condition at Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital after having been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident on Thursday night, a team spokesman said (link via Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com). According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Walker spent all night in surgery and is “fighting for his life.”
“Oh, my God, this is devastating news,” head coach John Harbaugh said in a statement late Thursday night. “Our prayers and hopes are with Tray and his family tonight.”
According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, via Hensley, Walker was headed westbound on Northwest 75th Street on a dirt bike when he collided with a Ford Escape heading southbound on Northwest 21st Avenue. Police said Walker’s bike didn’t have lights and that he was wearing dark clothing.
A fourth-round pick in 2015, Walker played sparingly for the Ravens during his rookie season, seeing some time on special teams but appearing in just eight defensive snaps.
Our thoughts and best wishes go out to Walker and his family.
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Raiders Re-Sign Donald Penn
THURSDAY, 2:08pm: The Raiders formally announced the signing.
WEDNESDAY, 10:40am: Penn gets a two-year, $14MM deal from the Raiders, according to Rapoport, who tweets that the first year – worth approximately $7MM – is guaranteed.
7:54am: The Raiders will re-sign left tackle Donald Penn to a new contract today, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). As Rapoport explains, Penn had been scheduled to make a visit to the Giants this week, but he won’t end up getting on a plane to make that trip, having struck a deal with the Raiders instead.
Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle first reported overnight (via Twitter) that Penn and the Raiders were finalizing a new contract, with Scott Bair of CSNCalifornia.com confirming (via Twitter) that the two sides had made “significant progress” toward a deal.
Penn has been one of the more reliable and consistent left tackles in the NFL over the past two seasons for the Raiders. In 2015, he ranked 11th at the position, according to Pro Football Focus — PFF assigned him an especially strong grade as a pass blocker. The Utah State product will turn 33 in April, so he’s unlikely to land a lucrative, long-term contract, but he should be in line for a raise on his last deal, which paid him a little more than $10MM in total over two years.
With Penn back in the fold, the Raiders will be able to play newly-signed Kelechi Osemele at guard, rather than asking him to replace Penn at left tackle. While that means that Osemele will be making left tackle money (nearly $12MM per year) to play an interior line spot, it should strengthen Oakland’s line as a whole, with the team taking advantage of its excess of cap room.
Penn’s agreement with the Raiders is the latest in a string of deals for offensive tackles. In the last 24 hours, we’ve seen Ryan Harris agree to sign with the Steelers, Kelvin Beachum strike a deal with the Jaguars, and Chris Hairston agree to re-sign with the Chargers. Russell Okung and Andre Smith are among the noteworthy free agent tackles still on the board. Now that they’re no longer getting a visit from Penn, it will be interesting to see if the Giants make a more aggressive push to land Okung.
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