Bills Extend Garrison Sanborn Through 2017
TUESDAY, 3:18pm: According to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter), Sanborn’s new three-year contract includes a $550K signing bonus, a slight bump up from the $530K bonus he got on his last deal. That’s the only guaranteed money on the extension.
FRIDAY, 5:51pm: Sanborn’s new deal is worth $3.3MM, or $1.1MM annually, according to Buscaglia (via Twitter). That’s a slight bump up from Sanborn’s last contract, and makes the Bills long snapper one of the league’s top five highest-paid players at his position.
5:31pm: The Bills have reached an agreement on a three-year contract extension for long snapper Garrison Sanborn, a source tells Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550 (Twitter link). The new deal ensures that Sanborn, whose contract was set to expire at season’s end, is locked up through the 2017 season.
Sanborn, 29, has been the Bills’ long snapper since joining the club in 2009. His most recent contract, a three-year pact, included a $530K signing bonus and annual workout bonuses of $25K, in addition to base salaries that exceeded the minimum. Assuming the Bills are still happy with his performance, we can probably expect similar numbers this time around, though terms have yet to be reported.
Sanborn’s extension is the latest roster move for a Bills team that also announced 10 cuts and placed three players on injured reserve earlier today.
Cards GM Talks Dockett, Roster, Washington
Over the weekend, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic published a Q&A with Steve Keim, in which the Cardinals GM talked about how the team responded to Darnell Dockett‘s injury, the strategy of giving more snaps to young players, and Daryl Washington‘s season-long suspension. Keim made a number of interesting comments, so let’s dive right in and check out some of the highlights….
On the team’s reaction to Dockett’s torn ACL:
“The first thing that comes to mind is, what does this do to us from a depth standpoint? I know we have other guys who can help us and step up, whether it’s Frostee Rucker, Kareem Martin and Ed Stinson. I know we have guys who can play. I know we can’t replace Darnell’s emotional leadership, but are we good enough to sustain another injury, and where can we go for help next?
In my mind there is no reason to bring in another Ed Stinson or Kareem Martin. Those are two guys, all they need to do is continue to play and get quality reps. We need to find out if Isaac Sopoaga is the kind of guy who can help us? Is Tommy Kelly the kind of guy we can bring in to help us? Bring in veteran leadership and experience.”
On being patient about bringing in veteran help when an injury occurs:
“In years past, before Coach [Bruce] Arians, I felt like there was always trepidation in terms of playing younger guys. And in my opinion, you never know until you throw them out there and give them a chance. A lot of times I think you can be pleasantly surprised that these guys have ability, and if you ask them to do what caters to their strengths, they’ll have some success. To me, whether it’s a young quarterback or positional player, you don’t get better practicing.”
On Washington’s suspension:
“I would say of all our losses that Daryl Washington hurts the most. You can accept a player being injured because that’s going to happen, but when off-field issues come about, those are unacceptable. You certainly can’t plan for them, and I’ll never be able to get over those kinds of consequences. Because one of the things we’ve tried to do over the years is to create a filter – whether it’s in drafting or signing free agents – that we’ll not only draft good players but good people, guys who carry themselves the right way off the field. If you’re getting suspended in the NFL anymore, it means that you’ve been in trouble multiple times. And really at the end of the day, you’re hanging out your teammates as much as anybody.”
On whether the door will be open for Washington to return if and when he’s reinstated:
“You know what? We haven’t even gotten into that discussion yet. The one thing I do know that’s happened, since the suspension, we haven’t talked about him for a minute. Out of sight, out of mind.”
West Notes: Broncos, Quinn, Chiefs, 49ers
Although there was some speculation that the Broncos may face a penalty for potential violations of the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement by Peyton Manning and offensive coordinator Adam Gase, the league won’t levy any punishment on the club, says Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. Manning and Gase both visited the University of Alabama in April, and taking a campus visit together would’ve violated the terms of the CBA, but it was determined that the two men took their trips separately.
Let’s round up a few more items from around the NFL’s two West divisions….
- Now that J.J. Watt has agreed to a lucrative new contract extension, Rams defensive end Robert Quinn will be among the next high-profile defenders to keep an eye on. According to Albert Breer of NFL Network, when he spoke to Quinn about his contract situation last week, the standout pass rusher said he didn’t want to let it become a distraction and planned to stay in his lane for now. “When the opportunity approaches, I’ll take advantage of it,” Quinn said.
- Former third-round pick Brandon Taylor, who was cut by the Chargers back in June, visited the division-rival Chiefs on Monday, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
- According to Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith, who agreed to a contract extension with the team over the weekend, getting a long-term deal done with Kansas City was always the goal — it was just a matter of finding a figure that he felt was fair and that didn’t compromise the club’s flexibility too much. B.J. Kissel of KCChiefs.com has the quotes from Smith.
- The 49ers worked out a few free agents this week, including fullback J.C. Copeland and defensive backs Rod Sweeting and Chibuikem Okoro, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
Brian Waters Announces Retirement
Longtime guard Brian Waters has officially announced his retirement from the NFL in a statement. The 37-year-old had his final season cut short by a torn triceps, and didn’t appear likely to continue his playing career this season, unless perhaps one of the Texas clubs had significant interest. Now, he has confirmed that he’ll retire, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com details.
“I want to thank the coaches, players and fans of the three great organizations that I had the pleasure of working for,” Waters said in his statement. “First the Dallas Cowboys for giving me my first and last chance of working in the NFL. I will always be grateful. Also the New England Patriots for the most successful season in my career. It was a great ride. Lastly the Kansas City Chiefs where I had pleasure of enjoying eleven wonderful seasons, which I will never forget.”
Playing at left guard for most of his career, Waters was named to two first-team All-Pro squads, and also earned six Pro Bowl berths, including one as recently as 2011, when he played for the Patriots. During his heyday with the Chiefs, Waters was a key part of an offensive line that paved the way for a handful of huge seasons by running backs like Larry Johnson and Priest Holmes.
Jim Irsay Suspended Six Games, Fined $500K
Mere hours after he pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, Colts owner Jim Irsay was suspended for six games by the NFL, and fined $500K, according to a press release from the league. Irsay won’t be permitted to be at the club’s facility or its games during the suspension, and also “may not conduct media interviews or engage in social media regarding any team or league matters.”
Because the incident for which Irsay is being disciplined didn’t have any competitive consequences, the Colts won’t be forced to forfeit draft picks. The $500K fine is the maximum penalty allowed under the NFL’s conduct policy. As for the suspension, it will take effect beginning at 4:00pm central time on Wednesday.
Irsay, who reportedly had oxycodone and hydrocodone in his system when he was arrested on two misdemeanor charges back in March, received one year of probation, during which he’ll be subjected to drug tests. As part of the suspension, the league notes that the Colts owner will be “subject to ongoing treatment, counseling, and testing as determined by medical professionals and the Indiana court.”
East Notes: Bills, Giants, Jets, Cowboys
Although a report last week suggested that the Toronto-based attempting to buy the Bills had parted ways with lead bidder Jon Bon Jovi, that’s not exactly the case, says John Kryk of the Toronto Sun. According to Kryk, Bon Jovi never left the group, but he and his partners remain “highly pessimistic” they’ll be able to buy the franchise. With final bids due a week from today, sources tell Kryk it wouldn’t be a surprise if Bon Jovi’s group disbanded before that deadline, but for now they continue to consider whether or not to submit a final bid.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s two East divisions:
- Six players are auditioning today for the final two spots on the Giants‘ practice squad, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Per Graziano, former Ball State wideout Willie Snead will be among the players in attendance, and we heard yesterday that offensive lineman Adam Gettis would also be working out for the team.
- Jets GM John Idzik continues to say he has no regrets about the Jets’ approaching to fortifying the cornerback position this offseason, even after the release of the team’s only notable free agent signee (Dimitri Patterson). Seth Walder of the New York Daily News has the details and quotes.
- Appearing on his weekly radio show on KRLD-FM in Dallas, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones weighed in on Dez Bryant and Kyle Orton, suggesting that not having a contract extension in place by Week 1 wouldn’t be a distraction for Bryant. Jones added that Orton expressed some interest in continuing his career with the Cowboys before the team released him, but that Dallas had opted to go with Brandon Weeden as its backup instead (links via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram).
- Earlier today, we rounded up some comments made by Tom Brady on his future with the Patriots and the team’s decision to trade Logan Mankins.
Saints’ Galette Denies Agreeing To Extension
12:25pm: Galette’s agent, Alvin Keels, has also weighed in, confirming (via Twitter) that there’s no new deal in place for his client.
11:18am: Earlier this morning, Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports reported (via Twitter) that the Saints have reached an agreement in principle on an extension for edge defender Junior Galette. However, Galette himself denied the report, tweeting “These rumors have to stop.” Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune also heard from Galette, who said he has yet to agree to anything and that he’s “shocked” by the story (Twitter links).
Galette, who inked a three-year deal with the team in March of 2013, technically still had two years remaining on that contract, so if New Orleans is willing to extend his deal at this point, the team would be rewarding him for a breakout season in which he became a full-time player and recorded 12 sacks. Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required) ranked Galette as the 12th-best 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL last season, out of 42 qualified players.
As Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap details, Galette’s deal can void after the 2014 season if he records 24 total sacks in 2013 and 2014, which further explains why the Saints may be exploring an extension. If Galette matches his 2013 production this season, he’ll be eligible to hit the open market in March. For now, the former undrafted free agent is slated to earn base salaries of $1.4MM this year and next, along with $600K annually in roster and workout bonuses.
It seems unlikely that Getlin would be entirely off base with his report, so perhaps the two sides are working toward finalizing an extension before the regular season begins, and someone with the team or with Galette’s camp jumped the gun on confirming an agreement. I doubt either the Saints or Galette would be interested in continuing talks during the regular season, so we should get some clarity on the situation soon, one way or another.
Tom Brady Talks Mankins, Pats, Future
A report last week suggested that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady wasn’t too happy with the team’s decision to trade Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins to the Buccaneers with less than two weeks until the regular season got underway. Appearing on WEEI this morning, Brady didn’t deny being upset, though his comments indicated that he has already moved past it. Here are the highlights from Brady’s radio appearance (links via ESPN.com):
On Mankins’ departure:
“I love Logan. Logan was a great friend of mine. Nobody stood for Patriots football more than him. … I dealt with whatever feelings I had last week, but I’ve moved on. I have to move on, because that’s what this team expects me to do.”
On whether it has gotten any easier to rationalize how the business side of the NFL works:
“Absolutely not. I’m a very person-to-person type of person, a very emotional person. I don’t think those things have ever gotten easier for me. I don’t think they ever will. But you have to come to grips with it also, and learn to deal with things in a mature way. We, as players, it’s the business side of things. We’re out there to play, we’re not out there to run businesses. We’re there to enjoy the camaraderie with our teammates, enjoy the playing experience with our teammates, and play for one another. And you deal with whatever comes up and then you move forward. I think that’s part of the sport. … I know it’s going to happen next year too, I know it’s going to happen the year after that, the year after that. For as long as you continue playing, you’re going to be dealing with this.”
On the possibility of staying with the Patriots for the rest of his career:
“There’s nowhere I’d rather play, I know that. I love playing for this team and I love representing this team and hopefully I can do that for as long as I can. When I suck, I’ll retire, but I don’t plan on sucking for a long time. So hopefully that leads me to being here and there’s no place I’d rather be.”
On considering retirement and weighing how long to continue his career:
“You know, you’re expected in this business to perform. That’s what football is about. This is not a personality contest. This is a very highly competitive game where your physical skill set and what it means to the team, they place a value on that. If that value fits within the range, then great. If it doesn’t, they don’t want you and then you go somewhere else to play. Once no one else wants you, or you don’t want to play anymore, that’s when you retire. Some guys make the decision to retire early. So I like working hard at it and I’m going to try to be the best I can be for as long as I can be that. Hopefully the team values that and if they don’t, then I’ll probably have a tough day at some point. But that’s what football is all about.”
Ravens Re-Sign Derek Cox, Cut Josh Bynes
10:56am: The Ravens have officially announced the transactions, cutting linebacker Josh Bynes to make room on the roster for Cox.
8:24am: Days after releasing him as part of their cut down to 53 players, the Ravens have agreed to re-sign cornerback Derek Cox, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Cox’s new deal is another one-year, minimum-salary pact, according to Wilson.
Cox, who turns 28 later this month, spent his first four seasons with the Jaguars before signing a four-year, $20MM contract with the Chargers in 2013. However, he was released after just one season, despite receiving $10.25MM in guaranteed money. Cox played in all 16 contests for the Chargers in 2013, but started only 11 games, and signed a modest one-year, $1MM pact with Minnesota in March. A lack of guaranteed money in that deal made it easy for the Vikings to cut ties with him in August as roster cutdowns begin, opening the door for the Ravens to snatch him up last week.
In order to finalize the re-signing of Cox, the Ravens will have to clear a spot on their active roster. That could mean either cutting a player, or perhaps placing someone on injured reserve with a designation to return — as of 3:00pm central time today, teams are allowed to place one player on that list.
49ers To Re-Sign Kassim Osgood
Wide receiver and special teams ace Kassim Osgood will rejoin the 49ers today, according to head coach Jim Harbaugh. Appearing on KNBR in San Francisco this morning, Harbaugh indicated that Osgood would take the active roster spot by Glenn Dorsey, who will be placed on the injured reserve list with the designation to return (Twitter link via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee).
Osgood, 34, was released by San Francisco during the team’s cutdown to 53 players on the weekend. In his first year with the Niners, Osgood appeared in only 45 offensive snaps and snagged just one reception during the regular season. However, he was a key contributor in kick and punt coverage, compiling an impressive 13 special teams tackles.
Osgood’s previous one-year, minimum-salary contract with the team featured a $20K first-game roster bonus, so it’ll be interesting to see if the team includes that same provision in his new deal.