Chargers Notes: Offseason, Flowers, Davis
As part of their NFL training camp tour, SiriusXM NFL Radio was on location at Chargers camp tonight, and spoke with several key members of the team, as well as general manager Tom Telesco and head coach Mike McCoy. The decision-making duo shared a few interesting comments, which we’ll round up below (all links via SiriusXM’s Twitter):
- While he was encouraged by 2013’s results, Telesco knew heading into the offseason that he needed to add speed, athleticism, and youth to the roster, as well as finding more defensive playmakers. In the GM’s view, the 2014 roster is “definitely stronger” than last year’s because of its depth.
- Per Telesco, the Chargers were monitoring the status of Brandon Flowers throughout the offseason, even before he was cut by the Chiefs, and jumped at the opportunity to sign him when he became available. Before the Chiefs released him, Flowers was rumored to be on the trade block, so it seems likely that San Diego kicked the tires on the possibility of a deal.
- Former Auburn cornerback Chris Davis, the hero of last season’s Iron Bowl, has been very impressive since signing with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent, and has a legitimate shot to stick with the club, says Telesco.
- According to McCoy, San Diego headed into the draft prioritizing the cornerback and outside linebacker positions, and managed to address both spots in the first two rounds, selecting Jason Verrett and Jeremiah Attaochu.
- McCoy also praised Chargers owner Dean Spanos for allowing him and Telesco to continue to implement the plan they prepared in 2013.
North Notes: Suh, Smith, Allen, Manziel, Cobb
Ndamukong Suh‘s contract has been a popular topic of discussion in Detroit for much of the offseason, but now that the Lions‘ defensive tackle has reported to camp, he has taken up a common refrain when it comes to his contract: He’s not too concerned about it.
“That’s what you’ve got agents for,” Suh told Noah Trister of The Associated Press. “They can take care of business, and just go from there. … I don’t have a timetable. That’s my agent. I don’t have to worry about it. I can focus on football, and that’s my job, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Here’s more from around the NFL’s two North divisions:
- Torrey Smith is another player who claims not to be thinking about an extension as he enters the final year of his current deal, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Sources tell Wilson that discussions between Smith and the Ravens aren’t heating up at this point, though that doesn’t mean progress won’t be made before the wideout is eligible for free agency.
- Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune spoke at length to Jared Allen about the defensive end’s decision to sign with the Bears after leaving the Vikings this offseason. As Wiederer writes, Allen left Minnesota with no hard feelings, and the spring rumor that he was considering retiring wasn’t just an empty threat.
- Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said today that rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel has “made some mistakes” and that the team expects “better from him” (link via Mary Kay Cabot of the Northeast Ohio Media Group). While Haslam is entitled to his opinion on Manziel’s off-field behavior, the timing is interesting, considering Haslam’s Pilot Flying J company was recently fined $92MM for cheating customers out of promised rebates and discounts.
- It’s not clear yet where the Packers‘ new long-term deal with Jordy Nelson leaves Randall Cobb, but you can count quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy among those who would like to see Cobb sign an extension of his own, as Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com details.
Seahawks Work Out Three Running Backs
The Seahawks have given no indication that they’re willing to relent in their ongoing standoff with Marshawn Lynch, and the latest report from Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post is another sign that the team is preparing for life without its top running back. According to Wilson, the Seahawks worked out three running backs this weekend, with Phillip Tanner, Orwin Smith, and William Powell auditioning for the club.
Lynch, who is holding out for a contract extension or a raise, is not in attendance at Seattle’s training camp, prompting the club to place him on its reserve/did not report list. Players with such a designation don’t count toward a 90-man roster, though the Seahawks have already filled that spot – and their other opening – by signing a pair of defenders earlier today. Still, if the team is increasingly concerned that Lynch won’t report, signing a running back and waiving another player is a possibility.
Of the three backs who worked out for the Seahawks, Tanner has appeared in the most NFL games, spending most of the last three seasons with the Cowboys and receiving 56 carries during his stint in Dallas. Powell, with 59 career carries for 216 yards, plus 19 receptions, has better overall numbers than Tanner, though every one of those touches came in the 2012 seasons with Arizona. Smith, a Georgia Tech product who spent time on the Packers’ practice squad last year, has yet to appear in a regular season NFL game.
Bills Rumors: Sale, Spiller, Linebackers
“The legend of Sammy Watkins is growing by the day,” writes Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com in his dispatch from Bills training camp, suggesting that no one in the organization is regretting giving up its 2015 first-round pick in order to land the wide receiver this May. The man who pulled the trigger on that trade, GM Doug Whaley, had nothing but praise for the rookie wideout.
“Sammy is as advertised, and actually even better than advertised because of everything he does off field,” Whaley said. “His preparation, his want to be the best, his professionalism. He is wise beyond his years.”
While Watkins has been the star of Buffalo’s camp so far, La Canfora provides several other nuggets of note, so let’s dive in and round those up….
- Based on La Canfora’s conversations with people who have knowledge of the Bills’ sale process, he’d be surprised if the finalists aren’t Sabres owner Terry Pegula and the Jon Bon Jovi/Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment/Rogers Communications group.
- Still, there are believed to be 16 approved parties seeking to purchase the franchise, and those groups must submit a letter of intent by next week if they intend to remain in the mix, says La Canfora. That letter wouldn’t include a formal bid, but it would feature some approximate figures involved in a possible purchase price. The Wilson trust will narrow the field during August and eventually decide on two or three finalists. Ideally, the trust will present the winning bidder to the NFL finance committee ahead of its September 11 meeting, in time for owners to vote on the sale at the October league meeting.
- Sources tell La Canfora that many within the Bills organization hope that Pegula purchases the team, particularly since the odds are greater that the football operations and business-side management would remain intact in that scenario.
- La Canfora expects the Bills to field trade inquiries on running backs as injuries pile up around the league (Vick Ballard and Kendall Hunter are already out for the season). In La Canfora’s view, a trade market for C.J. Spiller could materialize over the next few weeks, with Spiller entering the final year of his contract with no extension imminent. In the event of a deal, Fred Jackson, Bryce Brown, and Anthony Dixon would carry the load in Buffalo’s backfield.
- According to Whaley, the team doesn’t plan to pursue any outside free agents to fill the void at linebacker following Kiko Alonso‘s season-ending injury. The club is confident with in-house options like Keith Rivers and rookie Preston Brown.
Minor Moves: Pats, 49ers, Titans, Panthers
Here are a few of today’s minor transactions from around the NFL:
- The Rams have added defensive end Kourtnei Brown, reports Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). Brown will replace wideout Jamaine Sherman, who was waived/injured.
- Just five days after signing him, the Patriots have parted ways with tight end Nate Byham, per Brian McIntyre (Twitter link).
- After having been waived by the Redskins earlier this week, long snapper Kyle Nelson has caught on with the 49ers, tweets Jayson Braddock of RotoExperts.com.
- The Titans have cut tight end Adam Schiltz and used the newly-freed roster spot to sign guard Kevin Danser, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter).
- The Panthers have waived UDFA defensive tackle Shaq Rowell, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
Earlier updates:
- Armed with an open roster spot, the Cardinals have signed former Utah wideout Reggie Dunn, making him their 90th man, tweets Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. Dunn went undrafted in 2013, but spent some time on the Packers’ practice squad last season.
- A pair of wide receivers signed contracts with the Vikings today, with Andy Cruse and Ty Walker coming aboard, according to a team release. To make room for the new additions, the Vikings have cut former Browns wideout Josh Cooper and tackle Matt Hall.
- The Bills have signed cornerback Bobby Felder and waived defensive tackle Colby Way, the club announced today in a press release. Felder has spent time on the practice squads of the Vikings and Buccaneers.
Poll: Who Will Win The NFC East?
As is the case with most other divisions around the NFL, the team that wore the crown a year ago heads into the 2014 season as the favorite to do so again — last year, the 10-6 Eagles beat out the Cowboys and Giants for the NFC East division title, and Philadelphia is the frontrunner to take the division this year as well.
Few other divisions in football have been as balanced over the last decade than the NFC East, however. Within the last five seasons, all four teams have finished atop the East at least once, and in the last seven years, no club has won the division more than twice. While the Eagles, even without DeSean Jackson, are favored in 2014, their three challengers all have solid rosters, and could topple Philadelphia if things break right.
Last year’s runner-up – Dallas – has finished with an 8-8 record for three straight seasons, and the pressure will be on this season to improve upon that mark. The club had limited cap flexibility to make offseason upgrades, but made several signings on the defensive line, and added Zack Martin to a talented offensive line that already features multiple stars. There are question marks at a few areas on the field, particularly on the defensive side, where linebacker Sean Lee will miss the season. But the Cowboys have some upside.
So too do the Giants, who got off to a horrendous start in 2013 and couldn’t make it back to .500, as Eli Manning set a new career high in interceptions (27). With a new offensive coordinator and scheme in place, there’s optimism that Manning can limit the turnovers. And while there were plenty of veteran departures, the team was active in free agency adding replacements, including cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, running back Rashad Jennings, and guard Geoff Schwartz.
As for the Redskins, a 3-13 team a year ago, they aren’t viewed as a consensus cellar-dweller. Betting site Bovada.lv gives Washington 4:1 odds to win the East, just behind the Cowboys and Giants, and a healthy Robert Griffin III should singlehandedly boost the team’s win total. With receiving playmakers DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts added to the mix, and a new coach and offensive coordinator on board, the Redskins’ offense could once again look like the exciting, dangerous unit we saw two years ago, during Griffin’s rookie season.
What do you think? Do any of last year’s non-playoff teams have the talent to take down the Eagles, or will Philadelphia become the NFC East’s first repeat division champion since 2004?
Previously:
Who will win the AFC North?
Who will win the AFC West?
Who will win the AFC South?
Who will win the AFC East?
Who will win the NFC North?
Who will win the NFC West?
Drew Brees Wants To Play 10 More Seasons
Drew Brees turned 35 in January, and is entering his 14th NFL season this fall, but in his view, his career is far from winding down. As Albert Breer of the NFL Network details, Brees told the media today that he’d like to play to age 45, pointing to contemporaries like Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady to prove that maintaining a high level of production into one’s late-30s and early-40s is possible for quarterbacks.
“I’m not getting ahead myself, like it’s a pipe dream, at 45,” Brees said. “I understand the challenges that come along with that. But why not? If I can stay healthy, and I’m having fun and playing at a high level, why wouldn’t I wanna do that? The biggest challenge is physically, the maintenance, the recovery, the way you train. You gotta hope that you stay healthy, but why not?”
While playing at a high level until he’s 45 may be overly optimistic, Brees hasn’t showed any signs of slowing in recent seasons. In 2013, he topped 5,100 passing yards for the third straight year, tossing 39 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions. With Jimmy Graham now under contract, and rookie receiver Brandin Cooks added to the mix, the eight-time Pro Bowler looks poised for another big year in 2014.
Brees also isn’t the only veteran quarterback who has expressed optimism about playing into his 40s. Manning, 38, is coming off a record-setting season, and hasn’t given any indication that this will be his last year. Meanwhile, Brady hinted earlier today that he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of playing beyond his current contract, which runs through his age-40 season.
Andre Johnson Wants To Finish Career With Texans
3:20pm: Among the topics Johnson discussed with the Texans’ brass before he reported to camp was the possibility of a job with the franchise after he retires, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). According to Rapoport, that idea is very appealing to Johnson.
11:33am: It wasn’t long ago that reports were suggesting Andre Johnson had asked the Texans to trade him, but the veteran wideout’s tune had certainly changed when he spoke to reporters in Houston today. After reporting to training camp, Johnson was asked if he intends to remain in Houston and eventually retire as a Texas. His reponse? “That’s the plan“(link via Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle).
After Johnson missed the Texans’ voluntary workouts this spring, as well as their mandatory minicamp, rumors and speculation swirled on the source of his discontent, with Houston’s rebuilding process, its quarterback and offensive coordinator turnover, and a dispute over bonus money all cited as potential reasons for the receiver’s unhappiness.
In Houston today though, Johnson had nothing but praise for the franchise, commenting on the confidence and upbeat nature of the new coaching staff (Twitter link), and suggesting he wasn’t upset about the team passing on a quarterback with the No. 1 pick (Twitter link via James Palmer of CSNHouston.com). The seven-time Pro Bowler also said he thinks the franchise is “moving in the right direction” after a disappointing 2-14 season.
Once it was clear Johnson would report to camp, it seemed likely that these sort of positive comments would follow. However, the longtime Texan seemed sincere in expressing his comfort with his current situation and his desire to remain with the club for the rest of his career.
Lions To Sign Drew Butler
The Lions will bring aboard another punter for training camp, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com, who passes along a report from fellow ESPN reporter Adam Schefter (Twitter link). According to Schefter, the team is signing former Steelers punter Drew Butler. Safety Gabe Lynn has been cut to clear a roster spot, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Butler, 25, was Pittsburgh’s full-time punter in 2012, averaging 43.8 yards per kick (38.3 net) and ranking as the league’s 26th-best player at the position, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required). Zoltan Mesko won the Steelers’ punting job in 2013 and Butler spent some time with the Bears, but didn’t appear in any regular season games for the team. The Georgia product should get the opportunity to compete with Sam Martin for the Lions’ punting job over the next few weeks.
AFC East Notes: Philbin, Wilkerson, Brady
The Bills did a little roster shuffling earlier this afternoon, picking up cornerback Bobby Felder and waiving defensive tackle Colby Way. While none of Buffalo’s AFC East rivals have made any signings or cuts yet today, there’s still plenty of news coming out of the division, so let’s round up the latest….
- There has been some speculation that Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin will be in danger of losing his job this year if the Dolphins miss the postseason again. Asked today about that possibility, owner Stephen Ross said that he expects Philbin to remain with the team “for a long time,” but conceded that you want to see improvement every year (Twitter link via Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald).
- Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com agrees with what Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News wrote last night, tweeting that an extension for Muhammad Wilkerson should be the No. 1 priority for the Jets’ front office. However, according to La Canfora, there has been “no real progress” on that front so far.
- On the set of SportsCenter today, former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi suggested he thinks Tom Brady could play for four more years, to which Brady jokingly replied, “You’re out of your mind” (link via ESPNBoston.com). While Brady may have taken mock offense to Bruschi’s estimate, the star quarterback has four years left on his current contract, so if he intends to play longer than that, it would be on a new deal and it would be into his 40s.
- Sources tell Gary Myers of the New York Daily News that when Darrelle Revis was cut by the Buccaneers earlier this year, his first choice was to return to the Jets. However, New York wasn’t interested, and the standout cornerback ultimately landed with the division-rival Patriots.