Chargers Release Larry English
The Chargers have parted ways with a former first-round pick, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that edge defender Larry English has been released by the club. Because he has more than four years of NFL experience, English will not be subject to waivers, making him a free agent immediately.
English, who was drafted with the 16th overall pick in 2009, appeared in 52 games for the Chargers during his five years with the team, struggling with injuries in recent years and never establishing himself as a consistent performer. He started five of nine games for San Diego in 2013, recording 2.5 sacks, before a pectoral injury sidelined him for the season.
With Dwight Freeney starting at one outside linebacker spot, a healthy Melvin Ingram ready to reclaim his position on the other side, and players like Jarret Johnson and second-round pick Jeremiah Attaochu also in the mix, there wasn’t a clear-cut role for English in San Diego heading into the 2014 season.
The Chargers also confirmed today (via Twitter) that center Khalil Wilkes has signed a three-year pact with the team. However, there should still be an opening on the club’s 90-man roster, since Nick McDonald was cut yesterday as well.
Bengals Seeking Kaepernick Contract For Dalton?
Bengals owner and de facto general manager Mike Brown spoke to reporters today, and his starting quarterback was among the topics addressed. According to Brown, while using the franchise tag on Andy Dalton in 2015 remains an option, the team would like to get a longer-term deal done, and is hopeful that an agreement will be reached soon (all Twitter links via Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com). Brown went on to say that he thinks an extension for Dalton should be in the range of Colin Kaepernick‘s new contract with the 49ers (Twitter link).
The comparison to Kaepernick’s situation and extension is an interesting one, since the structure of that deal was considered somewhat team-friendly, and its overall value could fluctuate significantly depending on whether the Niners’ signal-caller triggers certain escalators. The six new years added to Kaepernick’s contract could be worth anywhere from $114MM ($19MM annually) to $126MM ($21MM per year), which seems like a steep price tag for Brown to voluntarily assign to Dalton. On the other hand, only about $13MM of that contract is fully guaranteed, and if you count the 2014 season as part of the deal, its overall annual value slips closer to the neighborhood of $17-18MM.
With both sides expressing optimism about working out a multiyear agreement, I’d be a little surprised if Dalton hadn’t signed an extension by the time the regular season gets underway. Still, as Brown notes, the franchise tag could be in play for the club in March if nothing has been worked out by that point. This past year, the franchise figure for quarterbacks amounted to $16.912MM.
AFC Notes: Groves, Broncos, Watt, Raiders
As we look forward to more training camps around the NFL opening this week, let’s round up a few items from across the AFC….
- Edge defender and special-teamer Quentin Groves worked out for the Jets on Monday, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Groves has been busy since being released by the Browns in early June, auditioning for the Redskins, Patriots, and Titans, though he has yet to find a home for the coming season.
- Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas are both extension candidates for the Broncos, but Mike Klis of the Denver Post points out that the tight end figures to be motivated to get a deal done sooner. As a fourth-round pick in 2011, Julius Thomas’ career earnings to date are dwarfed by Demaryius Thomas’, since the receiver was selected in the first round in 2010.
- The Texans have made a habit of extending their best players well before their contracts expire, and could make a statement with J.J. Watt by becoming the first team to lock up a 2011 first-rounder to an extension, says John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
- Citing a repaired salary cap and financial structure, Raiders owner Mark Davis says he feels like the team had a “phenomenal” offseason, as Jerry McDonald of the San Jose Mercury News details.
Jason Babin Visited Jets
Free agent edge rusher Jason Babin paid a visit to the Jets earlier this week, according to Kimberly Jones of the NFL Network, who tweets that Babin was in town on Monday.
Babin, who turned 34 in May, played in all 16 games last season for the Jaguars, racking up 31 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two passes defended. However, after re-signing with Jacksonville in March, the former first-round pick was released by the team last month, and currently remains on the free agent market.
As I observed when I discussed Babin’s stock as a free agent earlier this month, at 34, he probably won’t ever be the same player who piled up 18 sacks for the Eagles back in 2011. Still, despite his increasingly one-dimensional skill set, Babin could provide value as a situational pass rusher, particularly since he likely won’t cost much to sign.
With experience in both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses, Babin would figure to play outside linebacker for Rex Ryan‘s team, if the Jets were to sign him. The club’s projected OLB starters – Calvin Pace and Quinton Coples – and top reserve Garrett McIntyre all graded better against the run than as pass rushers last season, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required).
This post was first published on July 23, 2014 at 10:02am.
Pettine: Browns Won’t Cut Josh Gordon
The Browns and Josh Gordon are still awaiting word on how long the troubled wideout will be suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. However, regardless of the duration of that ban, Gordon’s spot on the roster appears safe, as head coach Mike Pettine tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
“We’re expecting him to report on Friday and be on the field,” Pettine said. “We have no plans to cut him. I know there’s been a lot of debate over that, but I don’t see us having that debate.”
Following Gordon’s DUI arrest earlier this month, a handful of NFL pundits and observers, including Hall of Fame wideout Cris Carter, suggested that waiving the Browns star could be in his best interests. Considering how well he performed last season though, racking up 1,646 receiving yards in just 14 games, it makes sense that the Browns would do everything they can to help Gordon and eventually make sure he gets back on the field for the franchise. For now, Cleveland doesn’t seem to have any plans to acquire another receiver to replace 2013’s yardage leader.
“I don’t think you replace Josh, a guy of his caliber,” Pettine said. “If you just look at what he did last year, he’s arguably one of the top three receivers in the league. You can easily make that argument. You’re not going to find somebody, so you just have to get creative in how you do it. We feel good about where Miles Austin is health-wise, we’re very pleased with how Andrew Hawkins came out of camp, and then Nate Burleson will be ready to go and then we have some guys we think will be ready to battle it out.”
Gordon’s appeal hearing on his pending suspension is expected to take place within the next week or two.
49ers Notes: Boone, Lipford, Staley
The extension agreed upon by the 49ers and Joe Staley may have been sending a message to players like Vernon Davis and Alex Boone, with the team rewarding a player who showed up at spring workouts despite being underpaid. However, that doesn’t mean the Staley deal will persuade Boone to attending training camp — Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com “wouldn’t be surprised if Boone is the rare player to skip much if not all of camp.” While the Niners have most of the leverage in this scenario, La Canfora suggests that, given the high expectations for the veteran squad heading into 2014, the club may be wise to reach a compromise with the disgruntled guard.
Here’s more on the Niners:
- Within the same piece, La Canfora also touches on recent comments by commissioner Roger Goodell suggesting that perhaps the Raiders could share Levi’s Stadium with the 49ers, but notes that owner Mark Davis is even less interested in that idea than his father was.
- While the 49ers are unlikely to sign Boone to a new contract with a large signing bonus, an agreement that includes other forms of roster bonuses and incentives could be doable for the team, writes Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Lynch is less enthusiastic about the idea of Davis getting a new contract.
- Linebacker Darius Lipford, who went unselected in the supplemental draft and worked out for the Niners last week, is drawing interest from three other teams, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap has the specifics on Staley’s new contract, which he describes as virtually an all-new deal, rather than simply an extension. The total value on the pact, which includes two option years, is six years, $44.65MM.
- Earlier today, I asked which team will win the NFC West in 2014. So far, PFR readers like the Seahawks, who have grabbed about 47% of the vote, over the Niners, who have earned about 39%.
Minor Moves: Hagg, Giants, Pats, Cowboys
After a quiet few weeks, roster moves around the NFL are picking up again, with most training camps just around the corner. We’ll track today’s minor moves here, including signings and cuts of players with no or little NFL experience. Here are the latest moves, with additional transactions added to the top of the page throughout the day:
- Safety Eric Hagg has informed the Broncos he intends to retire, reports Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Hagg, who appeared in 23 total games in two season with the Browns in 2011-12, had signed a futures contract with Denver earlier this year.
- According to Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Giants have acted quickly to fill Chris Snee‘s roster spot, signing offensive lineman John Sullen, who auditioned for the team last month.
- Former BYU defensive tackle Eathyn Manumaleuna, who was cut by the Giants last month has signed with the Patriots, according to a team release. The club waived Seali’i Epenesa to clear room on the 90-man roster for Manumaleuna.
Earlier updates:
- Free agent wideout Dezmon Briscoe has signed with the Cowboys, according to agent Erik Burkhardt (via Twitter). Briscoe, who caught 35 passes for the Buccaneers in 2011, was waived-injured by the Redskins prior to the 2013 regular season. In order to sign Briscoe, the team waived defensive tackle Chris Whaley with a non-football injury designation, tweets Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.
- The Bengals have maintained an opening on their 90-man roster, waiving rookie wideout Alex Neutz today, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer (Twitter link).
- The Chargers have waived center Nick McDonald, the team announced today (via Twitter). The offensive lineman had inked a reserve/futures contract with the club back in January.
- With the newly-open roster spot, the Chargers will bring aboard Khalil Wilkes, a Stanford product who participated in the club’s minicamp in May. Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports (via Twitter) that the team has agreed to terms with the undrafted center.
- One of the players who went unselected in this month’s supplemental draft has found a home, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, who reports that defensive tackle LaKendrick Ross is signing with the Bengals. Ross, who tried out for the Bengals today, had 11 teams attend his workout prior to that supplemental draft, though Cincinnati wasn’t among that list. The Bengals had an open roster spot already, so no corresponding move will be necessary to bring Ross aboard.
Texans Waive Brennan Williams
The Texans have waived 2013 third-round pick Brennan Williams with a failed physical designation, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Assuming Williams passes through waivers unclaimed, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent able to sign with any team.
Still, while Williams should become a free agent, there’s no guarantee he’ll be able to continue his NFL career, which was derailed by knee injuries before it really began. Williams, 23, battled a knee injury last summer and then underwent microfracture surgery on his other knee. The North Carolina alum was unable to participate in OTAs this spring as he continued to recover from the procedure, and the fact that the Texans are willing to part ways with him at this point suggests the team isn’t confident he’ll get healthy enough to contribute.
Cutting Williams opens up a roster spot for the Texans, so the club will likely sign someone to fill that opening soon.
Giants Not Looking To Add Veteran OL
In the wake of Chris Snee‘s retirement, the Giants find themselves a bit thinner on the interior of their offensive line, and will likely head into the season with three new starters at center, left guard, and right guard. Still, at the moment, the team isn’t looking to add any offensive linemen via free agency or trade, according to Giants president, CEO, and co-owner John Mara (Twitter link via Jordan Raanan of NJ.com).
John Jerry, Brandon Mosley, J.D. Walton, and Weston Richburg are among the candidates to take over at right guard, though all the members of that group are either inexperienced or weren’t overly effective in 2013. Either Walton or Richburg will also likely begin the season as the starting center.
The lack of experienced options at right guard prompted multiple writers to speculate earlier today that the Giants could pursue outside help. Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (Twitter link) speculated that disgruntled 49ers guard Alex Boone could be a potential trade target, while Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link) named veteran free agent Mike Brisiel as a possible fit. For now though, it seems the club is happy with its internal options, though of course that’s subject to change if no one stands out in training camp or if the injury bug strikes.
The Giants did replace Snee on the roster with an offensive lineman today, but guard John Sullen has no regular-season NFL experience and is a long shot to make the roster.
Poll: Who Will Win The NFC West?
It was only a few years ago – in 2010 – that the 7-9 Seahawks won the NFC West, earning a playoff spot by virtue of a tiebreaker with the 7-9 Rams. The division may have been a punchline at that point, but much has changed since then. In 2013, the NFC West’s four teams combined for an impressive 42-22 record, while no other division in the conference even had a .500 overall record.
The Seahawks took advantage of a division win and a first-round bye, en route to a Super Bowl victory, and they’ll head into 2014 as the favorites to repeat. Having re-signed a handful of key contributors, including defensive end Michael Bennett, the club looks poised for another great season. But there are plenty of notable departures to consider as well – wide receiver Golden Tate, defensive end Chris Clemons, tackle Breno Giacomini, and cornerback Walter Thurmond were among the free agents who signed elsewhere, which could open the door for another team to take the division crown away from Seattle.
The top contender is likely San Francisco, a team that won 12 games of its own in the 2013 season and gave the Seahawks everything they could handle in the NFC Championship Game. Like their division rivals, the 49ers didn’t undergo a major roster overhaul in the offseason, with Antoine Bethea representing the club’s only real significant free agent addition. But there’s so much talent on both sides of the ball that the Niners enter the season as a legit Super Bowl contender without having made any major changes.
One of last year’s most surprising teams, the 11-win Cardinals, were unlucky to miss out on the playoffs, but turned plenty of heads by nearly keeping pace with the Seahawks and Niners all year long. While Arizona may be a candidate for regression in 2014, another strong season from Carson Palmer should keep the team competitive, and newly-signed tackle Jared Veldheer should help ensure that Palmer has the time he needs to find Larry Fitzgerald and co.
The dark horse in the West is St. Louis, the division’s only sub-.500 team last season. Because they’d acquired Washington’s first-round pick for the 2014 draft, the Rams were able to add potential stars on both sides of the ball, selecting offensive tackle Greg Robinson and defensive tackle Aaron Donald. In the NFL’s toughest division, the Rams will have an uphill battle to leapfrog the three clubs above them. However, the amount of talent on the roster, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines, will make St. Louis a tough team to play in 2014.
What do you think? Are the Seahawks headed for another division title, or can another NFC West club unseat them?
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?