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The NFL’s 2014 season is only seven weeks away, with training camps around the corner and roster cuts to follow. With a significant amount of roster shuffling expected over the next month and a half, there will be plenty of notable stories to track on Pro Football Rumors, and you don’t necessarily have to keep refreshing our site to keep tabs on them. There are a handful of different ways you can follow us to get the latest updates on NFL news and rumors all year.
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NFC East Links: Cowboys, Redskins, Eagles
The Cowboys will carry some dead money on their cap this year and next after releasing Kyle Orton, but Kevin Sherrington of the Dallas Morning News wonders if the signing of Orton wasn’t “dead money” from the beginning. As Sherrington explains, a pricey, reliable veteran backup makes sense for a Super Bowl contender, but the Cowboys would’ve been better off developing a young quarterback as the No. 2 option behind Tony Romo rather than investing heavily in someone like Orton.
Here’s more from around the NFC East:
- Count former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman among those who was a little surprised that the team didn’t draft Johnny Manziel with the No. 16 pick in May, as Travis L. Brown of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram details. “There’s a lot of other needs, as we saw last year, that this team has, so it was probably the right thing not taking him, but I was a little surprised. I think that had to have been a difficult decision for Jerry [Jones].”
- The Cowboys have carried four tight ends in the past, but if they do so again this year, it will likely mean adding a blocking tight end that isn’t currently on the roster, writes Todd Archer of ESPN.com.
- ESPN.com’s John Keim previews a handful of position battles to watch in Redskins training camp, including a pair on the offensive line and two more on special teams.
- Evan Royster, who has been with the Redskins for the last three seasons, may find himself on the outside looking in this year, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post.
- In his latest mailbag, Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com explores what the Eagles would do in the event that Nick Foles takes a step back and struggles in 2014.
Cowboys Release Kyle Orton
WEDNESDAY, 10:21am: The Cowboys have officially announced Orton’s release, per Brian McIntyre (via Twitter).
TUESDAY, 4:22pm: The standoff between Kyle Orton and the Cowboys has come to an end, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link), who reports that the team is releasing the quarterback.
Orton, 31, had strongly indicated throughout the offseason that his preference was to end his playing career, but the Cowboys hoped he’d return for the 2014 season as Tony Romo‘s backup. The situation led to an impasse, with Orton refusing to report to spring workouts and practices, while the Cowboys kept him on the roster in the hopes of pushing him to either report or to officially retire, at which point the team could attempt to recoup some of his bonus money.
Now that Dallas has opted to release the veteran signal-caller, the club will no longer be able to recover any of Orton’s signing bonus — however, the team is at least off the hook for his 2014 base salary of $3.25MM. Of the $3.383MM in dead money remaining on Orton’s deal, which ran through 2016, $1.128MM will apply to this year’s cap, with the remainder hitting the 2015 books. As such, the team creates a little additional cap flexibility this year, which could come in handy for additional signings or extensions for players like Dez Bryant or Tyron Smith.
Orton, who has spent time with the Bears, Broncos, Chiefs, and Cowboys, is now free to formally retire, and presumably won’t attempt to catch on with another club in time for the 2014 season. If he doesn’t play another snap in the NFL, the Purdue alum will finish his career having compiled more than 15,000 passing yards to go along with 83 touchdowns in 75 total contests (70 starts).
As for the Cowboys, they’ll turn to Brandon Weeden and Caleb Hanie as potential backup options behind Romo. The club will also have an open spot on its 90-man roster, which could be used on another QB or any other free agent.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
AFC Notes: Ravens, Broncos, Raiders, Jets
While it seems as if Andre Johnson may not be in attendance when the Texans open training camp later this month, teammate Arian Foster says he plans to support whatever decision Johnson makes.
“I understand where he’s coming from,” Foster said, per John Brannen of Click2Houston.com. “I really do. This is a business and people forget that it’s a business. He’s at the point of his career where he doesn’t want money now. He just wants to go win.”
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun expects the Ravens to keep six wide receivers, with five locks. In Zrebiec’s view, Jeremy Butler, Deonte Thompson, and LaQuan Williams will be the primary competitors for that sixth and final spot.
- In his latest mailbag, Mike Klis of the Denver Post doesn’t rule out the possibility that the Broncos will make one more noteworthy signing this summer, suggesting that he thinks a veteran running back could be added to the roster.
- Oakland mayor Jean Quan wants to postpone the City Council vote on the Athletics’ new lease agreement with O.co Coliseum while a few details on the agreement are clarified, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. “She is confident they will join her in supporting a lease that secures the team’s near-term future in Oakland, protects the ongoing Coliseum City negotiations with the Raiders, and lets us all move forward working on new ballparks for both teams,” Quan spokesman Sean Maher said.
- The Jets‘ signing of Eric Decker doesn’t have much downside, according to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap, who identifies Decker’s contract as the best on the team. On the other end of the spectrum, David Harris‘ deal is the least team-friendly on the Jets’ books, in Fitzgerald’s estimation.
- Jordan Cameron (Browns), Julius Thomas (Broncos), and Devin McCourty (Patriots) are among the players that could be candidates for the franchise tag in 2015, says Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today.
Freeman’s Latest: Davis, Browns, Ravens, Rice
Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report checks in this morning with the latest installment of his regular 10-Point Stance feature, and the piece includes several notable tidbits from around the NFL. Let’s dive in and round up the highlights….
- For now, all indications are that 49ers tight end Vernon Davis will hold out in hopes of signing a new contract. That could change, according to Freeman, who isn’t convinced Davis will “actually take the leap” into a full-fledged holdout, but that seems to be the tight end’s plan at the moment.
- At least one member of the Browns‘ coaching staff was pleased to see LeBron James decide to return to Cleveland because of the potential impact it could have on a certain rookie quarterback. “There will not be a better mentor for Johnny [Manziel] than LeBron,” said the coach. As Freeman explains, the Browns hope LeBron can show Manziel how to be “smart about his public image while also enjoying his stardom.”
- After Jimmy Smith became the fifth Ravens player to be arrested this offseason, Freeman suggests that the club’s front office “won’t put up with this type of nonsense for much longer.”
- Another of those Ravens who ran into legal trouble this year, Ray Rice, is still waiting to hear from the NFL about a suspension. According to Freeman, a two- to three-game ban is the likely scenario. As for Colts owner Jim Irsay, Freeman is hearing that he’s expected to receive a multigame suspension as well as a seven-figure fine.
No Extensions For Brian Orakpo, Greg Hardy
While Jimmy Graham struck an 11th hour agreement with the Saints on a long-term deal, two of his fellow franchise tag recipients didn’t sign multiyear extensions in advance of today’s deadline. Instead, Brian Orakpo of the Redskins and Greg Hardy of the Panthers will play the 2014 season on one-year contracts, and will be eligible for unrestricted free agency again in 2015.
Both Orakpo and Hardy signed their one-year franchise tenders several months ago, so no further negotiations with their respective clubs are necessary this year. Orakpo, who ranked fourth among 3-4 outside linebackers in 2013 according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required), will earn an $11.455MM salary for 2014, while Hardy, who has racked up 26 total sacks in the last two seasons, has a ’14 salary worth $13.116MM.
Orakpo and Hardy will be eligible for the franchise tag again next March, but given how pricey those tags will be, a contract extension or a trip to the free agent market appears more likely for each pass rusher. The 2014 season figures to go a long way to determining each player’s long-term future with his club, especially considering the Redskins employ two more promising outside linebackers in Ryan Kerrigan and second-round rookie Trent Murphy, while the Panthers has already heavily invested in their other defensive end, Charles Johnson.
Hardy spent most of Tuesday’s deadline day in court, where he is defending himself on misdemeanor assault charges, as Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer has been detailing on his Twitter account.
AFC Notes: Pouncey, Rubin, Broncos, Colts
It’s been a tumultuous year for Dolphins center Mike Pouncey, who recently underwent hip surgery that will sideline him for the start of the 2014 season and was accused of assault following his birthday party in South Florida. However, it appears one piece of good fortune is coming Pouncey’s way — according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, it seems unlikely that the center will face any discipline from the NFL over his alleged involvement in last year’s bullying scandal.
“Never say never,” said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, when asked if the league expected to have any updates on Pouncey’s status. “But I don’t anticipate having to address the issue again.”
Of course, on the heels of that story, Beasley had more details on the recent incident at Pouncey’s birthday, reporting that the purported victim intends to sue Pouncey and his brother Maurkice Pouncey for their alleged role in the physical altercation at Cameo nightclub. As we wait to see what comes of the suit, here’s more from around the AFC:
- Ahtyba Rubin‘s long-term future with the Browns is uncertain, but he didn’t become a cap casualty this offseason as had been speculated, and hopes to eventually finish his career with the club, writes Tom Reed of the Northeast Ohio Media Group.
- Jon Heath of the Mile High Report spoke to former agent Joel Corry about what sort of contract Broncos tight end Julius Thomas might be looking for in extension talks. The figures and points of comparison suggested by Corry were similar to the ones I put forward when I explored Thomas’ case for an extension earlier this month.
- Kevin Bowen of Colts.com poses some burning questions facing the Colts‘ pass catchers at wide receiver and tight end heading into training camp.
- Speaking to Neil Reynolds of Sky Sports (hat tip to NFL.com), Dolphins wideout Mike Wallace suggested he may get a chance to return kicks for the club this year. Wallace, whose cap hit is the largest on Miami’s roster in 2014, is entering the second season of the five-year pact he signed with the team in 2013.
Redskins Sign Stephen Campbell
The Redskins have made a minor roster move, according to the team, announcing today (via Twitter) that fullback Stephen Cambell has signed with the club. Washington had an open spot on its 90-man roster following the indefinite suspension handed down to safety Tanard Jackson.
Campbell, a West Virginia Wesleyan product from 2009 to 2012, totaled 65 receptions for 625 yards and eight touchdowns during his college career. The running back signed with the Colts as a free agent this past April, but was cut after the draft when the team brought in a new group of undrafted rookies.
While he figures to enter training camp next week with the Redskins, Campbell will be an extreme long shot to earn a spot on the club’s regular season roster.
Jimmy Graham, Saints Agree To Four-Year Deal
The Saints and Jimmy Graham have agreed to a new contract that will keep the tight end in New Orleans. The scoop comes from Graham himself, who tweeted, “It’s official I’m bleeding black and gold this morning! Thank you WhoDatNation for all the support.” Shortly thereafter, agent Jimmy Sexton confirmed to Andrew Brandt of ESPN (Twitter link) that a deal is in place and the Saints made an announcement of their own (Twitter link).
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), it’ll be a four-year, $40MM contract, with $21MM in guaranteed money. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk clarifies that only $13MM of that total (a $12MM signing bonus, plus a $1MM 2014 base salary) is fully guaranteed at the time of signing, but there’s virtually no chance the team will be cutting Graham loose before next year’s $8MM salary becomes guaranteed, since it would result in $9MM in dead money on the cap and allow the tight end to hit free agency.
Brandt adds (via Twitter) that the deal includes another $9MM in 2016 and $10MM in 2017, meaning the annual cap hits are $4MM, $11MM, $12MM, and $13MM, respectively. The $10MM average annual value on Graham’s new contract makes him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history, surpassing the per-year average on deals signed by Rob Gronkowski ($9MM) and – previously – by Dallas Clark ($9.185MM).
The agreement between Graham and the Saints comes just ahead of the July 15 deadline for franchise players to work out multiyear extensions with their respective clubs. If the two sides hadn’t struck a deal by 3:00pm central time today, Graham would only have been able to play the 2014 season on a one-year contract, giving the Saints the opportunity to use its franchise tag on him again in 2015.
Graham, a former third-round pick, was franchised by the Saints several months ago and was the only player who received the tag and didn’t quickly accept the one-year tender or work out a longer-term deal. Before the 27-year-old agreed to re-sign with the Saints, he filed a grievance disputing his positional designation — the $7.035MM franchise tag for tight ends was significantly less than the $12.312MM he would have earned if he had instead been tagged as a receiver. Graham lined up split out from the offensive line on two-thirds of his snaps in 2013, so his camp felt he had a strong case to be franchised as a wideout rather than a tight end.
However, arbitrator Stephen Burbank ruled in favor of the Saints, determining that a number of factors contributed to Graham being viewed as a tight end. While the NFL’s CBA dictates that a franchise player’s position is the one “at which the franchise player participated in the most plays during the prior league year,” Burbank’s ruling hinged on the fact that Graham participates in tight end meetings, was drafted as a tight end, and lists himself as a tight end on his Twitter page, among other reasons. Burbank also determined that Graham was technically playing tight end when he was detached from but still close to the offensive line — specifically, when he was lined up within four yards of the o-line, which happened a majority of the time.
Graham’s camp filed an appeal challenging Burbank’s decision yesterday, but that was viewed as a procedural move, designed to increase leverage in negotiations and to ensure that Graham could attempt to maximize his 2014 earnings in the event that he and the Saints were unable to compromise on a multiyear extension. That appeal is expected to be dropped now that the two sides have seemingly agreed to a longer pact.
Graham has been the league’s most consistent and productive tight end over the last three years, averaging 90 receptions, 1,169 yards, and 12 touchdowns per season during that span. He figures to continue acting as Drew Brees‘ favorite offensive weapon for years to come after his contract negotiations closely followed the script that Brees and the Saints set two years ago — during the 2012 offseason, Brees was franchised by New Orleans and ultimately worked out a five-year contract with the club just before the July deadline.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFC Links: White, Packers, Cowboys, Giants
After watching the division-rival Saints lock up one of their longtime pass catchers earlier today, the Falcons would be wise to do the same with one of their own veterans, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com, who suggests the time is right for a Roddy White extension. White is coming off a down year in which he battled injuries for much of the season, but he hopes to play three or four more years and wants to retire as a Falcon, so signing him to a new deal with $8-10MM in guaranteed money seems reasonable, says McClure.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- Johnathan Franklin‘s unexpected retirement due to injury could open up a spot in the Packers‘ backfield for a handful of roster hopefuls, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.
- Former Cowboys second-round pick Bruce Carter isn’t necessarily viewed as the core piece he once was, but he could regain value with a big contract year, writes Todd Archer of ESPN.com.
- In a separate ESPN.com piece, Archer examines the Cowboys‘ depth chart at safety, suggesting that adding a veteran to what appears to be a thin group is a possibility for the team.
- Several jobs should be up for grabs for the Giants in training camp over the next few weeks, says Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News, identifying tight end, left tackle, fullback, and second receiver as some spots where competitions could play out.