Saints, Champ Bailey Agree To Two-Year Deal
3:40pm: Bailey’s two-year contract will have a max value of $7MM, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
2:19pm: Several weeks after locking up the best free agent safety on the market, the Saints have agreed to sign arguably the most accomplished free agent cornerback available this offseason. New Orleans has reached an agreement on a two-year deal with free agent cornerback Champ Bailey, according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com first reported (via Twitter) that Bailey was on the verge of deciding on a team.
Bailey, will turn 36 this summer, appeared in just five regular season games in 2013 due to a foot injury, and his exorbitant cap hit made him a cap casualty for the AFC champion Broncos. However, his all-time resumé, which includes 52 career interceptions and spots on 12 Pro Bowl teams, suggests it would be unwise to count him out as a key contributor in 2014.
In his last healthy season (2012), Bailey grabbed a pair of interceptions and racked up 66 tackles. His combination of positive grades against the run and in pass coverage resulted in a top-10 rank at cornerback in ’12, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required).
Given the Saints’ cap limitations, it’ll be interesting to see the terms on Bailey’s contract with the team, as well as whether or not any other players rework their own deals to help create flexibility. Signing Bailey seems to signal that the team may not be inclined to match the Falcons’ offer sheet for safety Rafael Bush. A decision on Bush is due by Tuesday.
Bailey will be joining a Saints secondary that includes aforementioned top safety Jairus Byrd, as well as returning players like Keenan Lewis, Corey White, and Kenny Vaccaro. With Byrd and Vaccaro penciled in as the starting safeties, Bailey likely won’t be asked to change positions, which he expressed an openness to consider following the Super Bowl. Instead, the veteran corner could step into Jabari Greer‘s old role — Greer is on the free agent market after being cut loose by the Saints in February.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Titans Notes: RBs, Johnson, Wimbley, WRs
Appearing on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville today, GM Ruston Webster discussed the release of longtime Titan Chris Johnson and his team’s next move(s). Here are a few of the highlights, as tweeted by The Midday 180:
- The Titans will “definitely” be looking to select a running back in next month’s draft, according to Webster. The GM praised the position’s depth, suggesting that he’s confident the club could find the sort of player it will be seeking in the late rounds, if need be.
- “There was definitely a trade market for Chris Johnson and at times, I thought we would get it done,” Webster said.
- Asked about a report indicating the team has asked Kamerion Wimbley to take a pay cut, Webster said the team hasn’t put a deadline on those talks, and is optimistic about bringing the defensive end back for next season.
- Webster expects the Titans to add another wide receiver to compete with Marc Mariani and Michael Preston.
Cardinals Cut LaRon Byrd, Dan Giordano
The Cardinals have parted ways with wide receiver LaRon Byrd and linebacker Dan Giordano, announcing today that they’ve cut both players, as Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com details. Neither Byrd nor Giordano saw any action in 2013 due to injuries.
Of the two players, only Byrd has appeared in an NFL regular season game, recording a single reception for the Cards in 2012. He spent last season on injured reserve after suffering a concussion during the preseason. Giordano had been signed as an undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati, was on the Physically Unable to Perform list in 2013 due to a toe injury.
Buccaneers Expected To Sign Lavelle Hawkins
The Buccaneers are expected to finalize a contract agreement with free agent receiver Lavelle Hawkins, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune reported earlier today that Tampa Bay was taking “a look” at Hawkins, though no agreement was in place at that point.
Hawkins, 27, grabbed 47 balls for the Titans in 2011, but typically hasn’t played a large role on offense during stints in Tennessee and San Diego. The former fourth-round pick is capable of returning kicks and can contribute on special teams as well.
The Bucs are in the market for receivers after agreeing to trade Mike Williams to the Bills earlier today. Assuming the club signs Hawkins, he of course won’t be expected to fill Williams’ role, but he’ll help provide depth at the position.
Bengals Sign Danieal Manning
FRIDAY, 2:41pm: Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links) provides the breakdown of Manning’s one-year deal, which has a base value of $1.6MM and can be worth another $500K in playing-time incentives. The deal also features a $100K signing bonus, says Wilson.
THURSDAY, 1:07pm: The Bengals have officially signed Manning, according to the team (via Twitter).
11:32am: The Bengals are finalizing a one-year contract with free agent safety Danieal Manning, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Manning hit the open market earlier this week when the Texans cut him after he decided not to accept a pay cut.
Once he became an unrestricted free agent, Manning indicated that his decision would be heavily influenced by which teams he felt were headed in the right direction and gave him an opportunity to win. Had he not reached an agreement with the Bengals, Manning was scheduled to make a visit to the Chiefs, another AFC playoff team. There had been speculation that the 31-year-old would also consider the Cowboys, the team he grew up rooting for, but it doesn’t seem as if Dallas was seriously in the mix.
Manning saw his 2013 season cut short when he fractured his fibula in October, forcing him out of action for the year’s final 10 games. Prior to ’13, he had started 45 regular season games in the previous three seasons for the Texans and Bears. He recorded a positive overall grade during that stretch, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), though PFF’s advanced metrics suggested his play was declining from season to season — he posted a +11.8 grade in 2010, followed by +3.1 in 2011, and -4.2 in 2012.
Still, Manning’s traditional numbers were strong even in his most recent full season (2012), when he logged 77 tackles, recovered three fumbles, and grabbed a pair of interceptions, including one for a touchdown. In Cincinnati, he’ll join a group of safeties that includes George Iloka and Reggie Nelson, who both had solid seasons in 2013 and under contract for two more years.
Chris Johnson Rumors: Friday
As we saw with DeSean Jackson last week, when a noteworthy offensive weapon hits the open market, it typically doesn’t take long for him to find a new home. Ex-Titans running back Chris Johnson is the latest big-name skill position player to be released by his previous team, with Tennessee making the move official earlier today. Even taking into account a diminished market for running backs, along with the fact that Johnson is recovering from knee surgery and is now five years removed from his 2,000-yard season, there will be interest in the perennial 1,000-yard rusher.
Here are the first few rumors on the league’s newest free agent, with any other Friday updates being added to the top of the list throughout the afternoon and evening:
- Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Twitter link) hears from Cowboys sources that Dallas doesn’t have interest in signing Johnson.
Earlier updates:
- Before Johnson was released by the Titans, the Jets, Bills, Dolphins, and Falcons all discussed a possible trade for the running back, but elected not to make a move, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. We can probably cross off Miami as a suitor, since the club signed Knowshon Moreno instead.
- Despite a report last weekend suggesting the Falcons had no interest in Johnson, Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean isn’t ruling out that possibility of the 28-year-old ending up in Atlanta — Schefter’s report indicates the Falcons at least had a little interest. Wyatt identifies the Jets, Giants, and Cowboys as other potential suitors.
- The Jets seem to be leading the charge for Johnson at this point, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, and as Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com has reported a couple times this week. Three Jets beat writers (all Twitter links) agreed today that the team would have interest in Johnson, but all three stressed it would have to be at the right price.
Patriots To Release Adrian Wilson
Not long after we published a post identifying the notable defenders still on the free agent market, another big name is about to become available. The Patriots have informed veteran safety Adrian Wilson that he’ll be released today, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (via Twitter). Wilson himself broke the news a little earlier, tweeting: “Thank you to the Patriots organization for the opportunity. I look forward to the future.”
After spending 12 seasons with the Cardinals, Wilson was set to play for the Patriots in 2013, but tore his Achilles in the team’s preseason finale and missed the entire season. According to Garafolo, however, the 34-year-old will be healthy for the 2014 season and wants to continue his playing career. Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic (Twitter link) believes a return to the Cards is unlikely for Wilson, but considering he isn’t far removed from his most recent Pro Bowl season (2011), the former third-round pick should receive some interest.
For New England, Wilson became expendable when the club decided to re-sign a former Patriot, adding Patrick Chung to the safety mix earlier this week. Wilson had a cap number of about $1.833MM, so cutting him will leave the team with about $667K in dead money on the books for 2014, creating about $1.667MM in cap savings.
Lions Sign Dan Orlovsky
FRIDAY, 1:37pm: Orlovsky’s contract is a minimum salary benefit deal, according to Birkett (via Twitter). The Free Press scribe adds (via Twitter) that the deal includes $125K in guaranteed money — a $65K bonus, plus $60K of the base salary.
WEDNESDAY, 3:03pm: The Lions and Orlovsky have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, reports Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter).
2:39pm: The Lions are expected to reach an agreement to sign free agent quarterback Dan Orlovsky, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press first wrote a week ago when Shaun Hill signed with the Rams that the Lions were likely to turn their attention to Orlovsky, among other options.
Orlovsky, 30, was originally selected by the Lions in the fifth round of the 2005 draft. His most extensive regular-season action came during the team’s infamous 0-16 year in 2008, when he made seven starts, throwing for 1,616 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. In recent years, the veteran signal-caller has served as a backup in Indianapolis and Tampa Bay.
Hill’s departure for St. Louis left the Lions without a clear-cut No. 2 option behind starting QB Matthew Stafford for 2014, so if the team finalizes an agreement with Orlovsky, he becomes the immediate favorite to fill that role. Kellen Moore is also expected to be in the mix for the club.
Giants Sign Kellen Davis, Travis Harvey
1:26pm: The Giants have officially announced the signing of Davis, as well as a deal with former Florida A&M receiver Travis Harvey, according to a team release. Harvey signed with the Titans last spring and was cut during training camp.
11:49am: The Giants have signed a tight end, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, who reports (via Twitter) that the team agreed to terms on a one-year contract with unrestricted free agent Kellen Davis. New York has been extremely active in free agency this offseason, but Davis is the first addition at tight end for a club that lost Brandon Myers to the Bucs.
Davis, 28, played for the Super Bowl champion Seahawks last season, acting primarily as a blocker rather than a pass-catcher. After recording a career-high 19 receptions during his final season with the Bears in 2012, Davis hauled in just three passes in Seattle in 2013.
A former fifth-round pick, Davis likely isn’t being brought in to be the Giants’ answer at tight end. The club could address the position in the draft, and may still be keeping an eye on Jermichael Finley, who was linked to New York earlier in the offseason and is recovering from a spinal injury. The Giants also reportedly had interest last month in Brandon Pettigrew and Andrew Quarless, though those players and others have since come off the market.
Ravens Sign Owen Daniels
1:20pm: Daniels’ one-year contract is worth $1MM, with another $1MM available in incentives, tweets Wilson.
FRIDAY, 12:03pm: The Ravens’ signing of Daniels is now official, according to the team (Twitter link).
THURSDAY, 4:30pm: Daniels will travel to Baltimore tomorrow to take his physical and officially sign his deal with the Ravens, according to Wilson (Twitter link).
4:17pm: The Ravens have agreed to terms with free agent tight end Owen Daniels, reports Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com (via Twitter). According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), Daniels will ink a one-year deal to join the team. It’ll be a reunion for Daniels and former Texans head coach Gary Kubiak, who is now the Ravens’ offensive coordinator.
Daniels, 31, was limited to just five games last season due to a broken leg. In his previous seven NFL seasons, however, he averaged over 51 receptions per year to go along with 26 total touchdowns. Daniels was also named to two Pro Bowl teams, in 2008 and 2012.
In Baltimore, Daniels won’t be the No. 1 tight end option for a team that re-signed Dennis Pitta to a lucrative long-term deal earlier this offseason. However, he’ll provide an excellent second option at the position, and his veteran presence and his familiarity with Kubiak should be a plus.
The Ravens had also reportedly been considering bringing back Ed Dickson, but I’d imagine the team’s agreement with Daniels means Dickson is no longer a target. As for Daniels, he visited the Redskins and Packers before agreeing to sign with the Ravens, tweets Wilson.