AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Burleson, Pats, Jets
As we noted this morning, Jordan Rodgers represents the latest signee for a Dolphins team that has been busy over the last couple days. However, even though the team has reportedly inked Rodgers, Michael Rios, and Kevin Cone to deals in the last 24 hours or so, those weren’t the only lesser-known players brought in for workouts. As Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald details, ex-Texans receiver Lestar Jean, and former West Virginia receiver J.D. Woods also auditioned for the club on Wednesday, but left without contracts.
Here’s more from around the AFC East:
- The Dolphins continue to look at receivers and will bring in Nate Burleson for a visit today, reports Steve Wyche of the NFL Network (Twitter link). Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald is a little surprised by the news, since he doesn’t think Burleson would be more than the No. 5 receiver in Miami, and doesn’t think the former Lion would have interest in being buried so deep on the depth chart.
- Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty was in Florida with Vince Wilfork last week when the veteran nose tackle signed the new deal that will keep him in New England. McCourty tells Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald that he played a role in helping convince Wilfork to remain a Pat, joking that “he kind of owes me a little percent of his contract.”
- The Jets are “very intrigued” by Florida State wideout Kelvin Benjamin, a team source tells Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). Benjamin will be paying a visit to the Jets, according to Mehta.
Agent Expects Titans To Trade Or Cut Chris Johnson
Multiple reports this week have suggested that, with the Titans’ offseason workouts scheduled to get underway on Monday, resolution on the Chris Johnson situation will come before then, in the form of a trade or release. And it sounds like his agent is preparing for that reality as well. Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio with Alex Marvez and Gil Brandt, agent Joel Segal admitted that Johnson’s time in Tennessee is probably over.
“I had some communications with the Titans management today,” Segal said. “I think it’s a matter of time before Chris won’t be with the Titans. I just don’t know when.”
Asked if he expects a trade or if the Titans are more likely to simply cut the former 2,000-yard rusher, Segal joked that after he was wrong about what to expect for DeSean Jackson, another one of his clients, he’s not going to make any predictions on Johnson. Still, as we saw with Jackson, when rumors began to suggest that a player is expected to be dealt or cut, it’s hard to find any value for that player on the trade market.
Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com suggested yesterday that the Jets should be among the most serious suitors for the Titans running back, if and when he hits the open market.
Dolphins Sign Jordan Rodgers
Wednesday was a busy day for the Dolphins in free agency, with the team adding offensive tackle Jason Fox, wide receiver Michael Rios, and wide receiver Kevin Cone, as well as locking up exclusive rights free agent Armon Binns. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the team actually made one more signing, inking quarterback Jordan Rodgers to a deal.
Rodgers, the brother of Packers star Aaron Rodgers, was cut by the Buccaneers in February and has yet to make an appearance in a regular season NFL game. With Ryan Tannehill, Matt Moore, and Pat Devlin ahead of him on the Dolphins’ depth chart, it will likely be an uphill battle for Rodgers to earn a spot on the team’s roster for 2014.
Saints Agree To Sign Marcus Ball
The Saints have agreed to terms on a three-year contract for former Toronto Argonauts safety Marcus Ball, the team announced today in a press release.
Ball, a Georgia native, began his college career at Florida State, spent a year in junior college and finished with two seasons at Memphis. He went undrafted in 2011 before migrating to Canada, where the 26-year-old totaled 142 tackles, four interceptions (two touchdowns) and seven sacks over two seasons.
Jeremy Stewart, Armon Binns Sign ERFA Tenders
A pair of exclusive rights free agents have signed their ERFA tenders and will return to their respective teams. The Raiders announced today that running back Jeremy Stewart has accepted his tender, while Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun tweets that wide receiver Armon Binns has done the same with his tender from the Dolphins.
After logging 25 carries and catching eight passes during a four-game stint with the Raiders in 2012, Stewart saw only 12 offensive snaps last season, though he did record his first career NFL touchdown and six special teams tackles. As for Binns, a torn ACL and MCL sidelined him for the 2013 season after he grabbed 24 balls in 2012 for the Bengals and Dolphins.
As exclusive rights free agents, neither Stewart nor Binns was permitted to negotiate with rival teams.
NFC Notes: Wharton, Rudolph, Lions, Bowman
Let’s check in on a few afternoon items from around the NFC….
- The Panthers‘ offseason offensive line exodus may not be done yet. Veteran free agent guard Travelle Wharton suggests to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link) that he’s leaning toward retirement, though he hasn’t made a final decision yet. Over the last few weeks, Jordan Gross and Geoff Hangartner have also decided to retire, leaving the Panthers with some holes in their line.
- We heard last month that locking up Kyle Rudolph long-term is a “big priority” for the Vikings, and it sounds like the tight end is fully on board with the idea too. “I want to stay here,” Rudolph told Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link). “Hopefully, [an extension] is something we can get done this offseason.”
- With less than $2MM in cap space remaining even before today’s deal with Dan Orlovsky, the Lions may have to restructure multiple contracts in order to fill out their roster, writes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
- According to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago (via Twitter), Zackary Bowman‘s new minimum-salary contract with the Giants includes a $65K signing bonus.
Dolphins To Sign Michael Rios
The Dolphins will sign former Marist wide receiver Michael Rios to a one-year contract, according to agent Sean Stellato, via Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (Twitter link).
Rios, who went undrafted in 2013, signed with the Cardinals a year ago but didn’t earn a spot on the team’s regular-season roster. He’ll likely be given a chance to compete for a roster spot with the Dolphins this summer.
Texans Re-Sign Elbert Mack
The Texans have re-signed free agent cornerback Elbert Mack, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
Mack, who joined the Texans for the 2013 season after spending the first five years of his NFL career with the Buccaneers and Saints, didn’t see any action on defense for Houston, but appeared in eight games as a special-teamer. Contributing to kick and punt coverage, the 27-year-old logged eight tackles.
Although Mack had a handful of defensive starts in Tampa Bay and New Orleans, he likely won’t see much action in the secondary for the Texans in 2014, barring injuries to regulars.
Prior to agreeing to terms with the Texans, Mack reportedly worked out for the Bengals last month.
Giants Sign Charles Brown
WEDNESDAY, 2:21pm: Brown’s contract with the Giants is a one-year, minimum-salary pact, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
TUESDAY, 3:14pm: The Giants’ active offseason continued today, as the team announced it has officially signed offensive lineman Charles Brown. We had heard nearly two weeks ago that the Giants would be hosting Brown on a free agent visit.
Brown, a former second-round pick, started 14 games for the Saints in 2013. Although he didn’t perform particularly well according to Pro Football Focus’ advance metrics (subscription required), whose grades ranked him 66th among 76 qualified tackles, he was a solid run blocker and protected Drew Brees‘ blind side at left tackle until he was benched late in the season.
Brown turns 27 next week, so there’s still room for him to develop into an above-average pro, though I expect he’ll start out in a reserve role in New York.
Draft Updates: Clowney, Bortles, Robinson
With no throws to make or brooms to evade, Jadeveon Clowney‘s Pro Day may not have had the fanfare of Johnny Manziel‘s event at Texas A&M, but plenty of coaches and executives showed up to watch Clowney at South Carolina today. Following his Pro Day, Clowney will make visits to work out for the Rams and Falcons, he confirmed today, according to Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).
Here’s more on May’s draft and the 2014 class of prospects:
- The Browns are conducting their private workout with Blake Bortles today, a source tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (Twitter link).
- Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson is visiting the Rams in St. Louis today, tweets Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com.
- Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (Twitter link) hears from several sources that Clemson cornerback Bashaud Breeland, who had dinner with GM Trent Baalke following his Pro Day, is drawing “heavy interest” from the 49ers.
- The Panthers worked out Wyoming defensive back Marqueston Huff today and will do the same for Wyoming wideout Robert Herron and quarterback Brett Smith on Thursday, says Gil Brandt of NFL.com (Twitter links).
- According to Brandt (via Twitter), Ball State quarterback Keith Wenning has nine workouts lined up with nine NFL teams, including the Jaguars, Browns, and Patriots.
- Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (all Twitter links) passes along details on three prospects visiting the Titans: Auburn running back Tre Mason, who left Nashville today; West Virginia running back Charles Sims, who will visit later this week; and UCLA edge defender Anthony Barr, who will be in town next Tuesday.
- The Bills hosted Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby, Baylor running back Lache Seastrunk, and Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier today, according to the team.