Ravens Notes: Jimmy Smith, OL, Daniels, QBs
The 16 AFC head coaches met with the media at breakfast this morning in Orlando, and while some didn’t offer up a whole lot of notable tidbits, Ravens coach John Harbaugh made a few interesting comments. Let’s dive right in and round up some highlights, with these items coming from Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, and Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times:
- The Ravens will pick up the fifth-year option on cornerback Jimmy Smith‘s contract for 2015. However, the team would like to work out a longer-term deal with him.
- Harbaugh confirmed that Jeremy Zuttah, acquired from the Buccaneers over the weekend, will head into the summer as the Ravens’ starting center. For now, the club also intends to keep Kelechi Osemele at guard.
- The only current opening on the Ravens’ line is at right tackle, but the team isn’t talking to Eric Winston, who has a history with offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak.
- The Ravens aren’t necessarily done with free agency, and remain in talks with a few players, according to Harbaugh. Tight end is one position the team is considering, with Ed Dickson and Owen Daniels among Baltimore’s potential targets.
- Baltimore had interest in quarterback Brandon Weeden earlier this month before he signed with the Cowboys, and Harbaugh believes the Ravens need to add another quarterback to the roster.
- Harbaugh confirmed that the seventh-round pick the Ravens acquired from the Dolphins in exchange for Bryant McKinnie is for 2015 rather than 2014.
- Rolando McClain, whose rights are still held by the Ravens, has discussed making a comeback, and Harbaugh suggested he’d be open to welcoming back the linebacker if he’s working hard. However, the head coach hasn’t talked to McClain at all.
2014 NFL Compensatory Draft Picks
The NFL has officially announced the 32 compensatory draft picks for 24 that have been handed out to teams who had the most significant losses in free agency a year ago. These picks are determined by a formula that accounts for salary, playing time, and postseason honors. Teams can’t receive more than four picks each, and this year’s selections were divided up among 13 clubs. Here’s the list of 2014 compensatory picks by team, with the round and overall selection number included:
- 49ers: 3rd (100)
- Bears: None
- Bengals: 6th (212), 7th (252)
- Bills: None
- Broncos: None
- Browns: None
- Buccaneers: None
- Cardinals: None
- Chargers: None
- Chiefs: None
- Colts: None
- Cowboys: 7th (248), 7th (251), 7th (254)
- Dolphins: None
- Eagles: None
- Falcons: 4th (139), 7th (253), 7th (255)
- Giants: 5th (174)
- Jaguars: None
- Jets: 4th (137), 6th (209), 6th (210), 6th (213)
- Lions: 4th (133), 4th (136)
- Packers: 3rd (98), 5th (176)
- Panthers: None
- Patriots: 4th (140)
- Raiders: None
- Rams: 6th (214), 7th (249), 7th (250)
- Ravens: 3rd (99), 4th (134), 4th (138), 5th (175)
- Redskins: None
- Saints: None
- Seahawks: None
- Steelers: 3rd (97), 5th (173), 6th (215)
- Texans: 4th (135), 6th (211), 7th (256)
- Titans: None
- Vikings: None
Cowboys Notes: Free Agency, Orton, Ratliff
Let’s round up a few Monday items related to the Cowboys….
- Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones indicated that his team is making a concerted effort to avoid players on the wrong side of 30, who are no longer in their primes, writes David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. That helps explain why players like DeMarcus Ware, Jason Hatcher, and Miles Austin won’t be on the roster next season.
- One over-30 player is on his way back to the Cowboys, however, as agent David Dunn confirms his client Kyle Orton will return for 2014, rather than retire (Twitter link via Calvin Watkins of ESPN Dallas). Orton should enter the season as Tony Romo‘s primary backup, though he could get a push from newly-signed Brandon Weeden.
- The Cowboys have filed a complaint against former defensive tackle Jeremiah (Jay) Ratliff in an effort to recoup some of the money they paid him, owner Jerry Jones confirmed today (link via David Moore). “This type of conduct, unable to play for us one day and a few days later working out for another club, is undermining and needs to be addressed,” Jones said.
- According to Calvin Watkins, the Cowboys are looking to get back a portion of Ratliff’s $10MM signing bonus, a portion of his $1.34MM 2013 base salary, and monies owed on a luxury suite at AT&T Stadium.
NFC Notes: Sanchez, Cutler, Kaepernick, Kuhn
The Eagles appear to be the frontrunners to sign Mark Sanchez, but the quarterback doesn’t have an agreement in place with any team yet. As Sanchez and his suitors weigh the decision, we can rule out Seattle as a potential landing spot. Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com tweets that the Seahawks, who had been mentioned because of the connection to former USC coach Pete Carroll, aren’t in the mix for the former Jet.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- According to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter), the Bears have created a little 2014 cap space by converting $5MM of Jay Cutler‘s $22.5MM base salary into a signing bonus. That allows the team to spread the bonus out in even $1MM hits over the next five seasons, creating $4MM in cap savings for ’14.
- Working out a deal that will keep Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco long-term is a “priority” for the 49ers, head coach Jim Harbaugh said today. Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com has the details and quotes from Harbaugh.
- Free agent fullback John Kuhn continues to talk to the Packers and other teams, according to Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- Saints GM Mickey Loomis spoke at length to Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune about his team’s offseason so far, including New Orleans’ additions and subtractions. Discussing the Darren Sproles trade with the Eagles, Loomis suggested that he hopes the move doesn’t come back to “bite” the Saints.
- Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links) passes along some specific details on J.D. Walton‘s two-year contract with the Giants. With an overall base value of $6MM, the deal includes annual base salaries of $1.25MM (2014) and $2.25MM (2015), a $1.25MM signing bonus, a $250K roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2015 league year, and $50K each season in per-game roster bonuses.
Raiders Notes: L.A., Incognito, FAs, Howard
With rumors about a move back to Los Angeles constantly swirling around the Raiders, owner Mark Davis didn’t exactly move to shut them down in a conversation with Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com yesterday at the owner meetings in Orlando.
“We’re not done in Oakland. We’re trying really hard, and we’ll see how that goes,” Davis said. “But Los Angeles is something that I’ve definitely thought about and haven’t pursued. There are other places as well. Until we can find out if Oakland is real, then I’m still staying in Oakland. If we can get something done in Oakland, I will stay in Oakland.”
Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post adds (via Twitter) that Davis said today Raiders fans shouldn’t be worried about a possible move to Los Angeles. But as Davis’ specific wording (“not at this time”) suggests, the Raiders owner’s comments come with an implied threat, even if it’s not laid out explicitly. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk digs deeper into that topic, and we’ll dig deeper into a few more Raiders-related items:
- Free agent guard Richie Incognito has expressed interest in signing with the Raiders, and Davis didn’t rule out that possibility today, as Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com details. However, Davis also suggested asking general manager Reggie McKenzie about Incognito, and when Marc Sessler of NFL.com did exactly that, he was met with a smile and silence from the GM, as he tweets.
- Speaking to Bair (Twitter links), McKenzie conveyed some disappointment in losing Jared Veldheer and Lamarr Houston in free agency, suggesting that the Raiders made fair market offers to both players. The GM also stressed that it wasn’t a case of letting Veldheer go, but rather than the offensive tackle made the decision to leave Oakland.
- Austin Howard, one of the Raiders’ major free agent signings this month, was actually signed to play guard rather than right tackle, tweets Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle. According to Tafur, the team hopes 2013 second-round pick Menelik Watson can take over right tackle in 2014.
Rams Sign Greg Reid, Etienne Sabino
3:37pm: The signing of Reid officially came across the NFL transaction wire today, and was accompanied by news that the Rams had also signed linebacker Etienne Sabino, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Sabino, who played his college ball for Ohio State, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Giants last spring, but didn’t make the team’s regular season roster.
12:55pm: The Rams have signed former Florida State cornerback Greg Reid, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). Reid first announced the agreement himself on Facebook, as noted by RamblinFan.com.
Reid, a former Seminoles standout, saw his Florida State career derailed by injuries and off-field issues, and played his final college season at Valdosta State after being dismissed from FSU’s program. Reid, who went undrafted last year, worked out at FSU’s Pro Day earlier this month, showing that he had recovered from two ACL surgeries.
Redskins Claim Brandon Moore Off Waivers
The Redskins have claimed Brandon Moore off waivers from the Chiefs, according to the league’s official transactions log (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan).
Moore, a former Texas Longhorn, spent most of the 2013 season on the Chargers’ practice squad before signing a futures/reserve deal with the Chiefs for 2014. He was waived by Kansas City on Friday.
Four Teams In Mix For Maurice Jones-Drew
Maurice Jones-Drew recently paid a visit to the Steelers, and reportedly drew interest from the Jets earlier in the month, but those aren’t the only teams in the mix for the free agent running back. According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, MJD is drawing interest from at least four clubs — the Steelers, Jets, Dolphins, and Patriots.
Although Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com indicated last week that Jones-Drew is seeking $3.5MM per year on his next deal, Mehta hears from a pair of sources that MJD’s asking price isn’t quite that high. Sources also tell Mehta that GM John Idzik‘s “hard-line stance” cost the Jets their No. 1 running back target earlier in free agency. Mehta suggests that the mystery running back ultimately signed with another AFC team, so perhaps that player was Ben Tate, who was linked to the Jets a month ago.
In any case, the Jets will have competition for Jones-Drew from their division rivals in Miami and New England. The Dolphins, who are also in talks with Knowshon Moreno, appear to be in the market for an upgrade over their current backfield options, while the Pats are likely weighing alternatives to LeGarrette Blount, who may end up signing elsewhere in free agency.
AFC East Rumors: Wilfork, Dolphins, Bills
We haven’t heard much on the Vince Wilfork front since a report earlier this month suggested the defensive lineman had asked the Patriots to release him. Reporters at the NFL’s owner meetings in Orlando asked Robert Kraft about the situation, and the New England owner expressed optimism that some compromise could be worked out to keep Wilfork in New England, since the veteran is one of Kraft’s “favorite” Pats. Still, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald hears from sources that Wilfork cleaned out his locker around the time he asked for his release, so it doesn’t sound like he expects to return.
Here are a few more notes from around the AFC East:
- Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey confirmed today in Orlando that his team still has interest in signing running back Knowshon Moreno, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. “Free agency is ongoing, so we have talks,” Hickey said. “We’ll continue to go through [it] and continue dialogue and see where it goes from there.”
- Even if the Dolphins don’t reach an agreement with Moreno, the team could add another free agent elsewhere, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, who suggests that linebacker may still be an area of focus for the club. Jackson also adds that the Dolphins spoke to Darrelle Revis‘ agent before the cornerback signed with the Patriots. However, Miami was never a serious suitor since Revis wanted to play for a championship contender, and likely wanted more than the Dolphins were willing to pay.
- John Kryk of the Toronto Sun spoke to Bills GM Doug Whaley about a number of topics, including the team’s quarterback position. According to Whaley, the Bills never looked into signing Michael Vick or Ryan Fitzpatrick, and consider their QB position “secure.” Whaley added that Keith Rivers and Brandon Spikes had been at the top of Buffalo’s list of targets heading into free agency.
49ers To Re-Sign Kassim Osgood
2:12pm: It is indeed a one-year, minimum salary benefit contract for Osgood, who will receive a $20K first-game roster bonus in addition to a $955K base salary, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
12:45pm: Free agent wide receiver and special-teamer Kassim Osgood will sign a new deal with the 49ers today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reports (via Twitter) that it’ll be a one-year contract.
In his first year with the Niners, Osgood appeared in only 45 offensive snaps and snagged just one reception during the regular season. However, he was a key contributor in kick and punt coverage, compiling an impressive 13 special teams tackles.
Osgood played last season in San Francisco on a one-year, minimum salary benefit contract, and I’d expect a similar deal this time around.