NFC West Notes: Allen, McGlynn, L.A.
Free agent defensive end Jared Allen seemed on the verge of reaching an agreement with the Seahawks yesterday, but continues to deliberate for now. Allen seems to be not only weighing offers from the Seahawks and other suitors, but also considering whether he’ll even continue his career. While retirement seems unlikely for the veteran pass rusher, there were rumblings about that possibility earlier this month, and according to Ed Werder of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Allen told him at the start of free agency that there was a “walk-away number” he wouldn’t go below.
As we wait for Allen to make his decision, let’s round up a few other items from out of the NFC West:
- After meeting with the Redskins earlier this week, free agent offensive lineman Mike McGlynn will visit with the Rams, according to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter).
- If there’s someone “remotely associated with the NFL” who believes it was a coincidence that Rams owner Stan Kroenke purchased land in Los Angeles large enough to accommodate a stadium, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com has yet to meet that person. In a lengthy piece, La Canfora explores the possibility of the Rams or Raiders eventually making their way back to L.A.
- Antonio Cromartie’s one-year deal with the Cardinals has a base value of $3.5MM, and it’s guaranteed for almost the entire amount, says Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links). The contract includes a $1MM signing bonus, a $2.25MM guaranteed base salary, $25K in total per-game roster bonuses, and an extra $750K available via incentives.
Lions Re-Sign Andre Fluellen
The Lions have re-signed defensive tackle Andre Fluellen, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). Fluellen, who has spent nearly all of his six NFL seasons in Detroit, had been an unrestricted free agent.
With the signing, the Lions add some depth to their defensive line by bringing back a familiar face. Last season, Fluellen appeared in 170 defensive snaps for the club, recording three tackles, pressuring the quarterback five times, and recovering a fumble. He’ll almost certainly be on a minimum salary benefit deal.
Meanwhile, the Lions continue to seek out upgrades in other areas of their defense. Earlier today, we heard that the team was eyeing three potential options at safety, including James Ihedigbo and Thomas DeCoud. Birkett reports (via Twitter) that DeCoud left today’s visit in Detroit without a deal in place, but he’s not the only free agent the team is hosting. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter), safety Chris Clemons is visiting with the Lions today, making him the third safety the club is considering.
NFC East Links: Redskins, Jackson, Cowboys
Although the Redskins have been fairly active in free agency, the team hasn’t really brought in any outside impact players besides defensive lineman Jason Hatcher, and there are still several holes on the roster, writes Mike Jones of the Washington Post. As such, GM Bruce Allen wasn’t necessarily brimming with enthusiasm when asked about his club’s free agent haul.
“I feel okay [about free agency],” Allen said. “It’s easier if you said we had one or two deficiencies to target players, but we needed to address every position on the football team except for quarterback. And, so we talked to a lot of players at the beginning of free agency, tried to calculate who we could afford and who we couldn’t, knowing that we needed at least a dozen if not more.”
As the Redskins continue to seek out players to potentially fill their roster holes, let’s round up a few other NFC East notes…
- Within Jones’ piece, he notes that the Redskins remain in talks with free agent safety Ryan Clark.
- Up until now, the Eagles haven’t commented publicly on the DeSean Jackson trade rumors swirling around the team, but as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes, the team’s decision-makers won’t be able to avoid the media at the NFL’s annual meetings in Orlando next week. Florio believes the situation could come to a head within the next week. Yesterday, we heard that the Jets, Panthers, and Raiders are among the teams to have inquired about Jackson’s availability.
- Within his latest chat, Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News fielded questions from Cowboys fans about the draft, the defense, and whether Anthony Spencer is still a viable free agent target.
Falcons, Hester Agree To Three-Year Deal
FRIDAY, 9:40am: Speaking to reporters today, including ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure and D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (all Twitter links), Hester confirmed he had been seeking $3-4MM per year. The veteran return man added that he received interest from 13 teams, and that he had also been considering the Bucs, Niners, Dolphins, and Seahawks before reaching an agreement with Atlanta. As Ledbetter writes, Hester ultimately signed a three-year, $9MM pact with the Falcons, including a $2.5MM signing bonus.
THURSDAY, 2:18pm: The Falcons have bolstered their special teams unit, agreeing to terms on a three-year contract with free agent return specialist Devin Hester, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Hester had visited with the team earlier in the week.
One of NFL’s all-time great kick and punt returners, Hester has played increasingly less on offense in recent years for the Bears, contributing exclusively in the return game in 2013. Although he turned 31 in November, Hester still led the NFL with 1,436 kick returns on 52 attempts, good for a 27.6 average, and threw in a punt return touchdown for good measure. For his career, Hester has 19 return TDs, tied for an NFL record.
Earlier in the week, we heard that Hester was seeking an annual salary in the $4MM range, but it would be surprising if Atlanta went that high, unless very little of the total amount was guaranteed. Still, it sounds as if he won’t necessarily be used exclusively on returns in Atlanta. ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure tweets that the Falcons told Hester they’d find creative ways to use him, which suggests the longtime Bear may see some snaps on offense.
FA Rumors: Ihedigbo, DeCoud, Britt, Incognito
James Ihedigbo won’t be returning to his old team, and there’s a chance he also won’t be headed to the club he looked likely to land with last week. According to Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times, the Ravens are no longer in the running for the free agent safety, who has narrowed his decision down to three NFC teams — one is believed to be the Lions, who appeared to be closing in on Ihedigbo last Thursday. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun adds (via Twitter) that Baltimore wasn’t willing to match the Lions’ initial offer, but it sounds like two other clubs are at least in that ballpark.
Here are a few more Friday morning free agent updates:
- Free agent safety Thomas DeCoud may represent a Plan B for the Lions if they can’t land Ihedigbo. DeCoud, who was released by the Falcons earlier in the offseason, is visiting Detroit today, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
- Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link) expects the Lions to sign a safety very soon, and says it sounds like there are three potential options on the table, which suggests the team is eyeing another player in addition to Ihedigbo and DeCoud.
- Agent Pat Dye Jr. confirmed last night that Kenny Britt had received from the Bills, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says (via Twitter) the free agent receiver will be making his next visit to Buffalo.
- Rapoport also reports (Twitter links) that while free agent guard Richie Incognito can sign with an NFL team, he can’t play or be paid until undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by medical advisors designated by the league and the NFLPA.
- Adam Caplan of ESPN.com passes along a pair of free agent nuggets, tweeting that fullback Spencer Larsen worked out for the Bills and cornerback Elbert Mack worked out for the Bengals.
- With Matt Schaub heading to Oakland, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link) predicts that the Browns will land Rex Grossman, adding that perhaps Mark Sanchez ends up on the Bills and Michael Vick lands with the Jets. Vick is visiting with the Jets today, and the club also has to make a decision soon on Sanchez, who is owed a roster bonus on Tuesday.
Greg McElroy Announces Retirement
Bengals quarterback Greg McElroy has announced his retirement as an NFL player, via his Twitter account.
“Thank you to Marvin Lewis, the Brown family, and the entire Cincinnati Bengals’ organization,” McElroy wrote, referring to the team with which he had most recently signed a futures/reserve contract. “The fans make this decision especially difficult, as you have provided so much joy throughout my career. Playing in the NFL was my lifelong dream; therefore, I must also thank the New York Jets for providing me with my initial opportunity.”
McElroy, 25, was drafted in the 7th round in 2011 by the Jets, and spent two seasons with the team. The former Crimson Tide signal-caller appeared in two games for New York in the 2012 season — while he lost his only career start against the Chargers, he also led the Jets to a comeback victory over the Cardinals in his relief appearance, making his only NFL touchdown pass a game-winner.
Steelers Re-Sign Michael Palmer
The Steelers have added some depth at the tight end position by re-signing Michael Palmer, according to Burt Lauten, the team’s PR man (Twitter link). Palmer inked a one-year deal to remain in Pittsburgh.
Palmer, 26, spent the first three seasons of his career with the Falcons before joining the Steelers for 2013. In Atlanta, he made a handful of catches per season, but he hauled in just one pass for eight yards in Pittsburgh, spending most of his 49 offensive snaps playing as a blocker. The Clemson product also contributed on special teams, making a pair of tackles in coverage.
Terms of the deal weren’t announced, but it’ll certainly be a minimum salary benefit contract for Palmer.
Cardinals, Cromartie Agree To One-Year Deal
7:28pm: Cromartie’s one-year deal is worth $3.25MM, according to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic (on Twitter). The cornerback can make another $500K if he plays in every game.
11:45am: The Cardinals have added a free agent cornerback, agreeing to terms on a contract with former Jet Antonio Cromartie, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). According to Schefter, it’ll be a one-year deal.
Cromartie, 29, was released by the Jets earlier in the month due to an exorbitant cap hit on his previous contract. While New York created nearly $10MM in cap savings by releasing the veteran cornerback, there appeared to be mutual interest in bringing him back into the fold at a lower salary. However, with Cromartie headed to Arizona, he becomes the latest in a string of free agent cornerbacks that the Jets have missed out on. Most recently, the club lost Cromartie’s cousin, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, to the Giants.
2013 was the fifth straight season in which Cromartie has grabbed at least three interceptions, though he wasn’t as strong in coverage as usual, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required). After ranking 16th among cornerbacks in 2012, he placed in the bottom 10 in 2013, with receivers averaging 19.1 YPC on their 49 receptions against him. Still, with a bounceback season he’d provide some stability to a Cardinals secondary that needed to add a corner.
Extra Points: NFLPA, Moreno, Contract Details
Newly-minted NFLPA president Eric Winston is just hours into his new role, but he sounds like he’s ready to hit the ground running.
“This union has always been about fighting,” Winston told Tom Pelissero of USA Today. “It won’t change.”
Winston didn’t mince words when it came to the idea of expanding the NFL season from 16 to 18 games, telling Pelissero that the idea is “dead in the water.” He was less definitive when it came to the idea of playoff expansion, but he made it clear that the union will only be on board under certain conditions. Here’s more from around the NFL:
- Knowshon Moreno arguably had the most impressive 2013 campaign of any of this year’s free agent running backs, but his name hasn’t surfaced at all in the last nine days. That changed today, with word breaking that the Dolphins will have Moreno in a for a visit on Friday (Twitter link via Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald).
- The Panthers continue to pursue free agent receivers, and will have Lestar Jean in for a visit tonight and tomorrow, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter).
- The Buccaneers hosted free agent defensive back Chris Owens today, tweets Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. Owens also met with the Steelers this week, as we heard earlier this afternoon.
- Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap has the full breakdown of many of the new contracts signed in recent days, including, but not limited to, Andrew Hawkins‘ four-year pact with the Browns, Scott Chandler‘s two-year deal with the Bills, James Starks‘ two-year deal with the Packers, Charlie Johnson‘s two-year contract with the Vikings, and Usama Young‘s two-year deal with the Raiders.
- Jerricho Cotchery‘s deal with the Panthers is technically for five years, as Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun details (via Twitter). I imagine it includes three void years, similar to Roman Harper‘s new contract. Cotchery also received a $2.25MM signing bonus.
- Wilson (Twitter links) also provides details on a pair of minimum salary benefit contracts, noting that fullback Jed Collins will get $710K from the Lions between his $65K signing bonus and $645K base salary. Safety Craig Steltz will get $795K from the Bears between his $730K salary and the $65K roster bonus for 2014.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Jared Allen Considering Seahawks, Others
4:27pm: Harris tells a number of reporters, including and Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter links) that after having “good discussions” during his second visit to Seattle, Allen is heading home to mull offers from the Seahawks and other teams. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com notes (via Twitter) that the Seahawks are working hard to finalize a deal, and that Allen brought his wife with him on his second visit to meet with the team.
3:09pm: Agent Ken Harris wouldn’t confirm that any agreement is in place between his client and the Seahawks, telling Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) that Allen is just visiting the team for now.
2:22pm: One of the top free agents remaining on the board appears to have found a home with the defending Super Bowl champions. According to Ed Werder of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Jared Allen is working out the final details of a contract agreement with the Seahawks, and could sign later today.
Allen, 31, remained productive and durable in 2013, recording 11.5 sacks in his last season with the Vikings. It was the sixth straight year in which Allen had started all 16 regular season contests for the team, and the seventh consecutive season he’d notched 11 or more sacks. The former fourth-round pick also played well against the run, according to Pro Football Focus, whose metrics ranked him fifth overall among 4-3 defensive ends in ’13 (subscription required)
In joining the Seahawks, Allen would be fortifying a defensive line that was already expected to be one of the league’s best at rushing the passer, having retained Michael Bennett earlier in March. It will be interesting to see how the Seahawks plan to manage Allen’s playing time in Seattle — the veteran defensive end appeared in 1,044 defensive snaps last season and wants to continue to play full time, but given his age and the team’s depth, he may see his role scaled back a little in 2014.
A report earlier this week indicated that Allen was seeking an annual salary close to $10MM, in the neighborhood of what DeMarcus Ware and Julius Peppers received. As I noted at the time, the guaranteed money on Ware’s and Pepper’s deals varied significantly, so we’ll have to see what Allen’s new deal with the Seahawks looks like, if and when it gets done. With Bennett and a few other smaller additions in the mix, Seattle didn’t have a ton of cap room this offseason, particularly if the team wanted to stay flexible to extend players like Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, and Earl Thomas down the road.