Darren Sproles Prefers To Be Cut, Not Traded
After initially looking like they’d cut Darren Sproles, the Saints received more interest than expected, and now figure to trade the versatile running back, according to various reports. However, if it were up to him, Sproles would prefer to be cut so that he can control his own future, as he tells Josina Anderson of ESPN (TwitLonger link).
“I want to get released. I don’t want to be traded,” Sproles said. “I don’t know where they would send me because I have no control over it and I want to be able to pick. The good thing is none of the teams I’m told they’re talking to are terrible. It’s more than two. I feel I should have more of an idea later on today.”
While it’s not known which teams are engaged in trade discussions for Sproles, at least 10 clubs were prepared to express interest if he hit the market, and the Redskins, Vikings, and Bears are among the teams that have been mentioned as potential fits. New Orleans may be more inclined to send Sproles to an AFC team, where he’s less likely to hurt the Saints in the regular season or playoffs. That’s just my speculation though.
Seahawks Release Chris Clemons
The Seahawks have released defensive end Chris Clemons, reports Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter). The move had been anticipated, as Clemons is coming off a down year and was slated to have a cap hit of about $9.667MM in 2014.
Clemons, 32, recorded at least 11 sacks in his first three seasons with the Seahawks, but recovery from a torn ACL slowed him down in 2013, resulting in just 4.5 sacks and a -7.7 grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required), which placed him 42nd among 52 qualified 4-3 defensive ends. While he’s a good candidate to bounce back in 2014, the Seahawks will create $7.5MM in cap savings by releasing him, which could clear space for another defensive line addition. The team has been linked to Jared Allen and Jason Hatcher, among others.
The Jaguars, coached by former Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, are probably a good bet to show interest in Clemons now that he’s an unrestricted free agent.
Bills Re-Sign Dan Carpenter
WEDNESDAY, 11:14am: Carpenter got $9.9MM over four years with the Bills, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports. His guarantee is a tad over $2MM.
TUESDAY, 4:58pm: The Bills confirmed their new deal with Carpenter today, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Carpenter tells Joe Buscaglia of WGR550 that it’s a four-year contract (Twitter link).
11:46am: The Bills appear likely to re-sign kicker Dan Carpenter today, according to various reports. Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports notes (via Twitter) that Carpenter caught a flight from Miami to Buffalo today, a strong indication that he’ll re-sign with the Bills. As Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports adds (via Twitter), Carpenter is coming off a minimum salary benefit deal, so he can’t sign for a raise until the new league year begins.
Carpenter, 28, enjoyed the best season of his six-year career in 2013 with the Bills, converting 33 of 36 field goal attempts and all 32 extra-point tries. His career percentages may not earn him a deal similar to the $3MM+ per year contracts signed by Graham Gano and Dan Bailey this offseason, but he should be in line for a nice raise on 2013’s $715K salary.
With Carpenter and Josh Brown likely to come off the market later today, there are only a handful of notable free agent kickers still available. Phil Dawson, Steven Hauschka, and Rian Lindell are among the players without contracts for 2014.
DeMarcus Ware Rumors: Wednesday
Even after signing T.J. Ward and Aqib Talib yesterday, the Broncos appear ready to add another defensive playmaker to their roster. Denver is reportedly the frontrunner to sign DeMarcus Ware, who was released yesterday by the Cowboys. Still, nothing is done yet, so while we wait to see where Ware lands, we’ll round up the rest of the day’s rumors on him right here:
- One team tells Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that Ware thinks he can get at least $10MM in free agency. It’s not clear if that figure represents an overall guarantee or per-year figure, but I’d assume the latter.
- In his latest piece for TheMMQB.com, Peter King suggests the Seahawks will be in play for Ware and fellow free agent pass rusher Julius Peppers “if the price is right.” I’m guessing $10MM per year might not be the right price for Seattle.
Justin Tuck, LaMarr Woodley Visiting Raiders
10:57am: In addition to Tuck and Woodley, defensive linemen Henry Melton and B.J. Raji are receiving interest from the Raiders, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter). However, Tafur thinks Melton will end up landing with the Cowboys.
8:15am: The Raiders lost a key edge defender in free agency yesterday when Lamarr Houston agreed to a lucrative long-term deal with the Bears, but Oakland will bring in a pair of intriguing free agents as the team considers alternatives. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), veteran pass rushers Justin Tuck and LaMarr Woodley will visit with the Raiders today.
The Raiders entered the offseason with more available cap space than any other team, and while the team has invested heavily in a pair of offensive linemen (Rodger Saffold, Austin Howard), Oakland should still have plenty of financial flexibility to add talent on both sides of the ball.
Tuck, who recorded 11 sacks last season, doesn’t seem to be attracting a whole lot of serious interest so far. One report yesterday suggested that there was a suitor willing to pay him $3MM per season, which is a fairly modest price for the longtime Giant, who may be more inclined to return to New York if he doesn’t receive a significant offer.
As for Woodley, he became a cap casualty in Pittsburgh after a couple disappointing and injury-plagued seasons with the Steelers. However, now that he’s no longer attached to a $13MM+ cap number, he could provide much better value for a new team. Woodley will turn 30 during the 2014 season, while Tuck turns 31 later this month.
Eagles To Sign Bryan Braman
The Eagles have agreed to sign linebacker Bryan Braman to a two-year contract, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link), who hears from agent Sean Stellato that the deal will be worth $3.15MM, with $1MM in guaranteed money. The team has confirmed the move (Twitter link).
Braman, who had been eligible for restricted free agency this offseason, didn’t receive a contract tender from the Texans yesterday, allowing him to become unrestricted. As such, Philadelphia can sign the 26-year-old outright rather than inking him to an offer sheet the Texans might match.
In three years with Houston, Braman rarely saw the field on defense, but was a key contributor on special teams. It’s the second special teams addition of the day for the Eagles, who also locked up former Seahawk Chris Maragos.
Browns In Lead For Ben Tate?
It looks like the Browns’ pursuit of wide receiver Andrew Hawkins will fall short, as the Bengals plan to match Cleveland’s offer sheet. However, the Browns are eyeing another offensive weapon and may be the favorites to land him, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Rapoport reports that Cleveland seems to be in the lead to sign Ben Tate, with a visit planned for the free agent running back.
In his first four NFL season, Tate has been limited to just 421 total carries due to injuries and his spot on the Texans’ depth chart. Playing behind Arian Foster, the former second-round pick has yet to receive an extended run as a team’s feature back since entering the league. However, he has certainly exhibited the ability to be a No. 1 back — those 421 carries have yielded 1,992 yards, good for an average of 4.7 yards per carry. While he doesn’t have the track record of other running backs available this offseason, Tate may have the most upside of the group.
The Browns are in the market for a running back this winter after sending former starter Trent Richardson to Indianapolis last fall in exchange for a first-round pick.
Titans Rumors: FA Visits, Hatcher, Woodley
Several of the Titans’ early free agent visits have been reported already, but Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean now provides a specific schedule for the first few. According to Wyatt (Twitter links), defensive lineman Al Woods and running back Anthony Dixon will be in town today, while the team will host defensive lineman Antonio Smith and linebacker Wesley Woodyard on Thursday, assuming neither player has agreed to sign with another club by then.
Here’s more from Wyatt:
- Defensive tackle Jason Hatcher, who is reportedly drawing interest from at least five teams, is expected to meet with the Titans later in the week, according to Wyatt (via Twitter).
- The Titans have some level of interest in free agent linebacker LaMarr Woodley, tweets Wyatt. The ex-Steeler is visiting the Raiders today.
- Tennessee remains interested in linebackeer Jameel McClain and edge defender Shaun Phillips, according to Wyatt (via Twitter), who first reported earlier in the week that the two players were on the team’s radar.
Five Teams In Mix For Brandon Pettigrew?
The Giants, Jets, Texans, and Raiders are among the potential landing spots for free agent tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who could also return to the Lions, says Mike Silver of the NFL Network (Twitter link). It’s not clear whether Pettigrew has any visits lined up yet, but it seems that those five clubs have expressed some level of interest in the 29-year-old.
Pettigrew, who had 71 receptions in 2010 and 83 in 2011, is perhaps the top tight end on the unrestricted free agent market, with Dennis Pitta having re-signed with the Ravens and Jimmy Graham designated as the Saints’ franchise player.
As for Pettigrew’s potential suitors, all of them will likely lose one of their top two tight ends in free agency this offseason. The Giants saw Brandon Myers sign with the Bucs, the Texans released Owen Daniels, and the Jets and Raiders may end up parting ways with UFAs Kellen Winslow and Jeron Mastrud, respectively.
Bills, Chris Williams Agree To Four-Year Deal
Free agent guard Chris Williams has agreed to sign a four-year contract with the Bills, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). According to Schefter, the deal will be worth a total of $13.5MM, with $5.5MM guaranteed.
The 28-year-old has some previous experience at tackle but is expected to play left guard for Buffalo. Williams stands at 6’6″ and 326 pounds and should give the Bills an imposing presence on the offensive line. His new deal will give him a significant pay bump over his last contract as he made $2.75MM with the Rams last season.
Rams coach Jeff Fisher was vocal about his desire to see Williams back in St. Louis in 2014, but that just wasn’t in the cards for the 14th overall pick in the 2008 draft.