Steelers Re-Sign Greg Warren
The Steelers have re-signed long snapper Greg Warren, tweets Howard Balzer of The SportsXchange. The team has since confirmed Warren’s new deal, which Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says is a one-year pact (Twitter link).
Warren, the Steelers’ longtime long snapper, has been with the team since the 2005 season. Coming off a minimum salary benefit deal that included a $65K bonus in 2013, Warren will almost certainly be in line for the same type of deal in 2014, though terms haven’t been disclosed.
FA Rumors: Broncos, Allen, LaFell, Redskins
According to a Denver Post report, the Broncos are considering free agent linebackers Jon Beason and Daryl Smith. However, the report surfaced yesterday before word broke that the team had agreed to sign Aqib Talib and scheduled a visit with DeMarcus Ware, so it’s not clear whether Denver still has interest. The team certainly does seem to be going all-in to try to take advantage of Peyton Manning‘s final years though.
Here are several more Wednesday morning free agency updates:
- The Bears don’t presently appear to be in the mix to sign veteran defensive end Jared Allen, sources tells Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com (Twitter link).
- While Julian Edelman explores the open market, the Patriots will be hosting another free agent receiver, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, who tweets that Brandon LaFell will visit New England.
- Free agent cornerback Corey Graham is set to visit the Redskins, says Mike Jones of the Washington Post. Graham has also reportedly drawn interest from a pair of Washington’s division rivals, the Giants and Eagles.
- The Redskins are also hosting offensive lineman Bruce Campbell, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- The Lions will host free agent fullback Henry Hynoski on Thursday, says Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter).
- Free agent guard Shelley Smith is visiting with the Giants today, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
- The Bills have announced that free agents Chris Williams (OL) and Nolan Carroll (CB) will be visiting the team today, according to Joe Buscaglia of WGR550 (via Twitter).
- Free agent wide receiver Kevin Cone didn’t receive a tender offer from the Falcons and will now be an unrestricted free agent, says D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Defensive end Ronald Talley, who was eligible for restricted free agency, also appears to have gone untendered, having tweeted that he won’t be back with the Cardinals in 2014 (hat tip to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com).
Jets, Two Other Teams Interested In Decker
9:02am: Two other teams have interest in Decker, but the free agent receiver opted to give the Jets the first chance at signing him, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
8:40am: Eric Decker‘s first visit of free agency will be with the Jets, according to Kimberly Jones of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Manish Mehta and Seth Walder of the New York Daily News first reported the possibility of a Decker visit after doing some sleuthing involving a flight from Denver to Newark.
While the majority of my top 25 free agents came off the board early in free agency yesterday, Decker and fellow free agent receiver Hakeem Nicks were among the players who didn’t generate a whole lot of buzz. While Decker’s numbers, combined with recent contracts signed by top free agent receivers, suggests he should be in line for a huge payday, there are question marks about his ability to produce outside of the explosive Broncos’ offense, so it’ll be interesting to see what kind of offers he receives.
As for the Jets, they had been expected to be a suitor for Decker after compiling some of the league’s worst receiving numbers in 2013. With Santonio Holmes cut and no potential No. 1 options on the roster, the Jets could pursue receiving help in free agency and the draft whether or not they land Decker.
Eagles Agree To Sign Chris Maragos
The Eagles have agreed to terms on a contract for safety and special teams standout Chris Maragos, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twittter link). According to Caplan, Maragos’ new deal will be a three-year pact worth $4MM, with $1MM guaranteed, and could max out at $5.3MM due to incentives (Twitter link).
Maragos, 27, spent the last three seasons with the Seahawks, playing occasionally on defense but primarily serving as a special teams ace. According to Pro Football Focus, the Wisconsin alum has recorded 26 tackles on special teams in the last three years.
Caplain notes (via Twitter) that several teams were in the mix for Maragos, including the Redskins.
Wilson On Steve Smith, Cuts, Daryl Smith
Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun has provided plenty of interesting tidbits on Twitter this morning, so let’s round up a few of the highlights. All links go to Wilson’s Twitter….
- Wilson first reported yesterday that if Steve Smith is cut by the Panthers, the veteran receiver would draw serious interest from the Ravens, and it sounds like that interest would be mutual. Sources tell Wilson that Smith would be “highly interested” in Baltimore if he becomes a free agent.
- Daryn Colledge (Cardinals), Thomas DeCoud (Falcons), David Baas (Giants), LaMarr Woodley (Steelers), Carlos Rogers (49ers) were all designated as post-June 1 cuts by their respective teams, says Wilson.
- There’s still a disconnect in negotiations between the Ravens and linebacker Daryl Smith, according to Wilson.
- It looks like the first free agent visit for defensive lineman Antonio Smith will be with the Redskins, as Wilson reports that Smith is heading to Washington today. We heard yesterday that the longtime Texan would also meet with the Titans, Rams, and Raiders, though the visit to St. Louis was shot down in a later report.
- Wilson provides the financial breakdown of Albert McClellan‘s two-year contract with the Ravens, which includes salary cap figures of $1MM for 2014 and $1.2MM for 2015.
Randy Starks, Dolphins Nearing Deal
The Dolphins are nearing a contract agreement with defensive tackle Randy Starks that would keep him in Miami, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). While La Canfora suggests it’ll be worth $6MM per season, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (Twitter link) hears that figure is “way too ambitious.” Either way, it looks like the two sides are on their way to working something out.
Starks, 30, has traditionally been better at rushing the passer than stopping the run, but he was excellent in both facets of the game in 2013. He ranked seventh overall among 69 qualified defensive tackles last season, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required).
It seemed as if Miami might be prepared to let both Starks and fellow free agent DT Paul Soliai walk in free agency, as reports suggested last week the team had not offered either player a deal. Assuming Starks gets locked up though, he’ll join Earl Mitchell on the new-look Miami d-line, as the former Texan appears poised to join the Dolphins.
Jets Rumors: Giacomini, Schaub, RBs, Howard
With Austin Howard headed to Oakland, the Jets are making a “strong push” to sign offensive tackle Breno Giacomini, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, who reports (via Twitter) that the free agent tackle will visit with the team on Wednesday. Here’s more on the AFC’s New York squad:
- While it may seem logical to link the Jets to Matt Schaub, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com suggests (via Twitter) that New York is unlikely to seriously pursue or sign the Texans signal-caller if and when he’s released.
- The Jets’ 2013 signing of Mike Goodson didn’t pan out, but the team is “nosing around” the free agent market for running backs again this year, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports.
- According to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter), the difference between the Jets’ offer and Howard’s asking price wasn’t that significant. Cimini hears from a source that it was a case of GM John Idzik drawing a line in the sand.
Colts Sign Arthur Jones To Five-Year Deal
10:01pm: A source with knowledge of the contract says that Jones’ absolute guarantee is $10MM thanks to a $5.5MM signing bonus and a fully-guaranteed base of $4.5 for 2014, tweets Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The $16MM guarantee figure is including his $6MM 2015 base salary, guaranteed for injury only.
5:58pm: Wilson reported more details of Jones’ new contract, which will be worth $33MM over five years, and will include $16MM in guaranteed money. Jones will also receive a $5.5MM signing bonus as part of the deal (via Twitter).
3:18pm: The Colts and Jones have agreed to a five-year deal worth about $6MM annually, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
8:19am: There’s a strong chance that the Colts will sign defensive lineman Arthur Jones as soon as today, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Jones’ new deal is expected to be worth $6-7MM per season.
Jones, 27, had been expected to draw significant interest from other teams on the open market, and was viewed as a good bet to leave the Ravens in free agency. The Titans, Redskins, Giants, Vikings, and Packers were among the clubs said to be interested in the former fifth-round pick, who I ranked as the 23rd-best free agent available this offseason.
Playing primarily as a part-timer on his rookie contract, Jones hasn’t accumulated a whole lot of mileage, but has exhibited plenty of potential when he’s played. In 529 snaps for the Ravens in 2013, Jones recorded a +15.7 PFF grade, performing very well against the run while also compiling 25 quarterback pressures.
Assuming the Colts can finalize the signing, it will be the team’s second major defensive addition of the offseason. The club also reached an agreement with linebacker D’Qwell Jackson last week. Next up on Indianapolis’ to-do list will be filling out a secondary that might lose cornerback Vontae Davis and/or safety Antoine Bethea.
Dolphins To Sign Branden Albert
TUESDAY, 8:04pm: Albert got an $8.5MM signing bonus on his deal with the Dolphins, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports. He’ll make $11.025MM in the first year. The total is $47MM over five years, potentially.
3:12pm: Albert has agreed to a five-year, $46MM deal that includes $25MM in guaranteed money, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
MONDAY, 3:05pm: Albert is line to sign with the Dolphins for $10MM per year, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
10:58am: The Dolphins have made Branden Albert a top priority since being allowed to speak to his agent on Saturday, and it looks like their work on the offensive tackle will pay off. A day after Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wrote that the Dolphins would likely sign Albert, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald confirms (via Twitter) that the Chiefs free agent “will be a Dolphin.”
According to Salguero, an agreement between the two sides isn’t 100% in place, but it looks like it should be finalized tomorrow. Peter King of TheMMQB.com reported earlier today that Miami looked ready to “blow the opposition out of the water” for Albert, and it sounds like the lineman’s new long-term deal could be worth $10MM+ annually.
Left tackle was the Dolphins’ top priority this offseason as the team looked to repair an offensive line that will be decimated by free agency and last season’s bullying scandal. We heard last month that Miami intended to target Albert and Eugene Monroe, but Salguero tweets, with some surprise, that the club didn’t even have Monroe ranked as the second-best option at left tackle.
When I listed my picks for the top 25 free agents of 2014, I ranked Albert 11th overall, noting that he has recorded positive grades for four straight seasons, according to Pro Football Focus. I wrote that the Dolphins would have interest, but predicted Albert would land in Arizona on a four-year contract worth $8-9MM per year. It sounds like the 29-year-old will sign an even more lucrative deal with Miami, while the Cardinals are expected to shift their focus to Jared Veldheer or Rodger Saffold.
As for Albert’s old team, with whom he’s still under contract for one more day, the Chiefs will likely replace him by shifting Eric Fisher to left tackle and starting Donald Stephenson at right tackle.
FA Rumors: McCown, Allen, Mack, Hatcher
Josh McCown‘s first free agent visit, which is already underway, is with the Buccaneers, and the free agent quarterback and also meetings scheduled with the Texans and Jets, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he doesn’t make it to all his scheduled visits, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). Both La Canfora and Mehta suggest that a deal with the Bucs looks very possible for McCown. Here’s more on free agency:
- Defensive end Jared Allen has narrowed down his free agent options, but may not sign all that quickly, says Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter). Meanwhile, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that the Broncos are interested in Allen, but perhaps not at his current asking price. There also may not be any other serious suitors involved at that price, says Florio.
- The transition tag hasn’t stopped teams from contacting center Alex Mack, according to Mike Garafolo of USA Today (via Twitter). However, Garafalo adds that the Browns free agent center has yet to set up any visits with clubs.
- Defensive end Antonio Smith would like to stay with the Texans, but has visits lined up with the Redskins, Titans, Rams, and Raiders, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
- Jason Hatcher‘s visit with the Seahawks is the first of five meetings he has scheduled, tweets Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
- Offensive lineman Rich Ohrnberger is drawing interest as a potential starting guard or center, says Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
- Free agent running back Anthony Dixon will visit with the Titans, says Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.