NFC East Notes: Eagles, Redskins, Ware
While Eagles general manager Howie Roseman didn’t want to specifically address reports that his team met with Johnny Manziel at the combine in Indianapolis, the GM’s comments to Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com at least indirectly explained why Philadelphia might want to talk to a top prospect like Manziel.
“You never know when the opportunity is going to come to get a player,” Roseman said. “It may be now in the draft, it may be in free agency, it may be via trade. If you look at your notes and you haven’t met the guy and the head coach is coming down the hallway and he’s going, ‘Hey, how was this guy when he came out?’ – and you’re kind of going, ‘Help.'”
Here’s more on the Eagles and a couple of their NFC East rivals:
- Recently extended Eagles Jason Kelce and Riley Cooper were more interested in gaining some long-term security in a place they wanted to play than testing the open market, as Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer details.
- The Redskins are among the teams to express interest in free agent linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, though as of late last night, the team had yet to set up a visit with him, according to John Keim of ESPN.com. Within the same piece, Keim also provides details on DeAngelo Hall‘s and Chris Baker‘s new contracts with the team, and takes a look at where things stand with several other Washington free agents.
- With both sides drawing lines in the sand publicly, the negotiations between the Cowboys and DeMarcus Ware figure to be tough, writes David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. Ware’s cap number for 2014 is currently an untenable $16MM+.
Franchise Tag Candidates
Although NFL teams have been free to designate franchise players since last Monday, no player has received the tag yet. In most cases, clubs are likely hoping to reach multiyear agreements with their top free agents before having to resort to the franchise tag, but they don’t have much time left. The deadline for using the 2014 franchise tag is this coming Monday, March 3.
Based on various reports, it sounds like the franchise designation remains a strong possibility for at least a handful of players, assuming they don’t agree to long-term deals. There are also a number of other prospective free agents who are candidates for the tag, but perhaps aren’t quite as likely to receive it. With Monday’s deadline looming, let’s run through those most commonly mentioned names. For a refresher on the specific details of the franchise tag, you can check out our glossary entry.
Strong candidates:
- Jairus Byrd (S, Bills): The Bills franchised Byrd a year ago, and sound increasingly open to doing so again.
- Jimmy Graham (TE, Saints): The Saints don’t necessarily want to get the stage where Graham files a grievance over his positional designation (tight end or wide receiver), but there’s no way the team will let him get away. Even earning $11MM+ on a one-year contract, Graham would be a good value.
- Greg Hardy (DE, Panthers): Like the Saints with Graham, the Panthers don’t have a ton of cap flexibility, but it’s extremely unlikely they’d let one of 2014’s best free agents hit the open market.
- Brian Orakpo (LB, Redskins): Even after re-signing DeAngelo Hall and Chris Baker, the Redskins have plenty of cap room left to tag Orakpo, though I think a long-term agreement is more likely.
- Dennis Pitta (TE, Ravens): Pitta finds himself in a similar position to Graham, potentially readying to file a grievance over his position. However, the Ravens may not let it reach that point, agreeing on a compromise that splits the difference between the two positions instead.
- T.J. Ward (S, Browns): The Browns have made free agent center Alex Mack their top priority, but the franchise price tag for Ward will be much more palatable than for Mack, who would be eligible for the left tackle franchise salary.
Possible candidates:
- Michael Bennett (DE, Seahawks): While the Seahawks would like to bring Bennett back, it doesn’t sound like the team will use its franchise tag on him.
- Donald Butler (LB, Chargers): I’d also be surprised if the Chargers franchised Butler, though he represents the club’s most likely candidate.
- Vontae Davis (CB, Colts): The Colts definitely want Davis back, but the cornerback franchise tag might be a little too pricey for the club, and wouldn’t help create roster flexibility. This predicament applies to many of the other cornerbacks in this section as well.
- Brent Grimes (CB, Dolphins): Grimes has expressed a desire to work out a multiyear deal rather than being tagged, and it sounds like he and the Dolphins are making progress.
- Lamarr Houston (DE, Raiders): The Raiders have two potential franchise candidates in this group, and it’s not clear yet which one they’re leaning toward tagging, if the club plans on using it at all.
- Sam Shields (CB, Packers): GM Ted Thompson didn’t shoot down the possibility of using the franchise tag on Shields last week, but his combine presser was so devoid of real updates that it’s hard to read too much into that. For what it’s worth, negotiations between the two sides are said to be “heating up.”
- Aqib Talib (CB, Patriots): Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald suggested yesterday that the Pats likely won’t franchise Talib even if they can’t reach a multiyear agreement.
- Jared Veldheer (OL, Raiders): The Raiders’ other franchise candidate, Veldheer indicated earlier this month that he wouldn’t be happy with the franchise tag, since he’d like more long-term security.
- Alterraun Verner (CB, Titans): According to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, indications are that the Titans won’t franchise Verner, who perhaps falls into the same category as Davis.
- Donte Whitner (S, 49ers): The price for a franchise safety isn’t exorbitant, but I think the 49ers may be more inclined to pursue a cheaper alternative than to franchise Whitner.
Kickers and punters:
While they aren’t necessarily marquee free agents, kickers and punters are often designated as franchise players when a team has no other viable candidates, if only because the salaries are so modest. Here are a few special teams players who might be candidates this offseason:
- Josh Brown (K, Giants)
- Dan Carpenter (K, Bills)
- Jay Feely (K, Cardinals)
- Nick Folk (K, Jets)
- Steven Hauschka (K, Seahawks)
- Donnie Jones (P, Eagles)
- Pat McAfee (P, Colts)
Eagles Cap Details: Peters, Cooper, Kelce
Offensive tackle Jason Peters, center Jason Kelce, and wide receiver Riley Cooper have all reached long-term contract agreements with the Eagles this week, and the details of those deals have slowly become public over the last couple days. Here’s a quick breakdown of how the three contracts look:
- Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com has the specifics on Peters’ new contract, including a new chart that clearly exhibits how the annual figures. The deal includes a $5MM signing bonus and a $5MM roster bonus for 2014, so Peters will receive $10MM of his guarantee before the 2014 season even begins. Additionally, his full ’14 base salary (down to $1.75MM) is now guaranteed, as is a portion of his 2015 salary ($4MM of $6.8MM). The contract also includes $3MM in escalators based on Pro Bowl and All Pro selections.
- Fitzgerald also has the year-by-year breakdown of Cooper’s new five-year contract, which included a $4MM signing bonus. According to Fitzgerald, Cooper’s $1MM base salary for 2014 is fully guaranteed, as is $3MM of his 2015 base salary ($4MM). The receiver can ensure that an extra $1MM in base salary is guaranteed in both 2015 and 2016 if he remains on the roster beyond the fifth day of those league years. Fitzgerald’s piece on Cooper’s deal also takes a look at how it might affect the rest of the secondary receiver market.
- Cooper’s contract includes annual escalators worth $625K from 2015 to 2018, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. As Fitzgerald’s chart details, that means the deal only amounts to a total of $22.5MM over five years, with the possibility of Cooper earning an extra $2.5MM via those escalators.
- According to Pelissero (Twitter links), Kelce’s base salary for 2014 remains the same, before jumping to $3MM in 2015. Both of those amounts, plus $2.602MM of his $4MM base salary for 2015, are fully guaranteed. The center also received a $6MM signing bonus, and his deal includes $200K per year in Pro Bowl escalators.
- Overall, the three new contracts resulted in an extra $1.409MM being added to the Eagles’ 2014 cap total, tweets Pelissero.
Projected 2014 Cap Increases To $132MM+
THURSDAY, 4:44pm: The 2014 cap could be set as soon as tomorrow, and barring an unexpected development, it figures to be in the $132-133MM range, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link).
TUESDAY, 12:56pm: The projected 2014 cap continues to rise, with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk hearing from a source that the final number will likely exceed $132MM. According to the source, the cap could end up being a “few million” higher than $132MM.
SATURDAY, 12:43pm: ESPN’s John Clayton says the 2014 cap projection is now up to $132MM (via Twitter).
FEBRUARY 20, 7:57am: Heading into the NFL offseason, we’ve been assuming that the salary cap for the 2014 league year will fall somewhere between the $126.3MM figure initially projected by the league and $128MM, the amount multiple reporters have suggested is more likely. However, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, teams may have even more cap flexibility in 2014. Schefter hears from league sources that the cap is now projected to be in the neighborhood of $130MM, up more than 5% from last season’s $123MM figure.
That higher projection is a win-win for teams, who will have a little more wiggle room than they anticipated, and players, some of whom should reap the benefits of that added flexibility. It’s particularly good news for clubs whose salary commitments for 2014 had already approached or surpassed the initial cap projections, such as the Cowboys, Steelers, Seahawks, and Saints.
The official cap figure, which is determined based on the NFL’s revenues, will be established in March when the new league year begins.
Bears Agree To Re-Sign Dante Rosario
The Bears and tight end Dante Rosario have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, according to the team (Twitter link). Rosario, coming off another one-year deal with Chicago, had been eligible for unrestricted free agency next month.
Rosario, 29, had seasons of 26 and 32 catches several years ago with the Panthers, but didn’t act as a receiver often in part-time action for the Bears in 2013. He was very productive as a run blocker, however, recording Pro Football Focus’ second-highest run-blocking grade among tight ends, despite playing just 186 snaps (subscription required).
After earning the minimum salary in 2013, Rosario will likely be in line for a similar deal this time around. Because he now has seven years of NFL experience, that should mean a base salary of $855K. Assuming he signs a minimum salary pact with a signing bonus of no more than $65K, his overall salary will be a little larger than his cap hit.
Panthers Sign Anderson Russell
The Panthers have signed safety Anderson Russell, according to today’s NFL personnel notice (Twitter link via Brian McIntyre). Russell had a previous stint with the Panthers, having joined the team in 2012, but was cut prior to the 2013 regular season.
Russell, 26, played his college ball at Ohio State before going undrafted in 2010. He has signed deals with the Redskins, Dolphins, and Panthers, but hasn’t seen any real action in the NFL. According to Pro Football Focus, he played just one snap for Carolina 2012.
Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but it’ll be a minimum salary contract. I doubt Russell will end up on the Panthers’ regular-season roster, though perhaps he’ll get a chance to earn a spot this summer.
FA Rumors: Delmas, Jackson, Decker, Pace
A handful of potential free agents, including wide receiver Riley Cooper, center Roberto Garza, and defensive lineman Chris Baker, came off the board today, having agreed to new contracts with their current teams. However, there are still plenty of rumblings about other players who will hit free agency on March 11, not to mention those who are already available. Let’s dive in and round up the latest….
- Free agent safety Louis Delmas, who was cut by the Lions earlier this month, visited the Saints today, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). Because he was released, Delmas is eligible to sign before March 11 if he gets an offer he likes.
- Recently released linebacker D’Qwell Jackson is in the same boat, and has already lined up weekend visits with the Titans and Broncos, says Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). La Canfora adds (Twitter link) that the Vikings among the clubs looking to schedule a visit for next week, while Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun tweets that eight interested teams have already reached out.
- Following up on a tweet from Vic Lombardi of CBS4 in Denver that indicated there could be mutual interest between wide receiver Eric Decker and the Colts, Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star says (via Twitter) that potential interest is unlikely to materialize into anything concrete.
- The Jets met with linebacker Calvin Pace‘s reps at the combine in Indianapolis and made it clear they’d like to re-sign him, writes Brian Costello of the New York Post. However, the club has not yet engaged in contract talks for Pace, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
- Costello adds in a tweet that the Jets also have interest in retaining defensive tackle Leger Douzable, who will be an unrestricted free agent.
- Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com explores the possibility of the Bills using their franchise tag on free agent safety Jairus Byrd, which it sounds like the team is willing to do.
- Free-agent-to-be Rashad Jennings has signed with VMG Sports and will be represented by Mike Simon, Greg Diulus, and Adam Heller, tweets Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal. The Raiders running back had previously been repped by Kelley Drye.
AFC North Notes: Bengals, Ravens, Browns
The Bengals could scour free agency this offseason for a backup quarterback, but don’t expect the team to look at a high-end free agent like Michael Vick to push Andy Dalton. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that the Bengals don’t have any interest in the prospective free agent, and adds that the club doesn’t want to “shake Dalton’s faith” by injecting Vick into the mix.
Here are a few more items from around the AFC North:
- There’s still a “great gap to bridge” in negotiations between the Ravens and free agent left tackle Eugene Monroe, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Talks continue between the two sides, with the team hoping to lock up Monroe before the free agent period.
- La Canfora adds in another tweet that he wouldn’t be shocked if Dennis Pitta and the Ravens reach a multiyear contract agreement before the franchise tag is necessary, or perhaps shortly after tagging him. In other words, it doesn’t sound like he expects the situation to reach a point where an arbitrator needs to make a decision on Pitta’s position (tight end or wide receiver).
- Punter Sam Koch is a potential cap casualty for the Ravens, but with the salary cap increase expected to be larger than originally anticipated, the team could potentially carry Koch’s $2.8MM number, writes Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com.
- In the wake of D’Qwell Jackson’s somewhat surprising release, Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com takes a look at a few other players with whom the Browns may part ways in the near future.
Ravens Cut Vonta Leach, Jameel McClain
3:00pm: The Ravens have officially released Leach and McClain, according to the team (Twitter link). GM Ozzie Newsome left the door open for their potential returns, calling Leach and McClain “our types of players” (Twitter link).
1:59pm: In a cap-clearing move, the Ravens will release fullback Vonta Leach and linebacker Jameel McClain, reports Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). According to Zrebiec, the cuts aren’t official yet, but should be soon.
Both players had been entering the final year of their respective contracts in 2014. Leach’s cap number of $2.33MM will become $580K in dead money, creating $1.75MM in cap savings for the club. The room created by cutting McClain will be even more significant — the Ravens will turn his $4.4MM cap hit into $1.2MM in dead money, for $3.2MM in savings.
Leach wasn’t a significant part of the Ravens’ offense in 2013, seeing action in just 230 snaps, including nine in the last three weeks of the regular season. McClain, who renegotiated his contract last August, missed the first few weeks of 2013 while recovering from a spinal injury, then saw part-time action in 10 games. The longtime Raven’s performance over the course of 376 snaps ranked him 34th among 55 qualified inside linebackers, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required). Baltimore has interest in re-signing McClain at a lower rate, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
The cuts will create a little more wiggle room as the Ravens attempt to re-sign high-priority free agents, such as tight end Dennis Pitta and left tackle Eugene Monroe.
Jeremy Maclin Rumors: Thursday
The Eagles have been the league’s most active team this week, locking up two offensive linemen, Jason Peters and Jason Kelce, to lucrative long-term extensions, and re-signing prospective free agent agent receiver Riley Cooper. However, the team still isn’t done. According to several reports, Philadelphia would like to get something done with free-agent-to-be Jeremy Maclin before he hits the open market on March 11. Here’s the latest on negotiations between the two sides, with the newest updates up top:
- A source with knowledge of the situation tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that Maclin hopes to sign a one-year, make-good contract, while the Eagles prefer a multiyear deal. Presumably, the club is looking to buy low on Maclin’s upside, while the receiver would rather bet on himself in the hopes of landing a bigger deal a year from now.
Earlier updates:
- A league source tells Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com that Maclin and the Eagles are “talking and making progress” toward a new contract, but no deal is imminent, and the wide receiver could still decide to test the market in March. ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter also hears that the two sides are having conversations but aren’t close to an agreement yet (Twitter link).
- Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer says (via Twitter) there are still hurdles to clear in the discussions between Maclin and the club, but that a deal “should happen” within the next week or two.
- There’s a “lot of optimism” that an agreement will be reached, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who tweets that the Eagles and Maclin are hoping for major progress in the next day or two.
- If the Eagles don’t lock up Maclin by March 11, he figures to draw interest from at least four to six teams, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link).