Jerry Jones Talks Garrett, Orton, Coaches
Jerry Jones spoke to the media yesterday, and while we already passed along his comments on DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys owner weighed in on several other topics as well. Among the highlights from Jones was a vote of confidence for embattled head coach Jason Garrett, who heads into a contract year in 2014. While the coming season as viewed as a potential make-or-break year for Garrett, Jones suggested that’s not necessarily the case, according to ESPNDallas.com’s Todd Archer.
“Jason should know and I know that he knows that the plan here is and has been for him to be long term,” Jones said. “And long term certainly being beyond this year as the coach of the Dallas Cowboys.”
Here’s more from the outspoken Cowboys owner:
- Kyle Orton‘s certain with the Cowboys remains uncertain, but Jones is moving forward as if the backup quarterback will return and play out the final year of his contract, according to Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News.
- Jones on Orton: “If he plays, we want him to play with the Cowboys. I could say to him directly the last time we were together made it very rewarding and worthwhile for you to be on the team, and I hope it was rewarding to you. I can say that. That was a good example of money well spent in my mind, and it shows you where we might be if we need him for an extended period of time.”
- Jones believes that the Cowboys are capable of competing for a Super Bowl in 2014 in spite of the club’s cap limitations, writes Sabin in a separate Morning News story.
- As Archer details at ESPNDallas.com, Jones also clarified the roles that Scott Linehan, Bill Callahan, and Jason Garrett will have in the offense for 2014.
Cowboys Won’t Tender Phillip Tanner
The Cowboys will not tender a contract to restricted free agent Phillip Tanner, according to ESPN.com’s Todd Archer. The running back was set to be Dallas’ only RFA this offseason, but will instead hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent, assuming he and the Cowboys don’t agree to a lesser salary prior to free agency.
Since they currently have the most salary committed to 2014 of any of the NFL’s 32 teams, the Cowboys will be looking to create cap savings wherever they can. A contract offer to Tanner would have been worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $1.4MM, so the club figures to save a little money by trying to get him back at the minimum salary or replacing him with a cheaper alternative.
Tanner, 25, has spent the first three seasons of his career in Dallas, accumulating 56 overall carries for 149 yards and two TDs. He was also a contributor on special teams in 2013.
Kenyon Coleman To Retire
7:50pm: Coleman is planning on retiring after having missed the entire 2013 season, reports ESPN.com’s Mike Triplett. As mentioned below, it was reported earlier that the Saints had no intention of re-signing the 12-year veteran.
4:18pm: The Saints don’t intend to re-sign defensive end Kenyon Coleman this offseason, reports Katherine Terrell of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. New Orleans signed Coleman to a one-year deal a year ago, but he spent the year on injured reserve after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in August.
While Coleman has never recorded huge sack numbers, Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan had high praise for the veteran lineman last summer, calling him the “best run defender in football as a 3-4 end.” In his last two fully healthy seasons, with the Browns in 2010 and the Cowboys in 2011, Coleman ranked among the top 10 among 3-4 ends in Pro Football Focus’ run defense rankings (subscription required). Still, he’ll turn 35 in April, so a backup or part-time role is likely his best bet for 2014.
We also heard yesterday that the Saints won’t tender a contract offer to restricted free agent Tom Johnson, so it looks like at least two of the team’s defensive linemen will be hitting the open market.
Browns Nearly Traded For Jim Harbaugh?
5:36pm: 49ers CEO Jed York denied the rumor via Twitter.
4:58pm: Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report hears from multiple source that Florio’s report is “essentially accurate,” with one source telling Freeman there were “extensive discussions between the Browns and Niners (Twitter link).
3:58pm: While the Browns didn’t deny the PFT report, a 49ers source calls it “ridiculous” and “completely false,” according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Of course, whether or not the initial report is true, it makes sense for the Niners to deny it, since they’re moving forward with Harbaugh in charge. For the Browns, as I wrote below, the report suggests that the team was aiming high in its coaching search, so Cleveland may be less inclined to publicly shoot it down.
3:47pm: Jim Harbaugh nearly became the first NFL head coach traded since the Jets sent Herm Edwards to Kansas City in 2006, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Citing multiple league sources, Florio reports that the Browns had a deal in place that would have sent multiple draft picks to the 49ers in exchange for the rights to Harbaugh, but the San Francisco coach decided to stay put. On the heels of Florio’s report, the Browns have released a statement in which the team didn’t deny pursuing Harbaugh.
“The team conducted an extensive coaching search, and explored several options,” said the Browns in the statement. “That search produced an outstanding head coach in Mike Pettine and we’re excited about his future with the club” (Twitter links via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal).
The Browns were the NFL’s last team to hire a head coach this offseason, and their long, laborious search was believed to have contributed to GM Mike Lombardi and CEO Joe Banner losing their jobs. If Florio’s report on Harbaugh is true, it adds another odd wrinkle to the team’s lengthy coaching hunt, and shows how high Cleveland was aiming in its search for Rob Chudzinski‘s replacement. The Browns ultimately hired Pettine, the former Bills’ defensive coordinator, as their head coach.
Had Harbaugh agreed to coach the Browns, and had the two teams agreed on fair compensation, the divisional rivalry between the Browns and Ravens would’ve taken on a new importance as well, with Jim and John Harbaugh squaring off twice a year. Ultimately though, it seems as if the younger Harbaugh was just one of many coaching candidates the Browns targeted but couldn’t reel in.
Free Agent Market For Tight Ends
When is a tight end not a tight end? An arbitrator may be tasked with answering that question sometime in the next few weeks, as the Saints and Ravens contemplate designating Jimmy Graham and Dennis Pitta as their respective franchise players. Both Graham and Pitta lined up as receivers for more than half their snaps in 2013, meaning they can make a strong case that they ought to be eligible for the franchise salary for a wide receiver rather than a tight end. Considering that gap figures to amount to about $4-5MM, it’ll be an crucial distinction for the players and their clubs.
For our purposes, we’ll continue to think of Graham and Pitta as tight ends, even if their pass-catching abilities and athleticism mean they’re split out more often than not. As tight ends, Graham and Pitta represent the two most appealing options on the open market, but there are a few intriguing names out there for teams in need of an upgrade.
So which clubs might be on the lookout for a tight end next month? The Ravens, Packers, Lions, Bills, and Jets are among the teams that will need a replacement if their prospective free agents sign elsewhere. The Falcons will be in the market for Tony Gonzalez‘s successor. And the Patriots, with an offensive scheme that requires multiple pass-catching tight ends, figure to survey the free agent landscape as well, though they may ultimately address the position in the draft.
Here’s a look at some of this year’s options:
First tier:
It goes without saying that Graham is far and away the best player in this group, and ranks near the top of the free agent class as a whole. His career numbers and the NFL’s CBA both suggest he should be paid like a wide receiver, but even if he does become eligible for that kind of money, the Saints won’t let him get away. As Drew Brees‘ top receiving option, Graham will either return to New Orleans on a long-term contract or as the club’s franchise player.
Pitta is a trickier case — unlike Graham, he’s probably not worth an eight-figure salary for one year, so it’d be a risk for the Ravens to use their franchise tag on him. Still, before he injured his hip, Pitta looked poised to improve on a 2012 season that saw him catch 61 balls for 669 yards and seven touchdowns. If he can be had for a salary in the $5-7MM range, Pitta could be a nice alternative to Graham.
Second tier:
The 2014 tight end class isn’t particularly top-heavy, but there are several players jockeying for position a few rungs below Graham and Pitta.
Jermichael Finley represents the player with the most upside in this group, but he’ll be recovering from concussion issues and a spinal injury that will cast doubt about his long-term future in the league. He’s reportedly on track to be cleared for action, but any teams willing to invest in the talented Finley will have to proceed with caution.
Scott Chandler, Brandon Myers, and Brandon Pettigrew, who all turn 29 this year, won’t ever be elite tight ends, but they’re reliable targets who remain capable of catching 50 balls in a season. Meanwhile, though former Pro Bowlers Dallas Clark and Kellen Winslow may have been elite at one point, their best years are behind them, making them inexpensive second-tier alternatives.
Teams in search of a little more youth and upside may target players like Garrett Graham, Jeff Cumberland, or Andrew Quarless. Graham in particular had an impressive 2013 campaign, racking up 49 receptions and five TDs in 13 games for the Texans. Cumberland and Quarless could be capable of posting similar numbers in the right situations this season — they’re only 26 and 25 years old, respectively.
Ed Dickson and Ben Hartsock are among the remaining second-tier options available for teams this offseason, and they bring two entirely different skill-sets to the table. Dickson has totaled 100 receptions over the last three seasons, but ranked 64th among 64 qualified tight ends using Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required), due to an abysmal run-blocking grade. On the other end of the spectrum, Hartsock wasn’t a factor in the Panthers’ passing game, but easily ranked as the league’s best run-blocking tight end using PFF’s advanced stats.
The rest:
While most of the players mentioned above could get by as starters, at least in a pinch, teams likely won’t want to head into 2014 with any members of this group in the starting lineup. Still, Dustin Keller and Jeff King, who both missed 2013 due to knee injuries, have been solid in the past and could contribute if they’re healthy. Clay Harbor and Jim Dray may each be good for another 25 receptions in 2014, and guys like Bear Pascoe and Jeron Mastrud graded well as blockers over the course of a few hundred 2013 snaps and should draw interest as situational players.
Among the other familiar names: Kellen Davis, who only has 50 career catches since being drafted by the Bears in 2008; Jake Ballard, whose one solid season with the Giants in 2011 represents the lone bright spot on his NFL resumé so far; and Fred Davis, who has the talent to move the needle for a team if he’s reinstated — but with an indefinite suspension hanging over his head, he’s increasingly looking like a lost cause.
Previously:
Free Agent Market For Quarterbacks
Free Agent Market For Running Backs
Free Agent Market For Wide Receivers
Ravens Rumors: Pitta, Monroe, Jones, Draft
We’ve passed along a couple Ravens updates from the combine already today, but Aaron Wilson’s latest piece for the Baltimore Sun includes so many notable nuggets on the team that we’ll need a new post to round them all up. Let’s dive in….
- The Ravens are in discussions with tight end Dennis Pitta and offensive tackle Eugene Monroe about new contracts, and coach John Harbaugh is optimistic about locking up both players. “To my knowledge, both of those guys really want to be here and we really want them here,” Harbaugh said. “That’s a good formula for working things out.”
- If the Ravens tag Pitta as their franchise player, he’s expected to file a grievance to try to get the wide receiver tag, a source tells Wilson.
- Harbaugh didn’t close the door on the possibility of bringing back both Monroe and Michael Oher, though a previous report suggested Oher is unlikely to return if Monroe re-signs.
- Defensive tackle Arthur Jones is expected to receive heavy interest on the open market, and may be too expensive for the Ravens, as Harbaugh acknowledges: “It’s probably the one contract that he’ll have a chance to sign, a real big one. Guys that sign two big contracts, that’s very unusual. Three almost never happens, so you never feel bad about a guy getting an opportunity. You never want to lose a good player. But from a personal standpoint, you have to feel good about that. Whether we can match that or not, that’s all in the math.”
- The Ravens will meet with Boston College running back Andre Williams, who also has meetings scheduled with the Jaguars, Bills, and Bengals, tweets Wilson.
- Arizona running back Ka’Deem Carey also met with the Ravens, as well as the Steelers, at the combine, tweets Wilson.
Rams Notes: Saffold, Bradford, Williams
Here are a few Friday updates on the Rams:
- The offensive line will be a priority for the Rams this offseason, though GM Les Snead expects there to be more clarity in a few weeks once some contract situations are sorted out and injuries continue to heal. Meanwhile, coach Jeff Fisher says he would have “no reservations” about taking an offensive lineman in the first round, says Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com (Twitter links).
- Fisher and Snead both emphasized the importance of re-signing free agent guard Rodger Saffold, according to Wagoner (via Twitter). Meanwhile, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic hears that the Cardinals would have interest in Saffold if he and the Rams don’t reach an agreement before March 11.
- Snead says the Rams talked to Sam Bradford‘s camp last spring about a contract extension, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Wagoner adds (via Twitter) that Snead suggested those discussions are “ongoing and active.”
- Free agent offensive lineman Chris Williams and the Rams have mutual interest in working out a new agreement, according to Fisher (Twitter link via Wagoner).
- Auburn tackle Greg Robinson said he met with the Rams for a formal interview on Thursday night, tweets Wagoner.
Combine Updates: Orakpo, Talib, Welker
Redskins GM Bruce Allen is a big fan of Brian Orakpo and will to talk to his agent this weekend, but there’s no guarantee that the free agent linebacker will be back in 2014, writes the Washington Times’ Zac Boyer.
“We like Brian,” Allen said. “There’s no doubt we like Brian, as well as a number of other players. If we were just one player short, that would be an easy question, but we have several [needs] that we’re looking to fill.”
Orakpo, 27, is considered among the best pass rushers available and is expected to command an average salary in the neighborhood of $10MM per season. Here’s more from the second day of the 2014 combine:
- The Patriots are set to meet with Aqib Talib in Indianapolis to discuss a new deal, writes Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. As Howe notes, it’s a buyer’s market at the cornerback position with Alterraun Verner, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Charles Tillman, Vontae Davis and Brent Grimes also set to become available.
- Broncos GM John Elway expects wide receiver Wes Welker to be back with the team in 2014 for the final year of his contract, tweets Howe.
- Ken Harris, Jared Allen‘s agent, tells Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link) that he had a “constructive” meeting with the Vikings on Thursday.
- Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff said he anticipates getting two to three compensatory draft picks, tweets Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com.
- In Ron Rivera’s view, the Panthers don’t have a successor to Steve Smith on their roster, which is something the head coach believes the club could address this offseason, tweets Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.
- According to GM Martin Mayhew, the Lions have no plans to try to re-sign wide receiver Nate Burleson or safety Louis Delmas, who were released earlier this month. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press has the details.
- Johnny Manziel wants to endear himself to NFL GMs, so naturally, he decided to refer to himself in third person at the combine today when talking to reporters. “Johnny Manziel is a small-town kid. People make me out to be a Hollywood type,” the quarterback said, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter).
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Chiefs Making Every Effort To Extend Smith
Chiefs GM John Dorsey confirmed earlier today that the team has reached out to Alex Smith‘s representatives about a new long-term contract for the starting quarterback. Speaking further to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link), Dorsey indicated that those discussions are ongoing. According to La Canfora, the Chiefs are putting “every effort” into locking up Smith to a long-term extension.
As Smith prepares to enter the final year of his current contract, the negotiations on a new deal should be interesting to follow. The 29-year-old’s current pact pays him about $9MM per year, and he has only strengthened his resumé since inking that deal, having led the 49ers and Chiefs to a combined 17-6-1 in his starts over the last two seasons. After setting career-highs in passing yards (3313) and touchdowns (23) in 2013, Smith looks poised to earn an eight-figure annual salary on his next deal, with a sizable chunk of guaranteed money. Still, with Smith currently set to earn a base salary of $7.5MM in 2014, an extension could reduce that number, benefiting the Chiefs by opening up a few million dollars in cap space.
In addition to discussing a new deal with Smith, the Chiefs haven’t dismissed the possibility of bringing back free agent tackle Branden Albert, according to Dorsey (link via ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher). A report last week suggested Kansas City would let Albert walk, replacing him with in-house options, but Dorsey said that’s the first he’s heard of it.
“We have ongoing conversations with all of our unrestricted free agents,” Dorsey said. “It just so happens we’ve had conversations with Branden’s representatives, and that’s the beauty of the combine. Those guys are here. We will continue to have conversations with those representatives as the combine passes.”
Despite Dorsey’s comments, it’s unlikely that the team reaches an agreement to retain Albert, writes Teicher.
AFC North Notes: Browns, Bengals, Ravens
After checking in on the AFC West, let’s head North and round up the latest on the Browns, Bengals, and Ravens….
- The possibility of a reunion between Browns head coach Mike Pettine and safety Jairus Byrd is real, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. However, the Bills could complicate things by hitting Byrd with the franchise tag.
-
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis says he’s hoping to get a deal done with free agent defensive end Michael Johnson, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com (Twitter links). In reference to quarterback Andy Dalton, Lewis said, “I’m sure we’ll sit down about contract at some point.”
- The Giants worked out an extension with coach Tom Coughlin to avoid lame duck status in 2014, but the Bengals have yet to take that measure with Marvin Lewis. The coach says he has no problem with that, Hobson writes.
- With Ray Rice facing charges and a potential suspension following his arrest in a domestic incident, Ravens coach John Harbaugh was asked if there were scenarios in which the running back wouldn’t return to the team next season. “Not that I’m aware of,” Harbaugh replied, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. “I haven’t seen anything that would remotely make me think that.”
- Running back prospect Terrence West told reporters that he has about eight meetings scheduled with teams tonight. The Ravens are one of those clubs, tweets Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times.
Zach Links contributed to this post.