Browns Expected To Sign Ben Tate
Free agent running back Ben Tate is expected to sign with the Browns today, according to John Telich of Fox 8 News in Cleveland. The deal, contingent on Tate passing a physical, is reportedly performance-based, says Telich (via Twitter).
Tate, 25, has played 40 games over three seasons (nine starts in place of injured starter Arian Foster) and totaled 421 carries for 1,992 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns with 58 receptions for 287 yards (4.9 yards per catch) and zero touchdowns. However, he has been on IR twice in his young career. He missed 2010 because of a broken ankle and dealt with foot, hamstring and rib injuries in 2012.
Tate would join a crowded, albeit undistinguished, Cleveland backfield which includes Edwin Baker, Dion Lewis, Chris Ogbonnaya and Fozzy Whittaker.
Vincent Rey Re-Signs With Bengals
Restricted free agent linebacker Vincent Rey, a “quintessential ‘locker room guy,'” has re-signed with the Bengals, according to Cincinnati Enquirer beat reporter Paul Dehner (via Twitter). Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com says the deal is for two years (via Twitter).
A solid backup and excellent special-teams player, Rey performed admirably in place of injured starter Rey Maualuga last year and posted 57 tackles, four sacks, five passes defended, two interceptions and a forced fumble. Rey, who was qualified at $1.43MM, made $630k last season.
Julius Peppers, Packers Agree To Deal
8:46am: The deal is official, as Peppers’ agent Carl Carey tweeted out a picture of his client signing in Green Bay.
8:35am: Free agent defensive end Julius Peppers, recently cut by the Bears, is headed to the NFC North division rival Packers, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson (via Twitter), who reports Peppers gets a three-year deal that could be worth as much as $30MM, with $7.5MM guaranteed and $8.5MM owed in the first year.
Peppers, who turned 34 in January reportedly drew real interest from the Cowboys this week, and there was some speculation that the Seahawks would be in the mix if the price was right. The Packers had significantly more cap flexibility than either of their NFC rivals though, allowing the team to structure a deal that looks similar to the one signed by DeMarcus Ware in Denver in years and dollars, albeit with far less guaranteed money. Green Bay was said to have interest in Ware, so it makes sense that the club would turn to Peppers as a slightly less expensive alternative.
Even at age 34, Peppers remains extremely durable, having only missed two games since his rookie season in 2002. He has also registered at least seven sacks in all but one of 12 NFL seasons, totaling 119 for his career. In 2013, he recorded 7.5 sacks, a pair of forced fumbles, and an interception, to go along with his 46 tackles. However, his contract with the Bears included a $13.9MM base salary for 2014, which was untenable for the team, necessitating his release.
By signing with the Packers, Peppers will make the move from Chicago’s 4-3 defense to Green Bay’s 3-4 system. As Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk observes, it will be interesting to see how the veteran pass rusher is employed by the Packers, since he could conceivably help against the run as a defensive end, but should also be used opposite Clay Matthews in situations where he could pressure the quarterback.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFC West Notes: 49ers, Quinn, Cardinals
The 49ers have big-money decisions to make, while the Cardinals eye offensive line help in a batch of NFC West division tidbits:
- Last season, 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers declined a pay cut, but the team had no recourse because they needed him on the field. A year later, the team is prepared to release Rogers if he does not agree to a pay cut, as the veteran is scheduled to earn a $6.25MM base salary and count nearly $8.1MM against the cap, writes Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. Releasing Rogers after June 1 would save $6.6 on the 2014 cap, but the team would incur $1.5MM in dead money on the 2015 cap. If the team swallowed the entire cap hit in 2014, the immediate cap savings would be $5.1MM with no dead money in future years.
- The escalating salary cap helps the 49ers long-term, especially given the team’s desire to retain 2015 free agents Colin Kaepernick, Aldon Smith, Michael Crabtree and Mike Iupati, but the extra $10MM the rest of the league has to play with in the short term could make it difficult to retain this year’s free agents, including Donte Whitner, Tarell Brown and Phil Dawson, writes Eric Branch of sfgate.com.
- Robert Quinn is entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract, but a provision in the new CBA (instituted in 2011 when Quinn was drafted 14th overall) allows the Rams to keep the reigning Defensive Player of the Year through 2015, notes Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. By virtue of Quinn being selected between No. 11 overall to No. 32, the team can pay Quinn the average salary made by the third- through 25th-highest paid players at the defensive end position ($6.9MM).
- The Cardinals are targeting Branden Albert and Rodger Saffold in that order, according to Kent Somers of azcentral.com (via Twitter).
Bucs Release Davin Joseph
A couple days ago, speculation circulated that the Buccaneers would attempt to trade veteran guard Davin Joseph. Apparently they couldn’t find a taker. Joseph has been released, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Times (via Twitter).
Joseph, 30, was drafted by the Bucs in the second round of the 2006 draft and started 99 of the 100 games he played for the franchise. Joseph was a Pro Bowler in 2011, but missed the 2012 season with a torn patellar tendon and was not the same player last season despite starting all 16 games. He was scheduled to count $6MM against the cap in 2014.
Free Agent Notes: Pierre Thomas, Ravens, Bears, Giants
Miscellaneous news and notes, including free agent primers for the Bears and Giants:
- Malcolm Jenkins‘ tweet indicates Pierre Thomas won’t be back with the Saints, points out NOLA.com’s Larry Holder (via Twitter).
- The Ravens have made an offer to retain free agent receiver/returner Jacoby Jones, according to team insider Aaron Wilson (per Twitter).
- Ravens free agent cornerback Corey Graham “should have a healthy market,” according to Wilson (via Twitter). Graham, a 2007 fifth-rounder, broke in with the Bears, made a name for himself as a Pro Bowl special teams player and earned a two-year, $3.95MM deal with the Ravens in 2012. He played a more prominent role in Baltimore, where he started 13 games over two seasons and contributed as a productive sub-package defender, tallying 74 tackles, 12 passes defended and four interceptions. The team wants Graham back, but will be unable to compete if another team is willing to pay him like a starter, says Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
- The Bears will target defensive ends in free agency, according to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, who breaks down four groups of free agents the Bears will sift through: big-ticket targets (such as Michael Bennett or Everson Griffen); “budget buys” (similar to Matt Slauson, who signed an inexpensive one-year deal last year, started all 16 games and earned a four-year extension); cap casualties (veterans with “a little juice left,” as Biggs puts it); and the club’s own (most notably, Henry Melton, Charles Tillman and D.J. Williams).
- Expect the Giants to act quickly in free agency, says NJ.com’s Jordan Raanan, who predicts the team will land a priority free agent, likely an offensive lineman, in a matter of days. Raanan cites recent history as an indicator, reminding the team signed Antrel Rolle on the first day of free agency in 2010, signed David Baas in two days in 2011 and added Martellus Bennett three days into the 2012 signing period.
Jets Have Sights Set On Asamoah
“Legal tampering” begins at 11 a.m. CT, when the NFL’s three-day negotiating window opens, allowing teams to discuss deals with impending free agents. The Jets will waste no time in an effort to upgrade their offensive line, as the team is planning to lure Chiefs free agent offensive guard Jon Asamoah, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
Despite losing his starting job to Geoff Schwartz late in the season, the 26-year-old Asamoah has 41 career starts under his belt and will have multiple suitors, including the Falcons and Chargers, writes Mehta. He is considered a better pass protector than run blocker.
The Jets are seeking to upgrade from Willie Colon, who started 16 games at right guard last season before tearing a biceps tendon in Week 17. He is considered a “back-burner option.” Meanwhile, the team is negotiating to retain right tackle Austin Howard, who has started all 32 games the last two seasons.
NFC Notes: Umenyiora, Sproles, Smith, Rudolph, Dietrich-Smith
A handful of Saturday morning notes from around the NFC leading up to the opening of free agency:
- If Osi Umenyiora declines to accept a pay cut in Atlanta, a Giants reunion would be a possibility, writes Conor Orr of the New Jersey Star Ledger.
- Darren Sproles would be an “outstanding fit for the Bears,” writes Dan Pompei, who says the former Saint could replace Devin Hester and be a dynamic change-of-pace back the team has been unable to field behind Matt Forte. Additionally, Pompei notes the connection between Sproles and offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer, who was with Sproles in New Orleans.
- “Financially, it makes little sense” for the Panthers to release Steve Smith because the team would take a financial hit in each of the next two seasons, says ESPN.com’s David Newton. The writer thinks the decision isn’t so much about money as it is the effect in the locker room. If the veteran’s role is reduced, would he turn sour?
- The Vikings have $41MM worth of cap space to play with, and ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling thinks a chunk of it will go to Kyle Rudolph, who is scheduled to hit free agency next year but has said he wants to remain in Minnesota long-term. It could behoove the team to act now, as Rudolph could see his production (read: value) increase under new offensive coordinator Norv Turner.
- The Packers have expressed their desire to bring back center Evan Dietrich-Smith, says the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein, who compares Dietrich-Smith’s free agent situation to Scott Wells‘ in 2012. Back then, the team thought they could let Wells negotiate with other teams and still retain his services, but they miscalculated and lost him to the Rams. The Packers are taking the same approach with Dietrich-Smith, who, coincidentally, has the same agent as Wells.
Sam Shields To Hit Open Market
12:30pm: This morning’s news is a negotiating tactic by Shields’ agent Drew Rosenhaus, in the eyes of Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writer Tom Silverstein, who weighed in on the situation. Silverstein considers the Packers’ $35MM in cap space and thinks the fact the two sides have been talking without settling on a deal indicates “a very different view of Shields’ worth.”
Prior to the scouting combine, it was believed Shields could take a deal similar to the one recently signed by Bears cornerback Tim Jennings, who inked a four-year, $22.4MM contract ($11.8MM guaranteed). Last season, Jennings tallied 57 tackles, 13 passes defended and four interceptions compared to 61-16-4 for Shields. For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus rated Shields 42nd and Jennings 45th among cornerbacks who played at least 50 percent of snaps.
The Packers are probably willing to pay $6-$7MM per year, says Silverstein (via Twitter). In the same tweet, he says Rosenhaus’ conversations in Indianapolis revealed interest from other teams which “definitely affected Shields’ demands.”
Shields, who is taller, faster and younger than Jennings, stands to benefit from the cap going up, and Rosenhaus anticipates an active market for Shields even if the Packers don’t consider him an $11.83MM player. If they did, they would have locked him up accordingly or be willing to use the franchise tag. On Twitter, Silverstein reiterated there’s “no way” the Packers will do so.
11:03am: Earlier this week, it was believed the Packers and free agent cornerback Sam Shields were closing in on a new deal, but things have changed today. Shields will not re-sign with the team before March 8, according to Pro Football Talk. Instead, he’ll hit the open market, where the services of a young, fast, emerging cover man will be highly sought after.
Chiefs Notes: Albert, Houston, Lewis, Avery
Let’s round up a few of the latest items out of Kansas City….
- Yesterday, Branden Albert‘s free-agent outlook was evaluated by ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher, who believes, “It’s time for both sides to move on.” A veteran left tackle whose pass blocking prowess dwarfs his run blocking skill, Albert played for a $9.8MM franchise tender in 2013, but will hit the open market this year. Despite his flaws, Albert is expected to cash in, a la Jermon Bushrod, as detailed by Bleacher Report’s Ty Schalter earlier this month.
- Meanwhile, the team has initiated contract talks with Justin Houston, whose deal expires after next season, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS (via Twitter).
- Free safety Kendrick Lewis was a nice find in the fifth round of the 2010 draft, but his play has declined since that season, says Teicher. The Chiefs will look to upgrade that position with a rangier, more athletic player in an effort to cut down on big plays against and provide more consistency on the back end.
- After sending a second-round pick to San Francisco in the Alex Smith trade, the Chiefs hold just one draft pick in the first 86 and would like to add more, according to Teicher, who also thinks Donnie Avery‘s roster spot could be in jeopardy.