NFC Notes: Falcons, Bears, Schilling, Riddick
The Falcons’ training-camp position battle at running back will have the attention of ESPN’s Vaughn McClure, who says soon-to-be 31-year-old veteran Steven Jackson probably has one good season left in him, but fourth-rounder Devonta Freeman was drafted with “thoughts of grooming him as the three-down back of the future.” Meanwhile, the battle for the third-down role will be between Antone Smith and Jacquizz Rodgers, whose special-teams impact might be reduced by the presence of Devin Hester.
Here’s a few more NFC Notes for your late-night or early-morning perusal:
- The Bears want second-year man Marquess Wilson to win the No. 3 receiver job, writes ESPN’s Michael C. Wright: “unless Wilson falters significantly in camp and in the preseason, the job appears to be his to lose.
- The Bears project to bring back nine of the 10 offensive linemen who finished last season with the team, in addition to free-agent acquisition Brian De La Puente. Consequently, someone like James Brown or Taylor Boggs could be cut in training camp, asserts ESPN’s Michael C. Wright.
- After Stephen Schilling was let go by the Chargers, the Seahawks were the first team to express interest and offer a contract, writes Bob Condotta in the Seattle Times. Schilling, a Washington state native, jumped on the opportunity, and he thinks he could latch on with the Seahawks because their zone-blocking scheme better suits his skill set.
- Lions running back Theo Riddick has had a strong offseason, even catching the eye of head coach Jim Caldwell, and the second-year pro out of Notre Dame should benefit from coaching staff and new scheme, says Tim Twentyman on the team website.
- Giants cornerbacks coach Peter Giunta tells NJ.com’s Conor Orr he has the deepest position group of his career thanks to “10 quality corners.”
Extra Points: Fitzpatrick, Hughes, Thomas, Robinson, Carr, Kennard
- With the Texans hitching their wagon to veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (known more for his intelligence than his physical ability) in 2014, Houston Chronicle beat writer Brian Smith released a few sobering tweets about Fitzpatrick’s prospects as a starter. Says Smith: “Recurring criticism of Fitzpatrick by analysts: Too much of a gunslinger with not enough of an arm.”
- The Bills have a new defensive scheme this year under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, but Jerry Hughes‘ deployment won’t change. “He’s brought in his 4-3 scheme, but as far as what I’m doing it’s pretty much the same thing I did last year,” Hughes told Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News. “My hand is in the ground and I’m coming off the edge trying to create pressure to get to the quarterback.” Drafted by the Colts in the first round in 2010, Hughes disappointed in Indianapolis. However, a trade to Buffalo last year gave Hughes new life as a pass-rush specialist, and he capitalized on the opportunity. Hughes registered 10 sacks, nine more quarterback hits and 39 quarterback hurries. In fact, he ranked first in the league in Pro Football Focus’ Pass Rush Productivity metric. Hughes will make just under $4MM this season before hitting free agency.
- ESPN’s James Walker came up with two notable names when asked about potential surprise veteran cuts by the Dolphins: “Some veterans I think who are on the bubble include former Jeff Ireland draft picks who didn’t live up to their potential. Running back Daniel Thomas and tight end Michael Egnew come to mind. The Dolphins are no longer waiting on their potential. Both former highly-touted picks must bring it this summer or they could lose their roster spot.”
- Julius Thomas, who emerged as a Pro Bowl tight end for the Broncos last season, could be a franchise tag candidate next year. Accordingly, he’s monitoring the Jimmy Graham situation with interest, writes the AP’s Arnie Stapleton.
- Rams No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson admits the mental part of the game is giving him trouble early in his NFL career (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner): “It’s frustrating that I’m not up to pace right now because the playbook is more intense and things are changing but once I get back to where I’m comfortable, things will calm down and I can be myself out there…Right now it’s a lot of thinking going on, it causes me to move a little slower. Once I get up to speed, I can move with the snap count and stuff like that.”
- Raiders second-round rookie Derek Carr has already ascended to No. 2 on the depth chart behind Matt Schaub, relays CSN Bay Area’s Scott Bair.
- Giants rookie fifth-rounder Devon Kennard “impressed coaches in the spring program and could be in the mix to start on the strong side,” according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano. A 6-3, 250-pounder out of USC, Kennard, whose father was a Super Bowl winning center for the Cowboys, was viewed as a tweener prospect, albeit one with outstanding intangibles and make-it traits.
- Free agent offensive guard Garrett Reynolds visited the Cowboys, per ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter). Reynolds started 23 games over the last three years for the Falcons, but struggled last season and was released in February.
Eagles Notes: Kelly, Matthews, Carroll, Long, Barkley, Villanueva
Eagles second-rounder Jordan Matthews “caught everything thrown his way and lined up both inside and outside,” according to Phillymag.com’s Sheil Kapadia, who took stock of the team’s draft picks now that spring work has concluded. Kapadia expects Matthews to emerge as the team’s No. 1 slot receiver.
Other Eagles tidbits:
- Head coach Chip Kelly held a press this week and was again asked about the unceremonious divorce from DeSean Jackson, but Kelly made it clear that he’s not in the message sending business. Bob Grotz of the Delaware County Daily Times relayed that bit of information as well as a related quote from center Jason Kelce which indicates that, while the Jackson release resonated, it has not affected the team’s stability: “As opposed to the way a lot of the media portrays it I don’t think that the release was solely on character things and a lot of other things, I think that might be something that’s been played out way too far. I think there are a lot of different factors. His release has not changed in my mind anything about the way this organization runs, the culture of it or anything.”
- Free agent acquisition Nolan Carroll and 2013 undrafted free agent Travis Long were among a handful of under-the-radar players highlighted by Matt Lombardo of NJ.com. Now two years removed from a reconstructed ACL, Long is pushing for a roster spot and has drawn praise from Kelly.
- Long would help his chances of making the roster by proving himself valuable on special teams, an area the Eagles have made a concerted effort to improve, notes ESPN’s Phil Sheridan: “The Eagles added Bryan Braman, a linebacker who excelled on special teams in Houston, and cornerback Nolan Carroll, an excellent gunner on coverage teams. Safety Chris Maragos was a special teams regular for Seattle last year. Darren Sproles, who will see plenty of time on offense, is a first-rate return man.”
- Is Matt Barkley‘s arm strength a major concern? Jimmy Kempski of Philly.com thinks so.
- Army product Alejandro Villanueva, an undrafted free agent, is a long shot, but his work ethic is noteworthy and worth reading about. Kelly told team website writer Bo Wulf he’s “amazed at everything that Alejandro does.”
NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Starks
“The chemistry developing among the defensive linemen — especially starters Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, Jeremiah Ratliff and Stephen Paea — might be the most exciting thing brewing for the Bears, especially after the unit was last in sacks in 2013,” writes Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Adam Jahns, who lists 10 things gleaned during the Bears’ offseason.
Here’s some more news and notes from the NFC North:
- Jahns also says rookie Brock Vereen, a fourth-round rookie from Minnesota, “has the lead” in the free safety competition.
- “There should be no excuses going forward for Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford,” according to USA Today’s Tom Pelissero, who explains the team has done everything in its power to accommodate its inconsistent franchise quarterback.
- The Lions’ cornerback situation has been a continual topic of conversation this offseason, and the chatter (concern?) isn’t slowing down yet: ESPN’s Michael Rothstein says it’s a “probability” the Lions will pursue a veteran cornerback.
- Fox Sports Detroit’s Dave Dye has a question: “It sounds funny to say, but…where would the Lions be without [Rashean] Mathis?” Dye says Mathis established himself as the Lions most reliable cornerback, but admits that’s as much of an indictment of the secondary as it is a compliment to Mathis.
- Meanwhile, Dye thinks Cassius Vaughn could be a sleeper.
- And finally, Rothstein and Mlive.com’s Kyle Meinke don’t think free agent Brandon Flowers is a fit in Detroit.
- Packers new running backs coach Sam Gash thinks improved balance and body control could help James Stark avoid nagging injuries, writes Tyler Dunne in the Journal Sentinel.
- Vikings GM Rick Spielman says the development of receiver Adam Thielen has jumped out at him during the offseason (radio interview with 100.3 FM here). A 6-2, 195-pound undrafted free agent out of Mankato State, Thielen was on the Vikings’ practice squad last season, but Star Tribune blogger Master Tesfatsion speculates Thielen might have a shot at a roster spot if he continues to impress and show chemistry with Teddy Bridgewater.
AFC North Notes: Shazier, Smith, Hunt, Wilder
Steelers first-rounder Ryan Shazier looks like the “real deal,” according to Mike Prisuta of Steelers.com: “The Steelers knew Shazier was fast when they drafted him No. 1 from The Ohio State University. But since arriving on the South Side of Pittsburgh Shazier has gotten Maurkice Pouncey‘s attention with physicality in practice, stunned Bruce Gradkowski with leaping ability on the way to an interception and impressed Ben Roethlisberger as a potential defensive signal-caller someday. Shazier also has been running with the first-team defense since snap one of OTAs. He’ll still have to do it in pads this summer, but he created a consistent buzz this spring.”
Here’s a few more AFC North notes:
- Ravens head coach John Harbaugh says veteran inside linebacker Daryl Smith, who re-signed for four years and $16MM, played at a high level last season, writes Garrett Downing on BaltimoreRavens.com. That means first-rounder C.J. Mosley and 2013 second-rounder Arthur Brown will compete for playing time next to Smith.
- The Bengals have high expectations for 27-year-old, second-year Estonian defensive end Margus Hunt, writes Geoff Hobson on Bengals.com. A 2013 second-round project, Hunt is a “freakish,” 6-8, 291-pounder who might be ready to contribute at left end.
- Bengals running back James Wilder Jr., an undrafted free agent out of Florida State, claims he broke a team conditioning record, but he’s on the outside looking in for now, says ESPN’s Coley Harvey.
- Browns All-Pro Joe Haden is the latest to (delicately) express concern over Johnny Manziel’s partying ways (radio interview with 850 AM here), but says nothing Manziel is doing away from the team facility is negatively affecting his work. Haden merely suggests, “Just try to have fun without the whole world knowing.”
Colts Sign Mike Adams
WEDNESDAY, 8:58am: Adams’ minimum salary benefit contract includes a $65K signing bonus and an additional $100K in guaranteed money, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today.
SATURDAY, 9:06am: A day after placing veteran safety and special-teams standout Corey Lynch on injured reserve, the Colts announced they have agreed to terms with another veteran safety: 33-year-old Mike Adams, who spent the last two years with the Broncos. With Antoine Bethea now in San Francisco, the Colts’ safety depth now consists of LaRon Landry. . .and the rest, including Adams, Colt Anderson, Sergio Brown and Delano Howell.
Adams, 33, started seven games last season and totaled 64 tackles, six passes defended and an interception. According to Pro Football Focus, Adams rated as a middle-of-the pack safety (-1.0 overall grade), though he had career highs in tackles (80) and passes defended (11) in 2012.
Before his two years in Denver, Adams played five in Cleveland and three in San Francisco. He entered the league in 2004 as an undrafted free agent out of Delaware.
Extra Points: Clowney, Mathieu, Slay, Carrington, Kalil, Turner
- Texans No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, who was bothered by a groin injury, underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia, relays Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle. Clowney is expected to be ready for training camp.
- The Cardinals are taking a patient approach with defensive back Tyran Mathieu and nose tackle Alameda Ta’amu, both of whom are recovering from torn ACL injuries, writes NFL.com’s Dan Hanzus. “I had Oct. 1, or after the (bye week) as the target date for me personally,” says head coach Bruce Arians. “If they do something better than that, God bless ’em.” The Cardinals’ bye comes in Week 4 before a road game at Denver.
- Detroit Free Press columnist Drew Sharp says the Lions were wise not to “cave to public pressure” and reach for a cornerback in the first round because he expects 2013 second-rounder Darius Slay to make strides in year two. That said, in light of Chris Houston‘s release, Sharp says Slay must be the Lions’ most improved defensive player in 2014. Meanwhile, in a rundown of the team’s cornerbacks, Sharp’s colleague Dave Birkett calls Slay a work in progress, “But he’s long and athletic and after struggling with zone concepts will be a better fit in Teryl Austin’s new defense.”
- Could Alex Carrington be an under-the-radar steal for the Rams? St. Louis Post-Dispatch writer Joe Lyons says, the 26-year-old, 6-5, 300-pound defensive lineman “seemed to be on the verge of a breakout season with the Buffalo Bills last year when a torn quadriceps tendon ended his campaign after just three games.” In fact, entering last season, Carrington was viewed by Pro Football Focus as a “secret superstar,” calling him “one of the league’s most promising young pass-rushing DTs.”
- A right knee injury was to blame for Vikings tackle Matt Kalil‘s sophomore dropoff, writes Chris Tomasson in the Pioneer Press.
- “Other than being 20, there’s not much negative you can say” about Panthers third-round guard Trai Turner, says ESPN’s David Newton.
- The contracts of the NFL’s highest-paid centers – Maurkice Pouncey, Alex Mack and Ryan Kalil – were examined by OverTheCap.com’s Jason Fitzgerald, who says annual value can be misleading.
AFC Notes: Carr, Sheard, Canty, Williams
Since being drafted last month, Raiders second-round quarterback Derek Carr has drawn continued praise. Now, offensive coordinator Greg Olson says the rookie might not need to “redshirt.” Olson spoke to Vic Tafur at sfgate.com, saying, “We are accelerating the learning curve of Derek Carr.”
Here’s some more AFC news and notes:
- Earlier this week, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal tweeted that the Browns and 2015 free agent Jabaal Sheard have had preliminary talks on a long-term contract extension, then elaborated in article form. Entering the final year of his four-year, $5.1MM rookie deal, the 2011 second-rounder is poised for an impact (Read: productive) season and lucrative payday thanks to his projected role as the team’s primary pass rusher in Mike Pettine’s hybrid, attacking scheme.
- Prompted by a fan question as part of a mailbag chat, ESPN’s Jamison Hensley addresses the possibility of Ravens veteran defensive lineman Chris Canty being cut at the end of training camp. “There’s no guarantee that defensive end Chris Canty makes this team,” says Hensley. “He was a disappointment last year, and the Ravens can create cap room by cutting him ($2 million this year and $2.6 million in 2015). The Ravens, though, need to make sure someone is ready to step up in his spot. Kapron Lewis-Moore and rookie Brent Urban are the ones who play Canty’s position, so they have to convince the Ravens in the preseason that they’re ready.”
- Bills receiver Mike Williams, acquired from Tampa Bay for a sixth-round pick, does not have a “particular skill that he brings to the table that is different from the rest of the receiver group” and is not a lock to make the roster in the eyes of ESPN’s Mike Rodak.
- Despite struggling last season, Derek Newton is the Texans’ starting right tackle, per Brian Smith of the Houston Chronicle.
- The odds of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger starting all 16 games for the second consecutive season “aren’t good,” says Triblive.com’s Mark Kaboly, who examines the competition for the backup job between veteran Bruce Gradkowski and second-year pro Landry Jones.
- Previewing the Dolphins upcoming minicamp, the Sun-Sentinel’s Omar Kelly hits on several roster notes, including competition for slot receiver reps, Koa Misi transitioning to inside linebacker and Dion Jordan‘s increased bulk and strength.
No Offer Yet For Demaryius Thomas?
Yesterday, word spread quickly that the Broncos had extended Demaryius Thomas a five-year contract offer, but this morning Pro Football Talk cites a source who says, “Nothing is going on” and an offer has not been made.
Mike Florio adds his spin on the situation, saying, “It’s possible that discussions have centered on structure or concepts or whatever, and that different interpretations can be applied to whether an actual offer was extended. Regardless, to the extent that the reports of a five-year offer suggest that a deal could be coming, there’s still a very, very long way to go.”
No Deal For Cardinals, Tyson Clabo
8:33pm: The Cardinals will not be inking Clabo to a contract, reports ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter). Caplan says the team was interested in signing the veteran following his workout earlier today, but the two sides could not come to an agreement.
6:55pm: Veteran right tackle Tyson Clabo was expected to work out for the Cardinals on Monday, reported ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter).
Clabo, 32, is a veteran of 10 NFL seasons and 116 career starts. After seven years in Atlanta, Clabo spent 2013 in Miami, where he made 15 starts, allowing 11 sacks and drawing a -0.9 overall rating from Pro Football Focus, including a poor -8.4 run blocking grade. At one point, Clabo was benched for a week in favor of Jonathan Martin before Martin left the team.
Whether Clabo is offered a contract by the Cardinals remains to be seen, but his presence in Arizona could be reason for concern, as the team is desperately hoping Bobby Massie, Bradley Sowell or Nate Potter emerges as a viable right tackle option. Sowell, who went undrafted out of Ole Miss in 2012, started 12 games last season, but did not establish himself as a long-term answer. Potter, a seventh-round choice in 2012, has 21 career games under his belt, including six starts as a rookie, though he is an underpowered blocker better-suited for a backup role. Massie, a fourth-round pick in 2012, is the most physically gifted of the group (including desirable 35-inch arms), but after he was thrown into the fire as a rookie starter, the presence of veteran Eric Winston made Massie a backup last season.
The fact the team is looking to a street free agent, particularly one clearly past his prime (who did not garner a free-agent contract in March), could indicate the unproven trio is not inspiring confidence. The Cardinals had one of, if not the worst offensive lines in football last season, and the team’s quarterback has been sacked 99 times the last two seasons. Jared Veldheer was signed to solidify the blind side, but it’s apparent right tackle remains a question mark.