AFC Notes: Talib, Welker, Edelman
Early indications are that free agent market for Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib will be “more robust” in 2014 than it was a year, ago, a league source told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
Talib returned to the Patriots in 2013 on a one-year, $5MM contract. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Albert Breer, Talib turned down a five-year deal in hopes of “cashing in afterward.”
Now is his chance.
Citing injury concerns, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss projected a three-to-four year deal for Talib with around $8MM per season and $12-14MM guaranteed. Talib totaled four interceptions and 13 passes defended in 2013, earning his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.
Other notes from the AFC:
- Broncos receiver Wes Welker carries with him an $8MM hit against the cap in 2014, writes Florio.
- Should the two sides want to work out a new deal, there is little time to do so, as Welker’s $6MM in compensation becomes official in March.
- If no new deal can be reached, and the Broncos deem Welker too expensive, Florio names Patriots‘ receiver and Welker-clone Julian Edelman as a possible replacement.
- Florio even goes so far as to mention New England as a possible landing spot for Welker, but is quick to point out how ludicrous that would be, given Bill Belichick‘s recent comments regarding his former Pro Bowl slot receiver.
Payton Talks Graham, Free Agency
Saints head coach Sean Payton joined Fox Sports 1 on Friday and discussed the issues facing his team this offseason, according to Larry Holder of The Times-Picayune.
The most notable free agent in New Orleans, without a doubt, is tight end Jimmy Graham. Now, if it comes down to a franchise tag, Graham will contend that he should be paid as a wide receiver rather than a tight end. The difference figures to be nearly $5MM ($11.6MM for WR and $6.8MM for TE).
“I know that Mickey Loomis, CAA (Creative Artists Agency), Jimmy Sexton (Graham’s agent) and all parties involved are going to work very hard and very diligently, no different than they did with Drew (Brees) on his contract,” Payton said. “With that being said, the first thing that comes to my mind with free agency is your own roster. I think often times that gets overlooked.
“The most challenging part of your job as a coach, and I share that with Mickey or anyone that has been with an organization as long as we have been, going on year nine, is some of the tough decisions that have to be made with regards to your cap with the ability that you possibly can sign Jimmy Graham.”
Holder points out safety Malcolm Jenkins, tackle Zach Strief and center Brian de la Puente as “key potential free agents” the team would like to re-sign. Easier said than done, noted Payton.
“It’s very easy to say ‘you are certainly going to get this done’ but you have to understand there is a budget here. That’s the challenging part. You are going to read these names that have already come across the ticker from Atlanta last week (Asante Samuel and Stephen Nicholas) and we will be no different.”
According to Holder, players that could become cap-casualties to help the Saints be able to afford signing Graham to a long-term contract include (figures courtesy of Holder):
- Linebacker Will Smith ($13.9MM cap, $11.5MM savings)
- Safety Roman Harper ($5.87MM cap, $3.15MM savings)
- Receiver Lance Moore ($5.07MM cap, $3.8MM savings)
- Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley ($6.1MM cap, $4.4MM savings)
- Cornerback Jabari Greer ($6.8MM cap, $4.5MM savings)
- Running back Pierre Thomas ($2.9MM cap, $2.9MM savings)
Wimbley Hopes To Remain With Titans
After racking up 16 sacks in two seasons with the Raiders from 2010-11, Kamerion Wimbley signed a lucrative five-year, $35MM contract with the Titans.
Two seasons into his new deal and Wimbley has totaled only nine sacks. The ninth-year player from Florida State, set to earn $6MM in 2014, told Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean he doesn’t have any ideas of going elsewhere.
“I would love to be back,” Wimbley said, “and I expect to be back in a Titans uniform. They are doing some exciting things. My contract is not up, and I am training as hard if not harder than I’ve trained any other offseason. So yeah, that is what I am expecting. Unless I hear something different, I expect to be back.”
Wyatt notes that the Titans’ new defensive coordinator, Ray Horton, primarily runs a 3-4 scheme under which Wimbley has thrived in the past.
“I played my first six years in the 3-4 system, so I am familiar with it, and I feel it would be a great fit for me, and easy to pick up whatever they asked me to do,” Wimbley said.
Wimbley started just one game last season, relegated to third down and obvious passing situations. Spending $6MM on a backup tasked with rushing the passer who averages less than five sacks per season is not sound financial business, but Tennessee coaches will be banking on Wimbley reinventing himself in a new scheme.
Poll: Who Faces Seahawks In NFL Opener?
One of the many perks of being Super Bowl champions, with the exception of last year’s Ravens, is hosting the following season’s opening game in primetime.
Though the official schedule for the 2014 season won’t be announced until April, we do know each team’s home and road opponents, which gives us some insight as to who might be heading to Seattle for the first of the league’s 256 contests.
Fresh off a 43-8 whooping in Super Bowl XLVIII, the Broncos could be an interesting choice for the opener. They opened the 2013 season as well, avenging a devastating loss in the divisional round to the Ravens with a 49-27 victory. The game was played in Denver because of a scheduling conflict with Baltimore’s MLB team, the Orioles. As you probably recall, Peyton Manning tied an NFL record with seven touchdown passes.
For a rematch of the most recent NFC championship — one of the better games played during the 2013 season — the league could call for the division-rival 49ers to open against Seattle. Plenty of sparks flew the last time these teams played (cough, Richard Sherman) and the rivalry is developing into Bears/Packers and Steelers/Ravens territory.
One of the more memorable regular season games the past few years is the “Fail Mary” game between the Packers and Seahawks, the last game played with replacement referees. With Green Bay set to travel to the Pacific Northwest in the 2014 season, pitting two of the top teams in the NFC up against one another in the NFL opener would be a great way to kick off the season.
Lastly, there’s always a chance that the league and networks will schedule the Cowboys in a must-see primetime game. This is probably the most improbable of all the scenarios, but it’s not impossible. “America’s Team” continues to draw monster ratings year after year with the unpredictable Tony Romo under center, and their 2006 playoff matchup with the infamous bobbled snap by the aforementioned Romo remains one of the most exciting finishes in postseason history.
Back up your vote with a comment as to why you think a certain team should open its season with a trip to Seattle.
AFC Notes: Wilkerson, Jets, Raiders
After a dominant performance in 2013 in which he was arguably the team’s best overall player, Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson definitively stated that he will not hold out for a pay raise entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract. “It will be taken care of, definitely,” Wilkerson told Kristian Dyer of Metro New York. “But all that holdout and all that other talk that people were saying and everything – I never said anything like that. I’m not going to hold out. It’s not something I want; it’s not something I’m thinking about. I’m going to show up like everybody else and do what I’m told.” Rumors had been swirling that Wilkerson wanted a pay raise and would be “a possible holdout candidate,” reported Dyer, but the first-time All-Pro argued otherwise.
In a Raiders Twitter mailbag, ESPN.com’s Paul Gutierrez answered a number of fan questions relating to the team’s upcoming strategies for the draft and free agency:
- Gutierrez said the Raiders should target a pass rusher, not a quarterback, with the No. 5 overall selection of the 2014 NFL Draft. In a division with Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and Alex Smith, and the possibility of South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney falling into their laps, the Raiders would be wise to target an instant playmaker on defense.
- Jared Veldheer says he wants a long-term deal and that receiving the team’s franchise would be like a slap in the face. Gutierrez’s feeling is that Veldheer will be a Raider next year and that both sides will agree on a deal that keeps him in Oakland for the foreseeable future.
- In order, Gutierrez lists Veldheer, Lamarr Houston, Rashad Jennings, Tracy Porter and Charles Woodson as the essential free agents to re-sign.
- Referring back to his chats with GM Reggie McKenzie, Gutierrez opines that the team will rely “more heavily on free agency to get front-line starters” as opposed to hoping a rookie draft pick will fill the void. As the team with the most cap room entering the 2014 offseason, the Raiders are in prime position to add experienced talent to their roster.
PFR Originals: 1/27/14 – 2/2/14
With the 2013 season in the rearview mirror, here’s a look back at some original content posted by the Pro Football Rumors staff this past week…
- Important 2014 NFL offseason dates, with February 17 as the first day for teams to designate a franchise or transition player.
- A look at Pro Football Rumors’ up-to-date list of every 2014 free agent.
- More than $10MM over the salary cap, the Steelers face tough decisions on a number of key players, in particular linebackers Lamarr Woodley and Jason Worilds. Woodley finished the 2013 season on injured reserve and carries a $13.59MM cap hit in 2014, while Worilds is an unrestricted free agent coming off a breakout season.
- Our introductory post to ProFootballRumors.com.
- Potential QB options for the Browns, including current players Brandon Weeden, Brian Hoyer and Jason Campbell, as well as possible options in the draft, in free agency or via trade.
- Want to follow Pro Football Rumors on Facebook and Twitter? Find the links here, as well as directions to our Google+ page and RSS feed.
- A poll asking which team you expected to win this year’s Super Bowl.
Super Bowl Free Agent Performances
In stunning fashion, the Seattle Seahawks pummeled Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII Sunday night at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with Seattle linebacker Malcolm Smith taking home MVP honors.
Among the most notable free agents playing in tonight’s game was Broncos receiver Eric Decker, who barely registered on the stat sheet with one reception for six yards. He was targeted five times.
Here’s a list of the rest of the free agents from Super Bowl XLVIII:
Denver Broncos
- Knowshon Moreno, RB: five carries, 17 yards, one fumble
- Andre Caldwell, WR: active, zero targets
- Winston Justice, OL: active
- Zane Beadles, OL: active
- Dan Koppen, OL: placed on injured reserve
- Steve Vallos, OL: active
- Robert Ayers, DE: one tackle
- Jeremy Mincey, DE: four tackles
- Shaun Phillips, LB: four tackles, one solo
- Stewart Bradley, LB: placed on injured reserve
- Paris Lenon, LB: active, no stats accumulated
- Wesley Woodyard, LB: active, no stats accumulated
- Quentin Jammer, CB: inactive
- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB: active, no stats accumulated
- Mike Adams, S: six tackles, six solo
- Michael Huff, S: active, no stats accumulated
Seattle Seahawks
- Tarvaris Jackson, QB: 0/1 passing
- Michael Robinson, FB: one reception, seven yards, one target
- Arceto Clark, WR: practice squad
- Golden Tate, WR: three receptions, 17 yards, four targets
- Bryan Walters, WR: inactive
- Kellen Davis, TE: inactive
- Anthony McCoy, TE: placed on injured reserve
- Breno Giacomini, OL: active
- Paul McQuistan, OL: active
- Michael Bennett, DE: two tackles, one solo
- Tony McDaniel, DT: one tackle, one solo
- Clinton McDonald, DT: five tackles, three solo, one QB hit, one fumble recovered
- O’Brien Schofield, LB: one tackle, one solo, one tackle for loss
- Chris Maragos, S: active, no stats accumulated
- Steven Hauschka, K: 2/2 field goals (31 and 33 yards), 5/5 extra points
Seahawks Expected To Re-Sign Bennett
The Seahawks are leading Super Bowl XLVIII 22-0 at halftime, thanks in part to consistent pressure on Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning from a fierce pass rush by the Seattle defensive line.
An integral part of the Seahawks’ front-four is Michael Bennett, whom the team plans to re-sign this offseason, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport. Bennett flourished in his first season in the Pacific Northwest, playing all 16 regular season games and totaling 8.5 sacks after signing a one-year deal.
Rapoport did not mention if a deal was already in place. The fifth-year player out of Texas A&M spurred a defense which sacked opposing quarterbacks on 7.7% of pass plays, good for fifth in the league.
After earning just $5MM in 2013 on his one-year deal, Bennett is likely to receive a steep boost in pay and also secure a long-term contract with the NFC champions.
Week In Review: 1/27/14 – 2/2/14
This week culminated with a showdown between the unstoppable force (Broncos offense) and the immovable object (Seahawks defense) in Super Bowl XLVIII, but there were plenty of news items and notes leading up to the big game. Let’s recap Super Bowl week together in the links listed below…
- The Falcons announced contract extensions for head coach Mike Smith, president/CEO Rick Mckay and general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
- The Ravens hired former Texans head coach Gary Kubiak to be Baltimore’s new offensive coordinator.
- The Bills are hoping to re-sign free agent safety Jairus Byrd.
- The Panthers signed head coach Ron Rivera to a three-year contract extension worth between $4-5MM annually. Rivera was named the Associated Press Coach of the Year.
- The Packers and free agent cornerback Sam Shields are in talks on a new contract.
- The Cowboys promoted Rod Marinelli from defensive line coach to defensive coordinator.
- Dolphins offensive lineman Jonathan Martin told NBC Sports’ Tony Dungy that he hopes to continue his NFL playing career next season.
- The Broncos are not expected to re-sign free agent running back Knowshon Moreno.
- Giants defensive end Justin Tuck is looking forward to hitting free agency.
- The Rams hired Gregg Williams to replace Tim Walton as the team’s defensive coordinator.
- Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is “absolutely” willing to restructure his deal if “that’s what needs to be done.”
- Free agent kicker Adam Vinatieri is not considering retirement and hopes to continue kicking in the league for “two or three more years.”
- Rams owner Stan Kroenke bought a 60-acre lot in Inglewood, California, prompting speculation that the team could be return to the Golden State. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell cautioned against “overreacting” to the news.
- Jaguars owner Shad Kahn said his team will be drafting a quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft, “maybe two.”
- Free agent tight end Jermichael Finley said he wants to remain a “Packer for life,” but mentioned Seattle as a possible destination.
- The Ravens would like to retain the services of wide receiver/kick returner Jacoby Jones if the price is right.
- The Browns hired Kyle Shanahan as the team’s offensive coordinator.
- Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins told the team he is open to a trade and said he believes he is ready to be a starting quarterback in the league.
- Michael Vick said he will “absolutely” be a starting quarterback in Week One of the 2014 NFL season. ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter mentioned the Buccaneers and Jets as potential landing spots.
- Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker will explore his options in free agency after the expiration of his rookie contract.
- The Seahawks tabbed extending safety Earl Thomas, not cornerback Richard Sherman, as the team’s number one priority this offseason.
Dolphins Front Office Dysfunction Continues
When the Miami Dolphins tweeted from their official account that the team and general manager Jeff Ireland had “mutually agreed to part ways” on January 7, eyebrows were raised. When an organization announces that one of its employee’s departures is mutual, it usually isn’t.
And now, 18 days later, with Patriots director of personnel Nick Caserio turning down the position, the Dolphins are the proverbial punchline of jokes across the Twitter-sphere.
We’ve taken a look at the risk involved of taking this job, thanks to the lack of infrastructure in place for sustained success.
- James Walker, who covers the Dolphins for ESPN.com, proclaimed the situation a whiff for the franchise and that they completely botched the GM search.
- Miami Herald columnist Armando Salguero said this was just the second or third embarrassing moment for the Dolphins this week, likely referring to general manager candidate Jason Licht choosing the Buccaneers job instead.
- Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said just getting Caserio to interview made the job look better, but offering it to him only for it to be turned down erased that.
- Caserio stands to benefit from the situation, sending a signal to teams that he’s ready to consider general manager jobs in 2015, tweets NFL Network’s Albert Breer.
- There is also the possibility that Caserio received a raise and/or a VP title to stay with the Patriots, according CBS NFL insider Jason La Canfora.
- The Dolphins are down to three candidates who have interviewed twice — Titans director of personnel Lake Dawson, Buccaneers vice president of player personnel Dennis Hickey and Miami assistant GM Brian Gaine. Walker suggests that the team simply go in-house with Gaine, and that if things don’t work out, it would be easy to start over again in 2015. With how things are going right now, that would be par for the course.