NFC North Links: Pettigrew, Clausen, Jones
Brandon Pettigrew signed a four-year contract worth $16MM this offseason to stay with the Lions, but will be in line for more of a blocking role than in years past, writes Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press. When the team drafted tight end Eric Ebron with the 10th overall pick, it was assumed that Ebron would significantly cut into the targets available to other tight ends on the roster.
Here are some more links from around the NFC North:
- New Lion James Ihedigbo knows what it takes to become a Super Bowl-winning team, after being a part of the 2012 Ravens championship squad. He believes the Lions have what it takes to win it all, writes Justin Rogers of MLive.com. “It’s one of those things, you can feel it. With this team, I can feel the makings of a championship-DNA team,” Ihedigbo said. “Are we willing to sacrifice? That’s the question, and I know we are. There are guys in this locker room that are willing to pay the price, whatever it is, to put the work in to be a champion. Yeah, we definitely have that championship DNA.”
- While Jay Cutler is entrenched as the Bears‘ quarterback, the departure of Josh McCown leaves the backup job open in Chicago. Former Notre Dame standout Jimmy Clausen could push for the job, writes Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com. “It’s always tough when you get into a new system late and you’re trying to learn the verbiage,” said quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh. “Because he has some years in the league, I don’t think there are any schemes we’re running that he is not familiar with.”
- The Bears know the importance of having a glut of talented cornerbacks, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. Even though the team has transitioned from a defensive powerhouse under Lovie Smith to an offensive team under Marc Trestman, Chicago knows first-hand how hard it is to cover teams that regularly put two or three elite pass catchers on the field. “You need to have multiple corners,” Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker said. “A lot of the defenses we have to play, that we’re required to play nowadays in the National Football League, are sub packages with three corners or corner types in the game.”
- Packers‘ linebacker Brad Jones will need to take on a bigger role in the team’s defense, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Jones took a major step back last year, but is paid to be a contributor. Demovsky writes that he must return at least to his 2012 form for the team’s defense to be successful this season.
- Although he was a talented prospect, one of the knocks on Vikings‘ first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater was that he could not be the “face of a franchise,” but the rookie believes he can do that too, writes Chris Tomasson of TwinCities.com. “Of course, I feel I can be that guy,” Bridgewater said. “With my personality, I just feel that’s something I can definitely do.”
Redskins Notes: Orakpo, Gruden, Griffin
Brian Orakpo will play the upcoming season on a franchise tag, as he auditions for a big payday next offseason. Orakpo has only hit double-digit sacks twice in his career thus far, but could have the opportunity to out up being numbers while being “turned loose” on defense, writes Keith McMillan of the Washington Post. New defensive coordinator Jim Haslett used that phrase to describe the new, more aggressive philosophies the team will use in 2014.
Here are some other notes from around Washington D.C.:
- With the new aggressive defense focused on increasing their sack total, an even more important number might be yards per pass attempt, write John Keim of ESPN.com. The Redskins were 31st in the league in that category in 2013, and Keim writes that better tackling in the back end of the defense is more important than a lofty sack number.
- New head coach Jay Gruden certainly has his own tendencies, but like his predecessor Mike Shanahan, he loves running the football, writes Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com. From 2011-2013, the Bengals were 11th in rushing attempts, only three attempts short of the Redskins. They also ran the ball on first down consistently, finishing fifth in that category.
- Star quarterback Robert Griffin III is happy to have a new coaching staff, but needs to move on from the relationship troubles he had with Mike and Kyle Shanahan, writes J.P. Finlay of CSNWashington.com. Griffin mentioned his old coaches having “ulterior motives,” but Finlay hopes the quarterback is able to move on and leave the past behind.
Saints’ Offer To Jimmy Graham Stands
The biggest fallout from Stephen Burbank’s ruling that Jimmy Graham is a tight end for franchise tag purposes is the leverage that the Saints gained from this decision. While the team suddenly has the additional leverage of holding a $7.035MM franchise tag over his head, the Saints have not withdrawn or reduced their offer which would make him the highest paid tight end in NFL history, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
The Saints reportedly had this offer ready back in February, but it was not even close to the $12MM average annual salary Graham was hoping to obtain. If Graham had won his grievance, the dollar figure he would have been franchised at would have been $12.3MM. Even if the arbitrator ruled a settlement in between the tight end and wide receiver, it would have provided Graham with significant negotiating power.
Florio writes that the team is still confident in its ability to get a long-term deal finished, despite the July 15 deadline. He believes Graham would have a hard time turning down an offer that paid him an average of $9.5MM per year with $15.4MM or more guaranteed.
Graham still has a chance to appeal Burbank’s decision, and has 10 days from his ruling to do so. However Florio still expects a long-term deal to be reached within the next 11 days.
Dolphins Links: Tannehill, Pouncey, Ellerbe
Ryan Tannehill is the 23rd ranked quarterback in the popular piece by Mike Sando of ESPN.com (subscription required) where a group of anonymous league insiders divided the league’s quarterbacks into tiers. That ranking put him near the bottom of the third tier of NFL signal callers. Tannehill needs to find a way to lead this Dolphin team to a winning season, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. Otherwise, his career in Miami might be shorter than expected.
Here are some other notes about the Dolphins:
- The Dolphins have a number of questions to be answered on offense in 2014 if they want to make a run at the playoffs, writes Ross Devonport of Fox Sports Florida. Devonport wonders if the re-tooled offensive line can keep Tannehill upright, if new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor can lead a more explosive unit, and if Knowshon Moreno will be able to contribute at a similar level as he did with the Broncos last season.
- A SportsNation Poll on ESPN.com asked how the Dolphins will fare without star center Mike Pouncey if he misses between two and six games to start the season while recovering from hip surgery. Walker reveals the results, showing an optimistic fan base that believe the team can go 2-2 or 3-1 in his absence.
- The team has moved Dannell Ellerbe from inside linebacker to outside linebacker this offseason, and the position change could bring out more playmaking from Ellerbe, writes Walker. However, the linebackers have underachieved recently, which is a cause for concern.
- Some notable names could be left off the Dolphins 53-man roster, writes Thomas Galicia of Bleacher Report. Receivers Armon Binns and Damian Williams landed on his list of the last five players off the roster, while receiver Rishard Matthews and running back Marcus Thigpen were among those who squeezed into the last five spots on the roster.
Offseason In Review: Oakland Raiders
Notable signings:
- Austin Howard (OT): Five years, $30MM. $9.9MM guaranteed.
- LaMarr Woodley (DE): Two years, $10.35MM. $4.35MM guaranteed.
- Justin Tuck (DE): Two years, $10MM. $4.35MM guaranteed.
- Donald Penn (OT): Two years, $9.6MM. $4.2MM guaranteed.
- Antonio Smith (DT): Two years, $9MM. $4MM guaranteed.
- James Jones (WR): Three years, $10MM. $3.65MM guaranteed.
- Tarell Brown (CB): One year, $3.5MM. $3.4MM guaranteed.
- Maurice Jones-Drew (RB): Three years, $7.5MM. $1.2MM guaranteed.
- Charles Woodson (S): One year, $3.5MM. $1.15MM guaranteed.
- Carlos Rogers (CB): One year, $3.5MM. $1MM guaranteed.
- Kevin Boothe (G): Two years, $3.425MM. $300K guaranteed.
- Pat Sims (DT): One year, $2MM. $250K guaranteed.
- Usama Young (S): Two years, $2.335MM. $200K guaranteed.
- Khalif Barnes (OT): One year, $1.85MM. $100K guaranteed.
- Darren McFadden (RB): One year, $1.654MM. $100K guaranteed.
- C.J. Wilson (DL): One year, minimum salary benefit. $65K guaranteed.
- Kory Sheets (RB): One year, $525K. $30K guaranteed.
Notable losses:
- Phillip Adams (CB)
- Mike Brisiel (G): Released
- Jacoby Ford (WR)
- Andre Gurode (OL)
- Lamarr Houston (DE)
- Jason Hunter (DE)
- Mike Jenkins (CB)
- Rashad Jennings (RB)
- Jeron Mastrud (TE)
- Daniel Muir (DT)
- Tony Pashos (OT)
- Tracy Porter (CB)
- Jared Veldheer (OT)
- Vance Walker (DT)
Extensions and restructures:
- Taiwan Jones (CB): Extended through 2017. Three years, $4.355MM. $855K guaranteed.
Trades:
- Acquired Matt Schaub from the Raiders in exchange for a sixth-round pick (No. 181). Restructured Schaub’s contract, reducing cap hits for 2014 and 2015. Two years, $13.5MM (2016 year removed). $8MM guaranteed. Can make up remainder of lost ’14 salary in incentives.
- Acquired a seventh-round pick (No. 247) from the Seahawks in exchange for Terrelle Pryor.
- Acquired a third-round pick (No. 81) and a fourth-round pick (No. 116) from the Dolphins in exchange for a third-round pick (No. 67).
Draft picks:
- Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo (1.5): Signed
- Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State (2.36): Signed
- Gabe Jackson, G, Mississippi State (3.81): Signed
- Justin Ellis, DT, Louisiana Tech (4.107): Signed
- Keith McGill, CB, Utah (4.116): Signed
- Travis Carrie, CB, Ohio (7.219): Signed
- Shelby Harris, DE, Illinois State (7.235): Signed
- Jonathan Dowling, S, Western Kentucky (7.247): Signed
Other:
- Claimed Greg Little off waivers.
- Had agreement with Rodger Saffold fall through due to health concerns.
- Signed 12 rookie free agents after the draft.
- Signed Nnamdi Asomugha to one-day contract so he could retire as a Raider.
The Raiders have been a part of one of the largest rebuilds in recent memory, a full reconstruction from top to bottom. The team has failed to put a competitive product on the field week in and week out since losing to the Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII.
This change is not merely in terms of the roster, but organization wide. Under the control of Al Davis, the Raiders appeared in five Super Bowls. Much of that success needs to be attributed to Davis’ strengths as an owner, a coach, and a general manager. However, under his last decade at the helm, a swarm of bad draft picks, poor trades, and worse contracts crippled the team, leaving them riddled with dead money.
The rebuild started anew in 2012, with former Packers’ executive Reggie McKenzie hired as general manager and former Broncos’ defensive coordinator Dennis Allen hired to be the head coach. The roster began to be stripped down, and the team looked forward to a day when it could become players in free agency once again. That time arrived this offseason.
The Raiders’ offseason has been highlighted to an outsider by the notable losses. Lamarr Houston, Jared Veldheer, Rashad Jennings, and Tracy Porter all left for greener pastures in free agency. The team expressed some interest in keeping them, and was left without viable replacements on the roster. One of the most newsworthy moments of the team’s free agency period was signing Rodger Saffold, which of course fell through due to a failed physical, allowing Saffold to return to the Rams.
With an inability to attract high profile free agents, or even re-sign their own players, many teams would get into bidding wars and be forced to overpay players to add or keep them on the roster. The old Raiders may have participated in this, as they have in years past. This year, however, Oakland allowed free agency to play out. The club signed a large number of reasonable deals, with veterans who had some track record of success.
One-year deals for Tarell Brown, Charles Woodson, Khalif Barnes, Carlos Rogers, Pat Sims, and Darren McFadden gave the Raiders a group of inexpensive but experienced players with something to prove. Other short-term additions included another group of veterans with considerable upside, such as Justin Tuck, Maurice Jones-Drew, Kevin Boothe, LaMarr Woodley, Antonio Smith, Usama Young, and James Jones. Not a single one of these contracts came with more than $4.35MM in guaranteed money, or an average annual salary of over $5MM.
The team’s one major investment was in offensive tackle Austin Howard, who scored a five-year, $30MM contract with just under $10MM in guaranteed money, to shore up their offensive line.
The team will line up newly acquired Matt Schaub under center come September, another veteran with a good track record who only recently fell out of favor with his former club. He cost the team only a sixth-round pick. Compared to some of the quarterbacks the Raiders played over the past half of a decade, Schaub would only need to achieve mild success to be considered a steal. JaMarcus Russell is considered one of the biggest busts in recent draft history. Carson Palmer cost the team a first- and second-round pick. Terrelle Pryor was won in the 2011 supplemental draft for the Raiders’ 2012 third-round pick, and Matt Flynn cost them a fifth-round pick.
The Raiders’ also selected a quarterback in the second round in this year’s draft, taking Derek Carr out of Fresno State. Their first-round pick was used on linebacker Khalil Mack, a selection met with universal praise, as the Buffalo product was viewed as the best player available. Praise is not something the team was used to under Davis. The Raiders were also were able to pick up a fourth-round pick in a draft day trade with the Dolphins, moving down 14 spots in the third round. The move came a year after the Raiders picked up a second-round pick for agreeing to move from the third overall pick down to 12th overall.
These moves may not turn the Raiders into a playoff contender in 2014, as the AFC West was represented in the playoffs by the Broncos, Chargers, and Chiefs. In fact, the Chiefs were one completion from Alex Smith to Dwayne Bowe away from putting all three teams into the second round of the playoffs.
While the division could possibly take a step back, odds are that the Raiders will still end the season in last place. In that case, their coach’s job may be in jeopardy. Although Allen has had limited to work with in terms of roster, reports from earlier this offseason suggested that the team is expecting Allen to start to win with his new players.
Even if the team fails to improve on the field, new philosophies and strategies at an executive level have the Raiders trending in a positive direction. Whether or not the fruits of McKenzie’s labor result in a winning record for the Raiders this season remains to be seen. But for the first time in years, fans in Oakland can clearly see a long-term plan for success being put into practice as the team looks to return to its former glory. They may not have Al Davis sitting in their front office anymore, but it seems the Raiders once again have a commitment to excellence.
Spotrac and Over The Cap were used in the creation of this post.
Fallout From Jimmy Graham Ruling
Arbitrator Stephen Burbank’s ruling on the Jimmy Graham case will obviously cost the star tight end a significant amount of money, but it would still be best if he is able to work out a long-term deal with the Saints, writes Andrew Cohen of OverTheCap.com. While Graham will be franchised at the bargain rate of $7.035MM, going forward the franchise tag will cease to be an option.
The team was prepared to make Graham the highest paid tight end in the league, and while a second franchise tag is not completely out of the question, to franchise him for a third time would cost upwards of $20MM, the average of the top five highest paid players in the NFL, regardless of position. While Graham can hold out or try to force a trade, he has lost a good amount of leverage. His price tag might have gone down, but there is still plenty of money to make.
The ruling will effect more than just Graham and the Saints, but the ripples of this decision spread out throughout the league.
Here are some other notes from the fallout of Burbank’s ruling:
- The Burbank decision should immediately lead to two things in the NFL, writes Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com. His first point is the obvious, that the team needs to sign Graham to a long-term deal. The second is perhaps more interesting. Duncan calls for “an amendment to the Collective Bargaining Agreement defining each NFL position to avoid future disputes in free agency.” When other tight ends encounter the same problems in the future, they should be able to point to something definitive, rather than their designation on their own social media page and Burbank’s belief that a four-yard split still enables them to sit back in pass protection.
- Speaking of Twitter pages, Browns‘ star Jordan Cameron made a significant edit to his after the ruling cited Graham’s social media accounts. Cameron’s bio now reads “Pro Bowl pass catcher for the Browns.” Before today, “pass catcher” instead read “tight end,” reports John Breech of CBSSports.com. We’ll have to wait and see if Cameron’s splits start at five yards instead of four this season, as per the advice of Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (via Twitter).
- Vernon Davis is another tight end looking for a new contract, although the Burbank ruling does not effect him tremendously, writes Bill Williamson of ESPN.com. Davis is under contract with the 49ers, not a free agent, and he does not dispute his status as a tight end. However, if he is dissatisfied with being the third-highest paid tight end, Williamson assumes being dropped to fourth on that list will only add to the fire.
Titans Links: Locker, Battle, Walker
Jake Locker finds himself on the hot seat in Tennessee entering the final year of his rookie contract, with the team declining to exercise his fifth-year option as a former first-round pick. Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com points out four ways Locker can turn around his career. While he highlights external factors, such as health, coaching, and having a strong running game and defense, he acknowledges that it might not be enough if Locker does not progress.
Here are some other links from around Titans camp:
- The Titans are working to improve Locker’s ability as a pocket passer, writes David Climer of the Tennessean. New head coach Ken Whisenhunt has made it a point to fit Locker into his system, not the other way around.
- Running back Jackie Battle is proving to be a versatile weapon, taking snaps at fullback this offseason, reports Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. “I just pick a hole and hit the first body that’s in there,’‘ said Battle. “There will a lot more contact, more collisions, but that’s the kind of back I am. I have been a physical back throughout my career.”
- Versatile tight end Delanie Walker believes he can be one of the most productive at the position in 2014, writes Joe Fann of TitansOnline.com. “I’ve got to get better,” said Walker. “I’m looking to catch 80 balls this year.” Only two active tight ends caught that many passes last season, and one of them would argue he is a wide receiver.
- While Antonio Andrews, Tyler Wilson, Collin Mooney, Tommie Campbell, and Colin McCarthy may not make the 53-man roster, Chad Minton of Bleacher Report believes all five will have a great shot to make the practice squad this August.
- The team did not have any players on ESPN’s top ten overpaid or underpaid NFL players, but Kuharsky highlights some of the roster’s most inflated contracts. He also points out that Jurrell Casey and Kendall Wright could have been in the mix for the underpaid list.
- Even though the Titans are noticeably absent or poorly ranked on most team and individual lists compiled this offseason, Kuharsky has compiled a few lists in which notable players do appear, and writes that they may have players that are not too far away.
Offseason In Review: Cincinnati Bengals
Notable signings:
- Mike Pollak (G): Three years, $4.8MM. $1MM guaranteed.
- Vincent Rey (LB): Two years, $4.2MM. $1MM guaranteed.
- Jason Campbell (QB): One year, $1.5MM. $400K guaranteed.
- Dane Sanzenbacher (WR): One year, $1.2MM. $200K guaranteed.
- Danieal Manning (S): One year, $1.6MM. $100K guaranteed.
- Brandon Tate (WR): One year, $1.024MM. $100K guaranteed.
- Marshall Newhouse (OT): One year, $805K. $50K guaranteed.
- R.J. Stanford (CB): One year, $805K. $50K guaranteed.
- Taylor Mays (S): One year, $795K. $40K guaranteed.
- Alex Smith (TE): One year, minimum salary benefit. $40K guaranteed.
- Sam Montgomery (DE): One year, minimum salary benefit.
- Will Svitek (OT): One year, minimum salary benefit.
Notable losses:
- Brandon Burton (DB)
- Anthony Collins (OT)
- Kyle Cook (OL): Released
- Chris Crocker (DB)
- Brandon Ghee (DB)
- James Harrison (OLB): Released
- Andrew Hawkins (WR): Declined to match offer sheet
- Josh Johnson (QB): Released
- Michael Johnson (DE)
- Greg McElroy (QB): Retired
- Shawn Powell (P): Waived
- Dennis Roland (OT)
Extensions and restructures:
- Domata Peko (DT): Extended through 2016. Two years, $9MM. $4.4MM guaranteed.
Trades:
- Acquired a fourth-round pick (No. 111) from the Seahawks in exchange for a fourth-round pick (No. 123) and a sixth-round pick (No. 199).
Draft picks:
- Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State (1.24): Signed
- Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU (2.55): Signed
- Will Clarke, DE, West Virginia (3.88): Signed
- Russell Bodine, C, North Carolina (4.111): Signed
- A.J. McCarron, QB, Alabama (5.164): Signed
- Marquis Flowers, LB, Arizona (6.212): Signed
- James Wright, WR, LSU (7.239): Signed
- Lavelle Westbrooks, DB, Georgia Southern (7.252): Signed
Other:
- Extended Marvin Lewis‘ contract through 2015.
- Have discussed extensions for Andy Dalton and Vontaze Burfict.
- Exercised A.J. Green‘s fifth-year option for 2015 ($10.176MM).
- Signed 11 rookie free agents after the draft.
- Received two compensatory draft picks.
- Claimed Dontay Moch off waivers.
Over the last few seasons, the Bengals have assembled one of the most complete rosters in the NFL from top to bottom, which has resulted in three consecutive playoff appearances. The run started after they selected A.J. Green and Andy Dalton in the first two rounds of the 2011 NFL draft, and those two players have come to the forefront of a Bengals team that has become a modicum of consistency in the AFC.
Unfortunately, despite having among the least gaping holes in the roster of all 32 NFL teams, they have also accumulated three consecutive first round exits, and have not won a playoff game since the 1990 season. Without any glaring weaknesses on the roster, and with the team scoring a total of 33 points over those three playoff losses, pressure is beginning to mount on Dalton, despite his regular season successes.
Still, the team did not do much to improve the pieces around Dalton. Cincinnati kept guard Mike Pollak, but let utility lineman Anthony Collins walk. Collins played left tackle last season, and this will push Andrew Whitworth back to anchor Dalton’s blindside. The club also failed to bring in a third receiver to compliment Green and rising star Marvin Jones. Dane Sanzenbacher, Brandon Tate, and seventh-round pick James Wright are the only three players the Bengals prioritized this offseason, and none of three are likely to supplant Mohamed Sanu as the team’s third wideout.
Dalton does have a pair of receiving threats at tight end in Tyler Eifert and Jermaine Gresham, both very talented pass catchers, and Giovani Bernard can also catch the ball out of the backfield. The Bengals drafted LSU running back Jeremy Hill in the second round, but at best he only projects to replace an aging BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Overall, however, Dalton’s weapons are not greatly improved from a year ago. With Green up for a monster extension, it will be difficult for the Bengals to invest more money in the passing game going forward. Gresham already is being pushed out of Cincinnati, if the team does not look to open its checkbook for him at the end of the year.
Dalton is up for an extension soon, as he is entering the last year of a four-year rookie deal. He will likely be given one more season to prove himself before being able to cash in, and it is unclear what his future looks like. The Bengals brought in veteran quarterback Jason Campbell to serve as Dalton’s backup, and he is not too far removed from an impressive stint as a starter for the Raiders before getting injured (and replaced by Carson Palmer, netting the Bengals ammunition to build their current roster).
Among the Bengals’ most notable draft picks was A.J. McCarron, the two-time national champion out of Alabama. McCarron’s stock slipped during the draft process, but he led some great college teams as a quarterback, and provides a certain upside that might be appealing to Bengals’ fans who have watched a signal-caller with a low ceiling in terms of his potential. If Dalton struggles in 2014, it might make sense for the team to walk away from him, and move forward with McCarron or another quarterback.
The defensive side of the ball also left little room to improve, but the Bengals added to their depth in the secondary by choosing Darqueze Dennard out of Michigan State with their first-round pick. Dennard enters a crowded depth chart at corner. Leon Hall has emerged as a star since being drafted in 2007, but has struggled with injuries, tearing his Achilles tendon twice in the last three seasons. The team is preparing for life after Hall, who will turn 30 years old later this year. The Bengals have also successfully plugged in former Pro-Bowl players Terence Newman and Adam “Pacman” Jones, who both revived their careers, playing well for the team. All this is in addition to Dre Kirkpatrick, who was a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft, and has yet to contribute much to the defense, starting three games last year.
The biggest loss of the offseason was defensive end Michael Johnson, who signed with the Buccaneers. Johnson had 11.5 sacks in 2012, but only managed 3.5 last season. The Bengals will lean more heavily on Carlos Dunlap going forward, but they have good depth behind him, with young contributors such as Margus Hunt, Sam Montgomery, and third-round pick Will Clarke likely to get a chance to see the field. They are still tough in the middle of their defensive line, with Domata Peko signed to an extension and Geno Atkins returning from injury.
The best asset Cincinnati has on defense may be head coach Marvin Lewis, who the team extended through 2015. Lewis is the second-longest tenured head coach in the NFL, behind Patriots coach Bill Belichick. Lewis has been able to put a defensive product on the field every year that seems to overachieve, and handles particularly well with losing stars and carrying on, as we saw last year when Hall and Atkins went out. Of course, he has failed to win a single postseason game, only reaching the tournament five times in ten seasons.
The AFC North was a top heavy division for many years, with the Steelers and Ravens dominating playoff berths for most of the 2000s. It is not the same AFC North in 2014. With the Steelers and Ravens taking a step back last year, and the Browns winning the offseason, this division is up for grabs. Still, the Bengals are a slight favorite to win the division and secure a fourth straight playoff birth.
Lewis drafted Palmer in his first season as head coach, and was given the opportunity to reboot with Dalton in 2011. Most coaches do not get the luxury to pick two franchise quarterbacks. Almost none get the chance to draft three. If the organization decides to move on from Dalton after this season, Lewis might not survive another quarterback change.
Spotrac and Over The Cap were used in the creation of this post.
NFC North Links: Cutler, Fales, Lions, House
Bears‘ quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh is impressed with Jay Cutler going into year two in head coach Marc Trestman’s offense, writes Chris Boden of CSNChicago.com. “I’ve seen incredible progress,” said Cavanaugh. “He’s taken every suggestion we’ve given and he’s embraced it. From how he holds the ball to how he lines up in the`Gun’ pre-snap to how he drops back, to his throwing base to his follow-through. Every little fundamental we’ve talked to him about, he’s embraced, and it’s like night & day.”
Here are some other notes from around the NFC North:
- Although the Bears signed veterans Jimmy Clausen and Jordan Palmer to compete to be Cutler’s backup, the team still is invested in rookie sixth-round pick David Fales, writes Boden. “He had a real good understanding of defenses, coverages, where to go with the ball, based on what the coverage was. He has a good understanding of protections — he’s figuring out ours right now,” said Cavanaugh. “But I thought just a real good core understanding of offense and defense. If you have that, you can learn the language and be productive.”
- With some time before training camp opens, the Lions still have a number of questions that need to be answered, writes Lindsay Selengowski of DetroitLions.com. Selengowski examines how an injury to rookie receiver T.J. Jones will effect the team’s depth chart, and which second-year players are looking to contribute in 2014.
- The Lions have an ongoing kicking battle between Nate Freese and Giorgio Tavecchio for a roster spot, writes Josh Katzenstein of DetroitNews.com. Freese, a seventh-round pick this year, has the slight edge over Tavecchio at the moment, although both struggled so far.
- Packers‘ cornerback Davon House has found himself in a tough depth chart situation, behind starters Sam Shields, Tramon Williams, and Casey Hayward, writes Weston Hodkiewicz of PackersNews.com. House, who played 16 games last year for the first time in his career, was relegated mostly to special teams towards the end of last year, but played well in the playoffs against the 49ers after Shields left the game with an injury.
AFC North Notes: Manziel, Tucker, Polamalu
Johnny Manziel hasn’t played in an NFL game yet, but his off the field conduct has already become a point of contention in the Browns‘ organization, according to the Chicago Tribune. He has been in the news for his already legendary partying, and has come out and stated that he was not going to tone down his personality for the NFL. Manziel’s conduct is already the biggest storyline in the NFL this offseason, according to our PFR Poll, slightly edging out Andre Johnson trade rumors, Jimmy Graham‘s contract, and the Redskins’ name controversy.
Here are some other notes from around the AFC North:
- Browns‘ head coach Mike Pettine has been impressed with the team’s two top backs, free agent signing Ben Tate and rookie Terrance West, writes Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com. The Browns attempted 681 passes in 2013, most in the NFL, and will need a strong ground game to help avoid repeating that performance next season.
- The Ravens have a number of players who are up for contract extensions this summer, including kicker Justin Tucker, writes Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun. Tucker is coming into the final year of a three-year deal and has been one of the top kickers in the league over his first two seasons. The team is also looking to lock up Torrey Smith, Jimmy Smith, and Haloti Ngata.
- Steelers‘ safeties Troy Polamalu and Shamarko Thomas are training together this offseason, writes Ray Frager of CSNBaltimore.com. Polamalu invited the younger safety out to California this offseason to help bring him up to speed on the defense.