AFC East Notes: Stadium, Tannehill, Pryor
The Dolphins‘ are reportedly very close to landing a $400MM upgrade to Sun Life Stadium, reports Patricia Mazzei and Andres Vaglucci of the Miami Herald. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Giminez will attempt to secure the deal over the weekend.
Giminez stated that the stadium will be funded by tourist’s taxes.
Here are some other notes from around the AFC East:
- With Colin Kaepernick‘s new extension, the Dolphins can start to consider their own quarterback’s next contract, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. Walker looks at other $100MM quarterbacks such as Matthew Stafford, Jay Cutler, and Joe Flacco and how they compare to Ryan Tannehill so far.
- Jets‘ first-round pick Calvin Pryor is fitting right in with the team’s mentality, already taking his shots at the team’s biggest rivals, and their arch-nemesis Tom Brady, writes of Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. “We don’t like Tom at all,” Pryor said. “When I first came here, that was one of the first things I heard about: We hate the Patriots and we hate the Giants. So we hate those guys and I look forward to playing them this season.”
- Patriots‘ new corner tandem of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner are bullying the team’s receivers in OTAs, writes Nick Underhill of MassLive.com. The receivers are frustrated by their lack of opportunities against the pair, but are impressed by what their teammates will be unleashing when they first play together in week five. Browner is suspended for the first four games.
AFC North Notes: Berry, Gray, Ravens
Cornerback Aaron Berry is coming off an ACL injury, and his NFL future is questionable, writes Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal.
However, he is getting a chance to make the Browns‘ roster, thanks to his relationship with new head coach Mike Pettine. Pettine was the defensive coordinator for the Jets, and Browns’ defensive coordinator coach Jim O’Neil was the Jets’ defensive backs coach when Berry played for gang green.
Here are some other notes from around the AFC North:
- The Browns have a versatile weapon in former quarterback MarQueis Gray, writes George Thomas of the Beacon-Journal. Gray converted from a passer to a tight end last year, and this year is changing positions again as he familiarizes himself with the fullback position.
- Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun highlights five second-year players in position to have a big impact for the Ravens in 2014.
- While the Bengals have the seventh best roster in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus, but could have been ranked even higher if not for the inconsistent performance of quarterback Andy Dalton, writes Coley Harvey of ESPN.com. Offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, defensive tackle Geno Atkins, and receiver A.J. Green lead the charge for the Bengals’ high overall ranking.
Sam Bradford Throws At Rams’ OTAs
Sam Bradford‘s rehabilitation from a knee injury last season is moving along quickly, as the quarterback took part in 7-on-7 drills at Rams’ OTAs earlier today, writes Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Bradford also participated in some 11-on-11 drills, specifically the two-minute drill. He was not expected to be involved in the full team drills.
Bradford took the field wearing a knee brace to protect his injury as he continues to rehab, but he looked sharp throwing the football, writes Thomas. He had good velocity on his throws, completing an array of passes including an impressive deep out to Justin Veltung.
He also threw two touchdown passes during the 7-on-7 period, to tight end Jared Cook and wide receiver Austin Pettis, and showed some mobility moving in the pocket.
“Obviously, it’s good having Sam back just for team morale and everything,” said Pettis. “Sam is one of the better players on this team clearly, and he’s a leader out there, especially on the offensive side. So just having him back in the huddle, we’re kind of more in our comfort zone. . .and we’re able to click a little bit better. Him being back, especially as soon as he has, is definitely a positive for everyone.”
NFL Looking For New Draft Venue
Although New York City has hosted the NFL Draft for nearly 50 years, the league is currently considering other options for next year, writes David Moore of DallasNews.com.
Big market cities Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York are all in the running to host the 2015 Draft.
If it is held in New York, it will not return to Radio City Music Hall, but instead Madison Square Garden would be in line to host. The Draft was first held in New York in 1965 at various location, and Madison Square Garden hosted for ten years starting in 1995. In 2005, it was held at the Javits Center, before moving to Radio City Music Hall in 2006. The draft had been held there ever since.
According to Moore, Cowboys’ Vice President Stephen Jones has been pushing to hold the draft in AT&T Stadium, although it seems they are not being seriously considered for 2015. Nashville is another city that has pursued the draft for a long time, writes John Glennon of the Tennessean.
New York is the unlikeliest of the three favorites, because of scheduling concerns with the Rangers and Knicks playing home games at Madison Square Garden, and the Nets occupying the Barclays Center. A three-day draft would be difficult to fit in, according to Adam Schefter and ESPN.
The NFL is planning on making a decision by the end of the month.
Cam Newton Guarantees To Be Ready
Cam Newton assures Panthers’ fans that he will be ready to play come the start of the season. “I guarantee you that,” said Newton according to the team’s official Twitter page.
Newton has been campaigning to be the cover athlete of the upcoming Madden, battling, and eventually losing out to Seahawks’ cornerback and Super Bowl champion Richard Sherman (via Twitter).
Newton’s status has been in question this offseason as he has been recovering from surgery he had to repair his ankle, an injury that has plagued him throughout last season.
The Panthers have been under pressure as Newton approaches his next contract. Newton is coming off his best year as a pro, leading the Panthers to capture the second seed in the playoffs and a first-round bye. However, the team was unable to retain key pieces this offseason, nor replace them with quality players. The team has serious question marks at receiver, left tackle, and in the secondary.
The team will have to fight regression to get back in the playoffs, and Newton will have to match or even outperform his 2013 season if he wants a contract extension close to what Colin Kaepernick got, Andrew Luck is soon to get, or one of the other top flight young quarterbacks in the NFL.
NFC Links: Davis, Bryant, Graham
The 49ers have a lot of players looking for new contracts in the coming years, including Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, Colin Kaepernick, Mike Iupati, and Alex Boone. The team has been preparing for life without some of those players, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
Here are some other links from around the NFC:
- When it comes to Davis, Maiocco believes the 49ers will not budge on his contract. He is the third-highest paid player in the league at his position, and is on the wrong side of 30 years old. With extensions for other players coming, Davis may have to play his current contract out.
- Cowboys‘ Vice President Stephen Jones said an extension for star wide receiver Dez Bryant could come before the season starts, writes Lorenzo Reyes of USAToday.com. “As far as from the receiver standpoint, of course I feel like I’m one of the better receivers in this league,” said Bryant. “But like I said, when it comes to that contract, I’m going to sit back and I’m going to wait and see what happens.”
- Jimmy Graham has yet to sign a long-term deal, but Mike Triplett of ESPN.com does not expect this to drag on through training camp. July 15 is the last day to negotiate a deal for franchised players, and Triplett expects Graham to sign a deal that pays him between $10.5MM and $11MM per year.
- Robert Meachem returned to the Saints, and maybe more importantly, his old quarterback Drew Brees, writes Christopher Dabe of NOLA.com. Meachem has a one-year deal, but says the offseason has kept him focused and more comfortable, being back in New Orleans.
- Tanard Jackson has gotten another chance in the NFL with the Redskins, but he might not stick on the roster, writes J.P. Finlay of CSNWashington.com. The team might not have a spot for him at safety, and his minimum salary deal could be easy to release.
AFC North Notes: Steelers, Miller, Hoyer
The Steelers are returning all of their offensive lineman, including Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey who was lost last season to a torn ACL. No one is more excited than Ben Roethlisberger, who believes that continuity on the offensive line could be the key to success, particularly in the no huddle offense, writes Kim Myers of NicePickCowher.com. “That’s a big part of being able to run the no-huddle because those guys are up there and they’re comfortable, they’re familiar. They’ve got another offseason in training of continuity and learning from each other,” said Roethlisberger. “I tell them before each game that they are what is going to drive this team and this offense. As long as they stay healthy and can play every game we’ll be good.” Here are some other notes from around the AFC North:
- Steelers‘ tight end Heath Miller bounced back well from a torn ACL in 2013, catching 58 passes for 593 yards and a touchdown, writes Matt Shetler of CityOfChampionsSports.com. However, he had posted career highs in yards and touchdowns the previous season, and is looking to re-establish himself as one of the league’s top tight ends. “Last year was about trying to find a new normal for myself and I’m a creature of habit, so that wasn’t easy for me,” said Miller. “I’m fully confident by the time the season rolls around I’m going to be feeling much better than the start of last year just from a confidence perspective.”
- The Bengals have a deep bench at the running back position, and it is unclear how many the team will keep on the 53-man roster, writes Coley Harvey of ESPN.com. Harvey says that both BenJarvus Green-Ellis and undrafted free agent Jeff Scott are on the bubble, with Giovani Bernard and second-round pick Jeremy Hill looking to take a bulk of the carries. However, Green-Ellis’ veteran presence and Scott’s versatility could keep them on the roster this season.
- The Browns still plan to let first-round pick Johnny Manziel start as a backup, and if veteran Brian Hoyer plays well the team could extend him, writes Pat McManamon of ESPN.com. With Manziel on his rookie contract for four years (with a fifth-year option), the team could afford to keep both players.
Ravens To Continue To Add To Roster
Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh says the team plans on adding more pieces this offseason, reports Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times. Harbaugh and general manager Ozzie Newsome have a plan to put together the best roster possible.
“I think we’re aware of the guys that are still out there, free agents that would be more favorable to sign after June 1 and all that,” Harbaugh said. “We’re going to be watching the waiver wire real close. We’re going to try and get better.”
The team is looking to add to the cornerback position specifically, writes Zenitz. The team brings back starters Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith, but must replace nickel corner Corey Graham. The team only has four corners on the roster that are not undrafted free agent players.
Former fifth-round picks Chykie Brown and Asa Jackson are competing for the third corner spot, but the team will look to add outside competition as well.
The Ravens will also be focusing on right tackle as they look to improve their roster. The team is hoping a pair of 2013 late-round picks, Rick Wagner and Ryan Jensen, can fill the void left by Michael Oher, who joined the Titans this offseason. Eric Winston, who played for Gary Kubiak for six seasons with the Texans is also a viable option should the team look to bring in an outside veteran.
“We had a conversation, Ozzie and I, and I like to think on principle that we really believe this: We want to build as strong of a 53-man roster as we possibly can, and as we do that, try to get stronger every chance we get. We’ll be looking.”
L.A. Team “Certainly Within Five Years”
Dolphins’ owner Stephen Ross spoke about the possibility of Los Angeles getting an NFL franchise.
The idea of bringing the NFL to Los Angeles was reinvigorated after the Clippers were sold to Steve Ballmer for a reported sum of $2 billion. The NFL franchises should certainly be worth more than an NBA franchise in a similar market.
Ross sees it happening, definitively stating that it would occur, “Certainly within five years,” according to Kevin Clark of the Wall Street Journal (via Twitter). Ross also mentioned that the team Los Angeles inevitably will get will not be an expansion team, but a current franchise relocated to the city.
Ross clarified that the team moving would not be his Dolphins, but that a team would definitely be moving, reports Clark (via Twitter).
NFC Notes: Saints, Washington, 49ers
The Saints have a few positions battles that might not be decided until late in training camp, according to Rachel Whittaker of NOLA.com. She mentions options at starting center, as well as the overhaul of the receiving corps.
Here are some other notes from around the NFC:
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Another position on the Saints that is left in limbo is the defensive backfield, writes Katherine Terrell of NOLA.com. The team knows who the starting safeties should be, but they have a deep group of cornerbacks behind Keenan Lewis fighting for the second corner job. The team gets Patrick Robinson back from injury, in addition to Corey White, free agent veterain Champ Bailey, and second-round pick Stanley-Jean Baptiste, among others. There are 11 cornerbacks on the 90-man roster, when only five made the final roster last season.
- Recently suspended Cardinals‘ linebacker Daryl Washington stand to lose a lot of money due to his most recent transgressions, writes Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com. Washington will forfeit his 2014 base salary of $2.9MM and his prorated signing bonus of nearly $500,000, but will still have almost $13MM of potential earnings upon his return, as his current contract runs through 2017.
- 49ers‘ linebacker Michael Wilhoite and third-round pick Chris Borland will fight for a starting job at inside linebacker to begin 2014, writes Eric Branch of SFGate.com. The position is open due to NaVorro Bowman‘s injury at the end of the NFC Championship Game, and one of those two players could be lining up next to Patrick Willis at times in the upcoming season.
- Jeremy Maclin is back with the Eagles, and head coach Chip Kelly is excited to have another weapon in his offensive arsenal, writes Andy Jasner of ESPN.com. “Mac’s doing a really good job, just getting back familiar with it. I was really excited about how he would fit into what we do because of what he can do. And then to lose him that early in camp was disappointing. You got a taste of him,” said Kelly. “But having him out there full speed running out there right now, he’s doing a really good job.”
- The Falcons have a long list of expiring contracts on their roster, and as they move to more 3-4 opportunities on defense, they could be in store for a major overhaul in talent, writes David Choats of TheFalcoholic.com. They put together a list of these players who will be free agents in 2015.