RBs, TEs, And The Modern NFL
A number of writers have taken a recent look at the evolution of the NFL and how that evolution affects certain positions. It is not news, of course, that as the league has become increasingly conducive to the passing game, teams are throwing the ball more than ever before. As a result, certain positions–most notably, the “classic” tight end, the fullback, and the running back–are becoming devalued.
Here at PFR, we focus primarily upon news related to player and personnel movement: free agency, the draft, hirings/firings, etc. Sometimes, then, it is nice to step back and take a look at the dynamics underlying that movement. For instance, one of the primary reasons the Lions wanted to keep Brandon Pettigrew was that he is one of the very few active tight ends who have value as both a receiver and blocker. And has anyone heard from Vonta Leach since he was released by the Ravens? He has long been one of the best fullbacks in the league, and surely has another year or two left in the tank, but there does not seem to be much room for him in today’s NFL. And after Knowshon Moreno‘s strong season in 2013, would the Broncos have been so willing to cast him aside even five years ago? Would the Dolphins have been able to land him with such a small contract? The answer to both questions is probably a resounding “no.”
Through the eyes of former “classic” tight end Ben Coates, who currently serves as the offensive coordinator for St. Augustine’s University, Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel examines the dearth of tight ends like Coates and Pettigrew, players just as capable of throwing a block as running a route. Coates believes that the reason for the absence of such players is twofold. First, teams are simply looking to capitalize on the nightmarish mismatches that players like Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski can offer. Second, the supply of “two-way” tight ends has been greatly reduced by the proliferation of spread offenses in college football, offenses that demand players built like traditional tight ends to run down seams and out-muscle smaller corners and less athletic linebackers.
As for running backs, Mike Klis of the Denver Post and OverTheCap.com take an in-depth look at the devaluation of the position, which is even more dramatic than one might think. In fact, contracts for running backs are most comparable to those being given out to kickers.
Of course, the contextual backdrop for all of this is the new CBA, which, as Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald points out, continues to squeeze the “middle class” of free agents. Tight ends who offer more as blockers than as receivers have probably been in that middle class–or lower–for some time, but running backs, even the good ones, are increasingly finding themselves in that caste. These days, when we hit what Beasley calls the “value spending” stage of free agency–that period of time after the most desirable players are signed and the league’s collective attention is turned towards the draft–teams can fill whatever holes they have at those positions on the cheap, or they can simply wait until the later rounds of the draft or for an undrafted free agent to fall into their laps.
All of the articles referenced above are worth a read, and they give you some useful context as you take a look at our posts, check for updates on your favorite team, and as you wonder why certain players remain unemployed.
AFC Notes: Clowney, Broncos, Jets
Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley is not done beefing up his team’s floundering pass rush, writes Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida-Times Union. The Jags have already re-signed Jason Babin and have added Chris Clemons and Red Bryant to the fold, but Bradley wants four “Leo-types” on his roster. In other words, if Jadeveon Clowney is still on the board when Jacksonville makes the third overall selection, expect him to be standing next to Roger Goodell with a Jaguars jersey in his hands.
By the same token, if the Rams–or, much more likely, the Texans–take Clowney with one of the top two picks, expect the Jaguars to try and trade down. Jacksonville will also have a chance to manipulate the draft in the later rounds. The team holds 11 picks, including two in the fourth round, three in the fifth, and two more in the sixth. Expect the team to move around in the draft as it looks to become relevant again in the AFC South.
More notes from the AFC:
- Despite the departure of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Chris Harris‘ knee surgery and the injury history of the newly-added Aqib Talib, don’t expect the Broncos to jump on a corner in the first round of the draft, writes Mike Kiszla of the Denver Post. Kiszla believes defensive linemen will offer the most value at the bottom of the first round, where collegiate standouts Ra’Shede Hageman and Stephon Tuitt may still be available.
- Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, like his colleagues, does not believe the Jets will pursue DeSean Jackson, and he believes that staying away from Jackson is a “smart move.” Cimini is intrigued by newly-added cornerback Jeremy Reeves, whose signing our Luke Adams discussed on Friday.
- Christopher Price of WEEI.com looks at some of the Patriots‘ prime candidates for contract extensions.
More DeSean: False Rumors And The Jets
3:23pm: Jets owner Woody Johnson indicated the team’s interest in Jackson by name, saying “We’re looking at a lot of players, including DeSean,” according to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News (Twitter link). However, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Johnson implied that a trade was not the best option to acquire Jackson, ostensibly meaning that the Jets hope the Eagles simply release the receiver.
9:18am: Here at PFR, we have written extensively on the potential trade or release of mercurial wideout DeSean Jackson since rumors first surfaced that the Eagles would listen to trade offers for him at the beginning of this month (check out a useful roundup of Jackson links here). At some point over the course of the past few weeks, the Patriots, 49ers, Jets, Panthers, and Seahawks have all been said to have some interest in Jackson, either in trading for him or signing him if he should be released.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has added an interesting twist to the story. He writes that there is “suspicion” in league circles that the interest of at least some of the above-mentioned teams has been fabricated by the Eagles in an attempt to create a trade market for Jackson. Of course, if Philadelphia is indeed leaking false rumors, the strategy does not appear to be paying off, as there has yet to be a single report of a firm offer for Jackson.
However, the Jets’ interest does appear to be genuine. New York has been the team linked most frequently to Jackson, and Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com writes that the Jets have the ammo to bring him aboard. As Cimini notes, the Jets “have the resources to be a major player. They have the need, the cap space (more than $30 million) and the right recruiter (Michael Vick).”
Cimini adds that the Jets have a “measured interest” in trading for Jackson, but that their interest would certainly intensify if Jackson were released. Nonetheless, Cimini himself believes acquiring Jackson would be out of character for GM John Idzik. Jackson is a “problem child,” and the fact that the Eagles appear willing to rid themselves of such an integral component to their 2013 success speaks volumes. Cimini also notes that Jackson and Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg appeared to have something of a rocky relationship when Mornhinweg was in Philadelphia.
NFC East Notes: Pryor, Redskins, FA Strategies
Following up on his article on Saturday where he wrote that Oakland QB Terrelle Pryor would be a good fit for the Eagles if he is released by the Raiders, Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com elaborates in a different piece today. He notes that Pryor is almost certainly done in Oakland after the Raiders–who value Matt McGloin as a back-up–traded for Matt Schaub, and that Pryor’s athleticism and mobility would fit well in Chip Kelly‘s offense.
Mosher adds that Kelly actually had a great deal of interest in Pryor when Kelly was the head coach at Oregon and Pryor was a prized high school recruit. In short, then, the dots are there to connect, and if the Raiders release Pryor outright, the Eagles would be interested. If, however, the Raiders are more interested in trading Pryor for a late-round pick, the Eagles would probably balk, having already given up their extra fifth-round choice for Darren Sproles.
More from the NFC East:
- Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com writes that, despite the signing of Tracy Porter, the Redskins‘ secondary is still a work in progress and they remain in pursuit of a free agent cornerback. The team hosted Brandon Browner before he signed with New England and had a visit scheduled with Walter Thurmond before he signed with the Giants.
- Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News writes that the Cowboys are still in the market for free agent defensive players even after the acquisitions of Henry Melton, Jeremy Mincey, and Terrell McClain. Executive vice president Stephen Jones, though, is looking “harder than ever” at a free agent’s age and injury history before striking a deal.
- Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News writes that the Giants have departed from their typical approach to free agency by spending big this offseason, and he believes they were right to do it.
Big Cats Notes: Gettleman, Jags Draft Targets
Ben Volin of the Boston Globe writes that Panthers GM Dave Gettleman has taken a great deal of criticism for how he has handled this offseason (see here for a couple of illustrative links), but Volin believes that solid football and economic reasons motivated every move and non-move that Gettleman has made over the past few weeks.
For instance, former GM Marty Hurney made a mess of Carolina’s salary cap situation after he handed out lucrative and ill-advised contracts to running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, so Gettleman has been forced to deal with limited cap space in the present while also looking ahead to big-money deals for Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly in the future.
Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer writes that Gettleman has redeemed himself to some degree with his recent series of quality, low-cost signings, but Person does note that Gettleman has yet to sign a free agent tackle. Person suggests that right tackle Byron Bell might be on the move to the left side of the line, which is not ideal but would allow the Panthers to focus on right tackle in the draft, a position that is much easier to fill than left tackle (particularly for a team with a late pick).
Now onto some Jaguars notes:
- Yesterday, our Peter Sowards took a look at what Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union had to say about potential landing spots for departing RB Maurice Jones-Drew, but O’Halloran also had some worthwhile tidbits about players who will be or may be on the Jags’ roster next season.
- For example, O’Halloran noted that head coach Gus Bradley and GM Dave Caldwell will be in attendance at QB Johnny Manziel‘s Pro Day at College Station on Thursday. Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch was at Fresno State last Thursday to watch QB Derek Carr.
- Speaking of Fisch, O’Halloran writes that one player the Jags may target in the middle of the 2014 draft is Central Florida RB Storm Johnson, who met with the Jaguars at the Scouting Combine and who played for the University of Miami in 2010, when Fisch served as the offensive coordinator there.
- Scout Tim Mingey was at Vanderbilt’s Pro Day on Friday, probably to get a better look at Commodores WR Jordan Matthews, who had an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl. Matthews has been projected to be drafted as high as the late first round, but more likely is a second-round target.
AFC North Notes: Blount, Harrison, Extensions
The Ravens have interest in free agent RB LeGarrette Blount, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Wilson writes that the Ravens do not have a visit scheduled for Blount at this time, but they will continue to monitor his market. Baltimore struggled mightily in most aspects of its offense last season, and short-yardage situations were particularly troublesome. Blount would be a boon in that regard, and he would also provide necessary depth given Ray Rice‘s struggles last season–and his legal troubles this offseason–and Bernard Pierce‘s injury concerns. As our Peter Sowards reported yesterday, Blount is scheduled to meet with the division rival Steelers later this week.
More notes from the AFC North:
- Speaking of the Steelers, Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes that a reunion with James Harrison makes a great deal of sense for a team with little defensive depth and limited salary cap space. Starkey could envision a limited role for Harrison as a situational pass-rusher and short-yardage defender. As our Luke Adams noted several days ago, there is mutual interest in Harrison’s potential return to Pittsburgh.
- Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com and Pat McManamon of ESPN.com offer some opinions on Browns QB Brian Hoyer and WR Greg Little. Grossi believes that Hoyer has demonstrated enough to go into the season as the starting QB, and McManamon believes the Browns may feel the same way. As for Little, despite the frustration of Browns’ fans, Grossi notes that Little’s reasonable contract, his size, and his durability are all reasons why the Browns will probably hang onto him for another season. McManamon makes a similar point, though he does point out that if the Browns were to draft someone like Clemson WR Sammy Watkins, Little could be on his way out.
- Coley Harvey of ESPN.com writes that there is nothing on the horizon yet regarding contract extensions for Bengals standouts A.J. Green, Andy Dalton, and Vontaze Burfict, but that negotiations could become more serious once the current phase of free agency concludes.
- Despite the signing of Marshall Newhouse, Harvey believes the Bengals would “absolutely” consider an offensive tackle in the early rounds of the draft.
Lions Notes: Ihedigbo, Hill, Draft, Suh
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets that free agent safety James Ihedigbo is choosing between the Lions and Bears, and in a separate tweet he writes that a resolution to Detroit’s safety situation could happen tonight but is more likely to come tomorrow. Ihedigbo was said to have narrowed his choice down to three NFC teams, but now it appears two teams remain in the mix. As our own Rob DiRe pointed out yesterday, the Lions are expected to sign one of the three safeties who have recently visited with the team: Ihedigbo, Chris Clemons, or Thomas DeCoud.
A couple of other quick notes out of Detroit:
- Birkett tweets that the team is still waiting on word from backup QB Shaun Hill, but that Hill was still considering a return to Detroit several days ago
- Birkett projects the Lions to select UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2014 draft.
- Mike O’Hara of DetroitLions.com writes that the Raiders’ signing of Matt Schaub means they will not select a QB with the No. 5 overall pick. As a result, Clemson WR Sammy Watkins will have another potential landing spot among the nine teams choosing before the Lions, and the possibility that Watkins could fall to Detroit has become even more remote.
- O’Hara adds that president Tom Lewand‘s statements that he plans to meet with Ndamukong Suh‘s agent in Orlando this week at the NFL’s annual meetings is a start to the negotiation process with Suh, but nothing more.
Pats Notes: Blount, Ayers, Wilfork, McCourty
Even though the Patriots may lose LeGarrette Blount this offseason, Christopher Price of WEEI.com notes that the team is still ahead of the game with its stable of running backs and the complementary skill-sets those backs possess. Although Price notes that Maurice Jones-Drew and Knowshon Moreno are still available, he believes that if the Pats want to replace Blount, they are more likely to do so with a big-bodied back in the middle rounds of the draft.
Now for some more Patriots notes:
- As far as the team’s need for a pass-rusher is concerned, although Andre Carter may want to come back to New England, it is unclear if the feeling is mutual. Given Carter’s age (he will turn 35 in May) and Jared Allen‘s price tag, both Price and Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald believe that Robert Ayers is a more realistic option to bolster the team’s pass rush and provide some support to the revamped secondary. Guregian notes that Shaun Phillips might also be a potential fit.
- Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com notes that there is a belief that, the longer Vince Wilfork remains under contract, the greater the possibility that the two sides will work something out. Wilfork, of course, requested his release from the team a little more than a week ago, but the Patriots have not obliged just yet. For his part, Reiss believes every option is still on the table as far as Wilfork is concerned, and he is intrigued to see what owner Robert Kraft has to say about the situation when he speaks with reporters at the NFL’s annual meeting in Orlando over the next several days.
- Considering the big-money deal that Jairus Byrd recently landed with New Orleans and Earl Thomas‘ impending free agency, Reiss believes the Patriots will approach Devin McCourty with a lucrative contract extension before he becomes a free agent at the end of the 2014 season.
- Reiss also expresses surprise that free agent guard Ryan Wendell, who started every game for New England in each of the past two seasons, has not garnered more interest on the open market.
Broncos Sign Emmanuel Sanders
1:57pm: The Broncos have officially announced the transaction.
12:20pm: After he allegedly accepted a deal with the Chiefs, the Broncos officially announced that they have signed former Steelers wideout Emmanuel Sanders, tweets ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Schefter reports that it is a three-year, $15MM deal, and Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun adds (via Twitter) that it is worth a maximum of $18MM with escalators.
Assuming he passes his physical, a press conference is scheduled for 1:30 MST, tweets Lindsay Jones of USA Today.
Giants Sign Quintin Demps
1:08pm: The team has officially announced the transaction.
8:20am: The Giants have agreed to sign free safety and return specialist Quintin Demps. Demps tweeted the news himself late Saturday night, and the signing has since been confirmed by multiple sources. Demps provides New York with the quality return skills they were seeking from Jacoby Jones and Ted Ginn, Jr. before those players signed elsewhere.
Demps returned 33 kickoffs for 992 yards last season, and he also performed well in the defensive backfield. He saw the field a great deal in the Chiefs’ subpackages, and he tallied a career-high four interceptions. His presence will add quality depth to the Giants’ secondary, who have concerns about Will Hill and Stevie Brown.
As for the Chiefs, the team will now have to replace their top kick returner and their top punt returner following the departures of Demps and Dexter McCluster. Husain Abdullah and 2013 fifth-round pick Sanders Commings will get the first crack to take Demps’ place at safety, though Kansas City could of course address the position via free agency–where the number of safeties available has rapidly diminished–or the draft.