Jets Notes: Marshall, Geno Smith, Clady
Business is booming in the NFL, but the players that help create billions of dollars in revenue still don’t have it as good as players in MLB and the NBA when it comes to guaranteed cash. The league’s current CBA doesn’t expire until after the 2020 season, but Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall would like to see the players’ union fight for serious contract reform in the next round of talks.
“I think it would be the biggest fight we’ve ever had to get that done,” Marshall told Manish Mehta of the Daily News.
Marshall also spoke specifically about DeAndre Hopkins‘ brief holdout and intimated that the Texans star didn’t go far enough by only staying away from the team for 24 hours. Marshall acknowledges that there “shouldn’t be any holdouts” but he sees them as a necessary evil as teams are often unwilling to discuss a new deal until they have to.
Here’s more on Gang Green:
- Many would say that the writing is on the wall for quarterback Geno Smith, but the Jets’ former starter won’t rule out a future with the team in 2017 and beyond, NJ.com’s Connor Hughes writes. He also claims that he never considered asking for a trade, despite being parked squarely behind veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick. “Because I’m not afraid of anything,” Smith said when pressed on the matter. “I know I can be out there and win games. I know I can be great. But right now, it’s time for me to practice patience.” Aside from Fitzpatrick, the Jets also have former Baylor QB Bryce Petty and rookie Christian Hackenberg on the roster, as shown on their Roster Resource depth chart.
- The Jets’ trade for offensive lineman Ryan Clady will prove to be a smart move, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com opines. By acquiring Clady from Denver, GM Mike Maccagnan bought low on a former Pro Bowler, giving them a very capable fill-in for the retired D’Brickashaw Ferguson. The Jets’ first choice was to sign free agent Kelechi Osemele, but Gang Green found a cheaper alternative in the soon-to-be 30-year-old.
- Could the Jets carry all four quarterbacks on the roster in Week 1? Coach Todd Bowles claims that it’s a possibility.
The Beat: Bob Condotta On The Seahawks
With the season fast approaching, we’re chatting with beat writers from around the league to gain insight on each team’s offseason and how those moves will impact the season ahead.
Now, we continue the series by discussing the Seahawks with Bob Condotta of the The Seattle Times. You can follow Bob on Twitter @bcondotta and check out his stories here.
Zach Links: Marshawn Lynch dominated headlines this offseason after he announced his retirement in February and reportedly may have waffled a bit on the decision in May. Was Marshawn giving real thought to playing in 2016? If so, did he want to play somewhere other than Seattle?
Bob Condotta: My understanding is no, that he was never thinking of playing this season in Seattle or anywhere else.
Zach Links: Recently, the Seahawks extended coach Pete Carroll through 2019 and GM John Schneider through 2021. Did the Seahawks attempt to get Carroll to sign through 2021 to match up with Schneider?
Bob Condotta: I haven’t been able to determine that. But years on contracts has not seemed to matter much to Carroll since his initial deal. He also signed a three-year extension following the Super Bowl win in 2013, so the one he just got matches that one. Despite whatever chatter is out there, there’s no real thought that Carroll would ever leave Seattle for another job. But with Schneider being 20 years younger than Carroll, there was a thought it was important to sew him up for as long as possible. So I think that accounts for the difference in contracts.
Zach Links: In 2014, Michael Bennett signed a team-friendly deal to stay in Seattle. In 2015, he began complaining about his under-market contract and he continues to be unhappy with the pact. Do you think the Seahawks will cave and give him a significant pay bump this summer?
Bob Condotta: Hard to tell. I do know Bennett would like them to. His agent and the team have continued to have negotiations. But the Seahawks have worries about setting a precedent of giving new deals to players with more than a year remaining on their contracts. That’s the only reason they have hesitation about giving Bennett a new contract.
Continue reading about the Seahawks..
Bills’ Shaq Lawson To Return In October
The Bills will be without their second-round pick this year, but their first-round choice will take the field this season. Linebacker Shaq Lawson is expected back between Weeks 6 and 8, source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). That timeline means that Lawson is likely ticketed for the PUP list. 
[RELATED: Bills Rookie Reggie Ragland Likely Headed To IR]
Initially, it was expected that Lawson would miss 4-5 games, but he’ll need some additional time to recover from shoulder surgery. Buffalo took Lawson with the No. 19 overall pick in this year’s draft while many other teams were said to have moved him down their boards due to his ailment. The Bills knew the risk in taking the Clemson product, but they still felt that his upside made it all worthwhile. Sometime in October, the Clemson product will set out to show that GM Doug Whaley made the right call in selecting him.
When healthy, Lawson has been a terror – whether in a relief role or during his lone year as a starter. Through his first two seasons, he recorded 79 tackles (47 solos), an impressive figure for relief duties. However, he delivered 23 of those tackles for losses and brought down eleven other opponents for no gains on running plays. He also registered twenty-one third-down stops from 2013- 14 and recorded five touchdown-saving tackles. Opposing runners were limited to minus 40 yards on 56 running plays directed at the defender. Only four of 32 passes targeted into his area were completed (12.5%), as nine of his twenty quarterback pressures came on third down snaps during his freshman and sophomore campaigns, with three of those hurries causing interceptions, two causing fumbles and another leading to a sack.
Replacing an All-American like Vic Beasley was a tall task for any young player and while Beasley is well remembered by Tigers fans, Lawson helped them move on quickly with his remarkable success attacking the pocket during his junior season. Throughout the 2015 regular season schedule, he was dominant.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich Suffers Torn Triceps
WEDNESDAY, 9:04am: Ninkovich is expected to miss 4-6 weeks, a source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).
TUESDAY, 4:55pm: Ninkovich tore only his tricep muscle, meaning that no surgery is necessary, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Ninkovich will start rehabilitating the muscle and, If all goes well, he could return by October.
4:54pm: Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich has torn one of his triceps muscles, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets. It’s unclear how long Ninkovich could be sidelined with the injury, but one has to imagine that this will cost him a good chunk of the regular season. 
[RELATED – Offseason In Review: New England Patriots]
Ninkovich, 32, has missed just one game since joining the Patriots in 2009. Each year, Ninkovich has been a key cog in the Pats’ front seven, racking up 42 sacks in that span. Last year, Ninkovich tallied 6.5 sacks and 52 tackles with 7 pass deflections.
This upcoming season is/was a critical one for Ninkovich as he is set to hit the open market after the 2016 campaign. This year, the veteran is slated to earn $4.75MM in total and, at his age, his next NFL contract could be his last.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Dolphins Waive Lansanah, McClendon
The Dolphins have waived offensive lineman Jacques McClendon and linebacker Danny Lansanah, according to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald (on Twitter). 
[RELATED – Offseason In Review: Miami Dolphins]
Lansanah was signed by Miami just days ago, after he beat out Brandon Spikes and Jerry Franklin for the team’s open linebacker spot. Lansanah, soon-to-be 31, has spent the last two seasons and change with Tampa Bay. Over the last two years, Lansanah has appeared in every regular season game for the Bucs, making 22 total starts. In 2014, Lansanah recorded three interceptions, eight pass breakups, 1.5 sacks, and 81 total tackles. His production tailed off last season, though he still notched 47 tackles, one sack, and four pass breakups.
McClendon spent time in Miami in 2015, but didn’t see much action. In the spring, the Dolphins signed McClendon to a one-year deal, but it seems like they are more focused on Jermon Bushrod and Kraig Urbik, who were also signed this offseason. Bushrod is pushing for a starting job at right guard while Urbik is slated for a reserve role.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/9/16
Today’s minor moves:
- The Panthers waived/injured defensive tackle Chas Alecxih and running back Tobais Palmer, according to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link). In a related move, the team has signed former Mount Union defensive tackle Tom Lally.
- The Falcons signed linebacker Matt Wells and released Dominique Tovell shortly before practice on Tuesday, as D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes.
- The Bengals announced the signing of rookie free agent cornerback Tony McRae. The North Carolina A&T product was briefly with Oakland this spring.
- The Packers announced the signing of long-snapper Jesse Schmitt.
- The Seahawks have signed defensive end Josh Shirley, as Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets.
New Deal For Steelers’ Antonio Brown Unlikely
Antonio Brown is one of the most lethal offensive players in the NFL and is paid far below his talent level. Still, Brown has two years to go on his contract and the Steelers have been insistent that they will not discuss a new deal with him at this time. Recently, the team engaged in talks with Brown’s agent, but it doesn’t appear that the organization is going to give in to the wide receiver’s requests. The two sides are not talking at this time and it is very unlikely that the Steelers would entertain a new deal for Brown in 2016, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). 
The Steelers have a policy not to renegotiate with non-quarterbacks until the final year of a player’s deal and they do not want to make an exception for anyone – even a megastar like Brown. Universally considered an elite wide receiver, Brown is ranked 18th among wide receivers in terms of average annual compensation ($8.4MM/year). A quick look at the 17 receivers ahead of Brown shows that he has a legitimate case to be paid better (data via of Over The Cap):
- A.J. Green, Bengals – $15MM/year
- Alshon Jeffery, Bears – $14.599MM/year
- Julio Jones, Falcons – $14.25MM/year
- Demaryius Thomas, Broncos – $14MM/year
- Dez Bryant, Cowboys – $14MM/year
- T.Y. Hilton, Colts – $13MM/year
- Doug Baldwin, Seahawks – $11.5MM/year
- Keenan Allen, Chargers – $11.25MM/year
- Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers – $11.111MM
- Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals – $11MM/year
- Jeremy Maclin, Chiefs – $11MM/year
- Allen Hurns, Jaguars – $10MM/year
- Randall Cobb, Packers – $10MM/year
- Jordy Nelson, Packers – $9.76MM/year
- Brandon Marshall, Jets – $8.67MM/year
- Michael Crabtree, Raiders – $8.5MM/year
- Pierre Garcon, Redskins – $8.5MM/year
Of course, Brown doesn’t have a ton of leverage with two years before he can potentially hit the open market. In all likelihood, Brown won’t get the big deal he is seeking until next year.
Eagles’ Johnson Facing 10-Game Suspension
1:48pm: After denying the report, Johnson now admits that he has a ten-game suspension looming. The tackle told Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (Twitter link) that he took an amino acid that was approved but tested positive for peptide. He is fighting the suspension and also indicated that he will take action against the company.
While players are responsible for what goes in their bodies regardless of intent, Johnson insists the supplement was approved and will fight the suspension. He’s also waiting on the B sample to see if the results are the same.
1:17pm: Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson is facing a ten-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, a source informed of the situation tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Rapoport hears that Johnson is currently appealing the suspension. 
For what it’s worth, Johnson denies that a PED suspension is looming (Twitter link via Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer). Via text, Johnson told McLane “all was good” in reference to the rumored ban. Johnson was suspended for PEDs during the 2014 season.
If the Eagles are without Johnson for more than half the season, it would be a crushing blow to their O-Line and offense as a whole. Johnson, the fourth overall pick in 2013, has been a starter for the Eagles since the team drafted him out of Oklahoma, playing primarily at right tackle before spending some time at left tackle in 2015. In his three years with the Eagles, he has only missed four games due to his aforementioned PED suspension. This past season, Pro Football Focus ranked Johnson 24th among offensive tackles, out of 81 qualified players at the position.
In January, the Eagles locked Johnson up through 2021 on a deal that will pay him $56MM+ in his five additional contract seasons. Peters’ $9.575MM average places him tenth among left tackles in the NFL, behind Trent Williams (Redskins), Terron Armstead (Saints), Tyron Smith (Cowboys), Eric Fisher (Chiefs), Cordy Glenn (Bills), Joe Thomas (Browns), Anthony Castonzo (Colts), Russell Okung (Broncos), and Nate Solder (Patriots). According to the terms of Johnson’s deal, a ten-game suspension would void the guaranteed cash in his extension, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFC East Notes: Redskins, Cousins, Giants
Does Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins resent his one-year franchise tender deal? That’s not the case, says Mike Jones of the Washington Post, since Cousins’ camp knew where the team stood heading into the offseason. Cousins and his agent have a lot of respect for GM Scot McCloughan and coach Jay Gruden, Jones writes, and nothing changed throughout the negotiation process. Ultimately, Cousins is embracing the challenge of proving himself again and is confident that he will cash in after a strong 2016.
Here’s more from the NFC East:
- Cousins seems poised to cash in if the Redskins allow him to hit the open market, but it seems like some league officials do not hold Cousins in high esteem. ESPN.com’s Mike Sando (Insider sub. req’d) spoke to “ten GMs, five head coaches, seven offensive coordinators, five defensive coordinators, eight personnel evaluators, and seven other position coaches/execs” to get their ranking of the league’s quarterbacks. Cousins was rated 20th in the NFL, which puts him in the third tier at this position. Of course, those same officials will surely bump Cousins up the board if he is able to reprise his 2015 performance. It’s also worth considering that established quarterbacks rarely hit free agency and, when they do, their market is exceptionally strong. Case in point: Brock Osweiler is now the 16th highest-paid QB in the NFL on a per-year basis and most football people would not consider him to be in the top half of starting signal callers. All in all, the survey’s view of Cousins is surprising, but it may not mean much for his potential free agent value.
- Tight end Matt LaCosse is among the under-the-radar players who could make the Giants‘ roster, ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan writes. “He brings a knowledge of the position, number one, and he’s a big target,” tight ends coach Kevin M. Gilbride said. “I would say overall, as far as him going into his second season, he does everything pretty well. So when we talk about getting those tight ends, to get them in the position that we want them in, to execute their jobs, he can execute all of the jobs. But with that being said, there might be someone who’s a better run-blocker, a better threat down the field, but Matt executes everything well.” Raanan also highlights linebacker Brad Bars, wide receiver Tavarres King, cornerback Donte Deayon, and offensive lineman Adam Gettis as other dark horse candidates.
- On Tuesday morning, scouting guru Dave-Te Thomas ran down the Giants‘ rookie class and highlighted their impact first-year players.
- Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson could be facing a ten-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.
Impact Rookies: New York Giants
The old adage that defense wins championships may or may not be true, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a title-winning team that didn’t build heavily through the draft. Rookie classes, naturally, are evaluated on the perceived upside of the NFL newcomers, but which rookies are ready to contribute right out of the gate? And, how do they fit in with their new team schematically?
To help us forecast the immediate future of these NFL neophytes, we enlisted the help of draft guru Dave-Te Thomas who has served as a scouting personnel consultant to NFL teams for multiple decades.
General manager Jerry Reese went to the credit union often during the offseason, spending over $200MM to improve his team’s defensive front seven issues. But, despite some questionable purchases, the draft provided the team with two stud newcomers in cornerback Eli Apple and receiver Sterling Shepard, as both are expected to immediately contribute. Cooper Taylor’s tenure with New York could be coming to an end, especially if third round pick, Darian Thompson, is as good as he advertised during mini camp.
While Shepard is expected to at least earn a slot position, he could move outside if Victor Cruz continues to deal with injury issues. If Cruz fails to return to form, California free agent, Darius Powe, or off-the-field bad boy, Roger Lewis, might have a chance to secure the final receiver spot coming out of training camp.
First Round – Eli Apple , CB (Ohio State, No. 10 overall)
Our staff touted Eli Apple as the best cornerback in the draft not named Jalen Ramsey since Day One. We even provided our contracted teams with a very detailed statistical comparison chart that featured Apple, Ramsey, Mackensie Alexander, Vernon Hargreaves III, and William Jackson III. It seems Giants brass agreed, taking the Buckeye with the tenth pick. 
The early first round surprise could be starting by the time the season opener rolls around, at least as the nickel corner. He’s likely to ease Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie off the roster after the season to take his place opposite high-priced Rams addition, Janoris Jenkins. The first thing you notice about this former Buckeye is his natural playmaking instincts. He understands how receivers are trying to attack coverage and he is a master at reading quarterbacks’ eyes when having to drop into zone coverage. He also does an excellent job of mid-pointing high-low routes.
Apple is an explosive, quick-twitch athlete with a sudden closing burst, especially when receivers catch the ball in front of him. He possesses that second gear needed to track the ball downfield and he’s fast enough to recover when gets caught out of position. Thanks to his fluid hips, he can make the smooth transition when forced to change directions quickly. When he stays under control and keeps his knees bent, is a good tackler in space.
The two-time letter-winner started all but one of the 28 games he has appeared in. As a redshirt freshman, he collected 53 tackles and broke up thirteen passes, as opposing quarterbacks often tried to challenge the first-time starter. Eight of those thirteen pass break-ups came on third-down snaps and all three of his interceptions were followed by Buckeyes touchdown drives during their 2014 national championship campaign.
The Buckeyes cornerback can consistently break up passes when in position, as he also has the athleticism to reach around the receiver and disrupt the action without committing the penalty. When he breaks up those passes, more often it is the result of violent hits right as the ball arrives. While not a valid ball thief, he does have the natural hands to reach out and pluck the ball to make the tough interception.
Teams were very leery to fire the ball into Apple’s territory in 2015, and he managed just 28 tackles, as a result. However, he impressed scouts with his outstanding coverage skills, as he not only defended nine passes (including one interception), but only 14-of-67 passes targeted in his area were completed (20.9%). He delivered twenty third-down stops, three more on fourth-down snaps. Proving to be one of the most physical cornerbacks in college, he jammed/rerouted his main pass coverage assignments away from 38 incomplete passes last season, the second-highest total in the NCAA FBS ranks. In short: the future is bright for the Giants’ first-round choice.
Continue reading about the Giants’ rookies..
