NFC North Notes: Vikings, Loadholt, Lions
Earlier this week, Vikings offensive lineman Phil Loadholt announced his retirement from football. While Loadholt cited his health as the driving factor in his decision, Mike Florio of PFT wonders if the veteran’s recent pay cut was an even greater motivation to walk away from the sport. This spring, the Vikings pushed Loadholt to amend his ~$5.5MM base salary to a $2MM base for 2016 with up to $3.5MM in incentives. Ultimately, Loadholt may have opted for early retirement rather than playing for a reduced salary this season.
Here’s more from the NFC North:
- Or, maybe Loadholt did retire because of injuries. The lineman had a setback two weeks ago while working out in Houston, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter) hears. The leg issue, which was unrelated to his troublesome Achilles tendon, would have sidelined him during training camp.
- Former Miami wide receiver Tyler Davis and former Green Bay wide receiver Larry Pinkard both worked out for the Lions earlier this week, along with quarterback Jimmy Clausen, ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein tweets. However, after the Lions added Anquan Boldin on Wednesday, it’s not clear if there is still a spot available for Pinkard or Davis.
- Yesterday, we discussed the Vikings’ offseason with reporter Darren Wolfson.
Vikings Sign Mike Zimmer To Extension
The Vikings and coach Mike Zimmer have reached agreement on a contract extension, GM Rick Spielman announced. Spielman did not disclose the length or terms of the deal, saying only that Zimmer will be the Vikings’ coach “for a long time.” Spielman said that talks started right after the playoffs, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. 
“Mike has instilled a very positive atmosphere over the past three years and our players have thrived under his tutelage and leadership,” team owner Zygi Wilf said in a press release. “His focus on helping our players develop and maximize potential, individually and collectively, is critical for our current and future success. We believe the continuity established with Mike leading our football team is a very positive step for our organization.”
Zimmer led the Vikings to an 11-5 record last season and the club’s first NFC North title since 2009. Zimmer holds an 18-14 record in his two seasons as a head coach, the second-most wins by a Viking head coach in his first two seasons, trailing only the late Dennis Green who had 20 wins.
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Reactions To Ryan Fitzpatrick’s Deal
On Wednesday night, the Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick finally ended their offseason saga when the two sides agreed to a one-year, $12MM deal. When the two sides shook hands, Jets fans weren’t the only ones to breathe a sign of relief. 
“Oh my gosh… it’s been a long six months for sure,” Fitzpatrick told Manish Mehta of the Daily News. “The biggest feeling was relief. Just relief to have it over and done with. And then when I was driving in (Wednesday night to the team facility) and walking up to the team meeting, it was like the first day of school. I was just all excited to see everybody and to be back in the building. Because through the entire offseason program, I wasn’t allowed to be there. It was such a weird feeling. I was ten minutes away just sitting at home getting calls and texts every day. After every practice, talking with the guys and not being allowed in the building to participate and compete with them. That made it an awfully long offseason for me. Now I’m ready to get to work.”
Here’s a look at some of the reactions to Fitzpatrick’s deal with Gang Green:
- The Jets gave Fitzpatrick a 7pm ET deadline because their camp-opening meeting was at that time and they wanted his situation to be resolved by then, Albert Breer of The MMQB tweets.
- Fitzpatrick, 34 in November, tells Mehta that his best is yet to come. “I’m getting better as a quarterback,” Fitzpatrick said. “A lot of that is an understanding of the game, of myself, of who I’m playing against. So I think there’s been a nice upward trend in my career of getting better as I get older…. This is the fifth year that I’m going into the year as a starter. So it’s not like I’ve had a 12-year career where every year I’ve been the starter. There have been a lot of times when I’ve been the backup. So there’s been a lot of growth in my career. I’m just excited for the opportunity this year, but I think I’m going to continue to get better.”
- The Jets made the right move by ending the madness and getting a deal done, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com opines. Both sides got what they needed, though Cimini would give a slight edge to Fitzpatrick for coming away with $12MM on a one-year deal and possibly up to $15MM via incentives. Re-signing Fitzpatrick didn’t come cheap, but the Jets ultimately did not want to roll into the season with Geno Smith as their starter.
- Brian Costello of the New York Post wonders what Fitzpatrick’s deal means for Smith. Smith, at best, is now relegated to being the Jets’ No. 2 QB. However, the Jets also have Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg under contract and it could theoretically be Smith that gets bumped from the roster.
- The Jets and Fitzpatrick could have agreed to this same contract in April, but both sides were too stubborn to bend, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap writes.
- Above all else, Fitzpatrick says that he did not want to miss any part of training camp, as Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday writes.
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The Beat: Armando Salguero On The Dolphins
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.
Today, we continue the series by discussing the Dolphins with Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald. You can follow Armando on Twitter @ArmandoSalguero and check out his stories here.
Zach Links: What’s the latest on Dion Jordan? How do you see things playing out in the end? 
Armando Salguero: I reported today that the roster bonus to Dion Jordan on the fifth day of camp is a non-issue because he owes them more money than they owe him. He has to return over $3MM in signing bonus which he lost rights to when he was suspended. The Dolphins have to pay Jordan $1.69 million in that roster bonus. So Jordan isn’t getting any money from the Dolphins and he will be with the team during training camp, assuming he is reinstated. How will it play out beyond that? If he wins a spot, he’s on the team. If he doesn’t … He’ll be like all the other players in August that don’t earn a roster spot in training camp. He’ll be looking elsewhere.
Zach Links: Do you think new addition Arian Foster still has some good football left in the tank? Was the Foster signing an indication that the team is less-than-thrilled with Jay Ajayi and Kenyan Drake?
Armando Salguero: I am told the Dolphins like Ajayi and Drake just fine. But, the team also likes the idea of having a veteran who has shown he’s a quality back when he’s healthy. I see this Dolphins backfield situation as Miami playing the odds. All three players — Foster, Ajayi, Drake — have had injury issues during their careers. The team is hopeful at least a couple of them can remain healthy in 2016. If one of those is Foster, he might be the best bargain, back-of-free agency addition in the division. But, again, only if he casts aside his recent history for being injured and unavailable.
Zach Links: Do you believe that new coach Adam Gase will elevate Ryan Tannehill‘s level of play? What kind of year do you think Tannehill will have in 2016?
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Latest On Dolphins, Dion Jordan
In recent weeks, there has been a great deal of talk as to whether the Dolphins will pay Dion Jordan his $1.69MM roster bonus if he is reinstated by the league office. As it turns out, the Dolphins don’t really have a decision to make with regards to that payout. 
[RELATED – Impact Rookies: Miami Dolphins]
The Dolphins are in fact required to pay Jordan a $1.69MM bonus on the fifth day of training camp, but Jordan also must repay his $3.35MM signing bonus to the team as a result of his multiple suspensions, according to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald. That money has not been fully returned yet and Jordan owes the Dolphins more money than he owes them. So, a reinstated Jordan would not be cut by the team in an effort to save money. However, the Dolphins could theoretically release or trade Jordan if they do not want him on the roster for football reasons.
The Dolphins have yet to hear from the commissioner regarding Jordan’s reinstatement, but one has to imagine that there will be a resolution soon.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Steelers, Timmons Not Close On Extension
Lawrence Timmons and the Steelers have engaged in contract discussions but are “not close” to an agreement, according to industry sources who spoke with Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Timmons is entering the final year of a contract he signed with Pittsburgh in 2011. 
[RELATED – Impact Rookies: Pittsburgh Steelers]
Timmons’ $48MM deal was restructured three times (2012, 2013, and 2015), giving him a ludicrous cap hit of $15.1MM for this season. That number gives Timmons the second-highest cap hit on the team, trailing only Ben Roethlisberger‘s $24MM figure. Timmons, 30, has spent all nine of his NFL seasons with the Steelers, but 2016 could very well mark his tenth and final year in black and yellow. Per club policy, the Steelers are unlikely to talk contract with Timmons once the season starts on September 12, meaning that the two sides probably wouldn’t discuss a new deal until next year.
The Steelers currently have $4.29MM in cap room and a Timmons extension would give them additional breathing room. By the same token, the Steelers have understudy Vince Williams waiting in the wings, though Williams is also slated to hit the open market after the 2016 season.
Last year, Timmons led the Steelers with 119 tackles and was third on the team with five sacks.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFC East Notes: Gregory, Eagles, Bradham
While Cowboys defensive lineman Randy Gregory is in a treatment facility, his representatives are fighting a second suspension – in addition to the four-game ban he is already faced with – that could keep him off the field for the bulk of the 2016 season.
If Gregory’s appeal is unsuccessful, the NFL will have the discretion to suspend him for an additional ten games for total of 14 or the league could add six games to his existing four-game ban, giving him a ten-game suspension in total, Ed Werder of ESPN.com tweets. David Moore of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter) senses that Gregory’s ban is more likely to be for ten games than 14 since the NFL’s substance abuse policy is geared more towards rehabilitation than punishment.
Here’s more from the NFC East:
- Eagles coach Doug Pederson doesn’t foresee releasing linebacker Nigel Bradham after his bizarre dustup with a hotel employee, Zach Berman of The Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. Pederson went on to say that he considers him a starting linebacker. Bradham was reportedly part of a six-person group that began arguing with a Hilton Bentley hotel employee over the amount of time it took to receive an umbrella they had apparently purchased. Bradham turned himself into Miami police and was charged with aggravated battery, a second-degree felony.
- Pederson acknowledged the Eagles had interest in Anquan Boldin before he was signed by the Lions, Berman tweets. As shown on Roster Resource, the Eagles currently have Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor, Rueben Randle, Josh Huff, Chris Givens, T.J. Graham, and Hunter Sharp at wide receiver.
- Darren McFadden‘s latest elbow scan was encouraging and he is on schedule to be ready for the beginning of the Cowboys‘ regular season, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report tweets.
- The Redskins are evaluating their young running backs and outside linebackers first before making any signings, Mike Jones of the Washington Post tweets.
Jets Sign Darron Lee
9:07pm: The Jets have officially announced the signing.
3:14pm: Lee’s four-year, $10.2MM deal is fully guaranteed, but also includes default language that allows the Jets to recoup some of his guaranteed money if he is cut for non-football reasons, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets.
2:36pm: The Jets’ longstanding contract dispute has finally come to an end (No, not that one). The Jets and first-round pick Darron Lee have reached agreement on a contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
Reportedly, Lee was pushing for the fourth year of his contract to be fully guaranteed. Meanwhile, the Jets were only willing to give Lee a partial guarantee for the 2019 season.
Recently, scouting guru Dave-Te Thomas spoke highly of Lee when breaking down the Jets’ rookie class for PFR:
It is not etched in stone where Lee will line up for the Jets, but hailed by The NFL Draft Report the “best defensive playmaker in the 2016 draft,” the Jets are certain to find a role quickly for their first round pick. For now, he’s listed behind Erin Henderson at right inside linebacker. Beyond that, veteran and inside starter David Harris might be looking for employment elsewhere in 2017, if Lee progresses as quickly as expected.
Henderson moves into the lineup, at least temporarily, after the Jets let Demario Davis leave in free agency despite finishing second on the team with 90 tackles last year. Still, it will not be long before he cedes playing time to Lee. Another player greatly affected by Lee’s arrival is Buccaneers castoff Bruce Carter, who was brought in to play the nickel package. With Lee’s cornerback-like speed, Carter will have to sit while Lee performs in that alignment.
Some draft analysts stated that Lee was a “work in progress” and “did not excite” in 2015 like he did in 2014 during the Buckeyes’ national championship march. Unknown to many scouts, at the time, but Lee was playing with a lower leg injury during the first half of his sophomore campaign. With several Buckeyes suspended earlier in the year, the strong-side linebacker felt that even on one leg, he needed to be out on the field.
There are now only two first-round picks that are not under contract with their respective clubs. Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa and 49ers guard Joshua Garnett have yet to sign on the dotted line.
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Minor NFL Transactions: 7/27/16
Today’s minor moves:
- The Eagles announced that they have waived linebacker Travis Long. The 25-year-old tore his right ACL in college and suffered two left ACL tears in the NFL They’ve also signed receiver David Watford, bringing them to capacity on the 90-man roster, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer tweets.
- The Broncos have waived running back Cyrus Gray to make room for newly signed receiver Marlon Brown, per Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post (Twitter link).
- The Bengals signed former Nebraska defensive end Jack Gangwish to his first rookie deal, as Coley Harvey of ESPN.com tweets. The Bengals now have 87 players on the roster.
- The Buccaneers have cut cornerback Joel Ross, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). They’ve also been awarded corner Daniel Davie off waivers from the Colts, per Wilson.
- The Vikings announced the signings of tackle Sean Hickey and linebacker Jason Whittingham.
- The Patriots signed blocking tight end Bear Pascoe and guard Jon Halapio, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Redskins announced the signing of two receivers: Utah’s Kendal Thompson and Virginia’s T.J. Thorpe. With Thompson and Thorpe now in the mix, the Redskins are currently up to 13 wide receivers on the roster
- The Ravens have waived-injured cornerback Jumal Rolle and linebacker Cavellis Luckett, tweets Wilson. They’ve also signed receiver Dobson Collins, per Adam Caplan of ESPN (Twitter link).
Ravens To Sign Jake Long?
WEDNESDAY, 3:02pm: Long’s physical is ongoing and, as of this writing, he has not been signed, the Ravens announced. Dr. James Andrews will evaluate Long’s knee. After that examination, we should have a better idea of where things stand with Baltimore and Long.
TUESDAY, 12:46pm: The Ravens have agreed to sign former No. 1 overall pick Jake Long, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Long is flying to Baltimore tonight to sign his contract. 
Long, 31, spent the 2015 season with the Falcons after signing on midway through September. The former No. 1 overall pick was hoping to have a bounce-back season in Atlanta but he wound up only appearing in four games and he didn’t start in any of those contests. In the year prior, Long saw time in just seven games for the Rams last season due to a torn ACL. In the year before that, Long also tore his ACL in St. Louis.
In 2014, Long’s last season which could be measured by advanced metrics, Pro Football Focus ranked Long as just the No. 36 tackle out of 84 qualified players. In 2013, however, Long graded out as the seventh-best tackle in the league with a strong 22.5 overall score, based on PFF’s advanced metrics. Those numbers suggest that Long could still be a productive player if he can return to full health.
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