East Notes: Wilkerson, Tannehill, Bills
Eagles running back Duce Staley believes that new running back DeMarco Murray is a perfect fit for the team, as Corey Seidman of CSNPhilly.com writes. “He’s a perfect fit for us, exactly what we want to do,” Staley said. “Downhill, full-steam ahead. That’s what we’re preaching every day: one, two, three, four yards and a cloud of dust. And all the backs we have, they’re able to do that.” Here’s more from the East divisions..
- Jets coach Todd Bowles says he’s “hopeful” that Muhammad Wilkerson will be at the team’s minicamp next week, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweets. When he does arrive the coach says he’ll step right into his usual starting spot, as Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets.
- While the Dolphins had their issues last season, former quarterback Phil Simms told SiriusXM NFL Radio (on Twitter) that Ryan Tannehill wasn’t the problem for them. Simms felt like Tannehill, who just linked a lucrative new deal with Miami, made strides in 2014 and grew up as a quarterback.
- Coach Rex Ryan says the Bills acquired free-agent defensive end/linebacker Michael Buchanan Tuesday mainly with the idea of having him be a backup to outside linebacker Jerry Hughes, Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News writes. For his part, Buchanan believes that he has a better opportunity to make an impact with the Bills than he did with the Patriots. He also said he has fully recovered from the sports hernia that caused him to finish last season on the IR.
Details On Cam Newton, Cam Jordan Contracts
More details are trickling in on Cam Newton‘s massive $103.8MM extension with the Panthers, as well as Cameron Jordan‘s new five-year extension with the Saints. We’ll round up the latest on the two NFC South mega-deals right here:
Newton:
- According to Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (Twitter link), the cap numbers on Newton’s new deal are as follows: $13MM (2015), $19.5MM (2016), $20.166MM (2017), $21.5MM (2018), $23.2MM (2019), and $21.1MM (2020). Corry notes (via Twitter) that the deal includes a $10MM option bonus in 2016, with a $10MM non-exercise fee. The non-exercise fee is the amount that must be paid out if a player is kept on the roster without his option being picked up.
- There have been varying reports on the amount of the full guarantee in the contract. Albert Breer of the NFL Network suggests (via Twitter) that only $31MM is fully guaranteed. That would be the $22.5MM signing bonus, the $7.5MM roster bonus due later this week, and the $1MM base salary for 2015.
- As we passed along earlier today, however, Corry says the full guarantee works out to $41MM, which also seems to include his $10MM option bonus for 2016. Meanwhile, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report tweets that $54MM is fully guaranteed, which would be the aforementioned amounts, plus Newton’s $13MM base salary for ’16.
- While we may have to wait for further clarification, my guess is that – while it’s possible only $31MM is fully guaranteed at the time of the signing – Corry’s $41MM figure is probably accurate. That $10MM second-year option may not be fully guaranteed at this point, but as Corry wrote in a piece last year, sometimes teams will guarantee future base salary, with that guarantee voiding or reducing after an option has been picked up — that approach minimizes or eliminates the risk of a player being cut before the option exercise period ends.
- One detail that everyone agrees on, which was reported at the time of the initial agreement yesterday, is that the total amount of guaranteed money – including injury-only guarantees – is $60MM.
- Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap breaks down what Newton’s extension looks like in chart form, and also compares the deal to other notable quarterback extensions signed recently.
Jordan:
- While Jordan’s five-year, $55MM extension includes $33MM guaranteed for injury, just $23.96MM is fully guaranteed, writes Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Facebook link). Jordan’s previous $6.969MM salary for 2015 had already been fully guaranteed, so that’s $17MM in new fully guaranteed money.
- When the agreement was first reported yesterday, it was noted that $5MM was available for Jordan in incentives — those are sack-related, according to La Canfora, though he doesn’t have details on the specific requirements.
- If Jordan’s play slips, the Saints could comfortably move on from this contract after two seasons, says La Canfora. In his view, the deal won’t be a point of reference when star lineman like Marcell Dareus and Muhammad Wilkerson are negotiating new contracts, though it may make a good comparable for a player like Cameron Heyward of the Steelers.
Minor Moves: Tuesday
Here are Tuesday’s minor transactions from around the NFL:
- The Titans have agreed to sign tight end Phillip Supernaw, waiving defensive tackle Lucas Vincent in a corresponding move, according to the team (via Twitter). Supernaw, who was cut by the Ravens in May, has spent time in Baltimore, Kansas City, and Houston during his NFL career.
- The Bills have signed former Patriots edge defender Michael Buchanan, waiving punter Spencer Roth to create a roster spot, tweets Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News. Buchanan didn’t see the field much after drafted by the Pats in the seventh round in 2013, but the 24-year-old made the most of his limited playing time in his rookie year, picking up a pair of sacks and recovering a fumble.
- The Colts have made a change at the back of their roster, signing undrafted free agent defensive lineman Camaron Beard and waiving cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz, per a team release. Shabazz only lasted a few weeks with Indianapolis, having been signed by the club as a rookie free agent following the draft.
- The Falcons have added rookie linebacker Boris Anyama, who played his college ball at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, the team announced today in a press release. The signing gets Atlanta’s roster back up to the maximum 90 players.
- The Panthers have signed defensive back Jocquel Skinner, waiving tight end Kevin Greene, tweets David Newton of ESPN.com. Skinner became a free agent after being cut by the Buccaneers in April.
AFC East Notes: Pats, Rice, Wilkerson
After checking in on the status of two embattled running backs earlier today, let’s have a look at a few links from the AFC East:
- With the mass exodus that the Patriots have experienced at cornerback this offseason, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald writes that Devin McCourty could shift from his safety position to corner, where he played reasonably well during his first several seasons in the league. But given how good of a safety he has become, such a move would not be optimal for New England.
- Ben Volin of the Boston Globe writes that Brandon LaFell, who is under contract with the Patriots for two more years and $5.3MM, changed agents recently to Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod, the same agents who represent Darrelle Revis. Volin wonders if LaFell, after an excellent 2014 season, is preparing to ask for a new contract.
- In the same piece, Volin writes that the Patriots will likely enter into contract negotiations with Rob Gronkowski in the near future. Gronkowski has a $10MM option bonus due next March that would trigger another four years and $37MM total.
- We learned earlier today that the Bills might be a good landing spot for Ray Rice, but Mike Rodak of ESPN.com tweets that Buffalo is not interested in the former Ravens star.
- Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com writes that the Jets are “spitting out cash like an ATM” when it comes to imported players, citing Brandon Marshall‘s restructure as the most recent example. Cimini believes it’s now time for the team’s best homegrown talent, Muhammad Wilkerson, to get a new deal.
- In the same piece, Cimini writes that the Jets have an unusually large amount of money tied up in players 30 years old or older, and he passes along details of Leonard Williams‘ rookie contract.
Bills Claim Matt Simms Off Waivers
The Bills have been awarded quarterback Matt Simms after placing a waiver claim on the former Jet, per Howard Balzer of TheSportsXchange (Twitter link). According to Balzer, Buffalo cut signal-caller Jeff Tuel to create room on the roster for Simms.
Simms, 26, spent the last two seasons with the Jets, appearing in four games and completing 19 of 39 passes during his limited playing time, with a touchdown and an interception. However, New York’s roster this spring featured a more crowded quarterback depth chart, which included Ryan Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith, and Bryce Petty. Simms reportedly asked the Jets for his release, and the team obliged yesterday.
By joining the Bills, Simms reunites with former head coach Rex Ryan, though he joins another deep group of quarterbacks. While Buffalo certainly doesn’t have a star QB, or even a clear-cut starter, Matt Cassel, Tyrod Taylor, and E.J. Manuel are all considered likely to make the club’s regular season roster.
AFC East Notes: Buchanan, Bills, Dolphins
Here’s a look at a few Friday items from out of the AFC East:
- The Bills are hosting free agent outside linebacker Michael Buchanan on a free agent visit today, the team confirmed in a press release. Buchanan hasn’t played much since being drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round in 2013, but he made the most of his limited playing time in his rookie year, picking up a pair of sacks and recovering a fumble. The 24-year-od was waived by the Pats earlier this month.
- With the Bills preparing to move forward on contract talks with All-Pro defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com examines different ways the team could clear 2016 cap space in order to better accommodate an extension for Dareus.
- After Chris Chester was released by Washington earlier this week, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald explains why he thinks the Dolphins should be seriously considering the idea of signing the veteran guard. Salguero also suggests monitoring the statuses of Evan Mathis and Zane Beadles, who could become trade or release candidates, if they aren’t already.
Extra Points: Winston, Bills, Rams
While there’s a lot of whispering about whether first overall pick Jameis Winston will live up to the hype, Buccaneers tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins feels like he’s up to the challenge, Jenna Laine of Sports Talk Florida writes. “He’s just himself,” Jenkins said of Winston. “Great quarterback and he wants to be great. He’s himself, he doesn’t need to pretend or anything like that. But I didn’t really get to see him personally out there. We were just running. I think it’s a better question to ask the coaches, they spent more one-on-one time with him.” Here’s more from
- Bills head coach Rex Ryan says he’s trying Corey Graham at safety to make sure that he has the “best eleven on the field” after losing Da’Norris Searcy in free agency, Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News writes. For his part, Graham says he’s excited about the move and is eager to follow in the footsteps of Charles Woodson, who also made the transition from corner to safety. “Obviously, I’ve been watching him my whole career, so with the move to safety, now I have the opportunity to do some of the things he’s done,” Graham said. “I was in Chicago when he was in Green Bay, so I watched him a lot. He played nickel, I played nickel. I focused on him, studied his game, so it means a lot to me, seeing what he was able to accomplish.”
- St. Louis residents will not vote this summer on the use of their tax dollars to build a new riverfront football stadium for the Rams, David Hunn of the Post Dispatch writes. At this point, it is unclear whether city voters will get the opportunity to weigh in on the use of city tax dollars to help finance a proposed $985MM downtown stadium.
- According to team sources, the Chargers and San Diego city officials will sit down on Tuesday, June 2nd to talk about the stadium proposal, Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News tweets.
- West Georgia defensive end/outside linebacker Darrius Caldwell is applying to the Supplemental Draft this year, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Illinois transfer registered 69 tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss, and 12 sacks in 2014.
Bills, Dareus Progressing On Contract Talks
Bills general manager Doug Whaley said earlier this offseason that locking up defensive lineman Marcell Dareus to a long-term contract extension would be the team’s No. 1 priority following the draft, and the GM stressed that point again today. According to John Wawrow of The Associated Press, Whaley called Dareus’ contract Buffalo’s top priority, and said he has had preliminary talks about a new deal.
Earlier today, Dareus expressed a desire for the Bills to advance those contract extension discussions, admitting that the situation is weighing on him a little. While he didn’t specify what sort of salary he’ll be seeking on his next contract, the All-Pro defensive tackle told Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (Twitter links), “Turn on the tape. It speaks for itself.”
Dareus’ comments could be interpreted as the 25-year-old hinting at a little frustration with the negotiations, but it appears both sides are on the same page in wanting to get something done. Whaley told Wawrow that he intends to meet with Jim Overdorf, the Bills’ chief negotiator, on Wednesday in an effort to move the talks along.
Dareus will serve a one-game suspension to start the 2014 season, but that penalty isn’t expected to have a real impact on his extension negotiations with the Bills. In 2014, Dareus was the league’s fourth-best defensive tackle, behind only Aaron Donald, Gerald McCoy, and Ndamukong Suh, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required). PFF also ranked the Bills star as the NFL’s best run defender among defensive tackles, with a +20.7 grade.
Extra Points: Peterson, McDonald, Bills
Vikings star Adrian Peterson can get out of his current entanglement with the team by firing agent Ben Dogra, Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press opines. Powers says that AD should dump the former CAA rep and then spin the story to make it sound like he had been acting on bad advice. Of course, Dogra and Peterson appear to be thick as theives and there is no indication of discord between the two. Here’s more from around the NFL..
- The alleged victim of Ray McDonald‘s domestic violence incident on Monday told 911 that he violently broke through a bedroom door to get to his ex-fiancée and their infant, Robert Salonga of the Mercury News writes. On Monday, McDonald’s attorney intimated that his client was innocent of the charges.
- Bills coach Rex Ryan says he’s in the dark when it comes to Chris Williams‘ absence from team OTAs, as Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News tweets. “I don’t know if he’s going to be planning on coming back or what; I haven’t seen him,” Ryan said.
- NFL owners voted to allow irrevocable trusts to own teams, which will greatly ease estate planning, Daniel Kaplan of Sports Business Journal tweets. Owners also voted to drop the amount a family member of an ownership group must control of the NFL team from 10% to 5% (link). In a third measure, owners voted to increase the amount of debt a team can borrow from $200MM to $250MM, Kaplan tweets.
- The Jets announced that they have hired seven new scouts to work under senior director of college scouting Rex Hogan. In addition to the previously reported hire of Lee Gissendaner, the list also includes former Chiefs scout Dom Green.
AFC Notes: Bills QBs, Mario, Titans, Ravens
Most expect the Bills’ starting quarterback in 2015 to be either Matt Cassel or EJ Manuel, but don’t discount Tyrod Taylor, writes Conor Orr of NFL.com. Taylor, who backed up Joe Flacco in Baltimore from 2011-14 and signed with the Bills as a free agent earlier this offseason, has a fan in head coach Rex Ryan. Although Taylor has thrown just 35 passes in his pro career, Ryan recruited the 25-year-old to Buffalo and views his dual-threat abilities as a plus in coordinator Greg Roman’s run-first offense, notes Orr.
Bills general manager Doug Whaley said earlier this week that all three QBs are going to get a real chance to win the No. 1 job prior to the season.
“The way they’re structuring practices everyone is getting a run with the ones,” Whaley stated. “So it’s a fair shake. In this system that we’re trying to figure out who is going to be the number one it’s all about competition. That’s why everybody involved is excited about it.”
Here’s more on the Bills and a couple of their fellow AFC teams:
- Star pass rusher Mario Williams is entering his fourth year with the Bills and will work under his fourth different defensive coordinator. Williams isn’t concerned about the latest change, however, despite the success the defense experienced last season led by departed coordinator Jim Schwartz. The Bills will go from a 4-3 base to a 3-4 base under Schwartz’s replacement, Dennis Thurman, but they used a similar scheme two years ago with ex-coordinator Mike Pettine. Williams thinks that gives him and his fellow defenders a leg up. “Understanding the defense, I love it,” Williams told the Buffalo News. “It gives everybody ample opportunities to just do different things and just be able to bring different looks, different angles, and attacks, stuff like that. So I’m ecstatic.”
- The pecking order at wide receiver will be something to watch during Titans training camp, writes Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. Kuharsky expects Kendall Wright, second-round pick Dorial Green-Beckham, and Harry Douglas to comprise Tennessee’s top three wideouts. Things get murkier thereafter, though, with Justin Hunter, Hakeem Nicks, and seventh-rounder Tre McBride jockeying for position.
- The Ravens’ offense was a success last year under Gary Kubiak, finishing 12th in yardage, eighth in points, and ninth in Football Outsiders’ efficiency rankings. With Kubiak having left to be Denver’s head coach, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com believes the offense will change in 2015 to fit new coordinator Marc Trestman’s identity as a play caller – which should mean more screen passes – but will still tailor to the the players’ strengths.