Sunday Roundup: Peterson, Mallett, Newton
We heard earlier today that Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer expects embattled running back Adrian Peterson to return to the team in 2015. However, outside of the obvious public relations decisions that Minnesota will have to make in evaluating Peterson’s future with the club, Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune discusses the untenable financial ramifications of keeping Peterson in the fold. Vensel cites former NFL agent Joel Corry, who says:
“His contract doesn’t bear any relation to the rest of the running back market. I know Peterson had some unique value as the face of the franchise with the new stadium opening in 2016, but that doesn’t exist anymore. From a pure economic perspective, having a 30-year-old running back in 2015 with a $15.4 million cap number and $13 million salary wasn’t going to be the most efficient use of resources.”
As Vensel suggests, the Vikings could approach Peterson with offers for a contract restructure, but Peterson’s receptiveness to such overtures is doubtful at best. That is especially true given that the same ESPN article in which Zimmer expressed his confidence that Peterson would be back with the club also contained the revelation that Vikings general counsel Kevin Warren has been working with the NFL to make sure Peterson does not return this season. That led Peterson to remark recently, “Maybe it’s best for me to get a fresh start somewhere else.”
Let’s look at a few more links as Sunday’s games get underway:
- Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle details Ryan Mallett‘s journey to becoming the Texans‘ starter and Mallet’s desire to be more than a one-game wonder as he attempts to lead Houston to a playoff berth.
- Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer writes that Panthers quarterback Cam Newton wants to lead a winner in Carolina and Carolina’s front office wants him to stay. His future with club could ultimately depend on if the Panthers can climb atop the weak NFC South in 2014.
- Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com answers a number of questions from readers inquiring into the Jaguars‘ strategy this offseason, including draft and free agent targets and the club’s biggest needs.
- Marshawn Lynch may be on his way out of Seattle in 2015, but regardless of how he his viewed by the public at large, he is beloved in the Seahawks‘ locker room and his teammates will hate to see him go, writes Jayson Jenks of the Seattle Times.
Extra Points: Shula, Falcons, Allen, Jets
Let’s check out some assorted notes from around the league on this Saturday afternoon…
- The Panthers could see some changes if their season doesn’t turn around, and ESPN.com’s David Newton believes the “fall guy” could be offensive coordinator Mike Shula. Meanwhile, the writer attributes the team’s lack of success to injuries, the absence of Greg Hardy and general manager Dave Gettleman’s mismanagement of the salary cap.
- Count Falcons coach Mike Smith among those who are still in favor of the team’s 2011 trade for wideout Julio Jones. “I don’t know what happened with the Cleveland Browns, but we got better as a football team when we acquired Julio Jones,” Smith said (via Marla Ridenour of the Beacon Journal). “He’s an elite wide receiver that demands resources from the defense that, in turn, is going to make everybody else around him better.”
- Ira Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune opines that Bears defensive end Jared Allen is “on the short list” of free agent disappointments (Twitter link).
- ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini looks at the top five questions for the Jets as their season winds down. Notably, the writer questions whether general manager John Idzik and coach Rex Ryan will stick around, if the team’s future quarterback is currently on the roster, and if Percy Harvin is worth $10MM next season.
NFC Mailbags: Colston, Forte, Peterson
It’s Saturday, and that means ESPN’s NFL writers are opening up their mailbags and answering questions. Let’s check out some of the notable whispers from the NFC…
- Mike Triplett believes Marques Colston will need to take a pay cut if he hopes to play for the Saints next year. The wideout is set to make $7MM in 2015, but he could follow the path of former Saints who took less money to stick with the organization.
- Michael C. Wright says the Bears should lockup Matt Forte to a longterm deal this offseason. However, the team may run into issues when they try to rework the contract of some other players, notably Alshon Jeffery.
- Theres a pretty good chance the Panthers will focus on the offensive line and secondary in the draft, writes David Newton. Of course, it all depends on the team’s draft position, as well as their free agent signings.
- Michael Rothstein doesn’t think it’s reasonable for the Lions to move on from Matthew Stafford as a way to retain Ndamukong Suh or Nick Fairley.
- Ben Goessling opines that Adrian Peterson will not be playing for the Vikings next season. The writer believes that some in the organization share that sentiment.
Extra Points: McDaniels, GMs, Peterson, Avant
It’s inevitable that some teams will be making coaching changes when the 2014 season comes to a close, leading Adam Caplan of ESPN (Insider subscription required) to speak with NFL executives to compile a ranking of the most promising head-coaching candidates. Per Caplan, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is the most popular name for coaching-needy teams. Execs feel that McDaniels, at 32, was too young when he took charge of the Broncos from 2010-12, and that he could be an option for the 49ers if Jim Harbaugh doesn’t return. Seahwawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase, and Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak round out the top-five of Caplan’s list. Here’s more from around the league…
- As the inclusion of Munchak in the above list shows, head coaches often get a second chance to lead a team. However, there aren’t a similar number of retread general managers, writes Albert Breer of NFL.com, who notes that of the league’s 30 GMs, only Washington’s Bruce Allen has previously held that title with another club. Breer points to ex-Chiefs GM Scott Pioli and former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum as two decision-makers who could resurface with different teams.
- All signs point to Vikings running back Adrian Peterson playing in a different city in 2015, and Ben Goessling of ESPN.com looks at several destinations for the now-controversial veteran, listing the 49ers, the Falcons, and of course, the Cowboys as teams that could show interest in Peterson.
- After Jason Avant signed with the Chiefs earlier today, his agent, Doug Hendrickson, tweeted a parting shot at the veteran’s former club, the Panthers: “[I] said he deserved a better place, and he found one.” In Kansas City, Avant reunites with Andy Reid, who was the Eagles’ head coach while Avant was in Philadelphia.
- Speaking of the Panthers, Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer pens an excellent piece looking at the daunting offseason that faces Carolina. General manager Dave Gettleman & Co. may need to find a new left tackle and pass-rusher, and make a decision on quarterback Cam Newton, all while being saddled with the unwisely contracts of running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.
Workout Notes: Thursday
The Panthers, still somehow right in the thick of things in the NFC South race, took advantage of their bye week to bring in a number of players for auditions yesterday. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that Carolina worked out the following players: Austin Pettis (WR), Uzoma Nwachukwu (WR), Zach Bauman (RB), Toben Opurum (RB), Brad Sorensen (QB), M.D. Jennings (DB), Kimario McFadden (DB), Anthony Walters (DB), and Lou Young (DB). Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun adds one more name to the list, tweeting that wide receiver Michael Preston also visited the team.
Wilson has details on several more tryouts for free agent players this week, so let’s round up his updates (all links go to Twitter):
- The Seahawks have their eye on potential additions at linebacker, having worked out free agents Denicos Allen, Uani Unga, and Chris Carter.
- We heard previously that Washington brought in former Packers first-round pick Derek Sherrod, but he wasn’t the only offensive lineman to try out for the team this week. The club also auditioned linemen Michael Bamiro, Edawn Coughman, and Jordan McCray.
- The Texans brought in three defensive linemen for auditions, taking a look at Joe Kruger, Kona Schwenke, and Ben Bass.
- In addition to defensive end Scott Solomon, who ultimately signed to the team’s practice squad, a handful of players tried out for the Browns this week, including tight end Kevin Greene, linebacker Garrett McIntyre, tight end James Oboh, and linebacker Jamaal Westerman.
- A pair of defensive linemen, Rufus Johnson and Leon Mackey, worked out for the Jets.
Audition Notes: Wednesday
A rundown of today’s workouts..
- Veteran wide receiver Austin Pettis worked out for the Panthers today, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (on Twitter). Pettis, who was waived by the Rams in October, also worked out for the Seahawks recently. A third-round pick in 2011, caught 107 balls for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns for St. Louis.
- The Panthers also worked out fellow wideout Tysson Poots, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder is an Arena Football League player for the Arizona Rattlers.
- The Lions took a look at cornerbacks Marc Anthony, Richard Marshall, and Kevin Rutland, according to Howard Balzer of USA Today (on Twitter).
Extra Points: Raiders, Panthers, Seahawks
Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group assessed the Raiders‘ free agent class and the overall picture isn’t pretty. McDonald gives GM Reggie McKenzie credit for pleasant surprise Donald Penn, who has been solid on the offensive line, but many of their signings have backfired. Maurice Jones-Drew (three-year, $7.5MM deal) and LaMarr Woodley (two-year, $10.3MM deal) seem like particularly bad signings at this time. More from around the NFL..
- Embattled Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy might be “too toxic” to net a big contract in free agency, former agent Joel Corry tells Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer.
- With today’s moves, the Seahawks have now had 66 different players on their 53-man roster this season, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times (on Twitter) notes. All of last season, Seattle had just 65 players pass through their active roster.
- The Broncos worked out former Eagles cornerback Curtis Marsh today, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter). Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com (on Twitter) adds that Denver also auditioned tackle Chris Faulk.
Panthers Activate Mike Tolbert; Chandler To IR
On the heels of waiving Jason Avant and adding wide receiver De’Andre Presley in his place, the Panthers have completed another pair of roster moves, according to a team release. Carolina has activated running back Mike Tolbert from the injured reserve list and moved tackle Nate Chandler to IR, ending his season.
Tolbert, who suffered a hairline fracture and bone bruise in his leg earlier this year, was placed on IR with the designation to return, and will rejoin a backfield that finally appears to be getting fully healthy as the Panthers enter their bye week. Conversely, Chandler, who started all 11 games at right tackle for Carolina, will require surgery to repair a knee issue, per David Newton of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Chandler signed an extension with the Panthers earlier in 2014, so the team will hope to have him back at 100% health heading into the 2015 season.
While the Panthers’ offensive line has seen several players miss time with injuries this season, right tackle was one spot that had remained relatively stable. In Chandler’s absence, David Foucault, Mike Remmers, and Chris Scott are expected to compete for playing time at the position.
Panthers Release Jason Avant
11:33am: Speaking to reporters about Avant’s release, head coach Ron Rivera said the decision was about creating more opportunities for young wideouts like Brenton Bersin and Philly Brown (Twitter link via Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer). Rivera added that he knew nothing about Avant’s comments questioning Sunday’s play-calling, insisting this was a football move (Twitter links).
The Panthers have promoted receiver De’Andre Presley from their practice squad to replace Avant.
11:28am: The Panthers are releasing wide receiver Jason Avant, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter). As is the case for all players – even vested veterans – after the trade deadline, Avant will be subject to waivers, so he’ll either be claimed by another team or hit the open market.
Agent Doug Hendrickson first indicated that his client had been cut by the Panthers during the team’s bye week, tweeting, “Much better things ahead and role for Jason Avant. Definitely deserves better.” Hendrickson’s comment suggests that perhaps he and Avant weren’t happy with the way things were handled by the front office in Carolina. The wideout’s release comes on the heels of slightly critical comments he made about the team’s conservative playcalling after Sunday’s loss to the Falcons.
“I’ve been in the league a long time. I know two things. You never want to give a team a chance to win a game, with how much time was left on the clock,” Avant said on Sunday, referring to the game’s fourth quarter. “And asking a kicker to make a 50-yard field goal with the game on the line is rough sledding.”
In 11 games with Carolina this season, Avant grabbed 21 balls for 201 yards and a touchdown. After cutting him, the Panthers will have an open spot on their 53-man roster, so a corresponding move will likely be announced soon.
NFC Mailbags: Panthers, Bears, Washington
We took a look at ESPN.com’s AFC mailbags earlier this morning. Let’s check out some notes from the NFC…
- Considering the lack of quality on the offensive line and the inconsistency from the running game, David Newton believes it’s safe to say that Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman didn’t have the best offseason. Newton also suggests that the team could have found a way to keep defensive backs Michael Mitchell and Captain Munnerlyn.
- When asked about Cam Newton‘s desire to stay with the Panthers, Newton ensures that the quarterback wants to stick around.
- Michael C. Wright surveys the quarterbacks in the 2015 draft, and suggests that the Bears could select one of the top prospects. However, the writer isn’t convinced the team will be in position to draft either Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston.
- John Keim also looks forward to the draft for Washington, citing pass-rush, secondary, and linebacker as the team’s biggest needs. On offense, Keim believes the team should focus on the offensive line.