Extra Points: Bush, Dalton, Draft Visits
The Saints recently matched the Falcons‘ offer sheet for Rafael Bush, and as is the case with many offer sheets, the structure of the deal is a little unusual. There are no signing, workout, or roster bonuses on Bush’s two-year contract, which features base salaries of $1.85MM and $1.95MM, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. $850K of that first-year salary is fully guaranteed and $350K is deferred until March 31, 2015. Wilson adds (via Twitter) that Bush can also earn up to $750K in incentives if he makes the Pro Bowl and grabs a certain number of interceptions in 2015, so the deal can max out at $4.55MM.
Here’s more from across the NFL:
- Former agent Joel Corry of CBSSports.com takes an in-depth look at Andy Dalton’s contract situation and explores whether or not the Bengals should commit to paying him $15MM per year. Ultimately, Corry suggests that the team would be better off suspending negotiating with its quarterback for now.
- The Steelers are hosting three players on pre-draft visits today, according to ESPN.com’s Scott Brown (via Twitter): Washington State safety Deone Bucannon, Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier and UCLA linebacker Jordan Zumwalt.
- Wyoming wide receiver Robert Herron met with the Saints yesterday and today on a pre-draft visit, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Herron reportedly worked out for the Panthers last week.
- The Redskins are hosting Scott Crichton on a pre-draft visit, according to Rapoport, who notes (via Twitter) that the Oregon State defensive end has already worked out for the Patriots, Falcons, and Panthers.
- Connecticut edge defender Jesse Joseph is among the players working out for the Eagles today, tweets Aaron Wilson.
- Bloomsburg defensive end Larry Webster has several more visits on the docket in addition to the ones we heard about last month. Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net tweets that the Eagles, Jets, and Giants will meet with Webster, while the Chargers will work him out.
- According to Pauline (via Twitter), Patriots offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo worked out Colorado State center Weston Richburg, who is likely to be a second-day pick.
Panthers Sign Ed Dickson
1:30pm: It’s a minimum-salary contract for Dickson, with a $65K signing bonus, tweets Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. The Panthers have now officially announced the signing in a press release.
THURSDAY, 1:24pm: The Panthers and Dickson are in agreement on a one-year deal, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
WEDNESDAY, 1:09pm: Free agent tight end Ed Dickson is visiting the Panthers today and is expected to sign with the team, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. According to Wilson, Dickson also drew interest from the Jaguars, Bills, Jets, Giants, and Ravens in free agency.
Although Dickson had a nice pass-catching season in 2011, hauling in 54 balls, including five for touchdowns, he has assumed more of a blocking role in recent years. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), that hasn’t particularly been his strong suit — a poor run-blocking grade last season left the 26-year-old ranked dead last among 64 qualified tight ends.
Still, perhaps in Carolina, where virtually all of the team’s top 2013 receivers are now on other rosters, Dickson will see more balls thrown his way. If and when he signs, Dickson figures to fall behind Greg Olsen on the Panthers’ depth chart. However, considering the receiving corps is led by players like Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant, and Tiquan Underwood, the club could use plenty of multiple tight end sets.
The Ravens were reportedly considering bringing Dickson back, but the team ultimately re-signed Dennis Pitta and added Owen Daniels instead.
Panthers Sign Colin Cole To One-Year Deal
THURSDAY, 9:37am: Cole’s one-year contract with the Panthers, which is now official, has a total base value of $1.125MM, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, who breaks down the specifics via Twitter.
TUESDAY, 4:23pm: The Panthers have agreed to terms with Colin Cole, and will bring the veteran defensive tackle back to Carolina on a one-year deal, reports Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter).
A Toronto native, the 33-year-old Cole was a starter for the Seahawks in 2009 and 2010 before being out of the NFL for two years due in part to ankle problems. Cole returned to the field in 2013 for the Panthers, starting 13 games for the team and appearing in 335 defensive snaps.
Although he ranked in the bottom 10 qualified defensive tackles according to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required), Cole will likely be relied upon as a depth piece on Carolina’s line, and figures to play a part-time role for the club once again in 2014.
NFC Visits: Rams, Coleman, Latimer
The Rams are piling up their pre-draft activity, as the team brought in Pittsburgh quarterback Tom Savage today, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter). Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the team has also shown interest in South Carolina’s Connor Shaw and SMU’s Garrett Gilbert (via Twitter).
Thomas also noted that offensive lineman Zack Martin of Notre Dame was also scheduled to visit, but that meeting was cancelled (via Twitter). Thomas did not give a reason for the cancellation.
Here are some other visit information from around the NFC:
- Kurt Coleman is visiting with the Vikings today, and will spend the night and continue to meet with the team tomorrow, reports Ben Goessling of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- Indiana wide receiver Cody Latimer had a meeting tonight with the Panthers, reports Alex Marvez of Fox Sports 1 (via Twitter). Latimer will have his pro day on April 25.
- Iowa tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz is visiting the Buccaneers today, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The 6’5″ tight end has worked out privately for the Buccaneers previously. He’s will visit the Jets next.
Contract Details: Avant, Wilson, Lowery, Jean
Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun and the National Football Post has passed along this several contract details on deals signed within the last few days. While most contracts being signed these days are minimum salary pacts, that’s not the case for all of them, and even some of those minimum deals include bonuses of varying amounts. Let’s turn to Wilson for a few of the latest updates (all links go to Twitter)….
- Jason Avant‘s one-year deal with the Panthers includes a minimum base salary of $855K, but doesn’t qualify as a minimum salary benefit contract because his bonuses exceed $65K — Avant got $150K for signing, and will also be eligible for a $45K workout bonus, bringing the total value to $1.05MM.
- The Falcons signed a pair of defensive backs yesterday, and both players received minimum salary benefit deals. Cornerback Josh Wilson got a $65K signing bonus on his minimum contract, while safety Dwight Lowery received a $30K bonus on his one-year pact, meaning their respective cap hits are $635K and $600K.
- Lestar Jean‘s one-year, minimum-salary deal with the Vikings has the usual minimum salary benefit cap number of $635K, but took a different route to get there. In addition to his $570K base salary, Jean receives a $10K signing bonus and is eligible for a $55K roster bonus, meaning his contract doesn’t technically qualify as a minimum salary benefit deal, even though the cap hit is identical.
- Finally, one last contract update comes courtesy of Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com, who notes that Brian De La Puente is actually receiving one dollar more than a minimum salary deal would be worth. Because he’s not technically a minimum salary player, De La Puente is eligible to re-up with the Bears before free agency begins next season for a salary worth more than the minimum.
NFC Notes: Cowboys, Donald, Seahawks
With his scintillating workout numbers and collegiate accolades, Pittsburgh’s Aaron Donald is viewed as the preeminent three-technique defensive tackle in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Cowboys seem to be a perfect landing spot for Donald’s services, argues Rainer Sabin of The Dallas Morning News.
Donald was a first-team All-America selection and garnered every award save for the Heisman Trophy. Sabin contends that Donald could pair with recently signed defensive tackle Henry Melton in 2014 — who signed a one-year deal — then take over as a cornerstone on the defensive line going forward.
More news and notes from the National Football Conference…
- The Seahawks didn’t blitz a whole lot, but when they did, they made it count, writes Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus.
- A look at the second chance given to Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky, by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
- It’s a relationship of trust between Packers head coach Mike McCarthy and defensive coordinator Dom Capers, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- At long last, the Cowboys are paying attention to the salary cap, via columnist Rick Gosselin of The Dallas Morning News.
- Though there is no agreement at this point, Charlotte Observer beat writer Joe Person reports via Twitter that the Panthers are still talking with safety Thomas DeCoud.
Panthers Sign Jason Avant
The Panthers have a deal in place with free agent wide receiver Jason Avant, tweets Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer. Bryan Strickland of Panthers.com confirmed the signing, reporting that it’s a one-year deal. The 30-year-old will add some much needed depth to a team that has lost three of it’s top four receivers from 2013.
Steve Smith (Ravens), Brandon LaFell (Patriots) and Ted Ginn (Cardinals) have all moved on, and tight end Greg Olsen is the Panthers’ only remaining offensive player who had more than 500 receiving yards last season. The team’s current depth at the position includes free agent additions Tiquan Underwood and Jerricho Cotchery as well as Marvin McNutt and Tavarres King.
Avant was released by the Eagles in early March. The eight-year veteran has spent his entire career in Philadelphia after being drafted out of Michigan in 2006. The receiver has been consistent over the past five seasons; he’s averaged 47 catches and 587 yards. 2013 was his worst season over the span, as he caught only 38 passes for 447 yards.
Panthers To Host Avant, DeCoud
The Panthers are scheduled to host wide receiver Jason Avant and free safety Thomas DeCoud in Charlotte tomorrow, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.
The team’s receivers have been subjected to the most significant upheaval of any position group in the NFL over the past few weeks with the departures of Steve Smith (to the Ravens), Brandon LaFell (to the Patriots), Ted Ginn Jr. (to the Cardinals), and Domenik Hixon (to the Bears). Although last week’s additions of Jerricho Cotchery and Tiquan Underwood will provide depth for the new-look Panthers’ receiving corps, Avant would be likely be a much more highly utilized target should he choose to sign with Carolina. Although he was only marginally effective in 2013, Avant, who played his first eight seasons for the Eagles, enjoyed the best three seasons of his career from 2010-2012, averaging over 50 receptions per year.
DeCoud’s visit raises significant questions regarding the status of former starting free safety Charles Godfrey. Godfrey, whose $7.1MM 2014 cap figure makes him the fifth-highest paid player on the Panthers’ roster, was thought to be a candidate for a contract restructure after missing the final 14 games of the last season with a torn achilles. While DeCoud started for the Falcons for the last five years and is a former Pro Bowler, he had by far the worst season of his career in 2013- registering just 44 tackles and failing to intercept a pass for the first time since becoming a starter.
Draft Visits: Latimer, Tripp, Croyle, Gilbert
A few updates on draft visits (all links are courtesy of NFL.com’s Gil Brandt on Twitter):
- Indiana receiver Cody Latimer will visit seven teams over the next three weeks: the Bills, Eagles, Lions, Raiders, Seahawks, Chargers, and Panthers.
- Additionally, Lattimer will have a private dinner with Panthers receivers coach Ricky Proehl and director of college scouting Don Gregory on April 8, and undergo a class-room exercise on April 9.
- Two Montana linebackers have scheduled visits — Jordan Tripp will meet with the Eagles on Monday and the Falcons later in the week, and Brock Croyle will visit with the Chargers and the Seahawks.
- Southern Methodist University quarterback Garrett Gilbert will work out for the Buccaneers, Falcons, and Panthers.
NFC Notes: Lions, Hawkins, Cooks
The Lions hosted Clemson wide receiver Martavis Bryant, Washington State safety Deone Bucannon, and Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan this week.
Lewan could be in the mix for the team in the first round.
Here are some other notes from around the NFC:
- The Lions first-round pick could change drastically depending on how many quarterbacks are selected in the nine picks ahead of them, writes Justin Rogers of MLive.com. Rogers notes that the ideal scenario would find four quarterbacks selected in before the Lions are called to the podium, but two or three would be more realistic.
- The Buccaneers are finalizing their deal with wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins, reports Mark Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). The deal has already been agreed to in principle, but some specifics are being hammered out.
- Oregon State’s Brandin Cooks has been busy, meeting with the Jets earlier this week. Cooks will also meet with the Seahawks, Panthers, and Patriots, according to Bryan Fischer of NFL.com.