Extra Points: Ware, Packers, Graham, Smith
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said recently on ESPN’s SportsCenter that it’s possible the club will part ways with DeMarcus Ware to avoid a sizable cap hit. Meanwhile, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter) hears that Dallas has yet to ask Ware to take a pay cut and there has been no communication between the two sides. Here’s tonight’s look around the league..
- The Packers would like to have restricted free agent linebacker Jamari Lattimore back on the roster next season, but don’t appear ready to offer him the right-of-first-refusal tender, according to Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. With Green Bay likely willing to offer a salary closer to the minimum, Lattimore figures to test the open market.
- There’s a lot of debate over whether Saints star Jimmy Graham should be designated as a tight end or a wide receiver when it comes to the franchise tag, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com rightfully notes that it’s a decision made by the league office, not the team.
- The Saints have reached out to running back Pierre Thomas to discuss his future with the club, writes Larry Holder of The Times-Picayune.
- Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman recently acknowledged that the club could conceivably cut ties with Steve Smith this summer and the wide receiver is less than thrilled about hearing that second hand, writes Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer.
- The Rams plan to take a wait-and-see approach with their backup quarterback situation, writes ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner.
- Raiders free agent defensive tackle Vance Walker has signed with A3 NFL agent Tommy Sims, according to Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal (on Twitter). He was formerly repped by 5 Star Athlete Management.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
NFC Notes: Panthers, Rams, Saints, Vikings
Restructuring multiple contracts has helped the Panthers create some cap flexibility for 2014, which should increase the odds of prospective free agent Greg Hardy remaining with the team, writes ESPN.com’s David Newton. Still, as Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com writes, pushing back cap commitments to several players ensures that Carolina’s long-term cap outlook remains shaky at best. Additionally, while some outlets have reported that the latest moves will create nearly $29MM in cap room for the club, Fitzgerald and Joel Corry (Twitter link) believe that figure is closer to $19MM based on recent cap projections.
As the Panthers continue to maneuver to field a competitive roster under the 2014 cap, let’s check in on a few more Tuesday notes from across the NFC….
- Although the Rams met with Rodger Saffold‘s representatives at the combine, the team has yet to make a contract offer, writes Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The club is expected to propose a new deal soon in an effort to lock up the free agent offensive lineman.
- The Saints are holding early discussions with several of their own free agents, according to reports by ESPN.com’s Mike Triplett and Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. In addition to talking to Zach Strief, which we heard about yesterday, the Saints have approached wide receivers Joe Morgan and Robert Meachem, as well as linebacker Parys Haralson. There seems to be mutual interest in each case, though no deals appear imminent yet.
- Redskins defensive lineman Adam Carriker has only played in two games in the last two seasons due to quadriceps issues, but he’s optimistic about returning for 2014 and is hopeful that the Redskins will give him that chance, as he tells John Keim of ESPN.com. Carriker is viewed as a likely cap casualty, since releasing him would create nearly $3MM in cap savings for Washington.
- Dave Campbell of The Associated Press passes along comments from Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman on the organization’s search for a long-term answer at quarterback.
Jordan Gross To Retire
After taking a few weeks to mull his future, longtime Panthers offensive tackle Jordan Gross has decided to retire, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. Person reports that Gross will make an official announcement tomorrow, and the club has confirmed the Wednesday press conference.
Gross, 33, spent his entire 11-year career with the Panthers, starting all 167 games he played for the team since being drafted eighth overall in 2003. The Utah alum consistently graded as one of the league’s best tackles according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics, and earned three Pro Bowl berths, including one in 2013.
Gross had initially planned to play through 2014, but when the Panthers restructured his contract, it was set up to void this offseason, meaning the veteran was faced with a decision on whether or not to continue his career. Had he decided to keep playing, Gross almost certainly would’ve returned to Carolina.
As I noted yesterday in our look at the free agent market for offensive tackles, Panthers right tackle Byron Bell is also a free agent this offseason, albeit a restricted one. With Gross headed for retirement and Bell’s future not certain, tackle figures to be a primary area of focus for the team in the draft and perhaps in free agency.
Ryan Kalil, Jonathan Stewart Restructure Contracts
As we found out earlier today, the Panthers restructured the contract of linebacker Thomas Davis, but that doesn’t appear to be the last of their moves. The team had also restructured the contracts of center Ryan Kalil and running back Jonathan Stewart, reports Brian McIntyre (both reports via Twitter).
As McIntyre points out, Kalil, a seven-year veteran, had his salary reduced from $4.75MM to $855K, with the rest being converted to his signing bonus. Kalil’s cap number was previously worth $10.4MM, McIntyre tweets, and the reduction to a $7.28MM hit will save the Panthers more than $3MM next season. Kalil is a four-time Pro Bowler.
Stewart’s $1.5MM salary has been reduced to $785K, with the remainder being added into the player’s signing bonus. The new value of the signing bonus is $7.5MM, tweets McIntyre, which will be prorated over five seasons. This lowers Stewart’s 2014 cap hit by just under $1MM.
Panthers Pick Up Options On Davis, Restructure Deal
MONDAY, 1:47pm: In addition to picking up their two option years on Davis, the Panthers also restructured his contract, creating additional flexibility for the 2014 season, reports Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. By agreeing to a $5MM signing bonus and tacking three voidable years onto Davis’ deal, the Panthers will reduce Davis’ cap number by $3.25MM for the 2014 season.
The Panthers are also hoping to restructure other contracts to create more cap savings, according to Person, who identifies defensive end Charles Johnson and center Ryan Kalil as potential candidates.
FRIDAY, 3:21pm: The Panthers have exercised their 2014 and 2015 years on Thomas Davis‘ contract, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. The longtime Carolina linebacker will earn $13.5MM over the next two seasons.
After three ACL tears sidelined Davis for all but nine regular-season games from 2009 to 2011, the former first-round pick has come back to start 28 contests in the last two seasons for the Panthers. Davis had perhaps his best season as a pro in 2013, racking up 123 tackles, four sacks, and two interceptions, while ranking as the third-best 4-3 outside linebacker in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Davis will be in line for a base salary of $2.75MM in 2014 and $7.25MM in 2015, with various bonuses adding a few more million dollars to his total earnings.
Cohen Predicts Where Top Free Agents Land
Andrew Cohen of OverTheCap.com has been following free agency very closely, giving updates on the cap situations of every NFL team and details on current player contracts. Earlier today, he took a break from crunching numbers to examine the possible destinations on some of the league’s top free agents. After outlining the effective cap space of each NFL team, which takes into account the amount of money they would have to pay their draft selections, he shows a picture of where some of the biggest names could land.
Of his top ten free agents, he sees more than half of them returning to their teams in 2014, either via long-term contract or because of the franchise tag. Some of those players we already thought would end up with extensions or playing next year under the tag,
However, he does see a few key players changing uniforms this offseason, finding some big money with a new franchise:
- Cohen predicts Panthers‘ star Greg Hardy finding a team that run a 4-3 defense and has some cap room, such as the Raiders or Jaguars.
- The top receiver this offseason, Eric Decker has already been linked to Cleveland by Cohen earlier this offseason, and the Browns are still thought to be a front runner for his services, along with the Jets.
- Bengals‘ pass rusher Michael Johnson played under the franchise tag in 2013, and is unlikely to be tagged again. Cohen could see the Falcons cutting Osi Umenyiora and plugging Johnson into his role.
- Because of the Steelers‘ cap woes, Cohen does not think they will have the opportunity to offer Jason Worilds a contract comparative to what he would get on the open market. For that reason, he sees the pass rusher leaving for greener pastures. According to Cohen he might not have to leave the state, as he sees the Eagles 3-4 defense as a perfect landing spot for the outside linebacker.
NFC Notes: Panthers, Saints, Dansby
The Panthers were “vague” when addressing Steve Smith‘s future with the club, says ESPN.com’s David Newton. General manager Dave Gettleman didn’t express much confidence when talking about whether the team’s all-time leading receiver will play again.
“Steve’s had a great career. None of us are here forever,” Gettleman said. “He’s part of the evaluation.”
Newton says the decision has little to do with Smith’s injury and more to do with money or Smith’s desire to play another couple of seasons to make a run for the record books. While the Panther await Smith’s decision, here are a couple more notes from the NFC…
- Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says that the reported change in the salary cap will not affect any of his team’s decisions, reports Roman Vargas of the Black and Gold Blog. The team already cut veterans Jabari Green, Roman Harper and Will Smith, and the extra $5MM will put the team at $6MM beneath the cap.
- The Cardinals have offered Karlos Dansby a multi-year deal, tweets Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports Phoenix. Dansby had stated his desire to stay in Arizona earlier this offseason. He recently told ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss (via Twitter) that his agents had not yet started negotiating with the Cardinals.
Combine Updates: Orakpo, Talib, Welker
Redskins GM Bruce Allen is a big fan of Brian Orakpo and will to talk to his agent this weekend, but there’s no guarantee that the free agent linebacker will be back in 2014, writes the Washington Times’ Zac Boyer.
“We like Brian,” Allen said. “There’s no doubt we like Brian, as well as a number of other players. If we were just one player short, that would be an easy question, but we have several [needs] that we’re looking to fill.”
Orakpo, 27, is considered among the best pass rushers available and is expected to command an average salary in the neighborhood of $10MM per season. Here’s more from the second day of the 2014 combine:
- The Patriots are set to meet with Aqib Talib in Indianapolis to discuss a new deal, writes Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. As Howe notes, it’s a buyer’s market at the cornerback position with Alterraun Verner, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Charles Tillman, Vontae Davis and Brent Grimes also set to become available.
- Broncos GM John Elway expects wide receiver Wes Welker to be back with the team in 2014 for the final year of his contract, tweets Howe.
- Ken Harris, Jared Allen‘s agent, tells Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link) that he had a “constructive” meeting with the Vikings on Thursday.
- Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff said he anticipates getting two to three compensatory draft picks, tweets Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com.
- In Ron Rivera’s view, the Panthers don’t have a successor to Steve Smith on their roster, which is something the head coach believes the club could address this offseason, tweets Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.
- According to GM Martin Mayhew, the Lions have no plans to try to re-sign wide receiver Nate Burleson or safety Louis Delmas, who were released earlier this month. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press has the details.
- Johnny Manziel wants to endear himself to NFL GMs, so naturally, he decided to refer to himself in third person at the combine today when talking to reporters. “Johnny Manziel is a small-town kid. People make me out to be a Hollywood type,” the quarterback said, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter).
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Extra Points: Wheeler, Grimes, Chargers, Gore
There have been some rumblings at the combine that the Dolphins could cut linebacker Philip Wheeler, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle, who adds (via Twitter) that the Raiders would be “very interested” in bringing Wheeler back to Oakland if he were available. Still, I’d be pretty surprised if Miami decided to part ways with Wheeler. With several years of prorated bonus money still left on his deal, the Dolphins wouldn’t create any cap savings by releasing the 29-year-old this offseason.
As the Dolphins weigh that decision, let’s check out a handful of other updates from across the NFL….
- Cornerback Brent Grimes had been viewed as a candidate to be designated as the Dolphins’ franchise player this offseason. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com now hears that tagging Grimes may not be a realistic solution for Miami at a cost of about $11.3MM (Twitter link).
- Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com provides a few of the notable quotes from Chargers GM Tom Telesco during his Thurday sesssion with reporters. Telesco acknowledged that the team isn’t exactly “flush with cap space,” suggesting there will be some tough decisions to make in the next several weeks.
- In his comments to the media today, there were no indications that GM Trent Baalke and the 49ers will ask Frank Gore to take a pay cut for 2014, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
- After spending big in free agency a year ago, the Colts plan to be more judicious with their spending this offseason, writes Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star.
- According to ESPN.com’s David Newton, the time may be right for the Panthers to draft a QB to back up Cam Newton.
- The Ravens met with a pair of top-five OT draft prospects – Zack Martin and Taylor Lewan – at the combine, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- In an interview with Rob Maaddi of The Associated Press, former All-Pro receiver Terrell Owens suggested he still thinks he’s capable of playing in the NFL at age 40. In spite of T.O.’s confidence, I wouldn’t expect to see him sign with an NFL team anytime soon.
NFC Notes: Orton, Saffold, Hardy, Palmer
Kyle Orton has a year remaining on his contract with the Cowboys, but the team isn’t entirely sure that he’ll be back for the 2014 season, Clarence Hill and Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram hear from executive VP Stephen Jones and multiple sources. Orton is mulling the idea of retiring, and figures to make his decision before the new league year begins on March 11. If the Cowboys’ backup does call it a career, quarterback will become an even stronger area of focus for the club in free agency and the draft.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- The Rams will meet with Rodger Saffold‘s agent tomorrow to discuss a new contract for the offensive tackle, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
- Speaking to the NFL Network about free agent defensive end Greg Hardy, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said that GM Dave Gettleman told him they’re working to get something done with Hardy (Twitter link via Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer).
- Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians told reporters, including Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com (Twitter link), that he thinks quarterback Carson Palmer can play until he’s 36 or 37. That would mean another two or three seasons for the Arizona signal-caller.
- The 49ers haven’t had trade discussions involving LaMichael James, according to GM Trent Baalke, who says the running back will “continue to be a 49er” (Twitter link via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee). A report earlier this month indicated James could be on the trade block this offseason.
- We rounded up several NFC East items earlier today.