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C.J. Anderson Visiting Dolphins, May Sign Offer Sheet

By | at March 10, 2016 11:12 am

11:12am: Anderson had been scheduled to fly to Chicago to meet with the Bears, according to Mike Klis of 9NEWS. However, as Klis explains in a piece worth reading, the Dolphins convinced Anderson and agent Peter Schaffer that the running back should head to Miami instead. The expectation is that the Dolphins will sign Anderson to an offer sheet later today, per Klis.

10:12am: Restricted free agent running back C.J. Anderson will visit the Dolphins today, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Miami was one of four teams mentioned on Wednesday as suitors for Anderson, along with the Patriots, 49ers, and Bears. New England and Chicago would also like to bring in the RFA running back, according to Pro Football Talk (Twitter link).C.J. Anderson (vertical)

Because Anderson received an RFA tender from the Broncos, the team can match any offer sheet the running back signs with another club, and Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald tweeted on Wednesday that Denver will likely do just that. Still, it was a bit of a surprise that the Broncos only gave Anderson a $1.671MM tender, giving them the right of first refusal, rather than a $2.553MM tender that would have assured them a second-round pick as compensation if Anderson signed elsewhere.

Of course, when the Broncos made their decision on Anderson, the team hadn’t yet lost Brock Osweiler, Malik Jackson, and Danny Trevathan to other teams. Now that Denver won’t have to worry about working those players into the team’s 2016 cap plans, it might be a little easier to match an offer sheet for Anderson.

Still, it sounds like Anderson’s suitors won’t make things easy — the running back appears likely to sign an offer sheet, and any team that signs him will try to structure in a way that makes it difficult for the Broncos to match it.

An undrafted free agent out of California in 2013, Anderson burst onto the scene during his sophomore season. He compiled 849 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in 2014, and he added another 324 receiving yards and two touchdowns through the air. Anderson only started six games in 2015, finishing with 720 yards and five scores on 152 attempts. Despite the up-and-down season, Anderson played a major part in Denver’s Super Bowl win, rushing for 90 yards and a touchdown in the championship game.

The Dolphins, whose new head coach Adam Gase worked with Anderson in Denver, are in the market for running back help after Lamar Miller agreed to sign with the Texans. Mike Klis of 9NEWS (Twitter link) believes that an offer sheet for Anderson could be agreed upon during his visit to Miami — the Broncos would have five days to match it once it’s officially signed.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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AFC Free Agent Rumors: Hogan, Pats, Steelers

By | at March 10, 2016 9:30 am

The latest free agent rumors out of the AFC:

  • Bills restricted free agent Chris Hogan is visiting the Patriots today, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Pats could sign the wide receiver/special-teamer to an offer sheet that the Bills would have five days to match. Pats head coach Bill Belichick has done serious research on Hogan and he likes the fact that he could serve as a backup punter, Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News tweets.
  • Steelers H-back Will Johnson has talked with the Jets, Bears, Chargers, and Titans since the opening of free agency, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com writes. Johnson is a versatile blocker and special teamer, but Fowler adds that he could be looking for more carries, too.
  • The Chiefs weren’t close to matching the Raiders‘ offer for cornerback Sean Smith, per Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (on Twitter).
  • The Bengals are trying to close on re-signing linebacker Vincent Rey today, as Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com tweets.
2 comments Buffalo Bills Chicago Bears Cincinnati Bengals Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Chargers New England Patriots New York Jets Pittsburgh Steelers Tennessee Titans

Free Agency Rumors: Dolphins, Penn, Bushrod

By | at March 9, 2016 10:44 pm

Before he agreed to terms with Philadelphia, new Eagles linebacker Nigel Bradham also received interest from the Browns, Buccaneers and Jaguars, as he tells Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter link). Bradham further stated that his former team, the Bills, backed out of contract talks.

Meanwhile, in addition to having lost out on Bradham, the Browns swung and missed on receiver Rishard Matthews, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Caplan reports that Cleveland was one of several teams in play for Matthews, who agreed to sign with Tennessee on a three-year deal.

After a busy day around the NFL, we still have a few more rumors related to free agents who signed today, and free agents who are still on the market. Let’s dive in…

  • The Dolphins aren’t looking to invest much money in a backup quarterback, Marvez tweets. Matt Moore is paying a visit to the Cowboys this week, and it seems Moore may not be back in Miami for the 2016 season.
  • The Giants have shown interest in free agent left tackle Donald Penn, according to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com (Twitter link). The reliable Penn has started 16 games in eight straight seasons, including the last two in Oakland.
  • Offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod, whom the Bears cut last month, is garnering “ample interest” in spite of recent shoulder surgery, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). He’s planning to visit the Dolphins and Vikings, La Canfora adds.
  • Prior to re-signing with the Bengals, cornerback Adam Jones drew the Vikings’ attention, he told Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. On Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, Jones said, “I love Zim. He really treated me well through this, but this is the place where I know.”
  • At least four teams – including the Bears – have expressed interest in return man Marc Mariani, per Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports that the 49ers and Raiders are also among those clubs in the mix for Mariani, who played the last two seasons in Chicago.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

5 comments Buffalo Bills Chicago Bears Cleveland Browns Jacksonville Jaguars Las Vegas Raiders Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings New York Giants Rishard Matthews San Francisco 49ers Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFC Contract Details: Vernon, Jenkins, Mack

By | at March 9, 2016 9:56 pm

Here are some of the latest details on many recent agreed-upon and signed contracts from out of the NFC (all links via Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post unless otherwise indicated)…

NFC East:

  • Olivier Vernon, DE (Giants): Five years, $85MM. $52.5MM guaranteed. $20MM signing bonus. $7MM roster bonus due on fifth day of 2016 league year (Twitter links).
  • Janoris Jenkins, CB (Giants): Five years, $62.5MM. $28.8MM guaranteed. $10MM signing bonus. $1.4MM base salary in 2016 (Twitter link).
  • Brandon Brooks, G (Eagles): Five years, $40MM. $21MM guaranteed. $11MM signing bonus. $1MM base salary in 2016 and $5MM base salary in 2017 fully guaranteed (Twitter link).
  • Chase Daniel, QB (Eagles): Three years, $21MM base value. $36MM max value. $3MM signing bonus. $3MM roster bonus due on March 14. $3MM base escalators in 2017 and 2018 (Twitter link).
  • Colt McCoy, QB (Washington): Three years, $9MM base value. Third year can be voided based on playing time. $1.8MM signing bonus. $1MM annually in playing-time incentives (Twitter link).
  • Ron Brooks, CB (Eagles): Three years, $5.5MM. $1.55MM guaranteed. $750K signing bonus (Twitter link).

NFC South:

NFC North:

  • Marvin Jones, WR (Lions): Five years, $40MM. $20MM guaranteed. $8MM signing bonus (Twitter link).
  • Alex Boone, G (Vikings): Four years, $26.8MM. $10MM guaranteed. Annual $100K workout bonus (Twitter link).
  • Danny Trevathan, LB (Bears): Four years, $24.5MM. $12MM guaranteed. $5MM signing bonus. $3.5MM roster bonus due on March 14 (Twitter link).
  • Michael Griffin, S (Vikings): One year, $2.5MM. $250K signing bonus. $500K of $1.65MM base salary guaranteed. Up to $500K in playing-time incentives (Twitter links).
  • Tavon Wilson, S (Lions): Two years, $2.2MM. $500K signing bonus. Up to $500K in annual playing-time incentives (Twitter link).

NFC West:

  • Mark Barron, OLB (Rams): Five years, $45MM. $20MM guaranteed. $5MM signing bonus (Twitter link).
  • William Hayes, DE (Rams): Three years, $17.5MM. $10MM guaranteed. $4MM roster bonus due on March 13 (Twitter link).
  • Tyvon Branch, S (Cardinals): Two years, $8MM. $1MM signing bonus. $1.75MM roster bonus in 2016, $1MM roster bonus in 2017 (Twitter link).
  • Tim Barnes, C (Rams): Two years, $5.6MM. $2.5MM guaranteed. $1.25MM roster bonus due in four days. $750K roster bonus due on third day of 2017 league year guaranteed for injury, skill; becomes fully guaranteed if on roster June 17. Up to $1MM in annual playing-time incentives. $250K annual Pro Bowl incentive (all Twitter links).
  • Brian Quick, WR (Rams): One year, $1.75MM. $1.5MM guaranteed ($1.25MM bas salary, $250K roster bonus due on March 15). $2MM stats incentive (Twitter link).
0 comments Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Los Angeles Rams Minnesota Vikings New Orleans Saints New York Giants Philadelphia Eagles Washington Commanders

RFA Tender Decisions: 3/9/16

By | at March 9, 2016 9:10 pm

Unrestricted free agent news will obviously dominate the day, but several clubs also had to make decisions on whether to offer tenders to restricted free agents. We’ll round up those decisions here:

Tendered

Non-Tendered

4 comments Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Indianapolis Colts Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Rams New England Patriots New Orleans Saints New York Jets Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Tampa Bay Buccaneers Transactions Washington Commanders

Bears Sign Danny Trevathan

By | at March 9, 2016 8:59 pm

8:59pm: The base value of Trevathan’s deal is $24.5MM, with $12MM guaranteed, per Schefter (via Twitter). Based on Rapoport’s report from earlier in the evening, it sounds as if the deal could be worth a little more via incentives and/or escalators.

6:56pm: Trevathan’s four-year deal is worth roughly $28MM, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

3:52pm: The Bears officially announced that they’ve signed Trevathan to a four-year contract.

3:16pm: The Bears have added one of the top inside linebackers on the market, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the team has signed Danny Trevathan.

Danny Trevathan (vertical)The former sixth-round pick had spent his entire four-year career with the Broncos. He started 15 games this past season, compiling 109 tackles and a pair of interceptions. The 25-year-old also had a standout performance in this past year’s Super Bowl, grabbing a pair of fumble recoveries in Denver’s victory over the Panthers. Trevathan proved to be mostly recovered from a knee injury that limited him to only three games in 2014.

Pro Football Focus was rather fond of Trevathan’s performance this past season, ranking him 10th among the league’s linebackers. We had him listed as the best available inside linebackers, and he placed 16th on our list of overall free agents.

There were whispers yesterday that the Bears were looking to add the linebacker. Trevathan has experience playing for head coach John Fox, making Chicago a natural fit.

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FA Rumors: Hicks, Bears, Vikings, Jets, 49ers

By | at March 9, 2016 8:43 pm

Let’s check in on the latest free agent rumors on a hectic Wednesday night in the NFL:

  • The Bears could be setting up a visit with defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link). Bears general manager Ryan Pace and player personnel director Josh Lucas were in the Saints’ front office when they drafted Hicks in 2012. New Orleans traded Hicks to the Patriots last season, and he proved to be a terrific buy-low pickup in his 13 games with the Pats. Hicks amassed three sacks and earned positive marks for his performance from Pro Football Focus. The site (subscription required) ranked Hicks as its 14th-best D-tackle.
  • Even after signing guards Alex Boone and Mike Harris, the Vikings aren’t done addressing their offensive line, Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports reports (on Twitter).
  • Running back Lance Dunbar will visit the 49ers, per ESPN’s Adam Caplan (Twitter link). Dunbar spent the first four years of his career in Dallas, with which he accrued 900-plus total yards. He missed most of last season with a torn ACL.
  • In other Vikings news, cornerback Marcus Sherels – who has spent the first six seasons of his career with Minnesota – will visit the Jets and possibly another team, tweets Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Tomasson doesn’t rule out a Vikings return for Sherels, who has started in six of his 81 regular-season games with the club.
1 comment Chicago Bears Minnesota Vikings San Francisco 49ers

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/9/16

By | at March 9, 2016 8:28 pm

Not every move on free agency’s first day is a big splash. Here are today’s minor transactions from around the NFL:

  • The Dolphins have signed offensive tackle Sam Young to a one-year, $760K deal, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Young, a six-year veteran, is coming off his first 16-game season. He has made nine starts over the last two years, giving him 16 for his career.
  • Although the Rams did not tender offensive lineman Brian Folkerts, they re-signed him, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch tweets. A 26-year-old center/guard hybrid, Folkerts spent 2015 in St. Louis and 2013-14 with the Panthers.
  • The 49ers have signed quarterback Thaddeus Lewis to a one-year deal, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets. Lewis, 28, was on the Eagles’ roster when Chip Kelly was their head coach last season. The two are now reunited in San Francisco. Lewis has appeared in seven NFL games, though none since 2014, made six starts, and tossed five touchdowns against four interceptions.
  • The Rams have re-signed safety Cody Davis to a two-year deal, according to the Los Angeles Daily News’ Vincent Bonsignore (Twitter link). Davis joined the team as an undrafted free agent from Texas Tech in 2013 and has since appeared in 43 games (zero starts).
  • The Bears have re-signed running back Jacquizz Rodgers and offensive tackle Nick Becton to one-year contracts, per their Twitter account. Rodgers totaled 41 yards on 14 carries for Chicago last season. He spent 2014 in Atlanta, with which he rushed for over 1,100 yards and five touchdowns. Becton appeared in five games for the Bears last season. His only other appearance came in 2013 with the Chargers.
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Free Agent Rumors: Vikings, Weddle, Steelers

By | at March 9, 2016 6:03 pm

The Vikings are negotiating to bring back tight end Rhett Ellison, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). If Ellison can’t be retained, however, one option to replace him might be free agent James Hanna, formerly of the Cowboys, a source tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link).

Here’s a look at some of the latest news and rumors on this crazy day of action:

  • Terence Newman is also a Vikings free agent, and the club will talk to his agent once again later tonight or tomorrow, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN. Wolfson also says that Minnesota did not show interest in guard Jeff Allen, as Alex Boone was their target all along.
  • The Steelers like veteran safety Eric Weddle, a source tells Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com (Twitter link), but the club thinks he’s too expensive at the moment. Pittsburgh is hoping Weddle’s price falls.
  • Free agent offensive lineman Ted Larsen will take a visit with the 49ers, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link).
  • The Bears are not done looking for free agent offensive lineman, even after agreeing to a deal with Bobby Massie, reports Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (Twitter link).
  • Texans restricted free agent corner A.J. Bouye is drawing interest from other clubs, but no offer sheet is yet on the table, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Bouye was tendered at the lowest level, so Houston won’t get any compensation if it fails to match an offer.
1 comment Chicago Bears Houston Texans Minnesota Vikings Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers

Bears To Add Bobby Massie

By | at March 9, 2016 4:54 pm

4:54pm: It’ll be a three-year deal for Massie, tweets Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com, while Cole adds (via Twitter) that the contract is worth $18MM.

3:57pm: Bobby Massie and the Bears have reached an agreement to bring the tackle to Chicago, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report tweets.

Massie started for three seasons with the Cardinals and was linked to multiple teams during his initial free agency foray but opted to sign with the Bears. Terms of the deal are not yet disclosed.Bobby Massie

A starter in Arizona during the 2012, 2014 and 2015 seasons, Massie started 16 total games for the Cardinals last season, including both playoff contests, at right tackle. The NFL suspended Massie for the first three games of last season, a ban that was reduced to two, for a substance-abuse policy violation.

Upon return, Massie didn’t fare too well, per Pro Football Focus. The soon-to-be 27-year-old blocker ranked 45th at tackle, although the site is highly critical of tackles’ play.

In 2014, Massie played all 1,089 snaps for the Cardinals. But the team drafted tackle D.J. Humphries in the first round in 2015 and already employs a second-contract cog as its left tackle in Jared Veldheer.

The Bears also have an interesting quandary on their front now that Massie appears to be in the fold. Kyle Long started all 16 games at right tackle for Chicago last season but played his previous two slates as the Bears’ right guard. The fourth-year veteran and extension candidate’s previously been pegged to play tackle for the Bears next season; that could now be on the left side, where 2014 seventh-round pick Charles Leno resided in 2015.

Chicago could move Long back to guard, where he was a productive talent and a two-time Pro Bowler. Long made the Pro Bowl last year as a right tackle, so his versatility will benefit the Bears as they add a proven component to their starting front.

Photo courtesy USA Today Sports Images

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