North Notes: Canty, Bowe, Rodgers
The Bengals decided to get in on April Fool’s Day with a little prank of their own, as Coley Harvey of ESPN.com writes. In a swipe at the Browns‘ extraordinarily tame logo and helmet redesign earlier this year, Cincy “announced” some extremely mild changes to their own helmet and striped B logo. Here’s more from the North divisions..
- Chris Canty‘s two-year, $4.65MM deal with the Ravens will carry base salaries of $970K and $2MM, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links). He’ll also collect a bonus of $1.53MM and the second year will be an option year for Baltimore. He’ll be owed a $150K roster bonus on the first day of the league year. He’ll have a cap number of $1.735MM in 2015 and $2.915MM in 2016.
- New Browns receiver Dwayne Bowe says he’s determined to go back “to the Dwayne Bowe of 2010,” as Pat McManamon of ESPN.com writes. In 2010, Bowe hauled in 15 receiving touchdowns. Cleveland has been in the NFL since 1950, but they’ve only had one wide receiver or tight end record 15 or more touchdown receptions in one year.
- New Bears running back Jacquizz Rodgers is ready to define his role with Chicago, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times writes. In his introduction to the local media, the former Atlanta tailback made it known that he had serious interest in joining up with the Bears and was elated to learn that the feeling was mutual. Running backs playing behind Matt Forte historically haven’t seen the ball all that much, but Rodgers is confident that he’ll get his fair share.
Minor Moves: Wednesday
Teams around the NFL have been busy today, making minor roster additions and subtractions as they continue to survey the remaining free agent landscape and prepare for this month’s draft. Here are Wednesday’s minor transactions from across the league:
- According to Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys have signed defensive end Efe Obada, who played last year with the London Warriors in England.
- Meanwhile, a former Cowboys defender, Caesar Rayford, announced today on Facebook that he has signed a new contract with the Vikings.
- The Jets have re-signed backup tackle Ben Ijalana, the team announced today in a press release. During his two seasons in New York, Ijalana has been inactive on game days more often than not.
Earlier updates:
- Seahawks fullback and defensive lineman Will Tukuafu posted an Instagram photo today that showed him signing a new contract with the Seahawks, and the NFL’s official transactions wire confirms the deal, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Per Condotta (via Twitter), Seattle’s new deal with defensive lineman Jesse Williams, who was cut earlier in the offseason for procedural reasons, also showed up on the transactions wire.
- Cornerback and special-teamer Sherrick McManis has returned to the Bears on a one-year deal, according to the club (Twitter link). Although he played just 46 defensive snaps for Chicago in 2014, McManis was a key contributor on kick and punt coverage, recording 11 special teams tackles.
- The Steelers have re-signed defensive lineman Clifton Geathers to a one-year contract, the team announced today in a press release. Geathers, 27, joined the Steelers in December of last year after the club placed Brett Keisel on injured reserve, but didn’t see any game action.
- Agent Mike McCartney published a tweet this afternoon congratulating his client Mike Kafka on the quarterback’s new deal with the Vikings. A participant in last month’s veterans combine, Kafka spent time in 2014 on the Buccaneers’ practice squad and active roster.
- Running back Dan “Boom” Herron has officially signed his exclusive rights free agent tender with the Colts, ensuring that he’ll be back with the team in 2015. The move was a formality, since Herron couldn’t negotiate with other clubs.
- The Panthers have waived guard Derek Dennis and linebacker Horace Miller, two players who signed futures contracts with the team at season’s end, the club announced today (via Twitter).
Bears Sign Sam Acho
The Bears continued to add to a defense-heavy free agent class today, announcing (via Twitter) that they’ve signed linebacker Sam Acho. It’s a one-year contract for Acho, according to the team.
Acho, who spent his first four NFL seasons in Arizona, originally joined the Cardinals as a fourth-round draft pick in 2011. After starting 16 games during his first two seasons, the Texas product missed most of the 2013 campaign with a broken ankle, then played a part-time role for the Cards in 2014.
The 26-year-old Acho hasn’t been an overly effective pass rusher since entering the league, recording just one sack last season. However, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) credited him with 26 overall quarterback pressures, and gave him a positive grade for his run defense.
Acho is the latest free agent defender to sign with the Bears, following Pernell McPhee, Antrel Rolle, Alan Ball, Ray McDonald, Jarvis Jenkins, and Mason Foster to Chicago. With new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio planning to make the transition from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4 system in 2015, the team has been active in finding and adding players who have experience in the 3-4.
Bears Sign Jacquizz Rodgers
The Bears have signed free agent running back Jacquizz Rodgers to a one-year contract, the team announced today (via Twitter). Ian Rapoport of NFL.com had reported earlier today that Rodgers was paying a visit to Chicago.
Rodgers, who turned 25 last month, spent his first four NFL seasons in Atlanta, acting as a backup and a change-of-pace back for the team’s offense. The Oregon State product never made a real impact on the ground, averaging less than four yards per carry in each of his seasons with the team, but he was an effective receiver, catching 155 balls in 63 games.
Matt Forte is expected to see the majority of the action in 2015 for a Chicago team that doesn’t generally rely on a running back by committee approach. However, Rodgers gives the team some veteran depth to complement Forte and 2014 draftee Ka’Deem Carey.
Bears Notes: J. Rodgers, Ball, McDonald
The Bears were one of the league’s most active teams in free agency a year ago, and while they likely won’t earn that somewhat dubious honor again in 2015, the team added Pernell McPhee early and has continued to sign players since then, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Our latest round of Bears notes includes details on a couple contracts for those free agent signees, as well as an update on another potential target….
- Free agent running back Jacquizz Rodgers is visiting the Bears, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Running back is one position where the team certainly doesn’t need a starting lineup upgrade, but Rodgers, a former Falcon, is a versatile back who could be a nice backup for Matt Forte. During his four years in Atlanta, the 25-year-old carried the ball 305 times and added 155 receptions.
- Alan Ball‘s one-year deal with the Bears is worth $3MM, including a $1MM signing bonus and a $1.95MM base salary, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). The Panthers’ offer to Ball had a base value of $2MM, so it’s no surprise that the cornerback turned it down in favor of the Bears’ proposal.
- The Bears received some criticism when they signed Ray McDonald, who was the subject of domestic violence allegations last year. However, the team certainly didn’t invest heavily in the defensive lineman. Per Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter links), McDonald’s one-year deal with Chicago is worth $1.05MM, with no guaranteed money. The former Niner can earn up to $1.5MM with incentives.
- Bleacher Report draft guru Matt Miller tweets that he doesn’t think the Bears need to draft a defensive player with the seventh overall pick, suggesting that taking the best player available would be the team’s best move.
Extra Points: Connolly, Foster, Titans
Within a span of a week earlier this month, four prominent NFL players walked away from lucrative salaries. There are split opinions on whether this is the start of a trend, as Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes. “It’s the flavor of the month. It is a hot topic,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of Patrick Willis, Jake Locker, Jason Worilds, and Chris Borland retiring. “I imagine it’s been going on since the beginning of time, guys choosing to walk away from the game seemingly at an inopportune time when they had youth and health.”
- The Bucs are bringing former Patriots guard Dan Connolly for a visit tomorrow, Ross Jones of FOX Sports tweets. On Sunday, Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com reported that Connolly wasn’t receiving a ton of interest from other clubs, leaving him in a holding pattern with New England. At one point, the 32-year-old was receiving interest from the Seahawks and Bears as a center and from the Dolphins as a guard. The Bucs reportedly saw Connolly as a guard as well.
- The Bears‘ contract for linebacker Mason Foster is a one-year, minimum salary deal, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter). The pact carries a $745K base with an $80K signing bonus, good for a total value of $825K.
- Titans offensive lineman Chance Warmack told Alex Marvez of SiriusXM (on Twitter) that he believes in both quarterback Zach Mettenberger and the direction that the Titans’ front office is going in.
- Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com broke down the specifics on Kenny Britt‘s two-year deal with the Rams. While the reported total value was $14MM, it’s really more like a $9.15MM pact when considering that he’d have to accomplish feats in the NFL that he never has before in order to achieve the total value.
- Washington‘s pursuit of Marcus Mariota doesn’t make a great deal of sense given the team’s recent decisions, Zac Boyer of The Washington Times writes.
North Notes: Browns, J. Smith, J. Allen, Lions
While the Browns are content to use Josh McCown as their starting quarterback in 2015, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer believes the club will continue to search for other options at the position. Cabot thinks Cleveland will attempt to trade up in the draft for Oregon’s Marcus Mariota, and also doesn’t rule out the Browns making another run at Sam Bradford on draft day.
Here’s more from the North divisions:
- Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith is perhaps the best 2016 free agent CB, writes ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley, who argues that Baltimore will either sign Smith to an extension, or use the franchise tag on him. Hensley adds that the starting point for negotiations on a long-term deal would probably be the contract between the Eagles and Byron Maxwell (six years, $63MM).
- In an interesting discussion with Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune, Jared Allen discusses the Bears’ dismal 2014 season, his hopes for an improved 2015, and his transition to 3-4 linebacker. Perhaps most notably, Allen reveals that the Broncos were on his shortlist of intriguing teams when he hit free agency last offseason in large part due to John Fox, who of course is now in Chicago.
- The Lions lost one of the league’s best players in Ndamukong Suh to free agency, but improvement by younger defenders such as linebacker Kyle Van Noy and defensive end Larry Webster could keep Detroit’s defense among the NFL’s top units, opines Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com.
Sunday Roundup: Panthers, Thomas, Levy
Let’s take a look at some notes from around the league on this Sunday afternoon:
- David Newton of ESPN.com passes along a couple of Panthers items. He believes an extension for Cam Newton will get done before the season begins, but both sides will wait until Russell Wilson signs his new deal before really moving forward. The ESPN scribe also expects an extension for Thomas Davis to happen at some point, but there is no real rush to get it done immediately.
- Although the Broncos have to seriously consider taking a quarterback with one of their ten draft picks, Mike Kiszla of The Denver Post does not see any of this year’s crops of signal-callers outside of Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota as a legitimate heir to Peyton Manning.
- Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com writes that Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians plans to give second-year quarterback Logan Thomas “a ton of work” this offseason. Most of Thomas’ reps will come with the second unit, but given that Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton are coming off injury, there should be opportunities with the first team as well.
- Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com believes the Bears will look to the draft for a wide receiver to complement Alshon Jeffery, and they will only turn to the free agent pool if they are unable to adequately address their needs with a rookie or two.
- Now that Ndamukong Suh is gone, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com believes DeAndre Levy might be the player to build around as the cornerstone of the Lions‘ defense.
- If Jimmy Smith were to hit the open market next offseason, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com believes he would be the best cornerback in the free agent class. But Hensley thinks the Ravens will either lock Smith up with a long-term extension or else put the franchise tag on him, as he is too valuable for the team to let go. Byron Maxwell‘s new six-year deal with the Eagles, which includes $25.5MM guaranteed and has an AAV of $10.5MM, would be a good benchmark for a Smith extension.
- David Moore of The Dallas Morning News says it is unlikely that Adrian Peterson will end up with the Cowboys, but given the unpredictability of owner Jerry Jones, it is too soon to dismiss the possibility altogether.
NFC North Mailbags: Mathis, Long, Blalock
Here’s some of the chatter from the Saturday mailbags on the NFC North.
- Evan Mathis could be in play for the Vikings if the Eagles release him as they’ve indicated they might, writes ESPN’s Ben Goessling. Although not willing to part with draft choices for the All-Pro guard, the Vikings are reportedly eyeing more interior help and could move for a soon-to-be-released player. Mathis has connections to Mike Zimmer and offensive line coach Jeff Davidson from his time with the Bengals and Panthers, respectively.
- Stefen Wisniewski, conversely, is not on the Vikings’ radar due in part to the torn labrum he suffered last season, reports Goessling.
- The Bears view Kyle Long as a candidate to move to tackle due to his athleticism, writes ESPN’s Michael C. Wright. Long started 31 games at right guard the past two years and Bears 2014 starters Jermon Bushrod and Jordan Mills were lower-tier tackles last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
- Wright notes the Bears won’t go out of their way to take a quarterback or wide receiver at No. 7 despite the loss of Brandon Marshall or uncertainty surrounding Jay Cutler.
- The Packers going after a cornerback in the first round to replace the departed Tramon Williams and Davon House is probably one of their top options, offers ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. Green Bay, which hasn’t drafted a corner in Round 1 since Ahmad Carroll in 2004, could look at Wake Forest’s Kevin Johnson at No. 30 if he’s still on the board, per Demovsky.
- Wes Welker may have been a fall-back option had Randall Cobb opted to sign elsewhere, but the veteran slot target is not on the Packers’ radar now. Young backups Jeff Janis and Jared Abbrederis remain in the team’s developmental plans.
- Like the Vikings, the Lions are also expected to add talent at guard, reports ESPN’s Mike Rothstein. Retaining 32-year-old Rob Sims or signing longtime Falcons starter Justin Blalock, also 32, are the Lions’ most likely routes in this pursuit, opines Rothstein. After a free agency period more notable for who they lost than who they’ve acquired, the Lions have just more than $5MM worth of cap space heading into the draft.
- The only two starting lineup locks up front in Detroit are Larry Warford at right guard and Travis Swanson at center, notes Rothstein. Former tight end Michael Williams, who resided on the practice squad last season, could make a move toward the swing tackle spot.
NFC Links: Ball, McClain, Panthers, Cardinals
Veteran cornerback Alan Ball rejected the Panthers offer in free agency, eventually opting to sign with the Bears. The former seventh-round pick discussed his decision to join Chicago with Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune:
“I just see opportunity in a new defense that is coming in. I’ve watched Vic [Fangio]’s defense in the past and what he does for his players and the situations he puts them in. You have to be excited about that. [Ed] Donatell does a good job with players as well and John Fox, no matter who you ask, they say the same thing about him as a head coach.
“I like the whole situation with those guys after being around them and (general manager) Ryan Pace. It’s good energy and it is something to be excited about. I don’t want to talk numbers. The Bears were competitive. The reason I made the decision overall was because of fit.”
Let’s take a look at some more notes from the NFC…
- Despite previous reports the the Cowboys wanted to bring back linebacker Rolando McClain, Bob Sturm of the Dallas Morning News says the two sides are very far apart. Following the deals signed by linebackers Bruce Carter and Justin Durant, Sturm concludes that it’s a “buyer’s market.” Our own Luke Adams analyzed McClain’s free agent stock yesterday.
- Free agent offensive lineman Ben Ijalana visited the Panthers on Friday, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The former second-round pick has played only seven games since joining the NFL in 2011.
- An interesting detail on Alameda Ta’amu‘s contract with the Cardinals (via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com): the nose tackle’s $216K workout bonus is based on the player making weight. The 24-year-old will make $36K for making weight at each of his six weigh-ins.