Extra Points: RGIII, Baldwin, Borland, Pugh
Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III says he’s already developed a rapport with newcomer DeSean Jackson, writes CSNWashington.com’s Tarik El-Bashir. “It’s there,” Griffin said, asked about finding chemistry with Jackson. “We’ve been throwing a lot and he’s been here for the majority of the offseason program. I know there was the big splash about him not being here at the beginning, but he’s been here since then.” More from around the league..
- Wide receiver Doug Baldwin has a new deal that can keep him with the Seahawks through 2016, but he says the contract won’t change much for him, writes Todd Dybas of the News Tribune. Baldwin agreed to a two-year extension and although he didn’t address a report from ESPN’s John Clayton that he turned down a four-year, $20MM offer, he acknowledged that he enjoys the flexibility of his new pact.
- Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap has the details on third-round linebacker Chris Borland‘s deal with the 49ers.
- Saints unrestricted free agent Jordan Pugh had a tryout with the Bears, tweets Howard Balzer of USA Today Sports.
- Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com looks at the undrafted Titans rookies who received bonus money.
Minor Moves: Ravens, Bears, Steelers
The Ravens have signed former Michigan running back Fitz Toussaint, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. To create a roster spot, Baltimore waived-injured rookie outside linebacker Ryan Jones out of Montana Tech. Toussaint played at Michigan, rushing for 648 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior last season. He also caught 18 passes for 203 yards for the Wolverines in 2013. Here are the rest of today’s minor moves..
- The Bills released Western New York native Randy Colling, writes Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com. The Gannon University product, who also has Arena League experience, was previously a defensive lineman but Buffalo was trying to transition him to offensive guard.
- In addition to confirming the release of Derrick Martin, the Bears announced (via Twitter) that they have waived offensive tackle Rogers Gaines.
- The Steelers took to Twitter to announce that they have released Nik Embernate and Kaycee Ike. Their spots have been filled by offensive lineman Emmanuel McCray and Deion Belue, whose acquisitions were disclosed earlier.
- The Broncos have waived guard/tackle Ramon Harewood, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
- The Giants received wide receiver Corey Washington off waivers from the Cardinals, tweets Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. To make room for Washington, Big Blue waived offensive lineman Stephen Goodin.
NFC North Notes: Marshall, Lions, Packers
Although Brandon Marshall‘s new extension with the Bears was originally reported as containing $22.3MM in guaranteed money, not all of that money is fully guaranteed, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Only Marshall’s $7.5MM signing bonus and $7.3MM base salary are fully guaranteed, whereas the other $7.5MM – his 2015 base salary – is guaranteed for injury only at this point. In total then, Marshall’s new deal contains $14.8MM in fully guaranteed money.
Here’s more from around the NFC North:
- Following the team’s OTAs on Wednesday, the Lions hosted free agent defensive back Terrell Thomas for a visit, according to Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News. Thomas, who also visited recently with the Patriots, posted solid numbers for the Giants in 588 defensive snaps last year, ranking 52nd out of 110 qualified cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required). He also accumulated 67 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble.
- A contract extension for Ndamukong Suh would seem to be a win-win scenario for the defensive tackle and the Lions, since it would mean a payday for Suh and increased cap room for the team, which would allow Detroit to sign its top draft picks. The fact that a new deal hasn’t been struck yet has Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press questioning Suh’s “supposedly full-throated commitment to the Lions and doing whatever necessary to help them win.”
- While the Packers may be rolling the dice by signing troubled tight end Colt Lyerla, the club did its due diligence before making the move, says Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report. According to Pompei, three Green Bay front office executives interviewed Lyerla in person, and GM Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy both spent time with the tight end at the team’s rookie minicamp.
- Insider linebacker is the Packers‘ biggest remaining need, as Rob Demovsky writes at ESPN.com, citing Rivers McCown’s Insider-only piece.
Bears Release Derrick Martin
The Bears have cut former Ravens safety Derrick Martin with a non-football injury designation, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter). The move will create room on the roster for former CFL tackle Michael Ola, who was picked up earlier today off waivers from the Dolphins.
The well-traveled veteran has played for five NFL teams over the course of his career and could be on his way to No. 6. Martin appeared in seven games last season for the Bears, recording a tackle on defense and six on special teams, and was re-signed to a one-year deal earlier this year. The 29-year-old has two Super Bowl rings in his collection – one with the Packers and one with the Giants in the following season.
Minor Moves: Steelers, Dolphins, Seahawks
Here are a few of the latest transactions from around the league, including several draft pick signings, waiver claims, and cuts, plus a new contract for a player who was cut by his old team earlier this month:
- Three teams parted ways with recently-signed undrafted free agents or players on reserve contracts, as the Steelers cut offensive lineman Kaycee Ike, the Dolphins dropped running back Cameron Marshall, and the Texans waived guard Kevin Forsch (all Twitter links via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun). The Packers also waived linebacker Victor Aiyewa, per Wilson (via Twitter).
- Three players cut this week have been claimed off waivers, according to Wilson, who reports (in a series of three tweets) that tackle Michael Ola is headed to the Bears, defensive back Deion Belue was awarded to the Steelers, and receiver Kofi Hughes was claimed by the Texans.
- A couple more updates from Wilson: Luke Marquardt is now on the 49ers‘ injured reserve list (Twitter link), while Garrett Scott has been placed on the Seahawks‘ non-football injury list (Twitter link).
- Having been recently cut by the Seahawks, defensive back Jimmy Legree has signed with the Cardinals, tweets Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.
Earlier updates:
- The Seahawks became the NFL’s fourth team to finishing locking up its 2014 draft class, announcing last night that fourth-round wide receiver Kevin Norwood and fourth-round linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis have signed their rookie contracts. The Saints, Chiefs, and Bears were the first three clubs to sign all their draftees.
- Sixth-round cornerback Brandon Dixon has inked his four-year rookie deal with the Jets, the team confirmed today in a press release. The 195th overall selection, Dixon is in line for a signing bonus worth about $103K an an overall four-year base value of around $2.324MM, per Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap. The former Northwest Missouri State speedster is the 10th of 12 Jets draft picks to sign his contract.
- The Dolphins have signed former Buccaneers cornerback Anthony Gaitor, according to Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. The appropriately named Gaitor, a seventh-round pick in 2011, remains in the state where he also played his college ball, at Florida International.
Domenik Hixon Tears ACL, Career In Jeopardy
Part of the Panthers’ wide receiver exodus of 2014, Domenik Hixon inked a one-year contract with the Bears shortly after free agency opened in March, and was expected to play a role this season among a group of wideouts led by Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. However, Hixon’s season seems to have come to a premature end. The veteran receiver announced last night on Facebook that he tore his ACL during the team’s first day of OTAs.
“I tore my ACL today for the 3rd time today!” Hixon wrote. “I’m disappointed that I won’t be playing for a Bears team that has the players and coaches to WIN the Super Bowl. I thank God for letting me live my dream of playing in the NFL for 8 years plus. It has truly been FUN! #blessed #lovethisgame.”
As ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter notes (via Twitter), Hixon figures to miss the 2014 season, and based on the receiver’s wording and his injury history, the latest ACL tear could mean the end of his playing career. The former fourth-round pick will turn just 30 in October, but after catching 39 balls for the Giants in 2012, he saw a reduced role in Carolina last season, hauling in just seven passes in 15 games.
Hixon hasn’t made an official decision on retirement yet, so it’s entirely possible he’ll work to rehab his knee and try to get healthy in time for the 2015 free agency period. However, it’ll be an uphill battle for the Akron product, who has accumulated 109 receptions in parts of six seasons for his career.
Extra Points: Bucs, Lions, Boone, Chargers
What’s harder, learning an NFL offense or studying at Harvard? Buccaneers rookie tight end Cameron Brate gave Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times the answer. “This is definitely harder,” said Brate, comparing the playbook to his classes at Cambridge. “Once you get the base down, everything builds off of that in economics. One thing that Harvard helped me out with was teaching me how to learn efficiently.” More from around the NFL..
- Free agent tight end Jermichael Finley will undergo testing with the Packers tomorrow, writes Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel. This could be a sign that his spinal contusion has healed and that he’s closer to getting back on the field.
- The Lions worked out defensive tackle Derek Landri today, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link) Landri, 31 in September, signed a two year, $3.25MM contract with the Buccaneers in March 2013 and was released in February of this year.
- The Bucs are discussing a long-term deal with All-Pro defensive tackle Gerald McCoy but that’s not exactly at the forefront of his mind. “That’s cool,” McCoy said, according to Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times. “That sounds good, but I’m not worried about that right now.” One of McCoy’s priorities for this offseason will be to get more familiar with the Tampa 2 defense that Lovie Smith has brought back to the franchise.
- The 49ers‘ method of signing promising inexperienced backups to modest contract extensions can backfire and Alex Boone is just the latest example, writes Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. The 26-year-old was a no-show for OTAs over dissatisfaction with his deal. He’s set to earn base salaries of $2MM this season and $1.2MM in 2015.
- While he wouldn’t name names, Chargers GM Tom Telesco told SiriusXM that the 2014 crop of undrafted free agents is better than those that were signed in 2013, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1.
- Prized offseason pickup Chris Johnson took to Twitter to let everyone know that he wants to see the Jets go out and get disgruntled Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson. The star receiver, frustrated with several difficult seasons, was a no-show for OTAs in Houston.
- The Bears‘ draft picks and free agent pickups look strong in OTAs and seem comfortable with their new surroundings and schemes, writes Matt Bowen of the Chicago Tribune. The Bears’ additions on the defensive front, including defensive end Jared Allen, give Chicago a level of flexibility that they didn’t have last season.
- In this week’s mailbag, Mike Jones of the Washington Post discusses the Redskins‘ front office following the departure of Morocco Brown and Bruce Allen being bumped up to President and GM.
OTA Previews: Panthers, Bears, Seahawks
It’s the calm before the storm tonight, as most teams are set to begin OTAs either tomorrow or Wednesday. Given that, let’s take a quick look at some of the main storylines to follow as we inch ever closer to training camp:
- Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer summarizes the uncertainty facing the Panthers after they replaced nearly their entire secondary and drew criticism for the way they handled their receiving corps. Person wonders who will replace Steve Smith as the team’s primary receiving threat, if Byron Bell is ready to slide over to left tackle, and if Ed Dickson can rekindle the embers of high-level ability he once flashed in Baltimore.
- Like the Panthers, the Bears are prepared to head into the season with a pair of new safeties, and Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune describes the positional battle about to unfold between incumbent Chris Conte and new additions like Ryan Mundy and Brock Vereen.
- Staying on the Bears, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune looks at the adjustments first-round pick Kyle Fuller will have to make as he enters his first OTAs, and Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune takes a deeper look at Shea McClellin‘s transition from defensive end to linebacker.
- Rich Tandler and Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com looks at what the Redskins must do to fix a special teams unit that floundered in 2013.
- Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com writes that the Chargers will continue to focus on pursuit as OTAs unfold, a concept that escaped them far too often last year, and Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that Manti Te’o enters his second year of OTAs at his mental and physical peak.
- Randy Covitz of the Kansas City Star looks at a couple of Chiefs highlights from the days leading up to tomorrow’s OTAs, such as the excellent weekend that converted basketball player Demetrius Harris–who spent last season on Kansas City’s practice squad–enjoyed.
- Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times looks at five burning questions facing the defending champion Seahawks.
Sunday Roundup: Pats, Jags, Browns
With the increasing importance of tight ends in today’s game–the current average for tight ends on a roster is 5.5–it is not surprising that the Patriots have brought in veteran free agent TEs Dustin Keller, Ben Hartsock, and Nate Byham for tryouts over the past couple of weeks, writes Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com. The team has two open spots on its 90-man roster, and would like to add more depth to the tight end position with Rob Gronkowski currently unavailable to practice. If the Patriots do decide to pull the trigger on any of those players, Reiss expects it will be after June 1, so they can protect their compensatory picks.
Now for some more notes around the league on this Sunday morning:
- In the same piece, Reiss says that if the Patriots are looking to add a veteran linebacker, James Anderson might be their guy. He was in for a tryout last week, and he offers solid coverage abilities. Again, if New England were to sign him, it would be after June 1.
- Finally, Reiss takes a look at the players the Dolphins drafted with the picks they received in the Brandon Marshall trade and comes to an obvious conclusion: the Bears got the better end of the deal.
- Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union examines UDFA Allen Hurns‘ path to the Jaguars‘ roster and what attracted the team to Toby Gerhart, who currently tops the Jacksonville’s depth chart at running back.
- Chris Boden of CSNChicago.com offers his early projections as to how the Bears‘ final roster might shake out, with the caveat that injuries and veteran additions will inevitably happen.
- Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com looks at a number of Browns-related topics in his weekly mailbag, including several clarifications on the Josh Gordon saga and an early look at the right tackle position battle.
- Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee offers an early take on the 49ers‘ roster battle at inside linebacker.
NFC Notes: Giants, Durant, Washington, Floyd
“It seems everyone in the free world with an interest in football wants to know why the Giants didn’t draft a tight end and what they’re going to do to shore up the position,” writes Giants.com Senior Writer/Editor Michael Eisen. However, Eisen says GM Jerry Reese likes his two young, developmental tight ends (Adrien Robinson and Larry Donnell) and wants to see what the team has in veterans Kellen Davis and Daniel Fells and rookie free agent Xavier Grimble before addressing the position.
In other NFC news and notes…
- The 49ers waived offensive tackle Luke Marquardt, a 2013 undrafted free agent out of Azusa Pacific who has been sidelined with foot problems, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
- In a “Buy or Sell” piece for the Cowboys’ website, former NFL executive Bryan Broaddus says the days of linebacker Justin Durant being useful have passed, and DeVonte Holloman and Kyle Wilber possess the athleticism and three-down utility to compete for the Sam linebacker job.
- Bears 2013 sixth-round defensive lineman Cornelius Washington could be a roster casualty if his raw ability doesn’t manifest more consistently, believes ESPN’s Michael C. Wright.
- Panthers receivers coach Ricky Proehl‘s “ability to teach and develop talent is almost as valuable as having extra draft picks,” asserts ESPN’s David Newton.
- Cardinals receiver Michael Floyd, a first-round pick in 2012, is showing signs that he’s ready to take his game to another level, writes Darren Urban on azcardinals.com. Quarterback Carson Palmer praised Floyd, and receivers coach Darryl Drake said, “The only person that can keep [Floyd] from being good is him.”
- The Cardinals brought in 17 tryout players for rookie minicamp, and ESPN’s John Weinfuss has the list.