North Notes: Browns, Suh, Porter, Bears
After announcing several front office moves earlier today, the Browns will add one more new executive, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Schefter reports (via Twitter) that former Chiefs VP of player personnel Bill Kuharich will join the Browns to assist new GM Ray Farmer. Kuharich and Farmer worked together in Kansas City.
With a new group of decision-makers taking over football operations in Cleveland, several players’ futures could be affected. We have details on those possibilities, as well as updates on a few more AFC and NFC North teams, so let’s dive in….
- The Browns have a much more realistic chance of re-signing star center Alex Mack, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who says (via Twitter) that Mack appeared to be a sure thing to depart in free agency under the old regime. Rapoport adds (via Twitter) that receiver Greg Little was certain to be waived by the old regime, but may be retained for another season by the new decision-makers.
- After Schefter reported that Jay Z and Roc Nation Sports would advise Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh in some capacity, fellow ESPN.com scribe Darren Rovell added that Roc Nation would represent Suh for both contract negotiations and marketing. We had heard back in January when Suh fired his previous agents that Jay-Z was expected to be involved in the 27-year-old’s new representation.
- Longtime Steeler linebacker Joey Porter had been hired by his old team as a defensive assistant, and figures to work with the current group of linebackers in Pittsburgh, tweets Bob Labriola of Steelers Digest.
- The Bears aren’t likely to use their own franchise tag this offseason, but they’ll be keeping an eye on which other teams around the league designate franchise players, since it could affect their free agent pursuits, writes John Mullin of CSNChicago.com.
NFL Execs Weigh In On Michael Sam
As the world reacted to the news that the NFL might soon see its first openly gay current player last night, so did anonymous NFL club officials. The feedback from decision makers around the league was not nearly as positive as the general public’s.
Sports Illustrated’s Pete Thamel and Thayer Evans polled eight NFL executives and coaches, and the overwhelming consensus was that the announcement would hurt Michael Sam‘s draft stock. The redshirt senior from the University of Missouri is predicted as a mid- to late-round draft pick, but one NFL player personnel assistant told SI he doesn’t feel football is ready for an openly gay player.
“In the coming decade or two, it’s going to be acceptable, but at this point in time it’s still a man’s-man game,” the assistant said. “To call somebody a [gay slur] is still so commonplace. It’d chemically imbalance an NFL locker room and meeting room.”
Three general managers and one scout spoke on the condition of anonymity to The MMQB’s Peter King, with one GM saying his team had discussed the issue at draft meetings in recent days.
“First of all, we don’t think he’s a very good player,” the GM told King. “The reality is he’s an overrated football player in our estimation. Second: He’s going to have expectations about where he should be drafted, and I think he’ll be disappointed. He’s not going to get drafted where he thinks he should. The question you will ask yourself, knowing your team, is, ‘How will drafting him affect your locker room?’ And I am sorry to say where we are at this point in time, I think it’s going to affect most locker rooms. A lot of guys will be uncomfortable. Ten years from now, fine. But today, I think being openly gay is a factor in the locker room.”
The results were more positive today, as a legion of owners and coaches – each of whom were willing to put their names with their words – voiced their support for a potential gay player as a member of their team. Giants co-owners Steve Tisch and John Mara backed Sam loudly, in statements to TMZ and Conor Orr of The Star-Ledger respectively. Meanwhile, one team personnel executive told NFL.com columnist Judy Battista that he could see owners pushing their coaches and personnel staff “it’s OK” to draft Sam.
Other notable league personnel to come out in support of Sam include Bears GM Phil Emery, Packers coach Mike McCarthy and Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Kraft’s coach, Bill Belichick, released a statement via the team’s website, expressing that he and the Pats pursue players “who can best contribute to our team and organization, regardless of the matters being discussed today.” The league also released its own statement in support of Sam and his efforts.
Stepping away from the issue of Sam’s personal life, NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said he has a “pretty good feel” for the undersized Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year, projecting him as a third- to fifth-round pick.
“He’s an explosive kid who’s much better going forward than he is going backward,” Mayock told Philly.com’s Paul Domowitch. “His size would dictate he’s got to be a linebacker, but I don’t think his physical skill-set dictates that, and therein lies the rub.”
With the NFL scouting combine less than two weeks away, each team will have its opportunity to interview Sam with this historic news out in the public. Sam’s performance at the combine could go a long way in defining his draft value, which was murky even before his announcement — given his size and speed, there are questions about whether he’ll have a true NFL position. A strong showing at the combine, along with impressive interviews with NFL teams, should solidify his place as a mid-round pick, particularly given the outcry of public support from various owners and executives today.
We’ll have to wait until May to know definitively what sort of effect Sunday’s announcement will have on Sam’s draft stock. But if the Missouri alum has shown anything to us this far, it’s that he’s mature beyond his 24 years and ready for whatever life has to throw at him next.
Bears Notes: Peppers, Jernigan, Harper
With less than 30 days before the free agent market opens, the Bears cannot begin to think about pursuing any free agents before they decide what to do with DE Julius Peppers, says Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. It has already been noted that Peppers, who carries a cap hit of over $18MM for 2014, would be willing to restructure his contract, and it was previously reported that Peppers would simply have to take a pay cut if he wanted to remain in Chicago. Biggs notes that such a pay cut would have to be quite substantial, and Peppers has already restructured his deal twice over the last four seasons to create more cap room.
However, there are a number of factors that impact any decision regarding Peppers. Biggs notes that Peppers, despite his age (34) and disappointing 2013 season, is the only legitimate pass-rusher on the roster, and he must be replaced–or there must be a replacement on the radar–before the Bears let him go. Furthermore, releasing Peppers would create about $8.3MM of dead money, which could be spread out over two seasons if the Bears cut him after June 1. If they chose that route, they would create $14MM of cap space for 2014. If they cut him before June 1, they would eat all the dead money right away and would create $9.8MM of cap space.
Either way, the Bears would have some wiggle room if they released Peppers, though it is unclear what their cash budget is going to be after signing Jay Cutler, Tim Jennings, Matt Slauson, and Robbie Gould. Biggs lays out some of the ways they could spend the money saved by cutting Peppers to bring in another pass rusher. He lists Brian Orakpo, Michael Bennett, and Michael Johnson as potential targets, and notes that Everson Griffin of the Vikings and Willie Young of the Lions could also be considered.
The draft, meanwhile is likely not the place to replace Peppers, as there are not many top-flight 4-3 defensive ends in this year’s class, and Jadeveon Clowney will almost certainly not fall to the Bears with the fourteenth overall pick.
As the Bears decide what to do about their aging star, here are some other musings from Chicago:
- Given the Bears’ struggles defending the run in 2o13, as well as the injuries to impending free agent defensive tackles Henry Melton and Nate Collins, ESPN.com’s Michael C. Wright thinks Florida State DT Timmy Jernigan would make a lot of sense for Chicago.
- Wright does not believe the Bears will take a wideout in the later rounds, and he believes the team will give Marquess Wilson the opportunity to become the “speed element” of the passing game to complement Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.
- Wright also does not think that the Bears will pursue Saints safety Roman Harper should he be cut by New Orleans. There would be value in pairing the veteran Harper with young safety Chris Conte, but Harper would likely demand more money than the Bears would be willing to pay.
Draft Needs For Lions, Bears
The Lions can go in a number of directions in the draft this year, writes Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. The two major questions that need to be addressed are receiver and cornerback. With the tenth pick, Sammy Wakins of Clemson and Mike Evans of Texas A&M would be ideal fits to line up across from Calvin Johnson, but trading down or taking a defensive back are also likely scenarios according to Rothstein.
If they do look to take a defensive back at their current pick, Rothstein writes that Justin Gilbert of Oklahoma State and Darqueze Dennard of Michigan State could be the Lions’ top choices. That is unless either Anthony Barr of UCLA or Khalil Mack of Buffalo drops to them, which could make them consider taking one of the two standout linebackers, and address the secondary later in the draft.
While the Lions are looking at a number of options in the first round, there is a consensus with the Bears’ first round pick. Both of ESPN’s draft experts Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr.’s mock drafts have the team selecting Timmy Jernigan of FSU to bolster the defensive line. Mock drafts from Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks of NFL.com both agree as well.
While the Bears could look to add to their defensive line early, Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com does not see the draft as a way for the team to improve its skill players. He doesn’t see the team investing many draft picks if any at all in receivers, runningbacks, or tight ends.
Extra Points: Decker, Peppers, Graham
The very best wide receivers usually don’t reach the open market, but there are still plenty of gems to be found. Yesterday, Andrew Cohen of OverTheCap.com previewed the 2014 free agent class at the wide receiver position. The class is highlighted by Broncos wideout Eric Decker, athletic Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, and more. Cohen sees Maclin, who missed all of 2013 with an ACL tear, staying with the Eagles on a one-year, $5MM pact. Meanwhile, he predicts that Decker will wind up with the Browns on a five-year, $62MM deal with about $25-30MM guaranteed. Here’s more from around the NFL..
- Chris Burke of SI.com breaks down the possible cap casualties of the offseason. The once dominant Julius Peppers probably won’t be with the Bears if he doesn’t take a pay cut and Chris Clemons and Sidney Rice are probably on the block with the Seahawks.
- Who will be slapped with the franchise tag this offseason? Cohen writes that five to eight players will likely be hit with one of the most unique clauses in professional sports. Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, Browns safety T.J. Ward, and Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta are among the candidates for the tag.
- NFL.com has released the list of players invited to participate in the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine. Of course, an invitation doesn’t ensure that the player will participate and every year there are notable players who opt out of the mass audition. The combine runs from February 22-25.
Kiper On Manziel, Clowney, Watkins, Jets
Draft day is still more than three months away, but with the offseason underway and the scouting combine around the corner, it’s not too early to start looking ahead. Before he revealed his newest mock (Insider link), ESPN.com draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. appeared on a teleconference today to discuss the 2014 NFL draft, and plenty of reporters passed along the highlights. Here’s a recap of several of Kiper’s notable comments (all links go to Twitter):
- After talking to people around the league, Kiper believes that Johnny Manziel is the consensus top QB in the draft, at least for now. Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s atop every team’s board.
- Wide receivers and offensive tackles are likely to dominate the first round, according to Kiper. However, in addition to being top-heavy, the WR class is also expected to be deep, so a team like the Steelers could land a good player there later in the draft.
- There should also be plenty of cornerback depth in the draft, so clubs like the Steelers and Bears can afford to wait on that position, though Chicago will likely have to address its defensive line in the early rounds, says Kiper.
- Kiper believes Jadeveon Clowney will be picked either first overall by the Texans or third overall by the Jaguars, with both teams in need of a pass rusher to get after Andrew Luck twice a season.
- Whichever of those clubs doesn’t take Clowney will probably draft Manziel, according to Kiper, who foresees the Texas A&M signal-caller going first or third, with Teddy Bridgewater coming off the board at No. 4, to the Browns.
- Wide receiver Sammy Watkins is unlikely to be picked outside of the top five, in Kiper’s view.
- Kiper doesn’t expect any running backs to be selected in the first round this year.
- The Chiefs figure to target receivers, safeties, or defensive linemen in the first round, says Kiper.
- Kiper has the Jets using the No. 18 pick on receiver Marqise Lee, and suggests the club should draft a QB in the middle rounds as an insurance policy for Geno Smith.
Asante Samuel Rumors: Wednesday
The Falcons released Asante Samuel earlier today, and while getting cut is rarely good news for a veteran player, the Falcons did Samuel a favor by releasing him this early in the offseason, as noted by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Because Samuel is a veteran with more than four years of service, being released over a month in advance of free agency will allow him to get a head start on finding a new home for 2014. Players with less than four years of service would have to clear waivers before being eligible for free agency.
Because Samuel is able to sign with a team at any time, rumors are already flying about his possible suitors. One school of thought suggests the 33-year-old cornerback would sign on a relatively cheap deal with a playoff-caliber team looking to add a veteran to its secondary. A few clubs that would seem to make sense are the Broncos, Packers, Bears, and Patriots, according to Brett Sobileski of USAToday.com. He also notes that the Panthers could be an intriguing option, considering their struggles in the secondary and defensive coordinator Sean McDermott‘s familiarity with Samuel from their time with the Eagles.
Of course, as fast as these rumors start, they get shot down. The more likely scenario for the Panthers would be to re-sign Captain Munnerlyn, and look to replace Drayton Florence with a younger, cheaper free agent option, writes Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer. He adds that the team was impressed with undrafted rookie Melvin White‘s improvement in 2013, and would only consider Samuel as an “emergency fall-back option.”
The Patriots would also be better off trying to re-sign their own free agent cornerback, writes Will Gellman of RantSports.com. He believes that the aging Samuel is not worth taking up cap space that could go to Aqib Talib or other free agents. Gellman also adds that Patriot fans might not be excited to see him back after he dropped an errant Eli Manning pass in Super Bowl XLII that could have sealed a perfect season for New England.
The Bears and Broncos both are already dealing with the potential loss of older, high-profile cornerbacks, as Charles Tillman is hitting free agency and Champ Bailey has a $10MM salary that will surely not be on the books in 2014, either via restructure or release. The Broncos are also expected to try to sign Samuel’s former teammate Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to a long-term deal. The Packers will most likely focus their efforts first on trying to re-sign Sam Shields.
NFC Notes: Redskins, Bears, Graham
New Redskins’ head coach Jay Gruden has decisions to make on how much of the Bengals’ offensive scheme he will implement, and how much of the Redskins’ system he will keep, write Rich Tandler and Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com. Tandler notes that at Gruden’s introductory press conference, the new coach mentioned that he liked how effective the Redskins zone blocking was in 2013. That would bode well for the interior of the offensive line already in place, as the team could look to keep Kory Lichtensteiger, Will Montgomery, and Chris Chester. Of those three, only Chester’s cap hit is high enough to provoke a release. However, if Gruden does bring over the power blocking scheme the Bengals employed, El-Bashir writes that the offensive line must be completely retooled to be a bigger, stronger unit. Here is some other news from the NFC:
- Bears’ center Roberto Garza has not yet begun talks of a new contract for the 2014 season, but believes there is still a shot he is back with the team next season, writes Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “Obviously I want to be back there,” Garza said. “They told me they want me back, so we’ll see.”
- Finley also wrote that another Bears free agent, Charles Tillman, would be open to all teams if Chicago doesn’t re-sign him, and would be particularly excited to find a new home in Tampa Bay with his old coach Lovie Smith. “Obviously, it makes the deal probably a little sweeter just because it’s a former head coach,” Tillman said. “You do know the system, you know the scheme.”
- Drew Brees made headlines last week by saying that he thought of Jimmy Graham as a tight end rather than a receiver, but now emphasizes that regardless of position, he only cares that Graham is playing for the Saints, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Brees appeared on the Dan Patrick show on Friday, to make it clear his feelings on the situation. “I want Jimmy back!” Brees said. “I want Jimmy Graham back!”
NFC Notes: Peppers, Vick, Strief
The Bears had perhaps the worst defensive season in team history in 2013. One of the main contributing factors was the subpar season of high-priced defensive end Julius Peppers, who too often was a non-factor. At a cost of over $14MM against the salary cap, Peppers recorded just 7.5 sacks and failed to impact games on a week-to-week basis. Now 34, Peppers has two years remaining and is scheduled to count approximately $18.2MM against the cap in 2014 and approximately $20.7MM against the cap in 2015. Those figures are obviously unreasonable given his deterioration and the Bears’ laundry list of needs. In his most recent mailbag for ESPN Chicago, Michael C. Wright says Peppers would “absolutely” restructure his deal, but also details a scenario in which Peppers is cut post-June 1 with the thinking that swallowing a moderate dead-money cap hit is more palatable in order to save money.
More news and notes from around the NFC:
- Wright does not envision the Bears re-signing any of their key free agents-to-be before the start of free agency, saying “most” of the Bears 25 players with expiring contracts will be elsewhere next season.
- Michael Vick knows he won’t be back in Philadelphia, but does not see himself as a backup. Vick “very badly” wants a chance to start, according to the Philadelphia Daily News’ Les Bowen (per Twitter).
- In an analysis of the Saints‘ needs, ESPN.com’s Mike Triplett said there’s a “strong chance” stalwart right tackle Zach Strief could depart via free agency, saying the 30-year-old could start for anyone. That observation might not be that far off, as Pro Football Focus rated Strief as the best right tackle in the game in 2013 (subscription required).
- The Giants and safety Stevie Brown, who missed 2013 because of a torn ACL, are discussing a contract, according to Pro Football Talk.
Bears Notes: Tillman, Wright, Bennett
As the Bears look ahead to an offseason in which nearly two dozen players on the roster will be eligible for unrestricted free agency, let’s check in on the latest updates on the team….
- Clarifying some comments he made earlier in the week, Charles Tillman confirmed to Chicago’s AM 670 The Score that when he said he intended to retire a Bear, it didn’t necessarily mean he’d re-sign with the team this spring. Instead, Tillman figures to keep his options open this offseason, but would like to return to Chicago and end his career with the Bears even if he doesn’t play for the club in 2014. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune has the details and the quotes from Tillman.
- Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com writes that safety is an urgent need in this year’s draft for the Bears, who have multiple free agents at the position, including starting strong safety Major Wright.
- In a separate piece at ESPNChicago.com, Dickerson and Jon Greenberg debate a number of Bears-related topics, including who won the Jay Cutler trade with the Broncos, whether or not the Bears should pursue Michael Bennett in free agency, and whether the club should focus exclusively on defensive players in the draft.