Browns Release Karlos Dansby
1:48pm: The Browns have made Dansby’s release official, confirming the move in a press release.
12:10pm: The Browns have informed veteran linebacker Karlos Dansby that they will be releasing him, reports Pat McManamon of ESPN.com (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). The news comes on the heels of Cleveland signing free agent inside linebacker Demario Davis to a two-year deal.
Dansby, a former second-round pick, signed a four-year, $24MM contract with Cleveland two years ago, and has started 28 games for the team since then. In 2015, he played all 16 games for the club, racking up 109 tackles, forcing three fumbles, and intercepting three passes, including two for touchdowns. Pro Football Focus ranked him 25th out of 97 qualified non-rush linebackers.
Dansby’s solid 2015 season makes his release a bit of a surprise, but there are several reasons Cleveland may be deciding to move on. The veteran linebacker will turn 35 later this year, and had been set to count for $6.5MM against the team’s cap in 2016. Releasing him will create $3.5MM in cap savings, and take the Browns off the hook for his $5MM salary.
Additionally, moving on from Dansby allow the Browns to go a little younger at the position. Defensive coordinator Ray Horton said last month that 23-year-old Christian Kirksey is “probably a starter for us,” as Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal tweets. Dansby’s and Kirskey’s strengths and weaknesses overlap somewhat, as PFF’s grades show — both players received very strong pass coverage grades and very poor marks for their run defense.
For his part, Dansby will be eligible to sign with a new team immediately once the move becomes official. He tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (Twitter link), “It’s time for me to go get a ring.” So expect him to target contending teams as he searches for his new NFL home.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Browns Sign Demario Davis
10:57am: The Browns have officially confirmed their deal with Davis.
8:46am: The Browns and Davis have agreed to terms, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal confirms (via Twitter).
8:26am: The Browns are expected to sign linebacker Demario Davis, a source tells Brian Costello of the New York Post (Twitter link). We had heard on Tuesday that Davis was in Cleveland paying a visit to the team.
Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News confirms (via Twitter) that the two sides are working on finalizing an agreement. According to Mehta (via Twitter), Davis is expected to sign a two-year deal worth $8MM. Newsday’s Kimberley Martin adds (via Twitter) that it will include $4MM guaranteed.
Davis, 27, saw part-time action in his rookie season after being selected in the third round of the 2012 draft by the Jets, but started every game for the team since that year. In 2015, he totaled 89 tackles to go along with a pair of sacks and a fumble recovery.
Although Davis has been leaned on heavily by the Jets in recent years, Pro Football Focus suggested last month that it might not make sense for New York to re-sign him this offseason, pointing out that he had “struggled in all phases of the game, especially tackling the ball carrier.” The Jets will still have a hole to fill at inside linebacker beside David Harris though, with Erin Henderson also no longer under contract.
As for the Browns, with Karlos Dansby penciled in at one inside linebacker spot in Cleveland, Davis looks to be the favorite to take over the other one, assuming he gets a deal finalized, then beats out Christian Kirksey and others this summer.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Free Agency Rumors: D. Davis, Browns, Steelers
Free agent linebacker Demario Davis is in Cleveland visiting the Browns, according to Newsday’s Kimberley A. Martin, who tweets that Davis has also drawn interest from other clubs. Davis, 27, has spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Jets, starting every game for the team since the start of the 2013 season.
Here are a few more free agency notes and rumors from around the NFL:
- Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) hears from sources that safety Eric Weddle turned down larger offers from two other teams to join the Ravens. Cole adds that Baltimore assistant general manager Eric DeCosta spoke to Weddle and his representatives for 90 minutes on the phone, addressing questions and issues that the veteran free agent had about Baltimore and the Ravens.
- The Steelers like nose tackle Steve McLendon and want to re-sign him, but they’re resistant to paying big money to a player who only sees the field for about 25-30% of the club’s defensive snaps, writes Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. According to Fowler, Pittsburgh is willing to enhance Dan McCullers‘ role if the team loses McLendon, who recently paid a visit to the Jets.
- Before he agreed to a new deal with the Vikings, cornerback Marcus Sherels received an offer from the Jets and was prepared to visit with the Panthers, tweets Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The Buccaneers also had interest in Sherels.
Free Agent Rumors: Raji, Packers, Pats
The latest free agent rumors:
- Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel (on Twitter) heard that Packers lineman B.J. Raji had “five legit offers,” though as Silverstein notes, “legit” is in the eye of the beholder. Raji, he hears, had to weigh those offers versus wanting to spend time with his family plus his own health concerns.
- Free agent receiver Nate Washington met with the Patriots on Monday, according to FOX 26’s Mark Berman (via Twitter). Washington was ranked as Pro Football Rumors’ No. 13 free agent wide receiver in early March.
- Browns free agent linebacker Craig Robertson is on his way to visit the Saints, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Robertson just got done visiting with Seattle. As Schefter notes, the Browns have already lost five unrestricted free agents this month and they could be on their way to losing free agent No. 6 if Robertson signs elsewhere.
- Cornerback Antwon Blake will visit the Patriots on Tuesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets. Blake visited the Titans today and also has a visit scheduled with the Lions on Wednesday.
- The Giants are looking for cornerbacks, particularly corners that can play in the slot, Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger tweets. He adds that Patrick Robinson and Jerraud Powers are two players to keep an eye on. The Eagles, Dolphins, and Bears have also been connected to Robinson.
- Free agent defensive end Chris Clemons completed his visit with the Dolphins, as Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
Latest On Colin Kaepernick
Colin Kaepernick is reportedly willing to restructure his contract and take a pay cut to get out of San Francisco, and there are multiple teams – namely the Broncos and Browns – said to be interested in him. Meanwhile, despite their denials at the combine, the 49ers seem increasingly open to the idea of trading their quarterback.
So, what’s the hold up? Let’s dig in and find out. Here’s the latest on No. 7:
- The Broncos have told the 49ers they believe that Kaepernick is worth a fourth-round pick, according to Michael Silver of NFL Network (via Twitter). Of course, the two sides would have to figure out a way to make that work as the 49ers are hoping for much more in a potential deal.
- The Broncos have not offered a specific fourth-round pick, only suggesting to the 49ers that a fourth-round pick is the proper value for the quarterback (link). Denver’s fourth-rounder for 2016 currently belongs to the Ravens due to a previous trade, but the Broncos do hold the final non-compensatory pick of the third round.
- As of this morning, things were “quiet” with regards to a deal. The Broncos were holding firm, there had been no movement with regard to the Browns, and the 49ers were “chilling,” as Silver puts it (link).
- ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports (via colleague Pat McManamon) there have been “no serious discussions on draft pick considerations or compensation” between the Browns and 49ers. The report adds that the Browns are “being patient” as they consider how best to upgrade the quarterback spot.
Latest On Colin Kaepernick
There are several things we know about the Colin Kaepernick situation at the moment: we know that Kaepernick is willing to restructure his contract and take a pay cut to get out of San Francisco, and we know that the Browns are willing to give up a third-round pick to the 49ers to land Kaepernick (and, because the Browns are picking so high in each round, their third-round selection, No. 65 overall, is very close to being a second-round pick, which is reportedly San Francisco’s asking price for No. 7). Those developments, combined with the recent report that the Browns are currently the team in the driver’s seat in the pursuit of Kaepernick–not to mention Kaepernick’s apparent desire to play for the Browns–suggest that the former Nevada product could be on his way to Cleveland in the near future.
However, as Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee writes, Kaepernick is wary of taking a pay cut to play for the Browns given how much talent the team has lost at the start of free agency. In the past week, Alex Mack has signed with the Falcons, Mitchell Schwartz has signed with the Chiefs, and Travis Benjamin has joined the Chargers (plus, the Browns could always trade Joe Thomas between now and the draft, as Mark Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer writes). Since Cleveland’s roster was already fairly weak prior to the exodus of some of its best talent, and since the team is prepared to draft a top quarterback prospect with the No. 2 overall pick even if it brings Kaepernick aboard, it is easy to see why Kaepernick, despite his respect for new Browns head coach Hue Jackson, would be hesitant to join Jackson in Cleveland. Barrows notes that, if the Browns had offered the No. 65 overall selection for Kaepernick a week ago, Cleveland may well have a new quarterback at this point, but the early days of free agency have suddenly made that possibility much more uncertain. While the Browns would like to pay Kaepernick like a bridge quarterback–roughly $7MM-$8MM per year, with incentives for games started–they may have to pony up more cash if they still want Kaepernick.
The Broncos, of course, are still a potential landing spot for Kaepernick, and Barrows reports that if Denver came to Kaepernick with the same deal the Browns offered for the quarterback, he’d likely sign it in a second. But the Broncos and the 49ers are still at an impasse in trade talks, as Denver is willing to give up its third-round selection, No. 94 overall, while San Francisco is probably holding out for the Broncos’ No. 63 overall selection. Still, if the Broncos are unable to sign Robert Griffin III or Ryan Fitzpatrick, they may be willing to meet the 49ers’ asking price.
Meanwhile, the Jets are still lurking in the background, and Kaepernick would suddenly become a stronger option for New York if it cannot come to terms with Fitzpatrick, who nearly guided Gang Green to the playoffs in 2015 but who is currently seeking a contract that will pay him $16-$18MM per year. And the 49ers, of course, still control Kaepernick’s contractual rights, and they have repeatedly insisted that they are willing to keep him beyond April 1, when his $11.9 million base salary for 2016 would become fully guaranteed. New head coach Chip Kelly, after all, will install an offense that appears perfect for Kaepernick’s skill-set, and the 49ers certainly have the cap space to retain their once-promising QB. But Kaepernick’s apparent distaste for San Francisco could manifest itself in very uncomfortable ways for the club, which suggests that he will, in fact, have a new home in 2016. Where that home will be, however, remains a mystery as the quarterback carousel rolls on.
Free Agency Rumors: Freeman, Carroll, Blount
The Colts offered Jerrell Freeman the same three-year, $12MM deal that the Bears ultimately handed the 30-year-old linebacker, Charles Robinson of Yahoo.com reports (on Twitter). The No. 23 player on PFR’s list of 2016’s top free agents, Freeman spurned the Colts’ offer and decided to change agents, winding up in Drew Rosenhaus’ stable, according to Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star. Freeman held out for a better deal after not being scooped up during free agency’s opening two days, and the Colts moved on after Freeman turned down their initial offer, Holder reports.
Here’s at look at the latest free agent notes:
- Veteran corner Nolan Carroll left his visit with the Cowboys without agreeing to a contract, according to Tim McManus of 97.5 The Fanatic (Twitter link), who adds that the Dolphins and Eagles are apparently still in play for Carroll. Carroll, 29, started 11 games for Philadelphia last season.
- LeGarrette Blount did not undergo surgery on the injured hip that ended his season early, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Still unsigned, Blount, who suffered a chipped bone in his hip, is 100% healthy and would be ready for OTAs should a team sign him.
- Johnny Manziel cleared waivers, and the Browns as of now owe their latest first-round flameout quarterback $2.17MM, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. The Browns will attempt to recoup some of that money, should Manziel be suspended for his role in an alleged domestic violence incident this January in Dallas. Cleveland waited until Friday to waive Manziel, who’s been photographed at nightclubs in each of the past 10 nights, in hopes of a team attempting to trade for him.
- The Dolphins confirmed (via Twitter) three previously-reported free agent visits, announcing that defensive end Jason Jones, linebacker Sean Spence, and quarterback Brandon Weeden had all met with the team.
Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.
Browns Waive Johnny Manziel
MARCH 12, 4:36pm: Manziel has officially cleared waivers and is now free to sign with any team, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
MARCH 11, 10:34am: The Browns have officially waived Manziel, as Andrew Gribble of ClevelandBrowns.com writes.
9:20am: The Browns are expected to waive Johnny Manziel by the end of Friday, Tony Grossi of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The move has long been expected and the Browns will make it all official in a matter of hours. 
Some speculated that the Browns would wait on making a move with Manziel to see if they might be able to trade him for a late-round pick. Given his off-the-field troubles and uneven play on the field, teams were apparently unwilling to give up anything of value for Manziel.
Since the Browns drafted the former Texas A&M star in the 2014 first round, he has appeared in 15 games, made eight starts, and tossed seven touchdowns and seven picks. Manziel showed progress in parts of his six starts last season, but his off-field issues overshadowed his positive steps on the gridiron and have carried into the offseason. The Dallas County District Attorney’s office is currently investigating the 23-year-old over a Jan. 30 altercation with ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley, who alleges that Manziel assaulted her and ruptured her eardrum.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Extra Points: Sanchez, 49ers, Blackmon, Washington
The Eagles traded quarterback Mark Sanchez to Denver on Friday, but the Broncos were just one of several teams that had interest in acquiring the seven-year veteran. The 49ers were among the intrigued clubs, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). Had the Niners landed him, it would’ve reunited Sanchez with head coach Chip Kelly. The two were together in Philly the previous two seasons, when Sanchez completed 64.3% of his passes and tossed 18 touchdowns against 15 interceptions.
Here’s more from around the NFL as Friday wraps up:
- Washington and free agent cornerback Will Blackmon are discussing a contract, reports Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Mid-Atlantic (Twitter link). Blackmon, a nine-year veteran, spent last season in Washington and put up impressive numbers in 15 games (10 starts, 49 tackles, three forced fumbles, two interceptions), though he ranked just 84th out of 111 qualifying corners at Pro Football Focus.
- The Chargers will continue looking for tight end help after losing Ladarius Green in free agency and missing out on James Hanna earlier today, writes Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. There are some decent veteran options in Jermaine Gresham, Zach Miller, Jared Cook and Owen Daniels left on the market, notes Gehlken, though he expects the Chargers to address the position via the draft.
- Northern Illinois linebacker Perez Ford had a busy Friday, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. The draft prospect talked with the Browns, Dolphins, Chiefs, Jets, Lions, Chargers, Seahawks, Bears and Washington.
Colin Kaepernick Rumors: Friday
When Chip Kelly was in charge of the Eagles, we often heard whispers that the coach coveted Colin Kaepernick and viewed him as the right kind of quarterback to lead his offense. Ever since Kelly has arrived in San Francisco, however, we’ve heard nothing but trade talk. After the first waive of free agency has left the Broncos, Jets, Browns, and other teams with question marks under center, the Kaepernick trade buzz has only gotten louder.
Here is the very latest on No. 7:
- The Browns are willing to part with their third-round pick in 2016 for Kaepernick, but only if he restructures his contract, sources tell Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. The 49ers want a second-round selection for Kaepernick, writes Cabot, who adds that Cleveland’s third-rounder (the second pick in that round) comes quite close to qualifying as one. The Broncos have the 63rd pick, but they don’t want to deal it for Kaepernick, tweets Albert Breer of NFL.com. Given that the Browns are likely to draft a quarterback in the first two rounds this year – perhaps as high as No. 2 overall – they might be averse to paying Kaepernick more than $7MM-$8MM per year (excluding potential incentives), according to Cabot. Kaepernick’s current average annual value is $19MM. Acquiring him would likely put veteran Josh McCown on Cleveland’s trading block, per Cabot.
Earlier updates:
- The Broncos and 49ers remain apart when it comes to compensation on Kaepernick, according to Michael Silver of the NFL Network. Per Silver, the Browns and Niners are more on the same page regarding trade compensation, but Kaepernick’s agents and the Browns haven’t been able to make much progress on a rework deal for the quarterback. The NFL Network reporter notes that the 49ers are preparing for the possibility of keeping Kaepernick.
- Silver tweets that the biggest question marks are whether the Broncos will increase their trade offer or whether the Browns will increase their contract offer for Kaepernick.
- Kaepernick wants to play for the Browns, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The quarterback has respect for new head coach Hue Jackson, making Cleveland an attractive destination for him. In the Kaepernick sweepstakes, the Browns are considered to be a more realistic trade partner than the Jets, who aren’t believed to be a serious suitor. The Broncos are also serious about him and may consider Kaepernick their top quarterback target.
- As long as Kaepernick isn’t dead set against joining a particular team, the 49ers will drive the decision and not the player, Michael Silver of NFL Network tweets.
- The Browns are still trying to trade for Kaepernick, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer. The Broncos are still actively in talks with the 49ers, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
- There is “no rush” by the 49ers to trade Kaepernick, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report tweets.
- Mike Florio of PFT believes the 49ers are intent on trading Kaepernick. Otherwise, he argues, they’d shooting down any trade rumors that come their way. Instead, Florio suspects that they are the source of many of these leaks.