Cowboys Sign Tyrone Crawford To Extension
5:55pm: Crawford received a $10MM signing bonus, according to Archer (Twitter link).
5:00pm: Crawford’s deal includes $17.5MM in fully guaranteed money, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).
4:54pm: After word surfaced of the Cowboys’ interest in signing Tyrone Crawford to an extension, the team acted quickly. Crawford agreed to a five-year, $45MM pact that includes $27.5MM in guaranteed money, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter and Todd Archer (on Twitter).
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound defender confirmed the extension in a series of tweets, including the signing of the contract.
The fourth-year player emerged last season after starting no games in his first two years, one of which was derailed by a season-ending injury, and became a dependable defensive tackle for the Cowboys.
The 25-year-old Crawford is coming off a year where he rated as Pro Football Focus’ 15th-best defensive tackle out of 81 graded. Playing the 3-technique job in Rod Marinelli‘s 4-3 scheme, Crawford only recorded three sacks last season, but will now be supplemented by stronger edge-rushing talent in Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory, which points toward that figure increasing this season.
Crawford’s $9MM-per-year salary that will come from this extension rates him firmly as the seventh-highest-paid 4-3 defensive tackle, coming in just behind the eight-figure club that begins with Ndamukong Suh and ends with Kyle Williams.
Illustrating what the team believes could be ahead for its 2012 third-round pick, Crawford will earn a salary, however, that will place him well ahead of the next tier, with the Colts’ Arthur Jones next on that list at $6.6MM per season.
Extra Points: Panthers, Chargers, Browns
The Panthers locked up star linebacker Luke Kuechly to a long-term deal Thursday, but it doesn’t appear that teammate and fellow defensive linchpin Josh Norman will receive similar treatment. Negotiations between the Panthers and the cornerback stalled this week, reports Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer. Because general manager Dave Gettleman doesn’t negotiate new deals during the season, Norman looks poised to play out 2015 as a contract year.
Norman, whom the Panthers took in the fifth round of the 2012 draft, is coming off a season in which he totaled 48 tackles and a career-best two interceptions. More impressively, Norman held opposing quarterbacks to a paltry 53.2 rating when they attacked him, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). That ranked fourth out of the 70 corners who played at least 50 percent of their teams’ defensive snaps in 2014.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer set a Friday deadline for the city and the Chargers to agree on a new stadium that would keep the team from heading to Los Angeles next year. The two sides failed to meet it, according to Elliot Spagat of The Associated Press. That means there won’t be time for a measure to be put to voters on a Jan. 12 ballot, which Faulconer wanted. It seems, then, that the Chargers’ potential relocation to L.A. is becoming likelier.
- The Browns finished last season in a tie for the league’s third-lowest yards-per-carry average, and they’re still without an obvious solution at running back. Current starter Isiah Crowell, who averaged 4.1 per carry and scored eight touchdowns in 2014, thinks he can fill the role. “I’m ready,” he said, according to Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com. “I always knew I had what it takes.” Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo added, “Nothing has shown to me that Crow can’t be that workhorse for us.”
- Like Cleveland, the Cowboys also lack a top-end running back. They had the league’s rushing champion last season in DeMarco Murray, but he signed with Philadelphia in the offseason. So, Dallas will try to replace him with a committee consisting of Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar and Christine Michael. Owner Jerry Jones is optimistic about the quartet. “If they are healthy, I will take the skill and what they can bring to our offense,” he said, per Eric Prisbell of USA Today.
- Rookie free agent quarterback Phillip Sims will work out for the Seahawks on Monday, reports ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter). Simms, whom NFC West rival Arizona released last week, went undrafted out of Winston-Salem State this year.
Cowboys Working To Extend Tyrone Crawford
The Cowboys locked up their top offseason extension candidate back in July, when they reached a long-term contract with Dez Bryant, but the team is hoping to get another key deal done before Sunday night’s opener. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Dallas is “aggressively” working on an extension for defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford.
After playing somewhat sparingly in his rookie season and missing the 2013 campaign with a torn Achilles, Crawford had a breakout year in 2014, starting 15 games for the Cowboys and recording 35 tackles to go along with three sacks. According to Pro Football Focus’ data (subscription required), the former third-round pick was the NFL’s 15th-best defensive tackle out of 81 qualified players, grading particularly well as a pass rusher.
If the Cowboys and Crawford can get something done by Sunday, it’ll be interesting to see what the defensive lineman’s new deal looks like. As a 25-year-old coming off a strong year, Crawford should do well, but he’s also only really had one full, productive NFL season. He certainly shouldn’t be in line for the kind of huge payday that players like Corey Liuget and Cameron Heyward got this summer, but he’s an important player in Dallas and I think he’ll do fairly well.
For his part, Crawford didn’t seem eager to publicly discuss a potential extension. He tells Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Twitter links) that “if it fits, it fits,” adding that he’s playing for something “way bigger than money.”
Workout Notes: 9/9/15
Former Falcons center Joe Hawley is visiting the Buccaneers today, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Hawley could be a fit with Tampa Bay as he has a history with offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter from their time together in Atlanta. Hawley, 27 in October, was on his way to returning from the ACL surgery that ended his 2014 season prematurely when he was cut loose by the Falcons earlier this week.
Here are more of the latest workouts and free agent meetings (All links are from Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle via Twitter, unless noted otherwise)..
- The Vikings auditioned defensive backs Ri’Shard Anderson and C.J. Roberts, tight end Brian Leonhardt, and linebacker Jordan Tripp, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
- The Cowboys tried out offensive tackle Charles Brown today, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). Current Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith backed up Brown when both players attended USC.
- The Titans worked out safety Shaquille Richardson (link).
- Keavon Milton visited the Panthers (link). The offensive lineman spent time on the Seahawks’ taxi squad in 2014 before being promoted to the 53-man roster in December.
- Former Arena Football League wide receiver Lonnie Outlaw visited the Lions (link).
- The Buccaneers worked out linebacker Julian Stanford and linebacker Tyrell Adams (link).
- The Giants auditioned safety Shiloh Keo, linebacker Nico Johnson, cornerback Tramain Jacobs, ex-Jets wide receiver Shaq Evans, safety Durell Eskridge, and cornerback Dwight Bentley (link). The Giants also tried out Joe Looney, Nick Moody, Henoc Muamba, Quayshawn Nealy, Xavier Proctor, and Alameda Ta’amu (link).
- The Colts tried out offensive lineman Travis Bond, wide receiver Marquez Clark, linebacker Edwin Jackson, and defensive tackle Derrick Lott (link).
- The Jaguars tried out Rasheed Bailey, Matt Blanchard, and Cody Fajardo (link).
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/8/15
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed:
- RB Jahwan Edwards (press release)
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed:
- CB Charles James (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec)
- Cut:
- TE Konrad Reuland (Twitter link via Zrebiec)
Buffalo Bills
- Signed:
- CB Merrill Noel (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson)
- Cut:
- QB Alex Tanney (Twitter link via Vic Carucci)
Chicago Bears
- Cut:
- RB Paul Lasike (Twitter link via Brad Biggs)
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed (press release):
- RB Gus Johnson (previously reported)
- WR Vince Mayle (previously reported)
- QB Kellen Moore (previously reported)
- WR Rodney Smith
- LB Joe Thomas
Detroit Lions
- Signed:
- WR Saalim Hakim (Twitter link via Tim Twentyman)
- QB Ricky Stanzi (Twitter link via Twentyman)
Green Bay Packers
- Signed:
- WR Ed Williams (Twitter link via Rob Demovsky)
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed:
- LB Amarlo Herrera (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson)
- Released:
- G David Arkin
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed:
- WR Rashad Lawrence (Twitter link via Ryan O’Halloran)
New Orleans Saints
- Signed:
- DT Ashaad Mabry (Twitter link via Evan Woodbery)
New York Jets
- Signed:
- DE Mike Catapano (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed:
- TE Andrew Gleichert (press release)
- Initially announced, but not signed:
- TE Chris Pantale (press release)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed (press release):
- TE Cameron Brate
- T Reid Fragel
- WR Rannell Hall
- Cut (press release):
- T Edawn Coughman
- T Terren Jones
Tennessee Titans
- Signed (via Ian Rapoport on Twitter):
- CB B.W. Webb
Washington
- To be signed:
- CB Deshazor Everett (Twitter link via Jenna Laine)
NFC Notes: Saints, Novak, Bowers, Panthers
The Saints are set to audition former Chargers kicker Nick Novak, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). As La Canfora notes, the Saints could use a veteran kicker and the 34-year-old would fit the bill for them. Novak made 22-of-26 field goals last year and is only two years removed from his best campaign, making 34-of-37 kicks in 2013. He also hasn’t missed more than four kicks in a season since his first in San Diego.
- Former Buccaneers defensive lineman Da’Quan Bowers will work out for the Panthers, according to a source who spoke with Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer. Bowers, a second-round pick in the 2010 NFL draft, was released by the Buccaneers over the weekend. In his four seasons with the Bucs, Bowers has totaled just seven sacks. Last year he had one sack in 11 games, including two starts.
- In order for the Seahawks to get the Cowboys’ seventh-round pick in 2016, Christine Michael will have to be on the 46-man gameday roster three times this season, Todd Archer of ESPN.com writes. Michael came to the Cowboys over the weekend in a deal that will help strengthen up a group of running backs that includes Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, and Lance Dunbar.
- If quarterback Ryan Griffin wasn’t claimed by the Buccaneers this week, he would have wound up joining the Browns, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The Browns were the only other team to put a claim in on Griffin.
- Lions GM Martin Mayhew said that he plans on signing a quarterback to the practice squad, Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com tweets. A signing could happen as soon as Tuesday.
NFC Practice Squad Updates: 9/7/15
While many teams filled up their 10-man practice squads on Sunday, plenty of teams didn’t confirm their moves right away, or kept a few spots open on those units. On top of that, at least one club that signed 10 players to its taxi squad on Sunday has already made several changes, bringing in new players and jettisoning players who didn’t even spend 24 hours on the squad.
We’ll have updates on Monday’s NFC practice squad signings and cuts in this space, with teams listed in alphabetical order. When new moves occur, we’ll bump this post back to the top of the page. Here’s a round-up of today’s moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed (link via Josh Weinfuss):
- CB Cariel Brooks
- T Rob Crisp
- LB Gabe Martin
- G Antoine McClain
- WR Jaxon Shipley
- RB Kerwynn Williams
- CB Leon McFadden
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed (press release):
- LB Derek Akunne
- T Pierce Burton
- CB Akeem King
- QB Matt Simms
- LB Tyler Starr
Chicago Bears
- Signed (Twitter links):
- LB Lamin Barrow
- T Nick Becton
- DL Brandon Dunn
- CB Jacoby Glenn
- WR Jalen Saunders
Dallas Cowboys
Signed (Twitter link via Todd Archer):- OT John Wetzel
- S Tim Scott
- LB Dakorey Johnson
- To be signed:
- WR Vince Mayle (Twitter link via Dane Brugler)
Green Bay Packers
- Signed (press release):
- RB John Crockett
- CB Robertson Daniel
- DT Christian Ringo
New Orleans Saints
- Signed (via Evan Woodbery on Twitter):
- TE Blake Annen
- CB Don Jones
New York Giants
- Signed:
- DL Montori Hughes (Twitter link via Zach Braziller)
- TE Will Tye (Twitter link via Ralph Vacchiano)
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed:
- T Tanner Hawkinson (Twitter link via Matt Maiocco)
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed:
- DE Robert Thomas (Twitter link via Gregg Bell)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed (press release):
- T Edawn Coughman
- T Terren Jones
- WR Rannell Hall
- TE Cameron Brate
Washington:
- Signed:
- OLB Ryan Delaire (Twitter link via Zac Boyer)
Raiders Claim Lavar Edwards From Cowboys
The Raiders have claimed defensive end Lavar Edwards off waivers, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Edwards was bumped off the Cowboys’ roster over the weekend.
Edwards, 25, appeared in four games for the Cowboys in 2014 and spent the bulk of the season on the taxi squad. In the year prior, he saw seven games with the Titans including one start. A product of powerhouse program LSU, Edwards was taken in the fifth round of the 2013 draft by Tennessee.
Cowboys Cut Jasper Brinkley
The Cowboys have cut linebacker Jasper Brinkley, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The move will make room for newly-acquired offensive tackle Jordan Mills. Brinkley’s deal included $2MM cash, so Dallas will be on the hook for some considerable cash.
Brinkley, 30, signed a two-year deal with the Cowboys this summer and he said that he was partially motivated by the chance to reunite with defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.
“I played in Minnesota for five years and I remember when he was in Chicago, just thinking about those defenses and the guys with the takeaways, a lot of takeaways,” Brinkley said in July.“You think about Charles Tillman, you think about Brian Urlacher, you think about Lance Briggs, you think about Tim Jennings, all those guys.”
Brinkley started 11 games for Minnesota last season, compiling 54 tackles and one sack. Prior to that, the veteran played for Arizona in 2013 before returning to the team that drafted him in the fifth round of the 2009 draft. As a two-down linebacker Brinkley was expected to allow the Cowboys to shift Sean Lee from inside linebacker to weak-side linebacker. Instead, he’ll be looking for work elsewhere.
Cowboys Claim Jordan Mills Off Waivers
After re-signing veteran tackle Doug Free and adding La’el Collins as an undrafted free agent earlier in the offseason, the Cowboys fortified an offensive line that many observers believe is the NFL’s best. Now, Dallas has added another player with starting experience to that group.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), the Cowboys have claimed former Bears tackle Jordan Mills off waivers. Mills himself first revealed his news team, tweeting, in part, “Dallas here I come.”
Mills, 24, had started nearly every game over the last two seasons for the Bears at right tackle, missing just three of 32 contests. However, Pro Football Focus’ data (subscription required) suggested he struggled as a pass blocker last season, and he ranked just 66th out of 84 qualified tackles overall.
With new Bears head coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Adam Gase opting to get in a different direction, Mills will find himself on a Cowboys team that shouldn’t need him to start unless there are multiple injuries. Currently, Tyron Smith and Free are penciled in as the starters, with Collins potentially in the mix as well, if he doesn’t start at guard.