East Notes: Mariota, Dolphins, Cowboys
Earlier today, the Jets opted to pick up their 2016 option on former first-round pick Quinton Coples. While he has yet to blossom into the player they envisioned, the Jets aren’t quite ready to give up on him, as Manish Mehta of the Daily News writes. “You see potential,” head coach Todd Bowles said at the league meetings last month. “He’s a lot like Geno (Smith). . . . You see him make plays and then you see him do other things at times. He can make strides this year and become a better player.” Here’s more from the AFC and NFC East..
- The Jets quietly brought Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota to Florham Park, New Jersey for a visit on April 2nd, Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets. That meeting was five days after privately evaluating him in Eugene, Oregon. That makes the Jets one of three teams, joining the Bucs and Titans, to both work Mariota out on campus and bring him in to their facility (link).
- Former Falcons guard Mike Johnson worked out for the Dolphins, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Johnson was selected 98th overall in the third round of the 2010 draft by the Falcons and was with Atlanta through 2014. Johnson has had some bad luck over the last two seasons. The 28-year-old suffered an ankle and leg injury that sidelined him for the entire 2013 season and also lost 2014 to the injured reserve.
- Dorial Green-Beckham was at the Cowboys complex on Wednesday to meet with coaches and scouts, a source tells David Moore of The Dallas Morning News. There was a report last week that Green-Beckham declined an invitation to meet with Dallas, but it appears that he has had a change of heart. In terms of pure talent, DGB is regarded as one of the best receivers in the draft. His off-field issues complicate matters, however.
Draft Notes: Ray, Scherff, Peters, Williams
There was some concern that Missouri pass rusher Shane Ray, who is expected to come off the board early in the draft next Thursday night, would require surgery on a troublesome foot injury. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links), Ray’s injury – which is similar to turf toe – was discovered during a team visit and prompted a visit to a foot specialist, who recommended rest rather than a surgical procedure, good news for the young edge defender.
Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (Twitter link) hears that the Cowboys flagged Ray as needing surgery, but not all teams – and not all doctors, apparently – were convinced it was required.
Let’s check in on a few more Thursday draft updates….
- Iowa tackle Brandon Scherff is drawing “heavy interest” from teams drafting between the fifth and ninth spots in the first round, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link). The clubs currently in those spots? Washington, the Jets, the Bears, the Falcons, and the Giants.
- In addition to making 17 pre-draft visits to teams, Washington cornerback Marcus Peters had individual workouts for the Falcons, Panthers, Buccaneers, and Dolphins, tweets Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
- Speaking to Maggie Gray on SI Now, Florida State cornerback P.J. Williams said that most teams are telling him his DUI incident shouldn’t have a huge impact on his draft stock.
- Montana edge defender Zack Wagenmann, who is projected as a mid- to late-round pick, broke his foot recently during a private workout with an NFL team, writes Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Wagenmann won’t be able to participate in football-related activities for eight weeks, but is aiming to be ready for training camp.
- Caplan also passes along an update on Hobart offensive lineman Ali Marpet, reporting (via Twitter) that Marpet visited the Chargers earlier this week, and has worked out for the Cardinals, Bengals, and Texans.
- Besides confirming some of his previously-reported visits, T.J. Clemmings‘ draft diary for USA Today (via Tom Pelissero) added some new teams to his list of possible suitors. According to the Pittsburgh tackle himself, he visited the Bears and had a private workout with the Panthers. Clemmings will also privately work out for the Dolphins tomorrow.
- Florida linebacker Neiron Ball has made pre-draft visits with the Patriots, Broncos, Buccaneers, and Texans, writes Wilson. Ball has also worked out privately for the Falcons, Rams, Steelers, Cardinals, and Texans.
NFC Notes: Seahawks, Peterson, Cowboys
Seahawks GM John Schneider told reporters, including Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times (Twitter link), that he still wants to re-sign Tarvaris Jackson as a backup quarterback. However, he added that Jackson is still feeling his way through free agency. Here’s more from the NFC..
- Schneider went on to say that he’d “be lying” if he said that the offensive line isn’t a need for the Seahawks, but he also noted that the draft isn’t the only avenue for adding to that area (link).
- Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald would love to see his team trade for Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson, Marc Sessler of NFL.com writes. “Adrian Peterson is arguably the best back in the NFL,” Fitzgerald told Around The NFL. “You know, he’s been unbelievable. If he were to leave Minnesota, which I think is maybe a bit unlikely, he would be a huge, huge playmaker for whatever team he went to.”
- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones issued a statement explaining that the team respects Roger Goodell’s ruling on Greg Hardy, as Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk writes. “This suspension is something that we anticipated prior to Greg’s signing, and we respect the Commissioner’s ruling,” the statement reads. “Our organization understands the very serious nature of this matter. We will use our resources — work closely with Greg and with the league — to ensure a positive outcome.”
- News of Hardy’s 10-game suspension only makes Bob Sturm of The Dallas Morning News more certain that the Cowboys should trade back in the draft.
NFL Suspends Greg Hardy For 10 Games
The NFL has announced that Greg Hardy has been suspended for 10 games without pay, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter). A source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter) that the Cowboys defensive end will appeal the decision.
Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Facebook) passes along the entire statement from the league. It reads, in part, “In a letter from Commissioner Roger Goodell, Hardy was informed that an extensive two-month NFL investigation following the dismissal of his case in North Carolina state court determined that there was sufficient credible evidence that Hardy engaged in conduct that violated NFL policies in multiple respects and with aggravating circumstances.”
Within his message to Hardy, Goodell also said that the defensive end “should understand that another violation of this nature may result in [his] banishment from the NFL.” In order to return to playing, Hardy “must have no further adverse involvement with law enforcement and must not commit any additional violations of league policies.”
The statement outlined, in detail, the events that took place on May 13th, 2014.
“First, he used physical force against her which caused her to land in a bathtub. Second, he used physical force against her which caused her to land on a futon that was covered with at least four semi-automatic rifles. Third, he used physical force against her by placing his hands around Ms. Holder’s neck and applying enough pressure to leave visible marks. And fourth, he used physical force to shove Ms. Holder against a wall in his apartment’s entry hallway.
‘The net effect of these acts was that [Nicole Holder] was severely traumatized and sustained a range of injuries, including bruises and scratches on her neck, shoulders, upper chest, back, arms and feet,’ Commissioner Goodell wrote. ‘The use of physical force under the circumstances present here, against a woman substantially smaller than you and in the presence of powerful, military-style assault weapons, constitutes a significant act of violence in violation of the Personal Conduct Policy.'”
The Cowboys expected a four-game suspension and, at maximum, a six-game suspension for their new star defensive end, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweets. Of course, much of Hardy’s contract is tied to bonuses based on games played and performance, so Dallas is protected financially. If Hardy winds up serving the entire 10-game suspension, his first game back will be against the Panthers on Thanksgiving. In total, Hardy stands to miss 25 games between 2014 and 2015 for his actions.
Hardy made the Pro Bowl in 2013 after he compiled a career-high 15 sacks, and Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked him as the second-best overall defensive end in the league. He was franchised for a one-year salary of $13.1MM for the 2014 season and wound up playing in just one game for that entire campaign.
East Notes: Scandrick, Dolphins, Washington
Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick is allegedly unsatisfied with the modest $1.5MM base salary he’s set to earn in 2015, and didn’t report to the club’s voluntary offseason program this week in the hopes of pushing for a new deal. While it’s possible the Cowboys relent at some point, EVP/COO Stephen Jones – appearing on 105.3FM in Dallas yesterday – didn’t make it sound like that would happen anytime soon, writes Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News.
“He’s under contract, but not unlike a lot of players, they’d like to have more,” Jones said. “Orlando is under contract. If something makes sense for us to add some years or do something then we’ll take a look at that, but we just re-did Orlando’s contract a couple years ago and he’s been a really good football player for us. He’s a leader on this team, and we certainly need him out here. In my mind, he should be out here right now, working out.”
While we wait to see how the Scandrick saga plays out, here are a few more items from around the league’s two East divisions:
- The Dolphins are bringing in several free agent offensive linemen today, intent on perhaps adding a veteran guard, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. According to Jackson, Jeff Linkenbach and Jeff Baca are among the players expected to get a look from the team.
- Breshad Perriman‘s visit to Miami is happening today, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, who tweets that the UCF wideout is visiting the Dolphins.
- Mark Maske of the Washington Post examines the decision Washington is facing on Robert Griffin III‘s fifth-year option for 2016, citing one source who believes the team will pick up RGIII’s option following the draft.
- Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links) passes along the names of a number of players participating in Washington‘s local prospect day, including Maryland wideout Stefon Diggs and many others.
- Texas Southern cornerback Tray Walker is also visiting Washington today, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (Twitter link).
- The Jets are hosting Utah pass rusher Nate Orchard for a pre-draft visit today, tweets Pauline.
Draft Notes: Edwards, Beasley, Agholor
Florida State defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. visited the Jets today, as Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post writes. Edwards, who is regarded as a rising draft prospect, also has visits scheduled with the Cowboys, Lions, Panthers, Seahawks, 49ers, Bears, Patriots, and Texans, among other NFL teams. Edwards had 44 tackles and three sacks last season for the Seminoles. Here’s a look at the latest draft news..
- Clemson outside linebacker Vic Beasley is visiting Washington today, Aaron Wilson of the National Post writes. Beasley ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds at the NFL scouting combine, where he also had a 41-inch vertical leap and bench pressed 225 pounds 35 times. The collegiate star is regarded as one of the top pass rushers in this year’s class.
- USC wide receiver Nelson Agholor will be visiting the Dolphins on Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Agholor has been gaining more and more steam as a first round possibility lately.
- Maryland defensive tackle Darius Kilgo worked out for the Ravens during their local prospect day, Wilson writes. Kilgo, who has also visited the Bills, Packers, Dolphins, and Washington, is projected as a late-round pick.
- James Madison wide receiver is Daniel Brown is drawing interest from the Dolphins, Colts, Falcons, and Washington, Wilson writes.
NFC Notes: Saints, Wilson, Winston
Heading into the draft, Don Banks of Sports Illustrated (video link) says the Saints will probably continue their pattern of making surprising moves this offseason. New Orleans will hope that a top talent like Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory will fall to the No. 13 pick after his positive drug test, but they could instead trade up for him or settle for Kentucky linebacker Bud Dupree. More from the NFC..
- The Seahawks feel that Russell Wilson‘s stated interest in transitioning to baseball is nothing more than a bargaining ploy for a new contract, sources tell Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Wilson hasn’t played minor league ball in four years, never got beyond Single-A, and didn’t demonstrate a whole lot of power. Cole hears that Wilson would be looking at a three- or four-year path before he could even approach the majors, which would be around age 29 or 30. Wilson’s MLB rights are owned by the Texas Rangers.
- On a conference call, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. told reporters, including Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter), that it’s “not etched in stone” that Jameis Winston will go No. 1 to the Buccaneers with Marcus Mariota going No. 2 in the draft.
- The Cowboys have to use their first pick on a defensive lineman, Rick Gosselin of The Dallas Morning News opines. Even beyond Ndamukong Suh, defensive linemen Jared Odrick, Pernell McPhee, Dan Williams, and Stephen Paea all signed contracts this offseason that placed them among the top 25 deals in free agency. Dallas, he argues, will find it much cheaper to find an impact defensive lineman in the draft rather than on the open market.
Minor Moves: Tuesday
Today’s minor moves..
- The Dolphins waived offensive guard Davonte Wallace, according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (on Twitter).
- The Chiefs waived former 2014 Steelers first-round choice Shaquille Richardson, as Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk writes. The cornerback signed with KC in February, but he couldn’t stick with the team through the spring.
- Ravens backup long snapper Patrick Scales signed his $435K exclusive-rights free agent tender, as Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun writes. Scales was signed last season after two long snappers went down with season-ending injuries in Baltimore.
- The Chargers cut linebacker Alvin Scioneaux, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter). Scioneaux, 24 in May, spent last season on the Bolts’ IR.
- The Lions have released guard Rodney Austin, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter). Austin, an Elon University product, was let go after being arrested on two charges of assault, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes. For what it’s worth, Austin’s agent says that the issue will soon be behind his client. “I’m very well aware of what happened and that’s why I know this is not going to be an ongoing issue,” said Mark Magazu. The 26-year-old was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Lions after the 2012 draft.
- Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar and punter Chris Jones signed their restricted free-agent tender offers, as Todd Archer of ESPN.com writes. The Cowboys gave both players the low tender, worth $1.542MM. Still, neither player is a lock to make the team in 2015.
East Notes: Hardy, Bills, Giants
Tony Romo is getting up there in years, but the Cowboys aren’t dialing back the expectations whatsoever. Cowboys COO Stephen Jones says that the signal-caller is “ready to have the best year he’s ever had,” as Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News writes. Romo turns 35 on Tuesday, but this is also the first time in two years that he isn’t coming off of a surgical procedure. Here’s more from the AFC and NFC East..
- Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy has filed a petition to have domestic violence charges officially expunged from his record, as Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer writes. His lawyer explained that it’s a very common procedure. “Every day Americans who have misdemeanor charges dismissed file for expungement of the charges from their record,” said Chris Fialko, Hardy’s attorney. Hardy will likely be suspended for at least the first couple games of the season.
- It sounds like Bills GM Doug Whaley isn’t quite as supportive of quarterback E.J. Manuel as he was last season. “The way we looked at is, we don’t have a proven franchise quarterback. That’s obvious,” Whaley said, according to ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak. “But what we wanted to do is be perfect everywhere else, where that guy doesn’t have to put the game on his shoulders and be the man. We want him to be able to just make right decisions and be able to put the ball in the hands of the playmakers.”
- A reader asked Dan Graziano of ESPN.com (on Twitter) if the Giants might trade down in the first round to obtain more defensive value and he replied that it would be out of character for Big Blue to move down in the draft.
Adrian Peterson Rumors: Tuesday
Adrian Peterson has been PFR’s most-mentioned player since the 2014 regular season began, but now that he’s been reinstated – and with the draft only nine days away – we could finally be headed toward some sort of resolution in his saga with the Vikings. Here are Tuesday’s updates and rumors on the former MVP:
- Yesterday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that if the Vikings don’t trade Peterson before or during next week’s draft, a deal isn’t expected to happen. Today, Tomasson updated his report to note that his source named six potential suitors in the mix for the running back: The Cardinals, Falcons, Cowboys, Jaguars, Chargers, and Buccaneers. The Raiders, who are said to have some interest, weren’t on the list.
- The Cowboys have been cited as the most likely Peterson suitor since trade rumors first began surfacing, but EVP/COO Stephen Jones told 105.3 FM in Dallas today that he doesn’t envision the club “using any picks to trade for veteran players” (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com).
- Asked today about Peterson, Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley said he and GM David Caldwell haven’t had a serious conversation about making a play for the Vikings back (Twitter link via John Oehser of Jaguars.com).