Extra Points: Newton, Foles, Romo, Bills
Good news for Los Angeles, Chicago, and Madison Square Garden landlord James Dolan: they’re all finalists to host the 2015 NFL Draft, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Radio City Music Hall has informed the NFL that it will not be available to host the NFL draft in April or May, because the Rockettes are more important, apparently. Here’s more from around the league…
- Cam Newton‘s next contract with the Panthers is unlikely to mirror Colin Kaepernick‘s new deal with the 49ers, writes Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. “I’m sure the Carolina Panthers will go, ‘Hey, we’ll give you Kaepernick’s structure,’” said Joel Corry, a former NFL agent. “But (Newton’s agent) Bus Cook is not going to be too receptive to that.” Newton, selected No. 1 overall in the 2011 draft in which Kaepernick was picked in the second round, is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal. In April, the Panthers picked up the club option on Newton for 2015 at $14.67MM.
- Eagles quarterback Nick Foles will set his own market, not Kaepernick, writes Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com. For now, Foles stands as the biggest QB bargain in the NFL, save for the Seahawks’ Russell Wilson, but the Eagles will have to give him big bucks after this season to wrap him up long term. For his career, Foles has thrown 33 touchdown passes and seven interceptions (27 TDs and two interceptions last year), completing 364 of 582 passes (62.5%) for 4,590 yards.
- The relationship between Cowboys coach Jason Garrett and quarterback Tony Romo could wind up saving Garrett’s job, writes Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News. The Cowboys have bent over backwards to accommodate Romo and keeping Garrett would continue that trend.
- Former Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano confirmed today that he has interest in bidding on the Bills when they are put up for sale, writes Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. “Everybody has a degree of reasonableness,” Golisano said. “If it costs way more than I’m willing to pay, then I won’t feel bad if I don’t get them. I’ll only feel bad if they move out of Western New York. If they get moved out of Western New York, I’m not going to feel very good about it. I might even feel partially responsible. Not totally, but partially responsible.”
- While the deal seems hefty on the surface, Kaepernick’s new deal with the 49ers is actually quite team-friendly, writes Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Branch, like Person, checked in with Corry for his take on the deal and he says that while the contract works in SF’s favor, the QB’s agents at XAM Sports didn’t necessarily get taken advantage of. It’s very possible that Kaepernick, as others have suggested, specifically wanted an under-value deal in order to make new deals possible for others on the roster.
East Notes: Bryant, Finley, Dolphins, Eagles
In examining what a possible extension for Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant could look like, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap focuses on the top-of-the-market players who signed big deals before the age of 30 — it’s a list that includes Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Percy Harvin, Mike Wallace, Dwayne Bowe, and Vincent Jackson. Bryant’s two goals in this negotiation, Fitzgerald writes, should be to establish that he is above those bottom four names and to convince Dallas to pay him like the top two.
Here’s more from around the league’s two East divisions:
- There are “a good half-dozen teams in quiet pursuit” of free agent tight end Jermichael Finley, according to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report. Freeman predicts that Finley will ultimately sign with the Patriots, the club the former Packer visited last Friday after being medically cleared by his doctor.
- Although Dan Marino and the Dolphins have talked about a possible position within the organization for the Hall of Fame quarterback, the two sides have been unable to figure out a role for him so far, says Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. According to Salguero, the club would love to have Marino aboard for PR and marketing purposes, while Marino would like a role with some actual power (all Twitter links).
- The Eagles have made a number of changes to their scouting and personnel departments, the team announced today. Notably, Rick Mueller has been promoted to director of pro player personnel.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
NFC East Notes: Urlacher, Cowboys, Giants
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says he won’t be signing free agent linebacker Brian Urlacher to fill the void left by Sean Lee‘s injury, writes Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com. From the sound of things, Dallas won’t be doing anything right away. “We’re working through it,” said Stephen Jones, the Cowboys’ executive vice president. “I mean obviously we’re not playing football games tomorrow and we’re not going to training camp tomorrow. We’re just taking a long hard look at anything.” More out of the NFC East..
- Former Cowboys defensive tackle Josh Brent is scheduled to be released from jail within the next two months and team COO Stephen Jones says he wouldn’t rule out bringing back the 26-year-old, according to a staff report from the Dallas Morning News. In January, Brent was sentenced to ten years probation for his 2012 drunken-driving crash that killed teammate, Jerry Brown Jr. Brent played in 39 games for the Cowboys between 2010 and 2012, recording 44 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
- Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith will be a free agent after 2015 but he’s not focusing on an extension, writes Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. Smith will earn $10.039MM in ’15 after Dallas exercised his fifth-year option. Still 23, the promising tackle figures to cash in on his next deal.
- The Giants signed safety Kyle Sebetic, an undrafted free agent out of Dayton, to take Will Hill‘s place on the 90-man roster, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. Speaking of Hill, Vacchiano adds (link) that he officially cleared waivers and is now a free agent.
East Notes: Eagles, Finley, Cowboys, Dolphins
Veteran center Jason Kelce was one of the first Eagles to tweet out a message in support of the organization when the club released DeSean Jackson earlier in the offseason, but as he explained on Monday (link via Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com), his comments weren’t intended as a shot at the former Philadelphia wideout.
“I really have no personal problems with DeSean. Never did when he was here,” Kelce said. “All I was trying to say is, ‘Listen, this team has been going in a great direction this whole offseason, let’s not lose focus on what we’ve been trying to do the entire offseason. This one instance gets blown out of proportion when really the entire offseason we’ve had great direction, we’ve had great focus by our coaching staff and our organization, let’s have trust in that.”
Here’s more from around the NFL’s two East divisions:
- Jermichael Finley’s free agent visit to the Patriots, which was reported yesterday, was “exclusively for medical evaluation of his spinal fusion surgery,” tweets ESPN.com’s Ed Werder. The tight end has been medically cleared by his personal doctor, but team doctors will want to perform their own evaluations.
- The NFLPA has been convinced that Sean Lee‘s ACL injury was not the result of contact with Zack Martin and that the Cowboys didn’t break any OTA rules, a source tells Werder (Twitter link).
- Middle linebacker is an area of concern for the Dolphins, and while Miami missed out on adding a free agent like D’Qwell Jackson in March, the team is hoping that Koa Misi can make the transition to the inside, as Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald outlines.
- In the view of Jordan Raanan of NJ.com, the Giants did Will Hill a favor by cutting him, since the troubled safety could use a change of scenery. We’ll find out soon whether Hill, who is facing a six-game suspension, will be claimed off waivers or become an unrestricted free agent.
NFC East Notes: Maclin, Henery, Cowboys
Onlookers held their breath today during the Eagles’ OTAs after receiver Jeremy Maclin fell to the ground holding his knee, writes Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. While Maclin tore the ACL in his right knee last year, causing him to miss the entire season, today’s incident left him clutching his left knee. Still, any injury to Maclin, who is expected to be leaned on heavily following the release of DeSean Jackson, would have terrified the Eagles’ coaching staff. Luckily, Maclin quickly got to his feet, and later noted that he felt fine.
More from around the NFC East:
- While Eagles kicker Alex Henery‘s accuracy has decreased each season during his time in the NFL, he remains confident he can win a competition with undrafted free agent Carey Spear (nickamed “Murderleg”), according to Kevin Rossi of CSNPhilly.com.
- Justin Durant has some experience at middle linebacker, and is also is well-versed in the 4-3 defense after playing under Rod Marinelli with the Lions, so he’s the most natural replacement for the Cowboys at the MIKE position following the loss of Sean Lee, per Calvin Watikins of ESPNDallas.com.
- Fourth-round rookie linebacker Anthony Hitchens, who signed with the Cowboys yesterday, is also trying to help offset the loss of Lee by adjusting to middle linebacker after playing on the outside while at Iowa, according to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- Mackenzy Bernadeau isn’t complaining after losing the Cowboys right guard job to rookie Zack Martin, writes Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Bernadeau started all 16 games at RG for Dallas last season, but is taking reps at all three interior line positions during OTAs in an attempt to become more versatile. “It’s like learning to write with your left hand instead of your right hand,” Bernadeau said about playing left guard. “The only difference is that I was able to play the left side before, so I have some experience there, and it’s just getting used to the technique and the guys end up playing next to you. It’s more important to get used to the guys next to you and what their steps are than the techniques because I’ve played both sides before.”
- As of yet, Jermichael Finley has no plans to work out for the Giants, but that could change, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. New York’s tight end depth chart is currently headlined by Adrien Robinson and Kellen Davis.
Cowboys Considering Urlacher, Vilma
In the wake of Sean Lee‘s season-ending ACL injury, the Cowboys are weighing their options at the linebacker position, which includes eyeing some veteran free agents. According to Ed Werder of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Dallas is evaluating Brian Urlacher and Jonathan Vilma, among others. Regarding Urlacher, Werder adds (via Twitter) that nothing is imminent, but that the former Bear “took notice” when Lee went down and a hole opened up in the Cowboys’ starting lineup.
Urlacher and Vilma are a couple of the more notable names available on a free agent market that also includes linebackers like Pat Angerer and Dan Connor. Still, even if the Cowboys decide to add one of those free agents, that player wouldn’t be relied upon to fill Lee’s role himself — Werder notes that the club figures to use a two-man platoon.
It’s also possible that the Cowboys will simply elect to roll with their in-house options. Although the team has watched tape and evaluated guys like Urlacher and Vilma, a Dallas source tells Werder that the Cowboys don’t have a ton of interest in either player (Twitter link). We’ll have to wait and see if that’s a smokescreen or an indication that the club will pass on veteran free agents.
NFC East Notes: Hitchens, Robinson, Grimble
The Cowboys have signed fourth-round pick Anthony Hitchens, writes Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. The 6-foot, 240-pound linebacker out of Iowa has already been more heavily scrutinized than many fourth-rounders, as he has been running with Dallas’ first-team defense since Sean Lee tore his ACL. Hitchens did note just a few days ago that he may not be ready to immediately fill the void created by Lee’s injury, but he is at least getting an early chance to show what he can do.
Now for some more notes around the NFC East:
- Rich Tandler of RealRedskins.com compiles five takeaways from the Redskins‘ first week of OTAs, including his belief that Keenan Robinson has the best chance to fill the hole at inside linebacker left by London Fletcher and his observation that Leonard Hankerson appears destined for the PUP list.
- A number of Eagles notes this morning. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer previews the battle for backup quarterback between Matt Barkley and Mark Sanchez, and Zack Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer examines what the team saw in new safety Malcolm Jenkins.
- Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com looks at how Brandon Graham, entering his contract year, fits in the Eagles‘ defense and Graham offers his thoughts on the earlier rumors that he might be traded: “if that was something that they wanted to do, I would have been gone,” Graham said. Meanwhile, Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com looks at the role that rookie Marcus Smith will play in the team’s defensive unit.
- Paul Schartz of the New York Post writes that the Giants have high hopes for undrafted TE Xavier Grimble, who was considered the top tight end prospect in the country when he was recruited out of high school.
NFC Links: Davis, Bryant, Graham
The 49ers have a lot of players looking for new contracts in the coming years, including Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, Colin Kaepernick, Mike Iupati, and Alex Boone. The team has been preparing for life without some of those players, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
Here are some other links from around the NFC:
- When it comes to Davis, Maiocco believes the 49ers will not budge on his contract. He is the third-highest paid player in the league at his position, and is on the wrong side of 30 years old. With extensions for other players coming, Davis may have to play his current contract out.
- Cowboys‘ Vice President Stephen Jones said an extension for star wide receiver Dez Bryant could come before the season starts, writes Lorenzo Reyes of USAToday.com. “As far as from the receiver standpoint, of course I feel like I’m one of the better receivers in this league,” said Bryant. “But like I said, when it comes to that contract, I’m going to sit back and I’m going to wait and see what happens.”
- Jimmy Graham has yet to sign a long-term deal, but Mike Triplett of ESPN.com does not expect this to drag on through training camp. July 15 is the last day to negotiate a deal for franchised players, and Triplett expects Graham to sign a deal that pays him between $10.5MM and $11MM per year.
- Robert Meachem returned to the Saints, and maybe more importantly, his old quarterback Drew Brees, writes Christopher Dabe of NOLA.com. Meachem has a one-year deal, but says the offseason has kept him focused and more comfortable, being back in New Orleans.
- Tanard Jackson has gotten another chance in the NFL with the Redskins, but he might not stick on the roster, writes J.P. Finlay of CSNWashington.com. The team might not have a spot for him at safety, and his minimum salary deal could be easy to release.
Extra Points: Byrd, Murray, Smith, Jets
Miscellaneous news and notes from around the league. . .
- Saints safety Jairus Byrd underwent “optional” back surgery to repair a disc issue, according to Katherine Terrell of Nola.com. While head coach Sean Payton downplayed the seriousness of the procedure, Terrell’s colleague Larry Holder is skeptical, especially since Byrd just inked a six-year, $54MM ($26.3MM guaranteed) deal.
- The Cowboys have acknowledged a contract extension for star receiver Dez Bryant is “a possibility,” but he’s not the only skill player on the roster in need of a new deal, as running back DeMarco Murray is entering the fourth and final year of his rookie pact. The Cowboys are a different team with Murray healthy, asserts ESPN’s Todd Archer, who considers what the team should reasonably be willing to pay to retain Murray’s services beyond 2014.
- Eagles first-round pick Marcus Smith is working exclusively at Connor Barwin‘s “Jack” (left outside) linebacker position, which enables him to learn multiple responsibilities while honing his technique, writes csnphilly.com’s Matt Allibone.
- Michael Wilhoite leads a group of 49ers linebackers vying to keep NaVorro Bowman‘s seat warm, writes Eric Branch on sfgate.com.
- Who says fullbacks are a dying species? More love from Pro Football Focus, who tabs Collin Mooney as the Titans’ “Secret Superstar.”
- With the departure of Antonio Smith, third-year defensive lineman Jared Crick has a chance to take on a more prominent role for the Texans, writes Dale Robertson in the Houston Chronicle.
- The Jets have $23MM in cap space, notes ESPNNewYork.com’s Rich Cimini, who also states the team views Kyle Wilson as a slot corner, “nothing more.” Meanwhile, Cimini hears from scouts that Dimitri Patterson, projected to start outside opposite Dee Milliner, is actually better suited in the slot.
- After losing Morocco Brown to the Browns, the Redskins have promoted Alex Santos to director of pro personnel, according to Zac Boyer of the Washington Times (via Twitter). Santos has spent the last six years as a pro scout.
NFC East Notes: Manning, Freeman, Allen, Smith, Melton
After having arthroscopic knee surgery on April 10, Giants quarterback Eli Manning is participating in OTAs with no limitations. That’s two months ahead of schedule, notes Giants.com Senior Writer/Editor Michael Eisen, who quoted head coach Tom Couglin: “He’s so far ahead. When we started out I didn’t think I would have him for anything. We’re about two or three days into the phase two (when the offense and defense worked separately) and he’s running around. I’m trying to slow him down but he feels good. I’m not surprised at all.”
In other NFC East notes…
- Manning’s quick recovery expedited the release of Josh Freeman, and Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith says the quarterback’s mental deficiency has been the cause of his demise: “[Freeman’s] biggest problem in New York this offseason appears to be the same as his biggest problem in Minnesota last season: He struggles to learn the offense.”
- Eagles safety Nate Allen has had an up-and-down, four-year career, but he’s survived four defensive coordinators, the team is sticking with him and he’s projected to start alongside Malcolm Jenkins, writes Zach Berman in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
- Brad Smith‘s head was spinning when he joined the Eagles late in the season, but he earned a role as a core special teams player, writes Dave Spadaro on the team’s website.
- Sheil Kapadia of phillymag.com is keeping a diary Eagles practice observations. Among Friday’s notes: Mark Sanchez took all the second-team reps ahead of Matt Barkley, while veteran Smith and rookie Josh Huff were getting first-team reps in the slot with second-rounder Jordan Matthews absent.
- The Cowboys are taking it slow with free agent acquisition Henry Melton, who is recovering from ACL surgery, with an eye towards being at full strength for training camp, writes Cowboys staff writer Rowan Kavner. In the meantime, Tyrone Crawford could get work at three-technique.