NFC FA Rumors: Cowboys, Seahawks, Lions
We’ve passed along word of all the free agents who have already found homes – old or new – but there are plenty of players still on the market. Let’s take a look around the NFC at some of the day’s free agent rumors….
- Now that Julius Peppers is an unrestricted free agent, the Cowboys have interest in the veteran defensive end, tweets Dianna Russini of NBC Washington. It would have to be a pretty inexpensive deal, given Dallas’ cap limitations.
- Jeff Sullivan of DallasCowboys.com (Twitter link) and Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com (Twitter link) both classify the Cowboys‘ interest in defensive lineman Henry Melton as strong, and Sullivan suggests there’s mutual interest. Melton will visit with the team and things could move quickly, according to the Dallas writers.
- Free agent receiver Jacoby Jones will visit with the Giants on Wednesday, tweets Josina Anderson of ESPN. The Ravens are still discussing a potential return to Baltimore for Jones.
- The Seahawks are in talks with defensive tackle Tony McDaniel on a new deal that would bring him back to Seattle, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Rapoport also tweets that the Seahawks will meet with free agent tight end Jermichael Finley and wide receiver Taylor Price, while Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link) adds defensive tackle Jason Hatcher to that list.
- Meanwhile, former Seahawks receiver Golden Tate is visiting with the Lions tonight, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
- Schefter passes along word via ESPN.com colleague Michael Rothstein (Twitter link) that the Lions have interest in safety Chris Clemons. The Steelers were also originally mentioned as a suitor, but they’re almost certainly out of the mix now that Mike Mitchell is headed to Pittsburgh.
- In their pursuit of a tight end, the Lions are discussing a potential visit for free agent Scott Chandler, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
- The Panthers would like to retain free agent receiver Domenik Hixon, but the Bears are also in talks with him, reports Rand Gatlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
DeMarcus Ware Rumors: Tuesday
DeMarcus Ware‘s days of flirting with 20 sacks per season are almost certainly behind him, but the longtime Cowboy is still an intriguing option for teams in need of pass-rushing help. With Ware now on the open market, let’s round a few early rumors on him:
- Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com hears the Browns may have interest in Ware (Twitter link).
Earlier updates:
- In a statement issued by the Cowboys, owner Jerry Jones didn’t close the door on bringing Ware back to Dallas, suggesting that the team and the defensive end were in “very strong agreement” about exploring that possibility.
- Former Eagles exec Louis Riddick of ESPN.com believes Philadelphia is likely working “very hard” to try to sign Ware (Twitter link).
- Six playoff teams have already expressed some interest in Ware, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
- Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk tweets that Ware is expected to have plenty of options, but will be selective about which ones he considers, and hopes to move quickly through the free agent process.
Cowboys To Release DeMarcus Ware
The Cowboys are releasing DeMarcus Ware, tweets Clarence Hill Jr. of the Star-Telegram. Interest from teams with 3-4 schemes as well as 4-3 schemes is expected, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN. We learned earlier today that Ware requested that Dallas decide on his future before the start of free agency this afternoon.
Ware would have accounted for a $16MM cap hit in 2014 and was owed $26MM in total between ’14 and ’15. Ware, once among the NFL’s elite front seven personnel, is on the verge of turning 32 and isn’t the type of game-changing talent that he once was. The linebacker-turned-defensive end is a seven-time Pro Bowler and a four-time First-Team All-Pro, but he clearly lost a step in 2013.
The Cowboys theoretically could have kept Ware on board with his current contract thanks to the Sean Lee, Orlando Scandrick, and Tony Romo contract adjustments putting them right around the ~$133MM cap limit, but that money could be better allocated elsewhere.
East Notes: Giants, Jennings, Woodyard
The Giants are still in the mix for center Evan Dietrich-Smith, but it appears that guard Geoff Schwartz is their more immediate priority, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger says the club appears to be looking in house at center. Offensive lineman Kevin Boothe, who started six games at center last season, is being viewed as the possible short-term answer.
- The Giants have made an offer to free agent running back Rashad Jennings, a league source tells Fallon Smith of CSNBayArea.com (on Twitter). The Raiders, meanwhile, would like to hang on to the tailback.
- Despite interest from the Cowboys, a source close to Wesley Woodyard told Brandon Krisztal of the Denver Post (on Twitter) that his first trip is to the Patriots with another team visit planned after.
- Tyson Jackson is getting an impressive amount of interest with suitors including the Dolphins, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Browns and Falcons are also interested while the Chiefs are still in the mix.
NFC Rumors: Ware, Beason, Mitchell
A look at the NFC..
- DeMarcus Ware has requested the Cowboys decide future before start of free agency signing period today, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN. Werder is unsure of the Cowboys’ response at this time.
- The Giants want to re-sign linebacker Jon Beason but Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears that he’s asking for more than Big Blue wants to pay. The Giants have 26 free agents and are alright with letting most of them go, but they’d like to keep the University of Miami product.
- If Donte Whitner goes elsewhere, the 49ers are looking at Panthers safety Mike Mitchell as a backup plan, a source tells Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Mitchell, 26, had a career high four interceptions to go along with eight pass breakups in 2013.
Contract Tenders: Monday
Cowboys punter Chris Jones signed his exclusive rights tender of $645K, writes Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. The move locks down Dallas’ punter situation but eats up about $150K of the ~$2MM salary cap space the club had to work with. Jones averaged 45 yards per punt in his first full season with the Cowboys. The latest contract tenders from around the NFL..
- Restricted free agent tackle Byron Bell has received a second-round tender worth $2.187MM from the Panthers, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). The club also tendered exclusive rights free agent Chris Scott, tweets ESPN.com’s David Newton.
- The Chargers have only two exclusive rights free agents in linebacker Bront Bird and guard Stephen Schilling and they won’t be tendering either one, tweets Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego.
- Jets linebacker Nick Bellore got the low restricted free agent tender, a source tells ESPN’s Adam Caplan (on Twitter). Bellore led Gang Green in special teams kickoff tackles last season.
- The Ravens won’t extend an RFA tender to wide receiver Tandon Doss, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The team could still bring Doss back on a smaller deal though.
- Lions wide receiver Kris Durham confirmed via Twitter that he inked his tender with the club. Durham, a fourth-round pick in 2011, became a more significant part of the Lions’ offense in 2013, racking up 38 receptions, 490 receiving yards, and a pair of touchdowns while starting 13 games. He didn’t perform well based on Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), which ranked him 109th out of 111 qualified receivers, but he’s still just 25 years old, and may not be relied upon for quite as large a role in 2014 if the team adds a receiver or two.
- Joe Morgan and Jed Collins won’t receive RFA tenders from the Saints, but the club still has interest in re-signing the two free agents, says Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune.
- The Rams won’t tender tight end Mike McNeill, who was eligible for restricted free agency, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
- Linebacker Justin Hickman has signed his ERFA tender from the Colts, according to Craig Kelley of Colts.com (via Twitter).
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
NFC Rumors: Cowboys, Bell, Vikings, Bears
The Cowboys are interested in re-signing free-agents-to-be Jason Hatcher and Anthony Spencer, but Dallas isn’t the only team with interest in the defensive linemen. According to Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com, the free agent duo has at least seven interested suitors, including the Cowboys. Dallas is also interested in defensive tackle Henry Melton, according to Watkins (Twitter link), but the ESPN scribe cautions that there are no assurances of a deal, given the Cowboys’ limited cap space.
Here’s more from around the NFC, with free agency less than 24 hours away:
- The Lions continue to work hard on a new deal for restricted free agent running back Joique Bell, and hope to get something done before free agency begins tomorrow, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
- The Vikings have inquired about free agent defensive lineman Lamarr Houston but he’ll probably wind up elsewhere, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN. Wolfson adds in a second tweet that the team has kicked the tires on defensive tackle Vance Walker as well.
- Packers free agent Jermichael Finley has yet to receive medical clearance, but nonetheless has visits lined up with potential suitors this week, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today.
- Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report views the Redskins as the best potential fit for prospective free agent Darren Sproles, though he says the Patriots could be a dark horse.
- The Bears aren’t currently considering free agents Jairus Byrd or Michael Johnson, according to Patrick Finley and Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times.
- Jason La Canfora’s latest article at CBSSports.com includes plenty of interesting tidbits on free agents. Among them: The Buccaneers may release Jeremy Zuttah this week, and are focusing on signing Anthony Collins. La Canfora adds that the Packers are “very high” on free agent defensive lineman Arthur Jones.
- The door isn’t completely closed on center Jonathan Goodwin winding up back with the 49ers, a source tells Larry Holder of The Times-Picayune (Twitter link). Holder opines that Goodwin would be a good fit with the Saints also if Brian De La Puente leaves.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Contract Details: Sherels, Boldin, Brown, Royal
Marcus Sherels‘ two-year, $2.2MM extension with the Vikings included a $300K signing bonus, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. The defensive back and punt returner also has $200K of his $750K base in 2014 guaranteed. Sherels, 26, saw an increased role in the secondary in 2013, playing 545 defensive snaps. With that extra playing time, Sherels racked up 47 tackles, seven passes defended, and an interception. His most positive contributions probably came on special teams, however, where he averaged 15.2 yards per attempt on 22 punt returns, including a touchdown. Some more details on recent contracts..
- Over The Cap has the full breakdown of wide receiver Anquan Boldin‘s pact with the 49ers, which includes three voidable years.
- The Steelers did a simple restructure on Antonio Brown‘s deal, Pelissero tweets. Pittsburgh converted $5.27MM of his 2014 base salary to a signing bonus, clearing about $3.95MM off the cap.
- Eddie Royal gets $3.5MM guaranteed in his reworked deal with the Chargers, tweets Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap. The maneuvering saves San Diego about $1MM in cash and salary cap room.
- Mackenzy Bernadeau‘s “restructure” with the Cowboys included a $1.15MM pay cut in 2014 and a $1.75MM cut in 2015, Pelissero tweets. Bernadeau now has a $500K roster bonus and fully guaranteed $1.1MM base in 2014 (link). His 2015 base is now $1.5MM ($400K guaranteed for injury).
- Pelissero (Twitter link) has the goods on Mark Herzlich‘s one-year extension with the Giants. He’ll get a $775K base salary, $200K in per-game roster bonuses, and $25K workout bonus, good for $1MM total.
- Offensive lineman Lemuel Jeanpierre got a $150K signing bonus and $50K roster bonus on his one-year, $950K extension with the Seahawks, Pelissero tweets.
NFC East Rumors: Ware, Redskins, Giants, Eagles
Free agency officially gets underway at 3:00pm central time tomorrow, and there could be resolution on DeMarcus Ware‘s situation in Dallas by then, according to ESPN.com’s Todd Archer. Archer reports that the Cowboys have had “consistent negotiations” with Ware on a reworked contract that would reduce his 2014 cap hit. If the two sides can reach a compromise, it sounds like the standout pass rusher will continue his career in Dallas. Otherwise, he may be cut by tomorrow afternoon.
Let’s round up a few more Monday rumors from out of the NFC East….
- Although the Redskins have inquired on a number of defensive backs, cornerback Antonio Cromartie and safety Louis Delmas don’t appear to be on the team’s radar, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post (Twitter links). However, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Washington’s reported interest in Jairus Byrd is for real, and adds that the Browns are showing genuine interest too.
- The Cowboys have expressed interest in free agent linebacker Wesley Woodyard, writes Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
- While there’s no word yet on whether veteran center David Baas will accept a pay cut, the Giants have expressed interest in prospective free agent center Brian De La Puente, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
- According to various reports from CSNPhilly.com, PhillyMag.com, The Star-Ledger, and The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Eagles have expressed interest in defensive backs Corey Graham, Antoine Bethea, Nolan Carroll, and Mike Mitchell.
- Last night, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer identified a few potential fits for the Eagles as the team considers pass rushers, including Mike Neal, O’Brien Schofield, and Rob Jackson. McLane listed Lamarr Houston as a long shot for the Eagles, but the club has at least looked into the defensive end, according to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News (via Twitter),.
NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants
A couple of notes from around the NFC East…
- It appears that the Cowboys are ready to move on from Miles Austin, but there’s a chance DeMarcus Ware could stick around, writes Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. Earlier this week, we learned that the Cowboys wanted Ware to take a pay cut.
- The Eagles could be interested in a “game-breaking return specialist” and there should be plenty on the market, says Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com. He mentions Dexter McCluster, Devin Hester and Ted Ginn Jr. as potential fits, with McCluster being the most intriguing.
- In the same article, Sheridan discusses his belief that the Eagles won’t move DeSean Jackson this offseason. He adds that he thinks the team will draft one or two receivers and because of that, there is no guarantee that Jackson is with the team beyond 2014.
- The Eagles won’t overspend on an edge rusher but will certainly look to upgrade at the position, says Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. McLane mentions Mike Neal and O’Brien Schofield as potential targets.
- Following a disappointed season, the Giants don’t seem unwilling to let all 26 of their free agents go, writes Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. Vacchiano points out that the team would love to keep linebacker Jon Beason, though.
- The Giants reported interest in Alterraun Verner and other top cornerbacks is for real, says Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. Raanan also refers to the team’s previous interest in Sam Shields.