Jerry Jones Talks Garrett, Orton, Coaches
Jerry Jones spoke to the media yesterday, and while we already passed along his comments on DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys owner weighed in on several other topics as well. Among the highlights from Jones was a vote of confidence for embattled head coach Jason Garrett, who heads into a contract year in 2014. While the coming season as viewed as a potential make-or-break year for Garrett, Jones suggested that’s not necessarily the case, according to ESPNDallas.com’s Todd Archer.
“Jason should know and I know that he knows that the plan here is and has been for him to be long term,” Jones said. “And long term certainly being beyond this year as the coach of the Dallas Cowboys.”
Here’s more from the outspoken Cowboys owner:
- Kyle Orton‘s certain with the Cowboys remains uncertain, but Jones is moving forward as if the backup quarterback will return and play out the final year of his contract, according to Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News.
- Jones on Orton: “If he plays, we want him to play with the Cowboys. I could say to him directly the last time we were together made it very rewarding and worthwhile for you to be on the team, and I hope it was rewarding to you. I can say that. That was a good example of money well spent in my mind, and it shows you where we might be if we need him for an extended period of time.”
- Jones believes that the Cowboys are capable of competing for a Super Bowl in 2014 in spite of the club’s cap limitations, writes Sabin in a separate Morning News story.
- As Archer details at ESPNDallas.com, Jones also clarified the roles that Scott Linehan, Bill Callahan, and Jason Garrett will have in the offense for 2014.
Cowboys Won’t Tender Phillip Tanner
The Cowboys will not tender a contract to restricted free agent Phillip Tanner, according to ESPN.com’s Todd Archer. The running back was set to be Dallas’ only RFA this offseason, but will instead hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent, assuming he and the Cowboys don’t agree to a lesser salary prior to free agency.
Since they currently have the most salary committed to 2014 of any of the NFL’s 32 teams, the Cowboys will be looking to create cap savings wherever they can. A contract offer to Tanner would have been worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $1.4MM, so the club figures to save a little money by trying to get him back at the minimum salary or replacing him with a cheaper alternative.
Tanner, 25, has spent the first three seasons of his career in Dallas, accumulating 56 overall carries for 149 yards and two TDs. He was also a contributor on special teams in 2013.
NFC Notes: Ware, Orakpo, Giants, Gilbert
One of the biggest questions yet to be answered for the Cowboys this offseason is what to do with DeMarcus Ware, and team owner Jerry Jones said a decision needs to be made, writes Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram. Due to his high salary and his decline due to injuries, Ware is likely either to be cut or possibly to take a pay cut. While the Cowboys would struggle if they lose their top defensive player, Ware has not been open to taking a pay cut but would be willing to restructure his contract. Here are some other notes from around the NFC East:
- Redskins’ general manager Bruce Allen isn’t the only member of the organization who has publicly stated his desire to see Brian Orakpo return, writes Tarik El Bashir of CSNWashington.com. Head coach Jay Gruden also expressed his feelings about the team’s star pass rusher. “As a free agent, he’s the top priority for us. We’d love to get Brian back,” said Gruden. “But there’s a lot of issues at hand on our team. We’re evaluating every free agent that’s on our team, and that’s out there in the National Football League very hard, and we’ll make those decisions when they come up.”
- Giants general manager Jerry Reese said that he is content to allow both Justin Tuck and Hakeem Nicks test the free agent market this offseason, writes Glenn Minnis of XN Sports. “You never know,” said Reese. “We keep all of our options open. Both of those guys, they deserve to see what the market is.” Tuck and Nicks were among the best players on the team’s 2011 Super Bowl roster, but neither are expected to return to the team in 2014.
- The Eagles need to bolster a secondary that struggled against the pass in 2013, and the team could target Justin Gilbert of Oklahoma State in the first round of the NFL Draft, writes Matt Kelley of Rant Sports. He believes that Gilbert could immediately upgrade the corner position, bringing the talent the team thought they were getting when they signed Cary Williams. Kelley would be surprised if the Eagles passed on Gilbert should he be available at pick 22.
NFC East Links: Eagles, Cowboys, Marinelli
A few notes from the NFC East…
- Don’t expect to see the Eagles add a big-name safety, writes Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com. In the article, Frank speaks to Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, who has appeared to have learned from the failed 2011 Dream Team. While the team may not go after T.J. Ward or Jairus Byrd, Frank says the team knows it needs to upgrade at the position.
- The Eagles have made re-signing wide receiver Jeremy Maclin a priority over fellow free agent Riley Cooper, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane. McLane says the team’s ideal plan is to keep Maclin and then sign a starting-caliber receiver in free agency.
- Newly appointed Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli will have much more freedom now that he doesn’t have to defer to Monte Kiffin on decisions, writes Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram.
- The Cowboys have informed agent Jordan Woy that they’d like to re-sign defensive linemen Jason Hatcher and Anthony Spencer, according to Hill (Twitter link). Hill adds that the club will let the market dictate the offer, which suggests Dallas will wait until after March 11 to try to reach agreements.
NFC Notes: Orton, Saffold, Hardy, Palmer
Kyle Orton has a year remaining on his contract with the Cowboys, but the team isn’t entirely sure that he’ll be back for the 2014 season, Clarence Hill and Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram hear from executive VP Stephen Jones and multiple sources. Orton is mulling the idea of retiring, and figures to make his decision before the new league year begins on March 11. If the Cowboys’ backup does call it a career, quarterback will become an even stronger area of focus for the club in free agency and the draft.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- The Rams will meet with Rodger Saffold‘s agent tomorrow to discuss a new contract for the offensive tackle, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
- Speaking to the NFL Network about free agent defensive end Greg Hardy, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said that GM Dave Gettleman told him they’re working to get something done with Hardy (Twitter link via Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer).
- Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians told reporters, including Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com (Twitter link), that he thinks quarterback Carson Palmer can play until he’s 36 or 37. That would mean another two or three seasons for the Arizona signal-caller.
- The 49ers haven’t had trade discussions involving LaMichael James, according to GM Trent Baalke, who says the running back will “continue to be a 49er” (Twitter link via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee). A report earlier this month indicated James could be on the trade block this offseason.
- We rounded up several NFC East items earlier today.
NFC East Notes: Orakpo, Eagles, Cowboys
As we look forward to another busy day at the combine in Indianapolis, let’s check in on a few Friday morning updates on all four NFC East squads:
- Redskins general manager Bruce Allen confirmed that the club will meet with the agent for free agent linebacker Brian Orakpo this weekend, tweets Mike Jones of the Washington Post.
- Although the Eagles will have to make offseason decisions on about a third of the players on their roster, GM Howie Roseman was fairly noncommittal when asked about those decisions, as Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer details.
- In the last couple offseasons, the Eagles have made modest free agent expenditures, but the team is still willing to spend big on the right player, says Roseman (link via Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer). “I think unique situations call for unique action,” Roseman said. “If there is a unique player in free agency that is hard to find other than top of draft and fits all the criteria that we outlined, some publicly and some privately, you have to look at it. We still view ourselves as aggressive and risk-takers. Sometimes you have to take risks to get better.”
- With Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper facing free agency and Jason Avant‘s contract making him a potential cap casualty, Roseman sounds like he’s “willing to shuffle the [Eagles‘] deck at wide receiver,” writes Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com.
- The odds are very slim that the Cowboys will draft quarterback Johnny Manziel, but they’ll meet with him at the combine today, writes Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- The Giants are well-positioned to get Eli Manning some help on offense in this year’s draft, according to Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News, who suggests a few offensive linemen and pass-catchers the team may target at the combine.
- Earlier this morning, we heard that the Redskins have no plans to trade Kirk Cousins.
Garrett, Cowboys Haven’t Talked Extension
Cowboys management hasn’t approached Jason Garrett to discuss a contract extension, the Dallas head coach told reporters today, including Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News. With Garrett’s current deal set to expire after the 2014 season, it appears as if he’s heading into a make-or-break year. For his part, the Cowboys coach said he hadn’t given much thought to the added job security a long-term contract would provide.
“My focus is on being the best coach I can be each and every day,” Garrett said. “That’s what I think about and that’s what my focus is.”
Garrett is 29-27 in three and a half years as the Cowboys’ head coach, and his three full seasons at the helm look awfully similar: Three consecutive 8-8 finishes, with zero playoff appearances. Given the expectations the Cowboys face heading into each and every season, it’d be no surprise if Garrett is on the hot seat this fall.
Speaking to the media in Indianapolis today, Garrett also confirmed what had been previously reported, telling reporters that he’ll be taking a step back from the offense in 2014 with Scott Linehan on board as the Cowboys’ primary play-caller (Twitter link via Todd Archer of ESPN.com).
Extra Points: Fox, Monroe, Cowboys, Cap
There will be plenty of meetings between teams and player agents this week, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (via Twitter) that clubs will also have the opportunity to touch base with their coaches’ agents. The Broncos have a meeting scheduled this weekend with agent Bob LaMonte to discuss a new deal for head coach John Fox, according to Rapoport. Here’s more from around the league, as updates from the Indianapolis combine dominate the NFL news wire:
- Speaking to Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times, offensive tackle Eugene Monroe confirmed that he and the Ravens have entered discussions about a new contract, and said those talks in and of themselves are a positive sign. Although Monroe cautioned that it’s still early, the free-agent-to-be said it would be “awesome” to continue as a Raven.
- While the Cowboys are expected to explore extensions for wide receiver Dez Bryant and offensive tackle Tyron Smith this offseason, those talks haven’t gotten underway yet, according to Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
- In the wake of the new $130MM salary cap projection put forth by Adam Schefter this morning, Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com has adjusted his estimates for 2014’s restricted free agent tenders and franchise tags.
- New Browns GM Ray Farmer told reporters, including Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland, that he’s looking forward to meeting with quarterback prospect Johnny Manziel.
- While he likely won’t have much say in the decision, Jarrett Bush tells Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Twitter link) that he’d be “shocked” if the Packers don’t re-sign fellow defensive back Sam Shields.
- The Seahawks aren’t expected to use the franchise tag this year, reports Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
- In a piece for the National Football Post, Joel Corry identifies 10 players who are candidates to restructure their contracts this offseason.
Cowboys Links: Bryant, Smith, Austin, Ware
With a deadline of March 11 for getting under the 2014 cap, the Cowboys don’t sound like they’re in any hurry to make roster moves quite yet, writes Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Still, there are a number of interesting decisions to be made over the next several weeks by the team which has the most 2014 cap commitments in the NFL. Let’s check in on some of them….
- While the Cowboys intend to spend “efficiently” in free agency, that doesn’t necessarily preclude contract extensions for wide receiver Dez Bryant or offensive tackle Tyron Smith, Archer notes in a separate ESPN.com blog post. Both players are eligible for long-term deals this summer, and executive vice president Stephen Jones suggests the team will “make decisions individually” on Bryant and Smith, meaning it’s possible that just one of the two will be extended this offseason.
- Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News contextualizes some comments made by Jones in examining the team’s options with Miles Austin and DeMarcus Ware.
- Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com takes an in-depth look at how Terrell Suggs’ new extension with the Ravens could influence Ware’s contract negotiations with the Cowboys. Dallas may not have as much leverage as Baltimore did, but the club could create significant cap savings by cutting Ware, so he figures to be open to restructuring his deal.
Extra Points: Cowboys, Matthews, Devaney
Could Mavericks owner Mark Cuban go from the pages of Hoops Rumors to Pro Football Rumors? Don’t bank on it. In an interview with 105.3 The Fan, Cuban was asked if he could see himself buying the Cowboys someday and he didn’t sound like a man ready to break out his checkbook, writes Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News. “I think football teams have gotten so expensive that it would take a whole consortium, you’d have to put together a whole fund in order to buy them and that wouldn’t be any fun,” Cuban said. “It wouldn’t be any fun because it wouldn’t be my money, it wouldn’t be my team. It would have to be purely a business. That makes it a lot tougher.”
- Wide receiver Chris Matthews will get a guaranteed $10K bonus on his futures contract with the Seahawks, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter). Matthews is one of just a few futures signees to see guaranteed money on their deal.
- Former Rams GM Billy Devaney is joining the Falcons‘ player personnel department as a regional scout, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). We learned on Valentine’s Day that Atlanta was giving consideration to hiring Devaney, who was previously working as an analyst with ESPN. Former Rams scout Russ Bollinger has also been hired by the Falcons, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
- The Lions signed Rugby speedster Carlin Isles to a reserve/futures contract, but it sounds like he’ll be sticking with his first sport. David Ferguson of The Scotsman writes that Isles, who has recorded a 4.22 40-yard-dash time, will ink a deal with the Glasgow Warriors, keeping him from the NFL.
- The Dolphins announced that they have canned offensive line coach Jim Turner and longtime head athletics trainer Kevin O’Neill. Both men were named in the Ted Wells report which examined the Dolphins organization following the Richie Incognito/Jonathan Martin controversy.