Poll: Broncos’ Top Extension Priority?
ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reported earlier today that the Broncos don’t intend to discuss contract extensions with either Demaryius Thomas or Julius Thomas until after the season. That has since been confirmed by multiple reporters, including Mike Klis of the Denver Post and Albert Breer of the NFL Network, who indicated that the team hasn’t engaged in talks with either player since August.
The Broncos will do their best to keep all their impact players heading into next season, but the team will only have one franchise tag available, and the salary cap will almost certainly limit Denver’s ability to keep all its key free agents. Besides the Thomases, wideout Wes Welker and – more importantly – cornerback Chris Harris are among the team’s other players eligible to test the open market.
Harris, who is playing this season on a restricted free agent tender, ranked eighth among cornerbacks in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), and has been even better so far this year. Per PFF, quarterbacks throwing into Harris’ coverage have completed 12 of 32 attempts for 101 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception, good for a 33.5 QB rating. The 25-year-old’s outstanding play has made him one of the cornerstones of Denver’s improved defensive unit.
Of course, in Demaryius and Julius Thomas, the Broncos have two players who rank among the best at their respective positions in the NFL. Demaryius has averaged 1,432 receiving yards over the last two seasons, and is on pace to blow past that mark this year, while Julius leads the NFL with nine receiving touchdowns in just six games. Even though Peyton Manning could post big numbers throwing to just about anyone, losing either Thomas would be a significant blow to the Broncos’ passing attack.
What do you think? Which of the Broncos’ top three prospective free agents is the most important for the team to extend? Does the club need to make sure it retains one or both of Manning’s top targets, or is keeping the young, shutdown cornerback the top priority?
Which player should the Broncos try hardest to extend?
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WR Demaryius Thomas 68% (232)
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TE Julius Thomas 23% (80)
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CB Chris Harris 9% (29)
Total votes: 341
Minor Moves: Thursday
Since Thursday is typically a quieter day for transactions during the NFL season, we’ll round up today’s minor 53-man roster and practice squad moves right here, rather than splitting them into separate posts. Here’s the latest:
- The Broncos announced today (via Twitter) that they’ve released safety John Boyett from their practice squad following his arrest earlier this week on a misdemeanor third-degree assault charge.
Earlier updates:
- The Chiefs have signed linebacker Darin Drakeford to their practice squad, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter). Paylor adds that Drakeford takes the practice squad spot vacated by linebacker Orie Lemon, who has signed to the Buccaneers‘ 53-man roster. Tampa Bay had an opening on its roster after Da’Quan Bowers was moved to the reserve/suspended list for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
- After clearing waivers, tight end Rashaun Allen has returned to the Seahawks, signing to the club’s practice squad, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
Broncos Don’t Expect In-Season Deals For Demaryius, Julius Thomas
A pair of Peyton Manning‘s top weapons face free agency this winter, but the Broncos don’t anticipate working out contract extensions with either Demaryius Thomas or Julius Thomas during the season, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Instead, the team will table discussions for now and resume negotiations with both players once the season is over, Schefter reports.
The Broncos reportedly initiated talks with their top receiver and top tight end back in June, and GM John Elway provided an update just before training camp got underway, indicating that the club expected to remain in contact with both players about their contracts during camp and the preseason. So far, however, it seems as if Denver hasn’t been able to reach a compromise with either player’s camp, so it makes sense to postpone discussions as the team focuses on making a Super Bowl run.
Buoyed by a 17.0 yards per catch average, Demaryius Thomas ranks fifth in the NFL with 662 receiving yards in just six games, putting him on pace to obliterate his career high of 1,434 yards. As for Julius Thomas, no one at any position has grabbed more touchdowns than the tight end’s nine so far this season. In other words, both Thomases are on track to have monster seasons, meaning it won’t be easy for the Broncos to keep both players, even if the club uses the franchise tag on one of them.
Complicating matters further is the fact that wideout Wes Welker is also eligible for free agency at season’s end. Welker doesn’t put up the same sort of huge numbers that the Thomases do, and likely won’t be as high a priority when the team starts addressing contracts, but he’s still a significant part of the Broncos’ passing attack. Having to let go of him or one of the Thomases for the 2015 season would be a notable loss for Manning and company.
Over the summer, I looked at both Demaryius and Julius as potential extension candidates for the Broncos.
Practice Squad Updates: Wednesday
We’ll keep tabs on Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts right here, as teams look to fill out their units and make sure they have insurance for positions hit hard by injuries. Here’s the latest:
- The Saints have filled the 10th and final opening on their practice squad by re-signing linebacker Todd Davis, who was waived earlier this week, tweets Mike Triplett of ESPN.com.
Earlier updates:
- Despite being in London for the week, the Lions have made a change to their practice squad, signing safety Jerome Couplin, per Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (Twitter links). The unlucky roster casualty is running back William Powell, who will have to return stateside.
- After being cut by the team and clearing waivers, defensive lineman Jacobbi McDaniel has returned to the Browns‘ practice squad, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, who tweets that the club has also added wide receiver L’Damian Washington.
- As anticipated, linebacker Shaquil Barrett has officially re-signed with the Broncos‘ practice squad, tweets Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com.
Practice Squad Updates: Tuesday
We’re keeping tabs on today’s minor moves that affect 53-man rosters right here, but we’ll use the space below to track transactions involving teams’ practice squads:
- The Chiefs signed guard Jarrod Pughsley to the taxi squad to take the place of the released Jerel Worthy, according to Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star.
- Linebacker Shaq Barrett cleared waivers and is expected to be re-signed to the Broncos‘ practice squad soon, tweets Mike Klis of The Denver Post.
- The Colts announced that they have signed running back Jeff Demps and tight end Konrad Reuland to the practice squad while releasing quarterback Dominique Davis and wide receiver Chandler Jones to make room. Demps, a 2012 Summer Olympics silver medalist, was recently
- The Saints have signed offensive tackle Demarcus Love to their practice squad, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, while Mike Triplett of ESPN.com tweets that the club cut center Alex Parsons from the unit.
- Caplan also notes (via Twitter) that the Chiefs have cut defensive lineman Jerel Worthy from their taxi squad.
- A pair of receivers have joined the Rams‘ practice squad, per Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, who tweets that Kadron Boone and Devon Wylie have signed with the team. Thomas adds (via Twitter) that the club also replaced one linebacker with another, cutting Denicos Allen and signing Korey Toomer.
Earlier updates:
- The Panthers have announced a pair of practice squad additions, confirming (via Twitter) that they’ve signed safety Robert Lester and offensive tackle Martin Wallace using their two open spots.
- The Jaguars have signed cornerback Lou Young to their practice squad, filling the 10th and final opening on the unit, the club announced today (Twitter link).
- The Cowboys have released edge defender Michael Sam from their practice squad, the team announced today in a press release. Although Sam spent several weeks on Dallas’ taxi squad, he never got the opportunity for a promotion to the 53-man unit, and figures to draw some attention around the NFL as he looks for a new job. Using the two openings on their practice squad, the Cowboys added linebacker Troy Davis and defensive tackle Ken Bishop, according to the team.
AFC East Notes: Jones, Kerley, Bills
Maybe this is why the Patriots traded for Akeem Ayers. Chandler Jones missed practice today due to a hip injury and a league source says it’s expected that he’ll be sidelined for about a month, according to Shalise Manza Young of The Boston Globe (on Twitter). Chandler is now the third member of the Jones family to be sidelined with a leg injury in 2014. Arthur Jones has been out of action with an ankle injury while brother Jon Jones, the UFC’s light heavyweight champion, had to postpone his August title defense against Daniel Cormier. On a positive note, Arthur could return on Sunday against the Steelers while Jon will return to the Octagon on January 3rd. More from the AFC East..
- The timing of the Jets‘ extension for Jeremy Kerley is curious given his recent slump and the arrival of Percy Harvin, writes Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. Still, it’s a good business move by the Jets, who are only on the hook for ~$5.4MM in guarantees. Cimini wouldn’t be surprised to see GM John Idzik extend other potential free agents like running back Bilal Powell and linebacker David Harris. The Jets would also like to lock up defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, currently signed through 2015, for the long term.
- Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com looked at what Ayers can bring to the Patriots.
- The Bills, who are without the services of Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller, made a play for Broncos running back Kapri Bibbs, leading to Denver promoting him to the active roster today, tweets Mike Klis of The Denver Post.
Minor Moves: Monday
We’ll keep tabs on today’s minor transactions from around the NFL right here, with the latest moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:
- The Seahawks have signed former Northern Iowa linebacker L.J. Fort to their practice squad, according to NFL Draft Diamonds. The signing has been confirmed by Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter). Fort, who has spent time with the Browns, auditioned for the Jaguars and Titans this offseason after missing the Broncos’ final cut.
- Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan has been reinstated from his six-game suspension, according to Howard Balzer (Twitter link). Jordan, the third overall pick in the 2013 draft, will have a one-week roster exemption.
Earlier updates:
- The Broncos have promoted running back Kapri Bibbs to the active roster, tweets Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. As Legwold adds (via Twitter), several teams were interested in signing away Bibbs. Denver now has five RBs on its 53-man roster.
- The following players have been cut by their respective teams, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun: Broncos linebacker Shaquil Barrett (Twitter link), Browns defensive lineman Jacobbi McDaniel (Twitter link), Saints linebacker Todd Davis (Twitter link), and Titans tight end Brett Brackett (Twitter link).
- The Jaguars have promoted defensive end Chris Smith from their practice squad to their 53-man roster, says Wilson (via Twitter). Moving Paul Posluszny to injured reserve opened up a spot for Smith.
- Wilson also tweets that the Saints have signed tight end Tom Crabtree, placing defensive end Glenn Foster on injured reserve in order to make room on the roster.
- The Rams have released wideout Emory Blake from their practice squad, tweets Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com.
- The Dolphins are signing wideout LaRon Byrd to their practice squad, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Miami had been carrying nine players on its unit, so no corresponding move will be required.
- Ravens head coach John Harbaugh confirmed today that long snapper Morgan Cox has been placed on injured reserve after tearing his ACL during yesterday’s game, tweets Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. As first reported by Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), the club has signed long snapper Kevin McDermott to replace Cox. Earlier today, Wilson had tweeted that the Ravens were working out McDermott and fellow long snapper Patrick Scales.
- On the heels of a loss in which they failed to run the ball effectively, the Browns have waived fullback Ray Agnew, the team announced today (Twitter link). An undrafted free agent, Agnew signed with the team in May and had two carries and two catches in his six games as a Brown. Fellow fullback Kiero Small has been promoted from Cleveland’s practice squad to take Agnew’s place on the roster.
49ers Notes: Manning, Harbaugh, Smith, Baalke
As the Broncos and 49ers are battling on Sunday Night Football, it is a time to think about what could have been for both franchises. After being cut from the Colts, Peyton Manning considered the 49ers as a potential suitor, at least for a brief amount of time. Manning eventually decided not to include the team on his list of finalists, and one major reason for that was a concern about his inability to coexist with head coach Jim Harbaugh, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
Harbaugh, who is known to be a control freak on offense, likely would not have given Manning the freedom he desired and ultimately received with head coach John Fox in Denver.
Here are some other notes from around the 49ers:
- Florio also said that outside linebacker Aldon Smith could return from his nine-game suspension one or two weeks early, reports Kevin Lynch of SFGate.com (via Twitter).
- There are a few possible reasons that Smith could return early, including the fact that he waived his right to appeal the suspension, and possible side deals he could have made with the league, reports Florio.
- General manager Trent Baalke says he has no knowledge of any reduction in suspension for Smith, reports Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Maiocco also notes that the NFL has maintained that there is no update on his status going forward.
- Former NFL receiver and NFL broadcaster Cris Collinsworth addressed the ongoing drama between Harbaugh and the 49ers, noting that the team should just pay him like a top quality coach, reports Jason Cole of Bleacher Report.
Trade Rumors: Thomas, V-Jax, Spiller
As we already pointed out earlier today, the Seahawks, who are in need of a tight end, reportedly asked for Browns TE Jordan Cameron in a potential Percy Harvin deal before ultimately sending Harvin to the Jets. As it turns out, Seattle aimed even higher by asking the Broncos for emerging star Julius Thomas, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Although Denver promptly rebuffed the Seahawks’ proposal, Joel Corry tweets that these tight end inquiries are not good news for Zach Miller‘s long-term prospects in Seattle. This is despite the fact that Miller has already cut $3MM and $2MM from his 2014 and 2015 salaries, respectively.
Let’s take a look at some other trade notes from around the league. Remember, the trade deadline is October 28:
- Citing his colleague Ian Rapoport, Kevin Patra of NFL.com writes that two other big-name players who are generating significant trade interest are Buccaneers‘ WR Vincent Jackson and Bills‘ RB C.J. Spiller. Rapoport says Tampa Bay is receiving a “ton of calls” on Jackson and would be open to anything. The Cowboys, meanwhile, were interested in Spiller last season, and given that Buffalo has been unable to effectively utilize his skill-set–in addition to the fact that he is in his contract year–Spiller could be on his way out of Buffalo within the week.
- Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550 tweets that, unless Spiller accepts a “fair offer” from the Bills in the offseason, Buffalo will not re-sign him. That explains why trade talks surrounding Spiller may intensify.
- Noting that the Patriots are “usually active” at the trade deadline, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe tweets that New England is targeting help on the offensive and defensive lines and at linebacker.
- We learned earlier that the Bengals may deal Jermaine Gresham if the price is right.
More Harvin Notes: Cameron, Ryan, Wilson
More and more interesting storylines continue to arise from the Percy Harvin trade, including a big name player that could have been shipped off to Seattle in return for the explosive wideout. Let’s have a look:
- We heard several days ago that the Browns, Buccaneers, and Bengals were most interested in a Harvin deal, but the Colts and Broncos were apparently also interested, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Per Rapoport, the Jets, Browns, Bucs, Broncos, and Colts had the best offers.
- The Seahawks are on the lookout for tight ends, and one of the names that was floated in a possible Harvin deal was Browns TE Jordan Cameron, tweets Rapoport.
- As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reiterates, the Harvin deal could end up being a very short-term move for the Jets. Since Harvin’s base salary for 2015 is $10MM, the Jets may choose to cut or trade him in the offseason. That decision, Florio writes, will “hinge on whether [head coach Rex] Ryan remains as the coach, whether a new coach would want Harvin, and whether Harvin will accept less than $10 million next year to stay with the Jets.”
- Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com writes that Harvin’s poor fit in the Seahawks‘ locker room serves as a reminder as to why “some teams shy away from investing big in players until they’ve spent time with them through the draft-and-develop process.”
- Dave Boling of the News Tribune wonders if the Seahawks have sent a message to the rest of the team by dealing Harvin.
- Rapoport adds (via Twitter) that the deal heated up Friday morning, after the Jets‘ loss to the Patriots.
- Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News believes that the Jets dealt for Harvin to help Geno Smith, not Rex Ryan.
- Ben Goessling of ESPN.com writes that the Vikings have once again been vindicated for the original deal that sent Harvin to Seattle.
- In a pair of articles, CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora writes that although many Seahawks players like Harvin, his poor relationship with Russell Wilson threatened to divide the locker room, and La Canfora also wonders if this deal will signal Jets‘ owner Woody Johnson‘s return to his high-spending ways.