NFC North Notes: Ponder, Packers, Robinson
Former MVP Adrian Peterson says he’s on board with new coordinator Norv Turner‘s plan to change his role and the offense — if it means the Vikings are playing in January, writes Tom Pelissero of USA Today. “My rushing yards might not be up to par, but it’s not about that,” Peterson said. “It’s all about winning. I’m trying to win a championship, so if that (means) taking less of a pounding and being more productive in the pass game, I’m all-in for it.” Tonight’s look at the NFC North:
- While the Vikings aren’t expected to exercise their fifth-year option on Christian Ponder, the team has yet to make its decision one way or the other, writes Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The deadline to pick up that option is tomorrow night at 11:00 central time, and considering Ponder is currently second on Minnesota’s QB depth chart, I’d be pretty surprised to see the club lock in the 26-year-old at a $9.686MM salary for 2015 — even though it wouldn’t be fully guaranteed.
- Packers GM Ted Thompson didn’t exactly drop a ton of newsworthy nuggets during his conversation with local media today, but he addressed a few notable topics, including the signing of Julius Peppers, the team’s draft focus, and what he looks for in safety prospects. Mike Vandermause of PackersNews.com has the details and quotes from Thompson.
- Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press takes an in-depth look at Penn State wide receiver Allen Robinson, who participated in the Lions‘ local prospect day and recently had a private workout with the Bears. According to Birkett, Robinson also visited the Colts and Broncos.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Broncos Pick Up 2015 Option On Von Miller
The Broncos have formally exercised their fifth-year option on standout pass rusher Von Miller, reports Mike Klis of the Denver Post. The decision had long been expected, having initially been reported by Klis in late March.
After earning Pro Bowl nods in each of his two NFL seasons, Miller’s 2013 campaign got off to a late start after he served a six-game suspension, and came to an early end with an ACL tear. In his last full season (2012), Miller recorded a career-high 18.5 sacks to go along with 68 tackles, ranking as the league’s best 4-3 outside linebacker by a wide margin, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). Even in his abridged 2013 season, the 25-year-old was PFF’s highest-graded 4-3 OLB.
By picking up the option, Denver keeps Miller under contract through the 2015 season, with that fifth-year option worth $9.754MM, as our tracker shows. The two sides can still work out a longer-term agreement at any time, but if they don’t reach a new deal, Miller’s fifth-year salary will become fully guaranteed on the first day of the ’15 league year.
AFC Notes: Knighton, Browns, Nicks, Pats
After seeing a number of defensive tackles cash in on the free agent market this year, Terrance Knighton knows he could’ve made out well if he didn’t have one year remaining on his contract with the Broncos. However, despite a modest $2.5MM 2014 salary, the man known as “Pot Roast” won’t be holding out, writes Mike Klis of the Denver Post.
“I’m definitely going to honor the contract,” Knighton said. “I want to get something done and I’d like to get something done here. I don’t want to bounce around. But I’m at the point now where once the season starts, I’m just strictly football.”
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- Speaking to Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com, CBS Sports announcer Jim Nantz strongly suggested that it was former Browns GM Michael Lombardi who was trying to land Jim Harbaugh for the Cleveland coaching job.
- Meanwhile, Lombardi’s replacement, Ray Farmer spoke to reporters today and made a handful of interest comments about the draft’s top prospects as well as the possibility of trading up or down. The Browns general manager expects to speak to all 31 NFL GMs in the week leading up to the draft, and about eight or 10 GMs in the 24 hours before draft night. Marla Ridenour of Ohio.com has the quotes from Farmer.
- As he tells Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star, Ahmad Bradshaw did his part in recruiting former Giants teammate Hakeem Nicks to the Colts last month. “I went to his house a week before (his signing) and was just telling him how great it is over here,” Bradshaw said. “I think it kind of helped his decision. I was really encouraging him to come over.”
- Recent Patriots signees Darrelle Revis, Julian Edelman, and Brandon LaFell all had deferred payments on their signing bonuses that won’t be paid out until March 31, 2015, writes Field Yates of ESPN.com. In total, more than $5MM of the trio’s $18MM in signing bonus money will be paid out next year. Yates also notes that Josh Hull‘s contract with the Pats is a minimum-salary deal with no bonuses.
Minor Moves: 49ers, Rams, Lions, Broncos
Here are Friday’s minor transactions from around the NFL, including a pair of free agents accepting their contract tenders, two other minor signings, and a roster cut….
- Demarcus Dobbs, who received a $1.431MM restricted free agent tender from the 49ers, has accepted and signed it, the club announced today in a press release. Dobbs will compete for playing time on the defensive line, and may also contribute on special teams and even on offense, where he has played some tight end.
- Rams center Tim Barnes, who started the last four games of the 2013 season, has signed his exclusive rights free agent tender, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Barnes will be in line for a $570K salary in 2014.
- The Lions have signed center Sherman Carter and wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt to contracts after bringing the players to camp for tryouts earlier this week, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Carter was on the 49ers’ roster last summer, while Roosevelt has some previous NFL regular-season experience with the Bills.
- The Broncos have cut offensive tackle Mike Farrell, according to Mike Klis of The Denver Post (on Twitter). Farrell, who signed a futures contract with Denver at the end of the 2013 regular season, will have to pass through waivers before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Draft Visits: Falcons, Bryant, Martin, Jets
Teams only have until Sunday to bring in draft prospects for pre-draft visits, so even though workouts are still permitted after that date, plenty of clubs are hosting players this week. Here’s a round-up of several of the latest reports on these visits:
- According to reports from ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure (Twitter link), Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), the Falcons have worked out Vanderbilt receiver Jordan Matthews and Connecticut linebacker Yawin Smallwood, and are heading to Columbia, South Carolina tomorrow to work out wideout Bruce Ellington.
- Florida State linebacker Telvin Smith has visited the Broncos, Eagles, and Panthers, as well as worked out privately for the Panthers, Falcons, Patriots, and Buccaneers, according to Wilson.
- Martavis Bryant has been extremely busy over the last few weeks, with a combined total of 22 visits and private workouts, writes Wilson at the National Football Post. According to Wilson, the Buccaneers are one team that has hosted and privately worked out the Clemson wide receiver.
- Wilson, who has been busy lately himself, also passes along updates on two more prospects: USC center Marcus Martin has met with the Chargers, Panthers, Saints, and Eagles, while Kansas State safety Ty Zimmerman is visiting the Bengals.
- Florida State wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin is among the players visiting the Jets today, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). We heard last night about several other prospects the Jets are hosting this week, including Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
- Cornerback Justin Gilbert‘s previously reported visit with the Lions is happening today, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com.
- McGill offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is projected to be the first overall pick in the CFL draft, but he’s also drawing plenty of interest from NFL teams. As Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com details, the 49ers are the latest club to host the Canadian prospect for a visit.
Recent Signings Facing Former Teams In 2014
The 2014 NFL schedule has been released, and it gives us an interesting chance to see some players face their former teammates for the first time. Some of these players were traded or otherwise unwanted by their former teams, and others spurned their hometown fans for greener pastures elsewhere. In all cases, there are some fans or players who must be licking their chops to finally treat these players in their new colors as enemies for the first time.
The following players will get the chance to play against their former teams in 2014:
- Matt Schaub will either get a chance to show up his replacement in Week 2, or possibly hope to avoid getting tormented by Jadeveon Clowney when the Texans visit the Raiders on September 14th (4:25 EST, CBS).
- DeSean Jackson would love a chance to show the world the Eagles made a mistake, and he will return to Philadelphia for Week 3 on September 21st (1:00 EST, FOX). Jackson will get a second chance on Saturday, December 20th (4:30 EST, NFL Network/CBS).
- Branden Albert got see Tamba Hali and Justin Houston in practice for years. He will get them in a game for the first time when the Dolphins host the Chiefs on September 21st (4:25 EST, CBS).
- Julius Peppers can wreak some havoc in a new system in his former stadium when the Packers visit the Bears on September 28th (1:00 EST, FOX). Peppers will get a second chance in Green Bay on November 9th in primetime (8:30 EST, NBC).
- Steve Smith told the fans to “Put your goggles on cause there’s going to be blood and guts everywhere,” when he signed with the Ravens. Well have your goggles ready for Week 4, when the Ravens host the Panthers on September 28th (1:00 EST, CBS).
- Alex Smith didn’t get to see Jim Harbaugh last year, but will finally get his shot to go after his former coach when the Chiefs travel to face the 49ers on October 5th (1:00 EST, CBS).
- Eric Decker will get to watch Peyton Manning and the Broncos’ offense churn on without him when the Broncos play the Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 12th (1:00 EST, CBS).
- Brandon Spikes will have to be prepared for the Patriots after a contentious offseason, as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have been known to pick on players before. The Bills host the Patriots on October 12th (1:00 EST, CBS) and travel to New England on December 28th (1:00 EST, CBS).
- Darrelle Revis will get to feast on a passing offense that struggled in 2013, and will likely invite Eric Decker to Revis Island when the Patriots host the Jets on Thursday Night Football on October 16th (8:25 EST, CBS/NFL Network). Revis will then get to return to a stadium filled with jeering fans on December 21st (1:00 EST, CBS).
- Jared Veldheer seemingly couldn’t leave Oakland quick enough, and the Raiders will host his Cardinals on October 19th (4:25 EST, FOX).
- Jason Hatcher had a career season with the Cowboys in 2013, and now returns to a 3-4 defense hoping to build upon his great season against his former team when the Redskins head to Dallas for Monday Night Football on October 27th (8:30 EST, ESPN). His second meeting with the Cowboys will be in Week 17, when the Redskins host their rivals on December 28th (1:00 EST, FOX).
- Aqib Talib took the money to switch from the AFC runner up to the AFC champion, and he will take part in his third Brady-Manning matchup, his first as a Bronco, on November 2nd (4:25 EST, CBS).
- Hakeem Nicks looked like he hated playing with the Giants in 2013, and this is his chance at revenge after feeling mistreated by the Giants organization and fans when the Colts visit MetLife Stadium for Monday Night Football on November 3rd (8:30 EST, ESPN).
- Jared Allen gets to tee off against the Vikings offensive line he has been practicing against for the past six years, and for the first time since 2007 will finally get to share the field with Adrian Peterson on November 16th when the Bears host the Vikings (1:00 EST, FOX). Allen will head back to Minnesota on December 28th (1:00, FOX).
- Lovie Smith gets his shot to beat the team that fired him, and will bring former Bear Josh McCown with him to move the football against a no longer feared Bears defense on November 9th (1:00 EST, FOX).
- Mike Pettine left the Bills to coach the Browns, and will have to return to Buffalo on November 30th (1:00 EST, CBS).
- Michael Johnson left the Bengals to be the featured pass rusher for the Buccaneers, and he will get his chance to beat Andrew Whitworth and the Bengals offensive line to get a hit on Andy Dalton on November 30th (1:00 EST, CBS).
- Rodger Saffold can show the Raiders exactly how healthy he is after the team signed him to a huge money deal and subsequently failed him on his physical, voiding the deal. The Rams host the Raiders on November 30th (1:00 EST, CBS).
- Henry Melton got hurt after receiving the franchise tag by the Bears, and will get a chance to prove he is still an effective player when the Cowboys visit the Bears for Thursday Night Football on December 4th (8:25 EST, NFL Network).
- Chris Johnson will get to face the Titans for the first time, as he tries to show the team he still has some miles left on his tires when the Jets go to Tennessee on December 14th (4:05 EST, CBS).
AFC West Notes: Raiders, MJD, Ware, Chargers
The Raiders don’t need an immediate starting quarterback out of the draft, but they would hardly be blamed for addressing the position, writes Mike Wilkening of Pro Football Talk. Between trade acquisition Matt Schaub and backup Matt McGloin, Oakland could ride things out for 2014, but they probably have to start thinking about the future at the position. Beyond QB, the Raiders could use some reinforcements at defensive end, defensive tackle, safety, and cornerback. Here’s more from the AFC West..
- Maurice Jones-Drew isn’t concerned about the talk that the Raiders are too old, writes Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. “We’re just the throwaways it seems like,” Jones-Drew said. “The guys we have, supposedly a lot of people didn’t want them. I hear reports that this is great team if it were 2009. Whatever, man.” Oakland picked up multiple veterans this offseason, including MJD and Justin Tuck.
- Meanwhile, the Raiders are excited about pairing MJD with Run DMC (Darren McFadden), Bair writes. The big question will be whether the duo can stay healthy. McFadden has had a host of issues and saw his 2013 ruined by hamstring injuries. Jones-Drew dipped below 4 yards per rush for the first time in eight years thanks in part to foot and ankle troubles.
- Broncos newcomer DeMarcus Ware is passing his knowledge on to Von Miller, writes Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post. The duo could be troublesome for opposing teams in 2014. As Ware put it, “if he comes back where needs to be, you can’t double-team both of us.“
- If the Chargers want a shot at one of the top two cornerbacks in the draft, they will have to trade up at least ten spots ahead of their No. 25 selection, writes Pat Kirwin of CBSSports.com. It would require expensive compensation, but if Michigan State’s Darqueze Dennard falls below No. 17, Kirwin says they should make the move. While Dennard and Oklahoma State’s Justin Gilbert are fine prospects, Tom Krasovic of U-T San Diego feels that the Bolts have bigger needs to address and don’t need to trade up to land either one.
Brandt’s Latest: Fuller, Moncrief, Archer
Draft expert and former Cowboys VP of player personnel Gil Brandt shared a few draft updates this afternoon, via Twitter, so let’s jump in and briefly round up the highlights from the NFL.com veteran….
- Virginia Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller, who paid a visit to the Bills today, has had 15 visits or workouts with NFL teams so far, and has four more lined up this week with the Rams, Jets, Steelers, and Broncos.
- Brandt adds a slew of teams to the list of those who have worked out or hosted Ole Miss receiver Donte Moncrief so far, tweeting that Moncrief has visited the Buccaneers, Cardinals, and Panthers, and has worked out for the Bucs, Panthers, Colts, and Falcons.
- Having already visited the Dolphins, Patriots, Cardinals, and Colts, Kent State running back Dri Archer, is on to the Buccaneers and Jets this week.
- Colorado wideout Paul Richardson, who has put on a few pounds since the draft combine, has workouts or visits with the Buccaneers, Cowboys, 49ers, and Seahawks. It’s not entirely clear if those visits and workouts are still on Richardson’s schedule, or if they’ve already happened.
AFC West Rumors: Pryor, Alex Smith, Visits
After initially reporting that the Raiders would cut quarterback Terrelle Pryor today if they couldn’t find a trade partner, Alex Marvez of Fox Sports now says (via Twitter) that resolution will likely come Tuesday for the Raiders and Pryor. With Matt Schaub now in the fold and another QB potentially coming in the draft, Oakland is intent on moving on from the former starter one way or another.
Let’s check in on a few more items from around the AFC West….
- Alex Smith‘s agent, Tom Condon, has been engaged in discussions with the Chiefs about a new contract for his client, and Smith is happy to stay out of those negotiations, as Randy Covitz of the Kansas City Star details. “My agent handles all of that, and that’s why you hire that guy to take care of that, so you can focus on football,” said Smith, who is entering the final year of his current deal. “It’s really not my place. I have a contract for this year.”
- The Broncos are visiting today and tomorrow with Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley, sources tell Mike Klis of the Denver Post. As Klis writes, Mosley is viewed by many experts as the top inside linebacker in this year’s draft class.
- The Chargers hosted Stanford defensive end Ben Gardner for a visit today, tweets Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Meanwhile, the club also worked out Arkansas fullback Kiero Small, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Wilson adds that Small will move on to visit the Browns tomorrow.
Broncos Re-Sign Mitch Unrein, Three Others
Defensive tackle Mitch Unrein has accepted and signed his restricted free agent tender from the Broncos, reports Mike Klis of the Denver Post (via Twitter). Denver had tendered Unrein a contract offer at the lowest RFA level, so the veteran will be in line for a $1.431MM salary in 2014.
In addition to re-signin Unrein, the team has also officially locked up three exclusive rights free agents, says Klis. Cornerback Tony Carter ($730K), safety Duke Ihenacho ($570K), and linebacker Brandon Marshall ($495K) have all signed their ERFA contract tenders.
Carter, Ihenacho, and Marshall weren’t bona-fide free agents, since their lack of experience meant they had to accept the Broncos’ offer if they wanted to play in the NFL this year. Unrein, on the other hand, could have signed an offer sheet with another team, which Denver would have had the opportunity to match. The 27-year-old, who has provided the Broncos with depth on the defensive line for the last three seasons, either didn’t generate much interest on the open market or simply preferred to return to Denver.