NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers
No NFC North teams used their franchise or transition tags yesterday, meaning players who looked like candidates, such as Packers cornerback Sam Shields and Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew, appear likely to hit the open market next week. While we wait to see if those players work out anything with their respective teams, let’s check out the latest on the Bears, Lions, and Packers….
- Defensive lineman Corey Wootton is still rehabbing from hip surgery, but he expects to be fully healthy by July, as he tells Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. Although Wootton says he’d love to return to the Bears, the 26-year-old expects to “test the market and see what’s out there” in free agency. Assuming teams are confident in his full recovery, Wootton should receive plenty of interest beginning next week.
- While he thinks the Bears could consider free agent safeties T.J. Ward and Jairus Byrd if the price is right, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times hears from a source that the club has not expressed any interest in Louis Delmas.
- $370K of Roberto Garza‘s potential $1.5MM salary for 2014 is tied to weekly roster bonuses, so the Bears have a little built-in injury protection on their center, says Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
- Because first-round picks don’t cost as much as they did under the old CBA, GM Martin Mayhew and the Lions are comfortable taking the best player available at No. 10 rather than feeling pressure to take someone at a key position, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press details.
- In a separate piece for the Free Press, Birkett looks at a few Detroit free agents, writing that the Lions continue to work on a new deal for Pettigrew, but are comfortable letting him test the market next week if no agreement has been reached.
- The Texans are talking to tight end Garrett Graham about a new contract, but if the team lets him reach the open market, the Packers will have interest, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who says Green Bay has liked Graham since he came out of Wisconsin in 2010 (Twitter links).
Franchise Updates: Whitner, Houston, Byrd
With today’s franchise deadline now less than five hours away, let’s round up a few of the latest news items and rumors on the franchise tag from around the NFL….
- The 49ers won’t be designating safety Donte Whitner as their franchise player, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter).
- Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston isn’t expected to receive the team’s franchise tag, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
- The Bills have yet to express anything to Jairus Byrd about the franchise tag, and it appears unlikely that the club will use it, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Joe Buscaglia of WGR550 also hears that the Bills won’t franchise Byrd (Twitter link).
- The Packers don’t look likely to use the franchise tag on their own defensive back, says Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette (via Twitter). A source tells Dougherty that the team has yet to mention the possibility to Sam Shields or his agent.
Earlier updates:
- The Lions aren’t expected to use their franchise tag today, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Tight end Brandon Pettigrew likely would have been the top candidate to be franchised.
- The Seahawks won’t use their franchise tag on defensive end Michael Bennett, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. We also heard over the weekend that the team doesn’t intend to tag kicker Steven Hauschka, but Seattle is still trying to reach deals with both players, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
- The Titans won’t use their franchise tag on anyone this offseason, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Cornerback Alterraun Verner appeared to be the most viable Tennessee candidate for the tag, but it appears the club will either reach a multiyear agreement with Verner or let him hit the open market.
- Paul Soliai‘s agent says the Dolphins have told his client he won’t be franchised, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). We heard last week that Miami was unlikely to re-sign Soliai, so the team may turn its attention to bringing back its other key free agent defensive lineman, Randy Starks.
FA Rumors: Spikes, Jackson, Mack, Graham
With the 2014 free agent period now eight days away, we’re starting to get a clearer idea of which players will actually be available when we turn the calendar to March 11, and a new league year begins. Plenty of free-agents-to-be will still be locked up between now and then, but many more will hit the open market, and perhaps change teams. Here’s the latest on a number of current or prospective free agents:
- The Patriots and Brandon Spikes aren’t discussing a new deal, meaning the linebacker appears likely to become a free agent and sign elsewhere, writes Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.
- Having met with the Broncos and Titans already, linebacker D’Qwell Jackson is on his way to Miami today to visit the Dolphins, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter). The former Brown has a leg up on this year’s class of free agent linebackers, since he’s free to sign prior to March 11 if he so chooses.
- The Browns‘ brass met with center Alex Mack this weekend, and are serious about mending fences with Mack that may have been torn down by the old regime, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
- In the view of ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link), the Seahawks and Packers should be open to the idea of signing Jimmy Graham to an offer sheet and giving up two first-round picks to snatch him away from the Saints. However, Peter King of TheMMQB.com doesn’t think giving up a pair of top picks for the right to pay Graham $12MM per year is worth it.
- Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com takes a look at the Saints‘ perspective when it comes to negotiating a new deal for Graham.
- Chris Murray, the agent for defensive back Marcus Sherels, is optimistic that he and the Vikings will complete a deal for his restricted free agent client before March 11, tweets Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
- The Giants will be bringing back exclusive rights free agent OL Dallas Reynolds, says Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
- Pro Football Focus has released a list of its top 75 free agents.
NFC North Links: Packers, Bears, Lions
On this date in 2001, the Packers traded backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, a first- and seventh-round pick to the Seahawks for a first- and third-round pick. The trade ultimately proved to be a win for Seattle, and it goes beyond the team acquiring an eventual three-time Pro Bowl quarterback. With the first-round pick they acquired, the Seahawks drafted guard Steve Hutchinson, who would play in three Pro Bowls for the team. Center Dennis Norman was drafted out of Princeton with the Seahawks’ seventh-round pick. Norman played about four seasons with Seattle before continuing his career with the Jaguars and Chargers.
The Packers acquired the tenth pick in the 2001 NFL Draft and selected defensive end Jamal Reynolds. Injuries resulted in Reynolds only playing in 18 career games, compiling 16 tackles and three sacks. With their third-rounder, Green Bay took linebacker Torrance Marshall, who served a back-up role with the team for four seasons.
Let’s take a look at some Packer and NFC North rumors…
- The Packers are trying to re-sign Sam Shields for a contract worth less than $6MM a year, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Multiple reporters responded to the tweet, with Aaron Nagler of Bleacher Report suggesting that the cornerback will receive $8MM to $9MM (via Twitter).
- Brandon Marshall with get a contract extension from the Bears, but he may not sign it this offseason unless it’s a cap-friendly deal, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. Wright refers to Marshall’s previous comments that he wants to end his career in Chicago.
- For Charles Tillman to return to the Bears, he’d have to take a discount, Wright also says. He believes that Tillman does not need to move to the safety position and can still be an above-average cornerback.
- Cornerback is a position of need for the Lions and they could look to improve that position through free agency, says Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. Rothstein suggests Rashean Mathis and Corey Graham as potential targets.
Sam Shields To Hit Open Market
12:30pm: This morning’s news is a negotiating tactic by Shields’ agent Drew Rosenhaus, in the eyes of Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writer Tom Silverstein, who weighed in on the situation. Silverstein considers the Packers’ $35MM in cap space and thinks the fact the two sides have been talking without settling on a deal indicates “a very different view of Shields’ worth.”
Prior to the scouting combine, it was believed Shields could take a deal similar to the one recently signed by Bears cornerback Tim Jennings, who inked a four-year, $22.4MM contract ($11.8MM guaranteed). Last season, Jennings tallied 57 tackles, 13 passes defended and four interceptions compared to 61-16-4 for Shields. For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus rated Shields 42nd and Jennings 45th among cornerbacks who played at least 50 percent of snaps.
The Packers are probably willing to pay $6-$7MM per year, says Silverstein (via Twitter). In the same tweet, he says Rosenhaus’ conversations in Indianapolis revealed interest from other teams which “definitely affected Shields’ demands.”
Shields, who is taller, faster and younger than Jennings, stands to benefit from the cap going up, and Rosenhaus anticipates an active market for Shields even if the Packers don’t consider him an $11.83MM player. If they did, they would have locked him up accordingly or be willing to use the franchise tag. On Twitter, Silverstein reiterated there’s “no way” the Packers will do so.
11:03am: Earlier this week, it was believed the Packers and free agent cornerback Sam Shields were closing in on a new deal, but things have changed today. Shields will not re-sign with the team before March 8, according to Pro Football Talk. Instead, he’ll hit the open market, where the services of a young, fast, emerging cover man will be highly sought after.
Extra Points: Ware, Packers, Graham, Smith
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said recently on ESPN’s SportsCenter that it’s possible the club will part ways with DeMarcus Ware to avoid a sizable cap hit. Meanwhile, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter) hears that Dallas has yet to ask Ware to take a pay cut and there has been no communication between the two sides. Here’s tonight’s look around the league..
- The Packers would like to have restricted free agent linebacker Jamari Lattimore back on the roster next season, but don’t appear ready to offer him the right-of-first-refusal tender, according to Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. With Green Bay likely willing to offer a salary closer to the minimum, Lattimore figures to test the open market.
- There’s a lot of debate over whether Saints star Jimmy Graham should be designated as a tight end or a wide receiver when it comes to the franchise tag, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com rightfully notes that it’s a decision made by the league office, not the team.
- The Saints have reached out to running back Pierre Thomas to discuss his future with the club, writes Larry Holder of The Times-Picayune.
- Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman recently acknowledged that the club could conceivably cut ties with Steve Smith this summer and the wide receiver is less than thrilled about hearing that second hand, writes Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer.
- The Rams plan to take a wait-and-see approach with their backup quarterback situation, writes ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner.
- Raiders free agent defensive tackle Vance Walker has signed with A3 NFL agent Tommy Sims, according to Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal (on Twitter). He was formerly repped by 5 Star Athlete Management.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Packers Re-Sign Chris Banjo
The Packers have re-signed exclusive rights free agent Chris Banjo to a one-year contract, according to Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette (Twitter link). Terms of the deal aren’t known, but it’s almost certainly worth $495K, the minimum salary for a player with one year of NFL experience.
Banjo, a safety, went undrafted in 2012, then signed with the Jaguars in the summer of 2013. After he was cut by Jacksonville, the former Southern Methodist standout inked a deal with the Packers and earned a spot on the team’s regular season roster. Banjo saw some action in the secondary for Green Bay in his rookie season, playing 192 overall snaps, and will likely have to compete for a roster spot and playing time again in 2014.
Packers Sign Michael Hill
FEBRUARY 26: Hill’s deal with the Packers is now official, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
FEBRUARY 19: A little over a week after he was released by the Buccaneers, running back Michael Hill is heading back to his former team, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The Packers have agreed to terms on a new contract with Hill, likely giving him a chance to earn a roster spot on the 2014 squad.
Hill, 24, started the 2013 season on the Packers’ practice squad, and was added to the team’s active roster when Eddie Lacy and John Kuhn went down with injuries early in the season. After Hill rejoined the practice squad, he was signed away by Tampa Bay, where he saw limited action in the season’s second half with the Bucs. When Tampa waived Hill last week, the young running back drew interest from the Chargers, Colts, and 49ers, according to agent Harold Lewis, but he ultimately decided to return to Green Bay.
“He felt like that was home for him,” Lewis told Silverstein. “That’s where he wanted to be.”
Terms of Hill’s new deal aren’t known, but it figures to be a minimum-salary reserve/futures contract.
NFC West Notes: Cards, Browner, Kaepernick
With less than two weeks remaining until 2014’s free agent period opens, let’s check out what’s going on in the NFC West….
- The Cardinals and free agent pass-rusher Mike Neal have mutual interest, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com (via Twitter). However, Weinfuss notes that “a bunch” of other clubs also have interest in the 26-year-old, who has spent the first four years of his career in Green Bay.
- Brandon Browner‘s agent and lawyer, Peter Schaffer, intends to file a lawsuit next week challenging the NFL’s indefinite suspension of his client, reports Mike Florio or Pro Football Talk. Before the Seahawks cornerback was suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, he had been scheduled to hit restricted free agency this offseason. As such, Schaffer’s complaint will also include a motion asking the court to allow Browner to become a free agent on March 11.
- There are no real updates to report on the contract extension negotiations between Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. According to Rapoport, “things went fine” in the early stages of the talks, and the two sides will continue the conversation.
- Alabama’s Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Louisville’s Calvin Pryor both had formal interviews with the Rams at the combine, as Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch details. While the club won’t select either of the top two safeties in the draft with the No. 2 pick, one or both of them could receive strong consideration if they’re still on the board at No. 13.
NFC Rumors: Bucs, Saints, Finley, Cowboys
The Buccaneers are making a push to re-sign fullback Erik Lorig, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. The strong blocker has opened up holes for Doug Martin and the club’s other running backs and can also pitch in at tight end (link). La Canfora still expects the unrestricted free agent to test the open market, but he could still wind up back in Tampa Bay even if he does (link). More from around the NFL..
- The Saints have had discussions with tackle Zach Strief, wide receivers Joe Morgan and Robert Meachem, and linebacker Parys Haralson, and now we can add another name to the list. Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune reports that New Orleans has also engaged in early discussions on a new deal with safety Rafael Bush.
- There’s a healthy market forming for Packers free agent tight end Jermichael Finley, who is coming off of injury, La Canfora tweets. A longterm deal doesn’t seem all that likely but he could do well on a one or two year pact.
- Todd Archer of ESPN.com (on Twitter) senses that the Cowboys will not restructure Brandon Carr‘s contract because they don’t want to push money into future caps.
- Reuben Frank and Jeff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com look at 28-year-old safety Chris Clemons as a possibility for the Eagles. Mosher writes that he wouldn’t be surprised in the least if Clemons winds up in green.
- The Giants and safety Stevie Brown have talked about a new deal, agent Blake Baratz tells Ed Valentine of Big Blue View.