NFC Notes: Eagles, Packers, Bears, Cowboys
While the Eagles have made significant splashes in free agency a handful of times during the last several years, GM Howie Roseman says the team isn’t necessarily looking at big-name free agents this winter, as Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com details. According to Roseman, the club doesn’t want to compromise its flexibility in the long-term by committing heavily to one or two pieces that may not work out.
“If you only sign two guys in free agency and you put a lot of resources in them, and for one reason or another a guy doesn’t work out, you’re hamstrung,” Roseman said. “But if you go after a bunch of guys that you think may fit and a couple don’t work out as much as you want every one of them to work out, you feel like, you know what, as long as I have a good batting average on these guys, I’m improving the quality of our football team.”
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- A busy offseason awaits the Packers‘ front office, according to Wayne Larrivee of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who previews the team’s winter and lays out the best-case scenario in his view.
- Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com takes a look at a few of the decisions the Bears will face this winter related to their linebacking corps.
- Naming Rod Marinelli as their new defensive coordinator is fine, but the Cowboys can’t expect their defense to improve unless they bring in more talent on that side of the ball, says Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
- Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times spoke to Darrell Bevell about how close the Seahawks‘ offensive coordinator came to becoming the new head coach of the Bears earlier this month.
Extra Points: Henne, Packers, Keisel, Rivera
Contract talks could start soon between the Jaguars and quarterback Chad Henne, writes Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. “We’ll reach out to their people at some point in time,” general manager David Caldwell said. “There’s not a glaring rush. We’ve got some more meetings to go through, some game-planning with our coaching staff and our personnel staff just to see where we’re at and put together our plan for free agency and the draft.” Henne, who signed a two-year deal worth $6.75MM with the team in 2012, started 13 games in ’13 and threw for 3,421 yards and 13 touchdowns with 14 interceptions. Here’s more from around the NFL..
- Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com looks at the Packers‘ defensive line situation. Johnny Jolly, Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji, and C.J. Wilson are all free agents this winter and it sounds like there’s a decent chance that Raji winds up elsewhere. The defensive tackle didn’t have the kind of value-raising season he hoped for as he closed out his rookie contract.
- Appearing on ESPN Radio with Scott Van Pelt and Ryan Russillo, free-agent-to-be Brett Keisel didn’t sound like a man ready to retire. The longtime Steelers defensive end suggested he feels as if he still has a couple years in left in him, as Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk details.
- Extending Ron Rivera‘s deal was a no-brainer for the Panthers, writes David Newton of ESPN.com.
- Jason LaCanfora of CBSSports.com looks at Adam Gase, the Broncos‘ offensive coordinator who has positioned himself as one of the prize candidates of next year’s head coaching searches. Gase politely rebuffed advances by the Browns and Vikings to interview for their head coaching openings in order to focus all of his energy on Denver’s playoff run.
Packers, Sam Shields In Talks
The Packers have a number of unrestricted free agents to tend to this offseason, including notable cornerback Sam Shields. The two sides are still in regular contact, a source tells Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel, while quantifying the odds of a return at “50/50.”
Shields, at the age of 26, is widely considered to be one of the best young cornerbacks in the league. In a division featuring the likes of Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Greg Jennings, and the ever-improving Alshon Jeffery, Shields would leave some massive cleats to be filled. As Dunne notes, position coach Joe Whitt Jr. has deemed Shields to be a “top ten” cornerback in the league. While that could be up for some debate given his tackling woes and health issues, it’s easy to see why Green Bay would want to keep him in-house.
An undrafted rookie out of the University of Miami, Shields made a name for himself in his first season in 2010. Last season, Shields finished out the year with 61 tackles (51 solo), 17 pass break-ups, and four interceptions. Including the postseason, he has had a total of 17 picks over four seasons. Unfortunately, injuries have cost the corner eight games over the last two seasons.
Green Bay’s other unrestricted free agents include B.J. Raji, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Jermichael Finley, Ryan Pickett, Mike Neal, and John Kuhn.
NFC Notes: Bennett, Kuhn, Redskins
A couple of notes from around the NFC on this Monday evening…
- Upcoming free agent Mike Bennett has expressed interest in returning to the Seahawks, tweets Todd Dybas of the Tacoma News Tribune. However, Seattle may have competition in the Bears, says Chicago Sun-Times reporter Patrick Finley. Signing with Chicago would team up the defensive end with his brother, tight end Martellus Bennett, who is expected to recruit his older sibling.
- The Packers‘ signing of Ina Liaina does not necessarily have an impact on the status of free agent fullback John Kuhn, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. As the writer points out, Kuhn shined as a third-down option and blocker for rookie Eddie Lacy while Liaina, who Green Bay inked earlier today, has basically no NFL experience.
- Rich Tandler of CSNWashington takes a look at the Redskins current salary cap situation and how it applies to the team’s defensive line. Tandler believes the current group has not justified their current salaries and that defensive ends Adam Carriker and Stephen Bowen are potential cap casualties.
- Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea believes that of the 49ers free agents, wide receiver Anquan Boldin and kicker Phil Dawson are the most likely to re-sign. Maiocco also mentions that defensive backs Donte Whitner and Tarell Brown are expected to test the market.
Packers Sign Ina Liaina
The Packers have signed fullback Ina Liaina to a two-year deal, according to agent Angelo Wright of SportsWest Football (via Twitter). Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com adds that it’s a reserve/futures contract (Twitter link).
Liaina, who went undrafted in 2013, was signed in May by the Dolphins, but only lasted a few weeks on the roster before being cut. The San Jose State product, who played predominantly at fullback and on special teams, had 98 rushing yards on 33 attempts during his final college season in 2012.
The Packers reportedly worked out another fullback, Jonathan Amosa, today, so it appears that the team elected to sign Liaina over Amosa or any other free agent options.
NFC Notes: Avril, Gonzalez, 49ers, Eagles
Cliff Avril may have cost himself some long-term money when he reportedly turned down a three-year, $30MM extension offer from the Lions before the 2012 season. Avril ultimately played the 2012 season as a franchise player, then signed a more modest two-year deal with the Seahawks a year ago. However, as he told reporters yesterday, including Kyle Meinke of MLive.com, Avril doesn’t have any regrets or hard feelings toward the Lions, who didn’t re-engaged in contract discussions after applying the franchise tag on the defensive end.
“It’s not like I’m making pennies,” Avril said. “Again, I can’t complain. I’m fortunate enough to be where I’m at right now. There’s definitely no bitterness though.”
Here are a few more Monday notes from around the NFC:
- Tony Gonzalez, who played in his record-tying 14th Pro Bowl last night, expressed that he is “at peace” and will not be talked out of his plans to retire after the 2013 season, according to a tweet by ESPN.com’s Falcons reporter Vaughn McClure.
- While the Falcons may focus on scouting players who are best suited for the team’s 3-4 scheme, GM Thomas Dimitroff acknowledged that Atlanta could use any pass-rushers capable of getting the quarterback consistently. McClure has the quotes and the details.
- Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle explains why it may be in both Colin Kaepernick‘s and the 49ers‘ best interests to work out a long-term deal sooner rather than later.
- There’s a 75% chance Anquan Boldin re-signs with the 49ers, in the opinion of ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson, who also predicts the odds of other free agents returning to San Francisco.
- Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com spoke to cap expert Joel Corry about a number of decisions facing the Eagles this offseason.
- The Packers are working out free agent fullback Jonathan Amosa today, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Amosa, a University of Washington product, was with Green Bay during training camp.
David Kipke contributed to this post.
NFC North Coaching Notes: LeBeau, Prince
Embattled Green Bay defensive coordinator Dom Capers is aware of the criticism from Packers fans, but he won’t get any from fellow coaches in the league. According to Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the overwhelming consensus is that Capers is still one of the brightest minds in the game. Dunne spoke with Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, with whom Capers worked in Pittsburgh from 1992-94.
“We’re in the business of concurrency,” LeBeau said. “People have a tendency to remember what’s happening today. That’s life. But I know that wherever he goes, they’re going to receive excellent preparation, coaching. There’s none better than Coach Capers. There is none better.”
LeBeau continued: “He’s as good a football coach as anybody. I don’t care who you’re talking about. He is in my opinion.”
- The Lions hired former Boise State offensive coordinator Robert Prince to be their new wide receivers coach, tweets Alex Marvez of Fox Sports. Prince has NFL coaching experience, spending time as wide receivers coach with the Falcons, Jaguars and Seahawks from 2004-09.
- Kirby Wilson is leaving Pittsburgh to become the Vikings new running backs coach, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Wilson had interviewed twice with the Ravens for their vacant offensive coordinator position, but learned today that he was not a final candidate.
- The Bears have added Clint Hurtt to their staff as an assistant defensive line coach, writes Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Hurtt’s role as a college assistant in the Miami booster scandal ended up with him receiving a two-year show-cause penalty from the NCAA last fall. Hurtt fills the void left by Michael Sinclair‘s depature, the third Bears assistant fired this offseason. Finley said the move was surprising, noting that the Bears said the rest of their staff was safe earlier this month.
Extra Points: Stafford, Packers, Seahawks
New Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi discussed his new quarterback, Matthew Stafford, with Eric Edholm of Yahoo Sports.
“The good news is that he’s not broken, that much is clear,” Lombardi said. “There’s an awful amount of talent there. His arm is something to behold. We used to sit in the Saints quarterback room and just marvel at his passes — all the depths, the whole field in play. He really can sling it. That’s a great thing to have.”
Stafford, a former first overall pick, should evoke higher praise at this point in his career than “not broken.” While he has put up huge number the past few years, he has struggled with turning the football over, and the Lions were perceived to have underachieved, only reaching the playoffs one time with Stafford under center. Still, the Lions quarterback is here to stay, on an big contract that runs through 2017. Hopefully for Lombardi and new head coach Jim Caldwell, they can get him from “not broken” to “very good” in a short amount of time. Here is some other news from around the league:
- Packers receiver James Jones will hit free agency this offseason, and Weston Hodkiewicz of PackersNews.com is skeptical that the Packers will be able to keep the third member of their dangerous receiving corps. Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson are both on team friendly contracts, but each is entering the last years of those deals. Both could get big extensions, and with the emergence of undrafted rookie Jarrett Boykin, the 30-year-old Jones may be the odd man out.
- While the Seahawks are preparing for the Super Bowl, general manager John Schneider has been in Mobile, Alabama preparing for the 2014 NFL Draft, writes Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Schneider is also going to have some decisions to make in free agency, as receiver Golden Tate and defensive end Michael Bennett will be among the team’s unrestricted free agents this offseason. Up against the cap as the Seahawks are, even after they cut some of their expensive contracts, they will still have to prepare for Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman to reach free agency after 2014, and Russell Wilson the year after that.
- The Dolphins’ general manager search continues, as they have started their second round of interviews with in-house finalist, assistant general manager Brian Gaine, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. They interviewed Patriots director of pro personell Nick Caserio earlier today. Caserio is also a finalist, and will interview for the second time tomorrow, reports Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com (via Twitter).
NFC Notes: Peterson, Packers, 49ers, Bailey
Adrian Peterson mused last month about the possibility of finishing his NFL career in his home state of Texas, but if that comes to fruition, it won’t be anytime soon, according to Vikings GM Rick Spielman. In a conversation with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Spielman shut down any Peterson trade rumors before they began.
“Adrian’s not going anywhere,” Spielman said. “We have him under contract, he is the face of our franchise, he is a blue-chip player, and we have a new coaching staff coming into place, and you know, [we’re] very excited about what’s coming ahead for us.”
Let’s round up a few more Friday notes from around the NFC…
- Heading into the offseason, the Packers figure to be seeking an outside linebacker to play opposite Clay Matthews in the team’s 3-4 scheme, writes Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- The 49ers already have 11 picks in hand for May’s draft, and expect to add one more compensatory pick at the end of the third or fourth round, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
- Adding a veteran safety appears to be a goal for the Falcons this offseason, as Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com outlines.
- While the Bears will likely be eyeing defensive tackles in May’s draft, their specific targets will depend on their defensive scheme, says Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times, citing a few possible options for the club.
- Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com has the financial breakdown on Dan Bailey‘s new seven-year deal with the Cowboys, which includes a cap number of $1.7MM for 2014.
- A number of NFC players saw their 2014 base salaries escalate or de-escalate based on their 2013 playing time, and Brian McIntyre provides the details on a handful of them in a series of several tweets.
Browns Hire Mike Pettine As Head Coach
4:44pm: Pettine agreed to a five-year contract with the Browns, according to team CEO Joe Banner (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal).
3:12pm: The last NFL team without a coach has finally found its man. The Browns have hired Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine as their new head coach, with a press conference scheduled for this afternoon, according to the team (Twitter link). Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer first reported (via Twitter) that the Browns had reached an agreement with Pettine.
Long after every other head coaching position in the NFL had been filled, the Browns continued to interview candidates and consider potential options to succeed Rob Chudzinski. Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase, and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels were among the names the Browns were said to be eyeing before hiring Pettine.
Pettine, who spent four years as the defensive coordinator with the Jets before heading to Buffalo last year, turned the Bills’ D into a top-five unit, according to Football Outsiders’ DVOA, a significant turnaround after the team ranked 27th in 2012.
According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter), Pettine will bring Bills linebacker coach Jim O’Neil to Cleveland to be his defensive coordinator, assuming Buffalo is willing to let him out of his contract. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets that Pettine had identified Alex Van Pelt as a top candidate for Cleveland’s offensive coordinator opening, but Van Pelt will remain with the Packers as the team’s QB coach (Twitter links).