AFC Notes: Blackmon, Chiefs, Ross, Dalton
Wide receiver Justin Blackmon, who was already serving an indefinite suspension for violations of the league’s substance abuse policy, was arrested in Oklahoma on Wednesday night for possession of marijuana, as Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union details. The Jaguars say they haven’t considered cutting Blackmon, but there’s no indication that he’ll be reinstated and return to the field anytime soon.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- Via Joel Corry of CBSSports.com, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap passes along the details on Jamaal Charles’ new deal with the Chiefs, which includes a roster bonus and reporting bonus for 2014, but no prorated signing bonus.
- Even after signing his extension, Charles also earned the honor of having the best contract on the Chiefs, in Fitzgerald’s view. On the other end of the spectrum, Dwayne Bowe’s deal is the least team-friendly pact on the team’s books, says Fitzgerald.
- Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters, including Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link), that cornerback Aaron Ross tore his Achilles tendon during the team’s conditioning test, and will be out for the season. The injury is an unfortunate one for the veteran defensive back, who was hoping to earn a regular-season roster spot.
- Speaking to the media today, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton said he’s not worried about his contract situation, adding that the backing of owner Mike Smith makes him confident the two sides will work something out (Twitter links via Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com).
Justin Houston Reports To Chiefs’ Camp
JULY 24: Houston is present at the Chiefs’ training camp, multiple sources tell Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link).
JULY 16: While he’s still seeking a new contract and remains upset with the Chiefs, linebacker Justin Houston is expected to report to the team’s training camp when it opens next week, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Houston was absent from Kansas City’s spring workouts and minicamp, but will want to avoid incurring up to $30K in daily fines for missing training camp.
Houston, 25, has racked up 21 sacks in 27 games for the Chiefs in the last two seasons, earning spots in consecutive Pro Bowls. However, since he was a third-round pick in 2011, he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract and will earn a base salary of just $1.4MM in 2014.
Because he wasn’t a first-rounder, Houston doesn’t have a fifth-year option on his deal, meaning he’s eligible for unrestricted free agency after the ’14 season. His approaching free agency could improve his leverage, but Houston also has to be careful about missing too much of this year’s training camp — failing to report within 30 days of the regular season opener would cost him an accrued season, in which case he’d only be eligible for restricted free agency in 2015.
Houston is certainly underpaid, and with just a year remaining on his deal, the Chiefs should be motivated to work out a deal that locks him up for multiple years, but the team doesn’t have a significant amount of cap flexibility. As such, this will be an interesting situation to watch during training camp, whether or not Houston is in attendance.
Chiefs Sign Ryan Harris, Josh Mauga
THURSDAY, 10:09am: The Chiefs confirmed the two signings today, adding that linebacker DeRon Furr has been cut and fullback James Baker has been placed on the reserve/did not report list (Twitter links).
WEDNESDAY, 11:32am: The Chiefs are expected to officially finalize a pair of signings shortly, adding offensive tackle Ryan Harris and linebacker Josh Mauga to the roster. The news of Harris’ signing comes from the tackle himself, who tweets that he’s “beyond happy to be a Chief.” Meanwhile, agent Michael Hoffman of Premier Sports tweets the news of Mauga agreeing to terms with Kansas City.
Harris, 29, has spent the first six years of his NFL career with the Broncos and Texans, starting 39 of his 78 total games. Although he was a reserve last season in Houston, Harris appeared in each of the team’s 16 games and logged 485 offensive snaps, primarily at right tackle.
Mauga, 27, played for the Jets from 2010 to 2013, appearing in 29 games during his first three years but missing last season with a back injury. His best year for the Jets came in 2011, when he made nine tackles on special teams and also played 145 snaps on defense. For the Chiefs, Mauga figures to compete for a role primarly as a special-teamer.
Neither move has been formally announced by the Chiefs yet, so we’ll have to wait for the club to make the signings official and to indicate which players are being cut to make room for the new additions.
West Notes: Boone, Charles, Houston
It was revealed earlier today that longtime Broncos owner Pat Bowlen is giving up control over the franchise due to his ongoing battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The 70-year-old is placing ownership in the Pat Bowlen Trust that is controlled by non-family members, with team president Joe Ellis assuming control of the club. “It’s a really, really sad day,” Ellis said. “It’s sad for his family, his wife and his seven children. It’s sad for everyone in the organization. And it’s sad for all the Bronco fans who know what Pat Bowlen meant to them as an owner. It’s a day nobody wanted to see happen.” More out of the AFC and NFC West..
- As expected, 49ers guard Alex Boone did not report to camp and he has been placed on the did not report list, tweets Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. The Niners can fine him $30K for each day he remains absent.
- Terez A. Paylor of The Star (on Twitter) has received zero indications that Jamaal Charles’ new deal with the Chiefs will affect any potential deal with Justin Houston. Houston, 25, has racked up 21 sacks in 27 games for the Chiefs in the last two seasons, earning spots in consecutive Pro Bowls. However, since he was a third-round pick in 2011, he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract and will earn a base salary of just $1.4MM in 2014.
- More from Paylor (on Twitter), who hears that despite some speculation to the contrary, Houston has reported to camp with the Chiefs.
AFC Notes: Pouncey, Bengals, McCourty
While Mike Pouncey‘s initial recovery timetable from hip surgery suggested he’d miss the first month of the season, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports that the veteran center may not return for a few more weeks after that. According to Salguero, Pouncey’s rehab could extend into late October, meaning he’d miss nearly half the regular season.
Meanwhile, extension talks between Pouncey and the Dolphins have been put on hold for now, says Salugero (via Twitter). Besides the fact that Pouncey, who turns 25 tomorrow, isn’t healthy, it’s still a little early to make serious progress on a new contract, considering the team has exercised its fifth-year option for 2015. So far, no 2011 first-rounders have signed extensions, since their teams still have most of the leverage.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- For years, Bengals owner Mike Brown has served as the team’s de facto general manager, but speaking to reporters – including Joe Danneman of Fox19 – Brown said yesterday that his daughter Katie Blackburn and head coach Marvin Lewis are now running the franchise (Twitter link). As Paul Dehner of the Cincinnati Enquirer details, Brown still has the final say on personnel decisions, but typically follows the lead of Blackburn and Lewis.
- A report in early June suggested extension talks between the Patriots and safety Devin McCourty had gotten underway, but according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (via Twitter), there have been no new talks since that initial dialogue. Regardless, McCourty isn’t phased by heading into the regular season on an expiring deal.
- Focusing on how contract situations may affect players’ roster security, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe breaks down the Patriots who may be on the hot seat as roster cuts approach.
- Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star consults cap expert Joel Corry to determine whether or not the Chiefs will be able to lock up both Jamaal Charles and Justin Houston to new long-term contracts. The answer: Yes, though the team will have to be careful about how it spreads out the money on the cap.
Chiefs, Jamaal Charles Discussing New Deal
WEDNESDAY, 8:35am: Unless he and the Chiefs have a breakthrough in contract talks, Charles will not report for training camp today, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). As Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com notes (via Twitter), the running back’s contract includes a $1MM reporting bonus, so if he decides not to show up, it may signal that he’s digging in his heels.
TUESDAY, 6:23pm: The Chiefs have discussed a new contract with running back Jamaal Charles, sources tell Adam Telcher of ESPN.com. While Telcher hears the Chiefs believe Charles will report to camp on time, Brad Fanning of KCTV5 (via Brad Stephens on Twitter) hears that the running back won’t be reporting to camp.
Charles, 27, is scheduled to make $3.9MM from the Chiefs this year when factoring in his bonuses and is slated to earn $6MM in 2015. After coming off of what might be his best NFL season, Charles is looking for a payday comparable closer to Matt Forte of the Bears ($6.9MM) and the Eagles LeSean McCoy ($8MM). Charles led the Chiefs in rushing (1,287 yards), receiving (70 catches), and touchdowns (19), setting career highs in the last two categories.
The Chiefs are also facing contract issues with two other key players, quarterback Alex Smith and linebacker Justin Houston with both headed into the final seasons of their contracts. Houston held out from offseason practice, including a mandatory three-day mini-camp. Now, Charles could ratchet up the pressure on KC by staying home during training camp.
Extra Points: Newton, Watt, Charles, Eagles
Many theorized that the rookie wage scale of the 2011 draft would results in holdouts down the line, but so far that theory has busted, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. No members of the 2011 draft class are poised to hold out, even though none of the first-round picks has received a second contract. First-rounders like Cam Newton, A.J. Green, Patrick Peterson, Julio Jones, Tyron Smith, and J.J. Watt are waiting patiently on new deals rather than resorting to holdouts. Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston is the only 2011 draft pick to take a stand this offseason. He boycotted the offseason program and a mandatory minicamp but still expected to report this week for Chiefs’ training camp. More from around the NFL..
- Watt has a big payday in his future but it’s up to the Texans when it comes to how much and when, writes Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle. In the view of former agent Joel Corry, Watt will have to hold out if he wants Houston to pay him market value when the club still has years of control on him. The back-to-back first-team All Pro ranks ninth on the team in salary at $3.5MM, behind 2014 No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, cornerback Kareem Jackson, center Chris Myers, and others.
- Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap looks at Jamaal Charles‘ contract, his case for a new deal, and the Chiefs‘ salary cap. He finds that the difference in pay between Charles and his peers is startling. Four of the highest paid RBs earned $29MM or more in the first three years of their contract and all earned over $22MM. Charles earned just $18.1MM.
- More from Fitzgerald who looks at the best and worst contracts on the Eagles. Jason Kelce, one of the bright young centers in the league, is on a six-year extension that will pay him $6.25MM per season. The worst deal, meanwhile, is tight end/running back James Casey, who is earning $4MM per season on a three-year deal.
- The NFLPA has increased the annual fee for agents by $300 per year and agents are less-than-pleased, writes Florio. The union says that the increase, the first since 2000, arises from the cost of maintaining the agent regulation system and upgrades to the NFLPA website that will make it easier for agents to conduct salary research.
- The new deal between Danny Woodhead and the Chargers came together rather quickly, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. Woodhead’s agent approached the Bolts earlier this year but negotiations didn’t get underway until last week. Woodhead’s new deal is slated to keep him in San Diego through the 2016 campaign.
Extra Points: Dunbar, Bengals, McKnight, Bucs
Two central ideas are evident in the NFL as teams enter training camp, John Clayton of ESPN.com writes. First, offensive units are trying to run more plays per game than ever before. Perhaps due to the influence of Chip Kelly, Clayton can envision at least a half-dozen teams running over 70 plays per game next season. On defense, teams will have to react to the news that the league plans to call more pass defense penalties. Clubs like the Seahawks and the Patriots, who emphasize physicality in the secondary, might have to tone it down in order to avoid the ire of officials.
- Rams linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar was arrested and charged with battery and disorderly conduct after an incident at a Miami nightclub on Sunday, reports CBS Miami. Dunbar, an undrafted free agent in 2008, missed the first four games of the 2013 season after being suspended for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
- LakKendrick Ross, an undrafted free agent out Virginia-Lynchburg, will work out for the Bengals on Monday, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link). Ross was eligible for the supplemental draft, but was not selected.
- Chiefs running back Joe McKnight had an offseason knee scope and is still recovering, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
- The Buccaneers are pinning their hopes on a veteran, journeyman quarterback in Josh McCown, writes Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, and history shows that isn’t the best decision. An ideal scenario entails McCown continuing his late-career revival à la Rich Gannon, continues Stroud.
- Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times runs through the Seahawks’ 2013 draft class, and examines what each player drafted last year can contribute in 2014.
- There are 10 players who will be crucial to the Bears’ success in 2014, opines Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times, who lists Lance Briggs, Jared Allen, and Jordan Mills in that camp.
Sunday Roundup: Mauga, Peppers, AFC North
More and more beat writers are providing season previews, roster breakdowns, position battles, etc. as training opens (for one team, at least) in just a few hours. So let’s have a look at some links from around the league:
- Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer looks at 10 question the Panthers will face this summer, including what will happen with Greg Hardy and how the team’s receiving corps will shake out.
- Roy Cummings of The Tampa Tribune looks at five key newcomers for the Buccaneers, including (of course) Josh McCown, Mike Evans, and Alterraun Verner.
- Linebacker Josh Mauga, who played for the Jets last season, will work out for the Chiefs on Monday, tweets Gil Brandt of NFL.com.
- Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean provides training camp previews for the Titans‘ quarterback, running back, offensive line, and tight end positions.
- Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post looks at the Broncos players who are “under the microscope” this season, including Von Miller and Orlando Franklin.
- Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin.com continues his positional previews of the Packers with a look at the club’s receiving unit.
- Pete Dougherty of PackersNews.com adds a preview of the Packers‘ linebacker corps, noting that Green Bay needs to manage Julius Peppers‘ snaps to get the most out of the aging star.
- Ed Bouchette of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes that newcomers like Ryan Shazier will have to contribute on both sides of the ball for the Steelers as the club continues to infuse youth into its roster.
- Bouchette, in a separate piece, provides five storylines for Steelers‘ fans to track, including the aforementioned infusion of youth and increased use of the no huddle offense.
- Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com offers his training camp preview for the Ravens, writing that the performance of right tackle Ricky Wagner and the secondary competition will be among the most critical summer developments to watch.
- Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal still believes Brian Hoyer will open the season as the Browns‘ starting quarterback.
- Speaking of Hoyer and the Browns, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer expects Hoyer to be 100% healthy for the regular season opener against Pittsburgh, and she would be surprised if Josh Gordon were to have his indefinite ban reduced.
West Notes: Boone, Smith, Williams, Cardinals
49ers guard Alex Boone will not report to training camp unless he is given a new deal, reports Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports. It’s not clear how much of a raise Boone wants over his scheduled $2MM and $1.2MM base salaries for 2014 and 2015, respectively, but as Getlin tweets, the crux of this disagreement is “valuation.” While San Francisco believes Boone is worth top-20 guard money, the sixth-year player believes he is in an even higher stratum. Sources also tell Getlin that Joe Staley‘s extension was, in part, a signal to Boone that new contracts can be struck, but only for players who attend workouts. More from the NFL’s two West divisions:
- Extension talks continue between Alex Smith and the Chiefs, but there are “significant differences” between the two parties, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).
- Paylor lists the backup QB competition as the #1 training camp battle on the Chiefs roster; Chase Daniel, Tyler Bray, and Aaron Murray are all fighting for the job.
- The 49ers placed defensive lineman Ian Williams on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list, tweets Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. The active/PUP list means a player is unable to perform during preseason workouts at the current time; as soon as the player is healthy, he can come off the list. Placement on the active/PUP list makes a player eligible for the more well-known reserve/PUP list, which mandates that a player miss the first weeks of the regular season.
- Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com takes a look at the more interesting position battles on the Cardinals, listing the right side of the offensive line and cornerback as two areas where competition and depth are abundant.
- Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com projects the Broncos’ 53-man roster, and veteran tight end Joel Dreessen doesn’t make the cut.